PS: How's the bathroom coming along?

Wow, what a transformation! I love, love, love the doors and your window. I adore that you kept the floor grate, too. I love the spacing of your appliances and I LOVE your fridge. What a warm space. Enjoy it! I know that I could sit in there all day sipping coffee and watching the cats "chase" the squirrels and birds.

I enjoyed the mini-reveal on your other thread, but seeing it all--wow! What a difference! It looks great and no wonder you love it. I'm happy to see that you gave a nod to your warm colors from the old kitchen--the art work from your siblings is perfect, and so is the door leading to your beautiful garden.

So, so beautiful. The light is just gorgeous!

My favorite is your countertop. I've been fascinated by that color after seeing it in another kitchen that I really liked. It's the ultimate neutral!

The old kitchen had a warmth to it but also it was not serene. The new kitchen is both warm and serene (and a lot more functional). I would be like the cats, staring out the window all the time .... That transom type top was a really good idea.

Your new door is gorgeous! The space is open and light and full of color. I love how your pendants and the orange wall brighten the space.

That is exquisite! What an amazing transformation. Love the light and the door. Love the floor grate. And I have to give you the award for "best use of white appliances". Just love it all.

Mgmum - You know, it *had* to be better than what it was. Agreed, though. It exceeded anything I even came close to hoping for. Oh, bathroom is great. I posted a photo some time ago. Let's see if i can find one, now. The shelf (slightly sloped) is great for shampoo, etc.!

hsw_sc - You know I just sit on the couch watching the door (I don't have a TV, so it's a good substitute.)

Mama_goose - thank you! I've enjoyed learning from your layout advice on here.

nancyjwb - I really do love my counter. Yes, very neutral, and even somewhere in the middle on the light/dark scale.

practigal - I am like the cats, always looking out the window. I can't wait for the birds to discover the new feeders - they've found the dropped seed on the ground, but haven't quite figured out to fly up yet. Yeah, the transom is the icing, isn't it?

Malabacat - Yeah, I love the brightness of the pendants in an otherwise fairly neutral space. Thank you.

highendredneck - Yeah, I really like white appliances w/ white cabinets. No need for the whites to match. And each of my four white appliances is a different brand, and they look just fine together.

Carrie - do you have any information on the door? Make, model, manufacturer, etc. Thanks

An amazing transformation to a much more functional kitchen that looks fantastic.

Your kitchen looks bigger, brighter and colorful. The door at the back of the kitchen is a work of art itself with the tree adding to the artwork. I love the color choices ( my favorites for the last 50 years). The art work is the icing on the cake and the round basket is perfect over the window. I especially like your "garden" window.

Congratulations! You and your kitties will certainly enjoy it.

All of the kitchens I see on here are really lovely, but your kitchen is my favorite of all. It has such warmth and appeal (just like the postings of its owner!). I adore your cats. Your kitchen pictures should always have your cats in them. For me they are the finishing touch!

Your kitchen faucet has been discontinued! Darn it.

blfenton - The door is Andersen 400 series 6' hinged patio door, with a 12" transom. GC ordered it through Home Depot.

Karenseb - thank you! I'm certainly enjoying it. I'm kind of walking on air these days - I look forward to coming home so much more now.

12crumbles - My cat are pretty darned cool. I mean, if you don't mind cats who bite (Maddie) and ones who run away from people (Moishe.) :)

I've seen that my faucet has been discontinued, but you can still buy it, cheap. Kraus Faucet. PS: It was discontinued when I bought mine...

Wow. Just wow. It really is stunning and I can't wait to see it next year! Including the orange wall. ;)

This is one of my favorite transformations too! Congrats Carrie! I remember when I first saw your kitchen. It was on the thread you had about where to put your little dining table and chandelier. The difference is like night and day. I was not sure about the orange on the bump out, but as usual, you made the right choice. I love it! I also love your choice on what to put above the window. The colors and textures of that African basket are again perfect. Thanks for allowing us to enjoy the ride with you.

this is so lovely! I love all your color choices and artwork. it feels like such a warm and inviting space. wonderful job!

cpartist - I was wondering when you'd chime in! :) Maybe I'll make you breakfast when you come visit!

rebunky - Oh, I remember those discussions about a table... You know, my table is 30", and a few (myself included) were concerned that it would be too small. So far, it's perfect for me. I did have two Airbnb guests a week or so ago & I pulled up my chair to eat my cereal with them, and that was fine. I had cut out a 36" round piece of cardboard to mock up before the remodel, and the size was too big - out of proportion (my sister agreed with me) but I'm thinking maybe I'll get a cheap 36" round top to stash away & bring out just to lay on top of the other in case of 2 or more dinner guests.

michoumonster - Thank you thank you!

cpartist - I was wondering when you'd chime in! :) Maybe I'll make you breakfast when you come visit!

I can't wait. :) I was just enjoying revisiting it several times and I had never seen the before pictures so I am completely blown away at the transformation.

cpartist - just for you:

Carrie, I actually love the faux painted walls in the old kitchen! I know it is probably considered "dated" or "out of style" these days, but I always liked sponged or rag rolled walls. I never noticed them before. It reminded me of my old house were I did several different techniques on my walls.

Hey, another question... Weren't you donating to a family member that adorable red and white table and chair set? Was it going in a lake house or something?

rebunky - my neighbor did those false finishes. Also on the peninsula wall near the old dining table - visible in the photos. Yes, the table went to my sister's lakeside cabin. I posted a photo a while back... let's see if I can find it... Ah, here it is, scroll down to August 25 at 6:43 am! August 25, 6:43 am table.

I feel I really must add one more comment, if for no other reason than for others who might stumble upon your reveal in the future.

When you first came here and you were trying to get ideas, I questioned why you (or anyone who doesn't cook) would go through the expense and hassle of a kitchen remodel. I mean, you don't cook!!!! All you need is space to store the things you eat at home when you don't eat out, why on earth does it need to be a 50K functional kitchen?!?

I did not mean to offend, I was truly curious! Well, please allow me to eat crow and submit as proof evidence A, this reveal thread!

Duh!!! Even if you never use that stove, this space is a thousand times better both in looks AND functionality, EVEN for someone who doesn't cook.

So please,accept the humble apologies of a formerly ignorant gal from Texas. ;)

You absolutely made the right call and if I ever actually visit the east coast, maybe we can grab a coffee and visit!

Well, you know I love it but I forgot what your old kitchen looked like. I think you win the award for the most amazing changes from the before. I really can't say what I like best. Of course, the door/transom/window wall but, gosh, I have irrational lust for your round drain, lol. All your accessories and colors are just sublime. It has been fun to go through this process with you and see such excellent execution of the suggestions you received. And getting to know your cats!

Just for grins:

http://ths.gardenweb.com/discussions/2697380/corners

Of course I think you started in a few months before this post, but this is what I think of when I see your final project. Thanks for sharing everything and taking us along with you on your remodeling adventure. It's beautiful. Lucky kitties - lucky Carrie!

I was wondering what this reveal would include that we haven't seen already, but it looks totally different with plants and art now. Looks like yours!

My husband and I just bought a new couch, and the cat has claimed it entirely. I am fairly sure she thinks we bought a giant cat bed just for her, and I am fairly sure your cats think you bought a giant window just for them.

Texas_Gem - if you ever visit me on the east coast, I may COOK for you! :) I questioned myself about that, too. My kitchen looked horrible, and it was dark, so I did consider just replacing everything but otherwise leaving the layout. But it seemed like if I was going to do it... And, then, if I was going to do it, I'd want to at least add a window if possible... and there's still hope that I WILL cook! PS: I've even used the cooktop a few times, and I'm making acorn squash for a "Friendsgiving" gathering tomorrow, so will use the oven for the first time. Sure hope it works!

funkycamper - Having you all to run stuff by, and to share my dilemmas and get suggestions from - not to mention the layout has been sooo amazing. This kitchen really was a GW/CarrieB collaboration (and maybe just a little credit to the second KD.)

clueless - I just read that entire thread you linked. Funny about the corners. One of the things I absolutely love about the kitchen is that I don't have corners. I'm drafting up a new post with some thoughts on this layout.

Jillius - You know, at first, I kinda felt like someone came in and dropped a fancy kitchen in my funky little house. I really liked it, but it didn't fit in and didn't really feel like mine. Now, it feels like it belongs to a grownup version of CarrieB. I like it. :)

What an amazing transformation! You must love sitting there and look out that gorgeous door, enjoy every minute!!

Carrie, its wonderful to see more shots of your kitchen! I love it because it's such a great kitchen, and I love it doubly for being an example of a rowhouse kitchen and a not-huge-kitchen that came out very well. I'm glad you posted so much about the process you went through, because it's a good example of a renovation project that came in at moderate price point, but paid off so well.

I hadn't seen your before photos ... that makes it even better. Your old kitchen looks a lot like the old kitchens in so many rows here in Baltimore. It's hard to see how to overhaul them, and fascinating to see an overhaul to go so well. Hats of to you and GW for seeing the possibilities.

Good to hear you like the Summit fridge. We're also planning on a Summit (although I've been wondering about Fagor too). But I've never seen one in person. Glad to see a photo "in the wild."

Not frequenting GW as often as I used to, I missed this... I'm so glad to have caught the thread today. Amazing transformation... light and space... and very, very happy kitties! I love your little dining area as well. It looks like an amazing spot to have a cup of coffee, a bite to eat and to gaze, gaze, gaze at your lovely new kitchen. Enjoy!

Thanks, Historian & lawjedi.

Historian - the Summit is great - if you don't tend to store a lot of perishables. It is small.

I may be the first person on earth to consider getting contact lenses, after 25 years of glasses, for the singular reason that I want to see the birds at the feeder without having to put my glasses on first. (from the couch, zoomed in)

Cute! And besides the bird feeder, I think you need a trough for your little horse. Swedish Dalecarlian?

Now, about the water feature on the outside wall you've talked about...is that your winter planning project?

bpathome - yes, it is a Swedish horse (& Google just confirmed Dalecarlian.) Do they make troughs? There's not a lot of surface space up there, and what there is, is not level - about 1" and then about another 1" but offset by about 1/2". Not sure if the horse stay there, but am thinking I may want to add some color on that wall - but I don't want to distract from the door, which lining stuff up on the transom would probably do. Another idea is to put something on the strop above the door, maybe those Mexican paper flags or something.

Good idea for me to do some real thinking about the water feature this winter...

Holy smokes! I commented on your other reveal post, but this is outrageous. Stunning!

Thanks, Emily!

.... My other reveal post? Maybe one of my construction updates?

Ah -- the inspiration/reality thread. :)

Ok. I have been thinking of doing a warm sunny orangey-yellow color, but with wood counters, I think it might be too much. Which brought me back to your kitchen once again! Can you tell me the wall color you chose? Thanks! (I also came back because the glass door my guys put in -- my fault for not specifying -- looks so cheap, and yours is so gorgeous. So I used a photo in an email to the GC. :)

Thank you, Emily. The color is more green than yellow, and kind of brown-ish. It's Sherwin Williams Sawdust 6158. The color on the link, on my monitor, doesn't look to me that much like the color on my walls.

Here's a photo I just took. I painted the two chairs in the foreground the same color (funny how the chair up against the picture plane looks so blue) but the chairs are semi-gloss while the wall paint is flat.

The door is an Andersen 6' 400 series hinged patio door, with 12" transom.

Thank you SO much!

Carrie, I'm getting ready to embark on my own "kitchen renovation in a Philly rowhouse for a non-cook" and I am thrilled to see the beautiful results of all your hard work. If you were happy with your GC and/or anyone else who worked on your project (second KD?), would you mind sending me a message? (We can send direct messages here, can't we?) If you have any dire warnings, maybe you should include those as well. : ) Are you pleased with your cabinets? Any other sources you'd recommend?

LOVE that floor register -- I've never seen anything like it! If you hadn't been able to use it as a register, it would have looked beautiful hanging where your African basket is now.

Emckillip - I just went to your profile to send you a message, and don't see a way to do it. If you send me a message, I'll respond. I've sent messages via this site in the past.

Carrie: I can't find any way to send messages to another user, except for professionals. I searched the "Using Houzz" advice forum, and the answer seems to be "you can't." Sounds crazy to have a message box for everyone and no way to send messages, but that seems to be the situation.

Did you go to your profile, then contact info then all the way at the bottom to "who can message me" make sure you choose anyone can message you.

You have to edit you profile to receive messages, under advanced settings. Then scroll down. to "Who can message me."

Right Wendy I just realized I typed the wrong thing. It's under advanced settings. Sorry!

Thanks, Wendy & Lily. Emily figured it out & changed her settings!

lovely!

I was so happy to see this post come up today! It is my favorite kitchen here, and I remember the thrill the day you first revealed the door in the ”during”. The cats still like it, too.

Were you going to put a wall fountain on the back patio wall?

@bpath - a wall fountain is still an option, and still hasn't happened! :-)

I was so happy to revisit this thread - it is one of my favorite kitchen makeovers ever!

(PS I am at 10 years from the time mine was finished, and I totally relate being still in love with it!)