The Gardner Kitchen - Before & After

Before Ahhh. My Kitchen.Not my favorite room in our house.We have had this sage green formica countertop and I just know what you are thinking. Now why would she want to swap out this beauty. Yeah, right.

We have debated and debated how to change this countertop. We have a very limited budget so we knew whatever we did we would have to do it on our own. Our home is currently for sale so we just kept putting the project off until last week.I just couldn't take this green beast another day. And not only was the countertop a major problem so was the kitchen sink. It was NOT a double sink. Who does that? I couldn't keep that thing clean to save my life. But just like the countertop we lived with it. But we figured if we are pulling it out to redo the countertop it would be the perfect time to swap out the sink. I am not ashamed to show this very professional paint job from a few years back. Yep, I did that. Why pull out the oven while painting when you can just paint around it. It really does not matter because our next project will be to put in a subway backsplash. We decided to tile over the green beast late Friday night last week. We planned to pick up supplies the next day. And I am happy to say it is complete aside from the backsplash. I cannot lie when I say even the hardiebacker board is an improvement from the green beast! We opted for this granite style tile and could not be happier. After Isn't it just lovely. I have dreamt of this change for quite some time! I don't know if you noticed our nasty chrome single faucet but we swapped that out as well when we installed the new sink. We found both the faucet and the double sink on KSL and saved ourselves several buckaroos! The double sink finishes eveything off nicely. The addition of new hardware can make a significant difference and change the feel of a whole room like a kitchen or bathroom. So there you go. Our before and After.

We are happy and wished we would have done this years ago!

Kitchen Inspiration

I recently received an email from a sweet reader named Tessa who asked that I take a picture of my kitchen. I was honored and in disbelief! It appears that she is looking to do a kitchen makeover and is looking for some inspiration.

Well Tessa - just like you - I am in need of a kitchen makeover as well. So instead of posting pictures of my own kitchen that is always a project in my mind . . .I am presenting what I find inspiring and what elements I would include in a kitchen makeover. High ceilings with industrial lighting and white cupboards that go up and up and up.
A marvelous back splash. I love the glossy tile here. Hand scraped dark wood floors.
Farm sinks with elegant faucets.
Old chippy hutches.

And antique china and dishes all around.

Nana's Kitchen

This is Nana's kitchen.

The one she created for her grandkids.

It all came right out of her imagination.

Included:

a fridge that works filled with cool refreshing beverages

an oven that lights up when opened

fruit pictures that I wanted to buy from her and hang in my kitchen (they are THAT cute)

a neatly designed temporary dinner table (she is on the hunt for a bigger one)

two microwaves

a pantry filled with special eats

a sink with a real faucet

every kitchen utensil needed to whip up something gourmet

a dish washer

a washer and dryer

the counter tops are freshly tiled

and you walk in the room

and it smells like baking bread

or something like that.

Yes, this is my mom's creation and do the grandkids ever love it.

Also included but not shown . . .

aprons, chef hats, and oven mittens.

Also included but not seen is a chocolate brown leather chair for curling up in to read a fine book or just to take a rest for five seconds (because that is what kids do).

Thanks to Nana. It is always a special treat to "cook" in "Nana's kitchen".