kitchen reveal - more detail

when i posted our big kitchen reveal, i promised i would come back with details.  the space has evolved some since these first pictures were taken, but mostly just with random things like an inexpensive clock from target or another set of curtains for the back door.

just in case you forgot, here she is again in all her glory...

the details are mostly on the pictures, but i'll expand on a few things here and there, and give links on where some things can be found.

the IKEA barstools can be found here.  we went with with linneryd natural color with a birch frame.  26x19" high.  i was little worried getting such a light color with C, but the covers can be easily removed and are machine washable.  i wanted something with a back and something that was really comfortable.  these work perfect.

and yes - we went with laminate countertops that are made to look like quartz stone.  we priced actual stone and realized they would take 1/2 our budget alone because of all the countertop space.  we aren't millionaires and know that this is something we can upgrade down the road.  plus, they look amazing.  we upgraded to a beveled edge and are very pleased.

 

schoolhouse pendant light can be found here. we originally ordered 3.  one for above the sink, like shown above, and two for over the peninsula.  once we had the cabinets installed, we realized there wasn't enough clearance for opening some cabinets, and if we tried to move the location of the lights it would all look too crowded.  i was pretty bummed, but i'm very pleased with this one light.

 

faucet was ordered from overstock.com and can be found here.  we opted not to use the sprayer because we don't really ever use them and i kind of hate them.  the top of each handle has a white ceramic insert that says "HOT" or "COLD".  i think that's my favorite part.

the curtains are navy blue and white.  i also made a set for the back door (which isn't pictured but is in the kitchen, next to the fridge).  ring clips and curtain rod (shown below) are from target.

the vintage fiesta-ware was found at my granmother's house about a month ago.  she gave me a whole set of dinner plates and saucers in a variety of wonderful colors.  also this gravy boat and a big yellow platter.  unfortunately i don't have a place to display them.  and i've been told that vintage fiesta-ware is not safe to eat off of because of the lead used in the paint.  my grandmother got them right after she and my grandfather married in 1944.  i love them and have 2 on a plate stand on the countertop.

 

 

it's probably strange, but i LOVE the trashcan drawer.  in every house i've ever lived in (even growing up) we've always had a trashcan on display.  and i HATE it.  even more so when we really got serious about recycling and had two trashcans on display.  this drawer now hides both of our trashcans.  awesome.

 

 chalkboard DIY found in an old post here.  i just sprayed painted it with white i already had.

i've since added another blue table under the blue table holding the plant.  makes more sense on why it's called a "nesting table".

and board and batten technique can be found here.  we used the height from the chair rail (typical is 36") that used to be there.  the new "rail" or board is actually just cedar planks painted white.  and the batten (i guess) are painted lattice strips.  very inexpensive treatment, just a little time consuming.  but makes a great impact if you ask me!

and then our family photo wall.  i actually had this hanging in the dining room before we demoed.  it's one of my favorite things in the house and always a fun conversation piece.  i hung it in the exact same way i had it up before.  i even took pictures to make sure everything went back in place. 

a - a childhood picture of my uncle.  b - a picture of shaun and his dad when he's about 4.  c - me when i'm about 4.  d - a picture of C at 1 week.  e - my grandmother on her wedding day.  f - another picture of C at about 2 months.  g - our 1st easter as a little family, in front of our first house.  h - our wedding day.  i - my dad (a musician) playing guitar in a bar at about age 25.  j - a photo of my great-great-great grandfather at a masque ball in baton rouge, la.  he was crowned the king.  k - picture of C and i when she was about 2 months old.  l - an old picture of my brother, myself and my grandfather bottle feeding a calf on our farm in indiana.  i'm about 10.  m - a picture of my mom and her brother riding a horse.  my mom is probably 4 and my uncle 7.  n - shaun's grandmother and grandfather with their first 2 children.  o - shaun's mom's senior picture.  p - another picture of C at 1 1/2.  the two big multi-picture frames are full of wonderful friends and k-bear kona.

i know that was a long explanation, but i love this wall and everyone on it.  i can't wait to make it bigger as the years go on.

and a little tip if you are making a wall like this yourself.  once you have everything in place, use a level to make sure your frames are straight and then use some kind of double-sided tape on the backs to keep things from constantly moving.  this is a high traffic area in our home and it would drive me mad.

and a little detail on the installation of things.  we did have someone come in and install the cabinets and countertops.  we wanted it done right and new a professional would be the best way to go.  plus, it only took them 1 day!  but pretty much everything else was done by the hubs.  demo, electrical, plumbing, tile, board & batten, paint.  i of course helped here and there, but shaun asked a lot of questions, learned a lot and did the majority of the work on his own and with the help of a few good friends.  big round of applause for mr. cook!  ;)

so - there you have it.  a more detailed reveal of our new kitchen.  we are still in awe of how wonderful she is!