Our kitchen... Remember waaay back in April I shared about a tea cozy I'd knitted, and about sprucing up our kitchen? No...? Well, that's OK, as it was a while ago now since I wrote about it, and our work on it began around Easter-time. A couple of weeks ago we finally finished all we intend to do for now to brighten up the kitchen. For such a small room, it took time. We encountered some complications along the way, particularly electrics-related in wanting to install a new light fixture... But that will have to wait. A decision to stick with the same wall color also took time to deliberate. Laying the new floor turned out to be the best thing we did. (Keeping the same cream paint, this actually looked better with the new floor in place--this was surprising!) Fresh paint, especially on the ceiling, really "lifted" the room. And a new curtain & other textile accents I made helped too. New lighting is on the list for later. As well as new stove/cooker. New handles for the cupboards, we are looking out for those now. I had "before" photos... But our home pc died on us shortly after we got back from our trip to the USA in May. Most files were backed up. Unfortunately, however, some photos were not, and it seems among them was the "before" kitchen photos. So I only have the "after" photos to share...
Yes, it is a very tiny, small square room! And we do have a fridge... just couldn't get it into the photo! Countertop space is limited, so anything sittng out has to be useful first & foremost... pretty is an added bonus.
This is the new terra-cotta vinyl title composite flooring we laid. It pairs nicely with the terra-cotta tiles of the backsplash on the wall behind the stove/cooker. In a way, I'm glad I don't have the "before" photo of the horrible 1960's linoleum floor that was here in the kitchen--it would hurt your eyes! The new vinyl was easy to lay, did it all in one weekend...quick, easy, simple to clean, cost effective--highly recommended.
View from kitchen out to the dining room. The twiggy wreath is new. I gave the old blackboard for shopping lists a face lift--new paint with crackle & distressed techniques a la shabby chic. A new apron I made from leftover fabrics from the curtain hangs on the pegrail, along with the new plastic carrier bag holder I made--from same fabrics. The bit of white door at right conceals a pantry cupboard.
New pot holders I made--knitted cotton and some made from fabrics. Had enough of leftover curtain fabric to make the set in the middle (used leftover bias binding from an earlier project--just enough!)... My pot holders tend to get much abuse, so several sets are handy.
A little close-up of the curtain. I used two fabrics--an English-French vintage-style print linen, and a cotton-linen in red with subtle stripe. The cream printed linen was expensive, so I tried to make economical use of every bit of it. Must admit, I do love the curtain. The overlock on my sewing machine gave a very professional look to the backside where the different fabric sections meet, and good for these linen fabrics that tend to fray.
My dream kitchen would be in white and duck egg blue, with touches of silver/steel...*sigh*... So our current kitchen is far away from what would be my dream, what with these oak cupboards (Dear Husband loves these, so my itch to paint them white must keep still...), terra cotta & cream hues. To gut the room & re-do to get the dream kitchen, even though it's a small space, would cost too much. So we are making do with what we have, tweaking what we can, and have brightened as much as possible for now.
Now that some indoor projects are done, we hope to do a little in the garden this weekend... if the rain holds off! Wishing you all a wonderful weekend... What are you dreaming about?
With Love,
Your kitchen and house are lovely! Isn't it funny how long doing just one room takes? I'm not looking forward to painting tomorrow! Love the fabric you used on the curtains too!
Posted by: Kerri | July 01, 2011 at 12:56 PM
I had to smile wistfully at your comment about wishing you could paint your cupboards white. I am in the same position here. Warren shudders at the thought of "painting perfectly fine wood". Hmmmm.....
It sure would brighten things up in my kitchen.
However, your kitchen is cute! I love the new floor and your sweet touches.
I don't know if you want to, or not, but I am running a give away and am paying partial international shipping. Just letting you know. I really have no idea how much it would cost to send an 8 ounce candle to Europe.
Posted by: Becky K. | July 01, 2011 at 01:10 PM
Tracy this is a fabulous update to your kitchen. I love that floor and you're so right about it matching with the backsplash!! We always think a coat of paint makes a difference but I'm sure you're glad you left the cream paint, especially after seeing the floor and what a lift it gave the whole room. I know what you mean about wanting white cabinetry (I have white), but here's a tip -- they show the dirt and you're always, always cleaning them up!!! ;) As for your curtains -- ooh la la...I love how you did this by combining the fabrics and the red gives it that gorgeous splash of colour. You did a fantastic job with this and while it may not be your "dream" kitchen, I believe it is on you'll be very happy in!
Posted by: Sherry Smyth | July 01, 2011 at 01:57 PM
Your kitchen is lovely, I like the attention to details. I know what you mean about painting the cupboards white... Your kitchen has a very nice feeling to it, and despite its size must be a pleasant space to work in. Have a great weekend.
Posted by: P.K. | July 01, 2011 at 03:23 PM
looks great! (love the touches of red)
Posted by: leslie | July 01, 2011 at 03:40 PM
It looks great and I'm sure that beautiful new floor helps to tidy things up from a vision perspective. love all the handmade touches that you added....the curtain is wonderful. very cozy and inviting for sure!
Posted by: Lisa Q | July 01, 2011 at 03:44 PM
Tracy, your kitchen looks great. Everything looks so fresh and cool. Enjoy!
Posted by: Beverly | July 01, 2011 at 03:56 PM
Very nice Tracy. We need to replace the floor and counters in our kitchen. We keep going back and forth between vinyl or wood...
I like your terra cotta look!
Posted by: ellen b | July 01, 2011 at 04:25 PM
I think the little touches that we add into our spaces will help us forget about the distance between the now and our "dream" :) Love the handmade goodness Tracy! Your pictures of the weekend getaway are terrific. Have a great weekend!
Posted by: clara | July 01, 2011 at 05:02 PM
Your kitchen looks lovely - your fabric accents add charm. Have a wonderful weekend Tracy - we hope to have a long walk on Sunday - it is several weeks since we had one. Love Anne x
Posted by: Anne Donald | July 01, 2011 at 08:20 PM
Tracy I love all the new touches you've added to your kitchen! I love red, so I really love the curtains.
My kitchen is not that much bigger than yours, the only difference is that I have a little more rectangular space so I can fit a small table at the other end, where my husband and I eat most of our meals and where I blog from on my lap top most days. :)
We've been living in our home over 30 years and we re-did the kitchen in the late 80's, so it looks dated now, but I am still happy with it.
Have a wonderful weekend!
Hugs, Pat
Posted by: Pat | July 01, 2011 at 09:30 PM
Dearest sweet tracy, your kitchen is beautiful and i love all the little details in it!! I wish i stay close to visit you and have some tea with you in your beautiful home. Sounds like your gonna have such a wonderful weekend! Wishing you a lovely meryr happy one and love to you!
Posted by: Jacqueline | July 02, 2011 at 03:18 AM
Tracy, it's so cozy and I love the colour palette you went with and the airy feel. I can just imagine cooking a sweet meal on a breezy afternoon. Thanks for sharing and have a great weekend!
Posted by: dyan | July 02, 2011 at 04:44 AM
I love how you introduced that red in the kitchen. Really brightens it up. Though I like the warmth of wood, I can sympathize with your itch to wash it in white.
Speaking of linoleum that hurts your eyes, I used to live in a wonderfully designed compact duplex with an incredibly busy red/orange/brown patterned kitchen floor. My roomies and I used to joke that we could drop a pot of spaghetti sauce on it and never notice.
As for your questions on the painted patio, I posted more photos and details a couple of days ago. Check on the post "starting small." Now I'm eyeing the main patio and thinking of herringbone patterns....
Posted by: nikkipolani | July 02, 2011 at 06:40 PM
Thanks for sharing your kitchen, Tracy. I love white too, but I'm the one who hasn't mustered the nerve to paint out cupboards.
Posted by: Caroline | July 03, 2011 at 07:19 AM
You are so productive, Tracy! I'm in awe! I'm full of good intentions when it comes to making accessories for the home...but they rarely translate into the actual objects. Congratulations on your makeover!
Posted by: Helen (Dixon Hill Girl) | July 03, 2011 at 06:52 PM
Hi there Tracy! Wow! The kitchen looks great. Worth all your hard work. Have a lovely week. Ros
Posted by: SNOOPYDOG | July 03, 2011 at 08:55 PM
Your kitchen looks so bright and cozy. Even if it is on the small side, it looks to me like a place that I wouldn't mind spending time cooking and baking...and I think that's the most important part of any kitchen. I hope you are having a great weekend, Tracy!
Posted by: stephanie | July 04, 2011 at 04:42 AM
Beautiful kitchen! Sorry about the pc breakdown.
Posted by: Paz | July 04, 2011 at 09:47 AM
Great job, Tracy!
I'm jealous and especially impressed with the lovely floor tiles -such a warm color.
Liked seeing the view to the dining room.
I'm sure you will have much joy cooking there.
Happy 4th of July.
Posted by: elizabeth | July 04, 2011 at 12:52 PM
I do remember you talking about remodeling your kitchen. How fun! I can only imagine you are really enjoying it.
Posted by: Marilyn | July 04, 2011 at 08:35 PM
It looks so bright and cheerful. And I am in awe of how you paid attention to even the smallest details when remodeling!
Posted by: elizabeth | July 04, 2011 at 08:44 PM
it was a treasure to see all the ways you changed your kitchen ..isnt it a good feeling!? You should feel so happy ..it is lovely !
Posted by: elk | July 04, 2011 at 09:20 PM
Your kitchen is wonderful! You must be so pleased with how it came out. Your little handmade touches make it very personal, very Tracy! Thanks for sharing your photos. I'm always apprehensive of showing the "whole" scene around here -- too much clutter :)....Yours looks so neat and nice.
Posted by: Jodi | July 05, 2011 at 01:20 PM
How rewarding to see your sewing and remodeling successes every time you enter the kitchen. The curtains look fetching, and I love how you got so many additions like the potholders and apron out of leftover fabrics.
I need to get moving on my dress projects. Summer is already here and I haven't gotten around to working on them again. You've given me inspiration.
The kitchen came out great ... bright and cheerful. I'm looking up that flooring you mentioned to see if we can do the same for my Mother's kitchen.
Posted by: Gallery Juana | July 07, 2011 at 02:17 PM