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You are here: Home / Room Reveals / The Finished Kitchen Renovation

The Finished Kitchen Renovation

September 7, 2012 By Karen Cooper 18 Comments

FINALLY!  The kitchen renovation is finished!  So, on this special edition of “Finish It Friday,” it’s time for the big reveal. (Warning: it’s a long-ish post with lots of pictures.)

I. Love. This. Kitchen.  Love it.  Love it.  Love it.

But first…let me remind you what we started out with.  Here is where I first posted pics of the old kitchen, but I want to put the pics here, too, to show you the amazing difference.  I’m going to show the pictures in the same order, walking around the kitchen, for both the old kitchen pics and new kitchen pics.

OLD KITCHEN:

old kitchen dog food area

Weird, wacky opening under the counter where we kept the dog food. That had to go!

 

old kitchen right side counter

The countertops were white laminate with wood trim. Not my style and not so practical.

 

old kitchen sink

The kitchen sink area. I loved the cast iron sink in theory, but I broke a lot of stuff when doing dishes – wine glasses, plates, etc.

 

old kitchen coffee corner
old kitchen stove side
The stove was a workhorse, but it always ran hot.  By about 25-50 degrees.  And it was 20 years old.
old kitchen weird microwave shelf

The microwave shelf/cabinet thing drove me crazy.  I’m too short for something like this – I hit my head on the dumb shelf all the time.

 

old kitchen fridge and chalkboard wall
old kitchen mud room area

The old mudroom-ish area.

 

old kitchen breakfast room

 Last but not least, the old breakfast room.

And now…

The New Kitchen!

Finished Kitchen Renovation - thediybungalow.com

Now the wonky area where the dog food was before is gone, replaced by large drawers that hold our dishes. So much more practical and useful!

Finished Kitchen Renovation - thediybungalow.com

Click on the photo for the tutorial on how to make these faux Roman shades.

We added faux Roman shades to the windows. Shhhh! Don’t tell – they were made from shower curtains from Target!
Finished kitchen renovation - thediybungalow.com
I love my new stainless, deep sink and the funky industrial-style faucet.
Finished kitchen renovation - thediybungalow.com
The “pantry” cabinets and stove were replaced with double ovens! Woot! The top oven is a microwave/convection combination oven. The bottom oven is a traditional oven that can also cook with convection.
Finished kitchen renovation - thediybungalow.com

Our new five-burner cooktop! The stove that was here was replaced with deep drawers for pots and pans and smaller drawers for cooking and baking supplies. I organized the kitchen so that baking was on the left side and cooking was on the right.

On the cooktop, cooling, is the first thing I made in the new kitchen: homemade cornbread. Yum!

Finished kitchen renovation - thediybungalow.com
Finished kitchen renovation - thediybungalow.com

The new mud room area: we replaced the pegs with stronger (and prettier) hooks. We also created a line of hooks where the kids could reach them, so that maybe, just maybe, they would hang up their backpacks.

Finished kitchen renovation - thediybungalow.com

The new breakfast room and pantry. The pantry is the best idea I’ve ever had, ever. I explain it in this post.

Here’s the inside of the pantry:

Finished kitchen renovation - the best pantry ever - thediybungalow.com

This post explains how I organized it. And this post explains how I organized it better!

I love this kitchen for many reasons, but what I love most is that it’s so functional.  What I mean is that everything is in a convenient place for using it when I cook.  If I’m cooking on the peninsula area, then the knives and other cooking tools (like measuring cups and spoons, garlic press, etc.) are in the drawers right under where I’m working.  The trash can and recycling bin are right behind me.  The sink is right there.  The oven is right next to that area, too.  It just works.  It makes everything easier.

Some design decisions we made that were key to this functionality include:

(1) Having a designated drawer for trash and recycling.

For as much as we recycle, it is much, much easier to put the recyclables in the bin in that drawer rather than walking outside to the big bin every time we need to recycle something. Plus, as I mentioned before, it’s right behind the area where I usually prepare our food, so I can just plop cans or plastic right in the bin while I’m cooking.

(2) Having deep drawers instead of bottom cabinets (or even a top cabinet).

We now have deep drawers instead of cabinets under the countertop.  This design works much better, because I can put the dishes straight from the dishwasher into the drawers.  I’m only 5’3″, so it’s much easier for me to put the dishes in the drawers rather than reaching up to a high upper cabinet.

(3) The pantry.  Ah, the pantry.

I think the pantry may have been the best idea I’ve ever had. Period. Ever.

(4) The countertop.

The countertop is made of recycled glass, mirrors, and quartz.  So, not only is it beautiful, but it’s green, too.  It’s made from 75% recycled content and, because it is made of recycled glass and mirrors, it sparkles when the light hits it.  Love that.  It’s made by Eco by Cosentino, and the color is Crystal Ash. I ordered it from Lowe’s.

(5) I’m in the zone.

The organization of the kitchen allows me to set up “zones” for each function.  I have a baking zone on the left side of the cooktop – that means that the ingredients for baking and the utensils I use when baking are all on that one side.  Then I have a cooking zone on the right side of the cooktop, where I keep more of the cooking (v. baking) spices, oils, tongs, cutting boards, etc.  On the other side of the kitchen, we have a dish or eating zone, where I have the drawers for the dishes, bowls, silverware, and plastic/glass storage containers.  It works really, really well.

In case you are interested, here are some details about the materials we used in our kitchen:

(1) The appliances:
Refrigerator, double ovens, and cooktop – Kitchen Aid
Dishwasher and vent hood – Whirlpool
All from Lowe’s.

(2) Sink and faucet:
Sink – Kohler, from Home Depot
Faucet: from Ikea

(3) Tile: Misty Seaglass by Hampton Bay, from Home Depot.

(4) Paint: “Sesame” by Benjamin Moore.  We used the Natura paint, which is zero VOC, no odor.

(5) Countertops: Eco by Cosentino in Crystal Ash, from Lowe’s.

(6) Cabinets: They are maple, and were custom-made by Brent the cabinet guy at Artistic Cabinets.  They are gorgeous.  Soft closing, too (love that).

(7) Hooks in the mudroom area: Home Depot.

I want to especially thank Hunter Reising Design and Build for their excellent work, especially Craig Reising, who basically built this kitchen by himself and worked countless late hours to get it done.  Words will never be able to capture how grateful I am for this kitchen and the love and care they put into it.

I also want to thank Lauren, who was my liaison with Lowe’s, who not only kept the countertop people on track (if you follow the blog on Facebook, you know all about those trials and tribulations!) but also helped get us a new fridge when the first one wasn’t working.  Also, Amanda at the Edgewood Lowe’s was amazing in helping me with the appliances and their delivery.  Both of these women rock and understand what “customer service” really means.

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Filed Under: Decorating, Readers' Favorite Posts, Room Reveals Tagged With: Kitchens 18 Comments

About Karen Cooper

Hi! I'm Karen. I call myself a “recovering lawyer” - I traded in my power suits for power tools and a life of DIY adventures. Join me for DIY, home decorating, repurposing and upcycling, and organizing projects and tips as I transform a 1929 Tudor bungalow into our home. I believe in merging old and new to make a house a home.

« Welcome to the First Finish It Friday!
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Comments

  1. Cynthia at Flotsam of the Mind says

    September 7, 2012 at 1:40 pm

    I guess there is nothing for you to finish this Friday! Congrats. Glad it’s done and that you are in love.

    Reply
    • Karen Cooper says

      September 7, 2012 at 3:02 pm

      Thank you! I have plenty to finish, but, thankfully, not for the kitchen!

      Reply
  2. Anne says

    September 7, 2012 at 2:02 pm

    Wow, what a huge job! Love your backsplash and your new cabinets. OH and that oven!!! Enjoy your new space xox

    Reply
    • Karen Cooper says

      September 7, 2012 at 3:03 pm

      Thanks, Anne! I know – having an oven that cooks at the right temperature is a fabulous thing! And it’s pretty, too. Thanks again!

      Reply
  3. Thrifty Crafty Girl says

    September 7, 2012 at 3:04 pm

    This kitchen looks amazing!

    Reply
    • Karen Cooper says

      September 7, 2012 at 3:46 pm

      Thank you!

      Reply
  4. DIY Show Off says

    September 11, 2012 at 1:58 am

    Hi Karen!

    WOW! What a kitchen (now)! At first glance, the before didn’t look too bad but as you described it, I can definitely see how the new one is a HUGE improvement not only in looks but having the functionality is awesome! It’s gorgeous. I love every detail. It sounds like those bottom drawers in place of cabinets are a great option!

    {Thanks for your comment on my blog today too…it meant a lot!}
    xo

    Reply
    • Karen Cooper says

      September 11, 2012 at 3:42 am

      Thanks, Roeshel! I can’t tell you how much of an improvement the new kitchen is. The old one was really falling apart and not a good organization if you cook (which I do). I think I have cooked every night since it’s been finished – so much easier and much more fun! Thank you so much for checking out my blog. I really enjoy reading your blog and it was fun to read your post today – great idea.

      Reply
  5. Courtney says

    September 11, 2012 at 4:43 pm

    Karen,

    It looks so beautiful! It was clearly a labor of love, and the results are fantastic. I am so thrilled for you. Congratulations, and I wish you and the family many years of joy in that kitchen.

    xo,
    Courtney

    Reply
    • Karen Cooper says

      September 12, 2012 at 1:43 am

      Thank you, Court. xo.

      Reply
  6. Kelly says

    September 12, 2012 at 1:17 am

    HOOOLY crap! It is AMAAAAZING! Huge congratulations to you! I know you must be loving the new functionality you have – and it probably doesn’t hurt that its just beautiful too. So exciting, great job!

    Kelly @ View Along the Way
    http://www.viewalongtheway.com

    Reply
    • Karen Cooper says

      September 12, 2012 at 1:43 am

      Thank you, Kelly! I do – I love it. I have cooked every night since it’s been finished. It’s a joy to cook and live in. Thank you so much!

      Reply
  7. Marty Walden says

    August 22, 2013 at 2:46 pm

    Looks amazing! Great job!

    Reply
    • Karen Cooper says

      August 22, 2013 at 10:17 pm

      Thanks, Marty!!

      Reply
  8. Jamie Mendez says

    September 4, 2013 at 2:26 pm

    Hi! the color of your cabinets are just what I’m looking for. I’m also having them custom made, but I’m having trouble getting the color right. What color did you tell your cabinet maker/ what color does he call it? It’s maple, right? Thank you!!

    Reply
    • Karen Cooper says

      September 4, 2013 at 9:47 pm

      Yes – they are maple. I told him I wanted them to be natural maple, and then I went to a showroom and took pictures for him. That way, he knew just what I wanted. I hope that helps, Jamie!

      Reply
  9. Richella Parham says

    June 5, 2014 at 11:15 am

    It’s just beautiful!! I had to stop and leave a comment before I click over to read more about your pantry. And I’m so glad my faux Roman shade tutorial worked for you! Shower curtain? Brilliant!

    Reply
    • Karen Cooper says

      June 5, 2014 at 10:44 pm

      Thank you! I’ve forwarded that tutorial to many people – works great! Thanks for stopping by!

      Reply

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Hi! I’m Karen. I call myself a “recovering lawyer,” because I turned in my power suits for power tools and a life of DIY. This blog is all about DIY, home decorating, repurposing and upcycling, and organization. I believe in merging old and new to make a house a home.




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About Karen

A "recovering lawyer," I turned in my power suits for power tools and a life of DIY. I believe in merging old and new to make a house a home. Read More…

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