Well - our kitchen has been finished for about 3 months and we are super happy with it! Taking this project on made such a huge difference in the entire feel of our house. We should have done it sooner - but it was nice to live in our house to get a real handle on how we best wanted to use the space before taking this project on.

As you can see, I completely changed my mind after posting the initial color scheme/design plan. Going darker on the cabinets was 100% the right choice and I'm so glad we did.

Here are the before/afters. Before - the kitchen was essentially a small galley, with a wall separating the kitchen from the back family room.

The biggest change came from knocking down that wall and adding a peninsula with glass uppers. This completely opened the space to the family room, which is where we spend most of our time. Having a sight line to the family room will be super helpful with Sam's impending arrival. And I love having a spot for a few bar stools where guests can perch.

Before - range wall.

After - range wall. We kept the range in the same place and added a stainless vent hood in place of the microwave. Microwaves over ranges have become one of my least favorite kitchen things, so I'm glad we relocated the microwave to be hidden in the lower portion of the peninsula.

 

Another view of the range wall:

Before - sink wall.(Hi Dais!)

After - sink wall. We kept the sink and dishwasher in the same place, but we purchased a panel ready dishwasher and had the cabinet maker make a panel front so the dishwasher blends in. This was maybe my favorite design element!

 

Just some more pretties:

We went with Bianco Toscana granite. I really, really love how the color works with the cabinet color (Urbane Bronze by Sherwin Williams). The veining is really unique, too.

The pendant we chose is the Reed Hanging Light from Circa. The scale and finish are perfect.

In the end, white subway tile won out for back splash.

 all photos by Ely Fair Photography.

We are thrilled with how everything turned out! Living in a construction zone is less than desirable, but all is well that ends well. Now, my sights are set on the master bathroom. We'll see what the Hubs has to say about that :)

back splash conundrums

Yes - there definitely is such a thing as a back splash conundrum. I know this because I am having one. Even though I posted a design plan for our kitchen reno before and was fully confident in that vision.... I am now changing my mind and continuing to weigh my options.

Why? Because designers are their own worst client and they can't leave well enough alone. (just ask my Hubs)

We are still in the planning/bidding process of our kitchen reno, so I have time to weigh lots of different options. And before even one item in our kitchen is touched, I would like to have every item decided on and ordered so there are absolutely no delays. Nothing messes with a renovation timeline like back ordered items.... and budgets - ha!

Anyway. I initially wanted the classic, much loved white subway tile. Which would definitely be a fantastic choice.

 via.

However, I have this nagging thought that if I can't do something even a little bit fun and different -- why on earth should a client listen to me when I tell them to do it!?

So I started looking. And I found this.

via.

Painted cement tiles in a fun pattern? Sign me up.

So I was alllllllllllllllll set to do that until I came across this:

via.

It is fantastic and Emily Henderson is a genius. So now, my head is swimming with ideas about how to incorporate a brass trim into my back splash......

Decisions, decisions, as they say. Have a great weekend, everyone!