Tuesday, October 25, 2011

Kitchen Life and a Candle of the Month

When you have an ugly kitchen you really dread cooking, baking, and washing. It is a constant reminder of how much you long to rip out the dated counters and cabinets so you don't enjoy spending time in there.

Now that I can honestly say I am in love with my kitchen it is amazing how much more interest I have in baking and cooking. I can't say that I am any good at it, but practice makes perfect!


I still love cookbooks, but as a new Ipad user I am enthralled with how fast and easy it is to track down a good cookie recipe. Never thought I'd be scrolling down my computer screen with flour covered fingers!

Last Friday we had all our toe kicks and cabinet baseboards installed and it really makes a HUGE impact.

You could just use big box store bought baseboards on any cabinets for a cost-friendly approach (Cabinet quality baseboards from Martha Stewart run about $150/8 ft) . But HomeDepot actually ordered us baseboards at no cost for the exterior of the peninsula and the whole stretch of cabinets with the fridge as a sort of apology for all the hassles. No pain no gain, right?

We didn't want baseboards in the inner cabinets because when you are working at a counter you actually have to lean over farther when you don't have indented toe kicks so we went with comfort over looks on this side.

If you are near a SuperStore definitely check out the kitchen candles they just got in (in the seasonal home decor). They are only $5!!! And the scents are beautiful and kitchen friendly. I am never a fan of walking into someones home and smelling all their cooking, so I am a bit paranoid about keeping mine odor free and this one is doing a bang up job.


I am a huge fan of Jasmine and this sea-salt version is both aromatic and refreshing. I will definitely be stocking up (on this and other scents) before they sell out or discontinue them!

A simple wire basket ($9, homeSense) houses old jars holding cutlery. I hate going to people's houses and not knowing where things are so this makes it fast and easy for guests to locate necessities.

$2.99 and $3.99 Ikea jars are perfect for storing baking necessities, and they don't take up a ridiculous amount of counter space either.


And because I have had a lot of requests about the stove, I will be doing a source list and pricing on everything in the very near future. But I hate to keep anyone waiting so for anyone interested the stove is a 36 inch Thermador Professional range. I don't have a model number off hand, but instead of 6 burners we have 4 burners and a griddle. The vent is not a match, but Thermador does not make a model I like so I chose an Elica hood.

It is still amazing to me to walk into this kitchen every morning, and I cannot wait to finish accessorizing and get it all up here on the blog!

37 comments:

Brooke said...

Your new kitchen is beautiful! I love the simple decorative touches you've added - a real inspiration.

Unknown said...

LOVE your new kitchen! It turned out beautiful!!

liz @ bon temps beignet said...

Totally gorgeous! It's like something out of House Beautiful.

InteriorGroupie said...

SOgorgeous! If I like cooking in my ugly kitchen, I'll be a pro chef by the time we're done making it over! :) You have convinced me to get those simple glass ikea jars for baking supplies - I was looking for larger ones so Ididn't have to refill them as much...but I've been looking for 1yr + (seriously) - time for me to suck it up! #typeAalltheway

Christine said...

Hi Holly,
Congratulations on your new kitchen! It looks great and I'm loving the basket with "old jars holding cutlery" idea.
Have a beautiful day and go enjoy that kitchen.

Kristen Denise said...

I WISH I had your eye for decorating! You make the most simple things seem so fun and adorable!!

sara@augustfields said...

holly, your kitchen is beautiful :) have fun cooking and baking!

Deena said...

Kitchen is looking fabulous! if you are going to use your ipad in the kitchen (which I do too) you should get a screen protector, they have the Invisibleshield brand at a kiosk in West Ed .(Kinda by Bath and Bodyworks I think) Totally worth the investment (don't let them sucker you into installation though, super easy to do it yourself)
Oh and I have a cook book holder that I use for mine in the kitchen as well, super cute and functional.

Keep up the good work, can't wait to see what you do next.

Kacey said...

It's just gorgeous, Holly! So light and open. What a fabulous space for making meals!

Jamie-So Much Better With Age said...

What a beautiful kitchen makeover!! Love it!

Chelsea said...

Love it! I have been waiting to see this big reveal- and I could not be more delighted! xo

Darleen said...

I'm so excited that you got your dream kitchen. It's gorgeous!! The before and after pictures are amazing!

Krystal Wight Armstrong said...

Before you even mentioned it, I did think "Ooh, those baseboards really DO add so much!"...just gorgeous. And I gotta say those roses were like the perfect staging choice, makes me love the whole kitchen instantly :) For future-building, thanks for the tip on the open toe-kicks, that's genius, I hate uncomfortable counter work (like having to bend too far down to wash in a low bathroom sink, etc.). And I love the open-utensil idea, too. You're full of good advice- ever considered writing a book when this is all over? I bet you have a big enough fan base that would love it and help spread the word- but your cleverness, know-how, experience & design eye would be enough to make it a hit if nobody knew you anyway! And seriously, when is your place gonna be featured in a magazine? Have 'Better Homes & Gardens' not contacted you by now? PS- Thanks on the headsup on those jars, I love them but never want to pay the usual $8+ for them elsewhere.

Rachel Noelle Pallas said...

~LOVE~ xo

Carol-Anne said...

Oh that kitchen sink is to die for! The whole thing is turning out so fresh and lovely looking.

Shannon Dew said...

Holly! Oh em gee this looks GORGEOUS!!! I have been dying to see the finished product and it was worth the wait! You guys did an amazing job!

HeidiFerguson said...

LOVE the new blog design as well as the kitchen!! I am going to send someone a link to your blog-she is deciding between all white marble or white with a little bit of brown vein-this will answer her question! Love the all white with only gray veining.
www.browneyedgirlygirl.com

HeidiFerguson said...

LOVE the new blog design as well as the kitchen!! I am going to send someone a link to your blog-she is deciding between white with a little bit of gray and brown vein or just wait a little longer for all gray-this will answer her question! Thanks for sharing!!
www.browneyedgirlygirl.com

Ironstone and Pine said...

Your new kitchen is so clean and pretty, i know you are just loving it! Can you sometime let me know which superstore the candles come from that you have posted, they look great and what a bargain price for a nice sized candle!!

Janell @ House of Fifty said...

Simple fabulous!! Also, I featured some of your great Halloween decor on my blog today, completely love your style!! Janell

WhiteWhispers2u said...

Great Style! Very pretty and clean looking~Cheers Kim

Sandra said...

It is gorgeous! Love the idea of cutlery in an basket. I keep my spoons in a jar on my "coffee" tray, but this is even better! XOXO

Allison said...

Your kitchen is gorgeous! You guys did a beautiful job. So fresh and light and airy.

Shar said...

Your kitchen is truly gorgeous. I would take it just like it is in a heartbeat. I did want to ask about the candle. Did you mean a Home Depot SuperStore or is it actually a store called SuperStore?

Thanks!

Kellie said...

I had the same question about the candle!

The kitchen looks great and simple!

Jenski said...

Your kitchen is beautiful! I would happily cook in it any day.

Wendy said...

So gorgeous. Everything you chose is wonderful and every detail just perfect.

Donna said...

I love what y'all did - especially the oven! It's beautiful!

Sush said...

Oh my Goodness....your kitchen could make me weep. We are planning on our reno next year. We had to get the new range and microwave early as the one we owned went to the where all dead ranges go. The marble counters are on my list. Let me know how caring for them works over the next few months???

Lovely, stunning and oh all that...!
Hugs~

Debbie said...

So much to say...

I am in the middle of a kick to bring much more white onto my walls and into my home. This blog is going to be such inspiration. I think you have fantastic taste.

This kitchen is gorgeous, and I have already scrolled down to see that "gorgeous" is a common element around here.

As well as fun. Those Halloweeny plates in another post are so cute.

I'm so glad to find you. Where have you been all my blog life? Ack!

Terese said...

i'm seriously dying over your new kitchen. LOVE how you have the flatware displayed in that wire basket!

Anonymous said...

Gorgeous! Love your decorative touches!

Angie said...

Please tell us where you found the candle--what a great deal! :)

its simple love said...

I love the fresh clean kitchen. The white is just breath taking.

Rachael

p.s. Be sure to enter the giveaway on my blog before midnight tonight.

Glenn said...

I love the ambiance of the rooms. Very bright and so pristine. If this is mine, my mood would always be optimistic.

Hydroxatone

JoLynn said...

You did a beautiful job!! Love it!! Especially love that farmhouse sink...can't wait to have one of them someday. :)

Linsay said...

Love this kitchen! I'm starting a home renovation in the next few months--am dying for marble countertops. If you ever have writers' block, do a post about caring for them, pros/cons, etc. Would love to hear your opinion!

 
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