I’ve been waiting a long time to write this post for y’all (and myself!!). Weeee…. I’m EXCITED! Remember when I posted a hint on Instagram as to what was going on in my house?! I can finally tell you! I am partnering with The Home Depot to get a little more of a personal stamp on my kitchen area. Our home has a wonderful kitchen layout, with a huge desk/work area with bookshelves, a coveted butler’s pantry and wet bar as well as a four-seater breakfast bar. (This is real-life, people. I did NOT clean up for photos……). Despite the awesome layout and the large cabinet space, the house (and kitchen) was built 19 years ago for another family with finishes that aren’t quite me. When we bought the house, Chase and I both agreed there was a kitchen makeover of some sort in our future.
We’ve been in our house for a little over six months now, and finally have a distinct feel for how we use the space and what we love (and don’t love!) about it. We do enjoy the lightness of the kitchen. White colored cabinets, an airy window over the sink and high contrast dark flooring are elements of my dream kitchen. The fact that we even have a butler’s pantry is ambrosia, and the bar sink comes in handy often. Double hanging wall ovens have already served nicely during holidays and company dinners, and I visit our coffee/tea bar SEVERAL times a day (heck, with 2 kids, 3 pets, multiple freelance jobs and a sweet husband, who wouldn’t?!).
With all the goodness coming from our house’s main space, there are still some things that I’d like to improve upon. First, those countertops… It’s like the installers couldn’t decide between laminate and wood, so they chose BOTH. It’s a little confusing. Even though laminate is super-de-dooper easy to clean, it’s not the prettiest or most durable thing around. Add in cabinet faces that are rapidly aging, and the kitchen starts to look a little too loved. You can see in the photo below (as Dooley walked RIGHT INTO my shot and plopped down) that even though all the doors are “closed,” several cabinets in the kitchen are crooked, falling off or straight up broken.
I would LOVE to upgrade the hardware (easy to do) as well as trade the laminate for granite countertops (not a DIY for me!) and reface the cabinets! Pardon me as I swoon over what could be….
After considering that all the countertops and cabinet faces desperately need a kitchen makeover, I start brainstorming what else I might want to upgrade while I’m at it. I’m a huge fan of bead board, especially in workplaces, bathrooms and even children’s bedrooms. But a painted, wooden surface does NOT make a good backsplash. Over the last (nearly) 20 years, foodstuffs, grease, and grime has been wiped off taking lots of the paint and sheen with it. I’m thinking a tiled backsplash would be a snazzy, more durable upgrade to my kitchen.
Now, about that butler’s pantry. If you had asked me in years past, a butler’s pantry was something I could only dream about. First of all, having a house large enough to accommodate a space like this is outrageous, and then having ambient light emanating from it is the cherry on top. Now, not to look a gift horse in the mouth, but a MacGyvered rope light isn’t really what I was looking for. You can even see the cord sticking out below and reaching the plug… But then again, I’m not nearly handy enough to figure out another solution, so on it lived.
Here’s a great shot of the ancient, whirring double ovens that are well-used, but loathed because of their poor function, as well as a snapshot of my beloved coffee bar that also doubles as a clutter-collector during the day.
Enter The Home Depot. These guys are going to give me an in-home tutorial on all the Home Depot Cabinet refacing options that I can choose from, as well as taking me through the process, step-by-step, of what the refacing entails. Ryan, my cabinet refacing consultant is lugging all the samples to my house so I can see everything in my own light in my own home. It looks like I’ll be out of a kitchen for about 10 days (Can anyone recommend some killer crockpot meals?! I won’t have a stove!) while the team demos, installs and finishes the space. Not to mention the very cool camera crew that will be following me and The Home Depot team around while I learn to DIY and peer on the sidelines and they get to business!
I can’t begin to describe to you how grateful, excited and overwhelmed I am at the idea of having a cabinet refacing and a kitchen makeover. I’m pretty sure I’ve used up a lifetime of luck taking on this project… maybe I should quit while I’m ahead?! Make sure to follow along with the progress as the project rolls through the 2016 New Year here and on social media. So many cool projects are in store!
I can’t wait to see the final reveal! You’ll have to throw a party so we can see in person!
yeah! A sip n’ see coming up!
Wow, how exciting! I can’t wait to see the transformation.
It’s a lot of work, but it will totally be worth it! I can’t wait to see the finished product.
I can’t wait to see the finished kitchen, there’s nothing like finally having a kitchen that’s fit to you.
Eek! This is so exciting! I can’t believe they’re doing an in-home demonstration. I love it!
Ahhh, how freakin’ awesome! I’m so excited to see the after! We need new counter tops, but I’m sure we could get away with just refacing our cabinets too!
I an only imagine the excitement. I can’t wait to see how your kitchen transforms! It’s cool that you’ll be learning some DIY in the process.
What an amazing opportunity this is. While I love your kitchen, I can see some of the changes you want to make are necessary. It is going to be fantastic!
OMGosh! When I was living in my other house, I never really made a ton of videos of photographed a lot in the kitchen because it was an old farm house with a kitchen to match. So I can totally feel your pain. I am so excited to see how it turns out and can’t wait for the big reveal.
So cool! I can’t wait to hear about all happens.
I am such a sucker for home improvement. I can’t wait to see how your kitchen turns out. I am sure you are so excited!
What a fun project! Your house looks beautiful; you must be over the moon. Love your bullie too (we have one too).
Kitchen re-do’s are not fun when you’re doing them. They are so worth it though, when you’re done. 🙂
Looking forward to the finished product. I’d love to upgrade my kitchen.
I think a sparkling blue tile splashboard would be awesome in the kitchen. How delightful that Home Depot is helping out with this fantastic upgrade. Your kitchen looks a lot like my kitchen, which is definitely due for an upgrade.
Ohhh, I’m so excited for you! So much life happens in the kitchen, and I’m sure the upgrades Home Depot helps with will make your life so much easier. Yay!
I couldn’t be more thrilled that you are getting a kitchen makeover with the professionals!
I love the layout of your kitchen. You must be so excited to be working with Home Depot. I look forward to the big reveal.
Wow what a dream come true! I am so happy for you and your kitchen makeover and they are filming it! Amazing!!!
Wow!! Lucky you!!! Congratulations and I know that you will love the results!
Wow! What a fun opportunity! My husband and I are planning a kitchen remodel in the next few months! I’ll be looking to you for some inspiration since ours will also be a DIY project!
What paint color & brand is on the kitchen walls? It’s a wonderful makeover!
Thank you! Did you catch the reveal video? I’m about to post the photos of the finished product… Are you asking about the gray or the navy blue?
I am also interested in the paint colors, navy blue and the gray. Would you be willing to share the paint names or numbers? I’m sure home depot can match any paint color. I am loyal to Behr paint from home depot. Thank you! You’re blessed and your kitchen is just beautiful !
Hi Eileen – the dark blue paint color is Secret Society in Behr Marquee! It’s very dark, so be sure to pick up one of those handy sample jars to paint a big swatch. Many of the photos make it color a bit brighter in natural light, like Award Night in Behr Marquee. The gray is one of my favorites; I have it throughout most of my home. It’s Sherwin Williams, Proper Gray, but Home Depot can match it. That’s my favorite part of the paint department! Be sure to catch the finished kitchen post here: https://www.redheadbabymama.com/2016/03/kitchen-makeover-after.html Thanks!
Thank you sooooo much for the information! Actually, I’m very grateful and excited to try the paint sample. I literally have already 10 samples on my wall. I’ll know it when I see it! Thanks again for taking time out of your busy day to respond! You are awesome! !