Kitchen Makeover Part 4: Gettin' Out the Paint!

As much as I would love to keep the kitchen a total surprise, when it's all 110% done and everything, I feel like I owe you a little somethin' somethin'...I've gotten emails from readers saying they check the blog daily awaiting to see the kitchen, and let's face it. When you've got 3 small children to take care of every day, we're talking just a couple hours at naptime to complete a kitchen. Trust me, nothing would make me happier than getting this sucker D-O-N-E, but Mommy Guilt gets me, and playing with the kids kinda trumps finishing this kitchen in a timely manner;). And I don't know about you, but after they go to bed, even I can't summon the energy to work on moldings or bust out a paintbrush! This momma's got just about enough energy to scoop out some ice cream and plop on the couch come 8pm.

So I decided to show some pics of what I'll call the '50% Complete Kitchen Makeover.' Paint is done, cabinets are done, but a LOT is left to do...molding around those cabinets still need to be put up, I would like some corbels underneath them, some lighting underneath the cabinets, new island counter, curtains, trim around the beadboard, new accessories, baskets for the island shelves...the list goes on...wow, now sounds like more than 50%, doesn't it?! Oh well, here's what I've been working on this week anyhow...

I gave the Chalkboard menu a little facelift.

I just painted the trim blue, and decided to trace the word 'menu' at the top (once again, using my Hobby Lobby 4 inch Rustic Alphabet letter stencils...LOVE THEM!), and filled in with white paint. Here's what it used to look like:

To make that menu, all I did was paint a rectangular shape (didn't measure - just slopped some paint on the wall in an approximate shape), using chalkboard paint, then mitered some molding to fit, and nailed it up there.

I also got out some spray paint and gave a hideous pitcher with a early 1990's fruit pattern all over it a little updating with Valspar Tropical Oasis spray paint...

I also did a few other items...the cookbook stand, a bowl (Krylon Banner Red)...

Save yourself some money, and just grab a can of spray paint to update your existing things, if you can. I also did the curtain rod (that has no curtains yet!), and the towel holder - both were black, and now they are silver. (Valspar Metallics)

Ok, here's the island update...check out the before:

And the after...

OH - that reminds me! I have an idea for the stools - they're getting a little makeover too, but haven't had chance to do those yet.
(Paint: Olympic Kingston Aqua)

I decided to go with white on the walls, and I think I'm going to stick with it. Once the accessories are all up, i think the white will do just fine. If I'm dying to put up some color after it's all said and done, I can always do that later. I'd go with the lightest lightest blue. We'll just wait and see...

I thought I was really going to hate the light wood top on the island, but it's actually not driving me crazy - I kinda dig it. Still want to darken the stain, but it's liveable for the moment;)

So for fun, let's take a look at the old kitchen next to the new one (well, 50% new one - lol)

HA! I have the E-A-T letters (paper mache ones from Hob Lob sprayed in red gloss) still just leaning (didn't want to hang them until the molding went up), and it looks like F-A-T from here! Ooops. Like the empty curtain rod above the window? ;) hehehe...we'll get there.
And for even more fun, let's look at what this kitchen looked like when we moved here, almost 6 years ago...

We've come a long way, baby!

Hope you like how things are shaping up...I'm loving how much brighter it is in here already!


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