NESTING PLACE CHALLENGE - THE KITCHEN

Wednesday, February 18, 2009

The Nester has been doing a great series over the past few weeks called "Ten Minutes to a Room You'll Love". That woman is such an inspiration. I want to invite her over for tea, have her wander through my house sharing her magical suggestions for each room, and then sit for a spell on the porch and share hair care secrets (have you noticed how great her hair is?).

Well, I don't think we'll be discussing hair secrets over tea any time soon, but her series does provide some magical suggestions for the main rooms in your home. I chose to use her suggestions to focus on the kitchen...at least for now - I still have big plans for the master bath and bedroom. You can click on the button below for more info on The Nester's magical secrets....to decorating (I thought I should add that last part).


The kitchen is my favorite room in our house. I updated it last summer and I love how it turned out....and when I say "updated" I mean paint, a new light fixture and new cabinet knobs...I'm not talking anything fancy here.

The Nester inspired me to (well...clean up a bit, and) analyze what I like so much about this room.

These are the elements I came up with that have made a big difference in my kitchen.

1) PICK A COLOR PALETTE YOU LOVE

I'm talking about colors you're drawn to over and over again, colors that you find soothing or energizing (whichever you feel you need in there), colors that compliment each other.

This is what the kitchen looked looked like before, with the previous owner's stuff...not terrible by any means, but not me at all.



Instead really wanted soothing, muted, light colors that felt more like me.



After a few small changes I got the room I wanted.



If you can't paint your walls, don't stress. Use fabrics, dish towels, plates, and other accessories to bring color into the room.


2) THROW IN SOME FABRICS YOU LOVE


Again, I said "love". I love ticking stripe. It has such a simple but slightly european feel to it. I dig that - It just makes me happy...go figure.



I also fell in love with this toile. Believe it or not it's a euro sham I found at my favorite flea-tique store. I bought it for a steal (I think $5) and draped it over a rod. So, yes, I essentially have a glorified pillow case hanging over my window...but I love it so much I lose no sleep over it.



Also only use dish towels you love. Why keep using that tattered old dish towel with the rooster pattern you loved in 1992. You can buy a package a beautiful new dish towels at TJ Maxx for $5!







3) DON'T BE AFRAID OF FAUX GREENERY...the good stuff, not the cheap looking, plasticky, florescent looking stuff

I wish I could A) afford real topiaries and fresh hydrangeas, and B) keep them alive. Since I am totally incapable of either of these things I go faux. However, I only use stuff that looks like it could be real.





4) INCLUDE SOME MEANINGFUL ART AND PHOTOGRAPHS

I think this one applies to almost every room in the house.

I bought this art print at an arts festival in Park City, Utah when I was "home" last summer. It's a painting of nothern Utah and it reminds me of home every time I look at it.




This is a photo of my son and I at a football game that I had printed in black/white and just tacked on a cork board.



This reminds me of the time I took my son to Disneyland when he was 5 years old. It was our first trip alone together and it was a big deal to me to save up and pay for it myself.






And these....I just liked.







And I know we're not supposed to have stuff junking up the outside of the fridge, but living so far away from family I really like having a few photos and cards on the fridge of friends and family members. That's just how I roll.



5) USE PRETTY CONTAINERS

Seriously, why skimp on the pretty?

I keep dish soap in a cute glass soda bottle.

I contain clutter with a nice little basket.



Coffee and Splenda go in pretty containers on a fun vintage pedestal (which also holds my aerolatte...if you don't have one you're totally missing out!).




6) INCLUDE A SMALL SIDE TABLE

I didn't think I had room in the kitchen for a side table, but I really wanted something to place the mail on when I came in the house. I found this beauty at my favorite flea-tique store (are you seeing why it's my favorite yet?) for $35!



If you really don't have room for a side table, try a ledge or shelf you can just hang on the wall.


7) YOU MUST HAVE MUSIC!


I have to have music in my kitchen. It's so much more fun to cook when you're dancing along with Justin Timberlake.





Oh, and just for the sake of keeping it real, this is what my kitchen table looked like the other day. Thank you Nester for the kick in the pants to get things under control again :).


92 Suburbanites Said:

JEWELGIRL said...

I think your kitchen looks much calmer after
the redo! I could stay and cook for hours!
Beautifully done!

CMB said...

Just found your blog...it is great! Love the kitchen transformation, it is beautiful!

Amber B. said...

Love your kitchen and the curtains (and pillow sham!). And I also think the Nester has great hair. ;-)

Martha said...

wonderful!

Holly said...

I love your kitchen!

Lindsay @ Makely said...

Your kitchen is gorgeous! What a difference from the previous owner's decor.

You are so right about needing pretty bottles for soaps, etc. I'm guilty of having the plastic Method soap bottle right there on my sink. Must change that asap!

These Are The Days said...

So many great improvements...lots of inspiration. Thanks! :)

Melissa said...

Oh wow~it's beautiful!! What great pointers. I am so with you on the kitchen towel thing~I get mine at Ross! The toile sham on the window is genius.

Megan @ Megity's Handmade said...

So many great improvements! Glorified pillow case? Haha! Looks great!

Anonymous said...

It looks great! I see your Hobby Lobby bag and cans of spray paint, you are my kinda gal!

Amber Filkins said...

Everything looks beautiful! just lovely. I found your blog through Hooked on Houses, and now I'm hooked on your house. :)

Mom in High Heels said...

Fantastic! And who doesn't love cooking to Justin Timberlake? He brings the "Sexy Back" to cooking. ;)

leigh ann said...

Wow, I love your kitchen...so fresh and clean looking! Thanks for sharing!

edie said...

It is so beautiful. Love the color palette!

Unknown said...

Beautifully done- love the Hobby Lobby mess- *grin*

Amber said...

You have a beautiful kitchen! I love how you used the basket to hide your phone and contain clutter. That's a great idea!

The Nester said...

oh your updations are perfect. You brought the kitchen into this century yet it feels homey and warm and perfectly imperfect.

I'd love to come over for some tea. OR iced coffee?

Anonymous said...

I came over from The Nest :)

I love the way you removed all the 'stuff' from the previous owner's high kitchen shelves. That's one of my pet peeves (and the reason we didn't buy a house with those shelves!). But the plates are perfect! Subtle, not ignoring the shelf, but very tasteful.

I've had so much fun looking at everyone else's 10 minute makeovers I still haven't put mine up!

Kristen, pajama mama said...

great post-major difference for such small changes! love the dog food container i noticed the (k)!!!

Unknown said...

Your kitchen is GORGEOUS, you have great taste!

Melanie said...

I love your kitchen! It's so cozy and soothing. LOVE the ticking stripe fabric.

Adrienne said...

you did a really nice job. i like a lot of things about your kitchen re-do. i really like the tall stemmy plant (i hate the fake stuff too but, yours does look real). also agree with the dish towel part. love the toile... it's all good!

Teresa said...

Beautifully done- love the colors- and your curtains are great!
Thanks for sharing.

Anonymous said...

What a great change. Please do share the color of your walls.

Anonymous said...

Your kitchen looks so lovely and I just love the toile pillowcase/window treatment. I will have to do that to one of my windows!

Allison said...

I love your kitchen. The colors are very calming and soothing. Love it.

Misti of Studio M Designs said...

Your kitchen is gorgeous, it reminds me of The Barefoot Contessa's, you know Ina Garten of Food Network. Beautiful! I am wanting to do the same trim work that you have behind your side table. Oh, and the white metal mirror, I have it and painted it bronze, nice to see it in it's original state again. Who knows what color I will paint it next!
~Misti

Rachel Lundy said...

Love the tassles on your pretty containers!

queenbee said...

I love how serene and calm your kitchen is. Great job.

trish said...

What a beautiful kitchen you have. How wonderful to have such an endearing picture hanging on your wall. I am a long ways from "home" and always enjoy seeing images of what is familiar to me. :o)
Sincerely ~ Tricia Anne

Amanda said...

It's beautiful! I love, love, love it! My favorite thing is the toile Euro sham. Great job - it's fantastic.

Tina said...

I love how calming your kitchen is - the colors are fabulous!!

Thrifty Decor Chick said...

I just love your kitchen AnNicole! Love it!

Unknown said...

I am in love with your kitchen - just beautiful!! oh and the F is my favorite part - for some reason I'm obsessed with using letters in my decor :-) thanks for sharing!

Gina said...

Great updates! I love how you hung up plates above the cupboards-that's a great idea. And yes-over here we can't live without the areo latte either! :)

Gretchen said...

Mmm... it's all so soothing! Can I come over for a cup of coffee?

Lazy Mom Leslie said...

I love all your changes! What a difference it made just taking down that border! I would love to hang out chatting at your table with some coffee and music playing in the background!

Anonymous said...

Everything looks so pretty! I'm gonna to the soap in the soda bottle thing! Too cool!
You have a beautiful home. Thanks for sharing it with us!
-Kim

Anonymous said...

HELLO!!!! I love this room makeover. I could live in just this room. Oh yes I could~ Great job!!!

Anonymous said...

I love this kitchen!!! LOVE the ticking stripe and the toile! The color pallete gives the room a calm but warm feeling.

I too would love to know what color paint you used. I've been looking for the perfect shade for a few weeks.

Kelly

Nora said...

Looks so amazing! Such a beautiful paint color. Great attention to detail :)

Unknown said...

I absolutely love your kitchen! It's gorgeous! What is that paint color?

Trudi said...

Love the colors of your kitchen. I want white cabinets so much, but Honey doesn't want me to paint ours. Sigh.

Deidra said...

There is so much I love about your kitchen! It's beautiful! I think you've pushed me over the edge...I'm gonna paint my kitchen cabinets!

Sherri said...

Love.it.ALL! Gotta say though the pillow case curtain is a SUPER idea. Just lovely.

Unknown said...

Just found your blog through Nester. Great transformation. I kept scrolling up and down, up and down, from the previous owner's before to your new kitchen. Love the soothing colours and the way you broke it down step by step. I especially like your fabrics.

Remodeling Guy said...

Looks Great! And, I think I shall never forget this post...here is why: My wife, Kim@ForeverWherever is in love with the old bottle holding the sopa idea. So, from now on, when I get soap at the kitchen sink, I'll remember this day! Best to you. - Tim @ Remodeling Guy

Anonymous said...

Love your style! Awesome kitchen re-model. I've added you to my bloglines. :)

Dawn said...

Ok, I said this in my last post, but it bears repeating- I LOVE everything that you have done with your kitchen! Man, have you inspired me!

-Dawn
www.lifeateventuallycottage.blogspot.com

Cottagecheap said...

Wow, just removing that border was probably such a huge change. I love how much calmer it seems. I don't like the 'stressed' feeling in a kitchen.
Love all your HOBBY LOBBY stuff!....that is what my table looks like alot...that and Goodwill bags.

Jodi said...

fantastic job - so loving it!!

Scooper said...

LOVE your kitchen! It's so "me." Your kitchen re-do and my bedroom re-do (I linked to the Nester too) look like twins.

honeysuckle said...

You did a great job! I loved reading all your wonderful suggestions too. Thank you, I'm going to try a couple of them.

Carrie @carrieloves said...

Ahhhmazing! That paint really looks great - of course everything else does, too!

Miss G said...

great post! we're about to buy an aerolatte! So excited. were introduced at some friends' house to it and added it to our wishlist. :) I REALLY like your soda bottle soap holder. I've got an old soda bottle I could go find! Fun! I have an F like yours but I think mine may be a bit smaller. Thanks for sharing! Kelly

Jennifer said...

Love your kitchen! Matter of fact, I love your blog. I found my way here from the Nesting Place and have spent the last, oh, I dunno, hour or more reading through the entire thing! I'm definately adding you to my Google Reader.

Julia @ Hooked on Houses said...

WOW. This makeover is amazing. It could be in a magazine. I love your style and all of your great ideas. Thanks so much for sharing it with us! :-)

Anonymous said...

You have a beautiful kitchen! I love all of your touches and your fabric choices are beautiful!!

Jen said...

Super cute! You're a woman after my own heart, I actually made a curtain for a very tiny window in my bathroom out of a pillow case!

Unknown said...

I'm not sure where to start because there's so many things that I love. I have to steal the dish towel idea. We have several windows in the living room and I'm not in the mood to spend alot of money on curtains since we'll be moving at the end of our contract.
And the Seltzer bottle for keeping dishliquid is a cute touch.
I've had a great time visiting the party particapant's blogs and getting inspired.
Perhaps I'll participate in the next party.

Anonymous said...

Love everything! Great touches... easy to do fixes! I love how light and airy it is!

Anonymous said...

OK...I looked through pages and pages of comments on our blog to find you. I wanted to find the photo of your little soap dispenser! I'm going to get one just like it! It's perfect!
~Kim

happyhome said...

Very peaceful. Great job!

Anonymous said...

Beautiful! I'm inspired! :) You did a great job and although I liked both before & after I *can* see that your re-do flows so much better.

The Summer Kitchen Girls said...

Great job with the re-do!
Karla & Karrie

Ms. Tee said...

So pretty! I came over from Julia's place. You did such a wonderful job. I love ticking as well - did you make your curtains?

Kelleigh said...

Just gorgeous! Can you tell me about your curtains? I think that is EXACTLY what I want to do!!

Linda@ Lime in the Coconut said...

now THAT was a great makeover! Beautiful job!

Kasey said...

Beautiful kitchen!

KarenB said...

You did a great job. It doesn't take much to make a house your own. I especially like your pillow sham curtain and your complete willingness to continue to put pictures on your frig. I only had to stop because I had to get stainless to go in my new kitchen. I kind of miss all those pictures of friends and family!

Vanessa said...

Love the soda bottle used to hold soap. I've used an oil bottle before, but this is so creative!

ames726 said...

Wow! Love what you did with the kitchen. We just bought our first house too and our kitchen has a similar set-up. What paint color and brand did you use?

Womandriver2@gmail.com said...

Love this post! Just found your blog. I love the soda bottle idea and will be using that one! Where did you find such a nice small cd/radio to use in your kitchen. I have an ugly thing that takes up too much room. Would love to replace it!

Gail D. said...

What color paint did you use? I'm looking for a tan/taupe color for my house. Thx.

Gail D.

AnNicole@Our Suburban Cottage said...

Gail - The color is Restoration Hardware Cappuccino. Thanks!

Anonymous said...

Great job with the Euro sham. Who knew? Very inventive!

Emily Nicole said...

I love your kitchen! It's so peaceful and calming. :D

Jacqueline said...

love the color you picked for the walls, very calming.

informationhub said...

so awesome..it is highly inspirational..i am hoping to have more beautiful stuffs in future like this..keep up doing the great work!

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Terry said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Terry said...

I love the transformation - it looks great!



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Aimee said...

It looks fabulous! I'm in the process of redoing my kitchen so I searched "taupe kitchen walls" on google and your kitchen popped up. This is exactly the look I'm going for and it's going to be so easy to do in my kitchen. I absolutely LOVE it!!!

Jilly said...

Like the color you picked for the walls, very calming. I noticed one thing in your blog that your kitchen looks much calmer after the redo.
detektive

Nicole said...

I love the color of your walls!!! I am moving in to my new house within a couple of days and I still do not have my shade. I am trying to find the perfect khaki color for my kitchen. What brand and color did you use?

Anonymous said...

I have to admit that the former kitchen is not all that bad but your makeover did make it more relaxing and calming. I particularly love the dining area. Thank you for all these tips you have shared. These are all very useful (especially to those who want to improve the quality of their buildings or homes by opting for flooring Houston for instance) and will surely help out several household owners in creating a beautiful home.

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