Our Traditional Style Kitchen Remodel with Wood Cabinets and Gray island.
Today is the BIG DAY! We only have 1 project left to go – adding French doors – but I’d say that it’s ready for a big ‘ol reveal. When we moved into this house I knew that this kitchen would be a major project I wanted to tackle. I can't even believe the difference! The journey has been so worth it.
In case you missed it or would like more information, here are the articles to the rest of the kitchen renovation series:
- Kitchen Renovation Plan and Before Pictures
- Extending the Island and Adding a Breakfast Bar
- Building A Kitchen Island
- 5 tips for Replacing your Counter Tops
So are you ready to see the transformation??
First, let’s visit the BEFORE KITCHEN of doom. Dark and a little outdated at this point. This picture is from when we moved in, but it is the only one, I have that shows the full kitchen.
And this is what it looks like today!
The finished breakfast bar with extension. We added on to the original island to make it more functional as this is this the main eating area for our family of 3. You can see how we built a DIY kitchen island ourselves. We also added these new bar stools and waterproofed the fabric to prevent spills. Even the little details matter with these types of renovation, like spray painting vent covers to match.
Per hubby’s request, the cabinets have not changed. That was one of my compromises. However, in return, I got to do the accessorizing. The new, better fitting fridge is awesome! Even with the darker cabinets, the kitchen makeover makes this room much lighter and airy in feeling. Love It! The grey really brought out the richness of the cabinetry that was missing in the yellow/beige outdated scheme.
I will totally take credit for that back splash, though! It’s a tumbled marble tile ….and it’s gorgeous! So many people wanted me to add decorative tiles or color or sparkle to it. But I dug my heels in about keeping it white and plain. And, dang it, I feel vindicated looking at that picture.
Remember how we rewired and hid the outlets under the cabinets? So.Much.Better.
Hubby and I did all the tile job ourselves and much of it was hand laid because the sheets did not fit together properly or were in awkward spaces.
Although it’s hard to say which part of the kitchen makeover is my favorite, but the open shelves are definitely up there. I had to add at least a little bit of color and sunshine. I store my cookbooks, the family heirloom plant, and a few cute accessories on them.
Of course, every kitchen needs a good area for the coffee setup. Above is my menu chalkboard. The Tile Shop has been so generous to us in finding a last bit of tile to cover that back wall. They called every store in the US to find enough for our project and pulled it together from 4 different stores. I actually intend to put a corkboard there, but we want the tile behind it in case we ever change our minds.
Kitchen Decor Sources and Details
Paint Colors: Valspar Asiago | Trim/Moulding- Valspar Pale Bloom
Hard Surfaces: Countertops- Bianco Romano but I have also seen it called Andino White (with mitered edge island on island) | 15 inch deep Double Undermount Sink | Tall Kitchen Faucet (similar) | Liberty 3-inch drawer pulls (3″ satin nickle) | Flooring: Shaw Floors Galleria Aker’s Mill | Cabinet Color: Unknown but looks like a brown cherry- solid wood | Backsplash: Tumbled Marble (similar) with ⅛-inch white grout
Lighting: Island Pendant Lights (Chrome Finish)
Furniture: Bar Stools (similar) | Step Stool
Walls/Art/Windows: Cordless Shades (White) | Chalkboard Menu | White Shelves (similar)
Kitchen Accessories (link on photo):
If you have any questions, let me know in the comments below! Be sure to check out the other parts of this series at the top of this post!
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More Room Reveals
Beverly says
There are so many great elements here! It’s hard to choose a favorite, but the back splash is definitely eye catching. Your decision to keep it white and light fits perfectly. The pops of color you’ve added with accessories work beautifully. What an awesome job. You and your husband can take a lot of pride in this project!
Amanda says
Beautiful makeover! I love the backsplash and the open shelving! I’m sure you’ll enjoy cooking many meals in there 🙂
Rachel says
I love to cook and now I love where I am cooking! 🙂
Creative Mama Renee says
So pretty, no, gorgeous! I wish my kitchen was large enough to do something like this in it. What I wouldn’t give for a desk area or an island, you have both! Ok, going to continue my kitchen envy over here… 🙂 Cheers!
Rachel says
This is my dream kitchen, I will admit. In our previous horrid townhouse, the kitchen was so tiny that two people could not stand in there. The dishwasher hit the fridge door on the opposite side! This house was a foreclosure so we really lucked out but it needs a lot of work.
Emily, Our house now a home says
This turned out great! I love those yellow curtains! The stone on the island was done so well. Love this!
Kendra @ www.joyinourhome.com says
What an awesome job you’ve done! Love the open shelving too! Thee backsplash is beautiful! We just ripped out our Lino in the kitchen and tiled it! Big job but I know how you feel about wanting to get rid of it 😉 Thanks SO much for sharing with us at Your Turn To Shine! Hope to see you back again on Thurs!
Rachel says
I am glad someone understands my craziness about the floor. It is a big job, but I think we will be able to handle it…someday. Thanks for stopping by and I love the Your Turn To Shine party.
Jen says
Rachel this turned out amazing!! I love the comfy, modern, open and cozy feel around it! Kudos to you for being able to incorporate all of that into it. The tiling is amazing and I am impressed you hand laid it all. Congrats to your and husband on creating this wonderfully creative and beautiful space!
Jen says
That would be congratulations to you and your husband. Why must toddlers always “help” to press the wrong button 🙂
Rachel says
Thank you so much for all your well wishes, Jen! Getting this monster done on any sort of timeline has been amazing and stressful. I was going to take a break from major renovation after the kitchen. However, I seem to have finally found the perfect cabinet set on Craigslist for my craft room/home office. Oh well, more big projects!
Amanda says
What a difference! It looks so much lighter and brighter. Love the pops of yellow and aqua too! Call me crazy, but I actually don’t mind the floors lol. I guess that’s the queen of cheap in me! I’m sure the tile you end up doing will make it look even better though.
Rachel says
Thanks, Amanda! The floors didn’t look as bad in the old kitchen. It’s mostly the color that I dislike rather than them being linoleum. I am on an anti-beige kick, lol. I am probably going with a medium-light grey, maybe a tiny bit lighter than the stone bar. But it’s a while off, I may change my mind again!
Robin @ Redo It Yourself Inspirations says
Wow, Rachel! It looks fabulous! You have to be proud. Knocking off that list and making everything feel and look so much brighter is quite an accomplishment. Congratulations on such a great job!
Rachel says
I am proud! I admit it really took some thought about how to make a kitchen with dark cherry cabinets feel lighter. Hubby and I started work on rewiring the desk area so it should be done soon too!
Julie says
We’re moving soon and the kitchen has fairly dark cabinets in the new place, I’ve always had white so wasn’t at all sure, but I love how bright and airy your kitchen looks even with the darker wood. Great inspiration.
Rachel says
Thank you so much, Julie! My husband and I had almost opposite styles in taste for the kitchen. Keeping the cherry cabinets was what my husband really wanted even though I initially dreamed about painting them. I am actually surprised at how much more cheerful and light the kitchen was (and I am so pleased!).
Lauren @ Mom Home Guide says
Congrats on your new kitchen! It looks great!
Stacey @ Bake.Eat.Repeat. says
I LOVE that stonework on the island! That looks absolutely amazing. And I can’t believe you did the tile work yourself, that must have been SO much work – looks incredible!
Rachel says
The stonework on the island is actually a stick on faux stone called Airstone. It was so easy to work with. The tile was a ton of work making sure all of those little pieces stayed level but I wouldn’t have it any other way. It was my favorite tile by far!
Meredith @ The Palette Muse says
Gorgeous! I love that island and backsplash. And I would love to have hidden outlets. That’s going on my “someday” list.
Rachel says
Thanks, Meredith! The hidden outlets are such a bonus. I know it seems like a little thing, but I love that the backsplash is far less interrupted now.
Laurie says
Excellent job on the tile!! The kitchen looks beautiful.
Susan says
Rachel, love the new kitchen, Congratulations!! I’m sure walking into that lighter, brighter space every morning is a joy and knowing you did it yourself makes it all the more satisfying.
Rachel says
You are right on both, Susan! Now if I can just keep it clean. That would be a miracle I think, haha.
Carrie @ curlycraftymom says
LOVE the kitchen!!!! Those little mason jar storage containers are cute, too! I really want to remodel our kitchen… I wanted to this year, but we may wait a year.
Rachel says
I know what you mean. Busy busy bees we are. I have more projects than I have time for, lol.