Friday, March 22, 2013

Kitchen Dreaming

DSC07458_6511

The kitchen here at the condo {above} will never be my dream kitchen since it lacks natural light {i.e. windows}.  I can, however, try to give it “something”.  We are hoping to do a few things this year ~ new countertops {leaning toward quartz over granite}, a new sink, a backsplash {something reflective perhaps}, and better overhead lighting {which different bulbs might resolve}, just to name a few things. I’d love to change the cabinet handles, but have a feeling that because of how long they are that would be difficult without a lot of wood filler and not being able to match the color of the cabinets.  Meanwhile, here are some inspiration pictures I found on Pinterest.

SONY DSC

I really like these farmhouse sinks and understand Ikea carries an affordable version.  I have to make sure I can have a two-sided sink, though, since we have a disposal on one side.

Source: Home Bunch

I’ve been thinking about adding corbels underneath our upper cabinets, like these pictures below.  I will, of course, wait until after we decide on what we are doing for a backsplash.

Source: The Happy Home Body

Source: Addicted2decorating

Source: Pretty Handy Girl

For the countertops, I had always wanted granite.  Until we went to a local home show last month and I saw and heard about quartz.  It looks like granite but doesn’t require the maintenance that granite needs.

Source: Cottage Living From Beach to Burbs

As far as the backsplash, I think that mirror would probably be the best option since I have no windows in here and have to rely on the natural light that comes in from the other rooms.  If not mirror, maybe a glass tile would at least add some reflective quality.  Still thinking on the options for that.

Source: White and Gold Design

 Source: Cohen-Hacker

I’d love a chandelier like in these pictures, but the ceiling is vaulted throughout the condo, kitchen included.

Source: Casa Decora

Source: Brabourne Farm

Source: Urban Farmgirl

You can see the rest of my Kitchen inspiration pictures on my Pinterest Kitchen Board here.  I’m not sure when we are going to get to this project since we have a lot going on in the next few months, but I’d be happy enough if it can be done by Fall.

On a totally different subject, I’ve been reading about the Google Followers widget going away come July.  I have, so far, signed up with Bloglovin’ and added that widget to my sidebar {right above the Google one}.  I will be taking advantage of following blogs with that widget or the Google + widget for following, because I don’t know how this change will affect those blogs I follow.  I’d love it if you would follow me by these other means as well!

 

30 comments:

Recreate and Decorate said...

I'm in the process of updating my kitchen too. Great inspirations!

Kim said...

I love all of those inspiration pics. You can't go wrong with a white kitchen. I love your kitchen layout - looks like you have lots of room and storage. I have granite, but if I had it to do over I would choose quartz. I also love the look of beadboard or white subway tile for a backsplash. I recently saw a pic of a light green glass subway tile - it was gorgeous!!!
xoxo,
Kim

Linda (Nina's Nest) said...

Love all your pics, Kathy. Just wanted to say that we have quartz (silestone) and love it. You don't have to seal it and it has little speckles in it, which means it always looks clean. The overall look of our counters is neutral, though the specks are tan, creamy white, and blue). I would pick quartz over granite again in a heartbeat. We have had it for 6 or 7 years. Linda

Zuni, Chickadee Home Nest said...

Hi, Kathy. May I be the first to weigh in? :) You've got some wonderful inspiration pieces, and I have a couple of thoughts to share with you. 1. Cabinet handles - When I looked at the picture of your kitchen, before reading about your interest in changing them, my thought was that I liked what was there and that they add an updated/edgy look without being too wild or stark. 2. We added granite when we were going to put the house on the market a few years ago (and didn't), but we only went with granite because that's the "in" thing that sells--everybody wants granite. MY choice would have been, and still would be quartz. Granite scares me because it's porous and can harbor germs no matter how much you clean it. Just recently I read about a decorator whose choice for countertops is Caesarstone, which I think is quartz too, but I haven't confirmed that.

That's my 2 cents' worth! ~Zuni

Okio B Designs said...

Love that last kitchen photo!!!!

Jeanine

SheilaG @ Plum Doodles said...

I desperately want to make over our kitchen. I love all your inspiration photos, and that's part of my problem. I like too many things, and can't settle on anything, not even a cabinet color. I'd love to paint them white, but then again, I'm thinking a glaze would look good. Ack! :P

Penny from Enjoying The Simple Things said...

We have granite, but it was already here. My choice would also be quartz. Can you put in a skylight in your kitchen?

must love junk said...

I love all of your ideas- great pics, too!
Susan

Andrea said...

Great inspiration! I'm debating over a farmhouse sink too. Ikea does have a 2 basin version, and it is super affordable compared to Shaw or other top end farmhouse sinks. Right now we have granite (really, it's zero maintenance) but are going high maintenance with marble. I just can't get over it, and must have it lol. We are using plenty of corbels in our new kitchen, too-I just love that look! It seems to me that you have a great starting point with your kitchen and your ideas!

This N That said...

Love the quartz..Lots of great ideas..thanks for sharing.

Marty@A Stroll Thru Life said...

My kitchen is an inside kitchen also, and no windows. I love that it is so open to the rest of the familyroom and brakfast area, at least I can see outside from those windows. Your ideas are all wonderful. I love your inspiration pics. Can't wait to see what you do. Hugs, Marty

sheerserendipity said...

Your inspiration pics are beautiful! Having the white cabinetry will give you an array of choices!

Our Hopeful Home said...

I am with you on every choice you've made. I guess great minds think alike. Good luck on the update!

Sissie's Shabby Cottage said...

Hi Kathy,
I'd love to have all of those special features too in my kitchen, that is if I ever have a kitchen! LOL.
I think that your kitchen is very pretty but I know that we always want to upgrade and improve. I know you'll have it looking dreamy in no time.

hugs
Sissie

Blondie's Journal said...

You really have a great kitchen to work with but I know as a designer, you see a lot of the detail. These inspiration pictures are fabulous. We have granite and I've never liked how busy it is and how you have to sort of stay with the same color scheme on it. I have Silestone at the lake and I love it. It's white with a little sparkle (at least mine is). I like your backsplash idea but have a lot of Windex on hand! lol!

XO,
Jane

NanaDiana said...

Those are all beautiful inspirational pictures, Kathy. I think just to pick bits and pieces here and there to use will make a world of difference. The good thing is that your kitchen is already very nice..you just want to bling it up a bit. Can't wait to see what you do over the next year or so- xo Diana

Gail said...

Beautiful inspiration pictures Kathy! I need to make a trip to an Ikea...I've never been to one. I hadn't heard about Google Followers going away in July...it's always something!! Enjoy your weekend, Gail

Olive said...

I love farm house sinks too. My kitchen is a humble affair but our new island elevated it a bit. I am grateful for what I have. I know with your many talents you can do a lot with this kitchen.

Yvonne @ StoneGable said...

HOw exciting to have a mini makeover! Just a few changes really makes a big difference.
I love where you are going from all the beautiful kitchens you have shared with us!!!

I have a beadboard backsplash and it give the whole kitchen a polished look.

Really, your kitchen is wonderful just the way it is!!!! And what I love the best is the easy access layout!

Debra@CommonGround said...

love love all that great inspiration, I repinned a few myself. Do we ever get our "dream kitchen"? I guess we just work towards it, and have fun in the process!

20 North Ora said...

Thanks for sharing all of the inspirational pics. I'm getting ready to redo my kitchen in a few months and love looking for ideas. I'm hoping for a farmhouse sink too and checked them out a couple of weeks ago at Ikea. They have a single bowl and also a double bowl one. They look pretty nice!

Thanks for the inspiration!

Judy

Manuela@A Cultivated Nest said...

LOL and I thought your kitchen was pretty already! I think that updating the lighting will go a long way. I'm pretty happy with my kitchen since we changed out the lighting. I love farmhouse sinks and I've seen the one at Ikea and it's great.

People can just transfer all the blogs in their Google Reader to Blog Lovin at one time and it's easy to do. So no one needs to do it blog by blog unless they want to weed out some.

Jean @ www.thebackyardbungalow.com said...

You have some great ideas there. Just wanted to mention that I, too, have a garbage disposal in my farm sink, but I only have one sink. It's a pretty easy thing to move the pipes to accommodate one sink with the garbage disposal. Also, if you take your cabinet doors to Sherwin Williams, like we did, they can probably match the color and it wouldn't be such a hard thing to change out the handles. You could just painted the fronts. Anyway, something to thing about.

Unknown said...

Love your Kitchen, and all of your ideas!

sweetvintageofmine said...

Your kitchen is lovely even before some of the changes you are wanting to make. My brother/snl put in the ikea sink last year...they have a double...looks very nice! Have a wonderful and blessed week! Roxie

Decor To Adore said...

Thank you for sharing such gorgeous inspiration. I am working up to painting my cabinets. I adore corbels too!

Happy Palm Sunday!

Melissa@daisymaebelle.com said...

Good luck with the kitchen remodel! Looks like you have some great pins to go with! Life to the full, Melissa @ DaisyMaeBelle

Anonymous said...

I enjoyed seeing your inspiration pictures because we too are trying to update our kitchen. We have painted the cabinets white, but that is as far as an update we've done since we aren't sure what else we want to do. I'll be looking forward to seeing what you do when the time comes.

Celestina Marie said...

Hi Kathy,
So enjoying catching up with your posts today. I love the pics you share for the kitchen update you are thinking of. You are going to have so much fun. I did ours 2 years ago and so glad. You have a gorgeous kitchen already though, but I understand when we are ready for a redo.

Thank you for sharing the google update. I am not looking forward to revamping all this again, but what can we do, right?

Enjoy a wonderful day.
Hugs!!

Sonya@Beyond the Screen Door said...

Hi, Kathy. What wonderful inspiration photos! I think the corbels are a great idea to add to your kitchen!

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...