Here is a very simple record of some of the projects my husband and I have accomplished. Most of them are a collaboration of our efforts and talents.
KITCHEN RENOVATION
KITCHEN RENOVATION-STAGES 1 AND 2
When we moved into our home, we loved the floor plan and the bones of the house, but it was dated and we knew that we needed to make some major improvements. So after many years of being in our home, we decided to finally start the kitchen and our goal is to do it entirely by ourselves, with the exception of the countertops.
Stage 1: Refinish the Cabinets and Build Tall Back Cabinets and Shelving
Tall and open shelving maximizes the height of the room and provides a crisp and coordinated visual in the back of the kitchen.
- Summer 2015-Fall 2015
- Approximate Cost $1000
- Materials: Hardwood plywood, cabinet doors, LED undercounter lighting strips, primer, gold glaze, gel stain, wipe-on poly,hardware (Anthropologie and Pottery Barn)
- I used a primer then gold glaze on all of the existing cabinetry. Then after layering 2 coats of the gold glaze, I finished the cabinets with a dark gel stain applied with a small brush. I put hand blown gold mercury glass knobs on the cabinet doors and antique gold handles on the drawers.
- I designed the tall cabinets and open shelving along the back wall of the kitchen in order to give it a more modern and stylish feel. The tall height of the lower cabinets allows the entire structure to stand 12 feet tall, which fits into our lofty kitchen with cathedral ceilings. I kept the concept open so I could display all of my serving ware. Keeping all of the servingware white allows it to be displayed as a collection. The serving ware looks unified and tailored, especially paired with a dark wood finish.
Hand-blown gold mercury glass knobs from Anthropologie and antique gold handle from Pottery Barn
Stage 2: Custom Island
- Fall 2015
- Approximate cost: $2000
- Materials: Solid maple slab, turned legs, gel stain, primer, gold glaze, wipe-on poly, hardware (Pottery Barn), drawer rails
2 layers of gold glaze over primer
Finished with gel stain and 3 coats of wipe-on poly. Antique gold cup pulls from Pottery Barn. Spalted maple top from Raleigh Reclaimed (milled, filled, and finished)
Stage 3: Countertops, Range, and Hood
- Fall 2017
Stage 4: Build in refrigerator and lighting
PLAYROOM-STUDY
When we first moved into our home, our oldest was 2 years old and I was pregnant with my youngest daughter. We knew that we had to make a room in the house that was childproof and a comfortable space, preferably an area that could be closed off. The previous owner of our home had a formal living room off of the dining room, with French doors and a wall of windows that provide great natural light. We knew that this was the room we were going to turn into the playroom.
We renovated this room twice since living here. The first time we made the space into a comfortable and fun playroom. The second time around, we have added a large desk space along the window wall and installed shelving for the girls to display their art. They now lovingly refer to this room as “The Study.”
Stage 1 (The Playroom)
- Lumber, primer, cabinet hardware, white paint, wall paint, furniture, boxes and baskets for shelves, chandelier
- Summer 2007-Fall 2007
- Approximate cost: $5000
We also put doors and hardware on the lower cabinets
I put alphabet cards (Land of Nod) around the top of the room. It made it very cheery and the colorful paintings on the cards allowed the toys displayed on the shelves (and floor!) to blend into the color scheme of the room
Stage 2 (The Study):
- Lumber, cabinet doors (we took these off of the old island in the kitchen and reused them in the study built in desk), primer, white paint, hardware, solid walnut planks, varnish, molding, nails, frames for artwork, wall paint
- Cost: $500
I love these display shelves! The perfect way to display art-makes changing it out very easy and keeps the design of the room easy to update. Cute to put seasonal art up!
Original built-ins have less toys and more craft and technology storage. Original artwork.
We kept the wall color the same. The plantation shutters and the built-ins got a new layer of white paint. I love the reading area and the peaceful feeling of this room!
I stripped and painted the wood with fun colors. Steve paid $40 for all 4 when we moved into our first apartment. So I’m glad we could use them in our new home!
Amy Butler fabric covers the deep foam cushions I had custom cut to fit the base of the chairs.
They are the perfect color for the room and are super comfortable to sit on since I had the cushions cut so deep.
DINING ROOM WALL
Steve made the mirror frame and I finished it. Antique buffet from Chesterland, Ohio. Replaced the hardware with hand painted pieces from Anthropologie.
When we moved into the house, there was burgundy and gold wallpaper on the back wall of our dining room. While I did not like the design on the paper, I did like the idea of using pattern on that wall, especially since our floor plan is open. So I ripped the wallpaper down and painted the back wall a sienna orange and another accent wall in the dining room metallic green (Ralph Lauren paint). I designed and cut a stencil and then used a copper metallic paint to transfer the pattern onto the orange wall.
- Medallion stencil
This wall connects the dining room and bar area so there’s a large and narrow space that really demanded a pattern in order to keep it interesting.
Spring 2013
- Cost: $300
- Materials: Wall paint, copper glaze, hardware (Anthropologie), stencil plastic, lumber and mirror, gel stain, gold glaze
- I finished the mirror with primer, 2 layers of gold glaze, and gel stain on top
- Wall stenciling took about 50 hours
Steve made the wooden box and I painted the letters on. Used foam balls and torn strips of scrap fabric to make the decorative balls
I like to cover lots of things in fabric!
