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My passion is decorating with vintage and antique finds on a budget. There was a time when I wouldn't have dreamed of going into a goodwill. That day has passed. :) My second love is scrapbooking all those special family moments for posterity, and I recently set up my very own scrapbooking room. I have three beautiful children, two sons and a daughter as well as a sweet (albeit full blooded Yankee) daughter-in-law and two grandgirls. I also enjoy gardening, meeting new friends and relaxing on my patio in the evenings with a glass of fine wine. During the summer of 2001, I spent two glorious weeks at Kennedy Space Center. I've been somewhat of a space geek ever since....
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Wednesday, November 9, 2011

The Beginnings of a New Kitchen!!!!

I've been busy as a bee, can I tell ya? ..... I had granite and tumbled marble tiles installed in my kitchen last week.  Something I've wanted to do for a very long time..... But one thing leads to another and another..... And now I'm changing cabinet knobs out, replacing light fixtures, reworking my island, etc. etc.  :-) 

I'm linking up with Susan at Between Naps on the Porch for Metamorphosis Monday.  I really really need some input so please take time to leave me a comment.

Here's a quick peek at the work in progress.  But you can only view if you PROMISE (scout's honor) to post a comment with your preference on cabinet hardware.

I have several design dilemmas to contend with.  First and foremost, I want updated knobs that de-emphasize the red in the stain on my cabinets.  And I'm very undecided, with the top picks being either flat black or brushed nickel.  The black knobs accent the black appliances, but the brushed nickel reflects lights in a beautiful way and matches the finish on my new faucet.  I tried oil rubbed bronze but it does nothing for the cabinet color other than blend right in.

Here's a before shot taken the morning of the demo after the outdated white porcelain knobs had been removed.....


It was time for that worn, tired formica, stained tile, and drippy faucet to go.  The granite guys came in and had it all torn out in no time flat.  They might have worn earrings but they sure worked like REAL men.  LOL

Here is my kitchen now, still a work in progress............. I replaced my vent hood because it was grimy from 19 years of duty and I love that it not only has two lights, there are high and low settings.  Who would have thought a vent hood could bring such joy?  Do you see that ugly outlet cover?  After I took this photo, I found some ceramic ones at Home Depot that blend right in with the marble....


I spotted that pencil trim on the backsplash in a kitchen photo online and just fell in love with it.  I knew that a lot of pattern on my backsplash would detract from that gorgeous granite so I opted for a monochromatic look with pencil trim to add just a bit of polish. 

As much as I wanted a new cooktop, I had them drop the old one right back in.  I'll use it until it goes out and then replace it.  I know, just call me TIGHTWAD.

I knew I wanted an overhang on the end of my island to increase my usable counter space and possibly house a barstool.  I've ordered some decorative iron brackets online but am still considering having the cabinet guys mount two wooden posts under the overhang. 



I love it when an island looks like a piece of furniture, don't you?  Another thought would be to add some feet to it and stick with the iron brackets.  Talk to me, ladies....


And then there's the possibility of painting and glazing just the island in a pretty country white color.....  I was leaning that way at first and even consulted with a lady who does fabulous faux finishes, but truly CRINGE at the idea of painting over such nice wood.  But a little voice keeps saying, "Wouldn't it be absolutely beautiful????"  The cost of faux finishing all of the cabinets would be around $2,700 but to redo just the island would be quite reasonable.


Here's my new much deeper sink and faucet.  In hindsight, I would have preferred for the tile to run around the upright area behind the sink for continuity but I won't fret over it.  I LOVE LOVE LOVE my new sink!!!!

Back to the scout's honor stuff.........  Please PLEASE post your opinion on cabinet knobs and other stuff if you so desire.....  Drum roll, please.................... 

Knob #1.......
Or knob # 2............

Stay tuned for regular updates.......................

12 comments:

  1. Wow, love the new granite, very nice. It's coming together nicely! Hmm, the knobs, hard decision, both are nice, but I am drawn to darker knobs. Can't wait to see more...

    Thanks for commenting on my blog post. Your story made me laugh, especially the message on the answering machine! Ha! ;) Thank you for the nice comment! Have a nice evening...xoxo ~Liz

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  2. Your kitchen is looking beautiful! Hard to decide on the knobs. Both would work in your kitchen. But because of the color of the cabinets, I think I would go with the brushed nickel.

    Hope that helps!

    ~Linnea

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  3. You have been busy. I like the black knobs, they would kind of anchor everything. And yes paint the island. Would make everything look less matchy matchy. Wow, lucky you and those countertops. I like the "old" cooktop and I use all applianced until they die.

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  4. Hi- Well scouts honor, here goes, I am most always drawn to darker knobs but here I think I would pick nickel. I like the reflective quality as well. I would paint the island too, who knows if you like that then maybe all the rest someday? Your counter and back splash are gorgeous! Enjoy!

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  5. For some reason, this "scout's honor" thing is working (even though I wasn't a scout) - I usually peruse the BNOTP roundup posts and just shamelessly steal ideas for my own house, but now I am responding :). I like both knobs, but I think the black will look nicer with the wood. Especially go with the black if you use the iron brackets on the island - those are so pretty! I personally am looking for some oak cabinets to PAINT for my kitchen (the ones it came with are from the '70s and not even real wood, and they're too small, and they're about 75 years younger than the house itself) - I haven't felt guilty about covering it up, because I'm just liking the oak for its sturdiness. But then, I do like painted cabinets (and I have a crazy idea that I could do it myself. I am practicing on walls, and I hope my painting skills are improving. They need it). Love your improvements so far, and good luck with the rest of the project!!

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  6. Misfit has a point, the "scouts honor" bit seems to be working... Smile! First your kitchen is lovely. So here's a crazy suggestion: If you paint the island white like a piece of furniture with the black supports, keep with the black on the island for uniformity, but perhaps use the softer silvery one on the oak... Really they both look so nice which ever you use will be tasteful. A fellow Louisiana Girl

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  7. I would choose the black knobs on the cabinets. My monitor shows the granite (which is beautiful) as having some black veining. I would definitely paint the island but not white. Maybe something in a warm tone to go with the warmth of the kitchen. Have you considered red? I noticed it in the toile valance. Instead of fighting the red in the cabinets go with something that will draw your eyes away from them. IMC

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  8. I love what you have done with the kitchen! I think the black knobs would be perfect! Also, I LOVE the idea of painting and glazing the island. Maybe a buttermilk color with a coffee or mocha glaze. Can't wait to see what you decide to do next :-)

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  9. Hi Terri! We are expecting 3 baby girls and since they will all be so close in age, we call them triplets, lol. You new kitchen is beautiful!I love the granite. About the knobs, it's really hard to choose because I like them both, lol. Sorry I am of no help....Christine

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  10. Your granite and backsplash look really great, Terri! I tried to email you from the comment you left, but you have "no reply blogger" on. You can take that off and put your email on in the settings section. Regarding the sprouts...sprouts used in sandwiches are usually alfalfa sprouts and bean sprouts are usually mung beans.

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  11. Hi! Love your counters :) Great job so far. I like the dark knobs on lighter colored cabinets...like you were talking about the island. We were pricing out those restoleum cabinet painting kits at Lowes for our cabinets....not sure if we want to DIY though! ha
    I hope you have an amazing trip to Disney! Enjoy!
    Lina

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  12. You’re right. If you choose a backsplash with a lot of patterns, your wash or preparation area might look overly designed. It’s a good thing that you decided to find a simple, yet striking backsplash design that matches your tile. Regarding your cabinet knobs, I’d prefer your 2nd option because its design will match the light colors on your countertop. Which one did you choose in the end?

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