Tuesday, August 10, 2010

Kitchen Details



This nineteen-forty-something kitchen was a total gut job.  
I hated that, but a fire in the late sixties destroyed every single 
original aspect of the kitchen and repairs to the kitchen were just plain 
(there’s just no nice way to say this) hideous!

My soap dispenser was previously used for syrup!


I was not feeling the love for the plastic coated paneling, the swirly gold celotex ceiling, the “out of the closet” hot water heater or the lovely faux (plastic) wood accordion door 
-- oh yeah,  I’m really going to miss that door.
I didn’t care too much either for the well thought out addition of an “extra” backdoor located less that 10’ from the “real” backdoor.



I LOVE  the 1940’s…I WANTED  a 1940’s kitchen.   But in the end I think it might have turned out for the best.  The kitchen was the only room in the house that I made major floor plan changes. I don't think I would have torn up a vintage kitchen to do that.  The new plan works so much better and think I was still able to get that forties feelin’. 






THE FLOOR

Gosh, this was probably the hardest project I’ve ever done.  We found a huge number of odds and ends brick covered up by overgrown grass and weeds.  They were scattered all over the backyard -- We’re still looking for the body. We had the bricks sliced in thirds and I laid it.  Because each brick was so different this was very slow going but I love the finished look.

I was asked if the floors were hard on my feet.  You know, I’m not sure how to answer that.  They don’t really bother me.  I wouldn’t think they would be any different from tile or even wood if it were installed over a concrete slab.  Only a floating type floor would “give” any at all.  
I say go for it!


THE CEILING
This is by far my favorite ceiling ever.  And it was really easy.  Easier than sheetrock if you ask me.  I pre-stained and clear coated pine 1x6’s that were long enough to span the room so there were no seams.  I left the celotex for extra insulation (and because there would be some shrinkage in the wood) but marked the ceiling joist so we would know where to nail.  We just nailed them up with a brad nailer getting them as close together as possible.  Awkward, but not hard.

The beam is fake.  We removed a load bearing wall here and had to have some sort of support.  What was required was ugly, so I covered it with pine and beat the heck out of it to make it look old.  Yes, it felt pretty good.










DETAILS

The cabinets were unfinished oak with simple flat panels.  The finish (not as white as they look in the pictures) is three coats of half oil paint and half paint thinner.  This gives you a very durable, translucent paint look -- not the same as stained.  I brought the crown molding on around the upper cabinets.  I made a  4-square diamond shaped cutout template for the upper cabinet doors and very carefully cut them out with a Dremel. This is the second time I’ve used that cutout in a kitchen and I never get tired of it.




The counter tops are 12x12 granite tiles purchased from a discount store for $4.99sf and I trimmed the edge with wood chair rail molding stained 
to match the ceiling. 




I love the little bar/table thing being open underneath.  
I can seat 4 at that little bar! 





I have designed a mosaic backsplash for the wall behind the stove and I’ll be adding a stainless vent hood soon.

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The dining room, which is just through a pair of french doors.
*Click Here* and *Here* to tour the dining room!


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If you enjoyed this post (and, gosh, I hope you did) please BECOME A FOLLOWER!

59 comments:

  1. Thanks for all of the info! Looks great!

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  2. It looks beautiful! I particularly enjoyed your fancy rooster over the stove.

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  3. It looks great..you did a heck of a job..
    Come over to my giveaway and may be you can win the $70 gift card to CSN ONLINE Stores and buy something neat to go in your new kitchen. T'would be cool, hu!!!

    O, and I have an olden bookshelf, much like yours, that I was fixing to get rid of...after seeing how cute YOUR'S is tho...I'm gonna keep it and find a spot for it..:)

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  4. I love your brick floor...it is just wonderful. Also that rooster is just taking command. olive♥

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  5. My word, regardless of what the 40s kitchen looked like, you have done a remarkable job on this one. I love all you did. I see nothing wrong with it of it. Just envious you are creative.

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  6. Very pretty, and classy. I can definitely think "40s" looking at your kitchen!
    Impressive that so much of it was your own work!

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  7. All I can say is WOW! You did a fantastic job - it really looks amazing!
    "We're still looking for the body" ha ha. ;)

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  8. Hi...new to your blog, but now I am following. You are quite talented...I saw the chicken coop...amazing!!

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  9. Hi Lindy,

    Your kitchen came out great! I just love your idea of using the syrup container for soap! Perfect, love it!! Now I must look for one.

    Debbie

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  10. This is amazing....I love all your touches....it is a wonderful job! Have a great VTT!

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  11. Oh my goodness, this is so amazing! I love it!
    I wish my little kitchen was this cute!
    Thank you for sharing!
    Terry
    PS great blog by the way:)

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  12. I love your kitchen re-do!!! And I especially love that sewing machine cabinet island!! I am your newest follower! :-)

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  13. Love the floor! That is something else!

    Thanks for sharing! :)

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  14. Great kitchen! I really love your floor.

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  15. Charming in every way! I will be back to browse around some more :) Please stop over and visit when you have a chance.

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  16. Hi, Lindy, just went back to see pics of the outside of your cottage. So cute, I can see why you fell in love with it. Now I'm wondering if you are south of B'ham or North? Anyway, didn't realize you are in AL.

    And a big welcome to blogging too. I see you are brand spankin' new, so have fun with it. Your kitchen is really adorable. Love the brick floors, that must have been a bear to do.

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  17. Beautiful kitchen. Thanks for sharing. ~~Sherry~~

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  18. Very nice! What a lovely room.

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  19. Thanks for sharing all of the details, it's beautiful...

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  20. Oh, I love the sewing machine cabinet used as an island! How creative!
    I am your newest follower!
    Thank you for sharing!
    Leticia

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  21. Gorgeous... I love the cut-outs on the cabinets and your "new" soap dispenser! Thanks for sharing! :)

    HaPpY vInTaGe ThInGiE tHuRsDaY!

    Sarah

    Check out my blog for a GIVEAWAY and new linking PARTY!
    http://bloggingwhilewaiting.blogspot.com/2010/08/new-wednesday-party-link-up-giveway-too.html

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  22. Just beautiful! I really like your ceiling!

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  23. Stopping by from the Shabby Chic Cottage party! I just love how this turned out! Very warm and inviting kitchen! Great job!

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  24. I love your kitchen! Your ceiling looks great. I love the brick floor too. Y'all did an amazing job on all of it.

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  25. I have a house that was built in 1940 and I love it even though it's small. I have birch cabinets in good condition with the original countertop and in the next year I'm going to paint the cabinets. I'm going to have to replace the countertop but I really will miss the yellow. Thanks for the ideas.

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  26. love it. I waited for like 1.5 years for hubby to put up our cabinet vent hood that we designed. It all started with a $50 vent insert and we built a cabinet around it. We are working on the last of the details. I hope you get a glimpse of it when it is complete.

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  27. Gonna be lifting that soap dispenser. I was "into" syrup/sugar dispensers for a whilre...:) you know how that is, so I have a few around the kitchen and never thought to use them in this manner. Also...Is that a sewing machine cabinet used as your island? If not, I am certainly going to suggest using one as an island to my sister who has an oh so small kitchen...the size would be perfect for her needs.

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  28. I love your kitchen! I especially love the sewing cabinet island too. Thanks for sharing!

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  29. Wow! That floor & ceiling are AMAZING! Great job!!!

    Blessings~
    S
    QueenofSassySavings.blogspot.com

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  30. Love the floors and ceiling!

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  31. i love your kitchen - esp the floors! what a warm and inviting place!

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  32. What a beautiful kitchen you have.. I love it! Very neat!

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  33. I love it its so precious! I think I might need a Fruit bowl like yours!!

    Happy Friday

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  34. I absolutely LOVE your kitchen! You did a wonderful job with the remodeling!

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  36. Wow! You did a great job. Love it. The island is awesome. You have so many great details. And the dining room is lovely, too!

    www.camachohouse.blogspot.com

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  37. My goodness! It's perfect! I am completely in love with your floor! It is sooooo amazing! Gorgeous! Love it!!

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  38. WOW - I LOVE THIS! Your floors are so neat! Beautiful!!!!

    http://hanginloosewiththetuccis.blogspot.com

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  39. Stopping by from Kellys Korner. Wow! I love your kitchen!! The floors look so awesome and I like the way you have it decorated!

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  40. LOVE LOVE LOVE!! The floor & celings are amazing!!!!!

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  41. Great kitchen!! Love the floor and the wall color is wonderful!!

    The little island is a great idea too!

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  42. this is sooo the direction I'm wanting to go in my own kitchen...
    I've had reds, yellows and greens for so long. And I want to go much lighter. Thanks for the inspiration!

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  43. I love your kitchen! The fabric and the fruit bowls are my favorite!

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  44. I don't even know where to begin ... the reno is absolutely awesome! Your colors are so lovely & I love the sewing cabinet ... one fabulous kitchen.

    Have a great eve ~
    TTFN ~ Marydon

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  45. Hi Lindy! Oh, your kitchen is amazing and you are amazing! I believe you can do anything! I love your pretty kitchen! I think you did such a wonderful job in keeping the olden look but making your kitchen very functional! Love the little cut outs in your cabinet doors! Your floor is gorgeous! I love the entire look of your window/sink area! Oh, you rock, Dear One! :) Thank you so much, Lindy, for coming to my party!
    You are a sweetie,
    Shelia ;)

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  46. Well, I'll tell ya! YOu just have such a good eye! I LOVE your kitchen transformation! So many details are amazing...love the brick floor...love the beam that you added...fav...all your touches are so lovely and so 'Lindy'...you have amazing taste! I have old floors reclaimed from a hunting lodge, BUT I dream of a brick floor...just something so french country about them! Dining room is so pretty, too! Christie at Three Pixie Lane!

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  47. Hello Lindy,

    Your kitchen is amazing! I can't imagine doing all of that work. I'm impressed!

    Please come see my kitchen and check out my book giveaways.

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  48. Your kitchen is unique and beautiful.

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  49. I love you pretty cottage kitchen! :)

    ~Liz

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  50. I am in awww of your kitchen, and your decorating skills. I love the country warm rustic charm. What pretty floors, and those beams, I am jealous!!~

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  51. So beautiful and charming kitchen you have! Love it!

    Hugs
    Charo

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  52. Do you mind sharing your paint color? I'm looking to paint my kitchen and dining room this shade. Love the floors and ceiling. Amazing!

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  53. Terrific job! And doing so much yourself makes it so much more satisfying!

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  54. @MerrittTimes

    Merritt Times asked about the paint color. Sorry I was unable to reply but there was no email address. Just wanted you to know I used Kilz, Useful Brown from Walmart. It is not really brown but more a green color. I hope this helps!

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  55. The brick floors are fantastic. Love.

    Kelly

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  56. Great kitchen! I thoroughly enjoyed studying all the special details you've added. One of my favorites was the bookshelf for glasses and the pretty vignette on top. Love the cookbooks-in-the-basket idea!

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