kitchen re-do: {a room to cook in}

Considering that before I got married I did not cook at all, it may seem strange that three years later I feel the most important room in a home is the kitchen.  The fact is...

 I fell in love with cooking

{and I'm trying my best to like baking as well.}  

Therefore, when we moved into our current home a year and a half ago I pushed pretty hard for a kitchen makeover!  Our shotgun-style home has pretty small rooms, but even so, the space in the kitchen was NOT being maximized.  I knew we could design better.

Here is a look at the {BEFORE}

I wasn't a big fan of the mustard-colored walls, white countertops, white appliances, white floor tiles...so we ripped it all out!

 And here is the {AFTER}

Pretty much we replaced everything: dark cherry, more visually interesting cabinets, granite countertops, natural stone floor tiles, stainless appliances...oooooh and do you spy my potfiller???  Yes, I do actually use it. :)

{BEFORE} : a strangely-placed refrigerator (you had to walk sideways to get between it and the tiny center island.

 {AFTER} : We instead did a peninsula, allowing for more counter space, and put the sink in a spot where I could look in on the dining room...instead of facing a corner full of cabinets!

Uh, the TV above the Ikea metal shelf (aka pot rack, $15) was completely my husband's idea.

I never always watch it. Hey, I spend a lot of time in there.

:)

So that is my kitchen...a place I love to cook in - or at least spend a lot of time trying!

Happy Monday!

G