the renovation : kitchen reveal - so far!!!

Okay...the kitchen is not really done.
There is actually still a lot more that needs to happen.  The backsplash grouting needs to be finished.  The walls painted.  The library ladder/rails installed.  The huge doors dividing it and the living room put on barn door hardware.  The fireplace wall...well, something needs to be done, but we are not sure what.  Plus, we still haven't decided 100% on what we are doing as far as painting the wood trim, or leaving it how it is.

Buuuuuuut...my pregnancy and impending due date dictate that the kitchen needs to pause in order to prioritize the bedrooms in the back half of the house, which is now vacant/no longer a rental.  The two upstairs bedrooms back there need new flooring and definitely a fresh coat of paint!  We also need to open up the doorways that lead to the back of the house.  Phew.

In this post I gave everyone a look at our 'dream home' that we purchased a year ago and moved into in September {right after I got pregnant unexpectedly!}

Since moving in all we have worked on is the kitchen...which, in my opinion, is the most important room in a house. We had the cabinets and granite professionally installed, while Hubby did the plumbing, electric, appliance install and backsplash.

I am excited to reveal the renovated kitchen!  In it's current, somewhat finished state.

The kitchen BEFORE - set up to accommodate a rental, and a business rental at that.  So - boring and very basic.  We were able to easily sell all of the appliances and cabinetry (and fireplace!) on Craig's List to add to the reno fund:

BEFORE - a space just begging for more cabinets and new appliances:

AFTER - a little open shelving and wine storage for visual interest:

that candelabra was a $14 antique store find! not sure if that is its perma-home...but I am in love.

There is that eyesore of a fireplace wall!  What would you do?  We are thinking we will either expose the original brick underneath, remove the green tile and create a more updated tile fireplace with a new mantle.  Maybe hang an oversized piece of art above and/or a metal pot hanger.  Or re-drywall it and paint.  Maybe a huge statement chalkboard wall?  I'm open to suggestions.

the cabinets to the right of fireplace are our pantry area, since we do not have a walk-in pantry.

BEFORE - Just a whole lotta boring empty space:

AFTER - More cabinet storage space than I will ever need...which I love!

BEFORE - So much wasted space!

AFTER - I'm in love with the island.  Huge, square and with seating for four:

So there is what we have so far.

Moving on now to the back unit of the home, to open up the doorway on the second floor and unite the home.

Tour of that space (the before!) coming soon!

g