Wow, wow, wow. Out of all of the rooms that we’ve remodeled right here in our mid-century Pittsburgh residence, this kitchen earlier than and after is known as a good one (right here’s what the home appeared like once we moved in).
After I noticed the itemizing photographs of the kitchen earlier than we purchased it, we fell in love with the large home windows to the yard, however I may inform the precise kitchen was not my aesthetic.
From the photographs, it appeared prefer it was in first rate form, however as soon as we drove as much as see the home in particular person (after shopping for over Skype) it was obvious that the photographs actually didn’t present the precise state of the room.
Moreover the tile flooring that had been put in incorrectly (the spacing was far and wide and tiles had been coming out all around the home), there have been elements of the laminated countertop that had been hooked up with Scotch tape and the dishwasher was put in so near the oven that it hit the oven door each time you opened it.
Plenty of the fake wooden cupboards had been warped/peeling/water broken, the “tile” backsplash was merely stick on plastic sheets, it had a dropped acoustic paneled ceiling (like in an workplace constructing), and the pantry was small (and wasted half the house due to how the cabinets had been laid out).
Oh, and the baseboards/wooden trim got here collectively in a manner that appeared like an M.C. Escher staircase. You may see extra in my “NotHowYouDoThat” spotlight on my Instagram. It was a sizzling mess. It additionally had a plastic stained glass window of a sailboat within the kitchen wall, in order that wanted to go as nicely.
We knew we might wish to completely intestine the kitchen and begin from scratch, however we waited till we labored on all of the flooring that run all through the primary ground so we may demo the kitchen, have all of the white oak flooring run all through, after which put the kitchen again collectively on prime.
In redoing the kitchen, the one factor we stored had been the home windows and the marble window sill beneath. The ceiling was eliminated to point out an orange metallic ceiling beneath (!!), however we took that out as nicely and drywalled as a substitute to realize much more top within the house.
I bought white shaker-style cupboard doorways combined with flat entrance drawers for a trendy-yet-timeless look, and used these drawer handles and pulls so as to add a contact of gold. I don’t normally splurge on {hardware} for each spot in the home, however I normally do for kitchens.
The handles get used essentially the most, and after I purchase cheaper gold/brass choices they all the time begin to tarnish after only a yr or so. I’d slightly begin with one thing good high quality and use them for a very long time.
We additionally added in a double sink that has a 60/40 cut up so we’ve got an even bigger space to clean dishes and an area for drying what we wash by hand all through the day. I additionally bought this faucet to maintain the gold colours going, and I like that it has a pull down characteristic as nicely.
I used quartz in our final kitchen and was actually pleased with it, so I selected that once more on this sample.
For the “actual” tile backsplash, I picked this beautiful star and cross sample from Fireclay (Elsie has the identical sample in her workplace espresso bar) and I like the way it provides a delicate sample to the house with out being overwhelming.
The tiles are handmade, so they’re all a tiny bit completely different, which supplies the backsplash an natural really feel as nicely.
For our home equipment, I’ve been dreaming of getting Café home equipment since I noticed them hit the market a couple of years in the past, and I’m so glad we determined to make use of them for our kitchen.
That is the fourth home we’ve lived in, and I’ve really by no means had a brand new kitchen equipment in any earlier residence, so I used to be thrilled to really pick one thing I might need.
Not solely is our Café dishwasher, French-door fridge, and gasoline range stunning, however we love utilizing them—you’ll be able to join them to your cellphone, so we’ve been capable of preheat the oven when on the best way residence, and little issues like that make it really feel like an additional luxurious.
My husband bought me the matching Cafe toaster final yr for Mom’s Day and their stunning espresso maker completes the set.
We additionally changed the pantry cupboard with one which was somewhat taller, and had deep drawers and cabinets put in all through to actually maximize the pantry house, which has additionally helped so much in on a regular basis life.
I purchased the identical mild fixture from our final kitchen and I really feel prefer it suits this room very well, too.
It took me nearly a yr to get this pink velvet banquette constructed into the house, and whereas it’s one of many trickier DIYs I’ve accomplished, I actually adore it and it makes the realm really feel further particular.
I hung this whimsical print by one in every of my favourite artists above the seating and added these beautiful sconces to both facet. The kitchen actually didn’t have a lot lighting in any respect apart from big can lights within the dropped ceiling, so I actually needed so as to add layers of sunshine via the room.
I added below mount cupboard lights, process lighting within the ceiling, a flush mount in the course of the room, and sconces on the wall so we will activate/dim areas of sunshine as wanted. So. A lot. Higher.
I modified the twine on this cute hanging plant to a white rope to match the kitchen higher, however I like having some everlasting greenery within the house. And because it’s fake, I don’t need to water it (which is a plus with its location).
I bought a small bistro desk (comparable right here) and it’s the right measurement for having a snack or breakfast. It will get used so much by my daughter to paint whereas I’m making dinner when she needs to be close by.
To maintain our little household life organized, I bought this personalized calendar to hold within the kitchen and I adore it. It’s an effective way to maintain observe of appointments and occasions and the central location of it implies that I see it usually so I don’t overlook what’s arising for everybody.
I additionally like that although it’s giant, I bought it in a lighter colour and use lighter colour chalk markers—so even when it’s stuffed with writing, it doesn’t stand out within the house in a unfavourable manner.
I additionally added some black and white household photographs to the highest of the steps since you’ll be able to see it from the kitchen as nicely (comparable gold frames right here). These are three of my favourite photographs.
I had the toughest time discovering a rug that labored for this room. Initially, I needed to get one thing with colour so as to add one other pop to the house, however most flat weave rugs simply aren’t my model (lots of conventional or oriental prints). I used to be fairly caught for about 9 months till I discovered this impartial star sample rug.
Whereas it doesn’t have the pop of colour I hoped for, the impartial colours match completely within the room and the star/constellation sample suits with the backsplash (and makes it somewhat enjoyable, too).
Espresso Maker / Fuel Vary / Brass Pulls / Brass Knobs / Household Calendar / Fridge / Star Rug / Toaster / Globe Sconce / Dishwasher /Brass Faucet
The general feeling on this kitchen is overwhelmingly completely different from once we first moved in. The brand new white oak flooring, greater ceiling, brilliant and open feeling with the sunshine cupboards and countertop, and the pop of pink within the nook make all of it really feel so fashionable, but homey. And, the large home windows actually stand out as a characteristic.
It seems like I lastly bought a dream kitchen on our fourth residence since we’ve been married, and for those who ask me, it was completely well worth the wait! xo. Laura
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Café home equipment c/o Café
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