As most of you know, we’re pulling up stakes and moving in just a few months, and so it’s time to look back at what I’ve accomplished around the house in the almost-tw-years that we’ve been in Nashville. All in all, I’m pretty proud of what we’ve done with this house.
The kitchen was by far my biggest job, and all of that hard work definitely paid off:
{all credit and thanks for this photo goes to Alise O’Brien, photographer, and Bonnie Broten, field editor and stylist, from Better Homes & Gardens Kitchens + Bath Makeovers magazine}
BUT, if I had a little bit more time, there are some things I’d add to the mix. And if I could go back again, there are a few things I’d do differently.
Here’s what I’d add:
1) Get rid of the flat ceramic cooktop and put in a gas cooktop. The wall that the stove is on is an exterior wall, and there’s already a gas line to the house for the hot water heater and the heat, so it shouldn’t be too hard to have that done, right? Everyone knows that gas, with its quick ability to raise and lower temperature quickly, is what real chefs want. And I, although by no means a “real” chef, have always loved cooking with gas.
2) Get rid of that recirculating exhaust hood (what’s the point of that?!) and vent a big old hood to the outside. Preferable white and custom built, but that’s just me. I know I could build a gorgeous one!
3) Add some open shelving and/or glass-paneled cabinet doors to make pretty displays of all of my white dishes. Like Amy did here:
4) Add under-cabinet lighting. This makes such a big difference, but it’s hard to appreciate until you’ve had it in one of your kitchens. Then it’s hard to ever go back.
5) I’d also find a wine fridge that fits into the island, and pop off one of the cabinet doors to make room for it. Wine deserves its own fridge in our house!
Here’s what I’d do differently:
1) I’d find someone to spray my cabinet doors and drawers, or else I’d probably pay to buy new ones–at least the doors–no need to replace the boxes. The painting was a pain in the rear and it seemed like it took forever. I love how much money I saved, but sometimes money spent is well worth it for time saved.
2) I might even change the color of the cabinets from white to–gasp–pale gray or light blue. Now, that is a change that is best made when one intends to stay in the house for years, because not all buyers want kitchen cabinets that are such a decisive color, but wouldn’t that be fun? Maybe with nice crystal knobs?
3) I would adore marble countertops, like Amy’s, even though I’m not sure she’d do it all over again {more about that HERE}. They are so pretty, though! How about marble on the countertops that go around the wall, and butcher block on the island? LOVE!
The good news is that I’ll have another house to decorate in a few months. I’m always drawn to kitchens that have already been remodeled, but doesn’t that take some of the fun out of it? Maybe I should start looking at horrible oak cabinets, 80’s wallpaper (there is still plenty of that around!), and brass fixtures. I love a challenge, after all!
If you could wave your magic wand and fix your kitchen up, what would you do first?
Thanks for stopping by!