Thursday, March 3, 2011

Painted Kitchen: Before & After




After 21 cans of paint samples, you would think we picked the perfect paint color.
It's really hard to decide on a color from just a little patch of paint on the wall.
I think next time, we will paint an entire wall before making a decision!
We decided to go with Behr's Grass Cloth.
It's definately brighter than we wanted...and it accentuates all the things we didn't want accentuated!
But, it's starting to grow on us and we will leave it up for now as we slowly update our kitchen.
Here goes!




































Eric made a wood box for above the windows.  I stapled batting and fabric to make valances.
No sewing required!  I would have liked them bigger...but we needed to have room for the
sunroom room door to open.  I bought this fabric to go with the first color we painted...and then
we went with a different color.  At forty dollars a yard, I decided this fabric would have to do!




I need something in the corner and on the wall by the chalboard...I'm just not sure what yet.
We need something nearby to put chalk in.
Friends of ours have a huge chalkboard in their kitchen, and I've always loved it.
I never really thought of us having one....until we had our LOVE tree in February.
We really enjoyed writing notes to each other and I was sad when it was time for the tree to go.
Now we can write notes, and quotes and spelling words, etc!
The total cost for the chalkboard was about $25.00...an easy fix for that big wall.


If you have any ideas for my walls and space...I'd love to hear them!
I'm not very good with the little details!
Thanks!

~Kerri




27 comments:

Jen said...

Oh my gosh...what a huge difference. It looks great. Im so glad you found the color that you wanted. Its so refreshing and I love the chalkboard too! Now you'll be busy picking out and adding the final touches.

{cindy} said...

WOW!!
I think the color is bright and cheery and all around happy!! Looks very fresh! Picking colors can be soooo hard, especially when they seem to look nothing like that little paint chip!:)

I love the chalkboard and would love to have one near our kitchen too. I am WAY to scared to actually paint it on the wall though, the way I change my mind and move things around, that would be BAD news.

For things on those little shelves...how about that penguin Brady made!!!:) (Yes, that was a penguin Janey made, too funny!) I would say little pictures, I have inspirational quotes hung right on the "wall part" of the shelf, small candles, glass jars filled with treasures...

I am in love with so many of those great prints I see from Etsy. You know the inspirational ones, like Be Kind....You Are My Sunshine....etc, those would look great on your walls too.

Your counter tops look so clean and open....Dave would love that! I keep junkin up his space with stuff!!!:)

Ok, I think I have written a book here. I think it all looks wonderful Kerri!!! Big changes...good for you guys!

Have a happy day

kim {the non-mom blogger} said...

YAY!!!! I REALLY like that color. Great job!!!! And the chalkboard? Perfect. Enjoy :-)

sloan said...

I agree with Cindy - bright and cheerful is exactly what the new color is - I really really like it!!! We too have a veeeery very dated kitchen that's been in need of a total re-do that we could never afford to do all at once. So what we have is a total hodge podge - original 1951 cabinets, countertops and backsplash from the 80's (and, oh yeah, an oven too - painful!), 2 'newer' appliances from the 90's, and a fresh floor and paint job in the 00's. Like with yours, it's AMAZING what a new paint job can do!!

After we painted, I put up some fresh prints kind of like you're thinking of (one is a watercolor of a farmer's market and there's a pair of smaller prints of the street view of 2 different restaurants from when I lived in New Orleans) - I also put up a sign like Cindy's talking about - it says "there's no place like home" and sits above the cabinets over the cooktop. I can't wait to see your kitchen evolve from here b/c it seems like we're in exactly the same situation - I'll be taking notes from all your fabulous ideas!! Looks really great, kerri!!

Jan said...

I think it looks great! In time, you'll grow to love the color and wonder why you ever doubted yourself. :) I think you'll find some simple small changes (rugs, pillows, curtains or whatever) will make a big difference. And did you know that you can paint your tile backsplash. It's as simple as sanding the pieces you want to paint, put a primer on and then paint over top. Might be a simple way to make a change without spending a lot of money. Good luck! I love seeing the changes!

Bridget said...

I really really like it!!! It looks great!

Gabe said...

I love the color Kerri. . .and the blue valances are really pretty against the green!

Remember my blue bedroom I painted this fall. . .it was really not the color I was going for but I really like it now and am glad its not so dark so maybe it will grow on you!

what happened to the old table?

{cindy} said...

Hey...one more thing...do you have a Hobby Lobby near you? Great place to find inexpensive little treasures. I got all of my mason jars there when they were 50% off for like 75 cents!!
Have you checked Target for rugs??
Ok, guess that was 2 things!!

Steelers6 said...

I can see why it is growing on you, it is cool! So fresh, contemporary.

I like your chalkboard, cool. Your hubby is quite the handyman.

I really like the backsplash. I think the white looks so fresh against the green.

Kinda have to chuckle at your little writings on the photos about replace this n that, that is SO how it is when we get something new, right? It makes everything else seem 'worse'. And sometimes where do we start n stop, y'know? [neither the floor nor light fixture bother me..they seem fine..] I guess make a list and prioritize! Maybe with only a few not so expensive changes you will be ok & will be able to overlook some stuff. (like with new rugs, maybe the floor will be tolerable, etc.)

Thanks for sharing!
Chrissy

Jenny said...

I really like the color, and I am not just saying that. I just watched a tv redo show and that was the color they picked and I was thinking if/when we ever move, I might just use that color. I hear you about the rugs, I can never find ones I like either, grr. Good luck finding all the goodies. Once you get some accessories, I don't think you'll notice the backsplash. I kind of like the bright white, looks all clean and fresh. Good job on those valences. They are cute.

Cathy M~(checkitoff) said...

great job Kerri! I love the color and of course the chalkboard!! hugs, Cathy

Stacy said...

Thanks for stopping by my blog. I too love the color of your kitchen. The painted on chalkboard is another great idea. Mine's not painted on, but my daughter uses it all the time!

Jess said...

I really LOVE it!

1. The fabric looks wonderful.
2. The chalk board is sensational.
3. I want a bench in my window!!! Yes, pillows would be perfect!
4. New rugs will change everything! I got mine at Target.
5. The floor and the tile don't bother me at all.
6. I like framed photos w/ all the frames matching...but I have some prints too. I got some from art.com and some on clearance at Pottery Barn.com.

Super Job! Thanks for sharing!
J

Mrs. Davison said...

I love it! It's very cheerful and I love green!

Donna said...

Your kitchen looks so CLEAN and cheery Kerri!! The new reno is such a great touch for spring!! I LOVE the chalkboard! You'll have fun with the rest. As you are out and about you'll find the perfect things to go in all the right places.

Protector of Vintage said...

Your kitchen is coming along nicely!! Love the green. We have two vintage tennis rackets, too, and have never quite gotten them arranged/hung in our basement yet.

the rigdons said...

Awesome!! I love that green color and can't wait to see what else you do with it!

Stef said...

I love it!! What a fun cheery place! I too have always wanted a chalk wall. I am just not sure where I would put it. hmmmm

Nicolle said...

The color is pretty, it's bright and happy! I love it. I LOVE the chalkboard too. How fun. I have been wanting one for so long. I love how you just whipped it up and Eric did the frame for you! I bet you will love your new kitchen.

Jill said...

Coming together nicely. I like how it looks with the sun filtering in... :-)Love the chalkboard idea!!

Have a wonderful weekend!!

Blessings,
Jill

Lorri said...

Man! What a big difference! I would LOVE to have a chalkboard like that in my kitchen!

Anonymous said...

I have been eyeing that color for the longest. It looks great on your walls. Have you thought about painting the cabinets and trim white? I just know it would look extra fab like that.

Check out Home Goods, if you have one, to get affordable rugs and pillows and art!

Karina said...

The color looks fantastic. Good choice. I'll be right over to help you accessorize - now where should be go shopping?

Seizing My Day said...

I love it!! and I am always visiting late!! =) ha ha! I love the valences... I need to do that and put in blinds instead of curtains! Great idea!! it would open our space a bit more! I LOVE the giant chalk board!! I have one that we lean around the house and a little one on the wall in our green kitchen... but I hate my paint... I am going to start over on spring break! anyway... I hear you on the not knowing what to put in open spaces like that!! Target has great jars... the big square ones... you could fill them with colorful pasta, rice, and um... CANDY!! just fill them all with candy! better idea! ha ha... I use them all over my kitchen!! I am feeling inspired by what you did!! You are off to a Fabulous start!! Those little things will fall into place!!

Seizing My Day said...

ok... maybe those target jars would hide your back splash too... if you don't mind stuff on your counters?!! I will email you pics of mine... I did exactly that!! I hid my ugly back splash with jars!! =) at least yours is white and not the ugly tan color ours is... it is not even tan... it is between peach and beige... ew!! =)

Kim said...

The color is great! I love that you went with a brighter, springier green! It works w/the wood and is so cheery. BRAVO!!! :)

Casey said...

Did you ever do any more upgrades since this? I came across this on accident, and now I want more updated pics....floors, counter tops, back splash....etc.

 
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