Happy Monday everyone!
Our kitchen had "Two BIG" problems (can you see what the first one was?) If you guessed that the refrigerator was to close to the wall, well you are correct-o-mundo. Our refrigerator door was to big to completely open it up. I had to squeeze myself into the door and hold it open with my tush just to get inside. You should have seem me..(well maybe not)lol.
Anyway it was quite the dilemma, so with our heads together (yes sometimes after being married 36 years Gary and I share a brain)hehehe, and with the skill of "Paul" our daughter Desire' boyfriend's custom wood craftsmanship, Paul designed the solution...a built in Chalk Board.
Paul used the same molding design around the door, base board and chalk board to match the banquette. I love all the molding! Paul cut the custom size board for me and I painted it with chalk board paint, it took three coats. The grand kids have been having fun with the large chalk board. And look I can now open the refrigerator door all the way. Refrigerator dilemma solved.
Nice big ledge that holds all the chalk and you can actually use it as a seat too...
I think it looks like it has always been there. You know how your house will speak to you and tell you what it needs, well I think my house was screaming out loud (Chalk Board !!!)
Second dilemma, after building the banquette the chandelier was not centered..well it was not really centered before either. So after having the electrician move the electrical outlet over so it would be centered over the table, we were left with a hole in the ceiling, so what do you do? Just ask "Paul" and he went to work designing the solution.
A custom ceiling medallion that matches the banquette! Yeah Paul.. I love this guy!
It added so much to the boring ceiling...
So after looking at the plain chain that held the chandelier up. I thought it needed a cover, so off I ran ( well I drove) to the fabric store and found the perfect print (I thought) and made a chain cover and two pillows.
The red and cream check gingham was so pretty and it really caught my eye. I had the pillow inserts already and the lace, so just the cost of fabric to add more color and whimsy to the kitchen.
If you were wondering what happen to all the folk art pictures that were on the back wall that the chalk board is now on, well Gary and I moved them all over to the banquette.
I just couldn't stop decorating and my mind was going wild on everything I would like to do the kitchen. I have always wanted a fancy stove you know the ones with the pretty colorful knobs that cost a small fortune..well I thought what if I just spray painted the black knobs red, what the heck, why not...so I did...
I had fun working in the kitchen...more upgrades to come, like pull outs for the cabinets, base boards and crown molding. Thank you for letting me share our kitchen with you all today.
I will joining the following parties this week;
Susan-Between naps on the Porch Metamorphosis Monday
Shannon-Cozy Home Party Tuesday
Kim-Wow us Wednesday
Bunny Jean- Bunny Hop Wednesday
Honey-2805 A Potpourri Party Friday
Cindy-Show and Tell Friday
Courtney-French Country Cottage Frethered Nest Friday
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42 comments:
Elizabeth I love the new touches to your kitchen. We must have had the same builder as you because the only space for our refrigerator is flat up against the wall just like yours. Of course that didn't stop me from getting my two door refrigerator but to get the freezer door to open all the way we have to pull the refrigerator out from the wall. Maybe we need to cut out an opening in the wall like you did so the door handle will fit into that instead of hitting the wall all the time. LOL! I also don't like that my refrigerator shows from the family room. If the builder had just switched the pantry with the refrigerator all would have been fine. No refrigerator to show from the family room and there would have been room to open both doors. Your kitchen is just lovely and I love the touches of red in it.
Love all your new refinements! Beautiful. I would have never thought to paint the knobs on the stove. Very clever. Thanks for sharing.
I love each and every detail!!! Beautiful, original changes. Isn't it amazing how small changes can make such a big impact? Your kitchen and eating are gorgeous!!
Paul is amazing! I love the blackboard and the ceiling medallion solutions. They are wonderful.
Do you know what I love about all these solutions? You went with the simplest fixes! Other folks would have torn down the wall, torn down the ceiling, replaced the stove, and never have thought through the simpler possibilities. I love how you think!
I just love the ceiling medallion. I'm going to have to remember that one. Painting the stove knobs - brilliant!!
The ceiling is perfect answer to the problem! And I adore those red knobs...that is clever!!
Clever ideas! It is so nice to have some handy men as well!!
Brilliant problem solving!!!
Everything looks just beautiful. So neat and clean and cozy!
Everything looks really great.
Love your chandy....:)
Hi Elizabeth, oooh I just love your kitchen, so warm and inviting!... thank you so much for Tessy's birthday wishes!... xoxo Julie Marie
Hi Elizabeth-
I love, love your big chalk board. Looks like you made great use of your space. Nice to have someone who's good with woodworking isn't it? For me, it's my neighbor. He and my dad are both retired, and I think they like to keep busy with the little projects they think up. You know how men are about these things.
I really like the florals and the gingham pillows too. The colors and patterns blend so well together on the banquette. Looks like your kitchen is really coming together!
Thanks for sharing your tips and tricks for awkward spaces. I appreciate you visitng my party this week!
Frenchy and fabulous! I LOVE that chalkboard and the ceiling thingy is a truly fab idea! You know we are in a kitchen makeover and it's the little things we are doing that I'm afraid of. The big stuff is easy to figure out...but all the small things have me nervous!
LOVE IT!~
xoRebecca
What a beautiful kitchen you have.... love love the chalk board.... OK I love it all.... lol have a great week
Hugs;
Alaura
Oh, your kitchen is so cute! I love the solutions you came up with.
Sherry
That chalkboard is a fantastic idea and a perfect solution to your tush door holding problem.
The ceiling treatment is such a custom look too.
You are very lucky to have such a great carpenter "in" the family.
You know, my hubby is a carpenter and has a thing for ceiling treatments. We had five different ones in our kast home.
You have a wonderful stove already, but painting the knows really gave it a designer touch. Wonder if I could do that in our little trailer remodel.
Thanks for sharing your ongoing home upgrades. It has certainly become you (and Gary).
Dearest Elizabeth and Gary,
Wow, that was a family effort but a BIG change! Make sure to keep Paul happy so you will not loose him.
Now sit back and relax; enjoy the hard work. Wish you would have done a video of you getting things out of the fridge before... Ha-ha.
Love to you,
Mariette
Dearest Elizabeth and Gary,
Since you're such an inspiring team, I've TAGGED you... Just have a look.
Love to you,
Mariette
Love it ! Thanks for sharing joAnn
I think post decisions you made where good. I think you solved both problems. The ceiling cover up was divine. Thanks for stopping by, My Old Historic House, and especially thanks for such sweet comments. Richard. Happy Valentines Day
Elizabeth, I so love every single detail in your decor ... but that green door has captured my heart. It is fabulous. What an inviting home you haev.
Have a wonderful day ~
TTFN ~
Marydon
Wow, Paul is amazing. How in the world did he think of that chalkboard solution. It's brilliant! And solving the chandelier situation. Well, all I have to say is that you two make an amazing team.
Karen
Hi Elizabeth, a big fat W.O.W. for you gal! I love, love the chalkboard!! The molding is what makes it so fabulous. I'd be a hopin that boyfriend ends up to be more than just a boyfriend. lol! I also loved what he did to cover the hole. Guess what, the light fixture in our home is not centered over the table either. why, oh why do they do that? Hubby and I have talked about changing it, but have we done it? That would be a big fat nada. I am going to show hubby yours. He will be thrilled. Especially since I am having him put beadboard on our living room ceiling right now and he is NOT loving the job. I know I have been rambling, but gotta say I love the check fabric. My two end chairs look just like that fabric and I love them. The lace added such a pretty touch! Well done!
Hugs,
Jann
HI Elizabeth! Oh, I just love all your kitchen changes! What a wonderful solution over your banquet! Love it. Aren't you the smartest one painting your stove knobs red! That looks like a great gas stove too! I have electric and cry every day. Well, not really but I would rather have gas! :)
Be a sweetie,
Shelia ;)
I love all your updates and what great solutions you've come up with (the chalkboard and ceiling box!). Your daughter's boyfriend sounds like a keeper to me! Thanks for the visit. Your kitchen looks so charming!
Robin
Robin Flies South
Well aren't you two brilliant?! Love the changes you made. Your kitchen is a real showecase ~ like pages right out of a decorating magazine!
~Cindy
So many wonderful changes, Elizabeth. The latest ones are marvelous, just gorgeous! I love the chalk board, as well as the chandelier, the red knobs and the pillows, the curtains and new ceiling medallion! They are all so perfect, you have pulled your whole kitchen together.
Hugs, Cindy
Hi lovely lady.
It been a long time no see you !!!Your Kitchen is looking gorgeous!!now you have it all together. Thanks so much for your sweet comments on my Tablescape.I would like to thank you so much for your sweet comments on my Tablescape.
I hope you have a wonderful weekend coming up with your family.
XXOO Diane
Wonderful improvements in your cute kitchen. I have the same problem with my kitchen chandelier, but I haven't corrected it yet....even though it drives me crazy. :-)
I'm your newest follower, Mary Alice
Those are such creative solutions to your dilemmas and they look fabulous too! Your kitchen is adorable ~ great job!
I like the ceiling change--we need
to do something like this in our kitchen.
Love the chalkboard too!
Melinda
I really enjoy seeing your home -it looks like the kind of place where visitors would feel relaxed and at ease...I'm just thinking I'd like that visitor to be ME!! - so I can check out your new additions!!
Sarahx
I love everything you've done in your kitchen - especially the ceiling, it's unexpected and yet it really fits at the same time. It sounds like Paul is a keeper!
Hello again! I just dropped by to say congrats! This post was chosen as on of the Saturday Picks from the "Your Cozy Home Party", so you were featured today. I love your creative kitchen ideas. Hope to see you at next week's party!
Congrats on being featured at "Your Cozy Home Party" & your deserve it with all those clever renovations!! The chalkboard is amazing & such a great solution to your problem. I especially love those red knobs...gosh, what a coat of red paint can do!!
Elizabeth I am so loving the changes in your kitchen. I want to show your banquet to my hubby as we are wanting to do one in our kitchen. Our family is growing and this would be perfect. Love the light and what you did with it in your kitchen. I love red so I am loving the splashes you put here and there. That chalkboard is great I absolutely love that idea.
Lovely transformation, Elizabeth. Your details are wonderful! Thank you for sharing at Potpourri Friday!
I tell you Elizabeth...That Paul is a sure keeper...Hee, hee, hee. Awesome solutions to your dilemas. Love the chalkboard...Your kitchen looks great.
Hugs and Kisses,
♥Ana
Elizabeth- your kitchen is just fabulous! I love the cord and your special touches! Your hubby did a great job with his projects. The photos are amazing!
Thanks for sharing!
Vicki
Love the built in chalkboard :) Paul did a great job. I may need to hire him when we get a house :)
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