Farmhouse Kitchen Renovation: Before & After

Disclaimer: I wrote this post two weeks ago and then got swept into a million different things including a BUCKET LIST trip to NYC with my husband. Totally worth the super late post and I hope you all enjoy this renovation story!

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The minute I walked into the kitchen all I could see was potential. The size and layout were perfect for all the meals and goodies I’d planned to make and I could just picture our friends and family sitting at the bar. Only, we’d have to take down those upper cabinets above the peninsula or nobody would be able to look at each other without ducking down or risking a goose egg on the head.

The kitchen faces west so we get beautiful morning sun but then the space quickly became dark as the sun journeyed to the other side of our home, so I knew I wanted to do whatever possible to brighten up the kitchen so that it felt even more inviting. The wall color would need to change and cabinets would need to be painted. Oy. That would be a lot of work I thought to myself… and my husband knew by my look that we/he was in for a looooot of work. Thanks again, babe!

Photos of the kitchen from when we purchased the home:

You could tell the previous owners took great care of the space as the cabinets were still in good shape and the countertops, although laminate, didn’t have too many dings or dents. The bright green walls and lack of a backsplash weren’t my favorite, and the appliances would be on my long-term list of things to update, but for phases one, two, and three, wall paint, subway tile, and cabinet paint would have to do without breaking the bank! I’ve always loved farmhouse kitchens so gray walls, white tile, and white cabinets were my go-to.

Before I get too much farther into our renovation story, I have to acknowledge that it would not have happened if it were not for our generous family members. Through gifts of time and resources, the kitchen came together bit by bit. Plus, I was pregnant through most of the renovation so I couldn’t be as much of a help as I wanted to when it came to stripping cabinets, working with harsh chemicals, painting, etc. etc.

Though I did feel a bit like Joanna Gaines, casting the vision and bringing sandwiches why Chip (a.k.a. Justin + fam) did the heavy lifting. And truthfully, we probably bit off more than we could chew as we began the cabinet-painting process a month before we had Nora… we ended up having an unfinished kitchen for some time but it all worked out in the end!

Here are some shots of the renovation in progress:

Perhaps one day we’ll swap out the laminate for granite and update the kitchen sink, but they may end up being something fun for future owners to tackle!

The appliances were the final piece to the kitchen renovation. Every time we went to a home improvement store, I’d walk through the appliance section and dream about what we’d get. Maybe a French door fridge, but I was undecided, and I didn’t really care about the dishwasher so long as it was quiet and effective, but the stove/oven. Ooo it had to be gas. Partly because we already had a gas line but mostly because I love cooking with a gas stove and grew up with that as well.

After saving for some time, doing research, and scouring for sales, we purchased our GE Black Slate appliances! Love love love. They’re so sharp and the perfect solution for wanting more contrast than traditional stainless steel without going all black which can look harsh or dated. The slate added the perfect modern touch and I don’t regret my choice one bit!

I love how our kitchen turned out. It’s bright, welcoming, a place to create and a place to gather.

Are you thinking of doing a kitchen renovation? While it is a lot of work the final results are so rewarding, especially when you can see all the time and love that went into it. My biggest pieces of advice would be to be patient, pace yourself, and maybe don’t be 8.5 months pregnant before you pull off all the cabinet doors. 😉