Simple Cottage Kitchen
This kitchen is from my old English Cottage, a 1930's home that I renovated and then put on the market in fall of 2007. Our objective was to create a charming, cottage style kitchen with modern amenities, durable, easy-care surfaces and a warm but bright color palette. Because the home was put on the market soon after these renovations were completed, there is a minimum of accessories, which I would change if I had stayed in the house.
The original kitchen seemed bright, but it had a frustrating layout, a lack of storage space and an appalling lack of counter space. In addition, the eating area was too small for a standard table and required that everyone shoehorn in. Gootz was always annoyed because he sat at the end of the table and had to fetch anything anyone wanted because no one else could get up and leave the table. The reason for this was that the eating nook was actually a converted back porch that had been enclosed in the 1970's.
One of the first things we did was to add trim around the opening between the main kitchen and the eating nook. Next we converted the peninsula to an island, using the same cabinets to keep costs down. We also:
- Installed wainscoting throughout the kitchen
- Had the counters and backsplash tiled (counters in 12" granite tile and backsplash in 2" ceramic mosaic)
- Replaced the pendants in the dining area and switched the flourescent monsters over the main kitchen to vintage-looking track lighting
- Painted the walls, trim, ceilings and cabinets
- Added cabinet and drawer pulls
- Tiled the floor with laminate tile
- Installed all new stainless-steel appliances and a new farm-style sink with faucet
Here's what it looked like when we bought the house (previous owner's decor):
And here's what it looked like afterwards:
(Note: These were all taken a day or two before the final, final details were done, so in these pictures the cabinets don't all have pulls.)
Looking the opposite direction, before:
And after:
Here's another shot of the island:
And the tile backsplash:
While we were living there, one of my favorite spots in the whole house was the dining nook, even when it was under construction, just because of the windows:
And the view to the backyard:
We managed to pull of this renovation for a very small sum. We had originally planned to spend under $5,000, but in the time crunch had to hire out a couple of the bigger jobs, which put us over budget. The breakdown looked like this:
Materials
Stainless steel appliances (fridge, stove, dishwasher): $2600
Tile & materials (caulk, grout, etc) for counters and backsplash: $980
Sink & faucet: $300
Two additional cabinets to fill in after layout change: $250
Construction materials (lumber, wire, etc.): $100
Stock moldings & beadboard: $205
Cabinet hardware (pulls): $200
Lighting: $240
Paint: $100
Materials Total: $4975
Labor
Tile installation: $1500
Painting Cabinets: $500
Labor Total: $2000
Grand Total: $6945
Not bad, eh?
Resources
Paint: Glidden "Water Chestnut" in eggshell (on walls) and Glidden "Crisp Linen" in semi-gloss (on cabinets), Home Depot. Hardware:
Knob Hill 50mm small birdcage oval knob (on cabinets) and 3" birdcage wire pull (on drawers). $3.99 and $4.99, Home Depot. Counters:
"Green Tea" 12" granite tile. $6.25 per square foot plus installation, Lowes.
Comments (22)
I swear, if it was for sale in my town I'd be on this. Its really lovely.
Posted by pam | October 18, 2007 6:16 PM
Posted on October 18, 2007 18:16
Oh WOW! Everything turned out soooo nice.
I love the colors you've chosen. Do you remember the name of the wall color, by any chance?
Our kitchen is gutted to the studs, right now. The cabinets were delivered earlier this week, so they and all the appliances are piled in the livingroom. ...fun
I can only hope ours turns out half as pretty as yours.
Kimberly :)
Posted by Niesz Vintage Home | October 18, 2007 7:30 PM
Posted on October 18, 2007 19:30
What a showhome! You've done such a beautiful job inside and out. You are one talented lady and I don't think you're going to see this last long on the market. I'd hate to move out!
Posted by LostRoses | October 18, 2007 10:54 PM
Posted on October 18, 2007 22:54
Amazing. You definitely have a sense of style!! Boy do I have questions to pummel you with over lunch next week! Can't wait!
Posted by Wende | October 19, 2007 12:14 AM
Posted on October 19, 2007 00:14
Love, love, love your kitchen. You have great taste. I can't wait to see more.
The wall color you asked about it Benjamin Moore Bronzed Beige.
Posted by Jen | October 19, 2007 4:56 AM
Posted on October 19, 2007 04:56
Wow! That turned out really great. Any meal cooked it there will taste wonderful, I'm sure. :)
Posted by cindy | October 19, 2007 7:34 AM
Posted on October 19, 2007 07:34
Your kitchen, your home, your decorating style is beautiful! I will be back often!
Posted by onelittlemustardseed | October 19, 2007 7:41 PM
Posted on October 19, 2007 19:41
Oh , how hard for you to leave it? Although, knowing you, I am sure you are so excited about the work ahead at the new place.
Posted by Jodie | October 20, 2007 3:14 AM
Posted on October 20, 2007 03:14
OMG, what a gorgeous kitchen!
Posted by Nicole | October 20, 2007 1:19 PM
Posted on October 20, 2007 13:19
Love the kitchen, love the beadboard wainscott, love the color of everything. Good Job.
~Thanks! I'll tell hubby--he's the one who installed the wainscot. ~A :-)
Posted by Chris | October 22, 2007 9:11 AM
Posted on October 22, 2007 09:11
It's a stunner...that's all I've got to say...'cause when I compliment your work, I get prone to gushing!!!
I want that house!!!
Linda
p.s. come by for my give-away draw...
Posted by linda | October 22, 2007 11:40 AM
Posted on October 22, 2007 11:40
hello my little magpie,
things are looking really GREAT!
keep up the good work.
best,
H2
Posted by holly | October 22, 2007 10:13 PM
Posted on October 22, 2007 22:13
I am loving seeing the finished photos of your rooms. The kitchen looks fantastic - especially that island and the detail over the sink!
Posted by Michelle | October 23, 2007 12:02 PM
Posted on October 23, 2007 12:02
What a perfect space, I love it!
It's very inspiring to get to see this finished rennovations we're still in the baby stages of getting started on our new home.
Posted by kathleen | October 29, 2007 11:14 AM
Posted on October 29, 2007 11:14
Are you sure you have to sell it? Man, after all that hard work & how gorgeous it turned out, I'd be cryin' to sell it. But, I know it must be done. Y'all did an excellent job with this renovation!
RHOda
Posted by Rhoda | November 2, 2007 2:01 PM
Posted on November 2, 2007 14:01
Every room looks like a magazine, so lovely! And the yard through the window, wow! xo, suzy
Posted by suzy | November 26, 2007 7:24 PM
Posted on November 26, 2007 19:24
Love your kitchen! I have questions: What is the paint color of the cabinets and wall? Where did you get your cabinet pulls? What did you use for counter tops? Thanks for the info!!!
Posted by Shirley | December 31, 2007 7:30 PM
Posted on December 31, 2007 19:30
I just found your site and am so impressed with the quality and detailed information you provide. This is the first time I've seen important info such as material cost and brands posted on a remodeling page - VERY HELPFUL!
We are currently living in U.S. Navy Base housing in Japan and I can't wait to get back to our home in the U.S. to try out some of these projects.
BTW - Japan has THE BEST dollar stores I've ever seen anywhere- terrific cute and high quality stuff you find in Hallmark/boutique stores. Plus, tons of craft/art/sewing supplies all for 100 yen each which is about 90 cents based on the current exchange rate.
Cheers,
JWS
Posted by Jensin Sommer | February 9, 2008 6:28 PM
Posted on February 9, 2008 18:28
I love this kitchen! You've inspired me to paint our cabinets this color. Thanks for the details on the exact color, by the way.
Posted by Stitcher S | March 18, 2008 10:28 PM
Posted on March 18, 2008 22:28
Love your blog. It's a good thing I just discovered it as I'm getting married in two weeks and would have spent far too much time oodling over the kitchens instead of planning the wedding!
My question is....The Clean Cottage Kitchen... Was the oak sanded first, then primed? I've seen mixed reviews and only want to sand if I must!!
That oak is identical to what I have in my new house.
Thanks :)
Posted by Kendra | September 26, 2008 5:23 AM
Posted on September 26, 2008 05:23
What kind of tile did you put on your floor in your kitchen? Where did you get it
Posted by Shirley Blumer | December 14, 2008 12:58 PM
Posted on December 14, 2008 12:58
Hi Angela,
Any chance you could repost the other pictures from this home. They are so inspirational and I would love for you to remind me of the living/dining room color.
Posted by fran | January 11, 2009 11:35 AM
Posted on January 11, 2009 11:35