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I am pretty excited for our “Cottage Fresh” kitchen reveal.

It has been a long time coming.

There are still a few things to wrap up, but I thought she had reached a point where I could primp her up, and pose her for pictures. Ā Of course, the kitchen being the hub of the home, that meant sending the children off with a blessed Aunt for a few hours, so it could actually stay clean.

First, lets see the before – a picture I snagged off of the Real Estate Listing before we bought the house.

before

Ahhh, maple cupboards . . . so glad you are long gone.

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There are definitely worse before’s, and the kitchen was very usable – but just too dark for my taste.

Now, after hours (and aĀ year or moreĀ I dare say) of work from the wonderful handy husband, gallons and gallons of white paint, many late nights of brainstorming, trips to thrift stores, antique stores and lumber stores . . .

. . . here is the new cottage fresh kitchen.

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What a difference! Ā I spend probably 95% of my day in this room, and I love the change of light and happiness it brings. Ā Dark spaces really effect my attitude, so I knew the kitchen needed to lighten up!

Kitchen Open Shelving

There are a lot of sources and how-to’s to list in this room. Ā Some will become their own posts and tutorials, but I will try to list any helpful sources as we go through the pictures of this kitchen. Ā I just have to say, my husband is so incredible and put so much time and effort into this space and so willingly adapted to my requests. Ā He is heaven sent, and we really had so much fun planning this room together.

Kitchen open shelving

If you are new to my style, I often try to define my taste as a mix between a beach house on the coast and a cottageĀ in France. Ā I sum it up and call it “Cottage Fresh”. Ā Basically – I just add things that appeal to me, and those 2 styles really get me excited.

Kitchen open shelving

If we aren’t DIY’ing something in our home, it will either be thrifted, passed down, re-loved, or found in an antique store. Ā Of course, there is the occasional new purchase, and I will list those as applicable.

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I might add, real quick, the biggest challenge with our kitchen is the lack of direct natural light. Ā No windows open up directly to this room, only the cut-out which leads to the living room. Ā This not only makes it hard for pictures, but tends to be a bit darker for a kitchen than I would like. Ā But, by painting things white, it has really helped a lot – and thankfully there are a lot of overhead lights.

Alright – let’s talk details!

kitchen open shelving

First, I’ll address the countertops. Ā You may have seen or heard of DIY faux concrete countertops (example here and here)- that is what these are. Ā We used some Home Depot brand, feather finish concrete to create these one of a kind counters for under $200. Ā However – a year later – they are falling apart! Ā They look great from a distance, but as I will explain in a very detailed post later, these types of countertops did not work for us and something new is in the works. Ā You can be sure I will update when finished! Ā In spite of it all, I’m glad we did it, as it kind of got the ball rolling for us for the kitchen when new countertops was not in the budget. Ā I reallyĀ REALLY love the look and wish I could find something similar that would hold up. Ā But I couldn’t. Ā Stay tuned for our next DIY countertop attempt.

Farmhouse sink and skirt

The farmhouse sink is from IKEA, and I couldn’t love it more. Ā There were regular cupboards under the original sink, but my husband removed them, added a scalloped edge and faux pillars to the sides, and I sewed up a skirt/curtain out of painters drop cloth. Ā Our faucet is from Home Depot. Ā The kitchen mats are from Target.

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The sink top colander was also from IKEA, and I LOOOOVE it! Ā The hand washing blue ball jar was a simple replace-the-top DIY. Ā The other glass bottle is full of dish soap, found at Homegoods and replaced with a pour spout.

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We have saved a countless amount of dish soup by using this method. Ā It comes out slow, and has time to bubble and you use way less than you would squirting it out of a bottle.

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The back-splash was a basic white square tile, installed by the hubs, found at Lowes.

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I wanted a place to hang a dishtowel by the sink, so I found a different handle from Hobby Lobby that would allow that, and replaced it on just one drawer.

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That wraps up the sink area.

Let’s talk about the open shelves – my all time favorite part of the kitchen.

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On the one side, I embraced my love of blues and whites and a more coastal feel.

Kitchen open shelving

I have real antique canning jars handed down from my mother-in-law. Ā The tall blue jars were found at an antique store. Ā The sea-horse “cookie jar” was found at Homegoods, and the white stacking bowls were a discounted find at a local Downeast Outfitters. Ā Some of the blue and white dishes and bowls were found at thrift stores or handed down from my Grandma, but the majority coordinating blues and whites are dishware found at IKEA. Ā They’ve been hiding behind maple cupboards for a year now, and I was so excited to let them out!

The shelves are simple pine from a lumber store, and the brackets are IKEA, but painted white.

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Then, on the other side, I embraced my love for wood tones and a farmhouse feel. Ā The hubs made these shelves from a tree my late grandfather cut down, shaped from the saw mill he made, and left to deteriorate for years in a junk yard. Ā Now that is beautiful family history on display! Ā We stained it with walnut gel stain.

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The clear canisters are from IKEA, the stacked canisters were $2.oo at a thrift store, the white planter filled with fake grass from Michael’s craft store. Ā Two of the cutting boards were made from my husband (he is so good!), and the round pizza cutting board was from Homegoods.

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Call me crazy if you will, but I really like the contrast between these open shelves.

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Just under these shelves, I place a French inspired find from Hobby Lobby, to store our produce.

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These pennant lights are a bit of an “IKEA hack”, which I posted about in full how-to tutorial, HERE.

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Over by the oven, we did the un-thinkable. Ā We removed a perfectly good over-mount microwave, and replaced it with a simple shelf made from old cedar for some pots and such. Ā I justify this for two good reasons. Ā 1) A ton cuter and 2) I couldn’t fit a pressure cannerĀ on the stove-top with the distance of the microwave hanging down.

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The cheap $50 microwave we stuck in the corner is kind of pathetic as far as the quality of the one we took out, but I try not to microwave a ton any ways, so it works well enough.

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I posted detailed “before and afters” of the desk area in this post, and I still love having my “blogger work” area so close to my “mommy work” area. Ā Then again, it could be a bad thing. Ā But, I always tend to think the computer should be in a main area of the home, and this works perfectly.

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We stuck an IKEA rod on the peninsula side to hold some cutting boards, hot pads and dish towels in handy reach. Ā (Make your own grain sack striped dishtowel tutorial here, and french inspired hot pads, here.)

Hang a rod on the peninsula for a quick reach to cutting boards and hand towels.

These bar stools are from . . . you guessed it . . . IKEA. Ā They were the most affordable ones I could find for the quality. Ā But those with kids are wondering how in the world those white slipcovers stay clean. Ā I’ll let you in on a secret. Ā (pssst – they don’t!). Ā Not even close. Ā They are dirty with little food fingers the second I wash them. Ā Why then, you ask? Ā Well, I fully intend to sew some wipe-able oilcloth covers for them with some pretty fabric. Ā Something, I feel the space really needs. Ā Until then, I’ll wash weekly for an hour of cleanliness šŸ˜‰

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I wanted to mention, all the woodworking was done by my husband. Ā He planked the walls, to flow with the entry way and the mudroom. Ā He added crown molding and planked the peninsula. I often get asked if we painted the cupboards ourselves. Ā What we actually did was have the cupboard and drawer fronts sprayed professionally for a silky smooth finish. Ā It cost us a few hundred. Ā Then we painted the boxes of the cupboards ourselves. Ā It would have cost us well over $1000 to have it all done professionally. Ā All the hardware I bought from Amazon, which I really love them and the price was excellent. Ā Here are the links for those:

Cosmas 4950FB Flat Black Cabinet Hardware Round Mushroom Knob – 1-1/4″ Diameter – 10 Pack

Cosmas 783FB Flat Black Cabinet Hardware Bin Cup Drawer Handle Pull – 3″ Hole Centers – 5 Pack

The hinges on the doors were brass, but to save hundred we simply spray painted them black. Ā I have had to touch them up from time to time, but well worth the save.

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I added dark baskets from Michael’s, above the cupboards on one side to balance the darkness found in the open shelves on the other side.

The pantry is found in the doors closest to the fridge. Ā It was just a regular door, but if left open it completely blocked the mudroom entry. Ā Drove. Us. Nuts. Ā So, my brother was getting rid of some slatted bi-folds and we jumped on them. Ā My husband changed the hinges so they opened in the center, turning them into small french style doors. Ā I added some cute knobs found at Hobby Lobby.

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And that is a wrap!

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Is there anything you would like to know that I missed?

As always, I welcome any input. Ā Is it any better than the before šŸ˜‰ Ā Any kind constructive criticism? Ā What do you like about this kitchen?

Cottage Fresh Kitchen, by Tidbits

Coming up is a tutorial for the pennant light IKEA hack, as well as an update on our new countertops when they get installed. Ā Also, the dining room opposite the kitchen is just about finished as well and I’ll be posting about that shortly. Ā If you haven’t signed up to get updates by email, you can click HERE for the form.

If you’ve missed our other home-makeovers, click here to see a quick tour of the rooms we’ve done so far.

Thanks for stopping by!


*There may be affiliate links found in this post. Ā But, you may rest assured that I never recommend anything I don’t use and love.

**Linking up to these parities, here.

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46 Comments

  1. It is called a FINTORP rail and comes up in a search on the IKEA website – I finally found it and thought I would share

  2. I’ve seen others request a link for the IKEA rod but didn’t see it posted. Was wondering if anyone has found it, I’d like to purchase it too.

    Thanks so much.

    1. It is called a FINTORP rail and comes up in a search on the IKEA website – I finally found it and thought I would share

  3. Love your adorable kitchen. We will also be installing the IKEA sink in our kitchen and are wondering about your faucet. Can you share the specifics: brand and name?
    Thanks!

  4. Hi! Sorry I’m late to the game over here. We are redoing our kitchen and I love the look of yours. We have just finished painting our cabinets white and are installing butcher block counters. I am also removing some uppers and doing open shelves. Would you mind sharing the dimensions of your white shelves. How long, deep, wide…etc. What size brackets did you use from Ikea. We had spotted those same brackets and are planning to paint them to match our cabinets. But am just trying to decide size of shelves. We would also like to use ours for plate storage so i’d love to know how deep you made yours. Thanks!

  5. What was the name of the Ikea rods on the side of the island? I can’t seem to find it at the Ikea website and they are exactly what I need for our kitchen remodel.

  6. I am so impressed with how your shelving turned out! I never would have guessed that you got them from a lumber retail store, but painted white, they look so modern! The blue works really well scattered throughout the shelves, too. Thanks for the ideas!

  7. You really have such an artistic eye, whether you acknowledge it in these posts or not, at first I thought the open shelves looked off-balance because of one being so dark and the other being white, but then, I scroll down a bit, and the very next picture pulls back to reveal more of the room, and there we see dark baskets atop the cabinets across the room, balancing those pretty wood shelves beautifully! I absolutely love your entire sink area, and am now wondering if I can get away somehow with ripping the cabinet out from under my sink, and using the gorgeous pillar/skirt combo you did! I am also stuck with horrid yellow cabinetry (and yellow/orange wood floors), in a teeny tiny ugly yellow-painted kitchen, with the absolute worst countertops known to humankind. I have wanted to paint my cabinets forever, but some people have said you can’t, if they are laminate. . .also, I hate to sound so ignorant, but how exactly did you make the adorable glass jars at the sink? Did you drill a hole in the mason jar lid for the soap pump? And the tall one, you said, just replacing it, was it not difficult to find something the exact size? I’m crazy about those pale aquas and blues! Your style has seemed to evolve over time, incorporating a bit more of the french provincial/antique, and making the blend lean maybe more towards a shabby chic look. I really like it. I love the pale hints of color, they remind me of an antiques style decorating magazine that was a bit hard to find I was getting a few years ago, all antique whites base colors in the rooms, with the palest of pops of colors, usually palest blushes, blues, antique pinks and some purples (which is more a grey/plum, for antiques). It was so gorgeous, I never liked white in decor until that magazine!

  8. Cami, Just saw this post and have to tell you what a terrific job you did…you have made a bright warm space. Love too, how you write..not cutesy and you explain why you did something…very helpful.

    1. Thank you very much! What a sweet and thoughtful comment and I appreciate you taking the time to leave it for me.

  9. I just stumbled across your kitchen update on pinterest and I’m so jealous. We just moved into a rustic rental cabin and I’m trying to find updates that I can do that are semi temporary that my landlord wont mind. I love the shelves and will definetly be adding those! Storage is a major need in this house, Thank you so much for inviting us into your house and inspiring us all.

  10. Hi there. please can you tell me what color paint you used for your cabinets? (I apologize if I missed it somewhere). I also have white appliances and I like how your paint color goes well with them. Thank you!

  11. Oh I love your kitchen Cami. I have been waiting for you to share. Your style is beautiful. I have so enjoyed looking and reading about all of your renovations. We have 2 weeks left before we settle on our new 95 year old house, which needs LOTS of work, I wish you were my neighbour!
    Can not begin to imagine what you have planned for the new counter tops.
    Happy Days,
    Simone

    1. Oh, your comment was so sweet! Thank you! I wish I was your neighbor too and could play around with your 95 year old home! Sounds like so much fun! I love old homes and I think their is so much you can do to make them look great. It is kind of my dream to have one someday and fix it up – my husbands, not so much šŸ˜‰ Best of luck to you!

  12. Cami, did you get the banana jail cage recently from Hobby Lobby? I must confess I dragged my 3 complaining kids all over the Lobby last week looking for the durn thing. I cannot get happy with my kitchen accessories and have spent scads of time and money trying all sorts of things. My problem is that I despise clutter but when I take all non essentials off the counter, it looks sterile. I need pretty, functional things.
    You should start a series, ‘What would Cami do with my room?’ where you look at a follower’s submitted picture of their problem room and give suggestions on how to fix it. I’ll be the first volunteer….

    1. Oh my heavens – I feel this strange tinge of guilt for inspiring you to take on Hobby Lobby with 3 kids! That is never fun! Something about craft stores makes kids go ba-zerk! Yes, I did get it very recently. Like just a few days before I posted the pictures of my kitchen. I found it over by the baskets and things, but there was only one of them at my local store so I wonder if it is just a rare item they stock. Bummer. I completely agree with you about hating kitchen clutter. I too, have tried to find a balance there. Sometimes I think of how nice it would be to get rid of everything on the countertop and be able to wipe it sparkly clean without anything in the way. But, ya – with kids that isn’t too realistic and a few things does help it not look sterile. Hopefully you can find the banana cage šŸ˜‰ or something like it. I have really enjoyed it to contain produce. As for your series idea – you kind of made me blush. I would have a blast doing that but feel completely inadequate to offer my suggestions to others. For some reason, the ideas I have in my head never make sense to anyone until I have it finished. But hey – if you would like to send me a picture – I could sure try to give you some tips! Thanks for making me feel special any way šŸ˜‰

      1. Oh, if you would start a series like that I would definitely sign up–and be a regular contributor of challenges for you to fix, lol. What a great, novel idea from Chelli!

  13. I love your kitchen. I like that you used some off-white so it doesn’t look too “sterile”, like the color of concrete countertops and curtain under the sink. I would suggest for your counter chair covers a similar off white color. Less obvious for kid messes and it blends with the other off white touches as well as breaking up the too white look. Great job!

    1. Your suggestions have been ingrained in my mind, and I am certain I need to implement them! Thank you so very much for taking the time to comment for me. Much appreciated!

  14. Just found your darling blog today and can’t wait to look around some more. I shared your kitchen on my FB page. What a transformation. Have a Blessed Mothers Day…..I’m off to check out other things you have to share šŸ™‚

  15. love your style…I love blues and aquas too. I am about to reno my kitchen and am going white cabinets too.
    my question is – do you use the dishware and ingredients on your shelves? they would sure be too high for me to reach on a daily basis… but they look great. I am planning on a few glass fronted cabinets and am hoping I can keep the interiors looking nice enough

  16. I think your kitchen is beautiful! I love that you did not go with stainless steel appliances. We have them and I wish I didn’t! You did a wonderful job and it is so inviting! So inviting – come on over to my kitchen and I would love you to do mine! Nice job!

  17. I love the produce basket and the slip covers. What a difference overall. You have such great vision! I love the old country kitchen look and you have a modern home…. amazing!

  18. So happy you posted this, because we are also in the process of doing much of the same in our kitchen and I’m glad to see the finished product!!! Looks great!!

  19. Great makeover! And yes, it is a thousand times better than the before. It’s fresh and has personality. I love your cottage fresh style. Who says the open shelving has to match, right? I am going to go back and re read, but did you give source name on the peninsula chairs? I know you said they were from Ikea, but what was the name?

    1. Wow! Thank you! Sorry I didn’t list the name of the stools. They are called “Henriksdal” (however you say that). They were 79.00 plus 10.00 for the cover. Not bad, considering the price of other stools like this. They are very sturdy and comfortable. The kids don’t have to sit on their feet to reach the countertop, which I really like. Thanks for stopping by!

  20. Stunning! Love all the details and in love with your eye for detail. You find the most beautiful things and even the not-so-beautiful and you make them gorgeous. You have such a gift and talent! This space is absolutely perfect! And I just love that little succulent (wink, wink). Lovely, lovely kitchen Cami!

  21. This looks phenomenal. You did a great job brightening it up despite the lack of natural light.

    My dream is a farmhouse sink since the sink is actually the first thing to be seen when entering our home. I look forward to that update someday.

    I love that you admitted to getting rid of the kids so you could photograph this reveal . Keepin’ it real!

    1. Liv – your comments are always so sweet! I saved for over a year for that sink. Well worth it. I mostly love the size. I have had 2 kids bath in it at the same time. Ha! And yes, I knew the second I started cleaning and staging kids would be asking for snacks and dragging toys in. So glad I could spare some time alone with my kitchen. It hasn’t been as clean since!

  22. I think are very good at what you are doing šŸ˜‰ I think you are making your kitchen smile, as for your family room it too came out amazing! Good job!

  23. I’m officially hiring you as my interior decorator when I start building. I don’t even expect you to ask me about any opinion I might have, because it will be wrong and your ideas will all be perfect. That kitchen is beautiful!

    1. How does Brock feel about that? I imagine when I start sticking up old mirrors and white rugs he won’t be so happy. And when I tell him all his trophies are too much clutter he’ll really get ticked. Haha!

  24. LOVE!! But you didn’t tell us about those poor little bananas you have caged on the counter?? šŸ˜‰ ( really, super cute) come to my house (when I have one) and help me!!

    1. Haha! Those came from Lee’s Marketplace šŸ˜‰ You get that house – and I will plan my trip! I imagine with your beautiful taste you could do just fine without me, but it still sounds fun! I would fill it with all your beach finds.

  25. I loved what you have done with the kitchen. Also glad to hear you have a boy with all the girls.

    1. Thank you Marie! Yes, he keeps us all sane. A little less drama, for sure! Good to hear from you.