Tuesday, September 16, 2008

Designing For My Life ~ Around My LuRay Collection

Tonight I am joining Kari & Kijsa's post Designing For Your Life.

What a neat idea. I just have to answer these three questions:

Where: The Kitchen
Style: Traditional? Vintage
Favorite Item: My LuRay Dinnerware Collection!

For this Designing for Your Life post, I just had to show you how we went from a dark and drab seventies galley kitchen to an opened space with light and breezy colors just perfect for my vintage LuRay dinnerware collection. (I apologize for anyone who has seen this already...I know, I tend to show it whenever possible... I can't help it... I love it THAT much!)


This was the view as you walked in the front door. The kitchen is right behind those "Brady Bunch" style spindles and dark oak walls. We loved the house but knew this had to be changed right away. Dear Hubs really got a kick out of whacking at the spindles with his electric saw.



The problem was what to do with the remaining portion of the cabinets and that 1/2 wall left over. We came up with a plan . . .



This little "partition" also came out and went "bye bye!"




We decided to move the remaining portion on the right (behind the half wall is the stove and two side countertops with cabinets) forward, toward the other side of the kitchen, allowing us to add a quartz countertop over the entire thing, creating an island. This allowed more room for us to walk around it. Dear Hubby added the pendant lights as well as the lights in the ceiling. Love those! Some of the cabinets have lighting as well, inside.


Above is an after photo...although it was taken last Christmas and I didn't clear the clutter out of the way for the photo but you get the idea. We painted all the cabinets (some are cringing at the thought of this, I had no qualms whatsoever!) a creamy white and replaced the doors with glass to highlight my LuRay dinnerware collection. I had been collecting these dishes since 1992 and we knew it was "now or never" to display them so we went for it.

We absolutely love the transformation...and it is where we usually hang out, have friends over, sit and chat or work on projects. The new kitchen now is a seamless transition into the family room....making it even better for entertaining.

Thanks for sharing with me in our "Design for Life!"



21 comments:

The Summer Kitchen Girls said...

What a great makeover! How lucky are you to have all of those glass front cupboards to show off your LuRay collection.
Thanks for sharring!
Karla & Karrie

roseroomnz.com said...

Amazing kitchen makeover Jillian! Rachaelxo

Connie said...

I LOVE your renovation, sweet chickee! I couldn't stand the "before" either!!
Smooches,
Connie

Maria (also Bia) said...

Wow, what a transformation! And because you did it yourself, it's extra special. Kudos!

B. said...

Renovacations look great! I love an open kitchen like yours!

Ms.Daisy said...

It looks so light and airy! I love the pastels, too! Good job!!!


Luv,
Ms. Daisy

Picket said...

Hello friend....I love the transformation to your kitchen and those glass fronts is just the icing on the cake! Great redo! Have a great week!

kari and kijsa said...

What a fabulous makeover!! Painting was the perfect choice- it looks so open and airy in it's new coat of paint! Beautiful job!!

blessings,
kari & kijsa

M.L. @ The House of Whimsy said...

Oh my goodness...I am speechless! I have never seen such a beautiful makeover of a space that originally looked so hopeless. You deserve the Academy Award of makeovers. Great job.
M.L.

Liz Harrell said...

Ah, you are speaking my language here! Fantastic transformation... and you know I'm cheering that you painted the wood!

Montee said...

Great job! I have been thinking about painting my kitchen cabinets too. Thanks for stopping by my blog. Pay a visit anytime!

My Pink Boutique said...

What a lovely remodel! It's gorgeous, warm and inviting. Love it!

Hugs, :)
Kimberly

Free Art Printables said...

Love the make over!

Vee said...

Your new kitchen is so bright and breezy. What a wonderful change!

Anonymous said...

Jillian, Your kitchen makeover is splendid! We had those "Brady Bunch" (great description) spindles in our last home and I LIVED with them! Dumb!
Since meeting you via blogging, I now find myself checking out LuRay dishes whenever I'm antiquing! They are so sweet and cheerful--they are the perfect look for your spiffed up kitchen! Dana

Anonymous said...

Such a nice makeover...out with the dark and in with the light!

Blessing to you:)

kayellen

Amy @ Living Locurto said...

What a transformation! I would love it too! You have a beautiful home. Thanks for sharing.

Karin said...

LOVE it! What was with thos spindles in the 70's the house I grew up in had them too...like jail :)

Darla said...

Droo-l! I love it! JUst saw your comment on Bia's blog and had to come check out your blog!

Fifi Flowers said...

Great transformation! Thanks for sharing... love to see before and after projects!

MJ said...

I like the island! Do you find it useful for eating purposes?

I like the open-ness of your kitchen!