A Finished Kitchen!

Before I show you the final result of the kitchen, let me remind you where it was a few months ago (which is still a marked improvement from when we moved in)

I designed nothing in here because it felt like a losing battle against poor quality cabinets and finishes that just weren't us.

Until now.

I never thought these words would escape my mouth, but the kitchen is now my favorite room in the house.  (That doesn't mean I'll start cooking though)

I gave the room a fresh coat of paint, we replaced the cabinets and lighting, reused our previous countertops, and added a tile backsplash.  As one of my favorite completing things in the room- the backsplash was extremely cost-effective, coming in at only $150 total!

With just a few simple and relatively low cost accessories, the kitchen finally feels complete.

As a bonus, the added cabinets have now allowed us to hide away the microwave, trash, recycling, and all the other ugly stuff that cluttered up the room before.

Even with the bumps we hit in this project, I'm so happy with the results!

So, tell me, what do you think?  Is it what you were expecting to see?  Better? (I hope)  Any tips on photographing a room that gets bright direct morning sun and bright indirect afternoon sun?

Faux Sure

Sorry for starting off the post with a really bad pun (I'm really not sorry) but it's been stuck in my head the entire time I was putting this project together. Faux roman shades! and the last kitchen teaser post before the big reveal Friday!

Why are they faux?  Well, they don't actually work like shades- they just sit there and look pretty.  Tough job.

So, how did we get here?

When last we visited the kitchen windows, they were naked.

I knew I wanted to soften the windows a bit with fabric, but functional shades just aren't necessary here.  I googled a bunch of faux shade tutorials and then did what I do best- made it up as I went along.

I started by cutting my fabric and a piece of liner to the proper size.

To line, I faced the good sides in and sewed 3 sides leaving the top open like a pillowcase.  Turn right side out and iron.

Then comes the fun part- figuring out where the folds go.  I ended up folding the bottom up for a softer edge and adding only one additional fold.

I started by pinning the folds, and tacked them into place with a needle and thread once I settled on them.  I sewed from the back and didn't go through the front layer of fabric, so you'll never see the stitches.

I folded the top, unfinished end over until the shade was the height that worked best for the windows.  I didn't even bother to cut off the excess or finish it, since this will be hidden once installed.  And since I have windowS above the sink and not just one, rinse, repeat.

This fabric isn't as regular as a pattern as it seems at first glance, so getting it straight and even from shade to shade was a challenge.

Install was probably the quickest part of this process.  I used a pvc trim piece that I already had, cut it to the desired width and nailed the new shades into place.

As you can see, the trim piece is hidden under the fabric and will never be seen.

Viola!  Such a simple project, but it totally helps the room feel more complete.

Do you recognize this fabric from our dining room?  Once I brought the extra fabric into the new kitchen, I knew it needed to be in here instead- the colors work perfectly!  The purple ties in the dining room, and the grays pick up the green kitchen walls.  You can probably guess what that means for the dining room- chair recovering in the near future!

Have I inspired you to try faux roman shades?  Or have I just tortured you with another kitchen teaser and you're ready to jump through the computer and make me post the finished kitchen?

 **update** check out the finished kitchen HERE

Grab a Glass

It's time for some wine!

We've had a severe lack of wine in this house lately, because we haven't had space for a wine rack.  Hubby's been challenging me to make a custom wall-mounted one for months, so with the kitchen reno (hopefully) nearing an end, I realized this was the perfect time.  (and who am I to say no when Hubby request a DIY)

It all started with a quick sketch when I was watching tv one night last week.

The dimensions got modified a bit as the project progressed, but this was a great place to start.  I enlisted Handy Dad's help for another set of hands (and maybe for his tools as well... maybe).

The materials:

• 8' length of 1x6 poplar
• Kreg jig screws
• Wood glue
• Toggle screws (for mounting to the wall)

The tools we used:

• Chop saw
• Drill press (a regular drill could work too, but it would be a bit more work)
• 3 1/4" hole saw drill bit
• Clamps
• Kreg jig

The first step was to cut the boards to the desired length and mark out where my holes will go (this is where the dimensions got modified a bit).

Actually cutting the holes was the most difficult part.  We clamped the 2 side boards together so that the holes would line up perfectly.  To prevent as much splintering as possible, we drilled most of the way through one side, then completed the hole by drilling from the other side.  Slow and steady...

This was my attempt to take a photo of all the pieces on a white background.  #whitebalancefail

As you can see on the back pieces, I used my Kreg jig to drill pocket holes.  My friend Kreg is awesome- it's a very simple drill guide and special bit that makes it super easy to strongly join 2 pieces of wood.  I first read about it on Young House Love, and I quickly jumped on the Kreg bandwagon.

Next came assembly.  Every joint got wood glued and clamped, and the back supports were screwed together with Kreg screws for extra support.

After assembly, I sanded the bejesus out of it, painted it with 2 coats of paint, and mounted it to my kitchen wall with toggle bolts (when all filled, the rack can weigh almost 30 pounds!)

So, what do you think?  I think it fits perfectly in it's new home!

I originally had staggered the direction of the bottles, but Hubby and I both liked it a bit better this way.

I can't wait to reveal the whole kitchen to you- it's really becoming my favorite designed room in the house!