Kitchen Project is in final stage, just waiting for window treatment.  The transformation is an open, airy, bright, and welcoming kitchen. The design style is a cohesive blend of  Vintage Farmhouse with Country French influences.  Function, appeal, and budget were the main criteria of this kitchen project.  In most homes the kitchen is the heart of the home, for this kitchen its about multi-tasking as a cooking kitchen, breakfast space, laundry, & task work zone for craft projects.  It was important to get the best value for the investment.

A typical upgrade of a kitchen can range from $25,000 – over $150,000.  Statically upgraded kitchens can improve the home value up to 90% of investment.  However, in this project consideration of the age of the home, the amount to invest played a critical role.  Fortunately the layout of the kitchen was excellent and the structure of the cabinets were sound.  The necessary upgrades were the ceiling, walls, lighting, and floor.  New counter tops would have put a strain on the already stretched budget.

The addition of crown molding and wainscot walls enhanced the space architecturally.  Choosing a neutral palette allowed for bringing the space into a current design style, blending old with new.  The accessories add the finishing touches to the decorative style & personality of home owners preferences.  See the results below.

Kitchen Before

  

Kitchen After

Eating/Laundry Area - Before

New Task Zone

Drywall & Taping is complete.  What a significant difference it has made in the space by removing the drop ceiling.  The room appears larger and more open. What a mess sanding new drywall makes, something to remember when renovating.  Oh well, spring cleaning will just begin earlier this year.

For this project the shell of the room has been updated with new drywall for the ceiling, wainscoting on the walls, vinyl floor replacement, & under cabinet tile backsplash.  The cabinets are in good condition so only the frame will be stripped & repainted/stained and then an update of hardware.

Painting – selecting the color proved to be challenging.  As a designer I love color, but selecting the right color requires more than just saying; that’s pretty.  Careful consideration of the look & feel of the space, the influence of natural light & incandescent lighting, adjacent rooms, and the emotional impact are only a few details to consider. For me & this ol’ house it was the patina & aging of the woodwork and outdoor influence of the historical grey barn.  Yes, the barn actually cast shadows of grey onto the space during certain times of day.  So after many hours of contemplating & sitting within the space, this ol’ house spoke to me.  It’s message; go neutral.  Some may say “boring”, and to be honest that was my first thought of resistance.  But, from experience I have learned to listen & feel the energy, so my decision was SW0036, better known as Buchram Binding or sandy beige and OC111, Simply White on the wainscot, ceiling, & crown.

The neutral wall color will be the backdrop to featured art, window treatments, or other points of interest with creative touches that personalize the room.  One thing to remember when using neutrals is to utilize texture and other design elements like scale & repetition. Selecting an accent color makes for easier changes with the seasons or as your tastes shifts.

Watch & follow as the room comes to life!  Next phase is installing the floor and under cabinet tiles.  Meanwhile, I begin the process of selecting fabric for the window treatments.

Lighting is one of the most important elements in kitchen design.  The function must serve the criteria of ambiance, task & general lighting. The new lighting will include 2) pendant lights over the snack bar, 1) overhead light in the cooking zone, 1) light over the sink, 1) hanging chandelier over the kitchen table, and 1) low profile light in the laundry area.  Before the drywall ceiling can be installed all the electricity must be updated & installed.

The process was for the electrician to saw through the plaster ceiling with a jigsaw.   Then run new wires and install the electrical boxes that will host the new lighting.  The most difficult task was actually threading the wires down through the slat & plaster walls behind the cabinets where an additional switch was installed for a new overhead light in the cooking zone.  Thirdly, he replaced & moved the electric box above the laundry area & installed a new light switch.  With all the electricity in place onto the next process, installing the drywall for the ceiling.

Next Phase; installing the ceiling.  It requires two people for handling the 4′ x 8′ sheets of 3/8″ sheet rock. The ceiling requires 10 sheets. Each sheet is screwed to the existing plaster ceiling in multiple places. Each sheet weighs approximately 20 lbs.  By adding drywall to the exterior walls it has served as an installation barrier.  The installer said he felt the difference immediately.  Ah, less drafts.  That is an added bonus for conserving on the heating & cooling expense.

Dust, dust, & more dust.  Taping plastic up over cabinets & door entry has helped, but sawdust just seems to creep everywhere.  What a difference in the atmosphere of the space, even at this phase. Watch for updates of ceiling & wall installation.

Ever wonder about what’s behind these wall?  Well see for yourself.

Demolition of the dropped ceiling revealed a painted blue plaster ceiling with many cracks and a fluorescent light with some interesting features.  Aluminum foil to expand the light exposure and some altered electrical hook-ups.  The ceiling has a natural settling, which will be challenging for drywall application. Removing the dropped ceiling makes a big difference exposing a 9 ft. ceiling.  This alone makes for a more spacious feel.  The space of the kitchen is 18 ft. x 22 ft. with additional 8 ft. in the back where the laundry is located.

Removal of the 60′s marble-lite board exposed blue plaster/slat walls and years of wallpaper that I’m guessing where from the 50′s.  It’s exciting to see how things were done nearly 50 years ago.  I have opted to work with the plaster walls instead of taking them down to the stud walls. Next phase is to update the electrical, select new light fixtures, decide on wall & ceiling applications.  Carpenter will begin by framing out the ceiling area of the laundry room because of the heating duct and enclose the duct adjacent to the wall.  Watch the transformation, follow upcoming posts.

What about your home, what story does it tell.  Please share your memories or comments.

 

Kitchen view

Laundry light

Starting a kitchen renovation seems to be a daunting project.  Currently, I am in the process of my own kitchen renovation of a 1920′s farmhouse kitchen.  The last renovation for this kitchen was done in the late 60′s.  So, you can image the project.  As a designer, kitchen renovations remain the most challenging projects.  There are many details and decisions that truly knowledge, abilities, & tolerance.  This experience solidifies a even greater appreciation for hiring a professional designer.

Besides wanting & needing an update for the 1920′s farmhouse kitchen, I wanted my own first hand experience.  By doing my own due diligence it keeps me current with a wide variety of products, trends & trade professionals.  In my opinion, there is no better way to learn than by doing.

Reason #2 my budget for the project is limited, so being resourceful & creative makes this fun.  So, for those who need a kitchen renovation or update and don’t have $60,000 – $150,000 there are cost effective alternatives.

Follow my kitchen renovation blogs.  Watch the process unfold.  I encourage you to leave a comment.   Next phase; demolition of walls & drop ceiling. For personal consultations or challenges I welcome the opportunity to assist.  www.bloomsandrooms.com

Joyce’s Top 5 Tips – Beginning a Renovation.

1) Gather pictures from magazines of what you like and don’t like.  This helps to clarify & communicate your vision.

2) Discuss your likes & dislikes with your spouse or significant other prior to meeting with trade professionals.  Make notes of what is not working for you in your current space.  Is it storage, the working pattern, space, lighting, color, etc.  Or is it that you just need an update to current times.

3) Have a budget range in mind.  Notice the word “range”.  It is advisable not to lock yourself in with a specific budget for its always a better plan to have some wiggle room for the unexpected or upgrade.

4) Do your due diligence.  Check out kitchen showrooms, attend remodeling trade shows, research the internet, etc.  Education is empowering.  The best solution is consult a professional.  This in in the long run will save you time, money & disappointment.

5) Start a folder or notebook to contain all your thoughts, questions, & information.

Below: Before Picture – kitchen.

Expand your room visually by using lighter colors and large mirrors.  There are many interesting shapes for mirrors, possibly opt for a vertical style and something oversized.  Place the mirror on a darken corner or near your bedside. Although, it’s not recommended to face your mirror opposite a window or glass door, but an adjacent wall works perfect.   One mirror can make a big difference.

Add drama, height, and style to your space by juxtaposing rough woods with smooth sleek surfaces.  Drape fabric from the ceiling for a canopy bed or add architectural interest.  Stripes add interest to a classic room.  Want a little “glam”, adding a bedroom chandelier creates instant glamour.

Be inspired by nature, bring the feel of the outdoors in with silk green plants, miniature silk gardens, an orchid plant, vase of silk forsythia, or blooming branches.  Life-like silks give a fresh appeal to every room.  No watering required.

Just a few changes can make your space feel completely new and fresh.

Start by adding a few budding branches of cherry blossoms or forsythia to a vase.  Adding water to the vase gives even a more realistic effect.  Remember to bend & twist the branches, this add character, movement &  a natural look.  You’ll be amazed at how a few life-like flowers in your living space will give you a boost of energy.  Don’t forget to change the water regularly if you’ve opted for that option.

Another great remedy is a silk orchid plant or silk paperwhites. There are many options of silk flowers to choose. The main thing is to select the most realistic silk flowers & natural color.  For a minimal investment quality silk flowers enhance your decor and is a good remedy for the winter blues.

Another noticeable change is within foliage.  More & more “silk” greens are becoming plastic or poly stemmed.  The poly or plastic of today is much more improved than the plastic of the 50′s.  In most cases it is very life-like.  As a designer what’s important is the flexibility, life-likeness, & leaves staying attached to the veining. 

Over the past 5 years there has been a steady decline of silk flower manufacturers, so the industry is experiencing a decline in varieties, selection, & quality.  The decline started at the turn of the 21st Century in China, but as consumers here in the United States we are just beginning to see & feel the effects almost 10 years later. 

Another change is as a result of the struggling economy.  There is a movement from consumption to reclaiming with emphasis on a more green & eco-friendly lifestyle.  Nevertheless, there will always be a desire for quality silk flowers for the home & business.  Adapting with the changes is part of life.

The world of color

Color, to many, is considered the most essential design element in interior design. The harmony of space and the emotions of all that occupy that space are impacted by color. It has the power to motivate, sooth, relax and/or stimulate emotions. Harmonious flow from one room to the next is important. Color coordinates one room to the next by expressing each space’s uniqueness. The use of color is used to strengthen architectural details and emphasize focal points. If not used correctly, color can distract and create stress and emotional tension. Great color selection makes all the difference in a space being exceptional or mediocre. 

What is the ‘feel’ you are looking for? Whether it be warm, passionate, sensual, relaxing, soothing, spacious, hip or sophisticated, color has the power to convey any emotion.

The chandelier was recycled from an estate sale. When the sun shines in and hits the 200+ crystals there is a rainbow of color that radiates on the interior of the barn.  A beautiful element of surprise to all visitors.  Besides the lamp, the table is also reclaimed. 

Watch & follow my next phase of repurposing - building a labyrinth within these barn walls.