“Let us show what life means to us with our actions.
Dreaming and hoping and reaching forward.
What does it look like when we come alive?
Let’s find out.”
-Jon Foreman
***
Hi!
A gal named Laura recently emailed me this photo of her kitchen and asked if I’d throw some ideas out there for her:
If you’ve been meeting up with me here for a while now, you know that I loooove playing around with photos in Photoshop, so here’s what I came up with:
To see it in presto change-o action, move your cursor on and off of the photo below:
And as always, these are all just ideas. Spontaneous, totally flexible, just-throwin’-em-out-there ideas that may or may not actually work for the couple or in their room…boom. I could have gone a thousand different directions with this photo, but that’s what I came up with when I sat down with it yesterday. 🙂
Okay, now let’s talk colors and finishes!
I started by “painting” the base cabinets a dusty mint color, and the uppers white. The island went a darker shade of green, just to mix it up a bit. I loved the idea of using corbels, so I suggested white-painted ones underneath the upper cabinets and black iron ones underneath the (newly-extended) island countertop. And speaking of countertops, if they don’t want to change their current countertop (or aren’t in the market for new ones right now), I think the current butcher block-look laminate will blend in just fine with the new color scheme. (Real butcher block would be another cost-effective/cottage-style solution. Here’s a great post about installing/sealing them: Butcher Block Countertops
I suggested using mosaic tile behind the stove to bring in a fun texture. I love the way this Castle White mosaic tile by SomerTile mimics the looks of an old pressed tin ceiling once it’s filled with grout:
Marianne from White + Gold used it on this fireplace surround, which shows how great it looks when it’s used vertically:
I’m pretty smitten with the fact that it looks like little clouds, too. Might have to use some of that in my Sweet P’s bathroom. 🙂
I suggested they use beadboard on the rest of the walls in the space, just to bring in even more cottage charm, and because it would be less expensive than tiling everything.
I suggested they cover up their existing range vent with a custom built cabinet/range vent cover above the stove. Just an idea to give the cabinetry a more “custom vibe”, without actually replacing it all with custom cabinetry. Miss Mustard Seed did a great article for HGTV.com about how to build a custom range vent cover: How To Construct A Custom Range Hood
Cafe curtains, white appliances, oil-rubbed bronze hardware, a pendant light, and a farmhouse sink completed my drawing BUT, Laura’s pot rack, or some more pendant lights over the island would be great, too! (I left that space in my drawing open so that it would be easier to see what I was suggesting every where else.) Ooh, and crown molding and recessed lighting would be fun as well! 😀
Here are a few links to some of the other things I popped in my drawing, just in case anyone is interested: Stool, Rug, Stove.
I’m off to pick up those old doors I told you about last week. Can’t wait to blog all about where they’re going!
Happy weekend!
PS- It has been a really fun week on Instagram! Jon Foreman, who fronts the band Switchfoot, surprised us by reposting my photo of Kevin taking a picture of the sunrise yesterday!
The band has a new single out called When We Come Alive, and they created a hashtag contest to go along with it’s release called #WhenWeComeAlive. It’s been so inspiring to look through all the photos and captions that are attached to it. Thought you might enjoy looking it up if you haven’t already seen it! 😀
(Mom (you rebellious, totally inspiring, non-cell phone user, you), click on the word “Instagram” above my photo if you’d like to see larger versions of these photos! 😉 )
I love the tile ! I redoing my cottage as well so I will try to find it somewhere ! You are always very inspiring ☺️
Great ideas here! Love the color palate and super jealous of your photoshop skills!!
i am drooling over the look of this design! all of it. i feel i would even look better if i had such a kitchen!
would you be kind enough to tell me what color you have envisioned on the ceiling? also, is the bead board white? thanks!
Layla,
I love the ideas you gave Laura for her kitchen! I think just painting the cabinets, changing the curtain and taking down the pot rack would be a great start! It would certainly brighten it up! I hope she will share any changes she makes. I wish her luck!
I love the bright, airy feel of the white upper cabinets paired with the darker lower ones.
I redid/upgraded my kitchen a couple of years ago, all but the old oak cabinets. I’ve been going between dark and light, but now I’m really thinking of going white because of this presto.
Love, Love, Love it!
I like your ideas! Two great green shades (mint) that I just discovered are Prescott Green and Hollingsworth Green (just a little lighter) by Benjamin Moore. I bought a quart in their Advance paint which goes on like an oil finish (satin), but cleans up like latex. The finish of this paint is absolutely amazing! I like that tile too-It is beautiful and a bit of change from the classic white subway which I love too, but is a bit common.
I forgot–I also got a sample can of Great Barrington Green by Benjamin Moore – it would look great on the island!
V
Sigh… me thinks I need to email Layla… I love your two toned green idea, pretty! Now if only photoshop could actually do the work… I don’t want much here. 🙂
Oh my goodness – one of my favorite things you do. I love the fresh new look!!! So many things I wouldn’t have even thought of. You are amazing.
The kitchen is great, of course, but, you had your picture recognized by Jon Foreman! That is so cool!
Very nice presto makeover Layla, really brightens up the space and opens it up taking out the light and pots and pans hanging over the island. I hope they take and use your ideas and send you after pictures!
since it had been ages since I had heard from you, I thought perhaps Sweet P had come home and you were just super busy getting things in order for the family.
What is the situation with his arrival ?
this is what I would love to do to my kitchen minus the tile with all the grout for me to be anal about.
Hi Brenda!
Were you subscribed to my blog and not receiving my posts for a while? Just curious!
I’ve been blogging about the whole adventure as it unfolds. We’re hoping to go meet him this Fall, and have him home next year! Thanks for checking in with me about it! XO
And regarding the grout- that’s what a good grout sealer is for! 😀
Man, you truly are gifted. It’s because you can “see” all of the little details to make something better than what it is. With just even using what is there! I know that I could never be as creative as you are… Again, you really have a gift, Layla. Good for you, you’re blessed with that creativity gene!
Best,
Gloria
Definitely love your ideas. Would lose the pot rack. I did and it really opened up my small space.
Another home run.
You are so talented! I so enjoys your ideas. Our kitchen turned foggy green, all thanks to you guys! Sometimes you need a little “push” to get started with your DIY´s, you feed me with so much inspiration, I take your ideas & mine and “put them in a pot-crock”, voila´! 🙂
This is a great post, but I love the shout-out to your Mom at the end the best! So cute!
I needed this today! I have been pinning and fretting about our upcoming kitchen remodel. Our kitchen is laid out exactly like Laura’s and now I am feeling like I don’t need to move everything around to make it look great.
Also love that you put little messages to your sweet mama in your posts 🙂 tell her hello from the Curingas 🙂
This summer I ordered the Ranch Stripe from Dash and Albert and love it. I used it for the G’babies’ room otherwised called the Bunkhouse.
I love your fresh ideas and was tickled to see you feature something I have used myself.
Hi Laura!
I was so thrilled to see that you are recommending someone use the darling Somertile we used on one of my projects! I really appreciate you linking to me and am so glad you liked it! I’m a big fan, and have to say this made my day.
Best to you!
Marianne
Yes to that Big Chill range! Love it. I would have a wood hood over it… otherwise it’s as if you read my mind.