January 9, 2012

✥ Reader Feature: Modern Country Kitchen Remodel ✥

Hello Lovelies!
Today I get to share an amazing kitchen makeover from Heather at At the Picket Fence. Heather and her sister Vanessa run the show over there- and besides being so super cute they share fun little projects as well as home improvement projects. I make sure to link up at "Inspiration Friday" their weekly Linky party.

We know there is a wide spectrum as far as kitchen makeovers go- from the cabinet painted projects to the full gut and remodel.
The after shots of this kitchen look completely different from the before pics- but all these projects are very doable.  The number one change- painted cabinets.
Night and day changes- right?

I think my second favorite change was the kitchen island build. She shares the details here and here- 
Love the extra space it provides and how she trimmed the original island in beadboard.
Heather added a a few extra feet of prep space to the island by adding a beautiful Ikea butcher block counter top, stained walnut. I have to be honest, I love this change! So clever and an awesome way to make your kitchen look custom.

Another special feature- Heather added the look of open shelving by taking off a few cabinet doors, but made this feel really special by creating an ornate curved header for the top of the cabinets. Makes it look custom, right? Throw in a couple of baskets and you have a beautiful vignette right there in the kitchen.
Ahh- don't you just love the farmhouse kitchen sink…swoon. I love that faucet with it, I mean really!

Did you guys notice the feet that were added to the cabinets- making the pieces look more like furniture? SO clever and it fits with the stye of the kitchen just perfectly!
Here's a shot of her before and after for ya. {PS She even added beadboard wallpaper to the toe kick, I mean every detail is perfect!}
I thought the countertops were soapstone- but nope! Heather says they're from Ikea and super affordable! 
Everyone loves the look of stainless steel appliances- but after owning them {not here in my condo- obviously}, I have to say- they are not my favorite, too many fingerprint marks, blah, blah, blah. {Not that I'm hating on any of your guys' appliances! }
But I do love the look of white appliances mixed in with white cabinetry. It is one of my favorite looks. It looks more seamless, don't they blend in better?
Don't you just love the breadboard backsplash- a great choice for this farmhouse inspired kitchen and comes at a price most anyone could afford.

The whole time I'm looking at her kitchen, I am thinking I really need to figure out how to style a kitchen cause Heather has it down pat!
 On the other side of her kitchen she removed the old desk to make room for an antique buffet- I was in love with Heather's Christmas decor in her kitchen- it looked fantastic!
Lastly, they added built in seating in the bay window! Perfect touch, right?!

Doesn't this makeover make you want to grab your paint brush and RUN to your cabinets? I love it because it is just SO DOABLE! But I give Heather a TON of credit cause everyone know, kitchens are a labor of love! 
  I gave you a few of links for kitchen projects- but head over for  more tutorials on just about every project in this kitchen- and many more awesome ideas on their blog!