So, here’s the thing. I’m a crier. I cry over obvious things like sad movies or sad news or when I get my feelings hurt.
I cry when I think about my kids getting older or when they had to have shots at the Doctor’s office. I’ve cried over pretty much every single Hallmark commercial as well as almost every episode of Little House on the Prairie.
But in all of my years of being a crier, I’ve never cried over a home makeover.
That is, I hadn’t until the day I walked into my friend Kara’s home after it had undergone an extensive remodel.
You might wonder why I would get teary eyed over something so seemingly silly.
Well, I’ll tell you. But not yet.
Not until you see this amazing transformation. Yesterday I showed you the front door and entry makeover and now it’s time to show you the kitchen makeover. Just a word of warning that you might want to have a tissue handy to wipe up any drool that occurs as you are looking at these photos. 😉
Here is how this space looked BEFORE
AFTER
BEFORE
AFTER
BEFORE
AFTER
BEFORE
AFTER
BEFORE
AFTER
I’ll wait a minute while you wipe off that drool? 😉
So why did I fight back the tears when I saw this amazing transformation? Well, I’ll tell you. It wasn’t necessarily the fact that it is GORGEOUS and soooooooo different now.
And it wasn’t the fact that Kara had made such beautiful choices and added just the right decorative items.
What made my eyes well up with tears was that this space is just so ‘Kara’. It’s so her.
I don’t think I’ve ever seen a room more perfectly reflect the spirit of the person who gets the joy of using it everyday.
It exudes grace and love and family.
Kara and Caleb had a dream for their family and there is something so moving and inspiring about seeing someone’s dream come true.
So yes, I cried a little bit. And Kara did too. We had quite a moment standing there in the kitchen while all of the kids looked at us like we had lost our minds.
But we didn’t care.
Because when you are kindred spirits you understand each other perfectly no matter how crazy you seem to others.
Next time I’ll be showing you the rest of the kitchen space and the transition into the family room so be sure to come on back soon!
I love the afters far more than the befores. I am not big on yellow paint! It is a wonderful job.
LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the makeover!!!! what material is the new floor?
Thank you, Marcy! The new floor is an engineered wide plank, rustic finish oak.
What are the appliances in Kara’s island? I have a carpenter coming tomorrow to begin estimates on our kitchen remodel!!!! What a timely post!!! I love love it!!! I wanted to put a microwave when my downdraft grill is now inside our island and move stove to the wall. Since my huge island will not have a stove there, I loved the look of appliances in the island. Could you tell me what’s in hers please? Thank you for any info and for your fantastic site!
Debra I know Kara has been hopping on to answer questions so she might reply as well but wanted to let you know that she has a dishwasher in her island as well as her microwave. In the photo where it is looking straight into the kitchen facing the sink you can see along the right side where those appliances are placed in the island. Thank you so much for coming by and for your kind words!
Needless to say, Kara’s kitchen is gorgeous!! I love the attention to detail and how every square inch serves a purpose. The expanse of windows over the sink enlarges the feel of the whole kitchen.
Love the light fixtures! Where can I get those?
I love them too! They are from Pottery Barn.
Oh Kara, it is beautiful! I so need help as my kitchen is I think, exactly what I’m so needing! Can I email a pic and you confirm my choices? Oh pretty please, on bended knee and begging for your gorgeous touch for mine too?
Thank you for sharing your beautiful home. And you deserve mama of the year homeschooling 5 kids on top of a remodel. Your my hero!
Oh my goodness, Hope! How can I say no to that!? You are too kind, and I would be honored to look at your choices, though I am definitely not an expert. Reply to this with your email and I will send you an email.
Oh Kara you have made my year!
hopewilliams762@yahoo.com
Thank you so very much for taking some time for me. It means so very much.
I love everything! It is all so beautiful! I sure hope my remodel turns out half this spectacular! Thanks for sharing, Kara! You are an inspiration as usual! Hugs to all those kids!
Thank you, dear Bridgett!
where did you get your pendant lights? THey’re beautiful
Thank you! They are from Potter Barn.
This is such a beautiful transformation and a beautiful story of friendship. Thanks for sharing.
Oh wow, this is totally amazing. I love the transformation.
Beautiful! What are the counter tops?
Sondra Kara’s countertops are a matte granite. Gorgeous huh!?
So perfectly beautiful, Kara!! I’m so excited for you as I think of all the sweet memories that you will make in that space. The feeding & filling of bodies, souls & spirits in the heart of your house. xoxo
Thank you, Julie! Those are exactly my dreams and plans for the space. I am so, so grateful for it all. You will have to come see it in person sometime!
I absolutely love this re-do. Everything that was changed was perfect. Love the lights, the sink, the floors, and this isn’t even my favorite style, BUT IT MAY BECOME MY FAVORITE. I know you will spend many happy days in this beautiful kitchen, and It is a fabulous room. Thanks for sharing! Gives me that look in my eye my husband hates! “Oh Honey, Guess what I’m thinking of doing?”
He runs for the hills… haha
Gorgeous! What a great make over!
Love the entire makeover! Would you mind sharing the name of the color of the island chairs. The pop of red looks great combined with the other colors in the room. Thanks for sharing!
Thank you so much! The chairs are from Pottery Barn so it is their signature red.
What a fabulous makeover, how odd too as I was dreaming last night about doing up my bathroom and planning it in my head and it involved black tapware and shower head. I do love the black detail in this kitchen.
Love it! That sink is my dream sink. Crossing my fingers we can find one when we remodel our kitchen this fall!
I can hardly believe someone actually has such an amazing kitchen. So jealous!
Your kitchen in amazing! I love the red canisters and they are just what I am looking for! Where did you find them at?