I had the first line of this blog post all written in my head. I was going to say, “I’m forty-four years old and I finally have a kitchen I love!” But, every time I typed out those words I deleted them again. And it’s not because I hate declaring that I’m forty-four years old!
It’s because, even though I’m so excited to be showing you my new counters and backsplash today, I keep thinking back to the first time I saw my kitchen. It was 2008 and we were touring the house with our realtor and I stepped into the kitchen and couldn’t believe my eyes. There was so much space! Yes, the cabinets were dark wood and yes the granite wasn’t what I would have chosen but, with a baby on my hip and a 5 year old running around, it looked like a dream to me.
There was a lot to love about my kitchen when it looked like this. So, I’m not going to tell you that it’s only ‘now’ that I love it. Now that we’ve painted the cabinets and put in new floors and updated the counters and the backsplash and the sink and the fixtures and the window treatments.
Instead, I’m going to tell you that I think there is something really wonderful about living with and appreciating what you have until you can get what you want without going into debt. Even if it takes a long time.
A few years ago we had the cabinets painted. Then we had the new floors put in.
This is how the kitchen looked after we moved here in 2008.
After the cabinets were painted
And FINALLY, twelve years later, it’s all done! And yes, I do love it.
We decided to go with honed quartzite for our countertops. It’s a natural stone and has a similar look to marble with the durability of granite. We ended up going with the honed finish since it has more of a matte look to it. After years of granite, I was ready for something with a bit less shine. This particular pattern is called ‘Taj Mahal’ and it looks SO different once its honed from how it looks in its original state.
Desk area when we first moved in
After cabinets were painted
Desk area with new backsplash
Appliance garage on counters when we first moved in
After cabinets were painted
And now! We had the appliance garage removed to free up more counter space and it just makes this whole area so much more open.
For the backsplash, we decided to go with a subway tile in varying shades of white. If you look closely, there are three slightly different colors here and we love the subtle effect it creates while also tying in the cabinet color to the colors in the quartzite.
I think…no…I know…that my most favorite part of this project is my new sink!!
We went with a basin style, undermount sink and I’ve never been so happy to do dishes.
My husband said that his favorite thing about the new sink is that it’s so deep that you can’t see the dishes that get piled up in there. 😉
Every time I come downstairs in the morning and head into the kitchen to get my coffee, I’m startled by how bright this room is now.
But, I’ll tell you something. The coffee tastes the same as it did when we first moved in and the kitchen had dark cabinets and 1992 granite tile counters.
It tastes the same as it did when we painted the cabinets and still had the old counters.
And for the twelve years that I’ve been turning the corner and coming into the kitchen to fill up a giant mug with coffee and a tiny bit of creamer, I’ve never once looked around and not felt immensely grateful.
Because while the look of this kitchen might have changed over the years, here’s what hasn’t…
Yummy meals prepared, baking sessions with my kids, friends sitting on the stools and chatting, impromptu dance parties, Saturday morning pancakes, lines of people wrapping around the island waiting to dig into a buffet of food set out, birthday celebrations and some of the most sacred conversations ever.
As we’ve slowly made changes and improvements to our home, I’ve recognized more than ever the truth in these words from Paul in the book of Philippians (4:11), “I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.”
When it comes to our homes, I truly believe that learning to be content with how it looks now is what helps us to not put off enjoying the beauty of the moments that are right in front of us. It keeps us from living in a constant state of “if only”.
And, if you have the opportunity to update your counters or paint your cabinets or change your flooring, you will be able to enjoy them while still putting them in the proper place in your heart because you know that they are simply the backdrop for the things that matter the most.
Thank you for coming along with me and my kitchen on this journey for all of these years dear friends!
I like both then and now! You’ve done a wonderful job updating, and I’ll always miss my white kitchen from a previous home.
I love every word you wrote. So we’ll said. I couldn’t agree more. Thanks for being real!!😊
This looks beautiful Vanessa!
I love your taste. Well done with all your selections 👏🏻♥️
Can you share where the kitchen blinds are from. I love them!
I absolutely love the changes! How perfect.❤️
Vanessa,
What a beautiful kitchen. I love Honed granite or quartz. I wish I had used quartz in my kitchen when we remolded. I could have gotton quartz for the same price. You have done a wonderful job decorating and I love your blog post. You are such a wonderful Christian woman and you talk it as well. So many keep quite about what Jesus has meant to them; I don’t know what we would do especially now; our hope is in the Lord. Can’t wait to see what you will be working on next. Keep up the good work and stay safe.
your blog friend,
jean
What a beautiful kitchen! And what a beautiful outlook! We have lived with our kitchen for 36 years, and it was dated when we moved in. We are finally getting ready for new cabinets and countertops. I’m so excited, but we have made the most of our kitchen through the years. We have painted the cabinets and made some minor changes in the past, but now I will have the kitchen I have envisioned since we first moved in. It will be worth the wait!
Did you paint your cabinets yourself? Did they have to be sanded?
The kitchen is beautiful, but even moreso are your words. Thank you for the good reminder. We live in a bit of a fixer upper. It’s been a long road as we have done most of the work ourselves and have not gone into debt to do it. It is so easy not get caught up in all that “needs” to be done. Really the most important work we do it out home has nothing to do with the space. It has everything to do with the people that live inside it. Thanks again for sharing your wisdom.
I am so happy for you. Your kitchen is truly beautiful.
Great attitude, too.
Have a wonderful remainder of summer.
Stay safe and well.
Thank you so much friend! I hope you are having a lovely summer and staying safe too. Blessings! 🙂
Beautiful words, beautiful kitchen! I agree wholeheartedly. Thank you for the encouraging words. The older I get, the more comforting the word contentment is to me. Thank you for making the end of my day sweet by taking the time to share your home.
Thank you so much Sherry! I appreciate your kind words! 🙂
Vanessa, it’s always so nice to meet you At The Picket Fence! Thanks for sharing your beautiful kitchen with us. Love what you have done. Love reading your posts. You always share such encouraging words with us. Bless you! Enjoy the summer and keep safe!
Love your heart and appreciate you sharing the blessings that continue…the people in and around the kitchen no matter what season or style. Your remodel is beautiful…really like the backsplash.💛
Thank you so much friend! xoxo
It is beautiful, but what you said about your kitchen then and now – “it’s the backdrop for what matters most”, is the best part 💕
Thank you for sharing!
Thank you so much Patty Anne! Blessings to you! <3
Your kitchen looks great. I’m curious if you have an exhaust for your cooktop? I can’t see one looking at the pictures. If not do you miss having one? I would like to omit one from my kitchen. Thanks
Hi Pk! We don’t have an exhaust for our cooktop in our island but it does have a fan built in and we have a fan in the ceiling. There wasn’t one when we moved in so I don’t know any different. I think because of where it’s located, right in the middle of the kitchen, it would be really awkward to have one but that’s just my two cents. 😉
This was fantastic. You really hit on what matters. Thank you!
Beautiful makeover Vanessa. Sometimes the best makeovers take the longest amount of time, and it’s always worth the wait.
Love the kitchen and your thoughts about enjoying what’s important all the time.
This story mirrors my own in so many ways! We purchased a watered damaged foreclosure in 2008, barely squeezing into our new home. Finally we were out of an apartment. We couldn’t afford much, so my hubby DIY the entire rehab. We repaired the kitchen cabinets, installed granite tile countertops and made it the best we could afford at the time.
Fast forward to me being 43, and we are finally redoing the kitchen. Hickory cabinets, marble mosiac backsplash, and black pearl granite sold slabs. I’m totally excited. We only spent $3,200.
I’ve always appreciated the sweat and love we’ve put into our home.
Congrats on your beautiful kitchen. Your story warmed my soul & brought back wonderful memories.