We have lived in our home for a little over six years. And for a little over six years I have wanted to remodel the kitchen. I adore almost everything about our house…except the kitchen. I HATE the kitchen. Well, that’s not exactly true. I love the layout of my kitchen. It is nice and open. I have a great bay window with lovely sunlight streaming in. It’s a nice size, which is good since we have LOTS of parties and on most weekends you will find my kitchen full of friends.
BUT…I have oak. Lots of oak. Tons of oak. Oak cabinets, oak trim, oak, oak, oak. And not pretty oak. But builder grade cheap oak. And my friends, it’s time for the oak to go.
I have finally convinced Bama Boy to use our tax refund this year to remodel the kitchen…and you my loves get to come along for the ride. This will be a multiple post project because…well it’s a multiple step remodel. We are currently knee deep in beadboard, miter saws, wood putty and Greek Villa paint. We will be purchasing new (used) furniture, light fixtures and adding hardware to the hardwareless (is that a word) cabinets. We will be extending the cabinets to the ceiling, adding beadboard to the side, and building a window seat…and all on a tight budget…but I’m getting a head of myself.
I thought a sneak peek would be in order here so today I am sharing the first of many projects with you. We’ll call this project the:
“Tearing Out of the Ugly Planning Desk That No One Sits At and It Just Accumulates Piles of Paper Project”
Now you can’t fully appreciate what we did in this corner without getting the full effect of above mentioned ugly planning desk. We’re all about being real here At The Picket Fence, so here’s a real picture of how this area looked on most days…you have been warned.
It became the “catch all” for just about everything imaginable. I highly doubt there was a single “plan” hatched at this planning desk. Heck, I don’t think anyone had ever even sat in the chair.
Yep I pretty much hate (make that hated it) because it no longer exists in my kitchen! That baby got torn out
and the ugly oak planning desk that was not a planning desk has been replaced with this
Isn’t she beautiful? Actually aren’t they both beautiful? My beadboard and my new (very old) buffet! I’m in LOVE with them both. Let me show you a few more close-ups of the new love of my life. She is a whopping 65 inches wide! She spans corner to corner in this space.
The detail on her is just gorgeous. She has lots of curves and carvings. The wood is in near pristine condition with just enough dings and divots to give her character…and to show her true age! Also, please take a moment to admire the beautiful Alabama sign created from our newest sponsor At The Picket Fence, Andrea. This sign will have a special place of honor somewhere in my new kitchen but for now it is residing here…very happily I might add. 😉
I think her legs are my favorite! She has wonderful deep drawers and lots of space for all of the items that resided in my planning desk with plenty of room to spare.
No what makes me love her even more? I purchased her off of Craigslist for $130! I almost felt like I was stealing her. I assumed that anything I purchased off of Craigslist I would have to paint or refinish but not this beauty! She’s perfect just the way she is.
Now I need you all to help me decide what to put around her and on top of her.
Unfortunately there is a phone jack and a plug (you can barely see them behind the cookie jar and platter) that are visible. For now I just threw some things up there. I am thinking two lamps on either side and something tall in the middle to cover the plug. I hate to do that because there is lovely carved wood right in the middle of the buffet but I am a huge cord/plug hater. So they’ve got to go away.
(yep. gotta love the stuffed horse hanging over the banister and the two pups at the front door waiting to be let out…I told ya we keep it real around here)
I’m also wanting to put some open shelves above the buffet. I would like one long one and two short ones with some nice heavy brackets. I think I would like them white and antique them. Then I could place some white dishes and some antique pieces I own. So do you have any thoughts or suggestions on some additions to this space?
I’d love to hear them!
For those of you who love to see the “how to” steps for these projects, I will be putting some posts together with step by step instructions for each project we completed.
Stay tuned for Part 2 of a Kitchen Remodel on a Budget when I reveal my new favorite spot in the kitchen…I’ll give you a little peek…
This post is linked up to:
Saturday Spotlight
Between Naps on the Porch: Metamorphosis Monday
The DIY Showoff: DIY Project Parade
My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia: Tuesday’s Treasures
The Lettered Cottage: How To’s Day
DIY by Design: Swing Into Spring
Savvy Southern Style: Wow Us Wednesdays
Whassup Wednesday
Open House Party
French Country Cottage: Feathered Nest Friday
Stuff and Nonsense: Fridays Unfolded
Saturday Spotlight
Between Naps on the Porch: Metamorphosis Monday
The DIY Showoff: DIY Project Parade
My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia: Tuesday’s Treasures
The Lettered Cottage: How To’s Day
DIY by Design: Swing Into Spring
Savvy Southern Style: Wow Us Wednesdays
Whassup Wednesday
Open House Party
French Country Cottage: Feathered Nest Friday
Stuff and Nonsense: Fridays Unfolded
How exciting! 🙂 Can’t wait to see how this will all turn out! Love it already!
Hi Heather, that buffet is really gorgeous and $130…WOW…you are right, what a steal. Can’t wait to see the next phase of your kitchen makeover.
Marianne 🙂
Hi Heather…love the new look. How can you go wrong with beadboard? Your
buffet is incredible…and I am SO jealous of your window seat! Can’t wait to see the finished product. Have a great week. ~Ann
This is going to be good can;t wait to see it all done
Pattie
Heather a kitchen makeover is always so exciting!! Love the beadboard and love the buffet,can’t wait to see the window seat, heck I can’t wait to see the finished product!! Stop on by and ck out my giveaway when you have a chance. Martina
Oooo… I can’t wait to see everything! It all sounds so stinking fabulous! We painted our oak nightmare and it was the best decision we made for our house.
And your new Craigs List find totally reminds me of the buffett I have in my kitchen! It was handed down to us by my husband’s parents and I LOVE IT!!! It swallows up anything you could imagine stuffing in it 😀 I made some chalkboard panels to hang over mine which I love because you can change it up with the season or type of party you’re having.
Here’s the link to my kitchen if you’re interested.
http://westermanfam.blogspot.com/2011/01/kitchen-makeover-i-love-you-paint.html
Shelley
Gorgeous Heather, just gorgeous. I love the buffet..and the beadboard.
Heather- That buffet is gorgeous…a wonderful old piece. I love it! And, I like the horse over the banister…it is better than a cat in the toilet!
Remember building your bench to make it no higher than a chair seat if you want comfortable sitting..and if you are going to add a pad on top..allow for that. I am telling you this because they built ours so high that the only one that can sit on it and fit their legs under the table are the babies in the group.
Happy work week! I am still traveling~ xxoo Diana
OMg, I am insanely jealous right now. $130 for that beautiful piece of furniture??? I am only one state away, you let me know if you find another and this GA girl (pregnant and all) will come and buy it! LOL! Thanks for sharing!
I’m going to love this. I love makeovers, especially on a budget.
That piece looks similar to one that I have in the gargage lounging in the unfinished project pile. Mine just didn’t turn out to be of a good quality. Either that, or I’m lame and can’t do anything right.
Probably a combination.
Beautiful, Heather! I love how the new piece pops against the beadboard! And, your possibities are endless for above (beautiful mirror with plates hung on the painted part above the beadboard) … shelves … a big piece of artwork. Whatever you decide will be perfect!
Already lovin’ the window seat … can’t wait for the reveal! *Becca*
This is going to be so much fun Heather!! Can’t wait to see how this is all going to come out! Great find in that buffet too! Wow! 🙂
That buffet is beautiful. I’d love to remodel our kitchen. It has the ugliest, cheapest white cabinets. I’ll just dream along with your remodel.
love.her….and she fits at though she were made for that little corner…can’t wait to see the rest.
blessings,
alison
Love the buffet! And you can never go wrong with beadboard. It always looks so pretty. I can’t wait to see your remodel!
Love that piece. She is GORGEOUS!! I can’t believe you found her on craigslist and didn’t have to do a thing to it. I can’t wait to see what you have created in the bay window area. I’m sure it’s going to be amazing. Hope you share this at tonight’s party.
I love the buffet! It’s gorgeous. I can’t wait to see more of the new kitchen! I want to remodel mine too. The house is only 7 years old so I’m having some trouble convincing the hubs that it needs it. Hopefully soon!
I love it! Kitchen remodels are my favorite and they can make such a difference. Love the buffet! I can’t wait to see more!
Heather,
I love the direction your going with the kitchen. I can’t believe the transformation-the beadboard,the buffet…so great! I despise plugs/cords too. I’m notorious for positioning pictures over counter outlets. I used wood outlet covers in my kitchen and treated them as part of the beadboard-they’re not completely disguised, but they’re bearable. Have a wonderful day.
Ann-Marie
So fun to re-do the kitchen…It’s going to be great. 🙂
Absolutely love both!!!! They are so beautiful together…have fun with your remodel….Picket
What a great idea! Love the wall treatment and your piece is beautiful! The dark wood really warms your corner with all the white! I was initially thinking a bit of mirror somewhere, but who couldn’t use more shelving! I can’t wait to see what you do on the walls…I’m sure it will be beautiful!
Blessings,
Cindy
Wow that looks great. Good for you for not being afraid to remove the desk. I can’t wait to see what you do!
Heather,
Love that buffet! And the beadboard! Looking forward to seeing it all in person.
Mom
Gorgeous! What a stunning piece of furniture!
Looks beautiful! That buffet has so much character! And I’m so happy to see the Sweet Home Alabama sign has found a home. 🙂
Love love love!! I’m so excited for you! We’ll have to have another get together at your place so we can see the new kitchen in person. 😉
Love the shelves above the buffet idea. It’s exactly what I have in mind for a certain space in my kitchen. I’m currently in search of the perfect buffet.
First of all, love the “Sweet Home Alabama”Sign since I live in AL…Sylacauga…small world. 2ndly, love the buffet and the height of the beadboard is awesome. Cant wait to see the next reno pics.
Tiff
How fun and exciting Heather!! I LOVE your buffet, she is beautiful! Love the beadboard and I can’t wait to see how things unfold! Loving the window seat already! 🙂 Have fun!!
I am so glad you linked up this gorgeous project. Can’t wait to see the window seat.
What a gorgeous piece of furniture! It really takes that corner from boring to beautiful! Shelves would be great, too! You can never have too many shelves! ♥
hiya , i love what you have done here , the bead board is gorgeous and the desk is to die for , visitng from diy by design
tfs
xmaggiex
She’s gorgeous Vanessa. And you did get her for a steal! Great job girl. Love the kitchen so far!
xoxo,
Kim
She’s gorgeous, Heather! What a great find! I’m so excited to see your kitchen makeover. The beadboard is beautiful and the window seat teaser will have me coming back to check often at your progress! I know it’s going to be fabulous! 😉
Thanks for linking up your transformation to the DIY party!
Roeshel
Looking good so far…can’t wait to see the rest too! I really want to build a bench in the bay window in my kitchen too, are you going to post a tutorial on how to build one?
Thanks everyone for your sweet comments! We are excited about the transformation!
@Ann-Marie, thanks for the hint on the wood outlet covers, I will get some of those. Now if the would only make invisible electrical cords we’d be set! 🙂
@thecrankyqueen. We miss Alabama so much! We are huge U of Alabama fans.
@Jessica, yep I will post a step by step tutorial on building the window seat so stay tuned including how to accommodate an air vent, which we had in our bay.
Heather
Heather your buffet is truly gorgeous!! Don’t know how I missed this post!
I agree with all the others…the buffet is so beautiful. I can’t wait to see everything! It is going to be amazing.
That buffet is TDF!!! I love that you removed your desk. We have one of those too but ours is smaller & crammed between 2 walls. I would love to throw out our cabinets & put something else in there!
What a beautiful buffet, Heather. Beadboard just makes everything better! I’m hoping to add some to our kitchen, soon! Love the direction you’re going! Can’t wait for you to share her all complete!
Have a wonderful night! 🙂
Hi Heather! Remodeling your kitchen is so exciting and I hope you will share the progress with us. Love, love the buffet and the beadboard! Thank you so much for joining my Open House party and good luck with the remodel.
Hugs,
Sherry
Heather, I know you are so excited to have your kitchen project started. Love the beadboard and love that buffet. Gorgeous. I would put a larger lamp on it and a nice piece of artwork over it. Shelves would be fine, but I think a nice picture wouldn’t take away from such a pretty piece of furniture. Thanks for joining WUW.
WOW, do I love everything you’ve done! What fun, and how sweet of you to invite us along for the ride. 🙂
Just stopping back to say thanks for sharing at FNF! 🙂
Love it! That buffet is great! FYI–it is probably from the late 1930s to the early 1940s. It is a mismash of styles centering on Jacobean. It appears to be mahogany–probably a veneer over solid oak–that’s how they did it, then! I’ve actually seen a nearly identical piece where the veneer was in such bad shape, it was removed and the wood underneath was finished–can’t do that with Ikea stuff! Ha! It is beautiful! I really love the beadboard, as well! I just finished remodeling my kitchen on a very tight ($1,200) budget….I was able to get new cabinets and a dishwasher plus a super chic custom range hood! If you haven’t already, I’d love to have you stop by! Now following (or following back, as the case may be–I’ve gotten almost 100 new followers in the past few weeks and I’m overwhelmed trying to visit and thank everyone!)
Happy Blogging!
~Mikey @ Shabby French Cottage
http://www.shabbyfrenchcottage.com
I’m in love with your space & your bead board looks amazing. Why not cut some words out of black vinyl in an antiquie looking font to go above the beadboard?