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At The Picket Fence with Vanessa Hunt

Where Ideas for your Home Meet Inspiration for your Heart

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    • Featured

February 20, 2017

Kitchen Makeover Reveal!

*I’m so excited to be sharing our kitchen makeover with you today!*

We had our kitchen cabinets painted in June. In JUNE!! And here we are in February and I’m just now sharing them with you.

#worstbloggerever

I had every intention of doing a full reveal, honestly I did. But, then we had the opportunity to have new flooring installed and we decided to wait until that was done and then there was so much craziness with the release of our book and then the floors were put in and then it was Thanksgiving and then it was Christmas and then it was January and I was just too tired to take photos plus it was super gloomy and dark which makes it really hard to get good shots and all I wanted to do was curl up and take a nap.

How’s that for honesty?

But then, last Friday, I woke up to birds chirping and the sun shining and decided, “This is the day!” So off to Trader Joe’s I went for some flowers and then home to click, click, click my camera and today I’m so thrilled to finally be showing you our kitchen makeover!

It’s come a long way, don’t you think?!

BEFORE

AFTER

Kitchen makeover with white painted cabinets

I think my mouth dropped open when I dug up the old photos and realized how drastically these rooms have changed! Not only was it so much darker but my decorating style has a much lighter touch now as well.

We saved our pennies to have the cabinets professionally done and I’m sooooo glad we decided to do it that way instead of trying to do it ourselves. The painter was able to use a sprayer to apply a primer and then two coats of the paint. We decided to go with a more creamy white rather than a very bright white for a softer look.

French Country style kitchen makeover

And once the darker floors were installed it really made the cabinets pop.

WAAAAAY BEFORE

AFTER

Kitchen with corner sink and windows with woven shades

Here’s the desk area BEFORE.

And here it is AFTER. I also had a thin piece of glass made to cover the top of the desk and protect the paint.

White kitchen with built-in desk

I can’t even tell you what it was like when we walked back into the kitchen after it was all done. It was like the heavens opened up and a giant light shined down and the hallelujah chorus was playing in the background. When you live in Oregon, you crave light and I don’t think I fully realized just how dark it had always felt in the kitchen until the cabinets were painted. Now, it’s like a burst of sunshine every day even when the sun isn’t actually shining.

How to decorate a corner sink area

We would like to have the counters and backsplash updated too at some point as they are original to the house (25  years old) but we’re going to have to save more pennies to do that.

Farmhouse style kitchen with white cabinets

I was so excited to partner with D. Lawless Hardware to replace the old knobs with these new beauties. And be sure to come back later in the week when I’ll have an awesome giveaway for you from this amazing hardware company!

For the sake of full disclosure, I have to tell you that I was almost tempted to not do this reveal until every.single.part of the kitchen was updated including the counters. But here’s the thing…I want to keep it real with you guys and real life for most of us means that we are only able to make improvements to our homes a little bit at a time. And if I waited until the counters were done who knows how long it would be before I shared this makeover with you!

So, while there are other things we would still like to do, we are perfectly fine pacing ourselves and not going into debt.

Because there’s nothing prettier to me than a kitchen that’s paid for. 😉

Well, what do you think? Can’t wait to hear from you! And as always, thank you so much for meeting me today at the fence,

Source list:

Cabinet Paint Color: Neutral Ground by Sherwin Williams

Floors: Epic Plus Arden Oak in Gunstock by Shaw Floors

Stools: Renate Linen Counter Stools from Overstock.com

Kitchen Table and Chairs Reveal

DIY Kitchen Island Makeover

66 Comments Filed Under: Decorating, Good Ideas, Kitchen Remodel Tagged With: decorating, DIY, kitchen

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Previous Post: « Farmhouse Style Table and Chairs
Next Post: Cabinet Hardware Giveaway! »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Linda Mossgrove says

    February 20, 2017 at 2:57 AM

    Gorgeous and so inviting!

    Reply
    • At The Picket Fence says

      February 20, 2017 at 8:45 PM

      Thank you so much Linda!

      Reply
  2. Jacqueline MacGregor says

    February 20, 2017 at 3:02 AM

    Oh my gosh….it is absolutely beautiful…….lovely, lovely. Well done!!!!! Jackie

    oh my gosh

    Reply
    • At The Picket Fence says

      February 20, 2017 at 8:46 PM

      Thank you so much Jackie!

      Reply
  3. Mimi Matthews Particular Passions says

    February 20, 2017 at 3:38 AM

    What an awesome kitchen and job well done. I know you just love it! And actually, I like the counter tops with it. The lighter color makes them pop too. Congratulations!

    Reply
    • At The Picket Fence says

      February 20, 2017 at 8:47 PM

      Thank you so much Mimi!!

      Reply
  4. Colleen says

    February 20, 2017 at 3:39 AM

    Very pretty and bright, but don’t forget to change that outlet on the end of the island. My eye went straight to it…😉

    Reply
  5. Gail says

    February 20, 2017 at 3:42 AM

    Really gorgeous. loving it.

    Reply
    • At The Picket Fence says

      February 20, 2017 at 9:26 PM

      Thank you so much Gail!

      Reply
  6. Lynn Jackson says

    February 20, 2017 at 3:55 AM

    What a transformation so clean and fresh what a kitchen should be. Twenty years ago I had all white cabinets installed never regretted it, but now after 20 yrs showing signs of age. I will get the cabinets repainted and walls repainted.. Enjoy your kitchen as much as I have also I have the colour of ” gunstock” hardwood flooring installed throughout my whole house. 🍒

    Reply
  7. Dinelle says

    February 20, 2017 at 4:19 AM

    Your kitchen looks great. What a big difference the color change made. Can I ask where did you find your bar stools?

    Reply
  8. laura says

    February 20, 2017 at 4:50 AM

    it looks amazing Vanessa!

    Reply
    • At The Picket Fence says

      February 20, 2017 at 9:40 PM

      Thank you so much Laura!

      Reply
  9. Leilani says

    February 20, 2017 at 5:15 AM

    GORGEOUS!!!! This is beautiful!

    Reply
  10. Rosemary says

    February 20, 2017 at 5:34 AM

    Just gorgeous. This makes me want to paint my cabinets even more. I’m trying to figure out how I could make room for an island.

    Reply
  11. Marty Oravetz says

    February 20, 2017 at 6:00 AM

    Stunning, the kitchen is truly stunning.

    Reply
  12. Summer Hensley says

    February 20, 2017 at 6:09 AM

    Oh My Word!!! Just beautiful!!! So much better!!! Bright and open!!! I think the counter tops and back splash look just fine. I don’t always like white, white, and more white, but this is gorgeous!!!

    Reply
  13. Paula says

    February 20, 2017 at 6:40 AM

    That’s a dramatic change, your’re right it really brightened up the room!

    Reply
  14. margaret says

    February 20, 2017 at 6:40 AM

    Beautiful transformation! Love it.

    Reply
  15. Mary says

    February 20, 2017 at 7:10 AM

    Thanks for “keeping it real”…..sharing the process of decorating in steps , keeping finances in mind. And I truly appreciate that you shared paint and furnishing sources.
    The finished product is so pretty and inviting!

    Reply
  16. Maria says

    February 20, 2017 at 7:25 AM

    I absolutely love your new white kitchen! It’s amazing what paint can do! And I love the fact that you are doing it slowing to fit within your budget. Well done!

    Reply
  17. Peggy says

    February 20, 2017 at 7:35 AM

    It was wonderful before, but it is gorgeous now!

    Reply
    • At The Picket Fence says

      February 20, 2017 at 8:38 PM

      Thank you so much Peggy!

      Reply
  18. Wilma says

    February 20, 2017 at 7:48 AM

    Wow! Is beautiful ! What a difference! We did our kitchen remodeling in stages too and for the same reasons.

    Reply
    • At The Picket Fence says

      February 20, 2017 at 8:37 PM

      Thank you so much Wilma!

      Reply
  19. Julia says

    February 20, 2017 at 7:51 AM

    Gorgeous!! I love a white kitchen and yours literally took my breath away when I saw the before pictures. What a difference! And I love that feeling of “paid for”!

    Reply
    • At The Picket Fence says

      February 20, 2017 at 8:36 PM

      Oh thank you so much Julia! And paid for is a great feeling for sure!

      Reply
  20. valarie sanford says

    February 20, 2017 at 7:54 AM

    You.are.amazing…oh, and so is your kitchen, ha!

    Reply
    • At The Picket Fence says

      February 20, 2017 at 8:36 PM

      Awww you are so sweet Valarie! Thank you so much!

      Reply
  21. Debbie Smith says

    February 20, 2017 at 8:06 AM

    What company did you use to have your cabinets painted?

    Reply
  22. Pat says

    February 20, 2017 at 8:28 AM

    It really is a dramatic change and just beautiful.
    Pat

    Reply
    • At The Picket Fence says

      February 20, 2017 at 8:35 PM

      Thank you so much Pat!

      Reply
  23. Lisa Mothersead says

    February 20, 2017 at 8:55 AM

    I love your white kitchen. I used to only love wood trim and cabinets. Then, we bought a house with white everything and I’ll never go back. My white kitchen is so special to me that I actually miss it when away from home. Kinda weird, I know. Congrats!

    Reply
    • At The Picket Fence says

      February 20, 2017 at 8:32 PM

      Thank you so much Lisa! 🙂

      Reply
  24. Susanne says

    February 20, 2017 at 9:13 AM

    Love, Love, Love

    Reply
    • At The Picket Fence says

      February 20, 2017 at 8:32 PM

      Thank you Susanne!

      Reply
  25. Michele (Finch Rest) says

    February 20, 2017 at 9:29 AM

    Vanessa, wow what a wonderful reveal! It’s so cheerful and bright and happy – wonderfully done, ma’am!

    And – just so you know – I think the backsplash and counters look awesome with the white. Seriously – until I read it all I thought you had just done it like that – it looks great together, truly!

    Love your kitchen, yippee! : – )

    Reply
    • At The Picket Fence says

      February 20, 2017 at 8:26 PM

      Thank you so much Michele! I say ‘yippee’ almost every time I walk into the kitchen. 🙂

      Reply
  26. MARY-ANN (FROM CANADA!) says

    February 20, 2017 at 10:07 AM

    Vanessa, what a beautiful kitchen! Enjoy! I, too, would just keep the counters and the backsplash! It looks like it was all a planned part of the reno project!

    Have a blessed day!

    Reply
    • At The Picket Fence says

      February 20, 2017 at 8:25 PM

      Thank you so much Mary-Ann!!

      Reply
  27. Karen Hobson says

    February 20, 2017 at 10:07 AM

    Looks wonderful. I love the white and freshness of it all.

    Reply
    • At The Picket Fence says

      February 20, 2017 at 8:24 PM

      Thank you so much Karen!

      Reply
  28. Shelley says

    February 20, 2017 at 12:35 PM

    nice update….we are going to be painting our honey oak 1994 bathroom cabinets this year…they need it and well, honey oak??? but hey it was all the rage back then…

    I do have a question….unrelated to your paint job…

    that outlet under the counter top on your island….how usable is it??? I know…weird the things I see….I had an outlet on the island in CO….couldn’t use it UNLESS I used an extension cord….so when we had new counter tops put on we made the island a bit shorter….same issue in the house….couldn’t use them….so now we can as we had the new counter tops shorter too….

    just wondering….LOL

    Reply
    • At The Picket Fence says

      February 20, 2017 at 8:24 PM

      Hi Shelley! We have an outlet on both ends of the island and they are totally useable just with the regular cords on our appliances. Having to use an extension cord would drive me nuts. LOL!

      Reply
  29. Gwen says

    February 20, 2017 at 2:18 PM

    Oh yes!! This shows the power of paint!! I giggle for I thought you had new counters and I went back to original photo to see!! And I thought Wow!! The counters look new !! It’s funnny how time flies. I moved into my house fifteen years ago!!! I can’t believe it. And so much to be done all of a sudden. Counters, bathrooms, exterior paint, and our house is tiny. How did the years go so fast?!! I think your redo looks great. You had very nice cabinets to start so I think that helps. The new hardware looks great. Our builder was so cheap none of the cabinets even came with hardware!!!! I’ve not even added any. After we get ours painted!!! Saving! You’re an inspiration

    Reply
    • At The Picket Fence says

      February 20, 2017 at 8:21 PM

      Thank you so much for your kind words Gwen! Everyone is saying that they love the counters and backsplash so it definitely has me rethinking whether or not we need to redo them. LOL!! Our original cabinets were really great quality so that was definitely helpful and yes, saving up and doing a little bit at a time is always the way to go even if it’s hard to be patient. 😉 Thanks so much for coming by today!

      Reply
  30. Bonnie says

    February 20, 2017 at 2:41 PM

    What lovely changes! I love white cabinets. Thanks also for encouraging me to wait until I can afford to make changes. That’s what I always try to do and I have to admit that sometimes it’s very hard to be patient and to make sure that I can do upgrades without going into debt.

    Reply
    • At The Picket Fence says

      February 20, 2017 at 8:16 PM

      Thank you so much Bonnie and I’m so glad it was encouraging to you to hear that we’ve taken our time with our projects as we’ve been able to afford them. I think it’s so important that we not ever make it seem like we are just able to redecorate and redo rooms on a whim but that we take our time and work within a budget. It’s definitely hard to be patient but so worth it in the end! 🙂

      Reply
  31. Gail says

    February 20, 2017 at 3:58 PM

    Stunning!

    Reply
    • At The Picket Fence says

      February 20, 2017 at 8:14 PM

      Thank you Gail!

      Reply
  32. Jane@Cottage at the Crossroads says

    February 20, 2017 at 4:49 PM

    What a dramatic difference, and I love your honesty, girl! So smart to pace the improvements as you can afford them!

    Reply
    • At The Picket Fence says

      February 20, 2017 at 8:12 PM

      Thank you so much Jane! I really appreciate it! xoxo

      Reply
  33. Kathryn Barton says

    February 20, 2017 at 8:30 PM

    Vanessa, this looks so good. With the whitish cabinets and new floors. Being we live in Oregon, anything we could do to lighten things up.

    Reply
  34. Gwen says

    February 20, 2017 at 8:49 PM

    As far as the counters go, photos cannot always tell everything so if you feel the counters are looking a bit like they need an update, just feel good that in the wait they are okay!! By all means do not let us by a pinch of an inch of view sway you🙀 Oh we like it when you inspire US!!! We would feel too powerful if we influence your artistic eye. I got a bit uncomfortable to think I’d negatively impacted your dreams —

    Reply
    • At The Picket Fence says

      February 20, 2017 at 8:57 PM

      No worries at all Gwen!! I SO appreciate your encouragement and support and it actually really helped me to get the feedback because we know that new counters are not happening anytime soon so its nice to hear from other folks that they agree with me that they look just fine especially with the cabinets all freshened up. Blessings to you!

      Reply
  35. Chel says

    February 21, 2017 at 3:43 AM

    Did you use a special cabinet painting compsny? I’m finding painters that want to brush them and not spray. I’m thinking this is going to be more prone to chipping. How have they been holding up to wear and tear for you?

    Reply
    • At The Picket Fence says

      February 21, 2017 at 8:01 AM

      Hi Chel! They weren’t specialists in cabinet painting but knew that spraying was the way to go so we didn’t have to push that issue. I would definitely only go that route because they have held up beautifully!!

      Reply
  36. Carol Reddin says

    February 21, 2017 at 7:36 AM

    Love the cabinets and floors, Vanessa! Can hardly wait to see it all! Love, Mom

    Reply
  37. Terri says

    February 21, 2017 at 1:27 PM

    I love it. So bright and airy.

    Reply
  38. Marijean Jenson says

    February 21, 2017 at 1:44 PM

    Stunning !

    Reply
  39. Margaret Allegretto says

    February 22, 2017 at 5:17 AM

    In a word…stunning!! Is there a special paint for cabinets?

    Reply
    • At The Picket Fence says

      February 22, 2017 at 6:44 AM

      Thank you Margaret! They used a primer first and then two coats of high gloss paint.

      Reply
  40. Shirley@Housepitality Designs says

    February 24, 2017 at 6:23 AM

    What a most beautiful makeover Vanessa….I have loved seeing your journey of transforming your kitchen and being conscious of your budget. A makeover that gives so many hope that they could do it too!….D. Lawless is the best!

    Reply
  41. Leslie says

    March 4, 2017 at 6:42 AM

    Stunning!!! I think they look brand new with that soft white and your kitchen is certainly brighter! The floors are gorgeous, as well. I appreciate you guys saving money for renovations like this instead of diving in head first in debt. My husband and I feel the same way.
    Blessings,
    Leslie

    Reply
  42. Susan says

    July 17, 2017 at 6:58 PM

    It is beautiful! Love kitchen sinks placed by corner windows!

    Reply
  43. Truly says

    July 21, 2017 at 5:38 AM

    Beautiful and the countertops look great as they are!

    Reply

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Happy Friday!! I’m working on a blog post to sha Happy Friday!! I’m working on a blog post to share all of the details of our family room shelving makeover but I’m super impatient and just had to give you all a sneak peek!! We are SO happy with how they turned out and it finally looks like I’ve always envisioned. Our quick fix years ago (scroll to see the before photo) never felt quite right but now? Soooo much better!! 🙌🏻 Big shoutout to our amazingly talented friend Matt @redemptive_woodworx for bringing our vision to life and doing such impeccable work.

I hope you all have a great start to the 4th of July weekend and make sure to check my stories later for Friday Funnies!
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I hope your summer is off to a great start too dear friends! 🪴
“And so with the sunshine and the great bursts o “And so with the sunshine and the great bursts of leaves growing on the trees, just as things grow in fast movies, I had that familiar conviction that life was beginning over again with the summer.” F. Scott Fitzgerald.

Happy first day of summer dear friends!! I can’t believe it’s been so long since I posted something new here but life has been crazy. I’ll have some new photos of house projects and life events to share with you soon but, got now, I’m just going to enjoy this gorgeous first day of summer after our ridiculously long, wet spring. ☀️
“It was June, and the world smelled of roses. Th “It was June, and the world smelled of roses. The sunshine was like powdered gold over the grassy hillside.” (Maud Hart Lovelace) 

Welcome June!
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Grateful today and every day for those who were vigilant to the point of death in the preservation of our freedom. May we honor their sacrifice by being vigilant too. #memorialday
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This is one of my most favorite projects from my b This is one of my most favorite projects from my book Life in Season! 

Because, if heaven has a fragrance, I’m fairly certain it smells like lilacs.

I think that somewhere along the way the verse in the Bible that said, ‘heaven will smell like lilacs’ just got lost in translation. But it HAD to have been in there at some point, right?

When I bury my head in the blossoms (which I absolutely MUST do every single time I walk past them), I immediately feel a stirring in my soul.

It seems like I wait forever for my lilac tree to bloom. Every year I anxiously watch as the buds begin to form on the branches and then when the blossoms finally burst forth I begin that agonizing process of deciding the absolute perfect moment to snip them and bring them inside.

And then, after all of that waiting and watching it’s just over…done. Because, unlike heaven, lilacs don’t last for an eternity. So, making my own lilac room spray seemed like the perfect way to enjoy their fragrance long after the blossoms have faded.

Here’s how to make it! Ingredients: Water, Vodka, Lilac fragrance oil. Directions: Fill spray bottle with 50/50 ratio of water to vodka. Add 12 drops of lilac oil. Give it a shake, spray and if the scent isn’t strong enough, simply add a few more drops of lilac oil.

Once you’ve made this lilac scented room spray you will be very tempted to spray it in every room in your house. And someone may want to use it in the bathroom to cover up other less…ummmm….pleasing aromas.

But, do not, I repeat do NOT, let them.

You’ve captured the fragrance of heaven in a bottle and you wouldn’t want to go and tarnish it now would you? 😉
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