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Wednesday, July 13, 2011

renovation photo-story: the kitchen



While researching "before and in-progress" photos for our Renovation Style magazine feature I realized how much of the process and the pain I had forgotten ( blocked ;) and if "I" had forgotten, then I was sure you had too!  I know there is a wonderful, crazy;), amazing, crazy;), lovely, crazy;) bunch of you who have gone back and read through each and every post (I really need to send each of you a merit badge :), but I also know some of you have only seen the finished photos of rooms.
So, in case we've made this appear too easy, or made you think renovating an antique farmhouse is fun and romantic I thought I'd show a little reality check!  I have decided to pull the "photo-story" of each room together in one post and I'll start with the kitchen.  Having over 10,000 photos of the renovation (literally) this is no small feat- this post took me about 7 hours to research and compose!
If you have a weak stomach I suggest you look away in the middle of this post, or maybe just come back next time;) cuz... it ain't pretty!  Some of my posts are a sentence, some a paragraph, .... this one is a novel ;) 
So... grab a cup of coffee, a glass of wine, or maybe some Pepto Bismol.....

here we go!

The farmhouse had been for sale (and vacant) for 4 years by the time we purchased it.  For a brief couple of months there were renters in the house (later evicted for not paying rent) and they decided to stay at the house during our showing.  As I recall they were making.... meatballs  - lovely.  These first photos are from that very first walk through in the house.  (please note the built-in cabinet seen in this photo for reference throughout this post)
We combined the original small kitchen in the farmhouse and the ell (the connector between the farmhouse and the barn) to make our new kitchen.
When we found the house, the whole kitchen (except for the refrigerator) was in what is now our kitchen dining area.  The original room was too small for the frig, so that was in the ell as you can see in this photo.  This transom would one day be moved to over the pantry door!




View standing in the original kitchen looking into the ell.




These original (very steep) stairs came down from what is now our master bath (specifically the shower) into the ell on the first floor.  They were removed in Phase I of the renovation.  The countertop area you see in this photo is where the range is now.




Behind the closed door was an oddly placed full bath on the first floor in the ell, right behind the kitchen.  The radiator is where my kitchen sink is now.




The original kitchen after the renters moved out- view from kitchen into the ell.  While they might "look" okay in the photo, the cabinetry was extremely flimsy and cheaply made.  I think the granite was an attempt to put lipstick on a pig!  To recap, we took this room with the cabinets, knocked down the wall the cabinets are on and included the space (the ell) behind it to make our new kitchen!




Through the doorway where the range is in this photo will become the see-through fireplace from the kitchen into the formal dining room.  You can see a hint of the hardware from the built-in cabinet.  The wall to the left of this door is approximately where the kitchen island sits now.




Directly behind the range is the fireplace for the formal dining room.  (Ironically I had this very range in Dallas (which I loved;) , I took it as a "sign" when we found the house, even though I knew I would be replacing it!)



This is the kitchen to the entry (looking into the reading room).  I show this photo as I love the painted piece of plywood wall on the right;)!  Are you starting to think we must have been crazy yet?!




We take possession (or maybe, more accurately the house possessed us;) and the very next day the walls between the small kitchen and the ell start coming down.  Notice all the plumbing and pipes which are now in the middle of the new room and must be moved.  The two windows on the left will be replaced with french doors.




The other side of the room facing the barn.  You can see the stairs that we removed in the left corner of the photo.




The kitchen "mock-up" before plans are given to the cabinet maker.




My future windows over the sink are outlined in blue tape.



Future Sub Zero corner of the kitchen.  The door that is covered up is then moved to "kitchen mud room" that is directly behind the refrigerator.  The 6' x 7' mudroom and the half bath (photo to follow) was the only square footage that we added to the original footprint of the house and barn.  The mud room square footage is two-storied, housing the master bathroom washer and dryer closet and toilet upstairs.




But, first....
due to structural issues the whole ell was taken down and rebuilt on the original foundation.  Windows are being removed for demo.  Photo was taken from the now courtyard!  You can see the foundation footing for the half bath in the left corner.






Demo...




That upstairs closed door on the left is the door from the master bedroom into the master bath.  The opened door on the right is the door to the guest bath.




Note the built-in cabinet in the corner.  Are we having fun yet?!





It's gotta get ugly, really ugly before it gets pretty!




Gone...





The re-build begins.  Oh- and don't forget the snow! Doing a full-house renovation in the middle of a New Hampshire winter is, well.... crazy.






Then, to make it really sporty- right in the middle of the project there was the little event known around New Hampshire as "the ice storm of the century."  
This is our drive up to the house.




We were soooo grateful that our one hundred-year-plus maples that line our drive were spared.  The hole on the upstairs of the house is where the electrical lines were ripped off after a tree fell.  Electrical lines have since been buried;)  These photos still make me cringe.




The ice melted.. work continued.  View from the courtyard.




View from the back of the house.




Framing for the new kitchen facing towards the barn.









The range has been removed and the fireplace has been taken down.  Originally the fireplace only opened into the formal dining room.  There was significant damage to the fireplace, so we decided to remove it thereby opening the space to fit a see-through gas fireplace.  This decision also allowed us to take down the chimney upstairs that sat in the middle of  two rooms allowing us to then open the master bedroom into one large room.
Having a fireplace in a kitchen has always been a dream!




The original bricks were then reused to face the fireplace on the kitchen side. The original mantel on the formal dining room side remained intact.





The hunt for countertops began...  Stone fabricators partner with other fabricators who carry different stock, so there is a network of locations to visit to find your perfect piece of stone.  We even made several trips to Boston to look for marble. This is a daunting task since you can't compare them side by side when they're in different states and I'm one of "those" people who want to look at every single "X" the store has to make sure I'm getting the best one!!




You can see the framing for the kitchen mud room in this photo (right side.)   The mud room has a downstairs washer and dryer.




Here you see the added half bath for the first floor. This is the other square footage (along with the kitchen mud room) that we added to the original footprint of the house.  This bath is accessed from the barn room.




The new fireplace.




Fireplace being faced using the original brick.








Shingles being applied to the exterior.




The courtyard shingles are next.




Custom kitchen cabinets sit in the dining room awaiting install.




The wood ceiling going in, or rather "up";)




Cabinets being installed.












The farmhouse sink has arrived!



Electric going in.





My bianco Venatino marble at the stone fabricators with the template I placed for cutting.




Installed!



I designed the custom french doors- signed off on the spec sheet to my exact measurements, only to have them show up wrong (left side....bottom panel way too small for scale.) They remade them.  You can see how the door on the right has much better scale.




Wood beadboard backsplash and brackets added.




The top pull is original to the house, an antique iron pull from the built-in cabinet.  After much searching, I found the exact reproductions, only in brass.  I painted them matt black to match the iron of the originals and used them on the island.




Cabinets had board inserts for glass until the cabinets were painted.  My cabinet maker always sprayed the cabinets for a "perfect" finish.  I didn't want a perfect finish- I wanted the cabinets to look original, so I had them hand-painted on site.  We used antique glass for the kitchen cabinets that came from original windows removed in the renovation- one hundred and fifty year old wavy glass!  love!




Eastern white pine floor boards stained and with first coat of tung oil.





 The Wolf arrives! 




The fridge arrived about two weeks later as it was on back order.  Renovation fun!!




First occupant in the Sub Zero.... a bottle of Veuve Clicquot!  Cheers!


The freshly painted kitchen.



The unpacking.




The finished kitchen:












the end....
or rather,  the beginning!!

160 comments:

  1. much older sister SusanJuly 13, 2011 at 11:57 AM

    I don't see that much of a difference. heheheh

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  2. i read the WHOLE thing...and LOVED it all...first, i LOVE seeing the doggy bed in the kitchen :-)

    the ice on those trees was beautiful...but i bet it made your heart sink..it would mine...the kitchen is just lovely...we redid our kitchen too and added the beadboard...which i LOVE...love the champagne in the fridge...it was well deserved...i know how much work that is... i have been there too..at times. i found myself just sitting down and crying in frustration...but it's worth it in the end !!!!

    it's BEAUTIFUL !!!!!

    sending love,
    kary and teddy
    xx

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  3. hi Kary! you are so sweet! your badge is on its way ;)

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  4. All I can say is WOW!!!!! That is so amazing but now I know you must feel so worth all that y'all went through. You have the most amazing kitchen.

    Carolyn

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  5. WOW! I never knew what work you had to put into it! I'm exhausted just reading about it. In the end its one of the most beautiful kitchens ever, so I'm sure it was worth it to you!

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  6. I love seeing the step-by-step process. What an amazing transformation! Definitely well worth it!

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  7. Still, my favorite kitchen of all time! Loved seeing the process of how it all went together. I must back away from the sledge hammer, as I want to gut my kitchen now! It's like you read my mind of all the elements that go together creating the perfect kitchen. Wood ceiling. Wolf range, Glass front Sub-zero. Marble counter. Beadboard backsplash. Black hardware.
    Then there is the fireplace! Oh. My God. I never tire of your kitchen and am preparing a post of kitchen vignettes, including my own and including yours (if that's alright). I love your vignette to the right of your refrigerator.
    Thanks for sharing Joan. Looking forward to seeing the magazine too!
    xo Delores

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  8. I bet many tears seasoned and consecrated your home during this renovation... it's so beautiful it literally brings tears to my eyes. We are planning our own kitchen renovation next year, and although I know my finishes will not be as grand as yours, I hope that you will think find flattery in the fact that I am hoping mine will look exactly like yours does. It is what HOME should be.

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  9. Carolyn- thank you so much! we've been talking kitchens and cooking for a long time, yes?!

    lolling- I'm 'still' tired;)

    rtalberts- thank you!!

    Delores- me *blushing*:) thank you! and, of course it's alright!

    Melissa- Yes, many tears;) I am indeed flattered, and honored; thank you

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  10. Wow, that's something else! It turned out beautiful! I can not imagine going thru such a process. You are braver than I am! LOL

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  11. freaking FABULOUS

    Judy in Ft Worth
    joodieg@charter.net

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  12. Perused it all...PERFECTION!

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  13. Again, I say - absolutely BEAUTIFUL! And, it really makes me appreciate what I thought was the daunting task of building our own home (and my husband is a GC!).

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  14. Oh I am in heaven reading and seeing these details. How rewarding to have the "perfect" kitchen in the end. Do you cook often? It's a magical space. I look forward to seeing the rest of the house details. I think I am obsessed with your home. It just seems to have everything I love in every room. ( including Ella) :)
    xoxo Dianne

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  15. Oh how I ahve loved seeing all this!!!!!! It brought back memories of building this house. That was 27 years ago!!!!!!!!!! I would LOVE to take a sledge hammer and knock down the entire kitchen and start over. My taste (and budget) ahve changed so much and YOUR kitchen would be my DREAM!!!!!!!!!!!!! Oh how I love, love, love this kitchen and every single element in it! Thank you so much for all the time it took to do this post. XOXO, Pinky

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  16. P.S. I forgot to say how much I love the skirt under your sink! That one little touch made such a difference!!!!!!!!!!!

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  17. So beautiful. Amazing transformation!!

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  18. absolutely amazing. Thank you for sharing the transformation. I utterly adore your kitchen (and every other room in your house)

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  19. Thanks for such a thorough job and showing all the gritty details. Anything worth doing always takes time, sweat and tears. Might like your style even more than Bunny's. And her barn is about my all-time fav.

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  20. Oh my you all went through ALOT to get to where you are now, but it was totally worth it! Looking at your kitchen is like looking at a magazine, it is simply GORGEOUS!!!! You have such an eye for style. I would love to cozy up by that fireplace and have my morning coffee!! Congrats on the magazine shoot!

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  21. ..incredible...simply incredible...as well as beautiful...but the most amazing thing of all...your vision...it is one thing to want something to be...but to have the vision and fortitude to create the thing is somthing else entirely...something extraordinary...and that is what this renovation is all about...an extraordinary vision...of an extraordinary house...by extraordinary people...

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  22. i am beyond loving your blog. i never miss a post and did indeed read the entire thing. i searched all of northern ontario for conks( my family loves them too), have a new found love for japanese fishing floats and look at the pictures of your kitchen and master bedroom over and over.
    Keep up the amazing inspiration

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  23. Wow! Yes I also discovered your blog a couple of months ago and I was one of those readers who had to read every post.! Your home is amazing, and you have certainly put your heart & soul into it. Thank you for sharing these new posts with us. What a great idea. I'm in bed with Flu- yuk, but your post today has cheered me up no end. Sally xx

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  24. Your kitchen is absolutely spectacular. I love your style (as it is very similiar to mine). I adore the crisp, clean white but with rustic elements. Nice, nice work !!!

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  25. I have only been reading your blog for a month or so, but I get so excited when I see a new post pop up in my feed. I love all of them - the finished rooms, the stories of where pieces came from, and makeover! I really hope there's a book somewhere in your future...
    Sarah

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  26. You have MY kitchen - give it to me!!! j/k I absolutely love it. Such a beautiful job. Do you go in there every day and just stand for a minute appreciating it?

    If your house was old, I'll bet that bathroom used to open directly onto the kitchen and someone walled up that doorway. That's what happened in my house cause I couldn't stand to have the bathroom door in my kitchen. It's now at the far end of my mudroom/laundryroom & I'm sure someone down the road will want to know why someone put a bathroom in such a strange place!! lol

    Enjoy your very beautiful space!

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  27. Oh my gosh, I think I love it even more now that I see everything you went through to get to FABULOUS!! Amazing, Joan. As always, your attention to detail is inspiring.
    Cheers to a job well done!
    Heidi @ Show Some Decor

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  28. Your kitchen is my dream. I live in an old house and we made some cosmetic changes before we moved in. We want to do a kitchen renovation in a year or so. Our contractor says we should just rip off the entire back of the house. Looking at your pictures gives me the courage to do it. Thanks for doing this post.

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  29. Oh my gosh...I had to remind myself to breathe while looking at your beautiful kitchen! Wow! Love everything, little and big about it! I could go on and on and on....you get the point! i love it!

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  30. Hi Joan,
    Of course I've read every post from the beginning! I loved seeing the whole renovation in one post...you two have done an amazing job on your home. It's stunning...has there ever been a time with no reno going on?!

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  31. Thanks for sharing all these pictures with us. It's really neat to see it from start to finish. Your kitchen is simply stunning. Curious though--do you have undercabinet lighting? We're refinishing our kitchen and I'm still deciding if I need undercabinet lights.

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  32. WOW! Love you kitchen (and your whole home)!. We live in a Century Ontario farmhouse which I grew up in and now retired to. So much fun doing renos and your home is an inspiration. Thanks for sharing!!!

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  33. Oh this is amazing!! I stopped by a few times but not like this..um I will be reading much much more... your kitchen is delish! Your home is wonderful...

    Veronica
    www.tasselsandtwigs.blogspot.com

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  34. Meg- did you find any conks?!

    Sally F.- thank you and hope you feel better soon!

    Anne- I bet you are absolutely right!

    Sarah- "no reno"??... I'm sorry, that doesn't compute... no renovation- what does that mean?!! Seriously, not really... there was a year between Phase I and Phase II, but that doesn't mean we were sitting around eating bon-bons;) just meant workers weren't here everyday!

    Kat- I do not have undercounter lighting. Personally I prefer small lamps on counters and then a few (key is few;) down lights for task lighting.

    Thank you All for your very kind comments!!

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  35. I can't believe you had to demo that whole area. What a drag that must have been.

    Anyway, aside from all the loveliness, I really liked that old staircase, particularly that the stairs extended beyond the door. I've only seen that in one other house. It's too bad it had to go. It was a really quirky detail.

    I know. I'm weird.

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  36. Steve- not weird at all, I did too (or maybe we're both weird??)! still think about it! I probably would be dead now if we had kept it though- I seriously can not describe just how steep and tall the steps were. Would have loved to have had back stairs!

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  37. wow. what drean you have created. we redid our cabinets and counters new farm house sink about 7 yrs ago now wow how time flies. took me 2 weeks just to decide on cabinet placement. didn't even change the foot print or any of the appliances. of coarse this was way before i knew about blogs.but was a labor of love and today i still like all of my choices the farmhouse sink was my splurge, we did butcherblock counters love them. stone was way out of budget.also my house didnt want white cabinets in the end would have looked out of place .

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  38. This is the most beautiful kitchen I have ever seen. You did a wonderful job of keeping with the character of the home while creating a modern day kitchen.

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  39. I would very much like your kitchen, please and thank you! Especially that stove. I die.
    I learned how to cook on a gas stove, and one day my fiance (who loves to cook even more than I do) and I WILL have one.
    In the meantime, I'll drink gin and tonics and lust after yours.
    -Allyn

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  40. Just too beautiful! Love every detail.

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  41. Amazing. Would you be willing to share the cost of this whole renovation?

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  42. joanie, you guys amaze me. your vision and the perfection in your details is stunning. just stunning. you def deserve this magazine layout.

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  43. Your vision is amazing! I love the details like the repros of the original handles and the recycling of the wavy glass. It makes such a difference. Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful!

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  44. Oh I love it all! There have been several homes I would love to do this sort of redo on except that 1) I don't have the money and 2)probably not the patience. LOL! I too read the entire post! Thanks for putting it all in one post for those of us who might be kinda new to your blog. So very nice!

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  45. We don't have much experience with renovations. So, I hope you don't mind but, I have a few questions. I'm new to your blog so I haven't read all your post. You might have already answered these questions.Did you design it yourself or did you have an architect? Also, did you have a construction manager or did you and your Husband oversee the whole project? I know it's alot of work but, would love to be able to do this one day. Thanks, Olga

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  46. I love a good before/during/after. This is amazing. You are so brave to take on this project. The final results are fabulous!

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  47. Hi Joan
    I'm one of the crazy people who have gone back over your posts. It's great to have the story all together. Have a great day still very cold here
    Kind Regards
    Karen

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  48. Your kitchen is my favorite of all time. Unless maybe if you do ANOTHER (did you faint?) kitchen and I like that one better!

    I want a kitchen just like this when I grow up!

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  49. WOW,,you are so lucky to have such a beautiful house!! It is one of my favs!! I visited your blog many times while we were working on our "little" kitchen reno...I hope you will stop by the country to check it out, your welcome anytime! Have a great day!

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  50. well you know what they say,"No pain, no gain! I would certainly say that you gained a beautiful space! I dream of a bright beautiful kitchen!! Thanks for sharing!

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  51. Insane in the membrane. And I thought our mini add-on was a nightmare to live through. Ha!

    You are cooking in my dream kitchen. Lucky duck, you. :oi

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  52. P.S. This is all over my kitchen Pinterest board. :o)

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  53. Gee I,m pleased theres not too much to redoing a kitchen!! Yes I think I will go ahead with my plans for a kitchen redo - looks particularly easy!!!!! Two questions - could you let me know about the wolf oven and the name of your psychiatrist used in the process!!

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  54. Hi, Joan! I live in Dallas so I really love reading a blog about such a beautiful home, owned by someone who had the courage to do what I have always dreamed of....Move to the northeast! Everytime I read your blog I sit in awe at just how beautiful your taste is. It leaves me speechless (and a little jealous) :) Please don't ever stop writing this blog and teaching all of us how we can live with such style.
    Lindsay
    Dallas, TX

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  55. I love this post! I love seeing the real before and afters with all of the good bad and the ugly! Thank you for showing how much work your beautiful home really is/ was.

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  56. Wow, what a story! There are so many fantastic decorating blogs....yours' is my very favorite....love every choice you have made.....and the story that goes with it...LOVE IT! Thanks for sharing all the details, gore and all :)

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  57. anon 5:16- sure! I'd LOVE to share the cost; how much would you like to send?! I could set up a Paypal account if that would make it easier!

    Olga- I don't mind at all. I designed the kitchen myself. We did not use an architect. We did use a general contractor.

    Anne 2:43- I'm so sorry, I forgot to answer this earlier. The answer is YES, I do go into the kitchen often and just stand there! I take it all in, am grateful and very much appreciate it all! I also get to see it through all of your eyes- all of the wonderful, generous compliments make me see it through fresh eyes and I stop and really look at things and see them new each time. That is a huge gift! So, thank you to you and to ALL of you!!

    leah- what would you like to know?! the range is dual fuel with a convection oven. The psychiatrist's name was "Dr. I.M. Crazy", and his assistant was "R.N. Dirty Martini" - could not have done this renovation without both of them!! :):)

    Lindsay- oh, I remember that feeling well of wanting to move... I hope your dream comes true too! thank you for your sweet comment.

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  58. Joan, once again, I"m amazed! Found your blog several months back and have been following ever since. Yes, I have read all your back posts... thank you! We have just started renovations here and your kitchen is my inspiration! LOVE your cabinet hardware... where can I find it?

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  59. Joan, your kitchen was the first room of your house I saw and fell in love with. So great seeing and reading about the renovation of it. I noticed you did have cabinet doors under the sink and now have fabric. Love it with the fabric. You have all the things I would love in a kitchen, but I have to live with what I have. I do like my kitchen, but would love some changes and it isn't happening any time soon or ever probably.

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  60. I have another question. Were you living in the house during all the renovations?
    Dianne

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  61. Absolutely beautiful......looks like a magazine!!

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  62. Jamie- If you click the "details of the finished kitchen" at the bottom of this post it will take you to the original post of the kitchen details. There you will find the link to : House of Antique Hardware! I was really impressed with this company.

    Kim- you have a very good eye! yes, I removed the cabinets door (much to Dan's initial chagrin;) when I realized that long line of cabinetry really need the softening element of a skirted sink!

    Dianne- NOOOOOO!!! We lived in two rental houses during the renovation! Everything we moved from Dallas remained in boxes for over a year :O!

    Ironsotne & Pine- thank you,and hopefully soon;)!!

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  63. Joan, wow!! What a process you went through, but you have arrived at perfection!! Kathysue

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  64. Still love seeing the red in the rug with the red knobs on the stove! Yes!

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  65. You may have discouraged a weak soul from ever considering half such an incredible adventure, but the truth needed to be told!

    Perfection worth the wait!
    Congrat's,
    Barbara
    The Treasured Home

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  66. Just wanted to know why you chose the wolf. It is not a common oven in Australia but I see it a lot on American sights. Is it worth the money?

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  67. oh my, what a journey!!! such an amazing effort of love, sweat and no doubt tears - amazing work!!!

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  68. hi leah- from my research over the years (been eyeing a Wolf for a long time;) I found it to have the higher approval rating from people who actually own one, or have had other ranges and now have a Wolf. I adore mine, and as far as is it worth the money?? well, that's too subjective to really answer- there are many ranges that can cook your food just as well, but this one is really a pleasure to use and it's not to hard on the eye;) So for me, yes it is. but, perhaps it would not be worth it for others.

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  69. You know- I think you are the most talented blogger out there. AMAZING. Just amazing. As always- thank you for sharing. As I said before I love your site!!!!!! IT is my favorite escape during my day!!!!! Have a wonder NH day.

    Lynda

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  70. Absolutely stunning!! The first time I came across your blog, I could not stop looking at the pictures of your kitchen...and then the rest of your house...I went back through your archives and just couldn't take my eyes away. You have such a wonderful talent and how amazing to transform this beautiful old house into such a masterpiece...and then get to enjoy each and every day!! Thanks for sharing the story of the kitchen!

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  71. eh....I gues it's ok.




    I KID! It is phenomenal what you went through...what beautiful vision! I have to say I have never seen "mock-up" cabinets like that...what did you use??

    Cheers!!

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  72. I always admire people who can 'see' the finished space that they want, and then suffer thru the reno....I am strugggling with that as we look at old houses for our next move, I have a severe lack of vision. I hope you DO write a book so I can shamelessly copy your ideas...Rosie

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  73. I so enjoyed reading your novel, it has everything - plot, suspense, tension and finally, victory! Love it all the more for the battle~

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  74. Joan this is so lovely to see your progress...having read your blog from the beginning i feel like I know this renovation so well...You kitchen is truly magnificent...Congratulations again, xv.

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  75. Thank you all SO much!!

    Linda- it is rigid foam insulation (HD/Lowes). used the blank side (without the brandname) so that it wouldn't be distracting;) really helped to "see" the room!

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  76. I love the linen skirt you've added under the sink, replacing the doors. What a difference it makes! There isn't one thing I'd change; it is very, very fine! Inquiry:: Could you please share whether the wire basket with wooden handles, on your kitchen counter in the last photos, is an antique or something currently available" I've been looking for something similar, with wood spool handles, but haven't found it yet. Thanks.

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  77. HI found my anxiety levels rising looking at all the work....I have worked on 2 houses while living in them..much larger than yours..one had squatters in it & took 6mths to evict (UK law urrrgh) they had totally smashed the place up..ripped all the period fire places out.....Never again I told beloved!!

    Now only do houses that we don't live in....

    Your home is stunning and the way you set out the rooms are a visual delight....I have started to look at silver..especially trays....in a different light....have you a secret to keeping them tarnished free?

    I am off to check out the rest of your blog...I have nipped in & out in the past. Ida

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  78. Joan, Dan, and Ella: I never tire of reading about this room...sheer perfection! Cindy

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  79. This is the best post of the week! It is an amazingly beautiful renovation. I wanted to give you a heads up: We are excited to be included in HGTV's Freebie Friday giveaway tomorrow. We are giving away a cool Asian lacquer coffee or low side table in one of 5 color options, so come on by for a chance to win!! Its worth upwards of $500.00 so its our biggest yet.
    Good Luck!
    Liz

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  80. Lumen Drops- the basket is an antique we found in France. here is a similar one from a fellow blogger... farmhouse wares! http://www.farmhousewares.com/wiregatheringbasketset.aspx

    ida- sadly, I don't know of anything that keeps them tarnish free;) I use Wrights Silver polish for general maintenance.

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  81. Hi Joan!!!
    I read your blog last night and before I could leave a comment, my son kicked me off because he needed the computer. (teenagers...can't live with them...can't live without them.)
    I wanted to let you know how much I LOVE your blog!!! Thank you for taking all that time and energy gathering the pictures together.
    I must tell you that I get a "HAPPY SMILE" on my face whenever you post a new entry. I check everyday to see what wonderful things you have going on.

    I have two questions for you...

    1. How did you attach the skirt under the sink???

    2. What are a few of the blogs you like to visit??? (Notice, I didn't say favorite because if your bloggers are like me... they read all the comments too. AND I don't want you to hurt anyones feelings.

    If you're ever in California I'd love to hire you to see what your vision would be on my house. (Or you could just visit.) :0)

    Thank you for all your inspiration!!!
    Rebecca

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  82. Joan, thank you for sharing the story of your restoration. Your kitchen is amazing; your fortitude and vision are equally amazing! There are so many elements that I love, but I wonder if you could tell me where you got the sweet little wicker dog bed?

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  83. You deserve a medal for living through the remodel. (I've barely survived a kitchenette build for a casita)

    Great choices, you should be proud that your design turned out sooo beautiful, and clearly far more functional.

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  84. I recently found your blog .. don't remember how, but I am totally in love with your home! Thanks for this terrific post. I have been slowly going back through your posts and love seeing your house transformed. I don't know if you have talked about the history of your house, but I hope so .. I may not have found it yet. I just love old houses and when people restore them and seeing the progress. This kitchen is too die for and I would love to have such a huge window over my kitchen sink and look outside :) Karen CA

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  85. Oh my. What a delightful revamp. I have been following your blog since the holidays but I still greatly enjoyed this recap...in fact I went over to get my husband to read it as well. I think he got overwhelmed :) We both sighed when we saw the finished photos of your kitchen. It is beyond stunning and exactly what our taste would be if we knew how to describe it :) Enjoy your blog immensely. Pet Ella for me ~

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  86. Rebecca- 1. the skirt is attached using a very thin extension rod. 2. if you look towards the bottom on my sidebar you'll see all the blogs I peruse regularly! 3. And, I might just call you the next time I'm in California ;)!!

    Suz- the dog bed actually belonged to Ella's "sister" before her. I've had it for so long, I honestly don't remember where I found it... sorry.

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  87. trica- thank you! I "love" hearing of husbands who look at the blog!!

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  88. Joan this is just extremely beautiful. May I ask what your background is? Architecture or interior design? I know that kitchen design is one of the most difficult to do....wonderful job!

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  89. Just gorgeous!! What a journey, but so worth it!!

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  90. Steph- I have a degree in Advertising from UT Austin ;)

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  91. HA! I love Austin....guess I should have gone there for advertising. ;) Well you have a glorious gift, my dear!

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  92. One of my most favorite kitchens ever. LOVE the brick fireplace.
    :)

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  93. Oh my goodness me you really have had an over haul of a renovation (the mess, the stress - yikes) but its so worth it your kitchen looks amazing

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  94. Hi Sweetie-I think you missed the H from ell! Fabulous, fabulous post, but I almost felt myself looking away in embarassment when your beautiful house was stripped back to her knickers. Is of course now, the Belle of the Ball.
    Millie xx

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  95. Wondering about the color of the stain on the floors? I'm wanting to do pine in the house we are renovating and can't seem to find a stain I like, but this I think is wonderful.

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  96. Simply incredible !! I absolutely love seeing the transformation of your kitchen !! Your vision is amazing !!

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  97. I absolutley love your kitchen. I'm glad you took the 7 hours to put this post together as it is worth it to see it all from start to finish. I love the dining area with the fireplace and the quirky door on the wall that has shelves inside. Beautiful!

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  98. Holy smokes. I will never complain about how much work ANYTHING around my house is... ever again. I am just amazed, really - at the work and the result. I love everything about it! Huzzah, Joan, seriously!
    xo isa

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  99. Just Wow! I'm exhausted thinking about it all! You surely went all the way with it! I would have been frightened when you tore that middle section away! That must have been trying to go through. Your attention to detail is amazing! I love how you spec'd the exact spot on the marble and I love the marble! Things like not letting them spray paint the cabinets really make a difference! Your sister is funny haha! No big difference! LOL.. maybe if you were wearing welding goggles!! I've admired this project for some time now but what always sticks in my head is the wonderful people you worked with. I've been through building two houses and one remodeling job so I know what it means to have "good help". You certainly found a great crew of people to have do the work! Kudos! Liz

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  100. This was a fabulous post (as everyone else has said!). The next time I ask my husband to help on a little project around here, I should show him this so that he can see what some people go through! I have one little bitty question...you painted your brass hardware matte black...can you tell me what paint you used, and if you did any special treatment to the brass before painting (and how it is holding up too please). Thank you so much for your graciousness in sharing your beautiful space with all of us.
    kelly

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  101. Loved this post. We've been through the process of building 2 homes, but I think renovating an older home is much more work....the end result of your reno is just breathtaking!

    Jeannette

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  102. Hi Joan,

    What a process! Now I know what you meant when you said that having the bones to the house is what counts. Through all the stress and patience you (likely) had to give, the space is magicial.

    Ashley (hookedonhickory.blogspot.com)

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  103. L.Walker- you can find the stain formula on my sidebar under "my paint and stain colors"

    Kelly in Georgia- First, I should say that I purchased the unlacquered pulls. I cleaned them with mineral spirits to remove any oils and then primed them with a metal primer. I then topped with a matt Rustoleum spray, also made for metals. They have held up beautifully. I expected to have to do touch ups often, but have only done them once in two years- and there were only a couple of tiny spots at that. I just spray a little bit of paint in the cap and use a cheap throw-away brush to hit any spots. I have been really pleased with the results.

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  104. Wow I didn't realize you guys did demo but it turned out really great! Like you we saved our pictures from the ice storm and it's surreal looking back on them. FYI, your maple trees are probably only 40-50 years old the diameter of them would be much bigger if they were older.

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  105. so so generous of you to share the entire journey like this, joan. i think my favorite feature is the fireplace. i love that you re-used the old brick! that intimate hearth area looks like the perfect place to make a ton of sweet memories.

    michele

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  106. Wow, that was some journey, with lots of twists and turns, but it all turned out so beautifully!!!

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  107. Took me time to read most the remarks, but I really appreciated the post. It proved your efforts and I am confident to just about all the commenter’s here! It’s always nice when you can not merely be enlightened, but additionally entertained!

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  108. Debra- I'll be sure to tell our "arborist" who trims the maples since he is the one who told us.

    michele- thank you!!

    Mary- yes, lots of twists and turns for sure!

    Essay- thank you leaving your comment. I really appreciate it. I agree, it is a bit entertaining now looking back on it;)

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  109. wow, it turned out just beautifully!!

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  110. Oh my word its beautiful!! I have looked for years for a kitchen to show my husband thats close to my dream and this is it!! Thanks for the inspiration.

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  111. Oh my goodness, you are heroic! What tremendous determination you had. I am impressed. You clearly had a strong vision and made it come true, not unlike Michelangelo: “Every block of stone has a statue inside it and it is the task of the sculptor to discover it."
    Bravo!

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  112. Sounds like childbirth...you forgot the pain! Ha. It was so worth it.

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  113. I'm glad I'm not the only weird person on the planet who wanted their kitchen cabinets hand-painted so the brushstrokes could be seen. No sprayed perfection for me, either! Kitchen is gorgeous.

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  114. thanks for taking the time to share your renovation story. I love stories like that! For all of the work it ended up beautiful!

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  115. I was wondering if you purchased the seagrass rug in your kitchen locally or via the internet? Your's lays so nice and flat, I'm looking for one for my living room. Hope you don't mind sharing your source. I'm absolutely awestruck by your gorgeous home. You're extremely talented!

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  116. Queen Vee- Welcome! I am always happy to share my sources... the rug is from Lowes, and you can find all the info for the rug and the kitchen here.... http://fortheloveofahouse.blogspot.com/2011/01/kitchen-details.html
    or
    by clicking on "kitchen" under TOPICS OF INTEREST on my sidebar and scrolling down to the kitchen: details post!

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  117. Thanks for posting all the photos. It made me feel as if I was there during the complete renovations. It was a big work with a tough job to do and finish, but everything are done perfectly. Thanks much for sharing.

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  118. OMG!!!!! Your kitchen is STUNNING. It deserve to be in a magazine.Love evrything on it!

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  119. Looking at your kitchen renovation post is like dying and going to heaven for me! What a stunning job . . . I have major stove envy! LOL!!!

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  120. Wow.....what a gorgeous kitchen and all I can say is....can I come and just sit there and drink a cup of coffee and take it all in? :o)

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  121. Oh I have such admiration for your kitchen. If I could choose any kitchen to have for my own, it would be your kitchen. Yur taste is superb! But alas, I will never have that kind of money but will be content with what I have and use a few of your tricks such as the bead board back splash! I can do that if nothing else. You are very blessed.
    Blessings
    Gmama Jane

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  122. Absolutly love your kitchen and would love to know what kind of soapstone you used. I have been searching for the right one forever and the one you chose is really nice.

    Thanks,
    Kathryn

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  123. Good morning. I found your kitchen on Pinterest!! It is just lovely!! Love the mix of the white marble with the black countertops. Can I ask what the black countertops are? Soapstone? I also have a white kitchen and was considering something similar. I was also considering zinc. Any thoughts?

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  124. Tracy in Missouri- if you click on the photo of the kitchen on the sidebar, then scroll down to the bottom of the post and click on "the room details" it will take you to the post that has all the information about the kitchen!

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  125. Wow! I just seen the link on pinterest to your kitchen, Its amazing. Great Job. Lots of hard work for sure! Great detail

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  126. Found your blog a couple of weeks ago. Spent Saturday reading ALL of it. Today, is Tuesday and I am rereading the details. Now I have an understanding of what you started with in your home and can appreciate your beautiful work. Look forward to new posts everyday.

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  127. Where in the world did you find those gorgeous pendant lights??? I love both the ones over the island and the sink! Great kitchen!!!

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  128. Wow. I love your kitchen! I am fascinated to know how it connects to the rest of the house. Could you, or have you, posted a floorplan of the entire house>? I'd love to see how you arranged the spaces. Great job!

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    1. laurel- thank you! if you go to my sidebar and find "post topics" then click the word "floorplan" the post will load on your page.

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  129. You have an elegant house... every detailed was well planned... I believe all these beauty reflects a person's perspective in life. Thank you for sharing these to us.

    storage wa

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  130. This is a gorgeous kitchen! We are in the process of building a house and I am using this as inspiration! What color stain did you use on the floors? Also what type of counter is on the perimeter cabinets?

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    1. Floor stain is on my sidebar under "my paints and stain colors" and the counter tops are soapstone.

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  131. I am looking for kitchen inspiration as I begin the process of redoing my own, and also am trying to learn what questions to ask. Your kitchen is an amazing example of consistent design and detail! I noticed that your upper cupboards stop just shy of the ceiling -- do you mind if I ask why? I've never considered doing that, and would love to learn the reason you chose to do so!

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    1. hi Danica- the reason for that is because the ceiling of the original farmhouse was slightly off from the ceiling in the newly constructed ell. It was most obvious over the cabinet that has the canisters on the counter, so to "fool the eye" into not seeing that discrepancy we lowered all the cabinets just to the height (since they have the same doors and horizonal lines in the doors) where the difference is no longer an issue. Hope that makes sense. I actually really love the effect. It also mimics the original crown mouldings throughout the farmhouse which are set just down from the ceiling as they can accommodate art hooks which were popular in the day so you didn't have to put nails into the plaster walls.

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  132. Wow, I have to say that your kitchen is just absolutely stunning. The kitchen design and kitchen makeover is all crisp and wonderful. All I can say is good job!

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  133. Love it ! really creative stuff! Awesome guys!

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  134. I want to thank you so much for your inspiration (via your pics)...
    We are going through the same kind of process and seeing that backhoe bucket doing a demo on your house gives me great hope that every time I see a backhoe bucket doing demo on my new/antique house, someday it will be just as beautiful as yours turned out~!
    Thank you for inspiring me... It is beautiful!
    Blessings from Utah~!
    (=

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  135. I grew up in NH and have lived in Maine since college. I have done a lot of kitchens and have one in my future (2 - 3 years). I mean, a lot of kitchens!! And I am jaded. I cruise thru thousands of photos on Houzz, thinking "yuck ... yuck ... yuck ..." I'm telling you all this because I want you to know - your kitchen (and your house) are very, very special. Thanks you so much for sharing. You are talented. AND, as one of 3 sisters, I think the very first post on this page is one of the funniest things I have seen in a long, long time!!!

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    1. Thank you Susan, that is a huge compliment! Ahhhh sisters, what can I say?!!

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  136. Amazing work!
    Very inspiring!
    Congrats and thanks for sharing.

    ***
    Have a nice week.

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  137. This is incredible kitchen renovation work! I can;t wait to use some of the ideas for my house in Bowen! Thank you for sharing!

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  138. Here in Salem OR, we just hired a home remodel contractor to help us out with our kitchen and living room and so far, everything is going great! I really like what you've done, though! Did you do it all yourself?

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  139. Love the way this kitchen was restored. I can't believe how much expansion was done. It looks incredible.

    Ansel Marvin | KWR

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  140. Fabulous job on your kitchen remodeling .Everything looks great, good choices you had.I also want to do the same as you had on your kitchen but i want to know the budget about how much its costs. I wouldn't spent too much.

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  141. Perhaps the most beautiful kitchen I have ever seen (and I've seen a LOT of kitchens)!

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  142. So in Love with your kitchen! Would you please share the name of the soapstone for countertop??
    Looking for 2 slabs to replace our 22 year old tired cream tile in our kitchen!! Thank you so much!!

    Thank you!!

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    1. I don't know the specific name, I'm sorry. I believe it was from Brazil, but even that I am not positive.

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  143. Its simply outstanding the material, wall color combination with furniture everything is perfectly and beautifully done. Really you turn your dream home into reality. Well done! Thanks for sharing.

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  144. What an amazing journey! The pictures tell it all and I had to go through them again. Stunning results! Congrats!

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  145. Hi there! A lot of time has passed since you originally posted and I've read and read, lots of great info! Could you possibly tell me what the dimensions of your kitchen are? It looks very similar to our layout in our new home but the architect says he doesn't think we have room for an island after looking at yours I think maybe we do!
    Thanks so much for sharing!

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    1. All info on the kitchen can be found in this post and in the comments ...http://fortheloveofahouse.blogspot.com/2011/01/kitchen-details.html

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  146. I adore the brick wall and wood floor with the white walls and furniture. I think you did such a good job! I wouldn't complain one bit if my kitchen looked exactly like this! Thanks for the inspiration!

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  147. This is the most beautiful kitchen I have ever seen. You did a wonderful job of keeping with the character of the home while creating a modern day kitchen.

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  148. Joan, Any tips on moving the appliances? Is that a special type of dollie with the SubZero on it? We have just purchased our kitchen set and I'm nervous about how we're going to get the 7ft tall 600lb fridge into the house safely! ~Miranda

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Welcome! Thank you for leaving a comment; you have no idea how much your comments inspire me to keep writing- I appreciate each and every one. Comments are moderated by me prior to publishing on the blog, so if you don't see your comment post immediately it will be posted as soon as I receive and read it. joan