April 10, 2013

before and after: farmhouse kitchen

Are you there reader? It's me, Margaret Elizabeth.

So of course I have to begin with an apology. I tease y'all on Friday and then leave you hanging. Uncool. I'm sorry. Life got in the way. But if it makes you feel any better, my tar and feathering is scheduled for 4 pm today. You can come watch if you like.

Luckily I've got some good eye candy to make it up to you. Let's have a little before and after, shall we? Everyone loves a good makeover story.

It starts like any good story does - a cute little family buys the perfect house. But the house has a dark side. Or, a dark kitchen. Oh the horror.


Metal cabinets. Bad roll on floor. Three different doorways into a small galley and one single ceiling fan. What's not to love?


And who is the genius that forgot to line the sink up with the window? Pitiful.



The layout was just wrong. The counter space was just wrong. Everything was just wrong.

The family wanted to open the space into the dining room, not only to create better flow but to make this kitchen feel larger. They also wanted the kitchen to have a farmhouse feel.

Ask, and you shall receive.


With the plans in place the kitchen was gutted. Soffits were removed, an extra doorway was closed off, appliances switched positions and the wall between the kitchen and dining room was knocked out to open up the space. I love a good puzzle and this space was really fun for me to rethink and reconfigure.  Like a giant game of tetris.


After several long months of work, my very patient clients now have one saucy kitchen.




The space between the dining room and kitchen is much more open now, but still gives both areas their own defined space.


Buffalo check on the dining room chairs is picked up again with the roman shade in the kitchen. You can read more about the dining room chairs I recovered here.


The cork board was a simple DIY project I previewed on Instagram (follow me here). I'll share the tutorial as soon as I can write it up.


I love the side by sides. Let's have some fun shall we.





I love it when a story has a happy ending.

Like what you see here? I can do the same for you. Let's talk.

48 comments:

  1. Wow! So amazing! You are one talented lady!

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  2. Oh Wow! I really love this! You had me with gingham and polka dots! But they look very grown up! You have a gift, girlie!
    xoxo Elizabeth

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  3. incredible job Elizabeth! This is an amazing transformation. Love the buffalo check window treatment!

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  4. those are the floors i want!!! LOVE! where are the tiles from or what brand if you don't mind sharing? pinning this beauty!

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  5. That is quite the update - they must be thrilled. It looks completely different and light and bright. I can't tell from your photos if the window was replaced over the sink or not? The buffalo check is the perfect farmhouse touch while still feeling current and classic. Well done!!

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  6. No freakin' way! This is spectacular! I've been working with some blue and white gingham myself, so I squealed when I saw the roman shades and new dining chairs.

    Cancel that 4pm appointment for tar and feathering. You have more than made up for your absence with this one!

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  7. Unbelievable! Seriously gorgeous...you're forgiven for the blow off!! I love the metal base/wood top table and of course a buffalo check can do no wrong in my mind! Well done sister!!

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  8. It was worth the wait!! Fabulous job Elizabeth, you captured modern farmhouse charm perfectly!

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  9. Looks amazing Elizabeth! Job well done!

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  10. No Way, Eliazabeth, THIS IS THE SAME ROOM????
    Wow, what a great transformation!!!!

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  11. Oh my GOSH this looks incredible. You should be proud of this client transformation Elizabeth. Totally worth the extra couple days wait!

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  12. Hear that? That's Elizabeth knocking another one outta the park!!!!
    : )

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  13. Wow! This looks great Elizabeth! love how you changes the lay out of the appliances as well! Love it all and that dining re-do is the bomb! Cool as can be! Just a quick question, ar thos floor tile? thanks!

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  14. I love a good before and after story on a kitchen! This is fantastic!

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  15. Awesome! Absolutely love it all but I'd have to say that my favorite part is the buffalo check! Again... super job!

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  16. Gorgeous!!! I bet they never leave their kitchen now.

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  17. This is awesome, Elizabeth. Love everything you did in this room and I love how the new tile flows into the hardwood floors in the dining room. The buffalo check is perfect in both rooms.

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  18. What a great makeover!! Love it! xo Kristin

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  19. Oh Elizabeth it's fabulosity!! Love the warm countertops balanced by the cool cabs and floor. Much better layout and so open to the dining area. Great job!!

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  20. I'm sure they are madly in love with it and want to spend every waking moment in that stunning room! I just don't understand why you got rid of that lovely tile that ran up the walls. Tee hee. Just kidding. That was horrific.

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  21. Amazing transformation!! What a beautiful space it is now. Congrats on a job well done! And how funny, I used to love Are you there God is Me Margaret....so silly.

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  22. I've seen some hideous "before"s in my day but yours just might take the cake! It was just plain sad. Love the way you got rid of the soffit. Looks great!

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  23. AMAZING! Elizabeth, you dun good, as my mom would say. I love that you moved the stove and hood to be a feature for the sight line from the DR. So bright and open! And I love all the little details like the buffalo check and the pendant. Congratulations on a job well done!

    -Lane

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  24. Oh my goodness this is an incredible transformation! I think kitchen stuff is HARD. My entire kitchen needs to be reconfigured but it makes my brain hurt to think about it. Tetris is not my strength!! I'm so impressed, Elizabeth! Your client must be thrilled!

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  25. OMG Elizabeth! Those buffalo check dining chairs slay me. Amazing!

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  26. What a great transformation! I love how the space turned out--I think we may have done the exact same sink, counter top, and tile/grout combo in our old house :) love the darker floor too! You did a great job!

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  27. It is a lovely transformation... But I have to ask: What happened to the metal cabinets? I hope they got re-homed because I know quite a few modernists who would have loved to get their hands on them! Great looking new kitchen for your clients though. I especially love how open looking it is. :-)

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  28. Wow- amazing transformation! My jaw literally dropped! I love all of the materials used and the new configuration! :)

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  29. Perfect! I love this transformation! Great selections, textures, and color!

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  30. Gorgeous! That is my kind of kitchen; and it really illustrates that you don't need to have a humongous kitchen for it to be fabulous and functional. Great job - I bet your clients couldn't be more thrilled.

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  31. Oh my...what a wonderful transformation! You done good girl. Love the subway tile and that farmhouse sink, and how you opened up the kitchen to the dining room. I was never very good at Tetris...you are a master!

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  32. Ok I seriously would not have believed this was the same space. It is really kind of AMAZING. Love all of your design choices!

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  33. I absolutely love it! (The subway tile and and that fab little table are my favorites.) Wonderful job!

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  34. OMG. Amazing work my friend! I love the butcher block, the white cabinets...really I just love how it all pulls together so beautifully! Congrats!

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  35. Wow! Gorgeous remodel, so simple and sweet!

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  36. Love it all E! Have I mentioned how cool it is to watch your fantastic talent shared with all the world?! I only wish you would be in KC to help me when we find our new house.

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  37. Goooorgeous!!! I love it all, from your reconfiguration (genius!!) to the classic choices in all the details. Brava, gal, brava!!

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  38. this is AMAZING. I love it so much - such a transformation. and seriously, who put the sink completely to the side of the window? I love on a good roll on floor though. they just scream classy. I can't wait to have one in my future home. (I jest.)

    http://itsthelittlethingsblog.blogspot.com

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  39. Oh my GOD. This is amazing!! You are so freaking clever my friend, unbelieveably good. You are so HIRED baby. That kitchen rocks my sweet sweet world!! Come over and help me with my house!!!! xxx

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  40. love all of it! so much more functional and pleasing to the eye. way to go ms. awesome sauce!

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  41. please be serious. GORGEOUS!!!! what a transformation!

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  42. Are you kidding me?! This is amazing! And I love your story telling technique. They all lived happily ever after :) How could they not-its gorge!

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  43. Beautiful job. What an amazing difference! The new kitchen is adorable and so much more functional. Fantastic!

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  44. This looks amazing!!! You did a fabulous job, I love the butcher block + subway tile! So classic!

    Dominique {Comfycozycouture.com}

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  45. Love seeing the transformation, beautifully done!

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  46. Oh my...what a wonderful transformation! You done good girl. Love the subway tile and that farmhouse sink, and how you opened up the kitchen to the dining room. I was never very good at Tetris...you are a master! best cotton sheets , cheap king comforter sets ,

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