Hello!  I have been in Maine a lot in the past few weeks and have been enjoying the long days of summer with the family, but it has given me some downtime to dream about my kitchen project!  I thought I’d share some of my thoughts with you and show you what my kitchen looks like now.

Well, first things first.  Here is a picture of what I WISHED my kitchen looked like…

I love the white cabinets, the black countertops, the dark hardware, the pretty light fixtures and even the unusual paint color.  It’s just the look I’m going for…modern farmhouse!

Here’s what my kitchen looks like now…

It’s not that it’s bad, it’s just not “me” anymore.  When we first moved into this house (almost 8 years ago!  What?!?), I was blown away by how the previous owner had decorated.  It was everything my old house wasn’t…sophisticated, grown up, elegant; almost museum-like.  I LOVED it and went about trying to copy her style.  I even saved the pictures from the MLS listing to try and duplicate the feeling she had created.  But, as the years have gone by, I have become increasingly dissatisfied with my results.  I receive a lot of compliments, but I’ve come to realize that my house just doesn’t reflect my personal style.  I’m really just a California girl at heart…relaxed, laid back and fun!  THAT is what my home should be like.  A casual place you can feel comfortable putting your feet up on the furniture and not worry about messing anything up.  A place where pet hair on the sofa is no big deal and no one is too worried about spilling on the floor.  A peaceful place my family can retreat to at the end of a long day.   So, with that in mind, I’m ready to lighten up and refresh this space!

When we first moved in I told my husband that the backsplash was the only thing that I really needed to change right away.  That was the one thing about the house that I really didn’t like. Well, it’s still the same backsplash that was here 8 years ago.  So, that is the first thing I plan to change!  Even though I LOVE the inspiration kitchen, I’m not entirely sold on the backsplash.  It’s a classic, white subway tile.  For some reason I just haven’t been able to jump on the subway tile band wagon.  I’ve seen it in plenty of kitchens and it looks lovely, but it’s just not for me.  I guess I just need a little more color or pattern (or both!).  So, after plenty of hunting in tile shops I think I’ve found a winner!!!

This tile by Cosa Marble is absolutely gorgeous in person!  It has shades of gray, soft blue, sage green and white.   And, I am in love with the herringbone pattern!  I am thinking this is going to look great in my kitchen and will tie in nicely with the rest of my décor.  I plan to install the tile myself, so I’m doing my research!!  Thank goodness for Google!

Next, I plan to paint my cabinets white, just like the picture.  It’s really, really dark in my kitchen and I’m SO excited to see how fresh, white paint is going to change the space.  I am also toying with painting the island a different color.   I am loving the color “Sea Glass” by Benjamin Moore.  It’s a soft gray green and I think it will look great with the backsplash.   This is why I’m practicing my painting skills on various pieces of furniture throughout the house.  I’m still trying to get it right, so I don’t feel quite ready to tackle this part of the project yet.  I’m hoping by August I’ll be ready.  hmmm,  we’ll see!

I plan to leave my countertops as is.  They are currently a classic, black quartz.  I love how easy they are to care for and they are practically indestructible.  I think they will be a great contrast to the white cabinets.

For my cabinet hardware I plan to go for an oil rubbed bronze cup-style pull on the drawers and simple knobs on the cabinet doors, similar to these from Lowes…

 

 

On this wall I plan to make some big changes…

We never use the desk, so I plan to add a cabinet to the space under the drawers.  Then, I (by “I”, I mean a contractor!  I’m ambitious, not crazy!) plan to rip out the top cabinets and install open barn wood shelves similar to these I found on Pinterest…

I am in LOVE with this look and I think it will be a really cool place to display some of my knick knacks and plants.  By the way…I love the bamboo shades on the window, too.  Hmmm, something to think about!

I would also love to change out my dining table and chairs for something more rustic.  How great would this table and chairs be from Boston Interiors?

Lastly, I plan to change out the light fixtures.

They aren’t bad, I’m just ready for a change.  The problem is that there are SO many pretty fixtures to choose from out there.  Here are just a sample of some that I’m loving right now…

UGGGGHHH…Decisions, decisions!  Well, there are worse things in life to have to figure out, I guess!  Which one would you choose?

The next few months promise to be exciting (and perhaps frustrating) in the Quinlan kitchen!  I’ll keep you posted!!!