kay’s house : the kitchen

A few of you may remember the post I did about two months ago: a bathroom for my friend. Today, we’re discussing the possibilities behind her kitchen. Kay’s kitchen. I think it’s fun to say that out loud, because it would make one awesome business name, especially her own. She’s kind of a master chef, so her favorite room in the house is getting a bit of a makeover, as she is slowly but surely doing every room in her home…and I get to help her!

First things first: Kay’s {And John’s} kitchen has a wonderful layout, with plenty of storage and great potential to be a real charmer, in the heart of their home. When John {aka welder man} and Kay first moved in to their home, they stained these cabinets and trim themselves. They love the finish, and prefer more of a rustic look, but Kay is also looking to bring a bit of her own personality in, to not only lighten and brighten, but give the space a bit of feminine spunk. My vision for their home is to add a little eclectic farmhouse to all the rustic. We know from this post, that sometimes these can make the most interesting spaces, right?

John and Kay have lots of fabulous antique and vintage pieces, both collected, and passed down, from their families. I think that one clever solution for this room would be a great way to display these pieces, while still keeping it super functional when all is said and done.

The kitchen has a bar on the other side of that sink for serving and eating, as well as an eat in area {below}.

So, without any further rambly ado: here’s what we came up with:

1. First things first…I think you know what I’m going to say about those cabinets. 😉

I’d love to see some corbels like ours underneath. But instead of white, stained the same dark color. {Available for around ten dollars at Home Depot} It’s a minor investment, and not only gives the cabinets more architectural interest, but more of a customized, built-in look.

Before they do that, however, I’d love to see most of the doors removed from those top cabinets. If they’re game {and it’s a risk, though not much of one, because if they don’t like it, it’s reversible} this will seriously lighten that space.

The dark wood is so heavy on the eye right now, along with the dark countertops, and I’d love to see some of that lightened up. The kitchen has zero backsplash, and I want to see a white bead board in that area that wraps itself around the cabinet area. To preview a little of how that contrast would look, check out the oh-so-clever Sarah’s kitchen {Thrifty Decor Chick} and read more about it, here.  Isn’t it gorge?

…Only for Kay’s kitchen, picture it with the dark corbels, and most of the doors removed. I’d love to see items like those mason jars displayed ever so prettily with some of Kay’s collection of vintage plates, and some baskets for added textures in those cabinets.

Instant interest! To up the ante, the same bead board, backing in those open cabinets for an additional pop of white would be incredible…that way the white is carried upward, and throughout the rest of the kitchen.

Finally, let’s get some color on those neutral walls for some instant personality. Benjamin Moore’s Palladian Blue is a gorgeous blue-green with a hint of grey.

Can you see it yet? Moving on to no….

2. I’d love to see a white table in that eat in area, along with some built in booths against the windows and walls side. On the opposite, open side, some mismatched chairs in various shades of color would really look ten kinds of fantabulous.

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