I’ve mentioned this before, but I have always found the kitchen to be quite a decorating challenge. I’ve never wanted my kitchen to look cluttered with too many knick knacks, but I also don’t want it to look sterile and uninviting.
So, instead of being beautiful, my kitchen became a receptacle for junk that didn’t have a home. I know I’m not alone in this, so don’t try to hide behind your computer screen and act like you don’t know what I’m talking about. I’m calling all of the Internets out on this one.
I’ll show you what I mean, if you promise not to judge me.
Here’s the wall of my kitchen that holds my refrigerator, cooktop, and most of the cabinets. It is apparently also the place where tiny R/C airplanes and all the paper in my house goes to die. I was actually warming some soup when this photo was taken, so you may not snicker because there is a pot on the stove. However, you may snicker at the ugliness of said pot.
Here you will see a smaller counter, some cabinetry, the oven, and the microwave. You’ll also meet my best friend – the coffee maker – and it’s step brother, the cappuccino maker. You can also see it’s third cousin, twice removed – the coffee grinder. The cappuccino maker and coffee grinder don’t get much use, as
pre-ground Dunkin’ Donuts coffee is my one true love.
Next, you’ll see our sink and surrounding counters. Do you see the three elevated bar areas? Junk. Magnets. Just in this photo alone you can see my purse, a camera lens bag, a bowl of “crap” (we’ll get to that in a minute), and some gardening gloves – clearly, all things that belong in the kitchen.
This was the scene looking from our living room to our kitchen. Scar-y. And do you see that silver
Nambe bowl there in the corner? Um, yeah. My husband and I got that as a wedding gift and he quickly adopted it as his “crap bowl.” There is just random junk in there – change, receipts, gum wrappers – random “guy” junk. Just in case you missed it the first time, let me re-emphasize that this is a
Nambe bowl.
Even our pet fish, Blue, had his own little junky home. I let my then-2 year old son pick out his “castle” and rocks, and I’m pretty sure he picked out the most hideous items ever created.
So, when the Nester announced that she was going to have a Mr. Linky party showing 10 minute changes people have made to rooms around their homes, I knew that my kitchen had to be included. She’s been writing a really great series called “Ten Minutes to a Room You’ll Love,” and you should definitely check it out. So far, she’s covered master bedroom, living room, bathroom, and kitchen.
Okay, I will freely admit that my little kitchen spruce-up took more than 10 minutes. Between the shopping for goodies, finding a home for all the random junk that used to live there, and stopping every few minutes to play Hot Wheels or
Wall-E with Zack, it took quite a bit longer. Everything from start to finish was completed while DH was at work, though, as most good projects usually are.
Are you ready for the “after” photos? Yay! Me, too!
Here’s my long stretch of cabinets with the cooktop. It’s still pretty sparse, but I know that DH (i.e. the cook) would seriously freak out if more of the counter space was taken up by pretty things. He had a secret freak out about this already. He thinks I didn’t know, but I could see it all over his face.
Ahhhh, there’s nothing quite as nice as a clean refrigerator.
I bought a little bronze lamp at
Home Depot and added a gold tassel from
Tuesday Morning. I also bought an amber apothecary jar at Tuesday Morning and filled it with Zack’s rock collection. I added a little photo of a 7-month old Zack to the little vignette, but I’m not planning on keeping it in this frame (and maybe even printing the photo in black and white). It’s just what I had laying around that wasn’t in use. I wish that I could figure out a better way to hide the wall outlet here, but putting anything directly in front of it would cut off too much prime counter space. I’ll have to think on that one (and I welcome your suggestions!).
I totally stole the mirror above the cooktop idea from
Nester. I had this little mirror stored in a closet, and it matches my appliances perfectly. It doesn’t reflect anything beautiful like I know a mirror should, but I really felt like I needed something in that space and it was free. We’ll see if it lasts or if I find something else to hang there. On the other hand, I totally love my little french rooster! I thought he was a steal for $7.99 at Tuesday Morning and couldn’t pass him up.
My little coffee station saw a change as well. I put the cappuccino maker and coffee grinder in the cabinet, since they don’t see much use. That freed up some space to add my two-tiered server that I bought a few years ago at a
Southern Living at Home party.
I decided that our staple bananas would look nice on the server – or better than they looked on their chintzy old banana hammock. I also thought it was a nice place for the beautiful footed coffee mugs my parents sent me for Valentine’s Day (I think they are too pretty to actually use). I also added some odd glass vessels I purchased a while back at the Habitat for Humanity ReStore for 5 cents a piece (I bought 5 of them for a grand total of 25 cents!). I stuck another Tuesday Morning tassel on one of them, because I thought it dressed it up a bit.
On one of the little elevated bar areas, I added this glass jar and two finals from
Hobby Lobby (all three from the 80% off section, people!). I filled the jar with some
Spanish Moss and twigs that I’ve used in other parts of my home.
Next, you’ll see that the “crap” bowl has been greatly reduced! Also, the hodge podge of pictures that were on the right side of this ledge has been replaced with a new piece. I had this hurricane vase collecting dust in a cabinet, so I cleaned it off, added some more of the moss, twigs, and branches, and then added a little birdie.
That little bird was marked down to $1 at Hobby Lobby. He’s all chippy, which I’m sure is why he was on super sale, but the chippiness is what makes me love him even more! See how cute?
Even Blue got in on the action with new digs. I used another glass vase that I had on hand and added three stalks of Lucky Bamboo (I stole this idea from my mother-in-law). Blue is very happy there, and I’m even happier to have the rainbow monstrosity out of my kitchen.
I’m so excited about my new kitchen! It was a pretty, cheap, and simple update, but I think it made a world of difference. It still doesn’t look like it came out of a home decor magazine, but it’s liveable and it’s “us,” and that’s all that matters.
P.S. Don’t forget you have until Friday night to enter the big giveaway! If you win, you could even use the plates to decorate your kitchen.
{ 68 comments… read them below or add one }
It looks great, Lindsay. I have a few “crap” bowls myself. Chuckled at that. It sure feels great, doesn’t it?
wow.. it looks great! I love that you have lamp with a picture next to it! So cute! Martha
Great job! Your kitchen is very pretty.
Ooh, nice changes! It looks great in there.
BEAUTIFUL!
Karol :0)
Wow…what a difference. I guess I’ll move to the kitchen next, I need some small lamps so I can avoid the harsh overhead lights if possible. Great job!!
That looks so great! I can’t help but notice how beautiful your kitchen is to begin with. Swoon!
Wow, lovely! Now your gorgeous kitchen really shines!
Love the makeover of the fish bowl! Of course the rest of your kitchen is awesome too…I am drooling over your fridge. Stainless..sigh…in my dreams. I have an ugly almond-bisque ANCIENT fridge..which I am grateful works, but I wish it were more stylish.
First off your kitchen is gorgeous! Even messy. Second, I love what you did! It’s all so lovely and welcoming. And lucky Blue! What a nice new home he has!
Thanks for giving us plenty of ideas to copy…your kitchen is beautiful!
It all turned out so beautiful. Nothing better than clean counter tops!
It looks great! Your kitchen is beautiful.
Wow, your kitchen looks so beautiful!
You did a fantastic job! I love the lamp in the corner.
I had to really look to find that bowl. It brought me back to the Where’s Waldo? days. *wink* That said, you did a great job and have to feel such satisfaction. I wouldn’t dare take a photo of my counters right now. They drive me crazy! I guess some place has to catch the week’s stuff. Until the weekend when I can see the tops of mine, I will just hang out at your kitchen!
Looks great!
Great job! You have a beautiful kitchen – now I’m off to clean up my junked up bar area.
Enjoy your Thursday.
You did a great job! It’s pretty and well put together.
Your kitchen looks great, you’re an “A” student of the Nester! Now, I’m off to study…
Love the crap bowl and the fishes junky home.
you did good and i’m super jealous of your appliances.
Love you girl!
OMGoodness….what a wonderful change, girl. You did great. It all looks so beautiful and just think….you have a clean, uncluttered kitchen that ALL of you are thrilled with. Wonderful makeover!
xo bj
Love the quick make over- it’s amazing what de-cluttering can do-
Thanks for sharing- I also like the colors in your kitchen
OOOHHHH!!!! Just lovely!!!! I am so inpsired by all of your ideas…Great job. And I love that birdie!!!
Wow you did an amazing job at pairing down and sprucing up! I LOVE Mr. Blue’s new diggs too. What a lucky fish to get in on your venture! Thanks for sharing all of your hard work.
~Misti
you did a great job! thanks for sharing!!
Wow, your kitchen is beautiful! (I have the same Vera bag decorating mine…only mine is still there!)
It looks great! Aren’t those kitchen counters a bear!?
Ok…I have the exact same backsplash above my stove. I’ve wanted to hang something there also, but I’ve never known how to put a nail into it. Will you PLEASE email me and let me know how you hung that mirror! I am dying to copy it, but I have a feeling you didn’t use a nail!!! Thanks in advance, and your kitchen looks fantastic!!! lindsaywagner03@yahoo.com
You did an excellent job!!!!! I love your tiered stand and “coffee station” You have a beautiful kitchen.
Looks great and you are so right, the kitchen is the hardest to decorate.
Fantastic! May I come sit in your kitchen for my morning cup of coffee?!
I love how the lamp looks with the little vignette!
You did an excellent job. I love your cabinets and countertops too. Way to go!
Hi Lindsay, it all looks fantastic! What a pretty kitchen!
Very nice! I especially like how you have displayed your coffee mugs, it beckons you to a cup of warm coffee!
)
Sincerely ~ Tricia Anne
Your kitchen looks great, Lindsay. I was just blogging about your blog.
My husband has a junk basket in the same spot on our counter. He junk is now overflowing to the area all around the basket.
I also want to know how you hung the mirror on the back splash. I want to hang something there, but I really don’t want to drill a hole.
Wow. I’m a bit overwhelmed and in awe. Love the fish vase idea!
I LOVE the new look and am especially lusting after your pretty countertops!
Superb job.
wow! i this makes me want to clean up my kitchen!
I read this and was inspired to try it out myself and you know what I learned??? Kitchen redesign on codeine is NOT a good idea.
XOXO,
Gossip Girl
I always feel better when my kitchen is decluttered; maybe because I spend so much time there. You did a great job! We have a “crap” bowl, too, and like yours it is a very nice bowl we received as a wedding gift. I guess I think it looks nice because it’s in a pretty bowl!
Love love love all of it! It’s absolutely beautiful!
You have a beautiful kitchen…looks great!
Your kitchen looks great!
This looks beautiful! now if only I had the gumption to do mine too!
i love it!
Oh that’s beautiful. You did a great job. I need to get my kitchen done (not very big and NO counter space). Have idea’s but need to wait til this weekend.
Wow! What a transformation! I love your new coffee station.
It looks fabulous. Your kitchen is beyond gorgeous to begin with, but you’ve made it even more beautiful. I am a huge fan of DD coffee… it’s how I start (and sometimes end) every day.
QUITE A TRANSFORMATION. iT AMAZING WHAT DECLUTTERING CAN DO…YOU HAVE A BEAUTIFUL KITCHEN. PEGGY FROM PA
Such a great transformation. What a good feeling!
Okay, I just LOVE your kitchen and what you’ve done to it. I have a lamp on my kitchen countr, too, and think it’s a great addition. I also think your coffee station looks fabulous! Go ahead and use those coffee cups (Anthropologie, right?), you are worth it. At least your paretns think so…
Michelle
Love it love it love it! Just beautiful!!
love all of your changes! such a beautiful kitchen!!!
I love the coffee set up! Got.to.have.it! And thanks for the info about Hobby Lobby! I went after work, scored and even did my OWN 10 minute makeover. Whoo hoo!
Being the construction guy, I kind of see the stuff that you didn’t change…and I say that you have a beautiful kitchen, even if it doesn’t stay as pretty as it looks now! Very nice!
Your kitchen is beautiful! And in my humble opinion, it’s as good as some I’ve seen in home decor magazines.
Oh my goodness, I love your details!! The wooden bird. Oh, be still my heart. And the tassel. Sigh. I’m going to be on the lookout for one now. Nester is making this world so much more beautiful, inside our homes.
Btw, love that stainless steel fridge as well. Just looks pure silver all cleaned off.
Everything looks so wonderful!! I seriously cannot even believe those little glass vessel things that you got at the Restore. Amazing! I know we have one here, so I’ll have to go check it out.
Awesome!
Your kitchen looks awesome! I love the lamp – it really makes the space seem cozier! And the coffee stations is great!
Jen
Beautiful!
Wow, y’all know how to make a gal feel special!!
Becky and Lindsay Wagner (who is my name sake, actually – how funny!) – I hung the mirror on the tile backsplash with one of those 3M Command adhesive hooks. It’s the kind that comes off really easily and doesn’t leave a residue. I had to have a small one for that mirror since the hanging hook is really high on the back, so it’s a hook only rated for 1/2 pound. LOL Yeah, we’re not breaking on it so it doesn’t come crashing down.
You took on an awesome task as I think Kitchens get the most use from all family members. Mine seems like it doesn’t stay “neat” for very long. You did a great job in so many areas and what a transformation! Don’t you feel proud? Good for you! I hope it stays that way.
great post. i have that two tiered server too! Crate and Barrel? Kelly
You’re before pictures look really close to my kitchen right now! Where does all that paper and crap come from that lands in our kitchens?
I have that same large tassel that you got at Tues Morning, but I got mine from a little shop on the square.
Great job on everything!
Love the small lamp with your son’s rock collection! Love the placement and the colors. Good job!
What a wonderful transformation! I just spent a couple of extra minutes to read through all of the comments, as well, and I will “second” each and every one of them. My kitchen counters have a lot of kitchen tools and misc. all over them, but it’s kind of getting out of hand, so I’ve been thinking of clearing off more space and only keeping things we use often. This is a great inspiration! Thanks for sharing!
I linked to this post…
Thanks for the inspiration to get my kitchen cleaned up today!
http://byhappydesign.blogspot.com/2010/01/in-15-minutes.html
Bethany @ Happy By Design