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Monday, March 19, 2012

The Mother Of Invention


That would be Necessity.
She is Invention's biological Mama.

And it's pretty amazing what Inventions
the Necessity of doing things in a thrifty manner
can prompt you to give birth to.
Like, a new kitchen from your old one.

***If you have already seen our kitchen makeover . . . 
you may want to skip down to the Link Parties listed at the end of this post.***

In the Spring of 2008, when we bought That Old House, this is what the kitchen looked like.

Big enough, and only a few years old.
But with 1980s style oak cabinets, green Formica counter tops with oak edging,
and off white chipped double sink and matching leaking faucet.
We used it, but we weren't in love with it.
I wanted lighter cabinets, gas burners, different counter tops . . . .
all at a rock bottom cost because that's how we roll.

It was a picture in a kitchen decorating book that finally got us rolling on this project.
I had to have toile wallpaper in my kitchen, like the kitchen in the book, 
also creamy white cupboards, and a big round mirror, and dark hardware,
and of course one thing lead to another.  And another. . . 

. . . until we ended up with this:





Right down to the round mirror.
 We hired professionals for plumbing (new sink and faucet, gas line for stovetop),
electrical circuit work, and for the soapstone countertops because we are not crazy,
but we did the tedious stuff -- painting, papering, reconfiguring of some cabinetry -- ourselves. 
The project zipped along like a glacier and took a full year to complete.

These "after" pictures are from when we finished, a few days before Thanksgiving 2010;
there have been minor changes since then, but nothing drastic.

If you want to read my long (fair warning!) account of this project, you can click here.

Even better, go visit some Link Parties,
including one that zooms in on Kitchens.
 
At Thrifty Decor Chick, it's Show Us Your House, featuring Kitchens.  Click here.
At Between Naps On The Porch, Metamorphosis Monday draws a crowd.  Click here!
Little Red House hosts Mosaic Monday.  Go for some Pretty!  Click here.
The House In The Roses is home to Show Off Your Cottage Monday.  Click here!
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Now I'm going to throw open any windows that have screens on them,
and enjoy this gorgeous day while I clean.  'Cause That Old House is in serious
need of a Spring Cleaning, and I may as well start today as tomorrow.
As Niecy on Clean House would say, "I'm goin' in!"  -- Cass

13 comments:

  1. OMG .... I had never seen your kitchen redo.... OMG it is 2Die4 ! ! You did a fabulous job!!
    Congratulations on a job well done!!
    Have a Great Day!!
    Marilyn

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  2. I've always loved your new kitchen ever since the first unveiling! You did a grand job in taking your inspiration kitchen and making it a reality. I'm afraid that Linderhof is a little sad that her kitchen is not as spiffy!

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  3. Cass- That really does look great! You did a wonderful job of taking an inspiration and making it a reality. It looks like a place I would like to hang out! xo Diana

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  4. I love the color palette on your kitchen. I think if I have to change my kitchen too it would be like yours the black an white is perfect and classy looking.

    MYM

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  5. Hi Cass,
    I am doing some serious cleaning today too! I have every window open in the house and I am on a cleaning rampage! Poor little Rosie might get something dropped on her! Can you believe this weather?!! By the way, your kitchen looks AMAZING! Your original cabinets looked a lot like mine... I wonder if I could get motivated to paint them because yours look incredible! Well, enjoy this spring weather!
    -Shelley

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  6. I wish I could open the windows! If I did everything would be yellow from pollen.

    I always enjoy seeing your kitchen. I looked at it many times when I was in the middle of my own Neverending Kitchen Redo.

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  7. It looks great! We only hire the things we can't do as well. It has worked out for us most of the time. My husband used to try to do everything...then after a couple of failures and emergency calls to plumbers...he finally admitted that there are a few things we need to hire done!

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  8. HI Cass! Oh, I love your kitchen redo! Love white kitchens and you have so much space! I just love it.
    Be a sweetie,
    Shelia ;)

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  9. Still lovin' it Cass, still lovin' it!

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  10. Would you do those counter tops again? I am torn between honed black granite and soapstone.

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  11. Quite an accomplishment. I love the black cabinet with the wood counter top.

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  12. Wow- what a transformation. I hope it was all a labour of love.
    Now it is a kitchen (and more) to love.

    And plenty of room for making BIRTHDAY cake! (Liver flavor?)

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