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!

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