It all started during my renovation when my 20 something daughter said “Mom you are redoing the kitchen too!, Its so 2000!”  My first reactions was 2000, that’s yesterday, then I thought to myself 2000 was 15 years ago.

Having to piece meal most of my renovations, the last one in the kitchen 13 years ago was no different.  The granite was 20 years old and so was the base cabinetry-they remained.   The uppers were rebuilt since we were covering up windows which were previously there.

As you can see the styles of the cabinets above and below even differ-inset vs overlay!  It worked, because I changed the finishes on each, which masked the fact the door styles were different! Tip–the window was an original aluminum one, circa 1968, which I painted to look like a steel casement.  By painting these windows with a finish or just your trim color, their outdated appeal is really masked!

But where to start! I love the lighter colors of marble but really wanted a maintenance free surface so quartzite was my first pic!  After scouring all the slab yards I settled on the first one I saw at Walker Zanger-Perla Vella.  It is similar to Taj Mahal but has a bit more gray in it! I loved the subtle veining!

Seeing the difference that amazing hardware does in a space during my master bath renovation, I went to Acera Bella for help!  I like them because they are a small boutique, very knowledgeable and so patient and helpful!  It was so hard to decide weather to go with brass or polished nickle.  Because it went all gold in my master bath, I decided to switch it up and be all about silver in the kitchen! Above it the faucet I chose! Now for the sink!

Previously, I had two sinks separated by granite which made it hard to stack things and wash big pots and pans.  I saw this over sized farm sink in their showroom which was the best of both worlds.  Unfortunately my space was too small so I went with the one sink version of this.

You can see the new sink all protected and the bottom cabinets being rebuilt to match the uppers! I have a galley style kitchen with no room for an island.  Wanting it too feel more open I felt the original window needed to be replaced and go up to the ceiling,  removing the cabinets above.  In addition, changing the design of the range hood so it wouldn’t come  out into the room should make the room feel wider!!!

I have so many great inspirations photos on my Kitchen Pinterest which really helped. I love the metal range hoods, but their cost wasn’t in my budget, so……….

……..I pulled out Segreto Style to a  home where we finished a wood hood to read like metal and it dawned on me that I could paint it!! Duh!!!!!

The enamel and metal combination on this hood spoke to me but mine had to touch the cabinets on both sides.

Like this one where it slopes up into the crown!

So begins the construction of mine!! Henry with Goodchild Builders was so patient with me. see the door and drawer fronts are already done but wanted to share all the organization ideas that I incorporated into the space.

I loved this idea that I borrowed from a kitchen we finished where there was a chopping block with a hole in it that opened over the trash can!  Brilliant!!!

Two hidden trash cans instead of one!  Love the extra storage for the bags!

A bit pull out drawer under the stove with two pull out, one for pans and the other for lids.

A spice drawer.  I used to have the pull outs on either side of the stove. I really disliked these, because you had to bend over each time and the labels were hard to see.

I really liked doors to make sizes standard but when open, drawers are specifically sized to hold specific items.

The colors were easy!  The quartzite I picked went so well with one of my favorite tones-SW Collanade Gray.  I had used it in my offices and have never tired of it!!

I can’t wait to show you the finished project next week and the professional photos I took!! Hope everyone has a great week!  Mark your calender’s for the Houston Launch of my new fabric line!! The full story is in last weeks blog!