Saturday, February 19, 2011

The Kitchen








When we moved into our new "old" house
almost 8 years ago,
I loved every inch of the place,
well almost.

The kitchen needed to be remodeled in a big way.
The cabinets were a pink-hued pickled oak,
the floors and counter tops were terracotta tiles,
and the backsplashes were the same.
Needless to say, there was a whole lot
of burnt orange in the room!
The cabinets were falling apart,
but we lived with them for six years
until finally it came time to make some serious changes.








From the time that we moved in,
I ripped out and saved magazine pages
depicting kitchens that I loved.
I had so many of these images,
it took two jumbo three-ring binders
just to hold them.

So when my sweet husband finally decided
that we could take the plunge
and make the changes ...... I had a game plan.
It was time to trade spaces.....
away with the old and in with the new.





Since the house was built in the 1930's, I decided to use beadboard and simple flat frame cabinetry. The hardware and the details are mostly vintage style from that time period. My collections of vintage white ironstone and brown transferware worked well as accessories in the room's design.




I think my contractor thought I was crazy
when I asked him to take an old arch top screen door
and use it for my new pantry. He lined it with beadboard
and added deep shelving for storage.
I like how the arch is repeated in the hood
above the cooktop and again in
the iron armatures on the chandelier.









The chairs at the table were found in High Point
and have pastoral oil paintings upholstered on the backs.
I loved these when I saw them. The English oak sideboard
and parquet top pub table are antiques I found.
The island is a reproduction hunt board table
from the Philippines. It's almost ten feet long
and came with two built-in marble tops.
Perfect for an island, right?


The light fixtures are a mix of  new and old.
The pendant lamps above the sink are from Pottery Barn,
the iron chandelier above the kitchen table is an antique
from an old house in our town, and the iron chandelier
above the island is from Holly Hunt/Chicago.






Since we live on a concrete slab foundation,
our flooring guys recommended that we use
teak flooring instead of other woods
since we are more susceptible to mold and mildew.
It came hand-scraped so the texture
and patterns are nice and random.

(I would have loved to have recycled wood planks,
but that was not an option.)



I'm still looking for old digital images of the room before we renovated, but haven't been able to find any. So, until then... at least I can share the new images.

























40 comments:

Kim @ Savvy Southern Style said...

Alison, one of the nicest kitchens I have ever seen. Love every little detail. Love the horse weathervane on your hood.

Alison @ The Polohouse said...

Thanks Kim! We call that little guy "Lucky"... lucky that someone didn't throw him out and lucky that he still runs with only 3 legs.
:)

SHERRY HART said...

Alison...that light fixture has always been one of my very favorite! Great job on the kitchen it is timeless and classic.

Karen said...

Just found your blog...what a fun discovery! I LOVE the arched door into your pantry--genius! Your kitchen has so much personality--yet has modern funtionality and comfort...Keep showing us more!

anythinggoeshere said...

The curved top screen looks big and beautiful! You did a wonderful job with it! I am glad that it was you who bought it from me so it could have a happy new life!!!!!! Joan@anythinggoeshere

Sarah said...

Alison, your kitchen is a place I could really enjoy spending some time baking. You are a very creative lady! Every detail offers layers of charm. ~ sarah

AntiqueChase said...

S.T.U.N.N.I.N.G..... SERIOUSLY!

Nita Stacy said...

Your kitchen is beyond gorgeous! I came over from Savvy Southern Style. I just love everything about this kitchen makeover. I'd love to make my own kitchen over in my 1931 home. I'm going to save your photos as inspiration. Love seeing all the photos of your home.

Nita Stacy said...

Oh..have to say...I love all the lamps you used around the kitchen.

Devadeva Mirel said...

bling bling! lots of interesting details!

An Oasis in the Desert said...

I'm so glad to have discovered your blog via Kim at Savvy Southern Style. The kitchen is so very fantastic, but love all the other spaces I've seen, too. You really have a flare for pulling all the right things together for this particular decorating style, and making it look so livable and inviting. I'm a new follower.
CAS

Janette @ The2Seasons said...

I live in horse country (Lexington, KY), and your house would fit in perfectly here.

InMyOwnStyle said...

Hi Alison-

What a beautiful kitchen - I love the wood island mixed in with the white cabinetry - adds so much character - just lovely.

My best- Diane

Tamara said...

Absolutely beautiful! I hope are able to find some before pictures.

It's a Wannabe Decorator's Life said...

I could sit and stare at your kitchen for hours!!! Just pure loveliness!

Miss Kitty said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Miss Kitty said...

I saw pictures of your home today on the "No Minimalist Here" blog... yours is one of the MOST beautifully decorated homes I have EVER seen. So many unique and interesting things to see in every room. Thanks for sharing.

Heidi said...

Soooo, we definitely have to have the gathering at your home next time ~ talk about beautiful! Love love it! We have the same kitchen style apparently ~ minus a little space (haha) and the horse and polo aspects. No wonder you love PaddyRidge Peg ~ she has great accessories for you ~ did you guys make it to Jackson where her space is?
:)Heidi

Lori said...

Oh Alison, by far a remarkable kitchen! So many details remind me of family kitchens of long ago I sat in. Had I forgotten or overlooked the fact were state neighbors? I'm in Northern IN, the University of Notre Dame is here. Thank you ever so much for taking us on a marvelous stroll through your home, I'm ready to come for coffee!LOL Before I forget, darling Maxi is a doll! Your Lab is adorable as well. Lori

It's a Wannabe Decorator's Life said...

Hi Allison! Just wanted you to know I featured your kitchen this morning, so go check it out!! Have a great weekend!

stefanie said...

oh, its just gorgeous!!! you must be soooo proud!

Anonymous said...

Well....just lovely...I am going to have to go through all of your posts to see what I have been missing....glad it is friday!!!!!
Andrea
AndeM1@hotmail.com

Jodie said...

Beautiful! So Charming and timeless! I'm your newest follower, I would love for you to stop by sometime!

Warm Wishes,
Jodie

www.lovelaughteranddecor.blogspot.com

Karen said...

Your kitchen is drop dead gorgeous! I love every inch of it. I'm now following you.

Melissa Miller said...

Hello Alison,
Wow! Your entire home, gorgeous kitchen and your precious blog are all just simply fantastic. I'll be back again and again to see every detail. Thank you for sharing it all with us. I'm truly inspired!

Stop by my blog and say Hi! You're always welcome anytime. I'm your newest happy follower and consider you an automatic friend if you follow along mine as well.

Many blessings to you and yours.
Warmly, ~Melissa :)

Melinda said...

Alison, my daughter inlaw sent me the link to your blog. Your home is gorgeous!!! I especially love your kitchen. We are remodeling our kitchen. Would you share with me your wall and cabinet paint colors. Melinda

Yvonne@StyleBurb said...

Hi Alison, I found your blog through Melissa's Heart and Home. Your kitchen is absolutely beautiful! I love your choice of fabrics, finishes, textures and colors. Your island is outstanding and I love your equestrian touches. I would love to have this kitchen!!! I am your newest follower.

Anne said...

Your kitchen is absolutely beautiful! Thank you for sharing with us.

ℳartina @ Northern Nesting said...

Alison you kitchen is absolutely beautiful!! I LOVE everything detail! Just became your newest follower! Martina

Kathleen Ellis said...

Alison, this is gorgeous! One of the most spacious and well planned kitchens I've ever seen!
How wonderful it must be to work in this space each day!
Have a beautiful day!
;-D Kathleen

Eva said...

I love you home! Your kitchen is amazing! I am trying to track down the iron light fixture that is above your kitchen island. You say you got it from Holly Hunt in Chicago, and I looked on their website and could not find it. Do you have the name or style # or was it a custom order? I've been searching for something like this for my kitchen. Anything you can do to help would be appreciated. You can email me at evafalletta@yahoo.com Thanks!

sharpsfarm said...

Allison,
Your kitchen is gorgeous. My husband and I would love to get our kitchen re-done in the next few years and your home has given us some great ideas and it will definitely be added to our idea book.
Renee

Jeri said...

Yours is one of the most beautiful kitchens I've ever seen!! This would be my dream kitchen!! Simply perfection!
xoxo
Jeri

Pinky at Designs by Pinky said...

I love every single inch of your kitchen! Every detail is gorgeous. In wouldn't know where to begin to list everything I love. GREAT job. I might want to cook again in this kitchen!!!! My hubby has almost taken over that chore. XO, Pinky

Sally Darling said...

Alison. Thanks so much for stopping by my Blog. I would be utterly HONORED if you would like to feature me. I simply can NOT stop looking at your Kitchen Photos. AMAZING. I would give anything to have a kitchen like yours. SIMPLY STUNNING. I'm packing my bags and moving in. You won't even know I'm there...I'll sleep in the pantry!

Nancy's Daily Dish said...

Alison,

Your kitchen is really beautiful...one of my all time favorites. I LOVE your chairs too! I think this will be in MANY peoples idea books. Everything is just gorgeous, so warm and inviting!

Nancy

Nancy's Daily Dish said...

p/s and I love the door idea..something I've always wanted to do as well though I'd never seen an arched., screened door. I think it's fantastic!

The enchanted home said...

Alison your kitchen is so beautiful. Love the light and dark, its so elegant but inviting at the same time....just beautiful!

Little Prairie Girl said...

I LOVE your kitchen! The windows above your sink are so bright and cheery!

Where did you get your blinds/shades for the windows? I am having a hard time finding some for my opening which is 9ft.

Any tips? You have done a remarkable job and should be very proud to call this place home. What a dream!

Thanks and hope you can get back to me.

Natalie

Pamela said...

I just adore your kitchen to pieces! We are in the process of redoing our kitchen and I had Pinned your stove top. We are trying to figure out how to create a ledge above ours. Do you mind sharing your paint color for your walls? I am having the hardest time find a light color but one hat is warm at the same time.