DIY – Page 2 – Jenna Burger Design LLC – Interior Design & Architectural Consulting

Kitchen Renovation: Paint + Wallpaper

Written by Jenna on January 13, 2016. Posted in DIY.

You know if we’re at the point of talking about paint, it has to almost be complete.

That’s right… we are mere days away from wrapping up the kitchen renovation and I still can’t believe it’s real. When I look over to our kitchen area and my eyes see an entire new space, I want to cry. It’s so good!

One challenge I had when creating the plan of action for the kitchen was the paint color for the walls. After living with the mustardy-yellow for 5 years, I new light + neutral was the right direction – but then along the way my thoughts changed. keep reading…

This is the old color.

The first floor of our home is an open concept plan, so basically it’s one room that leads to the next, that leads to the next. There has always been a different paint color in each room, which I feel defines each of the spaces bringing uniqueness and character.

Creating definition, but at the same time a flow with various paint colors can be challenging, but if a color palette is set that works well together, the result can be gorgeous.

Of course, that’s what I was striving for >>> VARIATION + FLOW

THE PAINT STORY

After the kitchen cabinets were installed, the Lowe’s independent contractors got to work on painting the kitchen + dining room walls because it’s one large open space.

I chose a paint color that was a light grey tone. It was a pretty hue, but once all the walls were covered, I knew it wasn’t right. Because the kitchen flows straight to the family room that also has grey-toned walls, the definition that I wanted to achieve was gone.

Big Mistake – eek.

What to do? Leave it + live with it for a while?

I knew leaving it wasn’t the answer. After a few days, of living with it, I chose a new color. It was the first time ever that I got small color sample pods to put on the wall. It was the right decision and seeing the colors at various times throughout the day was key to choosing the best paint hue for the space.

Color Change…

As soon as the ‘new, new’ color went up, I felt at peace. Yes, that’s it. And who knew, back to yellow – but a very different hue of yellow – would be the right color?!

For the walls in the kitchen + dining room, I chose to use the color White Citrus HGSW1237 by HGTV Home by Sherwin Williams, which is available at Lowe’s. The sheen is eggshell (one step up in sheen from flat) and I used their Showcase line of paint.

The color on the wall is just gorgeous and brings all the spaces together. It’s not very far off from the last yellow paint color, but at the same time, it feels so new + fresh. To sum it up, this White Citrus paint color is a light buttery + sunny hue with subtle green undertones.

Sherwin Williams has always been a favorite paint of mine to use. The quality is like no other. I’ve used a lot of paint in my day, and have come across a lot I will never use again. When I was introduced to the HGTV Home collection by Sherwin Williams, I was intrigued because it was available at Lowe’s, a place I always shop. So the big question I had… Is the quality the same as the Sherwin Williams brand it’s always been or did they ‘change the formula’ for the big box store?

I had the opportunity to speak with a rep for Sherwin Williams, who has worked with them for over a decade and he assured me the quality is the same and their collaboration with Lowe’s was a ‘next step move’ to continue their growth and brand awareness to a new market. Basically, they want to reach even more people and by being in Lowe’s (versus just their own stand-alone store), they hope to do that!

I was skeptical about the quality, but I will say I had a great experience using the Showcase line of HGTV Home paint. It went on smoothly with a roller AND a brush. Most paint takes 2, maybe 3 coats, to get full coverage on the wall, but this paint went on in one coat yet it wasn’t thick and goopy. Of course, I went over it with a 2nd coat, but it really wasn’t needed.

THE PAINT RESULT

The yellow hue defines the kitchen + dining room space, yet flows with the neutral colors in the family room beyond…

Next to the kitchen is the living room / office which is a deep navy hue, and the yellow works beautifully with that as well…

THE WALLPAPER

I heart wallpaper and really wanted to use it somewhere in the new kitchen space. At the same time, I always wanted to define the bay area in the dining area with a different paint color.

How about ditching the paint idea and instead add wallpaper in the bay nook? YES, perfect solution.

I found this incredible bold + colorful wallpaper from Anthropologie. The rich colors of orange, blue, yellow, gray, raspberry perfectly summed up all the colors in my home… I had to have it!

Once it was delivered a few days later, I got to work.

I primed the walls first.

Then installed the wallpaper which took about 3 hours total for this bay area.

Want to know how to hang wallpaper? Check out these WALLPAPER TUTORIALS

Hanging a Bold Wallpaper in the Bathroom

How-To Hang Wallpaper Like a PRO!

How-To Hang Wallpaper using Paste (in the powder room)

I’ve shared enough wallpaper tutorials, so I’ll spare you the details of the process, but this is the result…

And there you have it. Mistakes were made. Sleepless nights were had (well kinda), but the Paint + Wallpaper ARE DONE!

Another checkmark on the to do list. Next up are the final details and then the reveal…

If you want to see all the posts documenting the kitchen renovation, here they are from start to finish:
Wonderful White Kitchen Inspiration
Kitchen Remodel: Before + Plan of Action
Demo Day: Steps for Demolishing the Kitchen
Kitchen Progress: Staining Hardwood Floors
The Cabinets Arrive + Get Installed
Natural Quartz Countertops in the Kitchen
10 Countertop Materials to Consider for the Kitchen
Subway Tile Installation + Choosing the RIGHT Subway
Kitchen Backsplash Tile Options + Inspiration
Choosing a Paint Color + Wallpaper for the Kitchen and Dining Room
Kitchen Renovation: The Appliances
Dissecting the Details
Kitchen Renovation: REVEAL + RESOURCES

DISCLAIMER: THIS KITCHEN RENOVATION IS A COLLABORATION WITH LOWEâ€™S USING HGTV HOME BY SHERWIN WILLIAMS. ALL OPINIONS + SELECTIONS ARE MY OWN WITH THE ASSISTANCE OF THE LOWEâ€™S DESIGN TEAM.

Subway Tile Kitchen Backsplash Installation

Written by Jenna on January 6, 2016. Posted in DIY. 3 Comments on Subway Tile Kitchen Backsplash Installation

We’re 6 days in to the new year and I finally have a post up – HAPPY NEW YEAR.

My biggest personal project ever closed out 2015, AND the same project is kicking off 2016…

THE KITCHEN.

It’s almost complete. I’m days away from sharing the big reveal, but before that I’ve been excitedly awaiting to share what tile I chose for the backsplash + the process for installation.

Check out the new + classic + gorgeous subway tile now adorning the kitchen backsplash…

Now to the details of what I chose for our kitchen renovation…

When the I created the PLAN OF ACTION for the kitchen remodel, I knew subway tile was the best choice because it’s not only affordable, but timeless + clean + the perfect compliment to our new minimalist quartz countertops.

Once the decision was made to move forward with white subway, the search began for the perfect tile.

And like paint, white is not just plain ole’ white.

In the end, I chose the beautiful 3 x 6 white subway by Allen + Roth at Lowe’s, then complimented it with charcoal colored grout.

You can’t ever go wrong with white subway tile as it’s classic and works with all style kitchens. BUT, there with so many subway tiles to choose from, it can be challenging to pin point the best for the setting.

CHOOSING THE RIGHT SUBWAY TILE

Here are some helpful tips for choosing the RIGHT subway for the project…

SIZE

The typical size for subway tile is 3″ x 6″, but with the vast selection of natural and man-made tiles, comes a huge variation in size availibility. From mini tiles, around 1″ x 2″, to larger proportioned tiles around 4″ x 12″ +, size matters.

Choose a subway size appropriate for the project by looking at how much area will be covered with the tile. For small tile areas, smaller to medium sized tiles are best, where larger tiles will beautifully compliment larger, more open areas.

COLOR

If you’re looking for a white subway tile, not all whites are white. When I started the process of searching for white subway tile, I was so surprised how each manufacturers white looked so different. Some have more yellow undertones, where others are more blue.

I chose white subway tile by Allen + Roth because it was a true white and it looked closest to the Kraftmaid Dove White cabinetry that was chosen. Others that I looked at were too yellow and when next to each other, the two surfaces wouldn’t have blended well.

LAYOUT

I chose to layout + install the subway tile in the most classic way, which is staggered, but there are many other ways to layout subway tile to create an interesting + unique pattern. Try herringbone or vertical or cross hatch or stack bond.

via a beautiful mess

COST

Typical of most tile, there is a range of pricing for subway tile, but it’s one of the most least expensive style tiles. Cost comes down to the quality of the tile, but with most, it won’t break the bank.

GROUT

The grout color really doesn’t have to do with choosing a subway tile, but the grout color that is chosen will make your tile come alive. As with anything, there is a range of color choices for grouts. Have a white subway, white is the safest choice. Want to be dramatic and have your backsplash stand-out? Try a darker hue, like I did…

White subway tile might seem like a ‘Safe Tile’, but with the right size, color, and layout, this timeless tile can look unique to create a one-of-a-kind, stand-out kitchen.

INSTALLATION

Once the counters were installed in early December, we were ready to get crankin’ on the backsplash.

I’ve tiled many projects before, but I was happy and willing to have our contractor handle the tile installation to keep the kitchen remodel process moving along. At this point being 6 weeks in, we were READY TO BE DONE!

The contractor started the tile installation at the sink, since that is the center point of the window on the overall wall.

From that point, the tile was installed on either side of the window – there were a lot of cuts!

Because the subway tile is ceramic, it was very soft and easy to cut. A tile cutter was perfect for the job and since it’s mid-winter, it was a blessing to be able to cut indoors.

Once the tile was all installed, which took about 2 days, it was time to grout. As I mentioned above, I chose a charcoal color for the grout to give a beautiful contrast + pick up the color of the dark gray island.

I had never used dark grout before and it was incredibly messy when applied on to the white tile!

After cleaning the tile surface many times of the gritty dark grout, it resulted just as I had hoped and honestly, better!

from this…

to this…

At the only corner of the kitchen, I chose a vertical pencil liner to finish the edge. It looks so good and pulled together!

And then it was complete.

Once the grout was dry – within a day – we were able to install the open shelves + add the dishes.

Eek, it’s almost complete.

Here’s a peak…

More to come soon!

In the meantime, if you want to retile your kitchen NOW with subway or want to use this post as a resource for the future, save it or pin it…

What do you think of subway tile? Yay or Nay for the kitchen?

Tomorrow on the blog, I’ll be sharing 11 other tile fool-proof favorites for the backsplash. Don’t miss it!

DISCLAIMER: THIS KITCHEN RENOVATION IS A COLLABORATION WITH LOWEâ€™S USING KRAFTMAID CABINETRY. ALL OPINIONS + SELECTIONS ARE MY OWN WITH THE ASSISTANCE OF KRAFTMAID AND THE LOWEâ€™S DESIGN TEAM.

Kitchen Renovation: Choosing a Quartz Countertop

Written by Jenna on December 16, 2015. Posted in Decorating, DIY, Kitchen, Kitchen Makeover, Kitchen Renovation. 3 Comments on Kitchen Renovation: Choosing a Quartz Countertop

Demo is complete.

Hardwood floors are stained.

Cabinets have been installed.

Countertops are FINISHED.

You heard me right… we have counters, which means we have a sink, which means we have use of a kitchen. YES!

It has been a busy few weeks around our homestead, but the kitchen is taking shape and I am thrilled to share with you all the details on the countertops I chose (natural quartz) + why…

When the process of the kitchen remodel began, I was dead set on using granite for the counter material. I’ve always steered my clients towards granite. believed it was the best choice because of the vast selection, durability, and its uniqueness. No one anywhere will have the exact same piece.

When the time came to choose a material for my kitchen remodel, I wanted something light and minimal, like the gorgeous + drool-worthy look of marble. And I say the look of marble, because it’s a material I wanted to steer clear of because it is too porous and will easily stain from acidic spills like orange juice, tomato sauce, and red wine. As a family of 5 with young kids, I can’t be watching + micro-managing our kitchen like a hawk every minute.

With marble crossed off my list, I started my search out with lighter toned granites. I found 2 I loved – Bianco Gabrielle and Bianco Romano – at Lowe’s, but I felt they had too much movement for the overall minimal, clean look I was trying to achieve.

Then my eye honed in on just what I wanted aesthetically + functionally!

Natural Quartz.

After giving myself a day to think it over, I knew that choosing quartz was the right + best choice for our kitchen.

The design options for natural quartz has grown tremendously over the past years and with it being a natural material (a must on my checklist), incredibly durable, and maintenance-free, it truly was the perfect material.

WHY NATURAL QUARTZ?

> Natural stone

> Extremely hard mineral giving it great strength

> Nonporous

> Stain-resistant

> Maintenance-free / never has to be sealed

> Cleanup can be done with water + mild soap.

> Cost: $60 to $100 per square foot

Once my cabinets were in place and I finalized my order for Silestone Lagoon quartz, a templater came to my home to take all the needed measurements for the new counters.

After a few weeks of living with plywood counters…

… and no sink…

…the day had finally arrived for install.

I was floating on cloud 9 with excitement.

It was estimated for the counters to take 2-4 weeks for fabrication, but it took just about 2 weeks from templating to installation (with Thanksgiving in between).

The independent contractor that does the fabrication + installation through Lowe’s was incredible. They were timely, courteous, and did a great job. I was 100% satisfied!

eek – watch my wreath. they did.

Because of the countertop overhang on the island, a steel plate was installed to give extra support.

And then they laid the tops in place on the island and on the perimeter cabinets.

There was one area on the perimeter cabinets that needed a seam. The process for connecting the seam was very interesting. They used this neat gadget to level + tighten the joint to make a perfectly, unrecognizable seam.

And then they were done + gone, and I was left with gorgeous new countertops that I could finally stop dreaming about and instead enjoy for many days + months + years ahead…

And here’s a peek at the kitchen and how it’s progressing… It’s almost done.

There are many other materials to consider for the kitchen, but our top choice was Natural Quartz!

Want to learn about other countertop materials for the kitchen? Check out this post with a breakdown of 10 countertop materials to consider for the kitchen + the pros & con for each.

Faux Stacked Log Fireplace Screen

Written by Jenna on December 10, 2015. Posted in DIY.

2 weeks till Christmas, WHAT?!

How can it be?

Last week was so great with the Holiday Housewalk! Thank you to those who toured my home and left such sweet comments – I can not tell you how much your kind words + thoughts mean.

One part of the tour that I received a lot of happy comments on was the fireplace, specifically how I stacked all the logs so perfectly.

Fooled ya!

They’re not stacked at all, but instead it’s a FAUX stacked log screen that sits in front of the fireplace. Not only does it look fabulous & hides the not-so-pretty-that-we’ve-wanted-to-replace-for-years fireplace, but it also is a barrier to keep the cold air from filtrating through.

Whether for aesthetic purposes or for heat conservation, if you love it, here’s how to make it…

MATERIALS

> 1/4″ thick plywood cut to desired size

> Black Paint + Paint Brush

> Fallen Trees / Logs

> Powered Miter Saw (check out my favorites here)

> Liquid nails

> Magnetic Strips (optional, if needed)

HOW-TO

For Christmas and beyond, this is a great project to jazz up the fireplace.

Whether you are fitting the faux ‘screen’ into a fireplace opening or covering part of the fireplace (like I did), cut a piece of plywood to your desired size.

I measured beforehand and had Lowe’s cut my piece so I didn’t have to do it at home.

Paint one side of the plywood using black paint. I used leftover paint from the black wall in the living room.

The black paint allows the eye to be fooled that the space behind the logs is a lot further back than it actually is…

Let it dry and in the meantime, head to step 2…

While the paint is drying, start gathering fallen trees + logs. Look for logs in various diameters between 1/2″ to 3″.

Here’s my lumberjack in our woods cutting a few trees that had just fallen. Be sure to gather logs that are solid inside, holes = bugs (yuck)!

What a guy…

When you have a collection of various sized logs, it’s time to cut them into discs.

Imperfect is better! When have you ever heard that before…

Cut the wood in to discs that are about 1/2″ to 2″ thick. This will make the “screen” look 3-dimensional like real stacked wood.

In all, we cut about 125 discs in varying sizes and as the Mister was cutting, I was putting this jigsaw puzzle together…

The key is to start with the bigger pieces and fill in with the medium sizes, then the smallest.

In no time, the puzzle was complete and it was time to glue. No picture for this part, but one-by-one I used liquid nails to attach each wood disc to the painted plywood. Don’t skimp out on good glue… if you do, the discs WILL FALL OFF!

Once the discs were in place, the board was heavy. The screen is fairly thin, but with 125 +/- wood discs there is a lot of weight! I had to be sure to secure it so it wouldn’t topple forward.

For my fireplace, the “screen” lays on top of the glass doors instead of being inset into an opening. To secure it to the fireplace, I added heavy-duty magnetic strips to the back of the plywood + I have it leaning on the fireplace handles.

In place and complete…

If you missed my Christmas Home Tour that I shared last week, here it is with the faux stacked log fireplace, front & center… What a focal point…

RECAP

Do it now or save it for later…

Kitchen Renovation: The Cabinets

Written by Jenna on December 7, 2015. Posted in DIY, Kitchen, Kitchen Makeover, Kitchen Renovation. 1 Comment on Kitchen Renovation: The Cabinets

It’s been about 2+ weeks since I shared an update on the progress of the kitchen renovation and A LOT has happened!

Once the hardwood floors were complete and we were able to move back into our home, the CABINETS ARRIVED. It was a very, very exciting day to say the least.

For this kitchen renovation that I am partnering with Lowe’s on, I chose to use cabinets by Kraftmaid.

Not only does Kraftmaid have an extensive selection of cabinet styles + colors, their attention to detail is exquisite, as well as the craftmanship of their product. When I started the design process for this renovation, I was quite impressed with all the ‘bells & whistles’ that they offer (many of which come standard with their cabinetry) + the variety of storage solutions they offer.

Once the design plan was in place and the cabinets went into production, a date for their arrival was lightly scratched in stone (versus ‘set in stone’ – bad joke, I know). We didn’t know if the cabinets would actually arrive on that date, but the Lowe’s independent contractor worked day after day to have everything with the walls + floors buttoned up by this magical date.

So the morning of the date comes and I heard crickets… I never was so anxious to receive a call, and THEN my phone rank and I was jumping for joy.

The cabinets DID arrive as planned on the date and I was able to breathe again…

The delivery company unloaded the truck box by box and stacked them ALL into my garage.

There were a lotta boxes and the garage was filled to the max!

The cabinets were gorgeous. Just how I imagined.

And then the fun began of installation…

The following Monday, the contractor got started with installing the cabinets in the empty shell that we once called our kitchen. The upper cabinets (which there are only 2 of) were the first to go into place. They set the placement for everything else thereafter.

Once the upper cabinets were in place, the base cabinets were installed, followed by the cabinet above the refrigerator + the pantry to the right…

By the end of Day One, this was the progress that was made.

I loved watching the new space evolve.

I literally gasped with excitement as each new cabinet was set into place.

Day after day, more progress was made and it started to look & feel like a kitchen.

A real kitchen.

After dreaming about this space for so long + being without a functioning hub for weeks, it felt so good.

In about 5 days, about 95% of the cabinets were installed.

And then IT HAPPENED… after weeks of living out of boxes, I was able to put away all my kitchen essentials.

A glass of wine + some serene tunes on Pandora and IT WAS A PARTY. By myself. With my dishes.

Above…

Below…

…There is so much incredible storage + space. From the outside to the inside, every nook & cranny is so pretty!

CABINETRY

For this kitchen renovation, I chose the Cayden line of cabinets in Dove White (perimeter cabinets) + Greyloft (island cabinets) by Kraftmaid. It’s a full overlay door with an inset panel and minimalist detailing.

For the hardware, I chose the sleek polished nickel Fordham pull.

This was the palette that I created during the design phase and the actual space is really coming together how I envisioned. squeal…

Without giving too much away, here are a few close up peeks at how the finished cabinets look once installed…

The crown moulding still has to be finished, but the flat stock has been added.

CABINET INTERIORS

Check out a few snapshots of the cabinet interiors…

WHY KRAFTMAID.

It’s a fair question. From Ikea to custom, there are a zillion cabinetry companies out there to choose form, so why Kraftmaid?

DESIGN. Lowe’s offers a great service of working with a kitchen designer who can create a plan for you. Whether you know exactly what you want or need hand-holding + direction, the Lowe’s design team will work with you to implement a plan. You not only want to create a high-functioning space, but also a kitchen area that fits your style + aesthetic… the Lowe’s kitchen designers can do that for you!

SELECTION. Kraftmaid has an incredible selection of cabinet styles, colors, decorative enhancements (add-ons), storage solutions, hardware, etc… Having options allows the possibility of achieving a custom-to-you, one of a kind kitchen!

QUALITY. Kraftmaid stands behind their product (check out their warranty) and with a big investment you want a company that cares about their product. Their attention to detail + the craftsmanship of their product is exquisite. What other cabinet companies upcharge for, Kraftmaid cabinets come as standard including solid wood dovetail drawers that are full extension + soft close and a finishing system on their doors to make them twice as resistant to scratches.

STORAGE. Kraftmaid has a huge selection of storage solutions. As much as the outsides of the cabinets need to be pretty, the insides have to be functional.

I am so thrilled with the progress of this kitchen renovation. I will be 100% honest, the renovation process has been exhausting + wearing and I haven’t even lifted a finger (with all the DIY we do, I couldn’t not imagine doing this as a do it yourself project… that’s just too much for me). There have been frustrating + tiring days, but I just keep focusing on the end result. In mere months, this renovation will be simply be a past moment in time. For now, I’m just thankful to have cabinets + focusing on the day-to-day progress!

Next up… countertops. I can not wait to share with you what I chose!

Mod Podge DIY Christmas Ornament

Written by Jenna on November 19, 2015. Posted in Craft, DIY. 4 Comments on Mod Podge DIY Christmas Ornament

This post is brought to you by Plaid and Blueprint Social. The creation + words shared are 100% my own!

Another Christmas season is upon us…

As the seasonal boxes start to make their way up from the basement, I always like to integrate our festive favorites with new finds + homemade creations.

Last week while the kids had a half day of school, we got our craft-on and made these adorable Christmas Tree Ornaments with Mod Podge…

Mod Podge by Plaid has a slew of products for decoupaging, but they just launched a new pearl formula that has an pearlescent sheen and it’s so pretty for creating a ‘mother of pearl’ effect. When creating my handmade paper trees, the pearl Mod Podge gave the prettiest top coat overlay along with adding some some gold + glitter using FolkArt Multi-Surface paint.

MATERIALS

> Mod Podge (pearl)
> FolkArt paints
> Cereal box (or thin cardboard)
> Scrap paper – holiday theme
> Scissors
> Needle + Thread

HANDMADE ORNAMENT

This project was real easy + enjoyable to make. It took about a half hour and I was able to get the kids involved too.

Using the inside of a cereal bar box, I started off this project by free-hand sketching a christmas tree about 3″ tall.

I cut it out and used it as a template for the other trees.

Once all the trees were cut,I I used the template and traced the tree outline of the holiday themes scrapbook paper.

Then it was time to have fun with the Mod Podge…

I applied a thin layer of Mod Podge to the cardboard layer and layed the cut scrapbook paper in place.

Then I applied another thin layer of Mod Podge over the pretty paper.

Once all the trees were dry, it was time to assemble them. To do that, they would need to fit in to each other.

Using scissors, I cut a slit half way down the center of 2 trees – one top down, the other trunk up…

Assembly time… fit them together to make a three-dimensional tree.

This is when I jazzed them up using the FolkArt paints. I added a little gold + glitter…

To hang, I used a needle to thread a thin string through the top of the tree.

The simplest + prettiest handmade ornament for the tree…

RECAP

or to pin for later…

Check out more products + DIY creations by Plaid on Pinterest, Facebook, and Instagram!

I wish you a wonderful season of decorating + Happy Holidays!

Kitchen Progress: Staining Hardwood Floors

Written by Jenna on November 18, 2015. Posted in DIY, Kitchen, Kitchen Makeover, Kitchen Renovation. 4 Comments on Kitchen Progress: Staining Hardwood Floors

We are still full-force ahead with the kitchen renovation through Lowe’s.

Last week was equal to a roller coaster ride with lots ups & downs, but we kept chugging along and now another week is upon us. I *think* I can say, I see the light…

Since I left off last, a lot of progress has been made. Day one of Demo was very exciting + eye-opening. It was amazing how we woke in the morning with a full working kitchen, but by the days end, it was completely taken apart with only the shell of the space remaining…

The remainder of week one was filled with patching and repairing the walls, moving electrical openings (in the walls + ceiling), and sanding the walls to prepare for the cabinet installation.

Once the vertical surfaces were complete, the next area of focus was the hardwood floor, which started out week two of renovations.

Because of the new cabinetry layout, there was an area of hardwood where the dishwasher used to sit that needed to be patched with new material. Once patched, it would all be sanded, then stained…

The major stresser started with locating material… Our existing hardwood is 3-1/4″ wide maple and it was challenging to find material in a short amount of time – literally we had less than 2 days.

Hardwood should be in the home 3- 7 days before installation so it can acclimate to the setting. After locating enough material at Lumber Liquidators, we were good to go.

It took about 3 hours to weave in the new hardwood material to patch the vacant area.

The new material is lighter than the existing, but no worries, because it would all be sanded down to bare wood…

At this point, we ‘moved out’ of the house because despite it smelling bad, all of our furniture was piled high in the family room & it was like walking through a maze in the foyer…

Next step for the floors, sanding…

We hired out for the floors through our Lowe’s independent contractor, who used an industrial sander to sand all the floors down to the bare wood. When finished, the gorgeous maple shined through, but in my taste they had to go darker especially with the new white cabinets.

Here were a few samples of stains that they applied…

In the end, I chose a stain called COFFEE and it’s the 2nd board from the left. It was the perfect medium brown hue with no red or orange.

After the floors were sanded on day 2, they stained the floors, and applied a clear coat of oil sealer in a glossy finish.

It looked like a gym floor with the high-gloss finish but this wouldn’t be the final finish. They apply this high-gloss finish (2 applications) because it is most durable. Once dry (2 days later), the floors were lightly sanded again and the final coat of sealer in a satin finish was applied.

After 5 days we moved back home – yay – and this is how the floors look now…

I just can not contain my love for them…

The before & after is breathtaking. It looks like a completely new space!

They are so rich + warm.

I’m in love.

The floors will take 30 days to fully cure, just like paint on a wall, so for now all the furniture is placed on blankets, craft paper, or felt. I want to protect these bad boys!

Look how beautiful the front room looks with the new floors (ignore the bright red blankets, lol)…

And there you have it. Walls complete. Wood complete.

Next up cabinets + appliances! They will be arriving in the coming days…

RECAP

Before I leave you, here is a recap for staining hardwood floors:

Staining hardwood floor can be quite an undertaking. It’s not difficult, but time consuming and involved. A good sander + high-quality product is key!

THE PROCESS FOR STAINING HARDWOOD FLOORS

– 1 – Clean + Clear out the room(s)

– 2 – Sand floors to bare wood – coarse grit sandpaper to fine grit sandpaper

– 3 – Stain floors (a roller works best)

– 4 – Polyurethane floors (3 times using a roller)

– 5 – Let the poly cure for at least 48 hours

– 6 – Move back in!

>>> Polyurethane takes 30 days to full cure, so no shoes. Be Remember to place furniture down, don’t drag!

DISCLAIMER: THIS KITCHEN RENOVATION IS A COLLABORATION WITH LOWEâ€™S. ALL OPINIONS + SELECTIONS ARE MY OWN WITH THE ASSISTANCE OF THE LOWEâ€™S DESIGN TEAM.

Demo Day: Steps for Demolishing the Kitchen

Written by Jenna on November 9, 2015. Posted in DIY, Kitchen, Kitchen Makeover, Kitchen Renovation. 4 Comments on Demo Day: Steps for Demolishing the Kitchen

Demo Day means one thing… construction has begun!

Last week demolition of the existing kitchen started and I was full of emotions from excitement to nervousness. After months of planning, I just couldn’t believe the day had come.

After spending the weekend clearing + cleaning out the kitchen and adjacent areas, the kitchen was ready to be teared down.

I was anticipating DEMO DAY to be rugged & raw with sledgehammers flying and earsplitting noise of walls being tore down. Like this…

via

Yay, not so much. Guess it’s a good thing with a baby in the house who typically naps for 3+ hours…

I was a little disappointed that I couldn’t get the days anxieties out with a haul of a hammer, but I got over it quickly.

A few hours in to demo day, the window treatments were down, the cabinets were out, and the contractors were well on their way to clearing out the kitchen area.

The kitchen cabinets came out first, followed by the soffit above the existing cabinets. The new upper cabinets will continue to the ceiling with decorative moulding, which will really heighten the space+ provide more storage space inside.

The ‘soffit’ in front of the window (above the sink) we discovered is a beam, which will need to remain. Can’t take out what is holding up the house!

Beyond the beam though, we will be able to heighten the soffit, which will allow new tile to continue up and around all sides of the window. A pretty new pendant over the sink will also be installed.

Over the coming days once demo is complete, other areas of focus will be the plumbing + electrical. The electrical changes will include relocating + adding outlets, repositioning the recessed lights in the ceiling, and adding pendant lights over the island.

All the wiring for the electrical will take place now during the demo + repair phase, then when the cabinets are in, the contractor will be able to cut the exact locations in the sheetrock, so they are in the exact position that I’d like. Not too shabby…

See that ugly tile? That was the original floor for the kitchen + dining space. I couldn’t imagine… The hardwood flooring was installed by the previous owners and since the kitchen was already in place, they followed the footprint perimeter of the cabinets.

The challenging part that we’re going to encounter with our proposed plan is weaving new flooring into this area where the dishwasher once was because we are eliminating the footprint of this “peninsula” and instead creating a big ole’ island.

Once the new floor is installed, ALL the first floor hardwood floors will be sanded & restained. By weaving in new floor with the old though, it’s unknown how the stain will take and the new floor boards might be obvious & stand out. I was told, the darker the floor, the higher probability that it’ll be apparent. It’s an unknown at the moment, so we shall see what happens…

By days end, just the shell of the space was left.

I couldn’t believe how everything was out & already how different the kitchen space felt. And all I kept thinking was, it’s really happening…

It’s amazing how a room can look + feel so different when everything is removed. Your eye isn’t drawn to what it sees anymore, but instead with a clear palette a world of new thoughts + ideas come flurrying in.

For months (maybe even years in my head), I planned + designed every nook & cranny of the new kitchen, but having it actually go from a dream to reality is mind-boggling.

As my kitchen adventure continues, I plan to share the good, the bad, and all the steps in between with hopes to inspire + educate if you ever decide to renovate the kitchen in your home.

Next up for this kitchen renovation… finishing repairing the walls & then the patching + staining of the hardwood floors. After that, cabinets will be delivered.

Thanks for following along!

DISCLAIMER: THIS KITCHEN RENOVATION IS A COLLABORATION WITH LOWEâ€™S. ALL OPINIONS + SELECTIONS ARE MY OWN WITH THE ASSISTANCE OF THE LOWEâ€™S DESIGN TEAM.

Kitchen Remodel: Before + Plan of Action

Written by Jenna on November 2, 2015. Posted in DIY, Kitchen Renovation. 5 Comments on Kitchen Remodel: Before + Plan of Action

Last week I filled your feed with over-the-top gorgeous white kitchen inspiration!

Today, I’m sharing the PLAN OF ACTION for MY kitchen makeover.

You heard it right, I’m renovating my kitchen. It’s true and I couldn’t be happier.

I’ve had the awesome opportunity to design many kitchens for clients and now it’s my turn to create a dream kitchen space. To be honest, I have 100% been the worst client ever – too many changes, lots of drawn-out dramatic decisions – trying to fit every best thing into this space (which didn’t happen by the way), BUT either way I know it’s going to be fabulous when it’s complete…

THE BEFORE.

Before sharing what’s to come, let’s take a step back to look at the current kitchen (soon-to-be ‘before’).

You may think the kitchen looks great in this shot. And you’re right… here it does because this picture was snapped right after the DIY makeover 4.5 years ago. The current state of the kitchen at this moment is a mess and I couldn’t find any other before ‘pictures’.

Anyway, in 4.5 years we used + abused this space and overall some elements have worked well, but more HAVE NOT worked! For the new layout of this kitchen, it was key to figuring out how to make a better flowing, more efficient new kitchen.

THE PROCESS.

I started off this kitchen makeover as I typically would with my clients by creating a Vision Board with elements + inspiration to capture how I envision the overall space to look + feel.

By flipping through magazines + gathering images from the web, I set out to find overall spaces that I would love to live in + specific elements in rooms that I am drawn to. When working with a client on a room refresh, these are the same steps we take to capture the vision + aesthetic direction to then create the unique-to-them magical, dream space.

Here are a few favorite kitchen spaces…

Overall, there is a commonality with all these spaces.

They are all… Crisp. Clean. Classic. White. Open Shelving. Layered with Pops of Color.

All elements I want for my new kitchen space.

Since DIYing our current kitchen a few years back, I knew I wanted painted cabinets instead of stained. I also knew with our open concept floor plan, I wanted + needed the new kitchen to feel light, bright, and most of all timeless; classic was key! After contemplating about one or multiple colors for the cabinets, I knew white (how much more classic can you get than white) would be the dominate cabinet color choice. As always, I feel it’s important to add depth + contrast in a room, and so for this space the perimeter cabinets will be white, the island will be a rich deep charcoal, and many layers will be introduced atop to make the space pop with color.

THE PLAN.

For this kitchen makeover, I am thrilled to be collaborating with Lowe’s and their design team. After I created the initial layout, I met with a design team member at my local Lowe’s who assisted me to create the most efficient + beautifully aesthetic plan possible.

At Lowe’s, they have multiple cabinet companies in a range of price points. I decided that the Kraftmaid cabinetry line would suit my design aesthetic best and their selection of cabinet design styles + colors are extensive.

I shared with them the following to get the project started:

> Overall existing measurements of the kitchen area

> Vision Board + Room Inspiration to convey overall design direction

> Appliance selections (so they fit correctly in the new plan)

As the design evolved over a few weeks, there were several renditions, but this is the final proposed plan. A large center island (which will have counter stool seating) anchors the space with continuous flow around. The red dashed line shown in the plan below is where there is currently ‘peninsula’ cabinetry, which will be eliminated.

Check out these fabulous 3-D images of how the kitchen will look when complete.

I wish with a snap-of-a-finger it would be done and looking like this. I can see myself cooking right there on that island. soon…

Seeing these perspective images really helps visualize how the finished space will look. So different from it’s current state.

Part of the soffit above the current cabinets will be removed so the new upper cabinets will be full height to the ceiling. Unfortunately, the soffit above the window can not be removed because it’s a structural element supporting the house. It was a bit of a bummer, but THANKFULLY we cut a whole in the sheetrock to find this out BEFORE the cabinets went into production!

Tip: If you are renovating a kitchen and have soffits above your current cabinetry, cut a hole to see if there is ductwork or plumbing inside before ordering cabinets! Pipes or supporting beams may be rerouted, but it could be costly.

A new full-depth pantry will be added to the right of the refrigerator which will house the small appliances (coffee maker, toaster, etc) + mobile gadgets.

The overall finished space will have a balanced mix of closed cabinetry and open shelving (on the walls + in the island).

THE PALETTE.

Using my inspirational pictures, I created my materials palette. As with most spaces (for myself & clients), I feel it’s best that the main elements that you want to “live” for a long time should be more neutral; not plain jane, but classic. THEN color + texture can be layered in through accessories, window treatments, a rug, wall decor, etc – all elements that aren’t overall expensive & can be changed when you want a refresh.

– 1 – Painted white (Kraftmaid dove white) for the perimeter cabinets; Painted dark gray (Kraftmaid greyloft) for the island

– 2 – Polished Nickel cabinet hardware

– 3 – White subway tile on the backsplash with dark grout

– 4 – Stainless appliances (Smudge-Proof by Frigidaire – genius)

– 5 – Silestone (lagoon) for the countertops

– 6 – Organic elements, layers with texture + visual engagement

– 7 – Lighting, pendants over the island

– 8 – Sink + Faucet. modern + functional

– 9 – Wood Floors to be refinished in a medium brown tone

– 10 – Counter stool seating at island

– 11 – Paint on the walls in a neutral light gray tone

– 12 – Pops of color with cookware, accessories, cookbooks, and more

STORAGE.

The inside of the cabinets will be loaded with smart storage solutions. Aside from the overall aesthetics of the kitchen, the organizational component has this gal smitten. More often than not, homeowners create a gorgeous new kitchen and regret not maximizing the interiors of the cabinetry with built-in storage.

The interiors of the cabinets ARE JUST AS IMPORTANT as the exteriors!

Kraftmaid has an extensive selection of storage elements. Here is the plan for the cabinet interiors…

And there you have it! Isn’t it incredible?!

Designing + Renovating a kitchen is, hands-down, the hardest space because it’s the ‘hub’ of the home. We want it to look + function the best way possible. The expense + time without the everyday essentials is difficult. BUT, remodeling a kitchen to fit your wants + needs is the BEST INVESTMENT EVER. For our family, morning till night, we live in our kitchen & it’s where everyone – our family & guests – congregate. It’s going to be a rough few months to come, but I’m prepared. i think, i hope…

Of course more details to come soon, so I’d love for you to follow along on this journey while we renovate our kitchen!

DISCLAIMER: THIS KITCHEN RENOVATION IS A COLLABORATION WITH LOWE’S. ALL OPINIONS + SELECTIONS ARE MY OWN WITH THE ASSISTANCE OF THE LOWE’S DESIGN TEAM.

Furniture Makeover: Cabinet Gone Green

Written by Jenna on October 6, 2015. Posted in DIY. 4 Comments on Furniture Makeover: Cabinet Gone Green

New content on the blog has been a bit sparse as of late, but it doesn’t mean that I haven’t been hard at work conjuring up more awesomeness & greatness.

Along with family life that always keeps me busy, I’ve had a flurry of new + exciting client projects (near & far), and I was away for a few days in Boston at a design conference hosted by Wayfair (check out pictures from my trip on my Instagram feed). Being surrounded by SO MUCH TALENT & hearing others speak so passionately about their businesses, really gave me the spark and motivation needed to be open to the exploration of new & different paths as my future unfolds. I know I am just at the beginning of this long journey of exploration…

As each day continues to unfold with wonder, I am excited about TODAY and that’s because I have a new furniture makeover project to share with you.

Check out this green beauty…

I love giving new life to old furniture. A piece that is made well + has ‘good bones’, can truly live on for years. Giving a favorite heirloom or thrift-store-find a pick me up with a dose of TLC + a fresh coat of paint, will just add to it’s life long story; its journey.

This cabinet that I have just given life #17, is older than me (so just over 21, hehe – NOT). For decades it sat beautifully in my moms home, but for the last 9 years, it’s been a treasure in my humble abode.

It started out stained, I gave it a makeover a few years back with paint + a glaze overlay, and now it got another refresh with a major splash of color.

Hello to my ‘new’ gorgeous green beauty…

Before I share more on the process of painting it, let me take you back to what it used to look like…

FIRST 35 YEARS.

LAST 9 YEARS.

NOW.

She truly needed a revamp AND she got it! She looks better now than she did at 20. I hope they say the same about me some day…

THE PROCESS.

The last time I tackled a BIG furniture makeover >>> the china cabinet makeover, I broke all the steps into individual blog posts. Since this is a smaller scale project, I’m going to include all the details in this one post, but if you want more specific detail on the various steps, here are the links t o check out.

> how-to prep + sand wood furniture

> why + how-to prime wood furniture

> tips + tricks to paint wood furniture

> adding details + styling

> china cabinet ‘reveal’

To start this makeover, I brought the cabinet outdoors on a pretty, sunny day a few weekends back. When the weather is good, I love to work outdoors! I set myself up on the driveway and got workin’.

I sanded the all the surfaces using my orbital sander + hand sanded the nooks & crannies that couldn’t be reached.

Then I gave the entire cabinet a good wiping off with a lightly damp cloth.

Typically I would prime the surface next (as I did with the china cabinet), but since I primed this cabinet when I painted last using a stain blocking primer, it wasn’t needed. So I went right to painting with the new hue.

The color of choice for this project was an interesting one… there’s always a story.

I envisioned a true kelly green color for this cabinet and upon working with Glidden Paint last year on the china cabinet, I had to turn to them again for this makeover! They pointed me in the right direction for choosing the best color using their Simplified Color Palette.

Call me crazy, but I finally chose a paint color featured in the Team Colors collection. My color of choice was Boston Green, the perfect green hue from the Boston Celtics. I had it mixed at The Home Depot in Glidden DUO Paint + Primer

Glidden Duo Paint + Primer is A+ because it truly is more than paint! Because of the Paint + Primer formula, I save time & money. The paint applied beautifully and the coverage was exceptional.

I opened the can of paint and was a little taken back by the color. It was bright. Thankfully when it was applied to the cabinet and dried, the intensity quieted.

Using a new angled brush, I applied the first coat of paint in a semi-gloss finish.

first coat complete.

3 coats later it was complete.

I paired the fiery, robust cabinet against a quiet, neutral wall and styled it with elements that were complimentary.

A few favorite books + accessories that aren’t as intense and loud sit atop the cabinet to balance out it’s boldness.

Go big or Go Home! That is the motto for this cabinet makeover.

One last peek at the before & after…

What a change!

Thanks for checking out my latest and greatest DIY project. I’ve got plenty more up my sleeve, so stay tuned.

GLIDDEN is giving away a $50 gift card to Home Depot. Whether you have a painting project to tackle or a DIY idea that you want complete before the holidays, this is the time to ENTER, WIN, and CHECK it off your to-do list!

TO ENTER, fill out the rafflecopter box below and you’re done. GOOD LUCK…

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DISCLOSURE: THIS IS A SPONSORED POST WITH GLIDDEN. ALL WORDS + OPINIONS ARE 100% MY OWN â€“ I TRULY LOVE THIS PRODUCT. AFFILIATE LINKS ARE ALSO INCLUDED IN THIS POST.