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KITCHEN: Prime + Paint

Happy 2018! It’s been a few weeks since I shared about the progress of the DIY Kitchen Remodel in the Brick Ranch Fixer Upper.  Last I left off, I finished prepping the existing wood stained cabinets and I shared the design vision for the space.  Now that the cabinets are prepped, it’s time to get them painted so we can call this kitchen FINISHED!

Before sharing the progress of the cabinets, lets walk down memory lane with a preview of how the kitchen looked before and where it started…

BEFORE

After the cabinets were removed from the face frame and sanded, they were ready for primer.  With most furniture projects that I’ve painted, I always start with using a high-quality stainblocking primer and sealer to give a solid base to the paint color. For this project, I used KILZ 2 Latex (so it’s waterbased for easy cleanup) Multi-Surface Stainblocker.

On a clean, flat, protected surface, I started off by using a paint brush to apply the paint in all the grooves and crevices.  After smoothing it out, I followed with using a brush on all the flat areas.  See the 2 pictures below for more visual detail…

PRIMER PAINT, STEP 1

PRIMER PAINT, STEP 2

Cabinet primer complete.  22 more doors to go…

As I was priming the doors (on late nights + early mornings), I also painted the face frames of the kitchen.

Eek, this is a disastrous picture.  Much of our furniture was stored in the kitchen during the renovation, so it was a challenging area to work! You gotta do, what you gotta do, right?!?

Using similar steps as with the doors, I used a small foam roller brush to apply the primer to the face frames of the cabinets.  At the edges and in difficult spots, I used an angled brush.

A few hours later, here was the result.

Thankfully, with the primer coat, it does not have to be applied thick and only one coat is needed.  As long as the surface it covered, it’s good to move forward with PAINT!

Continuing with the face frames, I applied the semi-gloss paint in the same way… Roller brush for flat surfaces and an angled brush at edges and corners. To get a brushless look, it’s important to have a continuous stroke instead of starting and stopping partially on the surface.  Start at one end and continue the brush or roller to the other end.

I decided that two of the cabinets – the space above the hood and above the refrigerator – would be open cabinets that I wouldn’t install the doors back on to.  I chose to make these cabinets open display with cookbooks and baskets to bring some color and depth to the space.

This is the open cabinet that I painted inside.  For the cabinets with doors, I did not paint the interiors, I left them the clear maple.

Once the face frames were complete, this was the result…

It’s starting to look like something – I think. I hope.

Check out this quick 13 seconds video I created of me painting one of the cabinet door fronts.  This will give you a thorough look into how and when I use the brush and the roller on the face of the door.

And this is the completed cabinet.  Again, 22 more to go…

Aside from the cabinet doors and face frames, the soffit above the cabinets also needed major attention.  I removed the wallpaper border above the cabinets and found that the soffit was made using wood instead of sheetrock, which is typical.  Repair to the damaged areas wouldn’t be as easy as just adding spackle. Ugh.

After sanding and trying to create a smooth surface (as much as possible), I first primed the soffit bulkhead.

Then I painted the soffit using a semi-gloss white. In hindsight, I should have used a flat sheen since the semi-gloss finish shows every imperfection, but it’s fine and I’ve learned to live with it.

I also chose to reuse the exposed door hinges instead of buying new.  Using spray paint in a brushed chrome finish, I layed out the hinges on a protective surface (outside before the snow) and gave them a few coats.  Voila, new hinges and only a few dollars spent!

Once the face frames and doors were complete, they were ready to go back into place.  In many of the images above, the paint color looked so dark, but in natural light the deep blue hue can really be appreciated.

The paint color of the cabinets is: Valspar Mystified 4011-8

After many hours of love + attention, the cabinets were finished and ready to be hung with new hardware and repurposed hinges.

This is the result…

That’s a wrap for now…  I have a few more details for the DIY Kitchen Remodel coming up.  Stay tuned for the reveal of the overall space!

DISCLAIMER: THIS KITCHEN REMODEL IS A COLLABORATION WITH LOWE’S.  ALL OPINIONS + SELECTIONS ARE MY OWN.

 

Kitchen: Creative Vision Board

Before posting about the next steps of the DIY kitchen remodel for our brick ranch fixer upper, I want to share the design direction for the space. Much of the kitchen is staying the same (the floors, wall wainscotting and the layout), but with some budget-friendly upgrades like paint, hardware, and lighting, I hope to make this space feel fresh, updated, and our own.

As I shared last week, the cabinets were a deep stained cherry finish when we bought the fixer upper.  When I first set foot into the space during the open house, I had a strong feeling for what color I wanted to paint the cabinets…  Navy was screaming to me.

Yes, a deep blue hue is dark, but the space is large and the existing floor (which is remaining) is white ceramic with a light gray veining.  The space also has white wainscotting half way up the walls, which will remain.  With all these light / white colors, I felt a darker hue would work to give balance.  Another reason why navy seemed perfect is that my beloved raspberry-colored china cabinet that I found on Craiglslist was also planned for the space.  Raspberry and navy work so well together.

Once the doors + drawers were removed from the face frames to prep them for paint, I created this vision board to make sure I was on the right design path.

PAINT COLORS:
Yellow – Sherwin Williams White Citrus
Navy – Valspar Rouge Blue
Raspberry – Valspar Berry Blush
White – Valspar Ultra White

LIGHTING: Chandelier (similar), Semi-Flush light, Pendant

CABINET HARDWARE: Brushed square knob

ROMAN SHADE: Cordless woven driftwood shade

DINING TABLE: Trestle table

CHAIRS: Yellow Kartell Chairs, Wicker Chairs

JUTE RUG: Natural Jute Rug

Many of the elements in the vision board were pieces we already owned and came with us from our previous home.  Those items include the dining table, the yellow Kartel chairs, the bench with ikat fabric, the wicker dining chairs, the Caitlin Wilson pillows, and the chandelier.  New items that will be layered into the space are the cabinetry hardware, a semi-flush fixture, roman shades, a jute rug for under the dining table, and of course the beautiful new navy hue on the cabinets.

Painting the cabinets is coming up next…

DISCLAIMER: THIS KITCHEN REMODEL IS A COLLABORATION WITH LOWE’S.  ALL OPINIONS + SELECTIONS ARE MY OWN.

Choosing Kitchen Appliances

Appliances are a pertinent component of the kitchen.

Not only are they the primary purpose for cooking + food prep, but appliances contribute a large part to the overall aesthetic.

Basically the appliances have 2 major roles… they have to be highly-functional AND look fabulous!  They’re a big deal!

Tips for CHOOSING KITCHEN APPLIANCES. I just finished a kitchen renovation and share my tips from shopping + why I chose the appliances I did . www.JennaBurger.com

When it came time to choose appliances for our kitchen remodel, I chose Frigidaire.  I had just finished up a client project and after scouring big box + local appliance stores for appliances ranging from budget-friendly to commerical-grade, we both fell in love with the Smudge-Proof collection.

For about the last 15 years, stainless steel finish has been the top choice for kitchen appliances.  The utilitartian look makes us feel like we’re in a commercial kitchen – and doesn’t that make you cook better?  Maybe in my mind… Restaurants have always turned to stainless because it stands up to wear + tear and it holds up to high heat, better than paint.

The downside of stainless, the smudges.  A small issue for some, but with a load of kids (like we have), it can seem like the solid stainless surface is never clean.  Enter… SMUDGE -PROOF. The solution to all world problems.  totally kidding. well kinda.

Resist Fingerprints on your appliances with SMUDGE-PROOF stainless steel by Frigidaire

Appliances in my kitchen: Gas Range / Hood / Refrigerator / Dishwasher / Microwave

KITCHEN MAKEOVER REVEAL: before and after kitchen renovation with white & gray cabinets, open shelving, subway tile backsplash, quartz countertops, and layers of color. This kitchen is gorgeous! Check out the entire renovation process @ www.JennaBurger.com

Aside from the surface – stainless, white, black – of the appliance, here are a few tips when choosing appliances to suit your style + budget.

TIPS BEFORE YOU APPLIANCE SHOPPING

> The Layout.  Before setting out to choose appliances, finalize the layout of the kitchen first to determine what you’ll need + the sizes.

> Budget. Appliances come in a range of price-points and are dependent on the power they provide + the look you want.  Determine a budget what you want to spend, then SHOP.

> Microwave. In many kitchens, the microwave is over the range.  For compact spaces this is a great solution to maximize on space. BUT if you have the space to locate the microwave in another spot (ours is in the island), I would.  The range is more often or not, one of the major focal points of the kitchen that your eye is drawn to. No matter the size of the range (ours is 36″ wide, which is typical), you can make a statement above.

I chose an exposed hood for above the range.  The impact on the overall look outweighs the small lose of storage by eliminating a cabinet.  Need storage above the range? Consider a concealed hood with a decorative mantel which provides space for a cabinet above.

> Refrigerator.  Choosing a refrigerator can be overwhelming.  The selection is vast!  Refrigerators from years past are deep (32-35″ +), which makes them stick out way beyond the countertop depth (typically 25″).  I would recommend a refrigerator that is counter depth or a style that is no more than 27″ deep.  The door of these models sit forward of the counter, but the overall depth compared to older refrigerators is much less.

Having a refrig that isn’t as deep leaves more area form traffic flow – bonus!

> Range. Are you a baker? You need a convection oven. My new oven has convection bake + roast capibilities, which means heat is distributed throughout the oven more evenly rather than heat being emitted from the oven walls only as with a conventional oven. It took some getting used to because when suing the convection setting, the oven auto-adjusts, but overall I am loving the results.

Also with the range, look at the cooktop surface.  Again, lots of options in this area.  I chose a model that has a continuous grate top versus 4 separate burners.  This allows me to move pots / pans easily + to fit more.  Additionally, there is a 2-in-1 burner + griddle, which is ideal for simmering sauces, as well as flipping pancackes.

> Dishwasher. To me a dishwasher is a dishwasher.  Consider what you like / don’t like about your existing style and start from there.  Does it make too much noise?  My new dishwasher is quiet-as-a-church-mouse and actually reflects a blue light onto the floor so you know the cycle has ended.  Or do you not like the inside configuration for plates and glasses?  Look for a model that has flexibility for the top + bottom racks.

> The Handle. A small detail to some, but a huge detail to me which reflects the overall look of a kitchen… The Handles.  Remember, it’s all about the details.  When choosing appliances, *try* to find a collection you like – like the smudge-proof collection – or one manufacturer so the handles on various appliances match.  You wouldn’t have various pulls and knobs on your cabinets, right?

> The Finish.  Whether stainless or painted, every manufacturer has a variation of stainless or white. Again, try to choose a collection so the finish is the same for each.

Appliances are a lot of money.  They are an investment.  And a lot of time + research can go into choosing the right model for your style + budget. It can be quite daunting, but hopefully with the tips I’ve shared, it makes the process a bit less stressful.

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 LOWE’S AND FRIGIDAIRE.  ALL OPINIONS + SELECTIONS ARE MY OWN WITH THE ASSISTANCE OF THE LOWE’S DESIGN TEAM.

Kitchen Renovation: REVEAL + Resources

KITCHEN MAKEOVER REVEAL: before and after kitchen renovation with white & gray cabinets, open shelving, subway tile backsplash, quartz countertops, and layers of color. This kitchen is gorgeous! Check out the entire renovation process @ www.JennaBurger.com

In less than a month, we’ll be living in our home 6 years.  6 years. The fastest 6 of my life. More than double the time of any place we’ve lived before.

We moved here as a family of 3 and now we’re a family of 5 + a cute white little kitty. Life has changed so much and as much as our family + lives have evolved, so has the house we stepped in to – and almost walked away from – 6 years ago.

The shell that was a vacant house, has been transformed into a home.  A chaotic, crazy, bustling HOME.  Every surface has been touched.  Walls has been repainted + wallpapered (some a few times over).  Floors have been recarpeted + retiled.  And most importantly our home is now adorned with key elements that show who we are, what we love, and where we’ve been. Our mark has been made.

KITCHEN MAKEOVER REVEAL: before and after kitchen renovation with white & gray cabinets, open shelving, subway tile backsplash, quartz countertops, and layers of color. This kitchen is gorgeous! Check out the entire renovation process @ www.JennaBurger.com

The kitchen, the hub of our new house in 2010 seemed fine.  The cabinets were in fine shape, the counters weren’t pretty but functional.  A few months in, we changed the hardware + the sink, and called it done.

Until…  2 years later and I was itching to freshen it up.  A $300 kitchen revamp + new appliances left us happy campers.  We were in love.  The do-it-yourself upgrade on a budget was perfect.  At that moment it reflected us.

>>> TO SEE THE DIY KITCHEN MAKEOVER CLICK HERE

In the 3 year time gap from then to now, our lives have turned upside down – all for the good!  When we bought our home, we had just came off a really rough patch with the economy affecting our jobs.

Thankfully things have changed a lot…

KITCHEN MAKEOVER REVEAL: before and after kitchen renovation with white & gray cabinets, open shelving, subway tile backsplash, quartz countertops, and layers of color. This kitchen is gorgeous! Check out the entire renovation process @ www.JennaBurger.com

Fast forward… the Misters job has been stable & growing + I’ve been able to continue expanding my blog + business – designing LOTS of other peoples homes.  Life has been good. Real good.  And truly grateful.  And the time had come for US to get the kitchen of our dreams.  It was finally our turn. Surreal, but true.  I wanted – and needed – a gourmet kitchen of my own.  And here it is.  Finally complete and still pinching myself with excitement.

WELCOME to our kitchen

This kitchen could not have been possible without the assistance + backing from my friends at Lowe’s, Kraftmaid, and Frigidaire.  I’ve collaborated with Lowe’s countless times over the years and I am blessed that they never ask questions and always believe.  I strive to execute outside-of-the-box creations which in turn inspires you, my amazing & dedicated readers.  That’s what I’m here for. That’s what I do… Inspire. And that’s what I hope the take away is with the new kitchen space I designed.

Enough chit-chat, come on in…

KITCHEN MAKEOVER REVEAL: before and after kitchen renovation with white & gray cabinets, open shelving, subway tile backsplash, quartz countertops, and layers of color. This kitchen is gorgeous! Check out the entire renovation process @ www.JennaBurger.com

Where to begin, is the question…

The inspiration for the color palette came from a piece of art.  I snagged this canvas from Ikea last year and at the time it was meant for the living room, which I had been in the process of remodeling. I loved the white background layered with bold pops of color – yellow, blue, raspberry, green, turquoise.

I was drawn to it’s simplicity, yet intricate focus on detail.  And that’s exactly the vision I wanted the kitchen to evoke – clean, simple, and BOLD.

KITCHEN MAKEOVER REVEAL: before and after kitchen renovation with white & gray cabinets, open shelving, subway tile backsplash, quartz countertops, and layers of color. This kitchen is gorgeous! Check out the entire renovation process @ www.JennaBurger.com

This was the mood board I created…

Kitchen Design Board - Plan of Action

… And months later, I feel I’ve achieved just that.  I’m content.  This new kitchen truly evokes everything I am and everything my style is.

KITCHEN MAKEOVER REVEAL: before and after kitchen renovation with white & gray cabinets, open shelving, subway tile backsplash, quartz countertops, and layers of color. This kitchen is gorgeous! Check out the entire renovation process @ www.JennaBurger.com

From edge to edge, here it is…

KITCHEN MAKEOVER REVEAL: before and after kitchen renovation with white & gray cabinets, open shelving, subway tile backsplash, quartz countertops, and layers of color. This kitchen is gorgeous! Check out the entire renovation process @ www.JennaBurger.com

The cabinetry in the new kitchen is by Kraftmaid, one of several cabinet companies displayed at Lowe’s.  I chose the Kraftmaid line of cabinets for a range of reasons. 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.

More on the details of the kitchen + cabinetry in a post coming soon.

KITCHEN MAKEOVER REVEAL: before and after kitchen renovation with white & gray cabinets, open shelving, subway tile backsplash, quartz countertops, and layers of color. This kitchen is gorgeous! Check out the entire renovation process @ www.JennaBurger.com

When the process of the remodel began, the intention was to remove the soffit above the upper cabinet and the soffit above the window.  Unbeknownst to us in the beginning stages, the soffit above the window is a beam that is holding up the back of the house and couldn’t be removed – obviously.  What we WERE able to do was have a higher ceiling in the window section, which allowed the new subway tile to continue up and around the entire window, which really heightens the space.

Instead of having a lower cabinet under the soffit, it was decided that open shelves would be best – for aesthetics + function.

I love the open + airy feel that the 10″ deep  thick shelves give to this section of the kitchen.  Plus the 3″ thick shelves are ultra beafy (I confirmed this many times with the contractor) so they hold all the large dishes + small plates and bowls.  Super easy to access and grab.

KITCHEN MAKEOVER REVEAL: before and after kitchen renovation with white & gray cabinets, open shelving, subway tile backsplash, quartz countertops, and layers of color. This kitchen is gorgeous! Check out the entire renovation process @ www.JennaBurger.com

On the other side of the window, the left side, there are two additional shelves with decorative corbels.  These shelves are only about 7″ deep and can’t hold as much weight, so they’re perfect for glasses + smaller light-weight bowls.  Again, so easy to access.

KITCHEN MAKEOVER REVEAL: before and after kitchen renovation with white & gray cabinets, open shelving, subway tile backsplash, quartz countertops, and layers of color. This kitchen is gorgeous! Check out the entire renovation process @ www.JennaBurger.com

As we continue around the kitchen, the range + exposed hood are flanked by 2 closed upper cabinets that now are full height to the ceiling and hold the glasses (left cabinet) and pantry food (right cabinet).

Continuing the subway tile backsplash up the wall behind the hood was an absolute.  Again, another way to heighten the overall space and not have the wall start / stop at a certain point.

KITCHEN MAKEOVER REVEAL: before and after kitchen renovation with white & gray cabinets, open shelving, subway tile backsplash, quartz countertops, and layers of color. This kitchen is gorgeous! Check out the entire renovation process @ www.JennaBurger.com

KITCHEN MAKEOVER REVEAL: before and after kitchen renovation with white & gray cabinets, open shelving, subway tile backsplash, quartz countertops, and layers of color. This kitchen is gorgeous! Check out the entire renovation process @ www.JennaBurger.com

In the new kitchen, the refrigerator moved about 18″ to the left to create a full depth pantry that touches the side wall.  Ahhh, it’s wonderful.  Singing-from-the-hilltops incredible!  I love it because there is so much storage.

KITCHEN MAKEOVER REVEAL: before and after kitchen renovation with white & gray cabinets, open shelving, subway tile backsplash, quartz countertops, and layers of color. This kitchen is gorgeous! Check out the entire renovation process @ www.JennaBurger.com

The 24″ deep pantry is the same depth as the refrigerator + cabinet above and holds some of the small appliances like the coffee maker + toaster.  The coffee maker sits on a roll-out shelf and there is an outlet in the cabinet back, which makes mornings so easy for brewing our cup of joe.

KITCHEN MAKEOVER REVEAL: before and after kitchen renovation with white & gray cabinets, open shelving, subway tile backsplash, quartz countertops, and layers of color. This kitchen is gorgeous! Check out the entire renovation process @ www.JennaBurger.com

KITCHEN MAKEOVER REVEAL: before and after kitchen renovation with white & gray cabinets, open shelving, subway tile backsplash, quartz countertops, and layers of color. This kitchen is gorgeous! Check out the entire renovation process @ www.JennaBurger.com

Also in the bank of pantry cabinets is a charging station for our various electronics including the cell phones, ipads, etc.  Another outlet was installed for these components in the back of the cabinet and a grommet was drilled in the back of the drawer for the wires to pull through.

Having a ‘home’ for all these kitchen essentials has really cleared off the counters to leave open space for what a kitchen is really used for… cooking.

KITCHEN MAKEOVER REVEAL: before and after kitchen renovation with white & gray cabinets, open shelving, subway tile backsplash, quartz countertops, and layers of color. This kitchen is gorgeous! Check out the entire renovation process @ www.JennaBurger.com

Talking about cooking, I basically prep + do everything for our meals on the island.  The Island.  The huge island that I always dreamed of and still can’t believe I have.

It’s wonderful.

KITCHEN MAKEOVER REVEAL: before and after kitchen renovation with white & gray cabinets, open shelving, subway tile backsplash, quartz countertops, and layers of color. This kitchen is gorgeous! Check out the entire renovation process @ www.JennaBurger.com

The Kraftmaid cabinetry on the perimeter cabinets is Dove White and on the island is a deep + rich grey/blue hue called Greyloft. Never having an island before, I didn’t know what to do with myself when it was installed.  It provides so much storage and in the island is also where the microwave now sits.

KITCHEN MAKEOVER REVEAL: before and after kitchen renovation with white & gray cabinets, open shelving, subway tile backsplash, quartz countertops, and layers of color. This kitchen is gorgeous! Check out the entire renovation process @ www.JennaBurger.com

On the far end of the island that faces the living room, I chose to have open shelves instead of closed cabinetry.  I thought it would be the perfect spot for my many cookbooks + basket storage for dishclothes, cloth napkins, etc.

KITCHEN MAKEOVER REVEAL: before and after kitchen renovation with white & gray cabinets, open shelving, subway tile backsplash, quartz countertops, and layers of color. This kitchen is gorgeous! Check out the entire renovation process @ www.JennaBurger.com

Having open shelving also allows the ability to bring color into the kitchen.  Instead of the solid, one-tone look of cabinets, open shelving adds depth and a way to introduce color.

Another way to bring in color amongst the sea of white was on the walls.  The old kitchen paint color was yellow and for the new wall paint I chose a light gray.  Wrong choice.  In the end, I went back to yellow, but this time the sunshine yellow color is a completely different hue – much more lighter & brighter.

And check out the colorful + bold wallpaper in the dining room. It adds a gorgeous focal point to the overall open space.

KITCHEN MAKEOVER REVEAL: before and after kitchen renovation with white & gray cabinets, open shelving, subway tile backsplash, quartz countertops, and layers of color. This kitchen is gorgeous! Check out the entire renovation process @ www.JennaBurger.com

The marble-looking countertops are quartz and truly complete the clean + simple aesthetic of the kitchen.

KITCHEN MAKEOVER REVEAL: before and after kitchen renovation with white & gray cabinets, open shelving, subway tile backsplash, quartz countertops, and layers of color. This kitchen is gorgeous! Check out the entire renovation process @ www.JennaBurger.com

And let me not forget to discuss the lighting…

I am a major light-aholic!  Lighting is SO IMPORTANT.  Lighting makes a statement and with my home, I wasn’t going to skimp.

Go Big or Go Home!

Being completely honest, I had a difficult time choosing the right lighting.  With the cabinetry hardware being polished nickel, I questioned the lighting style + finish.  In the end, I chose these amazing matte black dome style pendants from Rejuvenation for over the island.

KITCHEN MAKEOVER REVEAL: before and after kitchen renovation with white & gray cabinets, open shelving, subway tile backsplash, quartz countertops, and layers of color. This kitchen is gorgeous! Check out the entire renovation process @ www.JennaBurger.com

And for the light above the sink, I decided on this open style glass pendant from Shades of Light.

They are both amazing, compliment each other perfectly, and overall I am in love with the many different finishes in this kitchen.

KITCHEN MAKEOVER REVEAL: before and after kitchen renovation with white & gray cabinets, open shelving, subway tile backsplash, quartz countertops, and layers of color. This kitchen is gorgeous! Check out the entire renovation process @ www.JennaBurger.com

There you have it…

We have to look at a before & after comparison.  Check out how far this space has come in 6 years…

KITCHEN MAKEOVER REVEAL: before and after kitchen renovation with white & gray cabinets, open shelving, subway tile backsplash, quartz countertops, and layers of color. This kitchen is gorgeous! Check out the entire renovation process @ www.JennaBurger.com

Do you see how / why I’m in disbelief that this makeover really happened?!

Here’s another walk down memory lane view…

KITCHEN MAKEOVER REVEAL: before and after kitchen renovation with white & gray cabinets, open shelving, subway tile backsplash, quartz countertops, and layers of color. This kitchen is gorgeous! Check out the entire renovation process @ www.JennaBurger.com

This has been a strenuous – what big renovation isn’t? – but wonderful renovation process.  I won’t lie, I’m glad it’s DONE, but I can’t ask for anything better. And that is a project labeled SUCCESS.

RESOURCES

I’ve showed you what the kitchen looks like, and now it’s time to share the scoop on the sources…

Cabinets
Perimeter Cabinets: Kraftmaid, color – Dove White, door style – Cayden
Island: Kraftmaid; color – Greyloft, door style – Cayden

Appliances
Frigidaire: Smudge-Proof Stainless

Countertop
Quartz: Silestone, color: Lagoon

Cabinet Hardware
Kraftmaid, Fordham Bin Pull, Polished Nickel

Backsplash
Tile: Allen + Roth 3×6 white subway tile; Grey grout color

Paint Color
Wall Paint: HGTV Home by Sherwin Williams, color – White Citrus, finish – satin

Pendants over Island
Rejuvenation, Haleigh Wire Dome Pendant 12-inch, oil rubbed bronze

Pendant over Sink
Shades of Light, Clear Glass Prism Pentagon Pendant

Sink + Faucet
Lowes, Vigo 32″ x 19″ Stainless single-basin Undermount with Industrial Faucet

Wallpaper (in dining area)
Anthropologie, Frosted Kaleidoscope

Accessories
Pineapple Art – Hobby Lobby
Blue Geometric Rug – Target
Sisal Runner – Target
Bowls – Crate & Barrel, Homegoods
Cutting Boards – World Market
Yellow Industrial Barstools – Target

I think that wraps it up.  Something you liked and want details on… email me!

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 LOWE’S, KRAFTMAID, FRIGIDAIRE, AND HGTV HOME BY SHERWIN WILLIAMS.  ALL OPINIONS + SELECTIONS ARE MY OWN WITH THE ASSISTANCE OF THE LOWE’S DESIGN TEAM.

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…

Natural Quartz countertops in the kitchen was a great choice! It's durable, maintenance free, and so stylish. Check out more at www.JennaBurger.com

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.

Silestone Quartz Lagoon

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 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…

Gettign ready for new countertops to be installed

… and no sink…

Getting ready for new countertops to be installed

…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.

Installation of Quartz Countertops

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

Getting ready for new countertops to be installed

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

Installation of Quartz Countertops

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.

Installation of Quartz Countertops

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…

Silestone Quartz Lagoon

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

How To Choose the Right Countertop for Your Kitchen! Pros + Cons + Advice for countertop materials by www.jennaburger.com

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. 

10 Countertop Materials to Consider for your KITCHEN! Round up of material choices at www.JennaBurger.com

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 LOWE’S USING KRAFTMAID CABINETRY.  ALL OPINIONS + SELECTIONS ARE MY OWN WITH THE ASSISTANCE OF KRAFTMAID AND THE LOWE’S DESIGN TEAM.

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.

Kitchen Renovation + Cabinet Installation using Kraftmaid. Before & After @ www.jennaburger.com

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.

Cabinets Arrive

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.

Kitchen Renovation + Cabinet Installation using Kraftmaid. Before & After @ www.jennaburger.com

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

Kitchen Renovation + Cabinet Installation using Kraftmaid. Before & After @ www.jennaburger.com

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

Kitchen Renovation + Cabinet Installation using Kraftmaid. Before & After @ www.jennaburger.com

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.

Kitchen Renovation + Cabinet Installation using Kraftmaid. Before & After @ www.jennaburger.com

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.

Kitchen Renovation + Cabinet Installation using Kraftmaid. Before & After @ www.jennaburger.com

Above…

Kitchen Renovation + Cabinet Installation using Kraftmaid. Before & After @ www.jennaburger.com

Below…

Kitchen Renovation + Cabinet Installation using Kraftmaid. Before & After @ www.jennaburger.com

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

Kitchen Renovation + Cabinet Installation using Kraftmaid. Before & After @ www.jennaburger.com

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.

Kitchen Renovation + Cabinet Installation using Kraftmaid. Before & After @ www.jennaburger.com

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

Kitchen Renovation + Cabinet Installation using Kraftmaid. Before & After @ www.jennaburger.com

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

Kitchen Renovation + Cabinet Installation using Kraftmaid. Before & After @ www.jennaburger.com

Kitchen Renovation + Cabinet Installation using Kraftmaid. Before & After @ www.jennaburger.com

Kitchen Renovation + Cabinet Installation using Kraftmaid. Before & After @ www.jennaburger.com

Kitchen Renovation + Cabinet Installation using Kraftmaid. Before & After @ www.jennaburger.com

Kitchen Renovation + Cabinet Installation using Kraftmaid. Before & After @ www.jennaburger.com

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

Kitchen Renovation + Cabinet Installation using Kraftmaid. Before & After @ www.jennaburger.com

CABINET INTERIORS

Check out a few snapshots of the cabinet interiors…

Kitchen Renovation + Cabinet Installation using Kraftmaid. Before & After @ www.jennaburger.com

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!

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 LOWE’S USING KRAFTMAID CABINETRY.  ALL OPINIONS + SELECTIONS ARE MY OWN WITH THE ASSISTANCE OF KRAFTMAID AND THE LOWE’S DESIGN TEAM.

Kitchen Progress: Staining Hardwood Floors

Kitchen Renovation: Patch, Repair, and Stain the 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.

Demo Day: Steps to Demolishing an Existing Kitchen + Creating a new renovated space. Remodel by www.jennaburger.com

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…

Kitchen Renovation: Patch, Repair, and Stain the Hardwood Floors

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…

Kitchen Renovation: Patch, Repair, and Stain the Hardwood Floors

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.

Kitchen Renovation: Patch, Repair, and Stain the Hardwood Floors

Here were a few samples of stains that they applied…

Kitchen Renovation: Patch, Repair, and Stain the Hardwood Floors

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.

Kitchen Renovation: Patch, Repair, and Stain the Hardwood Floors

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…

Kitchen Renovation: Patch, Repair, and Stain the Hardwood Floors

I just can not contain my love for them…

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

Kitchen Renovation: Patch, Repair, and Stain the Hardwood Floors

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)…

Kitchen Renovation: Patch, Repair, and Stain the Hardwood Floors

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!

Steps to Staining Hardwood Floors to achieve a beautiful new finished floor! www.JennaBurger.com

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 LOWE’S.  ALL OPINIONS + SELECTIONS ARE MY OWN WITH THE ASSISTANCE OF THE LOWE’S DESIGN TEAM.

Stunning Stained Kitchen Reveal

While I am in the midst of renovating my own kitchen, I’ve been immersed in designing + project managing a few client renovations as well. One that just wrapped up is this stunning stained kitchen…

Stunning Stained Kitchen REVEAL: before & after of a kitchen renovation by www.jennaburger.com

As of late, I am seeing that 90% of new kitchens have painted cabinetry – 85% of which are white – so when this client was adamant about wanting stained cabinets for their new kitchen, I happily obliged. For this project, the client had a clear vision & many decisions were already made when we started working together. It made my job easier + my role less than typical compared to working with clients that need more ‘hand-holding’. With my assistance, I was able to steer / direct them in making design choices that suited their style to achieve the kitchen they envisioned.

Before I share more of what the kitchen looks like now, you’ve gotta see what it looked like prior to demo…

Like I always say, you have to see the before to really appreciate the after. And the kitchen before really needed some TLC.

BEFORE

Kitchen Before

The construction of this kitchen was a bit unique and easier than most because the renovation took place before the clients moved in. This home was a new purchase for them and during the time before the closing, the design process was started. Yes, a bit risky in case “the deal” fell through, but once they closed on the home, construction began the following day. All the prep work + purchases were complete and we were ready to move forward.

The client had about a month before they needed to move in, so everything was scheduled on a tight timeline. Aside from some hiccups with waiting for the countertops to be installed, demo + repair + installation of the new cabinets went fairly smoothly.

Kitchen Before

Aside from the old kitchen being worn + dated, the space was also not being utilized to it’s maximum potential.

As the new plan evolved, there was no question that first to go was the soffit above the existing cabinets. The new upper cabinets would be taller and continue to the ceiling, then be finished with a decorative crown moulding.

The next area of focus was the island – a larger, more substantial island with lots of storage + space to eat-at was a must.

Kitchen Before

Following that, the refrigerator area needed updating to maximize storage.

THE VISION

Upon working through the updates that were needed to create a better flowing space + listening to the clients desires, I created the proposed plan + Vision Board…

Stunning Stained Kitchen REVEAL: before & after of a kitchen renovation by www.jennaburger.com

Stunning Stained Kitchen REVEAL: before & after of a kitchen renovation by www.jennaburger.com

CONSTRUCTION

After months of designing, fabricating, and building, construction began…

In-Progress of Kitchen Renovation

In-Progress of Kitchen Renovation

In-Progress of Kitchen Renovation

In-Progress of Kitchen Renovation

And then it was complete. The result…

AFTER

Welcome to this stained stunner…

Stunning Stained Kitchen REVEAL: before & after of a kitchen renovation by www.jennaburger.com

This is the view as you walk into the kitchen from the entry foyer and it’s gorgeous. Light shines in from the exterior and the space feels bright & fresh.

The cabinets are a mix of a few stains, which took a several tries to get just right. The hue we wanted to achieve was a light-medium brown with no orange or red undertones. In the end, the result is rich and warm.

The cabinets are a full overlay door style (which means the door sits proud of the frame instead of being inset) with a recessed panel door. The door itself has a decorative edging on the outer perimeter + at the recessed panel.

Stunning Stained Kitchen REVEAL: before & after of a kitchen renovation by www.jennaburger.com

The lighting was chosen by the clients and even though I had suggested other fixtures, these look great.

Stunning Stained Kitchen REVEAL: before & after of a kitchen renovation by www.jennaburger.com

Cream colored counter stools beautifully compliment the stained cabinets.

Stunning Stained Kitchen REVEAL: before & after of a kitchen renovation by www.jennaburger.com

The home is a combination of hardwood, carpet, and tile. The tile for this kitchen continues from the foyer and it’s a 18 x 18 ceramic with a staggered layout. It’s lighter tone is the perfect backdrop to the darker cabinets.

Stunning Stained Kitchen REVEAL: before & after of a kitchen renovation by www.jennaburger.com

Stunning Stained Kitchen REVEAL: before & after of a kitchen renovation by www.jennaburger.com

When it came time to choose the countertop and backsplash, it was important to select something that enhanced the beauty + tones of the stained cabinets. We decided on a granite that has flecks of caramel, black, and taupes – it’s so rich with lots of depth. For the backplash, a mosaic with varying-sized square glass pieces was what suited the clients style best.

Stunning Stained Kitchen REVEAL: before & after of a kitchen renovation by www.jennaburger.com

Stunning Stained Kitchen REVEAL: before & after of a kitchen renovation by www.jennaburger.com

Stunning Stained Kitchen REVEAL: before & after of a kitchen renovation by www.jennaburger.com

The cooktop is set into the counter and 3 roll-out drawers were added underneath which gives ample storage for pots, pans, and cooking utensils.

Stunning Stained Kitchen REVEAL: before & after of a kitchen renovation by www.jennaburger.com

Stunning Stained Kitchen REVEAL: before & after of a kitchen renovation by www.jennaburger.com

A double oven sits to the left of the cooktop. Above is full-depth vertical dividers for large trays and platters.

Stunning Stained Kitchen REVEAL: before & after of a kitchen renovation by www.jennaburger.com

Vertical cabinet storage above a refrigerator or oven in a kitchen

Where the non-functioning refrigerator space was before, a new refrigerator + pull-out pantry storage was added.

Stunning Stained Kitchen REVEAL: before & after of a kitchen renovation by www.jennaburger.com

These slide-outs with adjustable shelves have been a wonderful update and the amount of storage is incredible!

Stunning Stained Kitchen REVEAL: before & after of a kitchen renovation by www.jennaburger.com

Taking a step back, this is another view of the overall newly revamped kitchen.

Stunning Stained Kitchen REVEAL: before & after of a kitchen renovation by www.jennaburger.com

I am so smitten over the island legs!

Stunning Stained Kitchen REVEAL: before & after of a kitchen renovation by www.jennaburger.com

Stunning Stained Kitchen REVEAL: before & after of a kitchen renovation by www.jennaburger.com

This new space doesn’t only stop at the kitchen cabinets, but a desk was also added. With a combination of open & closed cabinetry, this desk space is the command center for this family.

Stunning Stained Kitchen REVEAL: before & after of a kitchen renovation by www.jennaburger.com

Another hidden gem + must-have in the kitchen, a trash bin pull-out! This is a double for trash + recycling and in the island was the perfect placement.

Stunning Stained Kitchen REVEAL: before & after of a kitchen renovation by www.jennaburger.com

And there you have it. The before & after of this kitchen renovation is pretty incredible!

Stunning Stained Kitchen REVEAL: before & after of a kitchen renovation by www.jennaburger.com

Stunning Stained Kitchen REVEAL: before & after of a kitchen renovation by www.jennaburger.com

It was such a wonderful job to be a part of. Another project complete!

Do you like stained cabinets or do you prefer painted?

Demo Day: Steps for Demolishing the Kitchen

Demo Day: Steps to Demolishing an Existing Kitchen + Creating a new renovated space. Remodel by www.jennaburger.com

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.

Demo Day: Steps to Demolishing an Existing Kitchen + Creating a new renovated space. Remodel by www.jennaburger.comDemo Day: Steps to Demolishing an Existing Kitchen + Creating a new renovated space. Remodel by www.jennaburger.com

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.

Demo Day: Steps to Demolishing an Existing Kitchen + Creating a new renovated space. Remodel by www.jennaburger.com

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…

Demo Day: Steps to Demolishing an Existing Kitchen + Creating a new renovated space. Remodel by www.jennaburger.com

Demo Day: Steps to Demolishing an Existing Kitchen + Creating a new renovated space. Remodel by www.jennaburger.com

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.

Demo Day: Steps to Demolishing an Existing Kitchen + Creating a new renovated space. Remodel by www.jennaburger.com

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…

Demo Day: Steps to Demolishing an Existing Kitchen + Creating a new renovated space. Remodel by www.jennaburger.com

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!

Demo Day: Steps to Demolishing an Existing Kitchen + Creating a new renovated space. Remodel by www.jennaburger.com

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 LOWE’S.  ALL OPINIONS + SELECTIONS ARE MY OWN WITH THE ASSISTANCE OF THE LOWE’S DESIGN TEAM.

Wonderful White Kitchens

On the gloomiest of days, a white kitchen will always put a smile on your face!

Wonderful White Kitchens + How To Decorate them so they're anything but VANILLA! White Kitchen Round-up @ www.jennaburger.com

I am so excited to share that I am in the midst of designing a kitchen that I’ve always dreamt of AND it’s for me!

I’ve created beautiful kitchens for many clients & I am thrilled that I finally have the opportunity to put all the wants + needs of a gorgeous + uber-functional kitchen into my own home.  I’ll be honest, I can walk in to a clients home and with a snap-of-a-finger see how to transform it.  With my own kitchen, it hasn’t been so easy… my finger snapping failed me.

I, like many others, have always wished for white.  And so of course, my new kitchen will have white cabinets (not all, but most).  I was hesitant about white at first feeling that it might be too sterile or too ‘white’, but with layers + pops of color throughout, I know it’s the right choice for now + later.

If you’re dreamy about white like me, here are some kitchens to be inspired by that perfectly balance white with layers of color, texture, and style…

WHITE IN A COTTAGE STYLEWonderful White Kitchens + How To Decorate them so they're anything but VANILLA! White Kitchen Round-up @ www.jennaburger.comFeatured at BHG

WHITE WITH POPS OF CITRINEWonderful White Kitchens + How To Decorate them so they're anything but VANILLA! White Kitchen Round-up @ www.jennaburger.comPhoto by Eric Piasecki; Katie Ridder Rooms; Featured on HGTV

WHITE + A COLORFUL ISLANDWonderful White Kitchens + How To Decorate them so they're anything but VANILLA! White Kitchen Round-up @ www.jennaburger.comDesigned by ME! Photographed by Laura Moss, Featured at BHG

[more details on the before & after of this kitchen can be found in this post – it’s a must see]

WHITE WITH WOODWonderful White Kitchens + How To Decorate them so they're anything but VANILLA! White Kitchen Round-up @ www.jennaburger.comKitchen of Sarah Sherman Samuel

WHITE WITH A CONTRAST TILE + FLOORWonderful White Kitchens + How To Decorate them so they're anything but VANILLA! White Kitchen Round-up @ www.jennaburger.comKitchen designed by Mary Jo Fiorella

WHITE WITH OPEN SHELVESWonderful White Kitchens + How To Decorate them so they're anything but VANILLA! White Kitchen Round-up @ www.jennaburger.comKitchen featured at BHG

WHITE REFRESH WITH NAVYWonderful White Kitchens + How To Decorate them so they're anything but VANILLA! White Kitchen Round-up @ www.jennaburger.comMood Board for White Kitchen by Emily HendersonKitchen + Mood Board by Emily Henderson

INDUSTRIAL STYLE WHITEWonderful White Kitchens + How To Decorate them so they're anything but VANILLA! White Kitchen Round-up @ www.jennaburger.comDesigned by Fixer Upper‘s Joanna Gaines; Featured in HGTV Magazine

A MIX OF WHITE + GRAY Wonderful White Kitchens + How To Decorate them so they're anything but VANILLA! White Kitchen Round-up @ www.jennaburger.comKitchen by Melissa of The Inspired Room

WHITE BACKSPLASH WITH DARK GROUTWonderful White Kitchens + How To Decorate them so they're anything but VANILLA! White Kitchen Round-up @ www.jennaburger.comKitchen by Taste Interior Design

SMALL BUT SOPHISTICATEDWonderful White Kitchens + How To Decorate them so they're anything but VANILLA! White Kitchen Round-up @ www.jennaburger.comKitchen by Hunted Interior

GO BOLD WITH A BACKSPLASHWonderful White Kitchens + How To Decorate them so they're anything but VANILLA! White Kitchen Round-up @ www.jennaburger.com Photography By: Kim Cornelison; Home of Kim Cornelison + Alfie Ferreyra ; Featured at HGTV

WHITE IN A TRADITIONAL SETTINGWonderful White Kitchens + How To Decorate them so they're anything but VANILLA! White Kitchen Round-up @ www.jennaburger.comKitchen featured at BHG

WHITE WITH OPEN WOOD SHELVESWonderful White Kitchens + How To Decorate them so they're anything but VANILLA! White Kitchen Round-up @ www.jennaburger.comKitchen by Our House

WHITE WITH POPS OF COLORWonderful White Kitchens + How To Decorate them so they're anything but VANILLA! White Kitchen Round-up @ www.jennaburger.comKitchen designed by: Lauren Muse; Featured at HGTV

FLOOR TO CEILING WHITE IN A GALLEY LAYOUTDP_Design-Development-white-traditional-kitchen_3x4.jpg.rend.hgtvcom.1280.1707Kitchen design by: Design Development

WHITE WITH BOLD LAYERS [turquoise is a favorite]Wonderful White Kitchens + How To Decorate them so they're anything but VANILLA! White Kitchen Round-up @ www.jennaburger.com

Wonderful White Kitchens + How To Decorate them so they're anything but VANILLA! White Kitchen Round-up @ www.jennaburger.comKitchen featured at BHG

ECLECTIC WHITEWonderful White Kitchens + How To Decorate them so they're anything but VANILLA! White Kitchen Round-up @ www.jennaburger.comKitchen by White Buffalo Styling Co

Open Shelves.  Wood.  Pops of Color.  White Tile.  Contrasting Grout.  Colored Island.

Many elements from these inspirational pictures have influenced the design decisions for my kitchen.  I can’t wait to share the details + plan of action with you…  Next Week hopefully!

What colored cabinets would be in your dream kitchen?  Is it white?

DID YOU HEAR? WE’RE RENOVATING OUR KITCHEN

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