The kitchen and I are working on each other. I’m not sure the kitchen is making an effort, but then I’m not sure I am, either. However, I did paint the kitchen the other day when the satellite internet was out for the whole day.
It wasn’t a dramatic change. The color of the kitchen was a pale yellow, as opposed to the violent yellow found throughout most of the downstairs. I painted it in the neutral “sandbar” that I’ve used throughout most of the downstairs.
You find out a lot about a home’s decor history when you paint it. There are always remnants of past jobs. Before the kitchen was pale yellow, it was a color that reminds me of a pink tomato. Not really pink, but not really red, either. You can see it here on the outlet.
It was quite a bold choice for a very small room.
I bet it went well with the violent yellow. I do know that the previous owners are the ones who painted the trim white in the house. They told me it had been the plain stained wood when they moved in. Therefore, since remains of the pink tomato color can be seen on the white trim in the kitchen, I believe they were the ones who painted it pink tomato. At some point, I also suspect that someone, a tiny bird or a real estate agent, said, “How about that pink tomato?” And suggested they paint it something less…..in your face….while they were trying to sell the house.
The neutral sandbar didn’t make a big transformation, but the walls needed a fresh coat of something anyway, so I gave it a facelift with my own color choice.
After painting, I replaced the shiny brass cabinet knobs with a more toned-down brushed nickel. Like paint, cabinet knobs are an inexpensive way to update a room.
Once I painted, I hung a few things on the walls. There’s not much room to hang anything on the walls because there’s not much wall space.
I don’t know where my mother got these rooster plates, but I know that they were painted in Italy and she always had them in her kitchen when I was growing up.
See, I come by my love of chickens honestly.
This gorgeous spoon was carved by Don (husband of Shelley–from the forum) of Twiggity Farm.
It’s made of sassafras wood, and was a very lovely gift to me from them after I moved to Sassafras Farm.
I actually do like this light fixture.
And I love the built-in cookbook shelf and the spice shelf.
Love the pull-out shelves in the cabinets.
Love the microwave shelf.
Love this little key/mail holder thingy that the previous owners left.
Love the extra pantry cabinets just outside the kitchen.
Someday, I would like to replace the countertops, which are in sad shape and were improperly installed. Surely it wouldn’t cost much since there’s not much countertop space anyway. (I apologize, dear kitchen, for so often insulting you.)
Replacing anything other than cabinet knobs is not on my list for this year, however.
I’m working on learning to love the kitchen as it is. After all, the kitchen and I spend a lot of time together.
Dear kitchen, did I not give you new plumbing? I’m trying.
Kitchen: “I think the plumbing was for you, Woman.”
SEE?! What did I tell you? The kitchen is making no effort.
Dear kitchen, I was just about to tell you how adorably light, bright, and airy you are…..
….FOR A CLOSET!
I think we need counseling.
Or make that at least one of us…..
KarenAnne says:
That looks vry cozy. My ideal kind of kitchen, and a pantry to boot.
On January 17, 2012 at 4:33 am
D1BeachBum says:
For such a small room, I am blown away by how much cabinet space you have….I can only hope my closet will have such storage when it’s done…..I love it. :clover:
On January 17, 2012 at 7:25 am
Glenda says:
I love that compact little kitchen ! I had one once and I loved being able to just turn from appliance to sink to cabinets. I love that color too. I think I will look for it to refresh my pale yellow kitchen.
On January 17, 2012 at 8:14 am
doodlebugroad says:
I see it as quaint … with awesome in its future.
It is amazing how a simple change in hardware can make a statement.
Good job!
On January 17, 2012 at 8:48 am
Leah says:
I like a lot of things about the kitchen
You fixed it up cute.
On January 17, 2012 at 8:49 am
PaulaClark says:
It’s a cute kitchen, but I understand your need for a working kitchen. I love to cook and lived in a house for 14 years with minimal counter top space. The house we just bought has lots of counter top and cabinets but is so ugly. Beat up oak cabinets, shiny but worn brass and white ceramic knobs and dark brown formica. But the budget for improvements ran out so I’m stuck with it for while. The problem is that we have 42 cabinet doors so it’s not a cheap fix to change them. I am ready to paint them but hubby isn’t on board with that big job. We were professional house painters before we retired so we know exactly how much work it will be to do it right. LOL But I love the space so ugly will have to work for awhile.
On January 17, 2012 at 9:00 am
CATRAY44 says:
It is a very pretty kitchen!
On January 17, 2012 at 9:02 am
JOJO says:
:butterfly:
On January 17, 2012 at 9:06 am
holstein woman says:
Your kitchen reminds me of the kitchen I had in an apartment I rented 10+ years ago. Just big enough for 1 cook with everything at your finger tips.
I loved it, but with the farm and more to cook for now it wouldn’t work for me. I know your problem especially when you are making cheese, etc.
I would really enjoy some cabinet drawer pullouts and other goodies you have. The color is so suttle and completes the kitchen very nicely. Good Job! :fairy:
On January 17, 2012 at 9:23 am
Flowerpower says:
Like the new paint color…and I do love the little branch thingy over the door with the stars and flag. Roosters look good in that window! Its a nice little kitchen… :happyflower:
On January 17, 2012 at 10:02 am
Madeline says:
That is one cozy warm looking kitchen.It has “Suzanne” written all over it. I have had large small beat up and nicer kitchens, over the years (we moved a lot so i tried not to get too attached..) I believe I actually liked my smaller spaces best– i got more efficient, and less to clean.I am SURE you can use more counter space but we always can.I forsee many many scrumptious goodies coming out of this kitchen!!
On January 17, 2012 at 11:16 am
Luann says:
THAT is a beautiful kitchen, You will adjust to its size. Enjoy every moment.
On January 17, 2012 at 12:47 pm
aprilsinohio says:
You’ve done nice things with it. I think you’ll be much more content when you get the studio up and going. Then you can do the big project there. In the meantime you get to do the fun stuff…plan! Thank you for talking to your kitchen. It gave me a laugh I needed! :french:
On January 17, 2012 at 12:53 pm
Gwen says:
even for a closet, it looks lovely and very cozy……
On January 17, 2012 at 1:24 pm
JOJO says:
:butterfly:
Suzanne, I notice that there are GFI outlets around the counter top, it appears that the electrical had been updated, hopefully you wont have problems there as well. I like the new pulls, I would like to replace ours, but the ones I like (simular to your new ones) but they are almost $3 each, and we need 31 so I will have to wait for a while until I find a really good sale. You should check with some of the DIY stores for your counters, sometimes they have mis-cuts that could be cut down to fit your kitchen, I would suggest that you have them professionally installed. 😉
On January 17, 2012 at 2:52 pm
AnnieB says:
I know how you must feel about the size of your kitchen, but you have made it really cozy, homey and warm. Great job with limited resources!
On January 17, 2012 at 2:52 pm
stacylee says:
I dilike my new kitchen more than you dislike yours! At least you can think of SOMETHING nice to say. I have no couterspace, no cabinet space, and the disposal side of the sink hovers right next to a carpeted space. Were these people insane?
On January 17, 2012 at 4:51 pm
yvonnem says:
I think our kitchen looks great!
I have a question…what is that big, oval knob of a thing on the side of the cabinet to the right of your sink? I feel like I should know, but I have no clue!
On January 17, 2012 at 4:54 pm
Suzanne McMinn says:
yvonne, I had to ask someone about that “big knob” myself and they showed me that it can hold a kitchen towel! I don’t use it for that–it’s right over where I keep my food processor. It seems kinda weird to me and I would remove it if I could figure out how. There’s no screw on the inside when I look in the cabinet and I’m afraid to just pry it off and leave a big bad spot on the side of the cabinet!
Joy, yes, as another commenter noted, I have posted about the cows! Go to the Barn blog page and scroll down to see the post titled Moo. (They’re here and they’re fine!)
On January 17, 2012 at 6:19 pm
JOJO says:
:butterfly:
Suzanne, I just HAVE to write another post, my neighgor called this after noon and asked me to come and see the re-do they did in their kitchen, the house is only 12 years old, I did go and see it, it was ok, not my style ( mine is country farm house) it looked shiny, new and to me cold,it probably cost a lot of money, and the funny part is she can not boil water. I wouldnt trade your kitchen for the one I saw earlier. The cook makes the kitchem, the kitchen doesnt make the cook–you could create good stuff in a pup tent!
On January 17, 2012 at 4:56 pm
rileysmom says:
It is a cozy kitchen…and you have a nice big window to see your “kingdom.”
Some folks here have been raving about a countertop “painting system” that revitalizes countertops. I believe it involves a few layers of “paints” a DIY project for you…yeah, like you need another one! 😆
On January 17, 2012 at 5:20 pm
Old Geezer says:
Doncha just love other people’s decoration tastes?
In the past 30 odd years we’ve gone on two corporate-financed house searches (in other words, rather extensive from someone else’s purse). And I still remember some of the “decorating” we encountered.
A house with each room painted in a different, bright, solid primary color. We called it the “Haitian house”. And, no, the owners were not from Haiti. We passed because of the big black ants we saw. You can always paint over strange colors.
A house in a tony Detroit suburb where the dining room’s main wall was decorated with pyramids made of mirror triangle pieces. The whole wall! You’d need sunglasses or maybe a welding mask just to eat breakfast. And don’t lean back in that chair!
A house whose main living areas had walls papered with different exotic grasses — not pictures — the real thing. Did they have any meal that was not a luau? What did *they* do about ants?
A house whose every wallpaper was some combination of foil and flocking! More sunglasses, please! And flocking brings back memories of junior high shop class!
The house we have now, bought over 25 years ago, was bland, bland, bland, but clean, clean, clean. My kind of place.
After a bit of modernizing, should be easy to sell as well.
Mirror pyramids! Who thought that one up?
:no:
On January 17, 2012 at 6:13 pm
yvonnem says:
Thanks Suzanne! You even wrote the Daily Farm around my question. (I feel special! :shimmy: )
Really though, that’s the only thing I could think of was to hang a towel on it !
I bet you could gently pry it off and use some Goo Gone to clean up the sticky remnants. Hey, maybe even use a hair dryer to heat up the adhesive to make it easier to pry off ???
On January 17, 2012 at 8:20 pm
Katharina says:
I love your little kitchen, Suzanne. You’ve made it yours. I love the alphabet plate behind the faucets. When I see that, I know it is Suzanne’s kitchen! You have another kitchen in your studio, too! How wonderful is that? I can’t count the holidays I wished I had an extra refrigerator and an extra oven. You have it all.
Now you can measure out the old kitchen area and draw up your dreams. You can take your time while you sock away $$ for the new kitchen, and draw up wild and extravagant plans. You can visit home centers and dream, dream dream. When the money finally shows itself, you will be ready with a plan. I always dream large and scale back only if absolutely necessary. There is no hurry. Have fun! Bake and cook and enjoy the little kitchen and dream of kitchens to come.
On January 17, 2012 at 10:08 pm
Chic says:
I think it’s a great little kitchen and it’s equipped pretty good for a small kitchen too! Love the paint color you chose. Enjoy your ‘new’ work space!
On January 18, 2012 at 10:32 am
Ms.Becky says:
It’s a charmer. and though small, it’s amazing how adaptable we can be when circumstances call for it. you’ll have a bigger kitchen all in good time, but for now, this one is home. you’ve done a beautiful job of making it your own. now get cooking!!! :happyflower:
On January 18, 2012 at 4:20 pm
alaetra says:
If you had a little time and got together a little money you could think about concrete countertops.
On January 20, 2012 at 12:36 pm
sunhurteyes says:
I am new to your Chicken in the Road. I love your kitchen. And your chickens in the road and in the yard and in their coop. I think I’m gonna love it all.
On February 12, 2012 at 9:32 pm