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Our kitchen makeover…

December 22, 2018 by Lovoni | 4 Comments

Late in the summer of 2017 my husband & I bought a 118 year old house in Indiana on the outskirts of a town of 750 people: the town where he was born & raised but had left 18 years prior. The house had decades of ugly slapped about with no thought to the age of the old girl. There was no consistency throughout: every room in the house was a bright, ugly color… except the kitchen. That was dark brown with black appliances, dark brown counters – none of which sat straight or were secured properly. And an oven that sat over the only heating & cooling duct in the whole kitchen. In part, it was ugly & dark. So this summer, we transformed it. This is our kitchen makeover…

our kitchen makeover

For those of you who have undertaken renovations you’ll know it’s not for the faint hearted. When done well & as you pictured (or better), it’s worth the blood, sweat, tears & money it takes to transform your home. We are doing all the renovations ourselves. ALL of them. Thank GOD I married a smart & talented man. 

our kitchen makeover

This is our kitchen we finished in the summer amidst power outages, ungodly heat, a dying puppy & a very overworked husband. The dark cabinetry & appliances with the tomato soup red walls, made the rather spacious, open kitchen so dark we nicknamed it “the cave”. I’ve always loved the idea of open shelving, so popular in my country, so one of the first things we did was remove all the upper cabinets & a giant bank of cabinetry on the opposite wall that loomed like Roman pillars. We flipped those cabinets upside down –  turning the top into bottom cabinets, adding a counter to them & repurposing the remainder in the garage & laundry. 

our kitchen makeover

As we’d done throughout the whole house, the layers & layers of flooring that had been put on the original hardwood floor were removed. The kitchen had nine, NINE layers of flooring. This small patch shown here, took my hubby two hours to remove before he bought a bigger tool. (There’s a joke in there somewhere I’m sure.) 

our kitchen makeover
our kitchen makeover
our kitchen makeover

There was quite a lot of space that wasn’t utilized for kitchen counters so we moved the oven to where a pony wall had been poorly installed, removing the wall & building a kitchen counter-height wall that was secure & level. We added a Whirlpool gas oven, relocating the oven from where the previous owners had it blocking the heating & cooling duct. 

our kitchen makeover

For the first five months after the reno we were island free but the space was big enough for a skinny island so we bought a marble slab & my hubby made an island for extra storage & somewhere to sit, graze & sip on cocktails right in the kitchen. One can never have too much counter space. 

our kitchen makeover

I cook for a living so I wanted easy access to my knives, utensils & such that I use all the time. This piece of wall right next to the oven proved perfect for that & it’s where I spend most of my time when I’m in the kitchen, which is a lot.

our kitchen makeover
our kitchen makeover
our kitchen makeover
our kitchen makeover

We added shiplap on three walls. And industrial looking shelving. The wood we scored from a sawmill & the pipes we bought at Home Depot & painted them black. Eventually we’ll get a range hood for over the oven. It’s so good cooking with gas again after using electric for several years. It’s my favourite means of cooking. We kept the dishwasher in its original location but updated what was there was a whisper-quiet, stainless steel inside, Whirlpool that we love. If you can love an appliance. 

our kitchen makeover

Which clearly I can because I love this French door fridge: also a Whirlpool. We opted with the same brand for all our appliances. Whirlpool is assembled in the US, was reasonably priced, had what were were looking for & all the appliances have a cohesive look. Having French doors on the fridge meant not having one giant door opening out into the space which allowed us to have a small island. I also love there’s a giant bottom drawer in the fridge. And the stainless just cleans with windex or other kitchen spray cleaner. I love stainless & don’t find it hard to clean or keep clean. 

our kitchen makeover

We opted for stainless counters: they’re easy to clean & sanitary, you can buff the scratches out of them, they’re smooth which is wonderful for rolling pastry & my hubby works with stainless steel. I sanitize them & then spray them with stainless spray to keep them looking nice. 

our kitchen makeover

Initially we’d opted for a white farmhouse sink but I often cook with cast iron pots & pans & I’ve had a white farmhouse sink before & those pans are rough on it. I love the look of the stainless sink. It’s huge. There’s not one pan I have that won’t completely fit in the sink. 

our kitchen makeover

For the tap I wanted just a plain black industrial looking faucet combo. And for the lights we opted for something you could see through so not to block the view because they hang down right in front of all three windows. The light cages we bought at Lowe’s. The tap I bought online. 

our kitchen makeover

I love the stainless name my hubby made me a couple of years ago. Perfect in our kitchen. 

our kitchen makeover

I abhor dragging appliances from the depths of my cabinets when I need to use them. Lucky enough to have the counter space, we chose to have the appliances I use most often on a baking station we created – out, where they’re easy to get to. We also added a pantry where once was wasted space. 

our kitchen makeover

My hubby built receptacles for the garbage, recycling & microwave. He also enclosed the fridge. Nothing says “unfinished” in a kitchen than the fridge free floating in the middle of the room. 

our kitchen makeover

We bought a spray gun & my hubby sprayed the kitchen cupboards with the same white patio & floor paint we have the floors in the kitchen & throughout our house painted. Durable & easy to clean it’s excellent paint.  We replaced the cabinetry hardware with black cast iron knobs & handles I bought online. And we opted for no window treatment for a clean look. The fairy lights I have here & there about the house permanently. I love their touch of whimsy. 

our kitchen makeover

What matters most about the kitchen is we love it. I find it very easy & enjoyable to cook in. It’s well organized & laid out. It was a real labor of love – my hubby did almost all the work, I just designed it. It’s a place to gather, share stories & create memories. Five months on, I still walk out each morning & marvel at how it turned out, forever grateful. 

PIN IT!

our kitchen makeover

 See more of our old home renos: tiny bathroom & a bedroom makeover. 

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Filed Under: featured, Home & Garden, Our Old Home, popular, Popular on Pinterest, Style

Comments

  1. Jacquie says

    December 22, 2018 at 8:37 pm

    I love that sink!So glad I read this because we were going to replace our not.very old sink with a white farmhouse sink.All our pans are cast iron and I prob would have beat the hell out of it.Beautiful job!

    Reply
    • Lovoni says

      December 23, 2018 at 8:11 pm

      Thanks so much. Lots of work but worth it in the end. I love white farmhouse sinks but they’re not cheap. They seem to stand up to the usual rigors of kitchen life but glassware can break easily in them & yes, cast iron does a number on them. If you got a wire rack or something to put in the bottom of the sink (our stainless sink came with one) it would protect the porcelain farmhouse sink I think.

      Reply

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Well hello there…

I’m Lovoni – food stylist, cookbook author, once-upon-a-time TV cooking show host, food photographer, gypsy & serial dieter. Really, I’m just greedy with a passion for good food, made right. I believe wholesome food is something to take pleasure in without guilt. I love simple living, whimsy & adventures.

 

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GOOD FOOD. NO GUILT
Armenian Nutmeg Cake might not be a looker but don Armenian Nutmeg Cake might not be a looker but don’t be fooled, this cake is divine. A brown sugar shortbread like base with a buttery soft, cake crumbly topping.  It’s been one of my most favorite cakes since I can remember.  New on Fresh Hunger today. 

https://freshhunger.com/2021/01/16/armenian-nutmeg-cake/
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I purged many of my cookbooks recently. I’m replacing some with cookbooks I want to cook from and will make a point of using. Beth from @oldetymemarketplace along with @downshilohroad & @myrustichouse have started a fun hashtag to encourage us to make & share recipes from our cookbooks #friendswhocookwithabook 
It’d be such fun if you joined along. I know we all have those cookbooks that sit collecting dust. Well time to use them or pitch them. Or treat yourself & buy some new ones. Finding recipes online is convenient but never the same as holding a gorgeous cookbook in your hands. 
If like me you love mustard I urge you to try this mustard recipe. It’s divine. 

https://freshhunger.com/2021/01/12/finnish-mustard/

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https://freshhunger.com/2020/11/21/quick-and-easy-tiramisu/

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https://freshhunger.com/2021/01/08/slow-cooked-miso-beef-with-noodles/
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Here’s the link to this vibrant recipe. I really enjoyed it for dinner last night & last week. Serve it up with some steamed jasmine rice. So good.

https://freshhunger.com/2021/01/06/sweet-chili-miso-salmon/
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.
.
.
#freshstart #freshhunger #freshveggies #salmon #miso #chilisauce #wholesome #vibrant #dietsdontwork #stopdieting #onmytable #inmykitchen
Armenian Nutmeg Cake might not be a looker but don Armenian Nutmeg Cake might not be a looker but don’t be fooled, this cake is divine. A brown sugar shortbread like base with a buttery soft, cake crumbly topping.  It’s been one of my most favorite cakes since I can remember.  New on Fresh Hunger today. 

https://freshhunger.com/2021/01/16/armenian-nutmeg-cake/
.
.
.
#freshhunger #lovoni #armeniannutmegcake #nutmeg #spice #instabaking #baking #onmytable #inmykitchen #baking #buttery #delicious
Broccoli and Loaded Potato Soup - new recipe on Fr Broccoli and Loaded Potato Soup - new recipe on Fresh Hunger today.  Creamy & hearty and certain to chase away at least some of those winter chills. Cozy up with a bowl & a good book for a perfect lunch. 

https://freshhunger.com/2021/01/13/broccoli-and-loaded-potato-soup/
.
.
.
.
.
#soupweather #freshhunger #getcozy #potatoes #loadedbakedpotato #lovepotatoes #soupweather #whatsforlunch #onmytable #inmykitchen #broccoli
Finnish Mustard - move over every other mustard I’ve ever loved, this is my new favourite. The recipe is an adaptation of @tessakiros from #fallingcloudberries a cookbook I highly recommend. If a mustard can be decadent then this is it. It’s also so simple to make. 
I purged many of my cookbooks recently. I’m replacing some with cookbooks I want to cook from and will make a point of using. Beth from @oldetymemarketplace along with @downshilohroad & @myrustichouse have started a fun hashtag to encourage us to make & share recipes from our cookbooks #friendswhocookwithabook 
It’d be such fun if you joined along. I know we all have those cookbooks that sit collecting dust. Well time to use them or pitch them. Or treat yourself & buy some new ones. Finding recipes online is convenient but never the same as holding a gorgeous cookbook in your hands. 
If like me you love mustard I urge you to try this mustard recipe. It’s divine. 

https://freshhunger.com/2021/01/12/finnish-mustard/

.
.
.
#mustard #madefromscratch #hotmustard #colmansmustard #colmans #condiment #onmytable #inmykitchen #freshhunger #lovoni #feedfeed @thefeedfeed #foodstylist #cookbookauthor #recipewriter #foodphotographer
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Meanwhile, here’s the recipe for this yummy & really easy to make dessert. 

https://freshhunger.com/2020/11/21/quick-and-easy-tiramisu/

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.
.
.
.
#foodstyling #foodstylist #foodstyingtips #whippedcream #swirls #chocolate #tiramisu #desserts #creamy #creamydessert #onmytable #inmykitchen #lovoni #freshhunger
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https://freshhunger.com/2021/01/08/slow-cooked-miso-beef-with-noodles/
~
Happy Friday. Stay warm xo 😘 
.
.
.
#miso #slowcooker #slowfood #beef #beefstew #beefbroth #lomein #noodles #slurp #freshhunger #lovoni  #wholesome #shiitake #bokchoy #onmytable
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Here’s the link to this vibrant recipe. I really enjoyed it for dinner last night & last week. Serve it up with some steamed jasmine rice. So good.

https://freshhunger.com/2021/01/06/sweet-chili-miso-salmon/
.
.
.
.
.
#freshstart #freshhunger #freshveggies #salmon #miso #chilisauce #wholesome #vibrant #dietsdontwork #stopdieting #onmytable #inmykitchen
Armenian Nutmeg Cake might not be a looker but don Armenian Nutmeg Cake might not be a looker but don’t be fooled, this cake is divine. A brown sugar shortbread like base with a buttery soft, cake crumbly topping.  It’s been one of my most favorite cakes since I can remember.  New on Fresh Hunger today. 

https://freshhunger.com/2021/01/16/armenian-nutmeg-cake/
.
.
.
#freshhunger #lovoni #armeniannutmegcake #nutmeg #spice #instabaking #baking #onmytable #inmykitchen #baking #buttery #delicious
Broccoli and Loaded Potato Soup - new recipe on Fr Broccoli and Loaded Potato Soup - new recipe on Fresh Hunger today.  Creamy & hearty and certain to chase away at least some of those winter chills. Cozy up with a bowl & a good book for a perfect lunch. 

https://freshhunger.com/2021/01/13/broccoli-and-loaded-potato-soup/
.
.
.
.
.
#soupweather #freshhunger #getcozy #potatoes #loadedbakedpotato #lovepotatoes #soupweather #whatsforlunch #onmytable #inmykitchen #broccoli
Finnish Mustard - move over every other mustard I’ve ever loved, this is my new favourite. The recipe is an adaptation of @tessakiros from #fallingcloudberries a cookbook I highly recommend. If a mustard can be decadent then this is it. It’s also so simple to make. 
I purged many of my cookbooks recently. I’m replacing some with cookbooks I want to cook from and will make a point of using. Beth from @oldetymemarketplace along with @downshilohroad & @myrustichouse have started a fun hashtag to encourage us to make & share recipes from our cookbooks #friendswhocookwithabook 
It’d be such fun if you joined along. I know we all have those cookbooks that sit collecting dust. Well time to use them or pitch them. Or treat yourself & buy some new ones. Finding recipes online is convenient but never the same as holding a gorgeous cookbook in your hands. 
If like me you love mustard I urge you to try this mustard recipe. It’s divine. 

https://freshhunger.com/2021/01/12/finnish-mustard/

.
.
.
#mustard #madefromscratch #hotmustard #colmansmustard #colmans #condiment #onmytable #inmykitchen #freshhunger #lovoni #feedfeed @thefeedfeed #foodstylist #cookbookauthor #recipewriter #foodphotographer
QUICK & EASY TIRAMISU - a quick word to anyone who QUICK & EASY TIRAMISU - a quick word to anyone who has to add whipped cream to a recipe that’s having its pic taken - never use canned cream. You know the shit in a can I’m talking about?! That stuff breaks down quickly & is total crap. You need to whip the cream yourself and, you need to stabilize it with some powdered sugar. And don’t over whip the cream. Whip 1 1/2 cups of heavy cream in a cold bowl until it’s starting to thicken, add about 1/3 - 1/2 cup powdered sugar, whip until soft peaks form & then you can make great swirls, dollops or pipe it & it’ll behave & stay looking good to have its pic taken. Perfect swirls & dollops = pretty pics. 

Meanwhile, here’s the recipe for this yummy & really easy to make dessert. 

https://freshhunger.com/2020/11/21/quick-and-easy-tiramisu/

.
.
.
.
.
#foodstyling #foodstylist #foodstyingtips #whippedcream #swirls #chocolate #tiramisu #desserts #creamy #creamydessert #onmytable #inmykitchen #lovoni #freshhunger
SLOW COOKED MISO BEEF WITH NOODLES - okay so I’v SLOW COOKED MISO BEEF WITH NOODLES - okay so I’ve had a bit of a run on miso this week. I have a LOT of it in the fridge. This recipe is so easy, only a handful of ingredients and the slow cooker does almost all the work for you.  I do love a good noodle slurping session & this recipe is perfect for it. Here’s the recipe link or click on the link in my bio.

https://freshhunger.com/2021/01/08/slow-cooked-miso-beef-with-noodles/
~
Happy Friday. Stay warm xo 😘 
.
.
.
#miso #slowcooker #slowfood #beef #beefstew #beefbroth #lomein #noodles #slurp #freshhunger #lovoni  #wholesome #shiitake #bokchoy #onmytable
SWEET CHILI MISO SALMON & STIR-FRIED VEGGIES - who SWEET CHILI MISO SALMON & STIR-FRIED VEGGIES - who made new year’s resolution to go on a diet? God I’ve been on so many bloody diets. They work of course, as long as one stays on diet of choice. Kudos to those who do. As a mere mortal & coupled with my recipe testing, writing, styling & such I can’t, nor do I want to, eliminate whole food groups from my diet. I fail miserably at it. Then I beat myself up. And the vicious cycle goes around & around. My health - physical & mental & business are my main focuses this year. Diets are kicked to the curb along with negative self-talk. Enough already.  Wholesome foods, moving my body with exercise that makes me happy & I want to do is key. Who else feels the same? 
Here’s the link to this vibrant recipe. I really enjoyed it for dinner last night & last week. Serve it up with some steamed jasmine rice. So good.

https://freshhunger.com/2021/01/06/sweet-chili-miso-salmon/
.
.
.
.
.
#freshstart #freshhunger #freshveggies #salmon #miso #chilisauce #wholesome #vibrant #dietsdontwork #stopdieting #onmytable #inmykitchen

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