I’m waist deep in renovating my kitchen. Lawwwwwd, HALP ME survive popcorn for dinner every night.
Guess what?! Wait for it, waiiiiiiiiiiit for it…. I’m sharing all my insider designer secrets//the whole shebang with you along the way in a new kitchen series.
Does the thought of gutting your kitchen make you want to plunge your entire head into a sink of cold grimy water? I’m a massive sissy, so that would send me running for the hills.
But kitchen reno. I love this shit. Who knew? W.e.i.r.d.o.
I want to show you how to NOT stick your head in an oven while renovating your kitchen.
PS. This is actually the old kitchen. I know, right? It actually will get better. Holy batman. Yay!
Plug your ears and cover your eye holes. You will absolutely freak your face. This series is going to get wild and super fugly at times. It’s worth it. With this series, you’ll have an arsenal of ideas to help ease your kitchen into d’bomb diggity ville of awesomeness.
Hot dawg!!! It’s good stuff. Are you ready for it??
Let’s get this hot mess kitchen renovation started.
Planning your kitchen
Of course, I saved about 43158457690572 photos on a kitchen inspiration board on Pinterest <– a place where kitchens are viewed through rose coloured glasses.
Not gunna lie, sometimes Pinterest makes me freak out. I full frontal smooch it and hate it, all at once. Inspired? Overwhelmed? Yeah, I hear ya sista. Beware.
Dream kitchens do not come riding in on unicorns. If they did, the unicorn should carry a martini flask in its saddle bag. Just sayin’
What have I learned about planning a kitchen renovation? Whatever you do, get your life and ever loving soul into the whole idea of renovation and just go balls to the walls.
Did.I.Just.Say.That??!!
Just do. Some things can be done in baby steps, and some things…. well.. need to go back to the studs. I like how I just talked about studs in my kitchen. This could be going somewhere. Hmphfff. Back to the kitchen.
When do you start??
I waited and waited and waited for the time to be just right. A time when the moon and stars above would be aligned. Possibly even a full lunar eclipse and a shooting star for good measure.
That perfect time never happened.
What the what what?
Truth is, I took a whole lotta baby steps over the years before I decided to take my kitchen back to the studs. For the record, I just wanted to say stud again.
One of my biggest changes over the years was transitioning to white. I painted white, all the live long day. If it didn’t move, it was getting painted white.
Just. White.Everything.
If you can believe it, the kitchen was wayyyyyy ugly, way back when. You can see the original kitchen here. Prepare to hide your eyes. It’ll hurt your eyeballs.
Sit down and just gather yourself together for this part. Perhaps pour a stiff drink. Definitely. Pour a stiff drink.
Before. After. Messy Middle.
My baby steps, in hindsight, don’t even look like baby steps over the 14 year kitchen journey but they freaking were. A little here. A little there. Gah. You’ll see why in a sec.
The kitchen last week :
The kitchen about 10 years ago. Sorry if this photo makes you want to barf.
Did I just scare you? Yeah. Me too. It was funky town in there. Need a barf bucket?
What did I learn in the process of kitchen renovations over the years?
Note to self:
Money does not, in fact, grow on trees.
What a rip.
Improved a bit, right? haha. Hellooooooo white paint. I love you. My entire house is actually painted head to toe with Benjamin Moore paint. So therefore, the new kitchen… will be …you guessed it…
Simply white just makes me want to back flip across my kitchen floor. Well, in my head, anyway. Does that count?
The kitchen became a pretty place over the last many years with the help of white paint.
Here is what it looked like a couple of weeks ago:
Ikea slipcovered sofas / Leon’s Laurel chairs / Shell Lighting / Pendant Lighting / Faucets
Back to scary mode. Now, the kitchen looks like this….
Uhm. Yeah. It actually looks worse than that. I was just easing you into the disaster.
Meal Planning:
I’m in full swing kitchen renovation mode, and there’s no stopping me, people. The only thing I stop for are sawdust sandwiches and sugar paralysis on a plate donuts.
This was the overall layout :
Then someone (who did that?!!) came along with a sledge hammer and did this to my kitchen *HALP*
I know, right?
Popcorn for dinner! Oh I’m just kidding. Popcorn and sawdust for dinner! Seriously kidding, you guys. Popcorn and sawdust and martinis for dinner!
#TheStruggleIsReal
Let’s do this again. For a sec.
Then wham. Gone.
And you wonder why I eat popcorn for dinner. Popcorn for the win.
Bun in the oven
The wood burning stove. It has kept us warm through winter storms, and it somehow magically bakes bread in an ever-loving-save-my-soul-with-deliciousness-kind-of-way. I’ve never claimed to be domestic, but dammit I have my moments. ?
Get floored:
As pretty as the floors look in the photo below, we did install them 14 years ago and they are now, super freaking difficult to remove. They are like a rubik’s cube, or a super intense puzzle. I can’t handle it. Also, the floors just don’t match the rest of the reclaimed flooring in the rest of the house.
We are going to go right over top of the flooring with new, BUT OLD flooring. What? Yes.
Don’t throw virtual darts at me. I pinky swear promise you’ll love the end result and I’m not even crossing my fingers behind my back this time.
Can we stop talking about the floors now?
The barn board flooring is even in the treehouse. I’m smitten with it. Can you tell? Seriously. Sofa king, good.
The gathering hub
Our kitchen is (was?) the gathering hub of our home. Our four kids, our friends, their friends, friends of friends, strangers… kidding. Not kidding. We all gather here.
After all that gathering, we ( ME!!) discovered our kitchen flaws along the way too.
Let’s talk about my flaws.
Kitchen flaws.
Yo, I’m perfect, peeps. <– perfectly imperfect in all non perfectionist ways. Totally flawed.
But still.
Where were we?
Kitchen. Flaws. Gotcha.
I made a big mistake when I decided to put the refrigerator beside the stove. Dumb. Dumb. Stoopid.
It was like playing twister with your fridge and stove. A human booby-trap. We could never open the oven and refrigerator at the same time without having to have some sort of explosion. The explosion was me screaming…. don’t effffffffing scratch the fridge door with the stove door!!!!!!!%$##@##@!@!
Needless to say, I lost the battle. My refrigerator looks like the barn cats have danced on it since 1982.
Never doing that again.
I lived. I learned.
Well. Maybe not.
I made more mistakes.
Like agreeing to do dishes all the time. Big mistake. Until we bought a Miele dishwasher. Helloooooooo. Hark, can you hear the angels singing? I freaking love that dishwasher.
I want to put a ring on it.
I have a sinking feeling
Guess what? More mistakes. Can I start blaming them on someone else now? We (me and the mouse in my pocket) wanted a larger, farmhouse style sink. Blah. Blah. Blah.
The new sink ended up hugging the dishwasher a leeeeeetle too close. Only I am allowed to hug the dishwasher.
Whatup wit dat? The ding dong bell was just rung.
I feel like this is a pretty woman moment. “Mistake. Big mistake”… as I toddle outta my kitchen, clicking my fingers in a Z formation.
Do you have kitchen flaws that make you want to reach into your desk drawer and guzzle that flask of vodka? What? You don’t have a desk? Oh don’t look at me like that. Uhm. Vodka for the win. Vodka = awesome water
That’s what I’m having for dinner tonight. Kidding. I’m having vodka and popcorn.
I’m exhausted from talking about my mistakes. See you on the other side, batman.
Up next… Part Two: The New Kitchen Plan. Stay tuned. It’ll rock your world.
Talk to me. What’s your kitchen look like? What do you want to improve? Want to do small improvements or meet your studs? Hmmm.
Are you still thinking about studs? My fault. Your problem. haha.
SHOP my kitchen faves :
Lynne,
You are soo funny. We miss you and continue to offer prayers for you and Michael and Fam. Thanks for being you!
I cannot believe I’ve only just found your blog, I absolutely love it! Stylish, humorous, entertaining, what more can a girl ask for?
Thank you Hannah!! That’s so very sweet of you to say.
Big love and many more laughs along the way!
Lynne xx
After seeing it online,I wondered what that beautiful capzi chandelier would look like in a real live house…now i know that i must order it….it is glam!
PART ONE kitchen renovation: 1998 called and it wants your kitchen back. https://t.co/bpXTY7REf8
“Balls to the walls” ….. Still laughing ?
I ❤️ my new kitchen ….and you… And this font! I could type all night just to see it …
We, too, are in the throws of kitchen reno — but we have done it the hard way. We purchased a beautiful kitchen from the Habit for Humanity Restore and are now re-working cabinets et al to fit the former footprint. The old kitchen was original, 35 years+ — so anything will be an improvement — we have someone coming to recut the granite, electric has been repositioned and (after many long heated conversations) MY most favourite backsplash (I may redo the fireplace with it) is awaiting installation. I posted a photo on my FB page of the absolute BEST way to survive kitchen renos — a bottle of Jack!
Hahaha Carole!
You crack me up! I may need to invest in some Jack!
My friend Kerry bought our kitchen and reworked it into her kitchen… and it turned out beautifully. Hopefully that is great inspiration for you?! haha.
I’m still laughing about the heated convos. Totally get that. xo
[…] totally out of order. Don’t judge me, I’m still a good person. I’m in the throws of a kitchen reno right now and don’t have a real sink. Or kitchen. Or […]
[…] Think of me, while I’m roasting a weenie over my wood stove. I’m in the thick of kitchen renovations. It’s a total shit show. I’m in the ….Drywall dust (see it on […]
Lynne, I freaking love everything about your house. Everything. If I were there, I would probably take an hour to admire every room of that “white-walled-wonder” you call a home! LOL Love it!
Ha Kat! Thanks girly!
This is where I confess that my house used to be super colourful. I look back at old photos and want to barf.
I think you have created a fantastic phrase… WHITE WALLED WONDER. I think everyone should do it. LOL…
big love,
lynne xx
Love your attitude about this, girl! Get what you WANT!!! I did my kitchen over a bunch of years ago – just me and a friend/contractor bashing down walls. And building them back…eventually. I am immensely proud of my project- hard won bragging rights. It’s good to do stuff, isn’t it!?!
Hiya Annie!!
How are you?! xoxox
Not gonna lie, the wall bashing is pretty fun in my books. haha.
Truth is, if ever there is a chance to remove a wall, I do it. It makes a world of difference, doesn’t it? Older styles of homes seem to add a bunch of walls like a hamster cage.
Boom. Out they go. Yay!! Congrats for going for it !!
Lynne xx
Lynne – Did you go right over the original tile flooring with wood? Did I see that? Or was that a mirage? Because we put ceramic tile down in the kitchen, hall, and powder room and WE HATES IT. Our precious ceramic tile floors. LOTR hates it. Damn cold. Unforgiving. But I’m not emotional about it or anything. Just sayin’.
Hi Elen!
Erhmergeerd, tile floors can be sweet for certain applications, but not many. I agree… they freeze the tootsies with our weather.
When we moved into our place the gawd awful green tile was already there. It is actually cement tile. Totally fun to remove. NOT.
You do see a bit of it in the photo, because we actually ran out of wood flooring, so we had to skimp and not put it under the kitchen cabinets. A girl has to do what a girl has to do.
Sadly, the only way to truly do the floor again is to rip up the tile. It’s a good stress relief to pound it out. 🙂
xx
my daughter is starting a business to do splash backs with her speciallarge photos 0fcountry and City photography of and around Sydney in Australia. iwish her lots of loveand hope it goes well. . I wish you lots of luck with your kitchen you have taken a lot of photographs . I haveread a lot of your past e.mails. full of fun and sadness sometimes. I live in Victoria Australia. and send you a big hug and hope all works out special.
Hi Lorraine!
Thank you for the love across the pond, from Canada to Australia! That is so fantastic that you live in Australia! My auntie lives there, and I had a chance to visit many moons ago. Dreaming of going back some day.
Sending lots of laughs your way!!
Lynne xx
RT @lynneknowlton: Learn how to renovate and create a farmhouse style kitchen https://t.co/UH5fjcV1sB https://t.co/cIGgeK22RK
Learn how to renovate and create a farmhouse style kitchen https://t.co/UH5fjcV1sB https://t.co/cIGgeK22RK
Kitchen renovation ideas, tips & tricks via @lynneknowlton https://t.co/UH5fjcV1sB https://t.co/lekMxkI7kw
RT @lynneknowlton: Kitchen design tips https://t.co/bpXTY7REf8 Lighting @westelm Faucet @delta https://t.co/t2NTbjO2ON
How to plan your kitchen renovation https://t.co/bpXTY7REf8 https://t.co/FyBDhgzWt3
Elmira Wood Stove https://t.co/bpXTY7REf8 kitchen renovation series https://t.co/1CU2RxzRfw
Treehouse Retreat wood flooring https://t.co/bpXTY7REf8 DESIGN THE LIFE YOU https://t.co/LkH29YcgDP
Treehouse Retreat wood flooring https://t.co/bpXTY7REf8 DESIGN THE LIFE YOU https://t.co/D8hQ5e74KT
Reclaimed barn board flooring https://t.co/bpXTY7REf8 https://t.co/CKNrnj5bux
Farmhouse style kitchen via @lynneknowlton https://t.co/bpXTY7REf8 https://t.co/0lstHPH1vA
Reclaimed barn board flooring https://t.co/bpXTY7REf8 https://t.co/XxlstZDLL7
The messy middle of a kitchen renovation series https://t.co/bpXTY7REf8 https://t.co/ugKLF1G4fM
Part One of kitchen renovation series https://t.co/bpXTY7REf8 https://t.co/38Znzyr2qC
Learn how to renovate and create a farmhouse style kitchen https://t.co/UH5fjcV1sB https://t.co/Ddgn23edUX
Elmira Wood Stove https://t.co/bpXTY7REf8 kitchen renovation series https://t.co/4TlcjsLP3l
Decorate your kitchen in WHITE via https://t.co/bpXTY7REf8 https://t.co/nGKlUP8QdF
Farmhouse style kitchen via @lynneknowlton https://t.co/bpXTY7REf8 https://t.co/CZganMYsCd
Omg you are fricken hilarious!!!!!! And crazy talented, I get so excited when your emails and posts come up! I would love some of your photography tips??? and my microwave door dented my fridge, I know exactly what stress you speak of!!! I’ve attached some pics of our redone kitchen. Keep on being you I’m excited for your next post!!!!
Cori
Hi Cori!
Thanks for the love!! There are going to be some FABOOOOSHHH photography tips this year. Look out :)!
Microwave door meets fridge?! Gah. Did you throat punch anyone for that? teehee.
xx
Kitchen design tips https://t.co/bpXTY7REf8 Lighting @westelm Faucet @delta https://t.co/t2NTbjO2ON
Fabulous kitchen renovation ideas. Tips and tricks https://t.co/bpXTY7REf8 https://t.co/crAPM6XJCW
RT @lynneknowlton: Kitchen renovation ideas, tips & tricks via @lynneknowlton https://t.co/UH5fjcV1sB https://t.co/AT0xWmL6st
Kitchen design tips https://t.co/bpXTY7REf8 Lighting @westelm Faucet @delta https://t.co/z0rUoIMvU1
Kitchen renovation ideas, tips & tricks via @lynneknowlton https://t.co/UH5fjcV1sB https://t.co/AT0xWmL6st
The messy middle of a kitchen renovation series https://t.co/bpXTY7REf8 https://t.co/1fEbKd6zDL
Designing a kitchen that works well really is an art. I worked for a number of years as a kitchen designer, so I know what I’m talking about. I loved the job, but it drove me crazy–and it didn’t pay well. But the training has stuck. I’m itching to do another kitchen some day…. I’m sure yours will be amazing!!
Hi Joanne!
Well said. It is tricky stuff designing a kitchen. Did you find that just LIVING in a kitchen for a while, sure helped with design? I guess you can’t do that for clients. LOL. They may have found it odd to find you sipping coffee and hanging out in their kitchen every day. haha.
Thanks for the vote of kitchen confidence! Woot! I’m hoping for amazingness too!
Lynne xx
Decorate your kitchen in WHITE via https://t.co/bpXTY7REf8 https://t.co/tRWdbYLqNr
RT @lynneknowlton: Part One of kitchen renovation series https://t.co/bpXTY7REf8 https://t.co/RkLEFZcSDi
Part One of kitchen renovation series https://t.co/bpXTY7REf8 https://t.co/RkLEFZcSDi
Love this post! My parents were planning a kitchen reno for a really long time when I was little, and then one day several years ago my mom came home from work and she and I just started ripping up the tile countertops… Yeah, my dad came home, looked around and said, “Guess we’re starting the kitchen reno this weekend… Okay.” So, not the smoothest start, but everything turned out okay in the end! We did all of it ourselves, the tiling of the countertops, we repainted the walls and my mom sanded and painted the cabinets. We had no cabinet doors for about 4 months, so, that was interesting! I love reno stuff like this, can’t wait to see more!!
Hey Briana,
I think we may be related. hahaahahaaa. My Mom did stuff like that all the time. It was danger play in our house. Suddenly, a wall was missing. LOL.
No really… that is so super cool that your Mom just went for it. You know what they say….
DONE IS BETTER THAN PERFECT
and yet, you all seemed to get it done perfectly. teehee.
Thanks for sharing your story!!
Lynne xx
I love your blog! It make me laugh out loud! And we all can use a good laugh! To go with that flask;)
Can’t wait to see the next kitchen progress report:)
I hope you didn’t snort through your nose laughing, Cindy. I would never do that. I totally do that.
Ha! You are right! A good belly laugh is where it’s at. xo
We are mid remodel on an original 1963 kitchen – ok the ENTIRE house… Hadn’t been so much as painted since its birth in 1963!
Something I’ve always wanted to do but not so sure I want to LIVE in a remodel again. The sledgehammering was the best part. Now sometimes it’s wine and tears of frustration? but the good news is victories are also celebrated with wine!
Fabulous kitchen renovation ideas. Tips and tricks https://t.co/bpXTY7REf8 https://t.co/lrlDb61gpn
How to plan your kitchen renovation https://t.co/bpXTY7REf8 https://t.co/HtpjdK9Kat
What kind of barnwood flooring will you be using? We have been looking for the same and I am leaning toward the porcelain barnwood look. My husband is not thrilled with that idea..
Hi Deanna,
We are using a local company to buy our barn board flooring. They are located in Markdale, Ontario. They are super affordable compared to most companies, and their flooring is truly gorgeous. I believe it is $7 CDN /ft. In the city, the same flooring starts around $20/ft.
Porcelain barn wood may feel a bit cold under foot, in a kitchen. Don’t throat punch me, but I may be on the side of your hubby.
*ducking from the swing* LOL.
Lynne xx
Can’t wait to see next step in the big kitchen redo ! White is my favorite in all things …. White makes it Right … Get to work !!
White makes is right. Right. Right.
When in doubt, go with white. haha. There must be a reason why it is the colour of the year, by Benjamin Moore. They have it all figured out. haha!
I think my house may be one inch smaller all the way around, from all the layers of paint. haha.
Lynne xx
Know what would make a kitchen renovation easier (for me)? If you just came over and did it. THANKS!!
Now there’s an idea Rachael ! Will you bake the cakeSSSSSS while I do that? If so, I’m all in. xx
Hi Rachael:
It’s Michael here. That’s a great idea you have. That’s what I do 🙂
I’m very smart, you guys. And yes, I’ll make you cake. But then you have to clean up after the reno as well…
PART ONE kitchen renovation: 1998 called and it wants your kitchen back. https://t.co/HfpAkAauTr #InteriorDesign
{ New Blog Post } PART ONE kitchen renovation: 1998 called and it wants your kitchen back. : White washed far… https://t.co/h8v4iuQMZT
PART ONE kitchen renovation: 1998 called and it wants your kitchen back. https://t.co/bpXTY89f6G https://t.co/JlX95ZQvmP