My Kitchen Makeover: White Painted Cabinets

Hi all!  I am super excited to share this post with you all! 

For years I've been dreaming of having white painted cabinets in my kitchen.  I finally did it and now I LOVE MY NEW KITCHEN!

It's so light, bright and clean looking and I love that!

 Here are the before photos:

and this here is what my kitchen looks like now:

I hired a professional to spray the doors and I painted all the rest in Farmhouse Paint in Creamy Linen color. We color matched the creamy linen color for the doors and cabinet faces. I would have preferred to hire the entire thing out and have everything sprayed, but it was a bit too expensive, so I chose to go this route.

Because I wanted a cleaner look in my kitchen, and we weren't changing our backsplash, I had my husband cut a board that fits perfectly inside the square tile area behind my cooktop.  I painted it with chalkboard paint and then I painted the established year on it. This is the year that my husband and I got married.

If you want to see more of that kitchen command center on the side of my fridge, you can find the post here.

The island lights are from Lowes.  The barstools are from Pier One. (You can find the links at the bottom of this post.) I totally lucked out on the bar stools. I found 2 that had some damage on them and I got them for more than 75% off!! I was so super excited about this deal!

Those adorable large mason jars on the counter are from Walmart.  I filled them with flour, sugar and powdered sugar. I love the look of these!!

The topiary is from Ikea.

I also made the "As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord" sign.

I may still add a burlap roman style curtain.

Here are the before and after photo's side by side:

It's amazing what some paint, new bar stools and light fixtures can do to change the look of a space.

I love. love. love the new look in my kitchen! The brightness just makes me happy and this kitchen is definitely more me!

Here is the source list:

Wall Color - Sherwin Williams Tony Taupe

Cabinet Color - Farmhouse Paint Creamy Linen

Hanging Island Lights - Lowes

Bar Stools - Pier One

Arrow - Posh + Tattered

Rugs - Overstock

Wood Signs - Painted by me

Large Mason Jars - Walmart

Topiary - Ikea

May you be a little inspired!

Until next time,
DaNita 
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View more of my Most Recent Projects HERE.
 

Spray Paint: Your New Secret Weapon

Well, now my secret is out. If I have to paint something other than walls, out comes the spray paint. I usually have about thirty seconds to complete any project so I love the ease of spraying something down with a few thin coats and being done with it. No mixing up cans of paint, cleaning brushes, worrying about brush lines, etc. I usually buy paint with primer mixed in so no need to do that either! Whatever I'm painting, I just haul outside (in good weather) and go to town. I'm still working on getting thin, even coats so I've had a few drips on a couple projects but other than that, it's been a breeze. 

I found this old metal bed at an antique store this summer and with a little sanding to get the rust off and some paint, it's as good as new. Not bad for less than $30!

A few other projects that got the spray down? A lamp base for my daughter's room ($4 at a thrift store), a light fixture mount, our KitchenAid stand mixer, and even our kitchen island! 

Up next: the inside of our built-in desk, a headboard, and possibly a dresser. The possibilities are endless...if you need an inexpensive way to quickly update some furniture or decor, grab a can and work some magic!

"Hello, I'm Ashley from Three Wooden Spoons, a blog featuring my adventures in the kitchen and following our renovation of a 1940's farmhouse in Minnesota. I love to cook and bake, write, explore thrift and antiques stores, drink strong coffee, and dabble in home design. I would describe my style as simple and classic, but also eclectic. I love finding second-hand furniture and home decor, as well as antiques from various eras, and making it all come together for a cohesive interior." 

Dresser Redo

In honor of welcoming our second boy into this world (Atlas Frey, born on January 9th), I felt it was appropriate to share the dresser I refurbished for his nursery. I wanted to find something that would double as a changing table so I was excited when I found this piece for 30 dollars. 

Here's the before photo:

I was itching to try Annie Sloan Chalk Paint so I picked up a container of Pure White and got to work. My vision for the nursery was light, airy colors. I applied three coats of paint and loved how stark white it turned out. I used the Annie Sloan Clear Wax and applied it on the dresser with a lint free cloth. I still need a little practice with the wax (or maybe I need to buy the brush) because there were some spots that were a little tacky. I believe it will be tacky if you use too much wax in one area. 

I picked up some new hardware from Hobby Lobby while they were 50% off to give it an updated look. 

This was a very easy and fun project! 

If you've been hesitant to use Annie Sloan Chalk Paint, I highly recommend it! I love how my nursery turned out and I think the little man is loving it too ;) Thanks for stopping by!

Jodi

"Hello! My name is Jodi from The Whispering Pines.  I love to decorate, refurbish old furniture, create small crafts and come up with unique party ideas. I also have a knack for organizing and enjoy experimenting with new recipes. My style is rustic with a touch of farmhouse. If you ask my husband, I could live in antique shops and home decor stores. I love being inspired by others and hope, you too, can gather a little inspiration for your home!" 

Easy DIY Growth Chart Ruler

Hi all!

I've had this board in my garage for many years now.  It's been white and plain jane until today. For years,  I planned on making it into a semi cute growth chart ruler.  

I didn't want to spend a lot of time on it, as it is in my garage and it WILL get dings and markings and  wrecked by my five boys.  Believe me, I know, because my garage is so very trashed!  They have about a gazillion dings in my fridge and freezer out there.  

Well the other day, my husband was asking me when I plan on making the ruler.  It's been up for many years, but just as a white board and we've been marking our boys height on it with pencil.  Not to mention that when it's actually hung up on the wall it covers some of the damage the boys have done to the wall.

Today I was painting some frames with  this vintage blue color and I decided to paint the board and actually get to making the ruler today too. 

As crazy fast as I did this thing I questioned why I waited so long to make it.

It's certainly not perfect.  It literally was done in about an hour, so it's not my very best work ever, but like I said, it will get beat up on, so that's okay with me. 

We love marking our boys' height every so often and being able to compare from year to year.  It's really neat.

This is the paint I used to paint the board: 

After the board was dry, I stretched my tape measure out and marked the lines that I wanted with pencil.

Then using a ruler to keep straight lines, I used this painters pen to mark the line and the numbers so they are permanent.  A permanent marker will do the same thing.

For the numbers, I printed them out on plain paper, marked the back of each number with pencil, creating a transfer (scribble pretty hard on the back of the paper.)  Flip the number over and put it where you want the number to go and trace it and the pencil markings will transfer.  Paint over your pencil markings.  I use this transfer method a lot. 

When your board is all done and dry. Seal it with wax or poly and start marking your little ones height.

 

There you have it... a quick and easy DIY Growth Chart Ruler.

May you be a little inspired!

Until next time,
DaNita 
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View more of my Most Recent Projects HERE.
 

Coffee Station (Contributor Post)

In our home, coffee is the beverage of choice.  We were given “children’s coffee” as soon as we were old enough to drink from a cup.  It always made us feel pretty special to sit with Mummu drinking out of our own little demitasse cups. Mummu always said we weren’t really Finnish if we didn’t drink coffee. 

I had a cute little coffee station in my kitchen that I made with a fairly rustic, shabby chic dresser that I used for a bazaar display one year.  I loved the fact that I could put all of my k-cups, coffee beans and espresso beans, as well as other coffee making supplies in the drawers. 

Here is a picture of my original coffee station, before the re-do.

Cute, but I couldn’t fit all that I wanted into one spot, and it didn’t quite fill the space as I envisioned.  I still had my espresso machine on the counter, and wanted everything centrally located. I searched for a couple of years to find “the perfect piece” ~ at the right price.

I found this piece on our local Facebook Yard Sale site.  I was second in line, and it sold before I could get it.  I tried to forget about it, but knowing it was exactly what I had in my mind, it was difficult! I’m sure you know that feeling!  A few days later I got a private message on Facebook from the person that purchased it.  They had decided they didn’t want to take the time to restore it, and I could buy it from them.  I was so excited!

After a quick coat of paint and some new knobs, I was ready to put it in place.  I decided to make a chalkboard background for above the station.  I used the back side of a piece of paneling with chalk paint that I purchased at Lowe’s. My husband has a stack of reclaimed antique beams in our back yard, and I knew exactly how to use one of them.  He cut it in half for me, and planed the top, and then created two shelves.  I love the look of these old beams! They were take from an 1800’s farmhouse that he was asked to demolish.  I think they add so much character to my kitchen.  My latte sauces and syrups can go nicely on the shelves and all of my coffee fits nicely into the drawers.  Here are a couple of the drawers of prepared pods ~ 

I am still so thrilled with the finished product, and to me it looks like it just “belongs” there.

Thanks for viewing my post! I hope that it can give you a little bit of inspiration for your own favorite spaces. 

Blessings from Kim ~ "With Jesus in her heart, and coffee in her cup.” ~ 

"Hi! I'm Kim ~ Blessed wife of Eric, mom of four and Nonnie to a sweet little grand daughter with another expected in January!  I'm a coffee enthusiast, baker, organizer and DIYer. My home style tends to lean towards traditional but, I must say, I can be a bit eclectic. Anything that makes me smile. Surround yourself with your favorite things and be sure you use the good dishes! Always look for extraordinary in what may seem ordinary. ~ Blessings to you and yours!" 

Craigslist Breakfast Nook Table Re-Do

Hey all!   So I've been done with this project for quite some time, but I haven't taken the time (until now) to edit the photos, upload them and write about my new breakfast nook table.  Today, I'm finally getting around to showing you.

  

First off, let me explain what the problem has been in my lil' nook. Pretty much, to sum it up, It's flat out too little for my family.  Don't get me wrong, I am NOT complaining, it's just the back door is right off this nook and every.single.time my kiddo's go through the door (which is like a gazillion times a day) the door hits my chairs.  It's been a problem from day one.  I've tried just about every size/shape table there is.  The table has to be large enough to seat all 6 of us. 

So I've searched high and low for the "right table."  One that is big enough for all of us, cheap and one that the door doesn't hit.

I finally found one (back in June) for soooo super cheap on Craigslist.  But I had to re-do it.  The sellers had it sitting out in the rain (for who knows how long) and there literally was mold, mildew and spiders galore all over it.

 Check out the BEFORE photo's:

It doesn't look too bad, until I took the seat covers off...

 ... trust me it was nasty!

During the re-do process:

It was a BIG job!

and the AFTER:

I'm loving the new table!  But you know what I'm loving the MOST?  That back door can NO LONGER hit my chairs. 

Now I'm just waiting for my "decorator aunt" ;) to come stay with me next week so she can give me a little decor advice.  Like... what color bamboo roman shades to order and possibly a new table centerpiece and whether I should do a different rug or if I should re-do the chair covers, etc.

Now let me show you how much my breakfast nook has changed in the last few years:

Back in 2011
and then...

 trying a new table and chairs here - This one was definitely NOT happening!
so I changed it to this:

 This is before I painted the chairs (bought those chairs on Craigslist too.)
and then it looked like this:

I still LOVE that round table.  I'm storing it, because I may go back to the round one someday, or we may sell this house and I might have a dining room one day, so I can put the round table in there.

and today, it looks like this:

For now this is working well for our family and I do love having the long curtain panels in here. It just cozy's up the space.

In case you're curious, the window panels that I have in this room now came from JCPenney.  They are the MarthaWindow Chorus Back-Tab/Rod-Pocket Curtain Panels in Chinois Green.

The above rug came from overstock and can be found here. 

That's it for now.  Hope you all have a great day!  School starts tomorrow for my boys, so it's time for me to get off and get things done around here. 

May you be a little inspired!

Until next time,
DaNita 
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