Kitchen Makeovers & Weekend Links
I love a good kitchen makeover. Here’s a circa-1980s kitchen before it was remodeled. Don’t you hate when builders stick fluorescent lights in a kitchen (or any room, for that matter)?
Now take a look at the facelift this family gave it. The only things that went untouched as far as I can tell were the plantation shutters on the window and the hardwood floors.
Quite a difference, right? What do you think? The brick wall is interesting, turning the stove into a kind of hearth for the room.
Hooked on Houses reader DaK sent me the link to a slideshow of kitchen makeovers, including this one, via Kiplinger and MSN. Check it out if you need some inspiration for your own:
I love it when you send me photos and articles. It’s so nice to know you’re thinking of me. Some days, you practically write the blog for me! Like today, for instance. And that’s a good thing, because, guys, I’m swamped with writing projects at the moment and feeling way stressed. I’m shipping the kiddos over to Grandma’s house and working through the weekend, so I’ll take all the help with the blog I can get!
Here are some more good links for you to check out this weekend:
- The World’s First Billion-Dollar Home has just been built in Mumbai and looks more like a high-rise apartment building to me. It has 7 stories and cost $2 billion to build (photo of the exterior below). The views of the city must be incredible, though. You can see photos of the “countless lounges,” a glitzy ballroom, and more here. (Thanks to Maya of Springtree Road, who is always sending me interesting stuff like this!)
- Ed McMahon Facing Foreclosure on His Multimillion-Dollar Beverly Hills Home: In this article, we learn that having Britney Spears as a neighbor does nothing positive for your property values. (Thanks to Cindy at The Amateur Tightwad for sending me this.) Gossip columnist Janet Charlton is sure the foreclosure is some sort of scam and that not even the neck brace he wore on Larry King Live this week was real, however, writing on her blog We Don’t Feel Sorry for You, Ed McMahon. (Kinda harsh!)
- Extreme Makeover Home Edition Owners Can’t Afford Their Houses Any More: In this article, we learn that if Ty Pennington shows up in your front yard with a bullhorn, you might want to lock your doors. (Thanks to Kateena Hayes for sending me this.)
If that’s not enough to keep you entertained this weekend, I found some bigger and better photos of Kenny Chesney’s Malibu Compound, which is still on the market, and added them to the post I wrote in April. Check ‘em out here.
Don’t forget to watch HGTV Sunday night to see if I won the 2008 Green Home (if you missed the tour, click here to see photos). Not only that, but Sunday is the premier of a new season of Design Star! You’ll all be watching that with me, won’t you? I’m a total sucker for these reality competition shows.
Well, that’s all the fun I get to have for now. Back to work for me (start up the violins). I hope you’ll let me know what you think of some of these articles after you’ve had a chance to check them out. Your comments keep me so entertained while I’m working.
Have a great weekend, everybody!
June 7th, 2008 at 8:32 am
Julia, believe it or not, you often give ME inspiration for my next blog post.
Like today’s B&A–I’m prob the only one that noticed it, but…
Rugs in Kitchens! I’m off to search them out. Thanks!
P.S. Does anyone else ever wonder what will come along in 10 years to make this “After” kitchen look outdated?
Best, Jane
June 7th, 2008 at 8:58 am
Jane–
I worked for an interior designer in the early ’90s and we were wallpapering kitchens like crazy. Some didn’t look much different than the “before” here. We had no idea how hideous they would look a decade later!
I also had no idea I’d cringe when seeing photos of the clothes I wore then with the matching headbands and doorknocker earrings, but that’s another story… -Julia
June 7th, 2008 at 9:30 am
No WAY ! Doesn’t even look like the same house.
Need to start a kitchen remodel. Along with loosing the popcorn celings (memo to builders: just say no to popcorn textured ceilings). Plus new flooring. The kitchen flows into dining & den/game room with fireplace.
Have a concrete slab & would love to stain it, but dh is skeptical. The same flooring goes into the laundry/bath.
The countertop is in good shape, but formica butcherboard. Paneled cabinets are in great shape, but dark. Dh wants an island. Hate to paint wood, but they need lightening up.
Maybe I should take pics & ask for suggestions on my blog.
June 7th, 2008 at 11:11 am
Hey Julia,
Hope you have a nice week-end and get caught up on what needs to be done…
And if I WIN the green house, (YES I DID ENTER SUCKED IN YET AGAIN LOL) I’ll have a bloggers week-end wouldn’t that be fun ~!!!!
Take care,
Kathy
June 7th, 2008 at 1:13 pm
i love the kitchen makeover. i would love to cook in that kitchen.
June 7th, 2008 at 3:31 pm
Love your blog…I just found it today and have been reading like crazy trying to catch up! What a wonderful transformation this kitchen went thru! I especially like the cooktop area…beautiful! I’m winning the HGTV green house so you can have next years K? LOL!!!
~Des
June 7th, 2008 at 7:12 pm
I’m trying to decide if it is the angles of the two photgraphs or the nature of color scheme/island placement that makes the rooms look spacious in width (before version) vs. length (after version). I’ve always failed those “which arrow is longer” brain teasers, so it might just be where the camera was.
June 7th, 2008 at 7:42 pm
A transformation indeed!
Thanks for your visit to my blog!
June 7th, 2008 at 10:31 pm
Love the kitchen makeover and I’m sooo totally hooked on Design star! I can’t wait for it to start again.
June 8th, 2008 at 1:15 am
I love that kitchen makeover - for some reason, bricks seem so cozy and homey to me when they are in the kitchen. I think it reminds me of old-fashioned Colonial type kitchens or something.
June 8th, 2008 at 7:07 am
I’m not saying. . .just asking the question. Aren’t black appliances a little dated these days?
June 8th, 2008 at 8:07 am
Good question, Meredith. Back when we were talking about stainless steel appliances, a lot of people said they preferred black to stainless, which was interesting. What do you guys think? Is black out? -Julia
June 8th, 2008 at 8:18 am
Thanks for the reminder to be dressed appropriately when HGTV knocks on my door this evening.
SWEET kitchen re-do. At first I didn’t scroll down and I was thinking “THIS is a REDO??” Thank goodness I was mistaken.
I don’t like Ed McMahon OR Extreme Makeover. That show drives me nuts. However, I’ve had the dvr set for weeks waiting to record the new HGTV Design Star show!! YAY!
June 8th, 2008 at 10:26 am
Wonderful makeover. I love all kinds of interiors, and I especially love to see how different people design their kitchens. I love your blog, I am so glad that I found you through the Inspired Room. Each post is such an inspiration. Karen
June 8th, 2008 at 10:59 am
Nope I love the black…….used to have stainless, I have cream color cabinets and I think the cobo looks fab…….
I have a ? for you hardwood or carpet ??
Have a great Sunday, did you get alot done last night ???
Off to a grad party……..it’s 90 with the 3 H’s here, not complaining though I do plenty of that all Winter…….lol
Kathy
***Lily I’m still waiting to see your artwork
June 8th, 2008 at 11:07 am
Julia…I’m so watching design Star with you tonight - let’s pretend it’s a blogger party where we all get to wear our PJ’s and slippers…there will be much popcorn, soda, brownies and candy consumed (I didn’t say it was a HEALTHY blog party). I can’t wait for the show!!!
June 8th, 2008 at 11:13 am
Kathy–
To answer your question, I prefer hardwood, myself! I’m slowly replacing my carpet in various rooms of the house. So much easier to take care of with kids in the house. Last winter when both kids had the flu and I was scrubbing stains out of carpet, I told my husband my next house would have nothing but hardwoods and tile in every room!
I did get a lot done yesterday. Thanks for asking. I’ve got two hours left before the kids come home, so I’m racing against the clock to get it done.
I took the photos of Lily’s bulletin board with all her artwork, so I’m one step closer to posting it! She’ll be so excited it’s on the blog. She’s my biggest fan and is thrilled whenever she can be a part of it.
Courtney–
I’m glad I’m not the only one watching tonight. That way we can all talk about it tomorrow. Count me in on the popcorn, soda, brownies, and candy! -J
June 8th, 2008 at 12:54 pm
Hi Julia!
Thanks for coming by and doting on Chloe! I have missed coming by more. Actually, I do come by more than I comment lately. I have to fill in all my info each time I want to comment on Wordpress.
I love the brick in that kitchen, the hearth look is so inviting. We replaced our appliances this year with black and I LOVE THEM!!!! I was very nervous because we also painted our cabinets black (we, meaning my husband did it all while I brought him ice water and kisses.) We want to go for a French Provencal look, by adding bright blue/yellow accents with linens and dishes. When we find them. For cheap.
Thanks for reminding me about the Green Home giveaway. I really hope one of us wins!!
Also, have you been to the Creation Museum? We are thinking of stopping for an overnight in Cincinnati on our way to Southern Indiana at the end of the month to check it out. Was that a run on?
Ciao Girlfriend,
Tracey
June 8th, 2008 at 6:06 pm
I’m taping the new Design Star show so I can watched sans commercials. Have you seen the show, Mail Order Makeover on Fine Living Network? It’s one of my favorite shows now. Fun, fun! I’m doing a post about that soon.
Rhoda
June 8th, 2008 at 7:49 pm
(I am going to be very blunt.)
I would rather be dirt poor and live
in a one room shack, than be the
richest person in the world and
live in an unhomey home.
June 8th, 2008 at 10:41 pm
I love before and afters. That’s a great one too!
June 15th, 2008 at 1:52 pm
Wow I love those kitchen makeovers. Thanks for the link!