If you follow me on Instagram, you saw a little glimpse of our kitchen yesterday—and a surprise. I knew from the start I wanted a classic white kitchen. But, I also knew that if we were starting from scratch and designing the whole thing over, I had to do something that felt like me. Enter emerald green cabinets:
Does it feel a little scary to commit to the emerald on custom cabinets? Maybe for about five seconds. Then, I decided that if I was going to do it, then I was going to go bold. I cannot wait to see them with the doors and hardware. I’m happy already!
This is the area where the TV will be and on each side is a pantry. See the full layout here.
To tie everything together, I’m using this wallpaper in the same emerald green on the opposite end where our breakfast nook will be:
The faucet and the honed granite countertops were installed this week, too! Getting so close and so very sick of eating takeout. . . Our kids are starting to moan when we say we’re having pizza.
And, finally, I wish I didn’t even have to say this, but here’s a quick disclaimer. I’ve had several questions/comments already about sources and costs, so here’s the deal: we’re paying for all of it. Like every bit of it. (You know, the old-fashioned way.) I’m sourcing a few things myself, and a lot of the other stuff, we’ve had custom made and/or are ordering through the contractor and designer. So, I might not have direct sources for everything.
It’ll make some people happy that nothing is sponsored. And, other people will think we’ve spent too much. If I’ve learned anything from seven years of blogging, it’s that there’s no pleasing everyone at one time. But, I’m sure the majority of you can appreciate that I’m an almost 40-year-old woman, raising five kids, and I’m finally getting the kitchen I’ve always wanted. The one that works for us. Alright, speech over. :)
Catch up on the rest of my kitchen renovation posts here.
The cabinet color is gorgeous. I’ll bet it just makes you smile every time you walk into the kitchen.
AMAZING! Cannot wait to see the finished product! Hate you have to put that disclaimer… it’s going to be gorgeous!
I think it’s wonderful you are getting the kitchen of your dreams, and I don’t think you should apologize for one moment. I think anyone that says anything otherwise is probably just “green” with envy! Can’t wait to see the complete space! I’m happy for you!
Here here!
Another “Here here!” Looks fabulous so far–can’t wait to see the finished product!
I cannot even begin to tell you how amazing your kitchen already is! It has COLOR!!! I (personally) am over the all white trend and long for color. Thank you for being true to yourself and your family and going BOLD!! Totally love it!
Emerald green is my FAVE color! I am gleeful! and happy everyday in your own home is what it’s all about. you might need to celebrate and check out the emerald green top I just bought at the Loft–the Dotted Mixed Media Pocket Shell. They call this color, Private Island Green. I’m not a sponsor or working at the Loft. I’m 69 and loving this top and THIS kitchen dream in emerald green!
Cheryl, you’re too funny :) I wouldn’t dream of cooking in the kitchen unless I matched it. Ha!
Hi Emily! Love, love, love the kitchen thus far! I know it’s going to be amazing! Did you end up replacing your hardwood floors? We recently had a refrigerator leak that damaged some of the hardwoods….that issue has trickled into new cabinets, counters and backsplash (#notsad), but I don’t know if we should replace the floors or try to repair and refinish. Any thoughts or advice? By the way, I think I am totally stealing your stove wall idea with open shelving and tile – it’s to die for!
Thanks, Laurie! They had to install some new parts where the other peninsula was and they refinished all of it.
Good for you…BRAVO! Love the green and can’t wait to see your kitchen finished.
Good for you on getting what you want! It’s really no one’s business how or why!
It’s going to look beautiful – I can’t wait to see the final reveal.
This kitchen is going to be so YOU! What a joy. I didn’t get my dream kitchen until I was 66! Lots of naysayers along the way. I agree with you, go with what makes you happy.
Good for you! I hear you…I’m 45 and have been waiting 6.5 years to re-do my kitchen!! My dream is coming true this summer and can’t wait to see your final result! I’m sure your tips and info will help with my design. It’s refreshing to read your blog each day, your a busy mom living in everyday reality. Not in some design fantasy!
Oh my word, I love it all. It looks beautiful.
It looks wonderful! It actually bums me out when I see such cool projects and find out half of it was sponsored. I’d like to see more “real” projects like yours that reflect what you want/what you can spend vs a project that reflects what was given to you.
I hear you, but also just wanted to add, that I’m not against sponsored projects. So, I didn’t want it to come across that way. For the particular project, I knew that I didn’t want to work within any one company’s limitations or timeline. It’s kind of freeing, but expensive :) Ha!
Oh my gosh that emerald is GORGEOUS! If you can buy the kitchen you’ve always wanted, why would anyone care? Do you! I can’t wait to re-do mine one day!
I can.not.wait to see the finished kitchen! I love that you chose to go with green – it’s a favourite colour of mine, and I think it’s so great that you’ve incorporated it in such a bold way! Again, can’t wait to see the finished product!
And you totally deserve the kitchen of your dreams!
LOVE, LOVE, LOVE. It’s going to be absolutely gorgeous and helloooo, you deserve it! You inspired me to “go green” on the custom cabinetry in my boys’ bathroom (Sherwin Williams Dill) when building last year and now it makes me happy every single time I go in there. So glad I did!!!!!!!
I adore this kitchen and you! I need to find somewhere to use this color. #stalkerfan
A few comments…..Um, I’m jealous. And I love green. You go girl, get that kitchen!! ~Kim
:)
*gutsy, unexpected and wow! all come to mind for me when I saw your blog post.*
In 2008, when we renovated our all white kitchen which had Laura Ashley ivy wallpaper crawling up walls and curling around the chandelier, (previous owner), I prepared meals in our laundry room. Thankfully, we have a deep sink in the laundry room. I placed an electric skillet on the hamper and used the top of the w/d as my prep station. The mircrowave was also placed in the laundry room for awhile. Granted in the 8 weeks of renovation, we ate out or had take out also, but for the most part, my temp kitchen was workable. Good luck, 40-ish wife/Mom of 5 & working hard for her dream kitchen! :)
You sound like you did better than I’m doing. I thought we’d try to do more eating/feeding from here, but after about week 3, we just gave up and started ordering :(
I love it! Not just the color, but the boldness of it! It’s your dream kitchen and you should have it just the way you want :).
You do you. I can’t wait to see it, no matter the cost or sponsorship.
As a 40 year momma to 5 as well I am SO very happy for you! I can’t wait to see it all done. It’s going to be beautiful just like everything else you’ve done. I am loving it!!
I love America…where we can have a kitchen in any color we want!
I admire you for not falling for trends & doing what you love. You’ll never tire of it.
I can’t wait to see it finished, it’s going to look fab. A really bold choice but I love it even though I probably wouldn’t have chosen green myself.
As to where it comes from or who pays for it…it really is no-ones business….if you can get the kitchen that you want through sponsored posts…great..it is a business deal that works for both parties but if not then buy what you want. I don’t understand why someone would have an issue with that!
This is the happiest kitchen! Love that you went bold and that you’re getting the kitchen of your dreams. You deserve it!
Its so awesome!! You are going to break the internet with this one! How many black and white kitchens are there (including mine) out there?! This is so inspiring!!!! That greeeeeeen!
When you suggested I paint my sunroom built ins a dark color, I kinda freaked a little and thought maybe Ill just paint the backs. No way now….I am going all the way. If you can do green like that and have it look amazing, I would be such a dork to chicken out.
Lastly, I don’t care who, how or how much you paid for your kitchen. If it is authentically you, I am going to love it!! And more importantly YOU will love it!
This is BEAUTIFUL! Can’t wait to see the finished project! So happy for you finally getting the kitchen you’ve always wanted. At least now when you’re spending countless hours in the kitchen cooking for your 5 kids, you’ll have something gorgeous to look at to make it a little less painful :)
And also….I love the idea of pantry cabinets on each side of the tv! Genius! :)
Oh wow, I love it! We just built a new house and I got my all white kitchen. But I admit that now – a mere 4 months after moving in – I wish I’d done a color on the cabinets that are my “hutch” wall. I did a grey on the island to please my family but wish I’d pushed for the blue I really wanted! I figure I can paint it blue one day – though it won’t have that great factory finish. But maybe that’s ok – maybe one day in a few years I’ll paint it out and give it a little rustic look. Who knows! Anyway, yours is beautiful1
Love it and good for you! I am also an almost 40 year old mom of 3 who is giving myself a one level island, marble countertop, new sink and faucet for my birthday. I’ve been shopping for faucets and I love the industrial style you picked. How tall is yours? I don’t want to block the view to the family room. Some I looked at were 26 in. tall.
Ours is 21 inches high and feels plenty tall to me. Happy birthday to you. Sounds like a great gift to me!
Perfect! Thanks! What brand is your faucet?
Ahhhhh so fantastic. I love that you are going bold and different.
I’ve been anxiously awaiting these pics and WOW! You are brave and I love it! Better than I expected even… And I had high expectations. Beautiful!au
OMG I love it! That is the perfect shade of green. It is going to turn out fabulously. Happy for you and for following your kitchen dreams :)
Wow, this looks amazing! I love the pop of emerald and cannot wait to see it complete. We are also in CLT and working on a kitchen update/reno. Do you have a good source you recommend for the honed black granite that you don’t mind sharing? That’s one of the details we haven’t gotten to yet.
I’m not totally sure who we ordered it through. (Is that bad?) If you’ll send me an email, I’ll ask our contractor.
That you are paying for everything makes me love it all the more! You are so brave with the green color. I just love it but I would be so scared. However, I know with your skill and ability to envision the finished kitchen it is going to be beautiful! I can’t wait to see it all finished!
You go girl!!! One will never be happy if one is only set out to please everyone… Love, love the green. It looks fabulous cannot wait to see when it is done!
Eeeeeppp that green is SO fantastic. And so YOU! Getting close!
Love the honed black granite, too.
You deserve it! Love the green and can’t wait to see the pics of the final reveal.
OHMYGOSH I’m so excited for you! haha – yes, I get excited when people get new kitchens – especially the kitchen of their dreams ;) I think it’s funny that people would say you paid too much for your kitchen.. that is crazy! “It’s your thang, do what you wanna do!” (remember that song??) Can’t wait to see it!
I love your enthusiasm :)
Love, Love, Love the unexpected. Not just another white kitchen. Can’t wait to see the end result.
Your kitchen and style are amazing! I am interested in honed granite for my “one day” kitchen. I would love your input on its durability etc. I have heard it is not heat resistant, is this true? any other info you may have would be great. I am sure you have already done all the research.
I may have to get back to you on that once we’ve used it for a while. I’ve heard great things, though.
I love your splash of emerald green! You must feel like such a rebel! Good for you! I for one am thrilled that you are getting the kitchen of your dreams! Can not wait til it’s done….sounds like your kids can’t wait either! ;)
I think it means I have to start cooking for them again…. :)
I literally gasped out loud when I saw the picture on instagram! It’s amazing!
Looks beautiful so far!! Do what makes YOU happy always! 😉
Wow, it is looking great. And I think the green is genius.
I am obsessed with emerald but finding accessories in that color , especially pillows, has been so hard. I’m so jealous of your kitchen! Looks beautiful!
Good for you! It’s looking great. Enjoy it!
Oh my gaaaaaaahhhhsh. I hate that you even had to add that last paragraph. Your kitchen is awesome, and you will love it because it will be exactly what you and your family want. Thank you so much for sharing the process with us!!
I’m thrilled for you! Finally getting your dream kichen! I’m 36 and I’m in your same boat as you were at 36. 4 kids and a less-than-desirable kitchen (that’s being kind, it has tile countertops and original, falling-apart, 70’s cabinetry and appliances, ewww). Can’t wait to see the finished product, it looks gorg!!
Your kitchen is going to be beautiful and I’m wishing I were brave enough to step out with a bold color like you! Don’t even worry for a minute about pleasing everyone. You are fortunate that you can have a beautiful and super functional kitchen for your growing family. We renovated 8 years ago when my kids were under seven and it has been the best thing ever. Enjoy it!!!!
Love it!! I love even more that your were true to yourself and what works for your family. I love your heart that shows through in each project…. congrats!!!
You go lady!! Your home, your choice!!
Adore it!! In a sea of neutral kitchens on blogs and in general it so great to see some personality. I love that it will really pop out all your blue and white pieces. This is my fave design of all time on the Internet!!
I love the green! I can’t WAIT to see it finished. Kudos for making the choice to do it all on your own instead of being limited by sponsors. I think you’ve settled on a great balance of sponsored posts, though, and I wouldn’t be bothered at all if you did have some elements of the renovation sponsored. Also, I really like that you are using a kitchen designer. I’m not thinking of any blogger in particular, but I’ve seen DIY renovations that probably could have benefited from a professional kitchen designer’s input. The money will be worth it because it will look gorgeous and function perfectly for your family. In the words of another commenter, your kitchen will”break the Internet!” In a much classier way than Kim K, by the way ;)
I was like “who is Kim K?” I think I’m tired :) Thanks, Michele. Using the designer has been a great experience. So nice to have a sounding board to run ideas by, too. Plus, she’s just an overall awesome person.
Agree with you 100%, that you just have to please yourself. It only makes sense to get what you really love, esp. when you’re doing such a big reno! I tell my hubby that anything we do to the house will last us FOREVER, until next time 😁
Good for you! Emerald green might not be someone else’s choice, but it’s not someone else’s kitchen. After having 5 kids, you certainly deserve it.
As for me I don’t care if it was sponsored or how much money you spent. I am happy for you. I am glad you are getting the kitchen of your dreams. Love the colors. I am looking forward to seeing it finished.
Seriously – I love your bold style!!!! I can’t wait to see this when it’s finished. It looks great already and it’s still under construction.
Also – no need to apologize or explain yourself. I think it no one’s business how or who pays for your kitchen updates. It makes me sad that people really get mad over things like that.
So glad you are finally getting your dream kitchen :)
You Go Girl!!! Your style is amazing. And your new kitchen is going to beyond amazing! You design yourself the kitchen of your dreams and enjoy every precious minute you spend with your family in it.
Green is my favorite color so I am so excited to see this through!! So happy for you!
As someone who is SO tired of all white kitchens, I say, BRAVO! You deserve the kitchen of your dreams, an no one should tell you otherwise. Good for you!
Love that green color so much! I can’t wait to see how it turns out. I love your style. You go girl! :)
that green is stunning
At first I was NO not Green, but than I seen the wallpaper and I said “She is genius”. Can’t wait to see the end result. Please share the wallpaper source (even if you just tell me). It’s beautiful.
Yep–it’s linked in the post :)
I can’t wait to see it! I feel your pain on the eating out!
We are in the middle of a kitchen remodel as well and need to decide on a sink faucet. My husband picked out the same one you have – I was thrilled to see it on your blog!! – my only hesitation was the thought of possible cleaning challenges with all those coils. Thoughts? Talk me in to it!! It’s certainly a stunner.
Not sure I have much advice to offer on that part yet. . . If it can get dirty, it surely will here!
Wow, I need you to come to Northern VA so we can be best friends and I can pick your brain :-) Please – I’ll feed the kids :-) It looks gorgeous and I’ve always loved how that emerald green looks so rich with Navy and white/cream. We have a huge bamboo in my dining room and I love the look of the foliage against the Navy Walls. I might steal your cabinet color for my bathroom, since you’ve already inspired me to consider the Williamsburg Line of wallpaper for in there. Good luck!
This is going to be so amazing and so you!! I love the green. I am so excited for you!! Throughout kitchen renovations, I always think of that commercial where the daughter tells the mom that it’s time to go to bed and say good night to the finished kitchen. The mom was so excited, she just didn’t want to leave it. :) That is how I will be for mine!! ;) Walking downstairs just to peek at it!! Enjoy!
Wow! I am in agreement that your kitchen is going to “break the Internet “. I love the choices you made and the emerald green is an awesome, unexpected surprise. I read so many blogs that are sponsored post after sponosered post and I can’t tell you how refreshing it was to see that the kitchen of your dreams isn’t sponsored (even though it’s none of my business) it makes your kitchen absolutely 100% yours. It’s authentic, it’s real and it’s yours and it’s going to be fantastic, can’t wait for the final reveal!
Gorgeous and the best part is it makes YOU smile, that is key!! It took me until 60 years to get the kitchen of my dreams and then we moved, but I got another one so at 65 I now have my all white kitchen and I am loving it!! YOU are doing a fantastic job designing yours!
Kathysue
I’m so incredible excited for you, and of course I love where this is headed! If I were closer I’d cook dinner for you! ;)
You’re so bold! Good for you. I love the green choice. I love that you chose something that makes you happy. I’m much more reserved then you, but I’d love to think that if I was given the option of the kitchen of my dream, I’d take advantage of it too!
It’s going to be sooo good and the green was a total surprise…and genius! The wallpaper on the other end will be just perfect! You’re so close to functioning!
You know you’re doing something right when you get the amount of reaction you seem to be getting from your kitchen! (: I can’t believe how strong some of the opinions are. Your kitchen is coming together so freakin’ good! I feel like it is so you and as a fellow green lover you know I think that green is brilliant!! I feel like even though you’ve been in this home for such a short time it seems like it is so much more you than your previous home, if that makes any sense…anyways it’s looking amazing and I can’t wait to see the reveal!!!
This kitchen is already GORGEOUS!! I love the honed granite countertops! I’ve always loved soapstone, but am thinking this gives “the look” with less worry and upkeep. Gotta decide soon whether we’re going to revamp our kitchen and age in place or sell and downsize. When you get further along I would love to get your feedback on why you chose the honed granite and all the pros/cons. I’m sure you researched the heck out of it.:)
Emily, I love what your doing in your kitchen! I’m also doing mine and I’m wondering what you think about gold kitchen faucets? They are really in right now ,but I know it’s a trend and I’m not sure about getting a brass faucet and brass pulls and knobs if they are going out of fashion next year. The only brass faucet I can afford right now is shiny polished brass( Bainbridge faucet from signature hardware) to get a more aged finish, I would need to strip off the lacquer. what do you think? My cabinets are white , counters black, marble subway tile backsplash.
I love them, but I just decided to mix it up in our kitchen. I’m doing a combination of brass and stainless finishes.
It is going to look Amazing!! Can’t wait to see!! I am planning on a kitchen (the house is a complete gut) but we can’t change the layout. I plan to paint our cabinets green too and use a patterned tile. we are going with open shelving to save costs. So excited! Thanks for sharing your kitchen progress, Emily!
I’m so excited to see the final reveal! We have been renovating our kitchen at the same time here and we are so close to the finish line. Like you, we decided to go ‘un-sponsored’ and pay for everything ourselves, mainly because I didn’t want my decisions to be influenced by any partnerships we may find. I too, am a nearing 40 year old mother, who has waited the best part of 15 years for my kitchen, I wanted it to be exactly what we chose. Good luck with the final stretch of your makeover, it will all be worth the wait I’m sure!
I LOVE the emerald and B&W. I literally just came home from Target where I would have gotten the following sandals for my daughter had my husband not vetoed them. And then I come home and see your post. I feel so justified lol! I can see your vision, he, alas, could not. 😂
Would you mind sharing the white paint color you used? We are in the throws of ordering cabinets and I am drowning in white paint samples!!
You may be appalled at the lack of attention to detail, but I have no idea. I told them I wanted the walls white and they painted them white. I should probably find out for touch ups… :)