More than a year after starting the renovation, I’m finally sharing our completed green and white kitchen. The renovation process itself took about ten weeks, but between eating and cleaning (and eating again), it has taken me a while to get the finishing touches just right.
This is what the kitchen looked like before we moved in:
And, this is the kitchen right before we started the renovation. (We had the cabinets painted white when we moved in, thinking we might hold out longer than we actually did on remodeling.)
Our completed renovation:
I’ll do a follow up post in the next week or so to show you more of the before and after layouts. (We knocked out a wall so that the old kitchen and front dining room all became one room.) I’ll also fill you in on the appliances, how the kitchen is working for us after a year, etc. But, for now, here are the “after” pictures:
The two big items on my wishlist for this space were two dishwashers (the best decision ever!) and a really pretty hood (we had it custom made). That was definitely my splurge for the space, but I think it was totally worth it. I’m sure my husband agrees. ;)
I also really love having open shelving. I feel like it makes it so much easier to just turn around from the dishwashers and put the dishes away. For the most part, I just keep our everyday dishes here. We added L-brackets from the hardware store on the edges of the shelves to dress them up a little. (I brush-painted them gold.)
That’s me heating up my coffee for the seventh time. (Every morning.) I was on the fence about the microwave drawer but it has worked out really well. I do like that it’s tucked out of the way.
I knew I wanted some color in this kitchen and my first thought was to put it on the island. Our kitchen designer suggested putting the color on the end section of cabinetry instead. I like how it breaks up the long room into different areas. The tall green cabinets both house pull-out pantries and we added the chairs so it would feel like a small “keeping room.” It’s my favorite and most-used spot in the house.
We ended up with a short wall that was really too narrow of a pass-through behind the bar stools to add any kind of function. I took advantage of this blank space and hung a gallery of white frames with some of my favorite color photographs of the kids. (It’s always the topic of conversation anytime someone visits our home.) I was also able to work in the library sconces I’d always wanted.
I continued the green theme on the other side of the kitchen by wallpapering the wall behind our table. I found a green paint (Deep Jungle by Benjamin Moore) that almost matched my wallpaper sample exactly.
This is the same table I have guests sign.
I hope you enjoyed the little walk-through of our new space. Let me know if you have more questions about it that you’d like to see addressed in a future post.
See the entire kitchen layout (before, during and after) here.
BREAKFAST NOOK
wallpaper // farmhouse table (similar) // lantern pendant // dining chairs (similar) // dining bench (similar) // navy lamp // gray console table
KITCHEN ISLAND AREA
island pendant lighting // counter stools // drawer pulls // faucet
sink // hood (custom) // topiary // artwork
GREEN SITTING AREA
green paint // bamboo window shades // spool chairs // woven ottoman
acrylic side table // bulletin board // gallery frames // brass wall sconces
APPLIANCES
drink fridge // refrigerator // microwave drawer // coffee maker
All photos by my talented friend Hart to Hart Digital.
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It’s beautiful!! So many great details, it’s hard to pick my favorite! :)
Love, love, love.
Well that turned out slightly fabulous! However, I went through all the pictures a few times trying to find your fridge. Where’d y’all put it, if you don’t mind me asking?
It’s behind the island. You can see it in the photo behind the sink/faucet that I just added. :) Here’s a better idea of the layout and I’ll post more on that soon:
https://emilyaclark.com/2016/02/our-kitchen-reno-the-new-layout.html
You’ve done a beautiful transformation in making the kitchen user friendly for you and your family. I think the addition of bamboo and brass bring a warm feature always needed when dealing with stainless and other shiny surfaces in kitchens.
Well done Emily. :)
Absolutely stunning!!!
Beautiful! I love how personal you’ve made your space by adding in the awesome bulletin board with your children’s art and the the family gallery wall. I also love the energy the wallpaper brings to the space.
It’s absolutely beautiful. It doesn’t even look like the same house. I especially love the green cabinetry. I’d be so nervous to do it, but the end result is stunning!
Beautiful!
Did I miss the fridge in the photos?
Yep–see my comment above :)
it turned out so beautifully! i love the green you chose and love how it really stands out. what an awesome space you’ve created for your family.
The herringbone tile, the bulletin board and the long island are all what stood out most to me – heart eyes!! I am leaving with one question, where is the fridge? Oh, btw… your lashes are fabulous.
It is beyond gorgeous, unique and chic! I love it so so so much. You are a true authentic talent, Emily. Your kitchen is timeless yet current and dare I say innovative with the color dispersement. BRAVO. Well worth the wait to see it in its current perfection…
weird question as a coffee dependent mom: do you like your coffee maker? Its really pretty and makes a full pot (2 huge requirements for me). no need for a full review…just yes, no , or meh and a link or brand name. oh and the milk glass coffee mug…LOVE IT.
Thank you, Jody! Yes, LOVE my coffee maker. I just couldn’t do a Keurig. Too much coffee needed :) I also like that it has the hot water side. I can quickly make oatmeal or grits for the kids in the morning.
PS–Those are my favorite coffee mugs–from Target (Threshold).
It’s all so gorgeous! That green is so vibrant and beautiful, you made such lovely choices. Can’t wait until our own kitchen remodel is finished, almost there!
Beautiful Emily!! Love the green! I also love that you feature your family on the gallery wall and the large bulletin board. So personal and cozy!!
GORGEOUS!!
Can you tell me about the countertops you chose? Also, where is your fridge??? I love your kitchen – it’s very fresh and inviting. I adore the green cabinets! (I had a custom emerald green “wedding” cabinet made while we lived in China.)
Countertops are honed granite; another post to come :)
Did I miss the post on honed granite countertops?
No–I haven’t written it yet :)
Hi! There are so many black granites out there – is this absolute black? Thanks! Trying to find a black granite that’s not too dark…and without much movement. Thoughts? Thanks so much!
Aaahh!! It’s the moment we’ve all been waiting for! I love the green, the five stools, the layout with TV, chairs, the illuminated art wall, and the VENT HOOD! Oh the vent hood. I hope it’s brother will come to my house. I can’t wait to see more.
It’s gorgeous just like I knew it would be! Your helpers in the photo shoot are pretty cute too!!
I love this kitchen, Emily — well done! I love the green you chose mixed with all the beautiful blue! Okay a few questions: is the chair fabric on the spindle chairs a Ballard fabric or a custom one? Would you mind sharing the sources for the mirror and framed prints in the breakfast room? What coffee maker is that (I’m not inclined to use a Keurig either)?
Beautiful! Thanks for sharing
Hi Emily, the kitchen is fabulous. Love everything,especially the green cabinets,vent hood and the photo wall with those lights. Those kids are adorable,when did they get big?
I know! They turned five last week :(
This was so worth the wait! The kitchen came together beautifully. I have a question- how do you find having a single basin sink with a large family and lots of dishes? I often wonder about switching to a single when we reno our kitchen. Would love for you to include your thoughts when you talk about how the kitchen works for you.
I wasn’t sure about it but my kitchen designer/friends swore I’d love it and she was right. It feels so much bigger. I don’t miss the divided sink at all.
Hi Emily,
Your kitchen is beautiful!
I love the green.
I have a large single bowl sink & I wish it was a double bowl. I have to keep a small tub in it for times that I’m cleaning & need a tub of soapy water. It keeps the other half of the sink open & available. I guess everyone uses their kitchens differently.
Love it all, especially the island with the 5 stools. The whole thing is stunning!
Love this space! You did a fantastic job!
Not a cookie cutter kitchen…..so refreshing! The green cabinetry is beautiful and adds so much character. This kitchen kinda makes cooking bearable.
Almost :) It’s definitely good for eating takeout!
Love how your kitchen turned out!! So beautiful and functional!
I love your kitchen so much Emily but especially how all the appliances are tucked away and all the personal touches. Great idea on the microwave drawer. And bookending the space with the vibrant greens was brilliant!
Where can I find that basket under your entry table? Looks really big and its just what I’m looking for. Love it all. Will you plan out my kitchen? :-)
I think I found it at Marshall’s but I’ve had it for several years.
I love how personal you made it and so functional, too–plus it’s so pretty! I have seven grands who visit (six in our son’s family) so getting ideas on how you seat everyone is super helpful. It’s beautiful and well chosen in everything!
I am debating on changing our island counter top from the current end-cut cherry wood to a honed granite so will look forward to hearing how functional that is (hand prints show, etc.?). We bought this house in lovely coastal SC just one year ago but I can’t decide if we should leave that end-cut cherry or not. I don’t like it but it’s there, know what I mean?! Thanks for your sweet blog, Emily.
I really love it. I feel like it’s low maintenance and I like that there’s no sheen/streaks after I wipe it down.
Just beautiful! Love the green cabinets and the wallpaper!!
Yep, mother of all reveals. :-)
I love it! Happy for you. The bulletin board is my favorite. But, I do love that gallery wall, too!
You’re very sweet. :)
Love it all!!!!!
Love it all! Beautiful!
Its beautiful. Can you please add links to your dishes and how they are holding up.
Can you post details about your black counter tops? Love your kitchen!!
They’re honed granite. I’m working on a more detailed post.
MAN! It is so good Emily! we are knee deep in planning a kitchen renovation for later this summer, and I am making a ton of the final “design” types of decisions. I was convinced that a custom range hood would look odd on our 8ft ceiling, and had written it off over the weekend, but then this! Back to the drawing board:) Question: How do you like your faucet? I have heard it is bear to clean industrial style faucets, but I really like the styling of this one! (and PS- I love that you waited a year to publish this so that when people ask questions about how you use things, You can actually speak to how much you like them).
Well you’re the only one that’s happy about the wait. Ha!
I really like the faucet. I haven’t noticed it being all that gross. I mainly just have to wipe around the base and the faucet part. I just spray it with 409 or whatever I have. It’s worked fine.
Thanks for the response:) It is all truly beautiful!
Very pretty. I really like your choice of colors, textures, etc. The green is fresh and vibrant! Most of all, the space looks like a great space where family/friends can gather. Thank you for sharing!
Absolutely love EVERYTHING! One question…how were wood floors matched after such large renovation kitchen layout? This is my biggest fear while debating complete renovation of kitchen.
Hi Erin! I have no idea but they did it :) I can try to find out the name of the flooring company my contractor used if you want it….
Nailed it! So worth the wait to see the final results.
Thanks, Mary!
Hey Emily. I have been waiting for this post for so long and I have loved getting little glimpses of your kitchen on Instagram every now and again! The colors are just so beautiful and I am so envious of the space you have created for your family. It is just beautiful and looks just like you ! My kitchen is about the same size as yours and with four young kids I cannot live without my toaster oven, blender, and KitchenAid mixer…. but I hate the clunkyness it adds to the left and right side of my stove. Are there any appliances you keep out and removed for taking pictures or do you choose just not to have them. With such a busy crazy schedule I really could not live without my toaster oven breakfast waffles, blender smoothie, or heating up a evening pizza :)….. my kitchen always look so cluttered !
One thing that helps is the drawer underneath the microwave. That’s where I store my toaster and smaller appliances.
Love this modern traditional kitchen–well done! We have a kitchen renovation in our future and may have to put the sink in the island to fit everything in–how do you like it? We always seem to have kids cups or something drying next to our sink so I’m a little nervous it would be cluttered…thanks!!
I’m not saying our countertop isn’t always covered with stuff but I do love it. I like being able to stand at the sink (and dishwashers) while the kids are at the island. I feel like the bartender! :)
Beautiful!!! And love the green. Do you mind sharing the source for your custom hood? We need to have a similar one built for our remodel, and I’m not sure where to look.
Raw Urth
It is beautiful! Would you mind sharing the wall color? I am getting ready to paint my kitchen and you have inspired me!
Thank you so much!
I didn’t even pick it out. I told our contractor I wanted white walls and he did it. Now, he can’t remember the color :) I told him someone would ask!
Stunning! Well done.
Love it!! I’m so over all white kitchens. Bring on the color!!
Emily, what a gorgeous kitchen! I was looking forward to the big reveal. My FAVORITE thing by far is the green cabinets! It’s my favorite color and it really demands attention. LOVE IT!
It’s very beautiful, and your children are adorable! I also love the green paint and wallpaper, plus the sconces and the personality shown throughout.
One comment: I’m an older reader (57 for a few more weeks!) and find the light gray type on your pages hard to read. Could you make it a little darker?
Love your kitchen, Emily! It looks fresh, modern and a bit preppy!
As a fellow mom of five (about the same age range as yours, too), I am planning to utilize some of your ideas for functionality. Five stools, drawer microwave at end of cabinet run, television/reading area, two dishwashers (if I can find the space!), single basin sink + industrial faucet … And that huge bulletin board!
Do you have a tutorial for your bulletin board posted to the blog?
I ordered the bulletin board from Ballard Designs. That’s about as much DIY as I’m doing these days. :)
PS–Highly recommend the two dishwashers if you can. We run both non-stop. It’s been awesome. But, the kids don’t enjoy it quite as much since they’re unloading them…
Would you mind sharing the wall color? I am inspired to paint my kitchen now!
It looks beautiful!
I honestly don’t know. I told the contractor “white” and they just did it. Maybe he can find out…
I think I just pinned almost every picture. Such great ideas! I have a long, dark, ugly hallway that I may steal your gallery wall idea for.
Oh, thanks! So glad you like it. :)
Love it!! This is probably a really silly question BUT can you please tell me more about the light bulbs in your lantern pendant. I have one and currently have Edison Bulbs in it but I don’t love them. I love the way yours look!! Thank you!
I just get them at Lowes or Home Depot. I think it makes it look more modern.
Ah! I’m obsessed! It’s beautiful yet functional and family friendly! That green is seriously my power color right now. I love the way you used it in a way that still felt bright and airy!
Love it! What is the wallpaper?
So beautiful, classic yet comfortable! I’ve been wanting to do large dome pendants in our kitchen remodel (hoping to get started soon) but worried they would be overpowering with 8 ft. ceilings. Your kitchen confirms that bigger is better in this case – just the wow factor a good kitchen needs. Feels right to spend the money on the things the kids can’t break or touch ;)
I ADORE this! That green is my favorite color.
You’ve got me thinking about open shelving, too! Beautiful, Emily!
so I have to be the weird one…I love everything you do, but noticed that you had a great pair of jeans on…where are they from?
Marilee
I found them on Nordstrom Rack clearance. Brand is Paige.
It’s so beautiful Emily!
Your kitchen turned out so pretty! I love that you have two dishwashers! Also, the guest book table is such a cool idea. I’ve never heard of that but it’s a cool idea!
Love it, Emily! Classy yet colorful. I wondered if you’d do a post on your gallery wall? I’d love to see it in its entirety, to see exactly how you spaced everything and how many frames wide your wall is, how you spaced out the sconces, etc. I have a large wall and your gallery wall is inspiring me but my wall might be too large…
Yes–here you go:
https://emilyaclark.com/2017/02/family-gallery-wall-kitchen.html
I am planning a kitchen reno too, and have been debating on adding a sink to the island (to form a working triangle) or keep the island completely clear for workspace. I can’t decide. I don’t like the idea of having kitchen sink clutter on the island, but the functionality of having the working triangle is also appealing. What are your thoughts, and reasoning behind why you did and island sink?
Beautiful photos and well done kitchen! Can’t wait to hear about the details.
Beautiful! What are the dimensions of your kitchen? We are planning a kitchen renovation and have a very similar layout to your ‘before’, including the floor-to-ceiling windows by the table.
Gorgeous kitchen!!! We are redoing ours now and are also doing some open shelving. How deep are yours? I was looking at 8″ and 10″ to hold plates and glasses and some fun decorative items but not sure of the depth. After a year are you happy with your shelves or would you change anything about them.
Thanks! Here are the shelf details:
https://emilyaclark.com/2017/01/details-on-our-floating-kitchen-shelves.html?m
I really love your kitchen. It is such a refreshing departure from the all-white horizontal subway tile kitchens we see over and over again. The green is an awesome color and I LOVE that wallpaper! I also love the herringbone subway tile backsplash. Such a good way to be timeless yet interesting.
I’m eager to hear what you think about the honed granite countertops. I put them in and my husband despises them. He thinks they’re too high maintenance because of the water marks and constant need to Windex. He’s also a geologist and doesn’t like that you can’t appreciate the fine details of the stone like you can when it’s polished :) I think they’re pretty and an affordable alternative to soapstone! I also like that they offer a more relaxed feel than polished granite.
It’s perfect! Love every detail Emily!
What is the brand of your range? I’m in the market and I like it…
How did you find your kitchen designer? Any suggestions for a designer in Louisville, KY??
Thanks :D
Heather
I found her through our contractor and she was/is wonderful! I’m sorry I don’t know anyone in Louisville.
Anyone else know?
The kitchen is beautiful!! I have a throw back question: who painted your cabinets when you first moved into the house? I am also in the Charlotte area and am looking for someone.
I emailed you, but figured you may see this comment first.
Thanks so much!
I’ll try to go back through my stuff and find his info. When I do, I’ll email you :)
Thank you so much!
Can you share who did your custom hood?
Raw Urth
Fab! The kitchen looks neat and clean. I love how the solid green cabinet pops up and I think I would agree with your designer about putting the colour at the end section instead of the island. I also love the white tiles and the huge bulletin board that doesn’t look messy at all. Great job on the renovation. :)
This space is just beautiful! Love all your gold touches. Classic and on trend with colors and wallpaper. Textural detail everywhere!!
Love the renovation, went from plain to fabulous!!
Hi – Since you eliminated the dining room do you only have one table for eating now? We have a breakfast nook and a formal dining room and we are considering a remodel where we will have just one table in the kitchen.
Right! I’m not sure we’ve ever used a formal dining room when we’ve had one in other houses. :)
Where do you get your blue and white porcelain bowls, vases, planters, etc?
Mostly thrift stores. Occasionally, places like HomeGoods or Ross will carry some inexpensive pieces. And, you can find it online at One Kings Lane, Etsy, etc.
Brilliant microwave placement. Beautiful kitchen!
I know you said your vent hood was custom, but can you share source? Thanks!! I just discovered your instagram and I’m loving it!!!
From Raw Urth.
Emily,
Just beautiful! I am currently doing a kitchen remodel and my island will be 102 inches long. I was stuck on putting 3 pendants above the island but love your look with 2. Are your pendants the small, medium or large? Also, did I understand that your ceilings are 8 ft? If so, what is the distance from the top of island and bottom of fixture? And, how far from the edge of the island are they hung on either end? And finally–did you ever get the color of white you used? Thanks so much!
Wow, what a beautiful space, thank you for sharing! I’ve been mulling over painting my sunroom for a while, as it has a red brick floor that really limits paint options, but I love that bold green and think I’m going to give it a go! Thank you for the inspiration!
Hi!
When planning out these remodels what is the sequence of events from design & shopping to demo and floors? I’d like to do a remodel in our home but can’t figure out at what point we actually redo the floors. Love the wallpaper and green cabinets and the hood!
this is beautiful! I loe the green with the blue accents. So inspiring. the bulletin board is a great idea. You are brave for getting rid of the dining room!Its a great choice though.
I think I read you are in Charlotte? Does your designer work in South Carolina? I am 90 minutes from Charlotte and I need to connect to a designer who a) will follow through and b) knows what they are doing. Thanks for any info!
She moved to Virginia :(
Looks really good. Was your old granite blue pearl
That’s what I’m looking at
Beautiful! Everything and everyone. Love the green with blue combos.
I cannot find the pendant over your breakfast nook on overstock.com. Do you know what the name of it is so I can search more specifically? I love how simple it is!!! Thank you ma’am !!!
It was years ago when I bought it and don’t remember a name or brand. (I actually moved it from our last house.) It doesn’t look like Overstock carries it anymore. :(
This is a very pretty space, truly a kitchen to show off.
I LOVE the microwave drawer, and finding your blog couldn’t be more timely. 2018 is the year I ditch the microwave over my stove!!
It’s interesting that as a designer you brought in a kitchen designer. It always helps to have an extra set of eyes. Now I’m certain I’m going this route.
I love your kitchen. Great job. I have a question…. What size are your subway tiles and what color grout did you use?
Hi Emily – I love your kitchen renovation!! You did an amazing job! We’re about to completely gut and remodel our kitchen and yours is serving as some beautiful inspiration. :) We’re moving our sink to the island…would you mind sharing the depth of your island? I found the length in your layout post (ours will be slightly shorter) but curious how deep it is to help visualize how much room the sink takes up.
Thanks!
You did such an amazing job on your kitchen, it’s lovely! I love that you incorporated color and a dark countertop but it still looks so bright and fresh!
We’re about to start a kitchen remodel and will have the same spacing behind our island, I love the swing arm sconces and gallery! Could you give me a rough estimate of how long that wall is behind your island where you have the pictures hanging? I’m trying to figure out if I’ll need 3 or 4 sconces … hoping just 3 as the odd number will look better!
Thanks for your blog, it’s been a favorite for years :)
Hi Emily,
Your new kitchen is beautiful. I noticed your fridge + freezer are on the other side of your island. This breaks the work triangle rule that so many people say every kitchen design must follow. I’m at the stage of designing my kitchen and I will also be placing fridge/freezer on opposite side of my island. My question is do you find it inconvenient when accessing your F/F? Can the work triangle rule be broken?
Beautiful space. I would love to know about your decision to hire a kitchen designer, and how you navigated all the choices of appliances, lighting etc.
Lovely kitchen! FYI, get a yeti coffee mug and you’ll never have to reheat coffee again! ;)
Emily, I adore the wallpaper bay window area. Can you tell me how you measured for this, without wasting the wallpaper? I’m going to replicate and share with you! :) Thank you for this gorgeous inspiration!
It is gorgeous. Best kitchen I might have ever seen! I love the added brass detail and the chairs. And the green cabinetry. Gorgeous.
Thank you, Jeanne! We’re enjoying it.
This is absolutely gorgeous!!!
I love every detail. Can you tell me about your bamboo blinds?
Thanks! These are the shades I used:
https://emilyaclark.com/2016/04/deal-alert-cordless-bamboo-shades.html
You did a beautiful job! Wow! I also read your recent post on how you like your black honed granite counters. I was wondering where you ordered them from??
Our contractor just worked with a local granite shop.
I just love the herringbone subway tile you chose! We are working on our kitchen now and I’d love to have this look. Have you posted somewhere details about the tile and grout so I can try to recreate this look? Thank you so much! Your kitchen is just gorgeous.
Looks fantastic! We need to reno our kitchen and one of these days I will be brave enough to start it. Thanks for you post. I just found your site and will be checking it out for other ideas. Thanks!
I love your kitchen! Can you tell me the size of your frames on your gallery wall? The link did not work any longer on your sources. Thanks!