our kitchen renovation Archives

Quick Change: Our Kitchen Sitting Area

Oct32018

I’m forever making small changes to our home which I don’t always consider significant enough for a blog post. But, it occurred to me that maybe some of these changes could trigger small ideas for your home, as well. Some of you have mentioned that you like when I share the “why” behind my design decisions. So I’m making more of an effort to share the quick changes and my thought process behind them, starting with this ottoman switch-up in our kitchen sitting area.

Looking for something similar? This ottoman comes in lots of colors and patterns! (Images below are linked.)

You can see our entire green and white kitchen makeover here.

A High/Low Mix in Our Kitchen Dining Area

Jul252018

Although our kitchen renovation was officially finished almost two years ago, I’m still making tweaks in the dining area. Like most of our house, it’s becoming a high/low mix of a good statement piece or two and some really lucky Craigslist or thrift store finds. (My favorite way to decorate!)

Since moving into this house, I’d been using an inexpensive light fixture that I had bought for our last home. It was intended to a be a placeholder until I found the one. And nearly three years later, I found the perfect replacement.

I always felt like the fixture needed to feel lighter against the wallpaper, and the arms and white linen shades on the Dillon chandelier from Hudson Valley Lighting do the trick. It also gives off plenty of light, with the shades making it feel very cozy at night. I’m using 40 watt bulbs (although you can do up to 60).

The Dillon chandelier is traditional without being stuffy. I anticipate that it will be here for a very long time. . . I also think it’s a better blend with the brass pendants over our island and the wall sconces I used over the gallery wall.

In the market for statement lighting? Hudson Valley Lighting (#hudsonvalleylighting) has some great options. Shop them all here.

Lighting isn’t the only way I’m changing up this spot. I took away the heavier wood chairs and, for now, I’m using a mix of slipcovered end chairs and a pair of Chippendale style chairs I found on Amazon a couple of years ago that have since sold out. (I also found a similar set for another room here.)

The dining bench was a budget compromise when we did our renovation. I found a bench that fit the wall perfectly and decided to put my money into other things (like wallpaper) instead of doing a built-in window seat, changing out the windows, etc. Finding a good high/low decorating mix is like figuring out a puzzle, right?

For a full list of sources, see the bottom of my kitchen renovation post.

This post was sponsored by Hudson Valley Lighting.

Follow #hudsonvalleylighting on Instagram for more lighting ideas.

Our Kitchen Reno: What’s Left

Jun82016

Although I’ve been posting photos of our kitchen on Instagram, it’s been a while since I’ve given you a renovation update here. We’ve been in and using the new kitchen for the last several weeks, and it’s been wonderful! Knocking a wall out to make the front room and existing kitchen area one big space has been the best thing we’ve done to our house so far. I’m also loving having a long island with five barstools (counter height, actually). I can literally stand and serve the food, then scoop it back up and clean their plates—all in one spot.

stools // pendant lights

I know you might be waiting for a big reveal, but that post (good pictures, a full source list, etc.) may not come for a while longer. We’re doing this thing in real-life time, which means the little things I need to finish up will have to happen between Summer break, ballgames, and meals. Eating in and using the kitchen take precedence over decorating it sometimes. :) I do promise to post more updates in the meantime, though. . .

For those of you’ve asked me about the countertops or appliances or anything else, I’ll fill you in on that later, too. Three weeks isn’t a huge amount of time to be able to give you accurate feedback. But, I am happy with the honed granite so far. Give me a little time, and I’ll give you a better assessment.

So, what’s actually left? Our hood will (obviously) go where you see the big hole over the stove (see first image) and may get here next week. We’re also waiting on chairs, I’m still shopping for a dining bench, and I plan to paint the door and hang some pictures. For now, I’m just happy to be eating at home again.

Flowers by Teleflora

If you’re catching up, you can catch more renovation updates here.