A Labor of Love - Kitchen Reveal!

I'll bet those of you who have been along for the ride thought this day would never come.  To bring the new peeps up to speed, the mini-kitchen renovation started a year ago (yes, that's right - a whole entire year) when we had to replace our hardwood floor.  To say this transformation was a labor of love is quite the understatement.  This is what our kitchen looked like when we first moved in almost two years ago.

Then a few months after moving in we gave it a little face lift with plantation shutters, curtains, and some new light fixtures. 

Last February when we were faced with having to replace our hardwood floor, we took it as a sign to go ahead and begin project "mini-kitchen renovation".  We had always dreamed of having a range hood and a tile back splash.  We really wanted to give our kitchen a custom look that felt more like us without the custom kitchen price tag.  We had our contractor (the same person that laid the new floors) add some molding to our builder-basic-painted-white-by-the-previous-owners cabinets, and then we distressed/glazed them for a custom look.  

                                  

This molding completely changed the look of our cabinets.  It was a very cost effective way to get a custom look at a fraction of the price of what new cabinetry would have cost.  By painting the molding and glazing ourselves we were able to spread our budget to cover some of the other costs.  

The marble back splash and range hood were also installed by our contractor.  

Bringing in a hood over the stove meant having to find a new home for the microwave.  We took the doors off of a rarely used cabinet and had the microwave fitted inside.  This also gave us the perfect spot for a wine cooler and a shelf for wine glasses.   

                            

I'm amazed at what a difference just a few key changes made in our kitchen.  We took our time obviously. We did and had things done as we had the money and time to complete each project.  It feels like a brand new kitchen, and I'm completely head over heels!  Ready for the full reveal?! 

Picture overload - be warned! 

I made a faux roman shade for the window over the sink.  The EAT letters are paper mache letters from Hobby Lobby that I painted. 

Check here and here for the deets on this table transformation.  

Added some black grosgrain ribbon trim to these white cotton Target panels with the help of my hot glue gun. 

I'm so happy that this project is finally finished, and I'm beyond thrilled with the final results!  It took a whole year to get it done, but it was definitely worthwhile.  Now it feels like "our" kitchen and not just one that we inherited from the previous owners.  

The wall color is Macadamia by Martha Stewart.  It reminds me of butter cream frosting.  

The little details are some of my favorites - kind of like the cherry on top of my sweet kitchen cupcake!

I warned you about the overload of pictures.  I can't help it - I heart my kitchen almost more than I heart guacamole - which is a lot  - like a whole lot!  

****UPDATE***** I made some tweaks and brought in a new table and chairs - here's how it's looking  now- http://www.ourfifthhouse.com/2012/08/kitchen-tour.html

*Linking up at Home Stories A to Z,  My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia, Savvy Southern Style,  At the Picket Fence, Thrifty Decor Chick