Tuesday, November 18, 2008

Hermitage Drive - Kitchen & Dining Area

Here are a few pics of the Kitchen...I didn't have to do much after we moved in. I just painted...



...and added beadboard (my cottage style seems to always find its way in...no matter WHAT style the house is!) I painted the phrase, "ENJOY THE LIFE OF YOUR TIME" on the wall in the Dining Area:

I had SO many plans for this house. But, we decided to move because the neighborhood was taking a turn for the worse, and the it needed an entirely new electrical system (which we couldn't afford). All the electrical was inside the walls in this house, because there was no attic. Just a wood-beamed ceiling and the roof directly above that. All the electricians we had come over to check out the situation said we'd need to start tearing down walls to re-wire the house.
It KILLED me to sell the house, but it seemed to just make sense to do it. In addition to the "issues" we were having with it, I was driving 30 minutes to work every day (from Montgomery to Prattville). So, we made the move to Prattville- into the "Lettered Cottage", and it has been great falling in love with this place too.

Speaking of the Lettered Cottage and Kitchens, here's a few shots I took a couple of days ago:







Still very much a work in progress...but my "Little-Kitchen-That-Could" is getting there, slowly but surely... :-)

30 comments:

Anonymous said...

The pictures of your kitchen look just beautiful. I am always so inspired by you!

Anonymous said...

Your kitchen looks great!!!!

Allison aka Half of VAMH said...

Love the oversized 'wall words' in the old DR -- and the beadboard.

And everytime I see your new kitchen I want to remove my cabinet doors!

DESIGN BY CATHLEEN said...

Hi Layla,

Love your open cabinets and baskets in the kitchen. Great Job :-)

Suzann said...

Love the words on the old kitchen wall. Of course, i adore your new kitchen. Those black cabinets really are wonderful. Won't be doing them here due a small space, but I love yours.

Lettered Cottage said...

Hi Suzann-

Saw this and thought I'd share it with you here...

Small-Space Sin #3: Being Afraid of the Dark

Star of HGTV's popular Divine Design, Candice Olson wants to bust the myth that dark colors make a room look small. "That's really not the case," she asserts. "I love to use darker colors in small spaces. It's not the color that makes a room look small -- it's the contrast."

The busy Canadian designer and author of Candice Olson on Design explains: "There's a lot of contrast between the horizontal plane of the floor, the vertical color that might be on the walls and the more-than-likely white that's painted on the ceiling. So if you do opt for a dark color, it's the way the eye jumps from one plane to another that causes the room to look small." If you want to go dark or more dramatic, keep the contrast low, Olson advises: "Take the wall color onto the ceiling or use a shade that's two or three shades lighter than the walls on the ceiling so it keeps the contrast levels down."

:-)

Layla

alice said...

I like your first kitchen,it's very nice, but the lettered cottage kitchen has the charm that I love. I also am a fan of your black open cabinets. And the baskets are wonderful. Very good ideas!

Screaming Meme said...

How sweet your old kitchen was...The words are great and I love how you added the cottage style to it...But I love the new kitchen by far...You sure can make a house a home...Meme

Anonymous said...

Just wanted to pop in and say Hi!

Christina said...

I just love your new kitchen! It is my inspiration for my boring builder kitchen. My husband and I went shopping this weekend for materials to paint our cabinets black. Wish us luck! Christina

The Steel Magnolia House said...

Great work! As they say, "When one door closes, another one opens." And, indeed, it has for you. Your new place is turning out beautifully!

Rhoda @ Southern Hospitality said...

Hey, Layla, this little cottage needed you too & I'm glad you are renovating this one too.

Ashley said...

I think Prattville is so much more charming than Montgomery anyway (and you are still close by to enjoy all the benefits of the 'big city'). I definitely think you made the right choice. Great pictures!

Anonymous said...

Looks great!

BTW is it true that Cottage Living magazine (my fav) just got the ax??
Please say no!

Nancy Hood said...

"it's getting there"??? What?! If my kitchen looked half this gorgeous, I'm be tickled to death!! love your style, Layla!!

Sunny said...

I know exactly where Prattville is! My in-laws live off of 119 (exit 246 off 65). Love the Hermitage drive pics. The ceiling is great. And your new home is pretty too. I love black kitchen cabinets.

Michelle said...

I love the contrast of the black and white in a kitchen. It's very pretty!

Anonymous said...

So warm...your home looks like a magazine. I always check in to see what you've been up to.

cherry said...

Everything looks gorgeous! You have the knack! cherry

Kim @ Twice Remembered said...

Layla, your kitchen is so lovely. I know the work in progress story and I think with cottages, that's the only way to go! The beadboard looks fantastic!

Liz Harrell said...

Layla, your kitchen pictures always inspire me so much!

BipolarBunny said...

The kitchen looks good.

Jennie said...

that looks great .... Your making me want to redo something in my house.... I found you thru Just a Girl and the button you made her is great... I am interested, so will you emial me with info.....

Jules from "The Roost" said...

I just love it! :)

homebody0404 said...

Layla,

Lovely kitchen, great job! One question, how do you get the edges of the beadboard to look nice since you only added it as a backsplash, so it's not butted up against molding. Did you calk? Just curious.

Pat

Erin Southwell said...

I love your old kitchen, the transformation is wonderful, you are so talented!

Naturegirl said...

I am extremely interested to know if there is a risk of water getting behind those bead boards..I see that you put them flush with the counter top! I had an accessement done to my kitchen by my SIL and that was his concern.My cabinets are the light like your last cottage..I really like the look. a bead board backsplash! Sure hope you can answer or does this Q. come with a fee?
I remain a follower.NG

Lettered Cottage said...

Hi "Nature Girl"!

We actually ran the beadboard down behind this countertop (it is a temporary countertop). We don't anticipate having an issue with water, and have seen TONS of other Kitchens with beadboard backsplashes, so felt confident in using it. Good luck with the renovation of your Kitchen and thanks so much for stopping by! :-)

Layla

Lettered Cottage said...

Hi Pat!

Yes, caulk is my new favorite home improvement item. I use it everywhere!!! :-)

Layla

Amber said...

Ok, so I just ran across your blog and I'm HOOKED!! I'm an Alabama girl myself and your style is absolutely what I love. I tried for so long to label myself, but I'm now convinced I'm "eclectic cottage". Anyhow, I'm looking for a new dining table and chairs. Any ideas? I would love to go completely antique, but I need something that will withstand the tests of an 11 month old so I guess I will be buying new. I love the creamy distressed look. Keep me in mind if you come across anything! Thanks. I can't wait to tell everyone about your blog......so GREAT!