This morning, walking into our kitchen was a whole new experience.
For the first time since we've moved in, it felt crisp & classic, well-balanced & us.
And I know this might sound strange- but if a room was able to feel happy, I could've sworn our kitchen did, for the first time, today.
You see, until today, our kitchen was made up of two very different sides.
The north side, and the south side.
The north side, (the left side in the photo above) which has pretty much been done for a while now, with the exception of stainless steel appliances, a few under-cabinet corbels, and a window treatment over the sink.
And the south side- previously known as "the side where junk lived".
But as of this morning, I'm happy to say, the south side no longer looks like a messy flea market booth, and it now actually serves a purpose!
Within minutes of waking, I sat at the Dining Room table, chomping my way through a bowl of Cracklin Oat Bran. I was giddy with excitement, staring at the finally finished beadboard wainscotting, and the headboard bench Kevin built...
I want to have a thick, upholstered cushion custom-made for it.
My Mom might know someone that can make one, but if there's anyone out there that's interested in trading services with me- drop me a line! (LaylaPalmer@aol.com)
I bought the old headboard at a local flea/antique mall, several months ago. I wasn't quite sure exactly where, or how, I'd use it- but something about it really spoke to me.
(It was probably the caning...I'm a sucker for the stuff)
Two seconds after I spotted it, I started hauling it up to the front of the store. Certain that if I let it out of my sight for even one second, someone else would snatch it up.
"Twenty-one dollars and forty cents", said the lady behind the counter.
Remembering the last purchase I made there (my Dining Room table and chairs), I replied, "now that's a grand total I can handle!"
Once I had decided that the headboard was to become a bench for our kitchen, I started to envision what it would look like.
I drew him a sketch of the vision in my head and we talked about what we'd need to get to bring the bench to life.
We ended up only having to purchase two pieces of trim to make it. The rest of it was made from scrap wood we had from other projects. As soon Kevin is finishes editing the video he shot while building it, we'll post it here for those interested in how he did it.
On the beadboard above the bench, and the wall above the chair rail moulding, I'm going to hang a large collection of mismatched, antique plates. I visited a few flea markets today, with my friend Sarah, and was thrilled to find four little plates that would work perfectly as a part of the collection. The best part- all four plates cost just $1.00!
Oh! I should mention- the two pillows in the photos are not the ones I'll actually be using long term. Those are from the Guest Bedroom. I just have them sitting there, temporarily, until I purchase some that are perfect for the bench.
I'm also working on a project inside the china hutch. Here's a sneak peek...
It's hard to believe the Kitchen looked like a big, bowl of sherbet, less than two years, and less than $2000 ago...
Tomorrow morning I'm sure I'll sit in the Dining Room and reminisce some more. But thanks to a "buy one get one" sale at Winn Dixie, and Kevin's thoughtful Mom, it'll be cantaloupe I'm chompin', not Cracklin Oat Bran. :-)
Tomorrow morning I'm sure I'll sit in the Dining Room and reminisce some more. But thanks to a "buy one get one" sale at Winn Dixie, and Kevin's thoughtful Mom, it'll be cantaloupe I'm chompin', not Cracklin Oat Bran. :-)
118 comments:
Wow! It looks Great!
Very nice : )
Unbelievable. You are so talented!!
it looks amazing!!! i am in love with it!
It looks absolutely amazing! I'm sure you're giddy with joy to see ALL your hardwork finally put together. Thanks for sharing with us.
Absolutely AMAZING!!!! Love your style so much! We are daily readers of your blog. Thanks for all the inspiration!
WOW !!!!!!!
I love the bench and the hutch and I am still in awe every time I see your kitchen. It looks just amazing. You have such vision to be able to see these things and then know what to do. I can hardly wait to see the totally finished room. Just gorgeous. Hugs, Marty
The bench is beautiful! It suits the room so perfectly. Great job!
I just love your kitchen. There are so many kitchen redos that take off the doors and for some reason I don't ever think it looks finished and I thinks gosh that looks a good place for dust to collect but you finished yours out so beautifully. I also think there is something to taking the time to do it correctly that tends to get overlooked. When you take your time to do it right it will still give you that same feeling you got today while eating your cereal 2 years from now.
And how about that bench. It's darling...perfect detail to the design.
I can't how much I love your style.
Okay don't make me wait to long for that video!
Your kitchen looks awesome. What a great bench! You couldn't buy one for that price. Great job!!
beeeautiful, as usual! :) Where did you get the kitchen rug?
Susan @ www.peanutpetunia.blogspot.com
The bench looks great and it fits right into your fabulous kitchen!
Wow. Beautiful!
love the bench. :) great idea.
I want to come live in your kitchen! Amazing :)
Heavenly bench!
Layla your kitchen is looking so great! The bench is FAB! You guys have made such great improvements to your home! Now, what are you going to do with yourself when you have it all done??
I love your kitchen and bench. Great job!
The bench is amazing, as is the entire kitchen.
Wow! I love it! That black glass cupboard is so beautiful! :)
The bench is spectacular! I absolutely love it! It's hard to believe your kitchen before pics. Does not even look like the same kitchen! Well done.:) Someone already asked but I would love to know where you got your rug too! I feel so silly asking, but I have been looking for kitchen rugs for over a year now. Just can't seem to find the right one for the right price. Again, the bench is just lovely. Your husband did a wonderful job. Can't wait to see the video tut. BTW-I really enjoy reading your blog! Very inspiring! Thank you.:)
i like it! ALL! you both have a great vision.
I just left a comment, and asked about the rug, and silly me didn't see that email follow-up comments box that I needed to check! sorry!
Love, love , love the bench! Can't wait to see the video and can't wait to see what you're doing with the hutch. You sure have inspired me to do some things around here! Thanks!
That is a great bench. I still can't believe the kitchen makeover that you did.
I just love your bench!! excellent job.. the south side is certainly competing with the north side now.
love your kitchen - visiting for the first time.
So gorgeous, Layla! COME TO MY HOUSE! No really, my family room is coming along, thanks to your online help. New chair is in place, curtains are almost hung (need the hubby's help with that) and a couple of little accessories are there! Maybe I'll do a decorating update blog post. Or, maybe I'll wait until after I paint. Hmm . . .
The bench looks fabulous! Your kitchen makeover is amazing, too. I am inspired!
Jane
Just an absolutely beautiful kitchen renovation.
And the bench is amazing too. I don't think I would have ever thought to make a bench from a headboard.
The bench really looks terrific! :)
The bench looks amazing! Great job.
The bench looks fantastic! I can't wait to see the vintage plates and the china cabinet!
Have a wonderful weekend!
XOXO
*Tricia
Oh how I love Cracklin' Oat Bran! Almost as much as I love that bench! I can't wait to see it with a cushion--it will be complete! Oh wait...the plates above will make it complete! Regardless, it's beautiful!
holy cow gorgeous!!
that's several levels above just plain ole' regular gorgeous if you were wondering.
I can't believe you've done all that for less than $2000. Really incredible! I L-O-V-E your kitchen.
Wow - Beautiful!
BTW, I was wondering where you found that kitchen rug too?
Layla: You and your husband should take a bow! The two of you work so well together in turning your house into your home. I always look forward to your new posts...you never disappoint.
Wow. Wow. Wow. The before/after is absolutely amazing and the price tag is too. I love it!! (I so wish we were neighbors and bffs... I could use your eye for decorating and love of bargains :-)
You did an AMAZING job on your kitchen. Love the bench too, so clever.
I love your house! It is so pretty. I wish I could sew you a big cozy cushion for that pretty bench. I could use your help in my home:)
Girrrlll - that looks fantastic!! I've been checking for days waiting for the reveal - totally worth it!!
What an awesome kitchen and bench, I love it!!
Stunning! You've done it (again), Layla! It looks BEAUTIFUL! A plate collection would look lovely there, too!
I just found your blog and WOW - l~o~v~e~i~t!! You are very talented!
We are getting ready to move into a humble abode (aka SMALL!) in a few weeks and a headboard bench just might be a solution to tight quarters in the dining kitchen. Thanks for the inspiration!!
Holy Cow - That so beautiful- Layla you have talent girl!!!!!
http://kellyannstudio.blogspot.com/
PS- Heads up on next week GIVEAWAY- COURTNEY COX NEW PERFUME
The bench turned out just beautiful!
We're living in a fixer-upper that we purchased last fall. Never a lack of projects to work on here. Thanks for the inspiration.
Fabulous!!!!!!!!!!!
I'm so intrigued by the secret china hutch project...
Great job!! Your bench turned out awesome!! It looks wonderful in your kitchen too! xxx kim
Wow! I love this project...you really have a vision for what things can (want) to be.
I like everyone else have waited with anticipation to see your new bench...and boy is it so fantastic! Such a transformation on your kitchen...doesn't it just make you so happy that you did all that yourself? LOVE IT!
you did it again layla!!! i am completely blown away. it's beautiful and i would seriously by a bench like that if i could. also, what about a burlap pillow to tie in with the burlap in your hutch? I love the way burlap looks against black furniture. happy pillow and cushion hunting!! xoxoxo
Hi Layla,
I know you've got tons of comments, but I am really dying to know if you like your flooring? I know you said it is a laminate. I love the look of your floors, but with some laminates I haven't liked the feel of them--they either feel plasticky to me or like they are "trying to hard" to be wood. What are your floors like?
Hi Layla!
Long time fan here. I'm a full time seamstress if you still need a cushion for that bench. I have a flickr button on my sidebar that leads to my porfolio page. I would love to do a project with you.
Your bench is beautiful!! I love it. The kitchen is amazing. The beadboard is my favorite. Love & blessings from NC!
Such a huge difference from two years ago to now. I can see why you are tickled pink. Very nice home.
☼Hope you're having a sunshine ☼ filled Sunday!☼
this is spectacular. i have been wanting to paint my cabinets black and you have so inspired me to try... i love the look its gorgeous.
The new bench looks fabulous in your kitchen!
Jo
love, love, love =) I want to come sleep in your kitchen =) It makes me so happy. But then when I would arrive at your house, I think I would have to stay the night in every room of your house because it's all just that beautiful! So....maybe I shouldn't come ;)
Oh my goodness- what a glorious idea- I'm madly in love with your headboard bench.... it's fabulous. -e
Layla, it looks great! So nice to see the other side :)
What an awesome makeover. Really that is amazing. My kitchen cabinets look exactly the same and I think the black may be just the ticket. Great inspiration:)
This turned out so well, how are you not on Design Star yet?
Be well!
Oh, I saw a headboard like that on Friday at and estate sale... I am now kicking myself. However, I did find a great old daybed that will become my anew lounge area in my living room. Don't you just love a " good fix-me-up project?" You are truly an inspiration. P.S. The photo I ordered from you this arrived week... getting a couple framed and ready to hang. Thank you!
simply stunning. I just love your taste, style and ideas!!
Great job on your bench! Your kitchen looks so pretty and inviting!
The bench is awesome! I love the caning too. I so get that satisfaction when a project is finished. I'm glad you are finally able to sit back and enjoy.
Genius!!!! Such fun to follow your projects. It amazes me that this is the same kitchen as the 'before" shot. Your vision is addicting to follow. Enjoy ~ cereal or cantaloupe, it's all good. :)
I drop by often but don't comment much but I had to comment about your headboard bench.....last week I finally finished mine and posted it too. The caning on yours is great.....well, the whole kitchen is gorgeous!
Your transformation and vision really made your kitchen look stunning. LOVE IT!!!!
I give props to your hubby Kevin for all the hardwork!!! Great job Mr LC!!!!
i love the way your kitchen turned out! could we trade houses (you would get a house in germany in return ;-)
Iris
Beautiful! You are truly talented!
You guys have done a great job on the kitchen. It looks fantastic.
Cheri
www.itssoverycheri.blogspot.com
LOVE your kitchen...the bench turned out awesome!
It looks AMAZING!! Seriously, love it.
LOVE! Want it to be MY kitchen!! I wish I could make it happen.
this is eco chic at its finest...
recycle, repurpose, reuse..
i love the bench :)
It's just lovely!
Layla - your kitchen makes me swoon. I love everything you do and find myself contemplating what would Layla do. Your style is amazing.
Right off the top of the gor-ge-osity scale!!
Very unique and creative way to use your headboard purchase! Got to love a woman with a vision.
I am a sucker for benches, particularly ones in kitchen.
Lovely!
Lovely!!
Gorgeous!
I wish I could sit right there, sip a cup of coffee and drink it ALL in. Bravo!
xo,
Kim
www.deardaisycottage.com
Wow, it looks fantastic!
I LOVE the bench! I want to find an antique pew for either the dining room or kitchen - depends where it fits! I actually found one I loved, but someone else bought it while I was saving my money - so I get to search again!
It's great that you showed the before and after, love the after so much better.
It just goes to show what you can do with a small kitchen re-do.
If you ever plan on selling your house you'll want to update it with stainless steel appliances. That's what we did and now we want to stay in our home longer! I live in a pale pink, 4 bedroom "cottage" in Florida!
That is really awesome! I just love it. Great work to both of you! And YES - your kitchen has TOTALLY come a long way in only 2 years!! Amazing!! =-)
Because of your Kitchen I was inspired to paint ours- love yours and I love how mine turned out.
Your site is fabulous.
I am a seamstress as well, you need a French grain sack style cushion, will be easy to make. A few weeks ago I bought a King Ballard Design Louis cane headboard for $48! at an auction and had planned to make a daybed (instead of buying their $1000 one) for a screened in porch. And now I found your bench, How Adorable it is.
Tara
The bench is so pretty and such a great expample of repurposing!
Beautiful! I adore your kitchen and the bench is perfection!
It looks meant for that space. Beautiful job!
Love the bench. We completed ours this weekend too and I love it.
Don't think I have ever commented but I am a devoted lurker since I found you. Love your bench! Intrigued by the hutch ideas...
I was wondering how having the bench and your hutch on that wall was gonna look but WOW is all I can say. It looks amazing. Again, I'm jealous! I can see you sitting at your table and admiring your "finished" kitchen, while chomping on some cantalope. You should be very proud! You AND your hubby! Job better than well done you two!
It looks really great! What a transformation!
I LOVE LOVE LOVE that bench! I want it! Great job!!!
Ooohhh this is so cool! So jealous of your kitchen, I'm lovin' it! And all for under $2000??? Amazing!I can't wait to see that china hutch...
Hey there,
I wanted to answer the question about the kitchen rug. We picked it up at the Pottery Barn outlet store right outside of Atlanta, a couple of months ago.
Layla went through every rug there and finally decided on this one, which was on sale for $29.99.
Thanks so much for the kind words!
Kevin
Mr. Lettered Cottage
Beautiful as always. Your site is such an inspiration!
Simply fabulous. I LOVED your kitchen before, now it's to die for!
I wanted to do that with my old queen size head board but, we gave it to a neighbor instead.....darn it! Oh well....yours looks amazing!
The kitchen looks beautiful and the bench is tooo cute.
Sandy
amazing!!! that's all i can say! amazing!!
What a transformation Layla! You are Kevin should be so proud~ And that headboard bench is ingenious!
I love your headboard bench, as well as Cracklin' Oat Bran! :) Your before/after pics are amazing, and I'm really enjoying your blog. Take care!
looks great. a great use of a headboard.
That bench is just fantastic!
seriously incredible!
Can I bring my red kitchen aid mixer over and use your kitchen?! It's beautiful!!!
Layla, the kitchen looks stunning!!!
I found your blog through Rebecca's blog, which was through Dusty's blog...
Anyway, I just wanted to let you know that so far, I'm LOVING your blog! This bench is darling and I would love to create something like this for my living room... Very cute! Great work!
I am absolutely in love with your black kitchen! We are in need of an kitchen update, too, but over the past couple years have purchased white appliances...do they really look that bad in a black kitchen???
I was amazed with your kitchen. It looks like you are living in a five star hotel. How I wish I could been there and take some good things from it. You may add some touch of area rugs at naturalhomerugs to spice up the chic.
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