bar stools

A kitchen island is a wonderful thing. It's such a great way to mix in different styles into a kitchen.

via newlyweddiaries blog

I absolutely love this sleek kitchen and it's antique looking table that doubles as an island. In our new kitchen, we will not have a true island, but I will be on the lookout for a small version of this. Just large enough to tuck some stools under.

Suzanne Kassler

That is the reason for this post. Our new kitchen has off white cabinets, wood floors, and a grayish granite counter top. There are so many different styles of bar chairs, that I will have many options....

Phoebe Howard

When I think of "bar stools," I tend to picture a vinyl covered thing at a sports bar. But some of these pictures prove they can be very chic.



Charles has always liked Windsor Chairs, so I saved this picture above. I really like the small Windsor bar chair.



Found this one on Twenga. I think it's from the UK. I will have to keep looking for more affordable versions if we decide to go this route.

pachairmaker

renovationstyle

This kitchen above has been all over design blogs. What a nice sized island! In a smaller space these lucite stools are perfect!

stools from propsfortoday



via mstreetdenver blog

I like these mod stools mixed with a traditional space.

And here are some other great options I found.

overstock

Henriksdal from Ikea

home decorators

home decorators

And a few more good looking kitchens.

Shelley Gordon via House of Turquoise

Alys Beach

via things that inspire blog

{Our Cottage} Kitchen & Mud Room

Today's post is going to feature a little "before & after." Going through my old files, I found some good ones to remind me of how far we've come! Here is the kitchen back in the bachelor days. Some new appliances, paint, sheetrock, new trim, and painted wood floors later, I have been so happy with the result!

{Notice the single doorway into the kitchen from the dining, remember this for a post to come, we removed that wall!}

And off the kitchen, what used to be an under used porch. We created a mud room by removing the door between the kitchen and the porch. We then spruced it up with paint, a bench, shelves, & a $50 chandelier from Wal-mart.

What do you think? Our main goal was to open up the house as much as possible. It has been amazing how the mud room is now a usable space. Great place for doggie leashes, and a perfect eating spot! Also creates a more pleasant pass through for entertaining since this is the main exit to the deck. My tip, if you have a door that never gets used, i.e. closed, then take it out! Don't forget to patch the spots where the hinges were for a nice framed opening.

favorite kitchens

Yesterday, I did some online searching. I decided it was time to add more kitchens to my favorites folder. These are some good ones I found.

An Erika Powell designed kitchen via Coastal Living

Many of my images came from Things that Inspire. A great Atlanta based blog.
The photo above, and the next seven came from Things that Inspire.

this gray kitchen came from Decorpad.

I love the photo above. It came from a search of "Georgian Kitchens" on Citydata.com

I like the huge table with the wingback chairs. Also, love the lights over the island.

decorpad

this is another kitchen that has been on almost every design blog. I found these pics again on Things that Inspire. The aqua lanterns are the best part. If I had to re-do a kitchen tomorrow, I think I would use this look.

A farmhouse sink via Joni's kitchen @ Cote de Texas.

Carolina Kitchens via Decorpad

{I think long islands are great!}

As you can see, I am drawn to white kitchens. I think this is a timeless look. Watching Sarah's House on HGTV yesterday, she said something that made sense. When designing kitchens she stays away from extreme detailing and glazing on cabinets. Less is more, and that will allow for a kitchen that will stand the test of time. I agree!

Hope everyone has a great week!

alys beach

Yesterday, Erika at urban grace mentioned Alys Beach in her post. I clicked to check it out. They have some cool courtyard houses for sale. Scrolling through, I saved a few pictures. I like the trim and door color in this first one. Saved in my paint colors file.
Recently, I rearranged our master bedroom. We need a new nightstand for Charles. I am liking the idea of a small desk with a chair.

Also really like a skirted console style table like this. {Love this bedroom}

And then there are some great new kitchens. I am always saving good ones. One day we might be building or renovating a house so will need them! The color of the cabinets, backsplash, floor, & the bar chairs are all great. {I considered doing similar floors in our new bathroom, although I am happy with what we chose, I would like to do this in another house}

Different kitchen, but better view of the floors. I like the brick pattern.

All of these pictures came from various houses listed for sale on the Alys Beach site. Check it out, there are some good ones. Also really cool courtyards and pools.

Our House Renovation:: the kitchen

I guess I should have started this blog a long time ago. We actually began the long process of renovating our home in 2006. Right after Charles and I got engaged, we knocked out the wall between the dining room and the kitchen. At that time, it was Charles' batchelor pad. Sorry these pics aren't really in chronological order.

The house had old plaster ceilings with pieces falling down. We put new sheetrock up in the kitchen, dining, & living room.

The lovely cabinets & stove.
I don't have the actual before picture of the wall, but this is right after we started the demo process.

This is the view looking from the dining room into the kitchen. You can see where the wall and door were. The kitchen seemed very small and cramped, and we rarely spent time in there, or in the dining room.
{You can see the old ceiling below}

We ripped out ALL of the trim, and had it replaced. Pulled up the old linoleum floor to find wood subfloor. We painted that.

New range!!

I painted the cabinets.

New fridge!!

This is the mud room. Used to be a porch with a screen door.
We decided to take down the dividing door, to open this space up into the kitchen. This is where our dogs eat, and keep their leashes, brushes, blankets, etc.

Still pre-trim, but floor is painted blue.

This was the floor after pulling up the linoleum. Charles had to sand them.

Another view of the mudroom. We replaced the screen door with this one from our wonderful neighbor, Jeff. Perfect for the pet door!

Now, here are some after shots. This is our rug from Ballard's Back Room in Atlanta.

Much better! We are very happy with our kitchen, and spend a lot of time in here, and sitting at the dining room table.{usually watching the small tv on the bottom left}

Wall color:: Glidden Ruffled Feathers

Trim:: Behr Glossy Bright White

Pantry Curtain:: Green Burlap from Ballard's Back Room