A Farmhouse-Style Kitchen Renovation – From Dated to Gorgeous

Happy Friday everyone! If you’re a regular reader, you know that on Fridays I usually do a “Friday Favorites” post, however,  I have something special to share with you! Instead, I’m joining some blogging friends to bring you a Room Transformation blog hop! And if you’re coming here from Meme Hill, welcome. We hope that our stories of renovating, re-doing, or simply refreshing a space will inspire you and give you ideas for your own homes!

Today I want to share a farmhouse kitchen renovation story that’s close to my heart. This kitchen belongs to a friend and was one of my first design jobs. It all started with a phone call that went something like, “How would you feel about coming over and helping me with my kitchen renovation? I just need some advice on some specifics, like the size of the island, and an opinion on paint colors.” She wanted to update her dated kitchen to a white farmhouse style. To me, a white kitchen die hard, that was a no-brainer! Cut to a few months later, and I ended up helping her with the whole project. We took what was once a dated Tuscan-style kitchen stuck in the late 90’s to the gorgeous farmhouse style beauty it is today!

So let’s start with the BEFORE, since that’s always so fun!

Here is the kitchen as it stood before we started our farmhouse kitchen renovation. Other than painting the cabinets once, it hadn’t been touched since 2002. The style was the epitome of the “Tuscan” look that was so hot at the time. Glazed cabinets, beige busy granite, and Tuscan style accessories was where it was when I came over to meet with her.

Two of my client’s biggest complaints were the beige-y brown glaze color of the cabinets, and the fact that there was a space between the cabinets and the ceiling. And I agreed. Those spaces are not only big dust collectors, but a huge waste of unused storage space. Not only that, you’re forced to spend money to accessorize them, which only makes those items collect even more dust!

Another thing she was excited to fix was the fact that the island was kind of small for the space. They are a family that still has a child at home, and because her cook top is on the island, it was difficult to cook and have room to also sit and eat dinner. As this is their main everyday dining space, she wanted to expand the island to reflect that.

The island also had a color separation on the base of dark brown and cream that she was anxious to change. Then there were extra fussy elements that we wanted to clean up. Scrolly handles and cabinets with an extra molding at the bottom was detail that rather than adding to the space, was actually overwhelming it. In addition, the bead board backsplash and the granite were out as she had her heart set on white marble. No argument there! 🙂

Overall, the kitchen has great bones in an open concept layout with the family room just adjacent to the left of this photo.  Unfortunately, it was stuck in the “Tuscan” decor period, with fussy details and dated colors. It just needed some updating. She wanted a clean, white, farmhouse inspired kitchen, and I think we achieved it!

Client Must Haves for the Farmhouse Kitchen Renovation:

1. Cabinets to be painted white
2. Carrara marble counters with a honed black granite island, or vice versa
3. Marble tile backsplash
4. Cabinets extended to the ceiling
5. Island enlarged to accommodate more comfortable cooking/eating
6. Farmhouse sink
7. New barstools

And the farmhouse kitchen renovation AFTER…..

The first thing we did was add cabinets to extend them all the way to the ceiling, and add glass fronts. Adding the glass there, as well as to the two cabinets on either side of the sink really add interest and charm. It’s one of my favorite things! We also painted them all a crisp, clean white and took off that bottom molding to give them a cleaner look. Even that made such a difference! The island was enlarged, as well as had the base re-built with new paneling on the sides and new farmhouse style legs.

She knew she wanted white carrara marble on one area and black honed granite on another, but she wasn’t sure which area should be which. We were back and forth quite a bit, but we finally decided to put the black granite on the island. It made the most sense as the island is where she does her cooking, and the granite is slightly more durable as well as more heat tolerant. I was pushing for all white marble everywhere, but I lost that battle! 🙂

How adorable is the marble tile backsplash?! I love it! So much so that I wish I would have done it in my own kitchen!

We installed white carrara marble on the surrounding counters, and she chose a farmhouse sink. The marble is a straight cut to stay with the “clean and simple” look we had in mind. Cabinet pulls were switched out as the former ones were pretty detailed and a little too fussy for her. These are oil-rubbed bronze and clean and simple.

Is there anything more charming than a farmhouse sink?! And the bridge faucet was something she just fell in love with.  I can’t say that I blame her 🙂

We saved money by using the existing cabinets, and even part of the existing base for the island. The cabinets that were added were stock that matched what was already there. Her appliances were in good shape and pretty, so those stayed. Also, carrara marble is probably the least expensive white marble out there so it wasn’t too much of a splurge.

She also wanted to change the existing barstools. They were too dark of a wood, and she didn’t like them enough for us to paint them. These x-back chairs are charming and practical, and I love the texture the natural wood adds to the space.

We’re still working on the accessories! Adding white ironstone, French wood cutting boards, and some vintage scales has added character and interest to the space, but we still need a little more. We’ve found a lot of the scales and ironstone at local antique stores, but I’ve also found some cutting boards and a scale on Etsy. And she was lucky enough to travel to Paris recently so some of the cutting boards came home with her!

The new added upper cabinets are filled with the black vintage scales and simple white pitchers from Home Goods. When we find more ironstone, we will swap out the Home Goods pitchers for the vintage ones.

From this…..

To this…..

I’m so happy with how this farmhouse kitchen renovation turned out, and more importantly, so is she. It’s given a much-needed face lift to the room and brought it into this decade. Hopefully this kitchen remodel will last another 15 years or more, and be a space for her family to gather, eat, and make memories. It has meant so much to be a part of this project. To me it’s an honor to help a family make their space their own, and I have truly enjoyed it.

Farmhouse Kitchen Renovation Source List

Cabinets: Stock, painted white
Paint color: Benjamin Moore White Dove
Back countertop material: Carrara marble slab with 1 1/2″ straight edge, honed
Backsplash: Carrara marble subway tiles
Island countertop material: Absolute black granite, honed
Handles and knobs: Bistro collection from Restoration Hardware
Barstools: Ballard Designs
Sink: Farmhouse style by Shaw
Faucet: Bridge style by Perrin & Rowe
Legs for island: custom

Obviously, some of the items are vintage, but I’ve sourced some similar ones (both new and vintage) if you want to get a similar clean, farmhouse look!

Get the Look!

Room Renovation/Transformation Blog Hop

Kim and Lacey at Styled with Lace

Joan at 2 Ladies & a Chair

Amie at Meme Hill

Sheila at Maison de Cinq (that’s me!)

Amy at Crazy Chic Design

Janine at Happy Happy Nester

Laila at Designs by Laila

Kathleen at Lindsay Hill Interiors

Bethany at Dwellings by Devore

Happy Friday!

Sheila
xo

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