A peak into our first remodel project (done in 2013-yes it’s taken me that long to share)…..

I can’t believe we are going into three years owning this charming 115 year old home. We bought our little home just off the historic Independence, Missouri square March of 2013. It was move in ready, newer carpet, newer tile, with the old weighted windows and the perfect sized backyard for our rambunctious Floyd. Very clean and livable. Not many problems we found, only that it had everything expected of an old home: some slanted door ways, an old but sturdy foundation, low ceiling going up to the second floor (yes we have to duck to get upstairs-had to order foldable queen box springs to get our bed upstairs), bad heating and cooling upstairs, but it also had everything I loved: The THICK detailed trim work, big windows, the huge front porch (gah, to die for), CHARACTER! I love old homes. My dad always told me he’d kill me if we bought an old home because he knew the old wiring, plumbing and foundation issues that came with the purchase. But I did it anyway. [smiles]

The only cosmetic thing we didn’t care for  was the poor ole’ knotty pine, roster covered kitchen. Adorable for some, but it just didn’t quite fit our style if you know what I mean. I know someone put a lot of money into creating that country style kitchen but that baby was the first to get updated for our move in. Only about 3 months later, and we had it all done!!

Literally everything in this entire kitchen, WE remodeled brand new. The only thing our team didn’t tear out was the ceiling. I loved the detail of the wood ceiling, so I just decided to paint it white. And we kept that beauty of a back door, just stripped it from the black and painted it yellow inside and stained it a deep brown facing the outdoors.

We re-wired, re-plumbed, re-insulated, new sheetrock, new paint, new lights, new floor (to look old), new bench seating breakfast nook (custom made by our dear friend and myself- and mother and grandma for helping sew the seating), new cabinets (real cabinets and not just shelves with doors), new sink, appliances, and a piece of granite rock to die for! Everything. I dreamed up this 100% all white kitchen for months. I literally wanted pure white granite exotic countertops but realized I just couldn’t convince myself to spend that type of money -it was so rare to find all white. Everyone thought I was crazy wanting a completely white kitchen, but I knew the color would come into play in the details. I pushed and pushed my vision, my boyfriend at the time (now husband), dad, mom, brother…. we worked and worked pulling up layers of flooring (tile, linoleum and a million and one screws), tearing out the old windows and just stripping the heck out of that door.

Was it all worth it? 110%. This is our pride and joy, the place all our friends hang out every get-together. It’s our “ooh and ahh” every time someone walks in. And it’s the FIRST big project I literally visioned and created on my own with the help of my family (and thanks to my awesome uncle Scott who helped my dad with the man power to hang those heavy cabinets and Erin R.for  helping tear our some yuck). We, in fact, were so tired of working I finally decided to hire someone for the granite and flooring-THANK the sweet Lord.

So take a peek into our 115 year old home’s brand new modern kitchen. I hope it feels as cozy to you as it does us. My friend noticed that it has an interesting “orbital” feel with repeats in circles almost anywhere you look. THAT was not intended, but I love the fresh, modern, crisp and clean “Jetsons” feel (as my dad says). You are welcome for tea, coffee or a nice meal (via my husband) any day! Excited to host!

Details: $15 on Ebay, a sentimental touch like our little San Francisco trolley make great decor pieces for your home. It was used as a center piece at our wedding and was also the place Philip proposed to me in 2013.

Seating/Nook:  $350 or so, custom built by our good friend, painted and finished by myself.

Fabric:   $50 or so after foam and fabric from Joanns Fabric Store.  Hand made custom cushins by myself, mom and grandma.

Pillows: $15-30 each at Target.

Orbit Light: $150 on sale from Z-Gallery.

Floating Shelves: $50 at Home Depot.
Tulip Chairs: $130 each on Overstock’s Ebay.

Tulip Style Table: $500 on EZmodFurniture’s Ebay.

Yellow Stool: $45 at Target.

Wine Rack: $40 Vurm 4 bottle wine rack at Ikea.

Plants and white vase: Spruce up the freshness of your interior by adding easy to care for plants to your home. Purchased at Home Depot, also the tree Philip and I watered to “watch our relationship grow with care” at our wedding.

White cabinets and windows: 15% off clearance at Home Depot

Stainless Steel Appliances: Great deal at Nebraska Furniture Mart

Stainless steel drawer knobs and handles: $100 at Home Depot. Also found at Cargo Largo in Independence for $.50 each after we purchased these.

Plant: Free from mom’s supply of Aloe Plant. Old vase from family also free.

Stainless steel set of 3 orbit lights: $30 Found at Z-Gallery as table place setting decor pieces and cut holes into top making into lights. Purchase 3 $5 light kits at Ikea.

Yellow light: Found for $10 in decor at Gordmans and bought a $5 light kit at Ikea

Edison Vintage light bulb: $10 at Home DepotStainless Steel spice container with magnetic back: $8 for a pack of 3 (Grundtal) at Ikea.

Golden Doodle: Bought as a puppy in Floyd, Iowa while shooting a farm wedding. Not for sale 🙂