A final kitchen reveal is coming! The window was trimmed out over the weekend and I worked on sanding and priming today. The sconces that flank the window will be installed on Thursday and then we’re just down to some finishing touches. Jeff and I also need to build a cover for the doorbell and a shelf with hooks for the wall next to the door, install the handle on the pull-out spice rack, and do a few other things. I need to put together a final punch list so we know when it’s all checked off and we can call the kitchen done.
My initial drawing, though, has mostly come to life, but there is one element I was pretty certain of adding even a couple of weeks ago, but now, I don’t think it will make the cut. What I’m referring to is the open shelves on either side of the range hood. I made a note when we were designing the cabinets that I might want to leave it open, but I felt like it might feel like an unfinished hole on either side of the hood. My tendency, if you haven’t noticed, is to fill spaces. I have a hard time leaving completely open space.
I don’t think it’s a case of right or wrong because I have seen beautiful homes that are airy and sparse and equally beautiful homes that are packed to the hilt. Both ends of the spectrum and everything in between can be done well. It is just a matter of preference.
I thought I would want the open shelving for display space, but now, I don’t feel like I need it.
Of course, my mind wanders to what I might want to put there if anything. I have considered hanging some copper molds or perhaps ironstone platters or lids. I have also continued to mull over what I want to hang on the range hood. I have held up some paintings and ironstone platters as possible options, but have decided to leave it quiet for now. I have learned over the years that I don’t need to rush through finishing a room. I can live with each change until I feel like I’m ready to add a new element or layer.
And, while we’re talking about the kitchen, I wanted to address something that’s been brought up about the eating area. Several people have suggested adding green in the eating area to break up the neutral brown and white that you see in this photo…
But, if you could stand in the room, you would see that the eating area is nestled in green cabinets. It is for that reason I wanted to keep the opposite corner neutral. For now, anyway.
The beautiful thing about open shelves is that I can change them out at any time. If I want to add a ton of color, I certainly can. Painting the walls in a color, a handpainted design, or even wallpaper (although I would be hesitant after all of the glue I’ve had to scrub) aren’t out of the question. I just want to live with it all for a while before I plow forward.
I have decided I am going to repaint the trim, though. After living with it for a bit, it’s just not reading the way I want it to. I’m just going to paint the trim a bright white. I’ll be painting the window trim this week, so I’ll tackle the rest of the trim while I have the paint out.
57 Responses
All of the plans you have will be perfect. Are you going to cover your window? We don’t know how much privacy you want/need there, but I like them uncovered. I also like the absence of anything on either side. I think once you choose something for your hood, it will be enough. Again, just my opinion. Thank you for sharing all your ideas with us.
I agree with this comment. You have always had beautiful green wreaths, If this were my kitchen (I am so very happy for you!), I would put a green wreath on the range hood and leave the sides without shelves. But, whatever you decide to do will be perfect, it always is!
I love your style and vision. You always make the best decisions out of a multitude of choices. I often think to myself, “what would Miss Mustard Seed do?”
I’ve been following your blog ever since your boys were little boys!
Love the kitchen! Where did you get the rug that’s under your table?
It’s so close! I’m sure it’s exciting for you! I like the open area with no shelving around the vent hood. I think if you had shelving there, with all the things on the counter below it would feel claustrophobic. If you could move the counter contents to the shelves and leave the counter empty then I think they would would nicely. I would never leave the counter clear though. I’d end up filling it too then it would look all cluttered. 🙂
Less is always more!!
I think the blank spaces look fine as is, but I also think they would look good with something there too. Perhaps a little shelf big enough to hold a candlestick that might have been there back in the day? Whatever you choose, I’m sure it will look fantastic. Even leaving them blank, you will be used to it in no time.
tely. That could be just the right finishing touch around the range hood.
I feel like the kitchen really is the heart of the home and yours has turned out beautifully! I could cook, talk, and eat in there all day. Your love and display of neutrals is what I love most. Always love the touches of blue and green, too!
I have about three blogs that I visit daily and yours is always first! It’s my afternoon pick me up!
It’s all so beautiful. I might hang a lovely blue/white large platter on each side of the range hood. The eating area looks great – you always decorate with greenery for the holidays, and it’s close enough to the other cabinetry that it doesn’t need anything. You could always add some of the pretty jadeite dishes you had in MN (if you kept them) just to change it up a bit.
Waiting patiently for the sconce reveal!!!
I like the space left empty. It’s restful to the eye.
I am curious as to why after putting together such a beautiful kitchen, you put those cheap shelf supports under the white shelves. Are you waiting for more appropriate wooden ones or vintage brass? It is a striking kitchen. That part is a bit of a let down. Just my opinion. I really enjoy your work.
I have to agree about the cheap white shelf brackets. They would look so pretty with corbels, new or antique. Everything else is beautiful in your new kitchen and eating area, those just stick out like a sore thumb. Just my opinion and I know that you might have had to cut corners at the end of the project. Looking forward to the Grand reveal!
I absolutely love everything in your new kitchen…except those shelves in the dining area. Just my opinion, I understand. That hutch is just lovely and adds texture and coziness but the shelves make the space look overloaded. And I do not like the brackets either. I DO love everything else though, especially your brass pot rail with along with the stove. Just gorgeous! I’d leave the space beside the hood vent clean for awhile. See how it feels. I could definitely see a blue and white platter hanging there eventually.
I agree with your thoughts other than the blue and white platters by the hood. I like the open space.
I have to agree also….just something is not right about those brackets and shelves. Everything else is gorgeous to perfection. Then your eye goes over there and …mmmm just a bit off. kinda looks like shelves for a storage unit/garage??? Of course, we are not in the home and that may make a huge difference. Perhaps, (oh darn…another trip to Lucketts!) to find an antique shelving unit of some kind???
Do LOVE LOVE ALL the other choices.
I love the white painted shelves- -a practical and economical way to show a lot of beautiful things in a clean display.
Live for awhile with the plain wall above that gorgeous brass railing which is the attention getter in you fabulous room.
Oh, vintage brass would be beautiful. I think Marion was just leaning towards being kind to the budget. I agree with you, but I also know that everything costs money and there comes a point when you’ve done so much you’re tapped out.
I am surprised that i agree. No open shelves. Especially if you will tile that wall either side of the vent. I can so picture textured imperfect handmade or handmade looking square tiles there.
I want to see the invisible shelf brackets on that wall. They aren’t impossible to
do and will make a huge difference. It is a beautiful room and I’m afraid the bracket
comment is nit picky but I think it would finish off the room a lot cleaner.
Your new kitchen is lovely, and more important to me is it’s warm and inviting. You’ll change things here and there along the way. Overall, what you have created is a beautiful and inviting space for your family.
I too am on the less is more team. In my mind’s eye I can see seasonal decor there, like your boxwood wreaths. The open space gives a chance to truly appreciate the beauty of symmetry and of the richness of the hardware and rail. Looking forward to seeing the end result from all angles.
You have actually done so much so fast by my standards. Paint the trim bright white, and rest and enjoy. We don’t get to see the whole picture as you do. It’s amazing how the table matches so well with the cabinet in the eating area. As you say, ideas morph and change with progress. Enjoy! It’s beautiful.
I like the idea of a wreath on the range hood – however, I never understood how people can keep them clean if they use their kitchens. When I do my weekly deep down cleaning my range hood is always yucky. BUT a nice eucalyptus wreath would match your stunning green cabs nicely and visually give you a break from all that white.
Looking good over there!
What about some plants that could thrive in your kitchen? You do get a lot of light. I was thinking of something that would drape down like a philadendron. Just a suggestion.
I love your cabinets and your new kitchen! Far be it from me to give an opinion since I’m not a designer, but for some reason the glass drawer knobs are throwing me off. I think brass ones will give it a more cohesive look. However, this is YOUR kitchen and you do you😉
I love your cow painting. Would it fit on your hood? Or – I like the the wreath idea as well!
I think once you get the backsplash installed it will pull everything together and fill up some space. It would be beautiful with a vintage tile with a bit of colour. Looking stunning so far!
It’s just beautiful Marian. I love the kitchen just as it is.
The backsplash will let you know if you want more of anything. Sometimes less is more for a while until you discover something that would “make” the space. I was thinking that a portrait would look english/devolish if you like that look. Fun thinking of options. If you want more green on one side maybe some greenery on the shelves or a tablecloth in green and white might just add a hint of easily removed color. So many options. Enjoy choices!
I really love your kitchen. We bought a small cottage fixer upper as we downsized. I drew my kitchen out similar to you and still enjoy looking back and comparing the vision to reality. I appreciate your wait and see approach. I think it gives you time for the kitchen to speak to you. Whatever you decide will turn out perfectly! BTW, I saw a set of 8 dining chairs by Frank Enkeboll on Ebay today. Immediately thought of your kitchen.
Marian,
Reading and viewing your posts bring me so much joy. You have such a knack for creating the loveliest spaces. Your kitchen is magical and has so many unique and beautiful touches. Thanks for sharing!
Marian, it is absolute perfection!! I adore everything about it!!
This kitchen is a dream. It is so interesting how you put it all together. If I would change one thing it would be to build those shelves on either side of the hood and put your ironstone there and take down the less interesting shelves that are in the eating area.
To me they just don’t fit in and make that area to cluttered. But as you said it is a matter of preference and the fact that I like everything else is a real compliment since we do all
have different taste.
Marian,
It is lovely! Nicely done.
On the range hood, I might be tempted to put an all natural wreath (perhaps changed seasonally) or a pierced design on a copper panel, either framed within the space or filling the space, which would tie in nicely with all the other copper.
But, open shelves that close to a stove tend to collect greasy dust, even with constant cleaning.
Pretty framed prints where you thought open shelving might go may be pretty and add interest.
Overall your kitchen is gorgeous and I respect and enjoy your vision for a more unfitted look. However, in my opinion, the white shelves are a distraction and overly cluttered. A grouping of your beautiful artwork would look lovely in that spot.
I totally agree that the shelves in eating area are too crowded, actually overwhelming for that beautiful area with the green cabinets and hutch. I would love to see a gallery wall with your art work & maybe others art also. Like a covered
Pennsylvania bridge.
I apologize as I am late to the party this go around. If someone could tell me, what color is the kitchen walls as well as the bottom cabinets?
What I was most surprised about is your decision not to put some type of backsplash in your cooking area or perhaps that is being done later. Even though you have the beautiful copper cookware hanging it just seems a little bare.
The open shelves in your drawing really complete the look. The shelves don’t need to be busy but they would look great! However, so would your oil paintings on either side!
When in doubt wait it out!
Live with it as is for a while.
Time will tell.
I want to congratulate you on your patience and stamina while you were creating this gorgeous kitchen. Every decision seemed to be contemplated but not obsessed over. At least that’s how your posts come across. The progress on your home and backyard in such a short amount of time is kind of miraculous. I hope you and your family enjoy all of your hard work. Cheers!
I love your cabinets and your new kitchen! Far be it from me to give an opinion since I’m not a designer, but for some reason the glass drawer knobs are throwing me off. I think brass ones will give it a more cohesive look. However, this is YOUR kitchen and you do you😉
Beautiful! AND…I know you will make the right shelf decision. The kitchen is AMAZING. So tastefully done with lots of warmth. Just the right balance of new/old.
It is a beautiful kitchen. The brass hardware adds sophistication against the green cabinetry. As far as the hood top I would suggest antiquing the surface and adding a European cow bust. I remember once upon a time you had a painting with a cow lying in a meadow with the greenish and aqua colors. That would look so curated in the spot. Please no wreath.
love, love love it! to finish it….
some fake hanging plants
some oil paintings
What did you use for the space between the stove and the hood to make it protective and easy to clean?
I recommend no shelves on the sides. I always think of how cooking causes a film to form on things over & around things. I have battled this problem myself. The kitchen looks wonderful without the shelves. With shelves it could look cluttered.
Beautiful job planning & decorating the kitchen. It’s lovely!!!
Where did you find the brown/green rug in front of your sink? It would be perfect in one of my spaces.
Color is beautiful. But I find it stands out so well if it’s not everywhere. I love how the stand out color is in the cabinets. Lets other things shine. Great choices! I love it all!
I agree that the open shelves are not required – you have lots of display areas throughout the kitchen and don’t really need more. Your stunning range is the jewel in this vignette!
you may find a tile that you absolutely love to fill the space up to the ceiling… but that would be a big commitment and it is already so beautiful!!
When I look at the wall behind the stove I keep thinking it simply needs some type of aged looking tile to add warmth, depth of color for all of that pretty copper and to create a finished look. It looks flat and cold as it waits for your next steps. The kitchen is sweet and the new window a dreamy flood of pretty light.
If the only reason you don’t want to use wallpaper is the glue you have to take off if you decided to change it, you could use removable wallpaper. Several decorators on YouTube use it and say it doesn’t leave any glue or residue – it’s used for rentals.
The kitchen is perfect! It reminds me of a Devol kitchen in a castle. Your castle.