The kitchen will be our next big project in the house and I can’t wait to tackle this space. As I’ve shared before, it’s a bit of an awkward room that is sort of a U-shape. One side of the U is a hallway that leads to the pantry (the door to the right in the photo below), the foyer, and opens into a kitchen breakfast nook. In the little hallway to the pantry, I put the antique step-back hutch that I purchased last summer at Gold Rush Days in Minnesota. I bought the piece for the basement and never really did much with it. It was a piece I wanted to keep for a few reasons. First of all, it has a small footprint but offers a lot of storage. Second, I didn’t really have the chance to enjoy it, so I wasn’t ready to let go of it yet. It ended up sitting nicely in that awkward area.
Removing the wallpaper and washing off the glue is the next project on my list. (You can read the method my mom and I used to wash the glue off the walls HERE.) I actually think this wallpaper is sweet and it’s definitely in my color palette, but it is peeling off and has lived a long life so it’s time to come down and go with a fresh look.
I was really missing open display space in this house, so I removed the doors. This also opened the cabinet up visually a little bit, which is nice in a small area.
When I took the doors off of the antique step-back hutch, I had a great time styling it with some of my favorites.
This really is a beautifully made cabinet with beadboard backing. The keyholes are interesting to me and I wonder if they were added to this piece later. Maybe this was used to store silver and crystal? Or in an office application? I’d like to add an east lake latch to the bottom doors to act as a handle. Right now, you have to sort of wiggle it open with your fingers.
My mom and I already started peeling the paper off of the walls in the breakfast nook, but I need to take the time to clean the walls so they can be primed and painted. I’m not going to worry about the kitchen since the soffits and backsplash are going to be removed. In the breakfast nook, I’d like to find or build a German-style eckbank, which is a corner bench that will be perfect for this tight space.
We’ll move the box for the light fixture to the ceiling so it’s not in the middle of the wall, but I might be keeping that light fixture. Several of you have asked about it and there is something kind of cool and quirky about it. I am excited about this corner! I think it will look so cute with the built-in bench, a plate rail, some trim, and painted in a pretty color. I’m considering Farrow and Ball’s Light Blue, but I need to paint out a swatch once the walls are washed to make sure I like it in the light this room gets.
I do hope we can bring more light in by removing the mudroom walls and maybe adding a couple of solar tubes. Of course, we’ll also add some recessed lights, under the cabinet lighting, and all of that good stuff to make the space well light.
For now, I need to go make some apple pie and Rosa’s fruit salad! I hope you’re enjoying your Thanksgiving preparations….
My mom used to make a simplified version of your fruit salad. It was cherry or strawberry jello with fruit cocktail (we called tutti frutti) mixed in. It was a favorite with me growing up!
I am living through you and your sweet plans and excitement about every single thing. Thanks for sharing it with us.
Moving along and so fun to watch all the changes, Marian!
This is one of my favorite pieces and you have styled it so nicely with the brass.
A very Happy 1st Thanksgiving in your new home!
Be well~ Cynthia
I completely renovated my kitchen this past year. The cupboards are indigo blue with a white marble countertop. We too had a “u” shaped kitchen. I removed one of the legs of the U. This opened up the kitchen. We then removed a double sliding door and put in a standard windowed door. This allowed a whole bank of cupboards on the wall at right angle to the new door. It increased my storage by a third. Good luck, Marian.
We have my mother in laws jello recipe called “Jello Surprise.” It has pureed strawberries , canned pineapple and bananas and strawberry jello. What you do is drop half the recipe in a Tupperware round mold. Drop sour cream around and top with the rest of the jello.
As a non American I am fascinated by the idea of jelly in fruit salad. Not a done thing in Australia at all. Might have to give it a go
Love the chandelier. Is it toile?
I love that piece of furniture. I have made built in bench seating in the last 3 of my houses. They are cozy and efficient. At 10 years the current one is getting a face life with new cushion covers and paint. So fun to change up the look easily. Happy thanksgiving to you and the family.
My grandmother, Reta, made a fruit cocktail every Thanksgiving and Christmas. Similar to your Rosa’s fruit salad it had grapefruit in it but we bought canned grapefruit (something I have had a hard time finding some years), 2 large cans of pineapple chunks, 2-3 bananas and a large jar of maraschino cherries. Cutting the fruit into small chunks and allowed to blend for 4 hours it made a refreshing, tangy, and healthy dish to eat for later in the day after a huge heavy feast of turkey and trimmings. Just me and my husband this year so I might make it (half the recipe) for us to enjoy. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving.
I love this hutch and how you styled it. ?
Happy Thanksgiving! Your step back hutch is a great find and you have it styled beautifully. Love the drawers. Makes it unique. My step back hutch also has a bead board back. Your ideas sound wonderful for your kitchen.
I’ve never seen a light fixture installed on the wall with the chain swagged up the ceiling like yours. Very interesting! I do like the fixture and think you should keep it.
Love your cabinet sooo much! Something to consider as you dream about a new kitchen is opening up the wall on one side of the stairs to the basement. Might give the feeling of more breathing room upstairs and more natural light down the stairs. Not to mention a place for garland. Wishing you and your family a wonderful Thanksgiving!
Exciting to hear about kitchen plans and do hope you find somewhere to keep the cool light fixture. The step back cupboard is very pretty where you have it placed.
Happy Thanksgiving. ?
Wondering . . . . . Are the items on the shelves actually used, or are they just for display?
I am amazed at how “at home” your furnishings look in your new home. They look like they were always meant to be in that space. Thank you for sharing your new decorating adventures with us. I always love to see you what you do.