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 Some kind of cliche code phrase just seems to be appropriate for what my husband and I accomplished today.   After a lot of sweat equity, geometry, learning what lingers in drain pipes and a dinner break to Olive Garden (in ill-fitting, paint-splattered  sweat pants), our butcher block counters, new sink and faucet are installed!!!  Forget weekend warriors… we’re Thursday warriors.

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I knew I would love them, but I had no idea what a difference they would make in the space.  It makes the kitchen look so high end!  I was pretty astounded.

Anyway, I am headed to Atlanta tomorrow for a workshop and book signing on Saturday, so I won’t get to really “play” with them until I get back.  I almost feel like I need to learn how to decorate my kitchen all over again.  I’m used to trying to hide things I don’t like with a bunch of stuff I do like.  Now I don’t need to do that!  I hardly know what to do with myself.

We also need to build and install the range hood and put some finishing touches on everything to get the kitchen officially ready for “beauty shots.”

I am bursting, I can tell you that, and I can’t wait to show more.

PS – There will be a full tutorial on making your own butcher block counters on HGTV.com soon.  I will also share more about the sink and faucet, why I selected what I did and the installation process.

Marian Parsons 

Paint Enthusiast | Writer | Artist | Designer

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137 Responses

  2. These are stunning!! When you give more info on them can you give us an idea of what kind of costs are we looking at? Love, Love, Love your posts! It’s something that i look forward to reading every day.

  5. It looks amazing!!! I love it all. You did a wonderful job (and so did your hubby and dad!) Looking forward to seeing the final debut with everything completed. I was initially a little worried about the butcher block with the back splash because of the lines in the wood- but that dark stain is so rick and works perfectly. I love it!!!

    1. Not “rick” – I meant rich!!! It’s late and I worked too long. : )

  7. Your countertops and the kitchen look amazing! Want to see before and after pics. Looking forward to this weekend. I will be attending the class and so excited to meet you!

  9. Oh I LOVE them. We are heading to IKEA (a 5 hour drive for us) in a month or so to buy some of their butcher block countertops to install ourselves. I am also replacing my copper farmhouse sink with a white porcelain farmhouse sink. I can’t wait to see your demo though. Maybe it will save us a 5-hour trip to IKEA.

    And oh yea, its good to hear that you are not the only ones who go to lunch in paint and caulk spattered clothes. 🙂

  10. AMAZING! It looks fabulous. BTW…I noticed you have a sign hung on your back splash tile. I’m wanting to put one up on my mosaic tile. How did you hang it? Thanks.

  12. They’re gorgeous! Can’t wait to see more beauty shots!! I love your sugar/coffee/flour canisters. I’m 100% dutch and as a kid our game was count the windmills in the kitchen, wether it was our kitchen or our grandma’s or aunt’s it was always an entertaining past time. Sometimes you’d think you found them all and then you’d see a little spoon with an engraved windmill and cheer for finding another one 🙂

    1. 🙂 Heidi – I am not dutch – but close – from “next door” – and so did we! so funny to read that others did the same game! Loved every minute of it. .. and still doing it! Enjoy!

  14. Amazing! Love the new kitchen. Hope you and your husband get some down time to enjoy it soon.

  15. I bet you feel you are living in a new house ….and with what your are doing..especially Kitchen increasing value of house…you need one to those retailer types come in and know the before and now the afters and your house is …….cha ching…..have fun on the next book sign and paint example

  17. very nice. you have got great taste and planning..I have always just started a project and never finished and never had a plan but I am learning to plan and think about things and love my home and make it home…you have and are bringing me back to life to care again. Just seeing you do this buy yourself is really an inspiration. THanks so much…I am working first on changing my thoughts to… I know I can …then taking the steps to get going. And praying to the good Lord to provide a way.

  19. WOW! WOW! WOW! Love the faucet, the butcher lock counter tops and the wonderful marble backsplash. Looks so beautiful all put together. Well done.

  20. OMG!!! those are absolutley gorgeous!! Congrats on your new counter – great work by you and hubby!

  21. BEAUTIFUL! They are incredible… and the sheen on them is freakin gorgeous… I love the stainless sink. the silver is so pretty with it all and the faucet is perfect. You must be totally in love with the look…

    Cindy

  22. FINALLY! REAL COUNTERTOPS!!! A real living kitchen! Good heavens, I am sooo tired of granite and what-not countertops! BEAUTIFUL! absolutely stunning job you did! Well done!! (btw., it looks VERY european! – and being a european – 🙂 therefore, ’cause i love it!! )

  24. Your kitchen is gorgeous. Every single part of it! You all did a wonderful job. Isn’t it nice to be able to work together to accomplish something you can all enjoy.

  25. It is beautiful! I am so happy for you and your family!!! This has been a great series and I am waiting for the HGTV tutorial since we will be doing this in the next month. I think your pretty awesome.

  27. I’m so excited for you!!! I’ve been dying to see them up against your backsplash. 🙂 It’s all so beautiful together. That faucet is to die for. Thanks for sharing the process with us!

  28. Oh marion… it is simply beautiful! This is what I would like my kitchen to look like when it grows up!! 🙂 Seriously though it is simply stunning! Good job! You and your sweet hubby ought to be proud of the work you are putting into! Have a great time in Atlanta!

  29. I have been checking your blog all day waiting for this post ha ha . I guess I have no life. It looks spectacular 😉

  30. The counters look gorgeous! Truly stunning. 🙂 Can’t wait for more beauty shots!!!!

    Gail

  31. WOW! Just gorgeous! Thank you for sharing a “first look”. I will look forward to more photos and details soon. I’m just over one week from gutting my kitchen, but haven’t chosen everything yet, so I’m quite anxious to hear more from you..

  32. They look awesome! Every time you post a kitchen update, I giggle because it’s like I’m seeing my kitchen…only weeks from now. I also get jealous that yours is done now, and mine is totally torn apart! Really looking forward to your hood. I just got my Zephyr insert in the mail today, and have been mapping out how to build the decorative hood in my head!

  38. It is nothing short of breathtaking. People can keep their granite – this is so much more beautiful!
    xo,
    Lisa

  41. SO PRETTY! Congratulations on reaching the finish line! So sorry you have to leave right away and can’t just pet and adore everything!

  42. This is the best design choice I’ve seen you make (really, they’re all good, but this is spectacular). I am hoping to get wood counters in the next year to replace our ancient laminate. Really warms up the space!

  48. Love Love the new kitchen! Please tell me again where you find all the darling box woods. I tried to do a search on your website but it seems there’s no way to just search on a word.

  50. Congrats to both you and hubby!! What a fantastic transformation…

    Really charming kitchen.. well done.

  53. Marian the counters are GORGEOUS!!! I totally did not have that picture in my head, but I should have known better, coming from you 🙂

    Can’t wait for the tutorial!

  57. its BEAUTIFUL this makes me want to go home and tear apart my kitchen!
    great Job and love all the fab ideas!

  59. you are right, what a surprisingly huge difference this has made to your whole kitchen. i can hardly believe it myself! kitchens are way important, i know redoing ours made my house worth living in — an i really wanted to move out before! thanks for the inspiring photos. looking forward to seeing more details on what you did.

  60. Kudos to you both! You absolutely outdid yourselves! Counters not only look high-end, but along with that professional looking backsplash, you turned a nice-looking kitchen into a ‘red-carpet’ one….lol….I am so pleased for you, Marian. BTW, am enjoying your book very much, and I highly recommend it. 🙂

  68. Beautiful — and already staged perfectly. Love the blue and white on the shelf!

  69. Marian, I love your kitchen!! You must feel both relief and excitement over the wonderfulness that is your (nearly) new kitchen!!!

    Melodye

  70. You never cease to amaze me with all the talent you have!! Can’t believe you have done your bedroom and kitchen in such a short amount of time!!

  72. Wow!!! What a transformation!! I can’t wait to hear how they hold up to every day use and cleaning. It is killing me that you are coming to my town and I’m going to miss it. Hope you enjoy your time here!

  73. Waiting for that tutorial! My new Old house needs this! Thanks Marian. Stellar as always.

  75. Well this was well worth all the back breaking work you put in, it is simply wonderful and the time spent doing the worktop will give you such pride for many years to com. Take a bow !

  77. I like everyone wasn’t expecting the countertop to be dark it is georgeous….Enjoy your site!

  79. Absolutely gorgeous! I have been forwarding this whole process to my daughter who will be tackling a kitchen renovation soon, lots of great ideas.

  80. Wow! I love them. I didn’t realize they would be stained a darker color and it really does make the space look high-end. Fabulous job!

  81. Your kitchen is no officially my dream kitchen!!! Can’t wait to read the tutorial. Such inspiration!!!!

  85. Oh. My. Gosh!!! LOVE it! The counter tops? To die for! Getting close to “doing” some updating to my old and not so pretty kitchen and people tell me I’m nuts when I share I’m wanting butcher block counter tops. Ha! Can’t wait to show them how it’s done. Looking forward to all the ins and outs of your kitchen. Enjoy your week-end…

  89. Agree with all the comments Marian. Stunning. What I would do is ditch the old stove, and get a more up market one…preferably a European appliance…Miele, Gagganeau in brushed Stainless Steel to match the finish on the faucet. Then the kitchen would really take off….but lovely just as it is as well. So well done.

  91. Love the counters!
    Love that your hubby and you work so well together! Lucky girl!
    You always inspire.
    Safe travels!

  94. From what I can see , these have transformed your kitchen. So beautiful. I know they’re installed, but have you thought about an in-counter soap pump? They sell them cheap at Ikea and it gets the dw liquid off the counter and the drip ends up in the sink. Best small detail I ever did in my kitchens and I hate the one sink that doesn’t have it.

  95. I feel almost as excited to see the reveal as you must to complete
    and finish your kitchen. I wish there were more words in the already
    prolific English language to express my enthusiasm for you and
    for me to learn from your experiences…I have counters to do.
    I am so happy for and with you. God bless you and your darling
    ‘Man COLLECTION.’
    I so appreciate you.

  99. Beautiful kitchen. I have to say I am not much of a fan of SS sinks, BUT, with that faucet, and the tile on your backsplash, it is striking and gorgeous! Of course it all fits together….MMS designed and planned it that way!!!

  100. Your kitchen is lovely. I had ours repainted white last summer and it is quite a job. I would be interested in seeing a tutorial on building you own vent hood.

    1. I love the look of the new counters. And everything else you do. I was just wondering if there was a reason why you didn’t join the corner at a 45 degree angle.

  105. With the tile backsplash and all the white cabinets, the natural wood butcher block definately brings in the warmth! You have made many brilliant decisions with your kitchen remodel and you should be very proud 🙂 Simply Beautiful!

  106. WOW! Your kitchen looks fabulous! I’m sure it must feel terrific to see the results of all the work you put into it…….congratulations!

    Have also been meaning to let you know I love your book……so much good info and great photos. I am so glad I ordered it. Again, another great job!

    Have a wonderful trip to Atlanta and travel home safely!

    Georgia

  107. I’ve never seen that type of counter before. It’s beautiful and truly stunning with your cabinets! Well done!

  108. They are absolutely beautiful!! Look so rich with color and I love the backsplash. Your kitchen is going through a transformation! Can’t wait to see the end result – great work!

  109. Absolutely Gorgeous and worth the Work! I have those same sweat pants and some of my best and creative works get done in them! HaHa

  111. Absolutely beautiful! I am filled with envy …. we just remodeled our kitchen and paid a local artisan to make walnut countertops. They are lovely, but not nearly as dark as I would have liked (nor did they match the sample he had given me prior…..hmph!) I LOVE yours though! I wish I had found your blog sooner, perhaps we would have made them ourselves and then I would have what I truly wanted. I recently moved from Richmond to near northern VA, and was in Luckett’s Store the day they were setting up your milk paint display last fall….small world! Thank you for all your shares….you are a great inspiration!

  113. Hi Marian – everything looks beautiful! I really love the wood countertop. I wish I could have done them but when i was re-doing my kitchen, I had a few teenagers also cooking in the space and I thought that they would really wreck the coutertops – so I went with granite, which I still love!

    My faucet looks like yours – only oil rubbed bronze. They were from a comoany called Newport Brass. I had great luck with one of the faucets (after 7 years of use) on my prep sink. But the main faucet started to wear away in one spot (same with the drains – which I am now replacing because the bronze wore away). I have to buy another oil rubbed bronze faucet – preferably one that won’t wear down!!

    I’ll be anxious to hear the reason why you chose the faucets you did!

    Congrats!

    Linda

  116. Love what you are doing in your kitchen! I’m greatly missing your Furniture Feature Friday–where did it go?!!

  119. WOW! How gorgeous is that! I love it! I’m in process of re-reading about the wood, etc. I need to do this! So so pretty! I’d have to keep getting up at night just to turn the light on & see them again & again!! Absolutely fantastic!!!

  125. Your kitchen IS beyond fabulous! You have such vision as I have said before. You are amazing. And, I am always grateful for the continued inspiration you bring. After seeing your pillows, I made a small pillow to go with my new bedding. Not the same, but with more detail than I normally would have tried. I love the result.

  126. The countertops look amazing! We recently had new countertops put in (my husband and I do not have the skills for such!) and I chose the exact same faucet! It was a bit of a splurge, but I LOVED the look! Life to the full, Melissa

  127. I love your faucet! My daughter and I were just looking at it for a bathroom we are finishing in the basement to go with a vessel sink. I couldn’t believe it when I saw it on your blog! BTW, I love your kitchen it is so beautiful and inviting.

  129. okay. i’ve heard a lot about you and your website, business, paints, etc, but don’t have a lot of time to read blogs so i hadn’t really researched you site. today i found a link to one of your tutorials and have spent an hour moving around your site. when i found your kitchen counters, i just had to say out loud . . . we have much in common(i flatter myself). about the same time that you were putting in your counters, we were doing the same–well, we had hired someone to do it for us–my husband spends a lot of time overseas. here’s a link to ours: http://hodgepodge-home.blogspot.com/2013/05/the-long-awaited.html
    i’m sure i’ll become a blog stalker and you will likely have to block me in the near future . . . thanks for sharing.

  130. Wow looks something new…I have never seen this type of counter tops before ! I am surely going to recommend to my husband to add it in our kitchen. I guess you would be enjoying more now after adding this stuffs 🙂

  132. I was planning for remodelling my kitchen and just saw your post , now i am definitely going to add counter top for my kitchen. Your ideas are awesome , will add more beauty to my kitchen.

I’m Marian, a painter, writer, and lover of all things creative. From art and antiques to home projects and everyday life, I share my journey in hopes of inspiring you to embrace your own creativity and make beauty in the spaces you live.

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