the kitchen

24 June 2014

Welcome to our kitchen! Most of these pictures our builder had taken (photography by Natalie Bills) before we moved in, so everything looks brand spanking new. Here are some features that we went with:
kitchen big drawers and range hood hood
On the top: the range hood! I’m trying to decide what exactly to do with this decorating-wise. It could be a fun spot to decorate for the seasons/holidays. Or to display some meaningful recipes in our family. Or some photos or a large wreath? Hmmm…what do you see going up there??
The bottom: big fat drawers perfect for pots and pans and serving dishes.



different color island
We went with a different color on the island! The main color of the cabinets is white dove, and the island  is Martha Stewart’s Magnetite. I love it most of the time, but grays are tricky and sometimes this can almost look purple to me in direct sunlight. We ended up getting 5 barstools at Sam’s Club that I shared on Instagram, but they aren’t in this picture.
The granite is giallo ornamental. It is a level 1 (meaning least expensive) and I loved this piece at the granite yard, and my husband was thrilled that it was included in the price of the home, so we didn’t upgrade on it! Wahoo! We saved money! But then we paid some extra for the thicker edge.

kitchen hardware

We talked about cabinet hardware here, and we ended up going with #6 and #7, the brainerd crystal and the brainerd bar. I have loved the design, weight, and feel of these. I also used a classic brushed nickel round knob on cabinet doors.

kitchen hardware

This has been a lifesaver to divide up cookie sheets and muffin tins – it is above the fridge.

cookie sheet dividers

I wanted to soak up every second of the gorgeous view from the kitchen sink so we went with a bigger window there.

kitchen window

Glass cabinets! You remember how we made our own in our Virginia home, and we wanted them again in this one. We may still do something fun with the back of them. They are on either side of the sink. Did you also notice the cabinetry? I just went with the simple recessed panel with a small beveled edge. It was choice #1 when we discussed it back in January. It was quite a bit more to have cabinets go all the way to the ceiling and I was wondering how on earth I would reach up there anyway, so we didn’t do that.

glass cabinets in kitchen

I am still in love with Moen Motionsense faucet. I have professed my love for Moen before and was drawn to the fact that my builder used all Moen. Their customer service is absolutely top-notch and they stand by their motto: Buy it for looks, Buy it for life. Meaning, Moen’s faucets have a lifetime warranty (more here)! I loved reading the comments in that previous post – of people that had 30 year old Moen faucets that were sent new ones if they had a problem with them.
The Motionsense is my best friend when I have raw meat hands and don’t want to touch anything, need to get the dish cloth wet quickly, don’t want to keep the water running the whole time while loading the dishwasher, or to quickly wash a piece of fruit. I could go on and on, but it was a must for me in the kitchen. Moen was kind enough to send this one for being a huge fan, but it would have only been a $100 upgrade through our builder.

moen motionsense faucet

Pull-out garbages. Love to have these hidden away!pullout garbages

And pull out spice racks on either side of the cooktop. I swear these free up 89% more space in my cabinets and I don’t have a side of the fridge anymore, so these are great.pullout spice racks

Schoolhouse lights --- I found these on Joss & Main but if you search Savoy house schoolhouse pendant, you should be able to find them online. They were $55 on J&M when I got them.

  schoolhouse lights

I still love classic white subway tile. Except, I wasn’t here when they began laying it and I would have picked a thinner grout line like I had in my previous kitchen. It wasn’t a big enough of a deal for me to have them begin again, but I wish I would have left a note for them to clarify. Assume NOTHING when you are building/remodeling.

subway tile in kitchen

And, like my previous kitchen, I love a desk in here. With some open shelving above. And a big walk in pantry, but that is to share another day. The appliances were purchased at Home Depot back on Black Friday sales that I shared here.

kitchen desk and open shelves

Smith Residence-19

So, there you go. Did I miss anything?? Any questions? I want to add some warm, personal touches but I also love a clean, uncluttered kitchen so I’m thinking there probably won’t be too much to add.
Thanks for coming in! I wish I had some banana bars to share with you.

Happy Tuesday~

47 comments

  1. It's beautiful and great inspiration for a kitchen remodel that I plan on starting in a couple of months!

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    1. Thank you, Suzy -- good luck with your remodel! How exciting :)

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  2. Stunning! Just what I would like my kitchen to look like! Thanks for sharing the paint colors used on the cabinetry and island. Would you mind sharing the name of the color you used on the walls?

    Thanks!

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    1. Revere pewter. We used it throughout the house, except for bedrooms. It's a warm-gray-neutral that is quite popular, and I actually tried to not like it because I wanted something different, but I honestly couldn't find one that I loved more.

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  3. It's beautiful Melissa! We have that pull out trash drawer and when I first saw it I wasn't sure I'd like it. I lOve it!!

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    1. Thanks, Stacey! It can get quite gross if the kids throw their trash in there without actually aiming for the can, but at least it's hidden away...

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  4. 5 Stars, Elegant, perfect kitchen!!

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  5. I have a similar space above my stove that I keep a big chalkboard with seasonal messages and items (a pumpkin in the fall, flowers in the spring...you get the idea) :)

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  6. Thanks for showing your home. We are hoping to build next year and I have loved reading all your posts about your experience. I see a wreath going on the range hood, it would look great.

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  7. I love it- the functionality, the colors, the hardware... truly my kind of kitchen- Kudos!!

    Jenna
    http://pizzigatidesigns.tumblr.com/

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  8. I really like the kitchen a lot, and I like not having cabinets go up all the way so you can display pretty things like cake plates or bowls which looks nice and also saves space. On the range hood, I'd put a wreath bc I love wreaths and I think something natural would warm it up a little.

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  9. Beautiful. I love the window over the sink....I do miss having that! Also love the desk area. Thanks for showing us your new kitchen!

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  10. Beautiful kitchen! I would put some lovely plates on the hood that will coordinate with your color choices in your kitchen.

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  11. It's beautiful, Melissa! I love all your choices and that view from the kitchen sink is the best!! I just love the desk and pull out garbage too! As far as the hood, I love a boxwood wreath up there. You could even put a seasonal ribbon or bow on the wreath for the holidays. Congrats again on the new home!

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    1. You could never go wrong with a boxwood. I like the idea of changing out the ribbon too. Thanks, Lisa!

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  12. I love it! We're moving into a new to us home and I'm splurging and having the cabinets painted White Dove and I'm so excited! I've been looking for some schoolhouse lights like the ones over your island. Looks great!

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    1. Yay for white dove! It is a perfect white. Congratulations on your new home!

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  13. Love your kitchen! I would maybe just put up a bit of decorative trim on the range hood and call it good. What color is your grout? I like the lighter shade, mine turned out too dark! I had picked Oyster Gray, but they talked me into a darker color and I still think about it every day. It is starting to grow on me a little bit though. But I really do like the lighter better.

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    1. It's Oyster Gray. Go figure :) I think I still would have gone with bone, like we did in the last house. Not a huge deal, but if I did it over I would do smaller grout lines and stick with bone ---> I had envisioned it more like this: http://www.pinterest.com/pin/235946467952151974/

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  14. I can't wait to see it decorated with curtains and all the goodies etc. On that rangehood, wow you could go for anything, a nice painting, old cookbooks, trays, an animal head, wreath (s), gosh you could change it out for every season! Love your backsplash - subway tile is classic and won't ever go out of style and it goes with every style! I like the grout, I personally don't think it is too thick but that is a personal choice but it looks awesome! Thanks for sharing.

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  15. It is a beautiful kitchen. The view knocks me flat. I think I might even enjoy spending time at the sink with that view.
    Can't wait to see the rest.

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  16. Such a beautiful kitchen. I love pretty much everything about it. Where did you move to?

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  17. Where did you put your microwave?

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    1. In the pantry! I'll have to share that too.

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  18. I love your white kitchen!! How does that work with kids though, is it a lot of maintenance? Also what color did you use on your walls.

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    1. We have had a white kitchen in our last 3 homes. I love them too much to go with anything else, smudges and fingerprint wiping and all.

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  19. Your kitchen is beautiful! I love all of your choices. Enjoy your new home.

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  20. Fabulous kitchen! I've always dream of having a white kitchen but my wife didn't like it. So we just go with her choice.

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    1. Well. That is the first time I have heard a husband say he wanted the white kitchen! You are a good man, John.

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  21. How beautiful, Melissa!

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  22. Beautiful! Great job. What is the name/color of your floors?

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    1. I need to do a post on these as well. I love them when they are clean, but with all the dirt we have until we get grass, they are a nightmare to keep clean. I would have gone a couple of shades lighter. They are from Pinnacle flooring -- mountain lodge durango. http://www.pinterest.com/pin/235946467951703702/

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  23. It's so beautiful! I adore it -- especially the drawers under the stove and the dividers above the fridge. Pinning this for future dream house reference.

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    1. Thank you, Melody! You have a place to stay anytime you are coming through!! Miss you guys.

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  24. Beautiful interior designing and interior furnishing!

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  25. Love house hours! Your kitchen is gorgeous!

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  26. I was out of town when you posted this last week, so I missed it. So glad I came back to check for posts!

    I LOVE your kitchen! What great choices you made on everything. Now I want to see more photos of it with all your things in it! The couple of sneak peeks into a few of your cupboards made me want to see even more. And I'm wondering--do you think you'll do something fun like penny tile in the back of those glass cupboards?

    Now: PANTRY! I know I'm one of many who want to see that glorious pantry!!

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  27. Nice home interior designing and interior furnishing!

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  28. This is one of the most beautiful kitchens I've ever seen! I love the grey island, the lighting, the subway tile, the white cabinets, the big window... so great!

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