I'm posting my kitchen in an incomplete state, with cab lighting and a few doors to go. But you get the idea, and if I don't post it now, I fear I never will.

My goals were:
- to improve storage and flow
- to be cheerful and bright - with one north-facing window, it has to be
- to be true to the 1950's character of the home
- to not dispose of any of my existing kitchen accoutrements in order to fit the look of the new kitchen. In other words, the kitchen has to work with my things. **

**I actually did dispose of some mismatched glasses and bought a 24-pack at Costco.

Here's the before:

Inspiration pic:

After:

cabs: ikea
sink: kohler
faucet: chicago faucets
appliances: mix n match from lowes, costco, and ikea
floor: marmoleum corn and barbados
tile: saltilotiles.com
hardware: rejuvenation
counter: maple, lumber liquidators

Is that toaster pink like it appears on my screen??

I'd say you aced it. Really like the sunflower tiles.
Thanks for sharing.
Sandra

PS. Loved your goals! I reused everything sans a few new "vessels" for the cooktop - oh and new towels- figured 17 year old dish towels deserved to be almost retired

Your backsplash takes my breath away! Countertop is lovely. Love the retro cabs and pull. Everything is just right.

Quick question about your ''before'' kitchen: did you ever catch your clothing or bruisedly bump into the pulls on your lower cabs? I like those style pulls but not sure about the bodily injury potential.

congratulations on a thoughtful and true-to-you remodel!

Are you moved in to the kitchen enough that you have enjoyed the improved layout and flow? Or are you still adjusting to it all?

Great changes and choices. You met your goal of being true to your kitchen/house - and self.

Love your remodeled kitchen. Very inspiring. Congratulations!

I love the tile too! It's my favouite part, along with the recycling centre (in the pantry!).

re: Is that toaster pink like it appears on my screen??
No, it's an equally outrageous orange.

re: how are you liking the chicago faucet?
I'm impressed with this faucet - the flow of water is much more powerful than my previous delta faucet. The chrome, the heavy feel, and the smooth action really make me love this faucet.

re: am I all moved in or am I still adjusting.
I'm all moved in. This layout is much better: food storage all located at kitchen entrance. There are two 'drop spots' at the entrance. Long runs of counterspace in the right spots. Dishwasher close to sink. There is so much storage, I'm bringing in stuff previously stored in other rooms. Everything's within arms' reach.

re: I liked the before. I agree, the before wasn't bad. But there was dangerous, non-grounded electrical, and the cabs were in very rough, jury-rigged, water damaged, unsalvageable shape. You don't see that in the pics. There was truly not enough storage, given the original cabs were sacrificed to make way for a d/w and microwave shelf.

re: do the long bar pulls snag?
In the past 10 years of having those pulls, I'd say I've snagged clothing/vacuum on them maybe 5 times. Now, keep in mind this: they were installed vertically, not horizontally, which likely reduces the chances for snagging.

re: using ikea cabs
I like ikea :-) Their software is easy-to-use, and I liked being able to mess around with the layout after work (as opposed to relying on a kitchen designer).

re: did I oil or seal countertop? I sealed it with varnish, on both sides. It took me over a month to do all the sealing (2 counters X 12 layers of varnish (8 on one side, 4 on the other) X 1 day per layer). Not sure I'd want to do this again. Maybe I'd put fewer layers on...

Your backsplash and floor are gorgeous, I love the B/S with the wood counters, too.

How do you like your metal drawers so far?

Really, really excellent job.

Got yer pearls on yet Mrs. Cleaver?

Beautiful! Congrats!

I've been waiting to see your final pics -- wonderful!

CONGRATULATIONS, surely many memorable meals will be made there.

Enjoy!

Going to look at pics, yet again!

Nancy

Lazygardens: yes, KBSpider is right. It's to the right of the sink.

Thank-you so much, again, for your kind words. It was a little scary putting it all together. I feel like some of my choices were unconventional (at least by my standards), and it's nice to get a pat on the back from the discerning gardenweb crowd ;-)

Is there a story behind the knob on the upper to the right of the window that looks different than those to the left?

I also got rid of some odds and ends of glasses and mugs when we moved into our house and filled the new kitchen... But somehow we have odd ones mixed in again!

Enjoy!

I love it.

Where are you going to start getting your hair done? Have you picked out your lipstick & heels? Period is period, so you must dress the part! Particularly when you have a party. Have you hung your inspiration pic in the kitchen so you can admire your improved version?

rhome: the story behind the differing cab knobs is that I couldn't decide! So I have two types: a dish knob star backplate, and some glass orb knobs :-)