Tuesday, October 14, 2014

Jan's KITCHEN REMODEL- Out With The Old-In With The New

My friend, Jan, is one of the
MOST PATIENT PEOPLE 
I know.
She has to be-she is married to
MyHero's best friend and movie buddy, Mike.
Mike & MyHero deserve each other.
I call them Itch & Scratch
and that's all I'm gonna say about that.
Anyway,
Jan has lived in her house for many years
and always wanted a new kitchen.
It had the older blond cabinets from the 40's or 50's,
harvest gold linoleum,
a wall with Spanish style wrought iron
that divided the kitchen and living room.  
Did I mention dysfunctional?

Her refrigerator stuck out along one wall
and she did not have a dishwasher
or much storage.
However, remodeling seemed overwhelming to her.
She does not like to have to make choices
(and argue with Mike about HIS choices)

She finally bit the bullet a while ago.
I helped her make some decisions
and helped her lay out the remodeled space.
She did not want granite ,
stainless steel or white cabinets.
She did end up with stainless steel
but mixed it with as much black
as she could on the appliances.
The refrigerator is solid black.
Janet & Mike both like warm earthy colors.
I won't tell you that she went with a more
"minty" green when left to her own devices...
even though it IS HER house.
I don't have many BEFORE pictures
but, in progress, it  looked like this
by the kitchen sink.
To the right of the sink and down the dinette wall-
Ceiling fan---GONE--
Win for Janet- Loss for Mikey
Across from this wall
the refrigerator stood alone like a soldier
with a small closet next to it.
Now it is surrounded by built ins.
She was NOT expecting me to pop in 
and take pictures.
I will say that she was a really good sport about
showing her real-life/lived in kitchen.

The kitchen, dinette and living room all flow
together so colors had to blend
with existing furnishings, too.

This is looking from the kitchen into the living area.
Mikey picked the rug-Good job buddy!
Isn't this just warm and welcoming?
And, this is how they live-
she wasn't planning on me
stopping by for photos.

The room is narrow so we chose pictures that
had a "deep" feel to them.
They visually expand the room.
uhhh...Jan...that pillow that is standing 
UPRIGHT needs to turn itself sideways...
just saying....
And...to add to her warm welcoming nature
she is also a gardener.
She has plants inside
and outside!
She sighed a 
BIG SIGH OF RELIEF
when all the decisions had been made 
AND
the kitchen and living room project was finished.
She loves it and is glad the mess is over.

Ummmm...Janet.....guess what's next?
Yeah- gotta bring that bathroom
into this century.
I can already hear Mike whining about
his bare bear getting tossed 
OFF the toilet.

However, IF he is nice to me I promise
not to tell that I saw him in his
tightie whities the other day....by accident.
And THAT, my friends is the REAL REASON 
I needed eye surgery.
your photo name

45 comments:

Kathy @ Creative Home Expressions said...

What a warm and inviting kitchen, Diana. I love the cabinets. It looks like a nice big space, too, and I think it flows really well with the open living room.

Susie said...

Diana, That is so funny, the last part here. You must be good friends. I know that Janet had to be thrilled with a new kitchen. I love her gardening skills. Hope you are doing better. I can tell they did not remove your funny bone..:):) xoxo,Susie

Gina said...

Haha! You always make me smile, Diana!

Jan's new kitchen is beautiful! I love the cabinets!

Liz@ HomeandGardeningWithLiz said...

Lol you are too funny! Their kitchen looks beautiful! It's funny how hard it is for she people to make the choices for a kitchen- I love to do things like that. Sounds like you helped keep them on track. The refrigerator looks wonderful built into its own space- I hate seeing them free standing but it's not uncommon. She has quite a collection of plants and her outdoor garden area looks beautiful! You're a good friend!

Lynne said...

What a charming and warm home!
A home filled with so many loving touches!
As always you are pouring smiles onto my morning, sweet D!
~Lynne
w/L.

Simply LKJ said...

What a great remodel. And, what a green thumb! Gorgeous garden. Can always count on you for a good chuckle!!

J said...

Omgosh! I always read on the edge of my seat because I expect a cute, funny twist at the end, but THIS one is the best yet! "Itch and Scratch" provide the best comic material ever! And then they are nice enough to pick up a hammer and do what they are told, resulting in some mighty fine looking rooms to live in! This kitchen is a beauty! Lovely arrangement and tasteful colors. I sure do remember the era of gold/avocado and Spanish grilling! Fortunately my mother was always too harried to make her dream of that look ever come true!

Unknown said...

It is always a struggle to get through a remodel, especially making the decisions...ugh. This looks fabulous and I love all the decor, she has fabulous plants and I can tell they are much loved.

Kelly said...

Wow! That's a great kitchen now. I'm sure she appreciated your help.

Jettie said...

Nice, and I'm sure she'll let you help with that bathroom. I'm about ready to remove the 'blue marble' top from my bathroom and do something a bit more up to date.

Musings from Kim K. said...

Wow! What a big project. That kitchen is gorgeous. I'm sure she'll be eager to have you assist with the bathroom too.

Down On The Farm said...

Looks fantastic!!! Its amazing what a DRAMATIC difference a few changes can make, especially in those mid-century homes. Good job ladies!!

Linda said...

The kitchen looks beautiful! Shes lucky to have a good friend like you to assist her. Start thinking about that bathroom :-) I hope she fixed the pillow, I agree it's wrong, just wrong.

Linda @ Itsy Bits And Pieces said...

The kitchen turned out beautifully...and wow, does she have a green thumb!

At Rivercrest Cottage said...

wonderful kitchen. the wood cabinets are warm and lovely...and this from a paint everything person.

Donna said...

What a pretty kitchen! You are such a good friend to help with the decor choices. And I think you are right about that bathroom, it really does need some help! I sure would love to get our bath out of the 80's, and at least into this century!! Leave it to you to keep us laughing over the under wear sighting!!!!! at least they weren't BURNT underwear (I am hoping!)!!

Gypsy Heart said...

What a difference! Such a beautiful kitchen and the living area is so warm and inviting. Can you convince her to do the bath now? :)

xo
Pat

FABBY'S LIVING said...

They did a great job in the remodel...specially as they love, with the warm tones, I'm like that too, but before our remodel we too had a white kitchen I was tired of! Her living room is so warm, pretty and inviting. The pretty plants by the window are lovely, they warm up the place even more so!
Hope you are feeling better sweet friend. I am with the girls, they're going home tomorrow, sniff, sniff, sniff...
Blessings darlings,
FABBY

Penny @ Penny's Vintage Home said...

What an amazing transformation to her kitchen...esp. the wall that the fridge is on! I love all of her selections, you can never go wrong with warm colors. Hugs, Penny

Junkchiccottage said...

Ha Ha Diana. Your posts just crack me up. Thanks for the big smile today. Jan's kitchen cabinets are gorgeous. What a difference in her kitchen. Very pretty. Have a great day my friend.
Kris

"Cottage By The Sea" said...

So sweet of you to be such a good helper to her. Looking at pictures of decision making during a remodel still gives me PTSD. However we did go with the travertine you have in the photo in our bathrooms. (Good choice). It all looks beautiful and she's a sport for letting you take photos! How on earth does she water all those indoor plants?

Pura Vida said...

I just love a re-do!

Anonymous said...

Beautiful kitchen. You are a good friend to help with picking out the colors. It always helps to have to sets of eyes, the other sees what the other doesn't. Good job.
Louise

Row homes and Cobblestones said...

Diana hope your receiving healing kisses and are feeling much improvement. This post just confirmed what I already knew ... You are a kind and generous friend with a wicked sense of humor. . . Itch and Scratch!
xoxo

~Lavender Dreamer~ said...

It's so nice to finally get something done the way you want it. I've had to wait on a lot of projects around here but it makes it that much sweeter when it is done. Hope you are taking it easy and healing up. Sweet hugs, Diane

Mary@mydogsmygardenandmary said...

You are so bad LOL..... Love the new kitchen - it really looks good. I know she is so happy with it. It is great when everything flows from one room to the other. You are a good friend and I am sure she really appreciated your great help and style.
Hope you are resting.....
Hugs
Mary

Michele M./ Finch Rest said...

Yay for your friends Jan and Mike with their new kitchen - it's gorgeous and I am so happy for them!

Lastly, omg you are so funny. Hahaha on the whities and eye surgery, hilarious, you crack me UP! Hugs

Tina@WhatWeKeep said...

You are such a naughty girl...

Red Rose Alley said...

A very nice make-over. The countertops look like granite to me. I am wondering what that is? So glad she had a kitchen make-over. A functional kitchen makes all the difference in the world. That's one of the things I loved about our new home, the BIG kitchen. Jan's garden looks so green and pretty with those red flowers.

~Sheri

Tessa~ Here there be musing said...

OK, this is all BEFORE...?

No real AFTER in kitchen, here...?

Come on Girl, I am dense. You gotta' be more specific.

>,-))))

Tessa~
"Here there be musing" blog
"Here there be more words" blog

Linda @ Life and Linda said...

What a lovely transformation. I am so sure they are relieved and ever so happy about the new look. Jan's plants and flowers are so pretty. Hope you are feeling better. xo

Debbie said...

Wow! great transformation!! Looks fantastic!
Sorry you had to see what you saw, and damage your eyes.
Debbie
xo

Nellie said...

Oh, dear! Harvest gold and avocado green are from the same era, and that was a very long time ago! The "after" pictures are great! xo Nellie

bj said...

Love her new kitchen..I love white cabinets but not in love with stainless or granite, either. I prefer black or white appliances .....:)

Mindy said...

Wait a minute. I thought she didn't want stainless or granite. Didn't she get both?
That bathroom is a travesty. She better get the mister to work! With pants on, of course.

kelli said...

lol! fun post, beautiful house...loved the plants especially! your friend has quite the green thumb!:)

living from glory to glory said...

Okay, that was real and shocking and way too funny! You make my life worth blogging...I never know what I am going to find here!
Love Ya, Roxy

Stephanie said...

Wow, look at those plants! They are absolutely gorgeous! And speaking of gorgeous, the kitchen looks amazing :) Thanks for sharing your friend's home with us and a big thanks to Jan for allowing us to see inside her home :)

Cheryl @ TFD said...

That is a fabulous remodel! I don't like stainless steel sinks but my daughter does, so we are butting heads over that one for the fixer-upper we're doing that she will live in. lol! Your friend Jan is a good sport for allowing us a peek inside her house and especially the bathroom!

Anonymous said...

This is a wonderful update! I love the photos! The cabinets are so warm! What a great flow into the family room too. I also love the choice of artwork that adds dimension to her family room! Jan's plants a gorgeous and bring the outside in! I can't wait to see the powder room update! One thing does lead to another.

A Joyful Cottage said...

Jan's kitchen is wonderful. She deserves the "Most Patient Wife In The World" award for waiting so long to update her kitchen. You're a good friend to help her, Diana. xxx ~ Nancy

Lisa @ Texas Decor said...

That's a great kitchen update! I know it must have been hard on her to tear her house apart and have to make all those decorating decisions, but her kitchen looks wonderful!

Renee said...

Beautiful update. When we remodeled our kitchen we moved the fridge and put in a pantry with a frame around the fridge. Looks so much better.

Mrs. Kelley Dibble said...

YOU CRACK ME UPPPPPP!!!

I love JAN's new kitchen!!!!!

Hugs and happy SEEING,
Kelley~

Leena Milligan Lanteigne said...

Very nice make over! I'm sure she's loving using her new kitchen! The cabinets around the frig are awesome! Hugs, Leena