Published on January 10, 2020
This post is all about our kitchen update and the inspiration pictures I’ve been pinning.
Wildflower Home Kitchen Before
Kitchen Update
If you’ve wondered what on earth is happening with our kitchen, here’s the truth. We had not saved for a renovation when my sister and I ripped out all the uppers and the back splash, so we kind of got in over our heads. Jeff likes to just take care of things and he suggested hiring Lowe’s to replace our counter tops, appliances, and sink. I would handle the tile back splash, hood, and whatever shelving we decided on in place of uppers.
When it came time to sign on the dotted line though, we both got cold feet. We’d been there before…financing a hefty amount just to get the job done and over with. Neither of us felt right about going into debt for a rushed renovation that may or may not have gone so well depending on the contractors they chose. Besides that, I really wanted to take my time and DIY as much as I could or hire trades that I trust and that we’ve used before for the work we can’t do ourselves.
The Hard Truth
The bottom line is, I messed up. I should have just painted over the original cranberry colored cabinets (you can see them in this post) and kept saving up for the big dream renovation I have my heart set on. So, here we are with a pretty janky kitchen, but I’m determined to make the best of it and I want to bring you along. I’ll be sharing all the ups and downs on Instagram and the blog, so make sure you’re subscribed and following! I’ve been pinning and saving images of all the possibilities for my tiny kitchen. Would you like to see?
Kitchen Inspiration Pictures
1. This kitchen really excites me because of how easy it would be to execute. I love the use of wide shiplap, the non-floating shelf, the butcher block counters, and the use of art (let’s be honest, all I care about is if there’s room for art).
Design by: Heidi Caillier Design
2. If we were keeping our uppers, I would have loved to do something like this lower shelf. I pinned this image for the hood design and use of wide planks, as well as the counter tops and overall feel.
Design by: The Grit and Polish
3. This image made it to my favorites because this is almost the exact tile I selected for the back splash, and the color of these cabinets is pretty much the same one I used on mine. However, it gave me the idea of having dark counter tops instead of the light quartz or butcher block options we’ve been looking at. This would be more economical as well…and I love the character it adds!
Design by: Light and Dwell
4. I saved this image because, once again, the use of wide shiplap would be so easy for me to DIY. But I also love the painted floors and brass rod under the hood and shelves that spans the entire width of the wall.
Design by: Kate Marker Interiors
I had a lot more kitchen inspiration images saved, but after compiling these for this post, I’m pretty much convinced of the direction I’m going to go. If I keep rolling ideas around in my head, we’ll never get there!
Personal Update
My word of the year is focus. As I reflected on 2019, the prevailing feeling was that I was all over the place and aimless. I’ve felt this way for several years actually, so this word came to me somewhat out of desperation and a deep desire to change. This word was chosen for what it can mean for my health, marriage, children, relationship with the Lord, finances, and overall management of home and family. I’m more passionate than ever about the purpose of home and filtering every design decision through that lens.
I hope you enjoyed this week’s Weekend Wildflowers and getting all caught up. Let me know in the comments below what you think of all my kitchen inspiration and ideas and if you have a word for 2020…I’d love to hear it! Have a blessed weekend with your family and friends, and as always, thank you for being here.
You echo my life. I had a large home that was a stunner… back in the day. I wanted to gut everything and let the elegant old bones shine. Second hand stores were my friend. I actually love the used things that I got for nearly nothing which added depth and beauty to a room. I would ask God, ‘ok what are you going to do in here?’ I would always be amazed by the transformation. I never got my new kitchen but I loved her anyway. When we sold it the people who walked through said they could feel it was a house that was loved and enjoyed. A home. That made me happy. I love what you have done with your home. It too looks well loved. God is smiling over your care of the things he has given you. Thank you for your inspiration for our new home!
Wow, what a cool perspective. It’s like you’re me in several years. I have pictured us selling this house many times because I know one day we will move out of state, and I want to be mentally prepared so I need years of lead up…lol. I just hope we get a buyer who treasures this house as much as we do, and I may never get to that kitchen renovation either, but one day I’m sure I’ll have a big beautiful kitchen, and I’ll look back on this one with so much fondness for what the Lord taught me through it and this whole house.
Ohhh, so much pretty! I think the photo with the dark counter tops and tile to the ceiling is my favorite, but they are all inspiring. I didn’t know that you have a degree in Biblical studies, that’s awesome! My son is reading almost the entire Bible this year for school and I think I should be doing it with my girls as well. Growing up, we read through the Bible three times as a family. I study the Bible with my kids (hello homeschool) but I think we should make an effort to read it all as a family.
I agree! We should read the Bible as a family. I need to do better with this…I read the Bible alone a lot and then retell it to my girls, but I would love to have family Bible reading time regularly. Yes, I have a Biblical studies minor, which is why having a blog and IG focused on decorating has been a struggle, but God has recently called me to show people the purpose and meaning of making a house a home instead of focusing on the aesthetics of everything. I’m excited to give Him all the glory this upcoming year!!! Thanks for stopping by the blog and for your input about the kitchen. I’m getting kind of excited about the possibility of darker countertops since they’re so much more affordable!
What a great post, thanks for sharing so honestly. It sounds like you guys had to make some hard decisions, but they sound wise, you made them together, and you have a great new direction. Even though you regret taking the uppers down, I would’ve done the same thing because of how it would open up that space. I love the third image, especially the contrast of the countertop against the backsplash and cabinet color. I think it would flow with everything else I see in your home! Enjoy your single mindedness, God’s word, and of course – wonderful coffee!
Hey Bryanne! The only reason I regret taking down the uppers is because we didn’t have a plan or budget to replace them and fix up the whole kitchen. However, I am still excited for change in here and figuring out how I can do it for as little as possible. I’m really thinking about those dark counters! We could afford something like that so much quicker than quartz too! Thank you for taking the time to read the blog and comment…it means the world!