Our Renovated Kitchen

Recently, we completely renovated a 1950's beach cottage where we live in southern California.  Throughout the design process, many great ideas from blogs were incorporated.  I hope that this post will help you see some possibilities for your own kitchen.

#1. The Viking Six Burner with Griddle Gas Range.  This is one extravagance that my husband wanted (and friends said "let him have it as we will ALL benefit").

Before photo--hard to tell but the cabinets were falling apart

Before photo -- raising the ceiling was a priority

#2.  Large Island for Serving.  Notice the island color from Joni's  Cote de Texas post.

It is a great place for spreading out homework or wrapping presents.

Before--we added gauged slate flooring and library sconces

#3.  Sitting Area to Keep the Cook Company.  I like to cook, too but sometimes it's better to move out of the way and have a glass of wine.

#4.  Kitchen Utensils Within Easy Reach.  To avoid a cluttered countertop, I used to keep them in a drawer but it they became disorganized and hard to find.   I bought the canisters at Home Goods and just removed the tops.  Do you keep your utensils out?  The reason I can keep the countertops relatively clear is...

#5.  The Walk-In Pantry (with obscured ribbed glass).  

We lost a little hallway for this but...

we actually use the appliances in the pantry.  They are plugged in so my son can make a smoothie or toast without hauling the appliances out.  Don't you think twice about using the food processor or heavy mixer when it is in a cabinet?  Ha!  You non-cooks out there are thinking "who uses a food processor when there is take-out"?

But, my favorite thing about my kitchen is...

#6.  The Beverage Center.  Aside from the wine refrigerator, this is great as we have a filtered water tap with cold and instantly hot water.  Great for making tea or for pouring hot water into a cup to preheat it.

I organized everything in an industrial tool tray that I bought at the Pasadena flea market.  Notice the Nespresso coffee pods?  This was the office coffee where my husband worked in Paris (those French know how to live), then my friend Netta bought a little machine and now all my coffee drinking friends are sold on it as...

you can have a delicious cappuccino every morning!  No more Starbucks 

(one espresso pod costs just $.55).   It's a good life.

Check out the complete remodel, including Before and After...HERE.