I'm sorry it it taking me so long to get some redecorated-kitchen pictures taken for you! Everything is taking me so much longer that I expect! I don't know what my problem is. I guess it must be summer. I seem to be moving awfully slow, and things around me seem to be moving fast. I keep moving slow. Maybe that's okay. It sure feels right, at least.
I know this picture is huge! Kinda fun, though. The lenses I have for my new camera (in addition to the macro I also have the 18-200mm kit lens) aren't exactly right for shooting interiors. The kitchen is also so small and skinny it's pretty hard to get a good angle on it. But I'm going to experiment with that a bit. Oh, how I am LOVING the camera. Thank you for all of your kind comments about it. I am still really intimidated by it but I am just trying to learn a little bit and experiment a little bit every day until I feel more and more comfortable. I am really having a great time.
The kitchen: It's such a nice little spot now! Pretty wood floor (ours is hand-rubbed oiled oak); a fresh coat of paint on all of the (original [ancient plywood]) cabinets; new oil-rubbed bronze handles, pulls, and door hinges; new ceiling fixtures (from Rejunvenation). New faucet and sprayer thing. Everything else pretty much stayed the same, except, of course, that there is a door going outside [cue trumpets heralding]. I will take more photos from the other angles and try to look at my notes for sources, too. A question: Are those knives on the magnet strip supposed to be pointing down or up? I always point them down in case they fall off (which they never actually have). I was thinking they are like scissors that you're supposed to pass with the blades pointing down. But whenever I see photos of these in other peoples' kitchens they have the blades pointing up and the handles pointing down, for ease of grabbing. I suppose that makes more sense.
Still jonesin for a butcher-block counter top, but ran out of budget/mojo/tolerance for any more commotion right now. Maybe that will be this winter's project. Or next summer's.
***The paint color in here is Terrazzo Gray.
That's the beauty of owning your own kitchen. You can point the knives anyway you'd like! But if you want my opinion :), I've always seen them pointed down so that you can grab them with ease and don't scrape your arms brushing by the holder.
Beautiful kitchen! How lucky you are.
Kristy
Oh its lovely! It looks so light & airy! i think i thought you were getting wooden worktops? The tile contributes to how light & fresh it looks though! FYI, we have our knives pointing up...they've never fallen off either. P.S. did you say you were working on new ornament kits/patterns? Can we have a sneak peak please!
Absolutely beautiful. I love it!
I looked at this picture for a few seconds and thought "everything is wonderful...only, I wish those knives were pointing up". Then I had to laugh as I read the last paragraph. It seems like the handles would cause the knives to be top-heavy or precarious in that position. But if they aren't, hang 'em how you want, girl!
Your kitchen is so pretty and small, and compact. It is like mine, in these older houses they used more room for dining, and living/sitting rooms. Don't you just love Rejuvenation? I read the catalogue like a magazine, and wish I had more lighting to replace just so I can have some of those beautiful fixtures in my house, to be able to gaze at them! I am a little nervous looking at your knives, and I think you are right to think they go on the magnetic rack with the points facing down. You know, I only say this because I worked in a professional kitchen for over 25 years, and having the points down is a little safer if they fall. You will have more of a chance to get your hand/arm out of the way. Even after all that time in a kitchen where many people used knives in a very small area very competently, I am always especially respectful and cautious. And funny enough, (well, maybe not so funny...) the only times I have ever cut myself bad enough to get stitches was at home in my own kitchen, never at work. But really, just try all ways out, and see what works! Thanks for the beautiful kitchen photo.
Pointed down just seems so much less threatening, I don't know why, in each instance you have to grab the handle in the same way. It's been fun reading about your new camera experience, I've been totally relating, I think we got a new camera at the same time. I Like how big your kitchen looks in the picture.
Alicia, such a beautiful redo! And for all the epicurean goodness that is created by you, well deserved indeed. Though it is your new french doors and deck that have me green with envy..such a treasure.
Cynthia
I simply must recommend www.rentglass.com. It's a place where you can rent lenses for a fair price. Right now, I have the Canon EF-S 10-22mm f/3.5-4.5 USM and it can see way more than my eyes can. It is PERFECT for interiors.
Your kitchen looks lovely. Right now, I have primer on half of my cabinet doors, but it'll hopefully be primer plus two coats of white paint soon. Thanks for the inspiration!
P.S. Pointing the knives downward sounds dangerous. With scissors, you're more likely to fall and stab yourself. With knives on the wall, they are more likely to fall and stab you in the foot.
Ouch.
It looks lovely - that makes me want to start sanding down my (original 1940) cabinet doors and give them a fresh coat of paint. Also, on the knives - I see up as safer because if they fall, they won't stab my foot or dull the point irretrievably on the countertop. Or stab a hole in my counters. Enjoy your lovely refreshed kitchen!
I'm happy to see you have the old cabinets. Its such a sweet spot. Funny about the knives. I put mine blades facing up but they're much lower.. hmm never thought about it. Anyway so pretty.
The kitchen looks beautiful!
I would love to have some advice on painting cabinet doors.
Thanks for sharing.
It's like toilet paper rolls, I guess.
I'm a TP over the top, knives pointing up kinda gal.
Oh, and we had a teensy budget, so we used scrap oak flooring for our "butcher board." I love it, and the cost was about $25 for glue, sandpaper, and trim around the edge. The oak scraps were free. Over, up, and cheap. That's me!
So perfect! Just love the look and feel of your kitchen.
I have that same exact clock in my bathroom. You have such good taste! ;)
I LOVE it, Alicia! The cabinets, floor, light... all of it looks fantastic!
So inviting and charming. Love the light fixture.
Beautiful!
Point the knives whichever way you don't hurt yourself :)
Gorgeous. I'm so jealous. But the first thing I thought when I saw the photo was how much magnetic knife strips freak me out!! I'd be ever so slightly hyperventilating any time I walked into your kitchen. Fortunately I'd have a little corgi to herd me to the couch for some comforting. Phew.
Holy Crud! It looks amazing. I am absolutely jealous!
you kitchen is a delight :o)
I adore the little decorative edge on the top of the window recess and your flour jars are amazing.
sorry don't know about the knives!
pretty pretty pretty
jooles x
That's funny, I looked at the picture and thought, "That's the first time I've ever seen knives pointing down." I figured you had a reason for it though! :-) I think it might be easier to point them up so you can grab the handles easier, but it's up to you!
The FIRST thing I noticed was that knife strip! LOL
Knives pointing UP are preferable (IMHO) because you don't have to reach over or across any blades to grasp the handles, and the blades will always be pointed away from your body. And if one falls then it would more likely land handle-first instead of blade-first.
Your kitchen looks WONDERFUL and I can't wait to see more of it!
Here is the perfect solution to the knife problem.....place the magnetic bar straight up and down then place the knives straight across with the blade tips pointing toward the window....then....if one falls it will fall flat on the counter NOT blade down or blade up. Your kitchen is darling.
I love everything about your kitchen! Can I suggest to move the knife strip somewhere lower? My sister has her knife strip mounted on the back splash just above the counter. Not so far for knives to fall :) Can't wait to see more. For now I will study all the details in your gorgeous, LARGE photo.
And what beautiful color is that above the cabinets? I love it. The knives pointing down is the thing that really caught my eye before I read your comment too. It looks awkward to me that way, like it would be too hard to grab the knife you needed. Oh, well, just my way I guess. You get to do it the way it works for you. And then change it if you want!