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Decorating· Design· DIY· Projects

Storybook Cottage Kitchen Reveal

Hello sweet friends! Today is finally the day for the Storybook Cottage Kitchen Reveal. We began this long journey last June. To be honest the kitchen is still only about 90% finished. We are still waiting on a vent hood and there are a few small areas that need attention. But you’ve waited long enough!

Storybook Cottage Kitchen Reveal

Need to catch up?

  • Before photos were the focus of Week 1
  •  Demolition occurred in Week 2
  •  Cabinets and hardware were shared in Week 3
  • A paint disaster happened in Week 4
  • German Schmear was applied to the hearth in  Week 5
  • It was complete chaos in Week 6
  •  Lighting and countertops were covered in Week 7
  •  The backsplash and faucet were featured in Week 8 
  • The GE Café Appliances were featured in Week 9.

before kitchen

before kitchen

Storybook Cottage Kitchen Reveal

The layout of the kitchen did not change. We just made the footprint work a bit harder. 

The upper cabinets now go all the way to the peaked ceiling and contain three shelves. Previously we only had two shelves in each cabinet. 

The peninsula was shortened on the end to ensure that the kitchen fulfills the accessibility standards provided by ADA guidelines. It was also widened a bit on the dining area side to allow for cabinet doors on the backside. This eliminated the corner cabinet conundrum. We now have access on both sides. 

Storybook Cottage Kitchen Reveal

A few weeks in and I am still in love with our Counter Depth French Door Refrigerator. 

GE Cafe Series Counter Depth Refrigerator Matte White

Ditto for the  24 in. Fingerprint Resistant dishwasher. All of the appliances were selected in a Matte White finish.

GE Cafe Series Dishwasher Matte White

The new under cabinet direct mount lighting is such fun. It offers a wide range of whites and intensity. 

Storybook Cottage Kitchen Reveal

For the sink area the backsplash tile is Maiolica White Matte Ceramic Tile made by Canvas. It is a very budget-priced tile that we found at Floor & Decor. 

We used MAPEI Keracolor Unsanded Grout in the color Avalanche.

For the caulking: MAPEI Keracaulk U Paintable Latex Caulk in Avalanche was selected. 

Storybook Cottage Kitchen Reveal

The faucet is the Delta Trinsic Faucet in Champagne Bronze. It features a single-handle, pull-down sprayer. Because our countertops are made of quartz we opted to also select a white quartz 33-inch double bowl undermount sink. 

To keep a clean finish a white disposal flange and strainer were also selected. 

Delta Trinsic Faucet

I think the biggest difference is the hearth area. The white German schmear treatment that now covers the dated orange brick is truly a transformation. 

Storybook Cottage Kitchen Reveal

I am still in the learning stages of mastering the 30 Inch Slide-In Electric Smart Range with Warming Drawer. 

GE Cafe Series 30 Inch Slide-In Electric Smart Range with Warming Drawer Matte White

My goal was to create a timeless kitchen with an old-world appeal.  So we opted to install a top cabinet with pocket-like doors to enclose the microwave when it is not in use. It’s a small but meaningful touch.  

Storybook Cottage Kitchen Reveal

From the other entry point, located near the formal dining area, I wanted to enclose the side of the refrigerator. In the previous kitchen, it was a bit of an eyesore to look at the solid black metal side of the fridge.  

I wanted just two side panels so that hanging artwork would make more sense. Alas, as with other areas, we had some issues with our cabinet maker. It’s a first-world problem and I’ve moved on. 

Storybook Cottage Kitchen Reveal

You may notice that the refrigerator is not flush with the cabinet. This allows the doors to function. You can avoid this if you go the route of a built-in refrigerator. That was a very expensive option we decided not to take. We also wanted the option of taking the refrigerator with us in a few years. 

Storybook Cottage Kitchen Reveal

We now have pull-out drawers instead of cabinets on the interior peninsula. I am still on the fence about the functionality. 

pull out drawers

Right now the glass cabinet is filled with the antique Bavarian china collection. Mr. Decor does plan to install some additional interior lighting.

Small Kitchen Wall china cabinet

Until then fairy lights are fun. 

Small Kitchen Wall china cabinet

Great Heights

Many readers were never aware that we had such a high peaked ceiling until we installed new lighting to show it off. 

The room is so much brighter with the Halo 6 inch can less recessed LED lights.

Halo 6 inch canless recessed LED lights

In the dining area, we hung a shelf that came out of a one hundred-year-old home.

Storybook Cottage Kitchen shelf

It is about time to give it a fun decor makeover for the summer. Look for that next week!

Storybook Cottage Kitchen shelf

Tuesday Decor Video

You can get a true 360 look at the kitchen in today’s short video. 

Tuesday Decor Video

I hope you have enjoyed today’s post. If you have any questions not answered today or in any of the previous posts feel free to leave a comment below. 

Disclosure: affiliate links have been used in this post. If you purchase something through the links, I may receive a small commission at no additional cost to you. Thank you for supporting Decor To Adore.

I’ll be back on Friday with another fun post. 

Laura

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05.17.22

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Comments

  1. jeanie says

    May 17, 2022 at 5:56 am

    It looks absolutely gorgeous, Laura! So bright and light! And while I’m rhyming, it will be a delight to be spending time there. Well done — that’s a long road and you’ve walked it graciously!

  2. Barbara Harper says

    May 17, 2022 at 6:11 am

    I love it! So much lighter and brighter. I especially like the idea of making the island accessible on both sides.

  3. Judy says

    May 17, 2022 at 6:42 am

    Such a beautiful kitchen! I love a light and bright kitchen and you have accomplished that. The island is great and love the chandelier. The chandelier and the recessed light give so much light to the kitchen.

  4. auntie em says

    May 17, 2022 at 6:50 am

    This is perfect Laura! I love the details and how bright and cheerful it is. So different from the dark kitchen you started out with when you moved in.
    I like the shutter blinds in your window and the brick work is simply amazing! I like the drawers you installed on your peninsula. You will never regret having those handy drawers instead of cabinets.
    Enjoy your lovely, romantic, storybook kitchen! 🙂

  5. Cris says

    May 17, 2022 at 7:06 am

    White kitchens are my favorite. This one is just beautiful!

  6. carol says

    May 17, 2022 at 7:42 am

    Laura, so happy for you that you now have the kitchen of your dreams. It is just lovely down to the last detail! Since we spend so much time in our kitchens, you will really enjoy working in this beautiful space. I am still lusting over that antique shelf – what a find!

  7. Ann says

    May 17, 2022 at 7:44 am

    It looks absolutely beautiful Laura! You all did a wonderful job with design and functionality. Ann

  8. Cindy@CountyRoad407 says

    May 17, 2022 at 8:01 am

    Your kitchen looks amazing and I know you love being in there! When we first moved into this last house, I questioned the functionality of the drawers vs. cabinets too but have fallen in love with them and honestly never want to deal with a cabinet again. Hope you do the same. And even though you want to some day have the option to take the refrigerator with you, I hope you never move. Unless it’s closer to me.

  9. Pam Suter says

    May 17, 2022 at 8:29 am

    It is perfectly well done! So beautiful and peaceful. Thank you for sharing your journey with us, and for giving us a glimpse of more genteel times.

  10. Lynne says

    May 17, 2022 at 8:34 am

    So pretty, nice and bright! I love the hearth area, and your appliances are gorgeous. I have deep drawers in my kitchen island and love them. And then I’m not quite 5′ tall, cabinets are not my friend.

  11. Lou E Gipson says

    May 17, 2022 at 9:42 am

    Just beautiful!!
    bright and light!
    I adore a white kitchen!
    I am a fan of drawers vs cabinets!
    back in the early 80’s, purchased a builder’s home..
    Beautiful..kitchen sold me..no bottom cabinets ..just drawers!
    the entire house was a dream ..
    back then, entertainment was part of my job..
    the fit and flow of the kitchen made my job so much easier!
    enjoy your new white,bright and beautiful kitchen dream come true!

  12. Addie says

    May 17, 2022 at 10:42 am

    WOW~WOW~WOW!!!! Pure perfection!!! The brickwork area is my VERY favorite. BUT so are the cabinets, the appliances, the counter tops and ALL!!!! You’ve just upped the price of your home greatly. Oh!!! That brickwork!!!! AND I love that you hid the microwave. I put mine in the garage (right off the kitchen) I don’t like the look of them AND rarely use it…. if ever do …..only to melt/soften butter.
    After all this work….you want to take the refrigerator with you!!!???? Enjoy your new kitchen!!!

  13. Dixie Lee says

    May 17, 2022 at 11:55 am

    I am in love with your fridge and dishwasher!

    My old boss says “90% of the work takes 10% of the time, and the last 10% of the work takes 90% of the time, so you should release at 90% done.” Computer programs or kitchens, it’s all the same!

    So glad to see this beautiful transformation!

  14. Susan K. says

    May 17, 2022 at 3:19 pm

    Oh, it’s so light and fresh looking ! It must certainly be a joy now to go in there & cook.

  15. LINDA SPENCER says

    May 17, 2022 at 6:33 pm

    IT JUST COULDN’T BE MORE PERFECT! LOVE EVERY NOOK AND CRANNY!

  16. Tanya says

    May 18, 2022 at 8:12 am

    It’s so bright and beautiful!!! What a wonderful transformation.

  17. Kari Rogers-Miller says

    May 18, 2022 at 7:06 pm

    Love your kitchen reveal Laura…the brick is my favorite as well as the high ceiling. Great job and I know you will love the drawers. I actually put my dinnerware in my drawers…love it. so much better than a high cabinet. Hugs my friend.
    Kari

  18. Nana Diana says

    May 22, 2022 at 8:27 am

    It is absolutely beautiful, Laura! I bet your are just over the moon. Wonderful choices and I love the brick. xo Diana

  19. debra@commonground says

    May 23, 2022 at 3:39 pm

    So so gorgeous, Laura. Your cabinets are amazing with the gold handles. I love all your ideas! I’m sharing this post tonight on All About Home. Thanks so much for sharing it with us!

  20. Pam says

    May 25, 2022 at 6:49 am

    Oh, this is absolutely beautiful! My dream kitchen. I love the fresh, bright look and the wonderful treatment on the brick. I’ll be featuring it at the TFT party tomorrow. Thanks for sharing with us!

  21. Michelle | Thistle Key Lane says

    May 26, 2022 at 5:23 pm

    Beautiful kitchen Laura and your appliances look perfect in your sparking white kitchen. Love it!

  22. Rita C at Panoply says

    May 28, 2022 at 11:33 am

    Laura, I have followed this project with your interim updates. I am so happy for you! You and Eric must pat yourselves on the back for the great job you’ve done and managed others helping you do. It looks amazing. I love the German schmear hearth (both sides!), and your new appliances. Nice touch with hiding the microwave.

  23. Stephanie says

    June 2, 2022 at 9:32 am

    Gorgeous! A truly designer looking kitchen, Laura! I love love LOVE it!
    Big TX hugs,
    Stephanie

Hi, I’m Laura Ingalls Gunn

Welcome to Decor To Adore! I love flea markets, tea parties, classic literature and dachshunds.

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