(Finally) Painted Kitchen

2014 so far is the year of tackling all those things I’ve been wanting to do since we bought our house four years ago. This weekend we replaced our old washer and dryer and also put the final coat of paint on the kitchen!

I left the areas that will be covered by the new beadboard backsplash unpainted, so forgive the fact that it still looks rather unfinished.

The color is Quail Egg by Valspar, the same color that the previous owners painted the master bedroom and downstairs bath. It’s a lovely neutral that makes white trim and cabinetry really pop-although the white crown molding is looking rather blah next to it, possibly because both it and the ceiling are both in desperate need of a paint job. I used Valspar’s no-voc paint in semi-gloss, and even though it said it was paint and primer in one I should’ve used a coat of primer first because it took four coats. The large wall left of the stove actually could use another coat, but I’ll get to it when I get to it.

I love the way the black light fixture contrasts against it, and it actually gave me the idea to add a little electrical work to my list of goals for this mini-remodel. The fixture has hooks so that it can function as a pot rack, but that doesn’t work in the middle of the room-even I might bonk my head. I want to move it to hang over the counter on the far end of the kitchen in this picture so that it can both provide some much-needed task lighting and fulfill its lifelong dream of hanging pots. Hopefully it’s not too expensive to drop an outlet over there (and make sure it’s secure enough to support all that weight)!

Here’s how my progress is shaping up so far:

• demo the tile backsplash and replace it with white beadboard
• paint the walls
• install open shelves flanking the stove
• replace the range hood
• replace the drawers and add new pulls
• possibly replace the pantry door
• add a new shelf in the lower portion of the pantry
• move the pot rack light fixture to hang over the counter
• install a new light in the center of the room

Next up-installing the beadboard backsplash! I am soooo nervous and so excited at the same time!