Name: Claire & Jeffrey
Type of Project: Kitchen remodel
Location: Minneapolis, Minnesota
Type of building: Single-family bungalow, 950 square feet
The Renovation Diaries are a new collaboration with our community in which we feature your step by step renovation progress and provide monetary support towards getting it done in style.
Our style is clean, simple, and authentic. And quirky. And has to be livable and unpretentious. I love white, utilitarian kitchen spaces with simple, unfussy materials. Generally classic materials, but I think that's bias because my house was built in 1918. I think there's always a best-case scenario for any circumstance and budget, and that every space in a home should inform the others.
I am mainly designing the space myself. I have always been very spatially-oriented in my design work, and on top of that, have always valued the quality of my environment and the things I surround myself with. That said, it's hard for me to hand over a project to a professional.
As far as materials are concerned, we're thinking glossy white cabinets and light gray, concrete counters, with the original hardwood floors refinished and stained dark (to match the rest of the house). We'll have white walls, and natural wood accents, with punchy colors in the form of accessories, art, and kitchen tools, with natural textures and patterns here and there.
For more of my renovation inspiration photos, check out my project pinboard.
(Diary Text: Claire Moyle. Images: 1. House to Home, 2. Nuevo Estilo via The Nero Chronicles, 3. The Glitter Guide, 4. CocoCozy via Apartment Therapy, 5. Croma Design via Houzz and Apartment Therapy, 6. House and Home, 7. Realtor.com, 8 & 9. Design*Sponge)
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How did you get inside my head? Your taste, your writing, and your general outlook are so simpatico with mine, I can't wait to see your new kitchen. Love the ladder pot rack. Clever and affordable. Wonder if I would soon over it were there not such beautiful copper pots attached.
Really like the color and texture in images #2 and #3. Still clean and bright, but with some warmth that's lacking in the all-white rooms.
Nice. Can't wait to see the rest.
Love some of your inspiration pictures. Why don't you check Lotta Agaton's kitchen? I think it's a great example of simple, minimal design but looks cozy and with great space to move around (quite an important aspect if you like to mess around in the kitchen..like me!). That kitchen plus some more wood details could be another great inspiration!
Elena / http://facingnorthwithgracia.blogspot.com
Just don't put ANTLERS on your copper-pot ladder, like those people did!
I understand it's a cultural thing (still remember the walls full of those in the summerhouse in the Alps) but they scary me a bit. I prefer a fun project metal deer! That's what I opt for.
: )
Elena / http://facingnorthwithgracia.blogspot.com
Make sure to check out Chez Larsson! http://chezlarsson.com The engaging author writes about the redo of her fixer upper home, including the kitchen, in detail. If you like white kitchens, you should give it a look. Lots of inspirational photos, before/afters, and DIY instructions.
We had a similar idea when we did our kitchen: black and white, with strong wood elements, and pops of colour. It's still a work in progress. While we like the design, the execution of it fell short of our expectations (mostly installation of finishes, as well as the cabinets being from IKEA instead of site-built, which we originally agreed on). The results so far:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/k2yhe/sets/72157632790372401/
love the tulip pendant in #3
"authentic" doesn't really bring IKEA to mind.
Awesome ideas here! If you're looking for another small, white kitchen renovation project—check out ours in Nashville!
http://growingupgibson.wordpress.com/2013/04/29/the-kitchen-remodel-before-and-after/