Before & After: A Renovated Breakfast Nook

When we first moved into our 1919 Craftsman one of the first things I had my mind set on fixing was the kitchen. I decided to begin with the outdated breakfast nook (oh and btw, the ‘before’ image is the styling from the realtor at the open house). Follow me after the jump to see where it ended up…

First things first — the red paint was actually lead paint from way back when painted over layers and layers of warped wallpaper. So, I decided to plank the walls and create a cozy modern farmhouse feel instead of ripping it down and starting over.

Next, I decided how I wanted to configure the table to get the most out of the space without feeling cramped. Since I also have a formal dining room I wanted this space to be casual and functional. I wanted be able to spread out food, bake on it, play games on it, and use it for projects. The solution was to make a custom table to fit in the area. I bought a quartz slab from a quarry and had it cut to size and then designed a sturdy base out of plumbing pipes. I then made a bench to match the table size and style for ample seating.

On to the lighting — the nook never had a light switch (you had to turn a knob on the light fixture for it to work), so after I bought my pendant I had to wait forever to get my electrician over to put it up and create a switch (the waiting was definitely the hardest part). An old home with knob and tube lighting makes things a bit more difficult to get done.

To end it all I gathered a few more chairs, sewed some curtains and hung some art, and I finally had the industrial farmhouse nook I had been envisioning all along. It was a bit of work, but worth every minute of it.

More on this project at Old House New Tricks.

(Images: alysha findley)