Our NEW Kitchen!!!

I couldn't find many pictures of the kitchen before. We always forget to do that! Here are a few.
Say, " ahhh" to the handsome models in the photos.


Before...
Everything is more of a country feel. And what a clutter mess!



After...

Much better. I finally got organized and got rid of the clutter.


We put the microwave above the stove. That saved a lot of space. Before it sat on a microwave cart to the side of the fridge. Our appliances are no longer mismatched!

Dustin spent so much time on the cabinets. We painted them a bone white, then took a walnut gel stain all over them. I can say we because i helped, a little. He put in a new tile back splash and painted. It is kind of a golden brown. It looks much brighter in the picture than it really is.

We also put hardware on the cupboards. I couldn't believe what a difference.

Dustin's favorite part of the whole kitchen is the under cabinet lighting he personally installed! (sorry for the blury pic, if our flash is off we do not get a crisp picture)

Thanks Honey! I love it!

Comments

Darrell and Alissa said…
It looks so good! It doesn't even look like the same kitchen! We have the under cab lights and love them! You and Dustin can come here and help us decorate and paint a few things- we'd fly you out!!
January 19, 2009 at 1:45 PM
Jayleen said…
It looks GREAT! Your colors look just like mine :-)! You have good taste!
January 19, 2009 at 2:17 PM
Brittany Marie said…
Holy crap, they look AWESOME! Que and I both really like it! I like that you raised the cabinets above the stove to get the microwave in. It looks SO modern! I love it!
January 19, 2009 at 3:56 PM
Brittany Marie said…
Oh and thank you for putting our adoption button on your blog!
January 19, 2009 at 3:57 PM
BrieAnn said…
I love it! The colors are great. I really like how the uppers above the microwave had to be raised - it's cool when cabinets aren't all on the same plane.
January 19, 2009 at 4:41 PM
Shauna said…
It looks awesome Larae! How fun!
January 19, 2009 at 6:44 PM
Rach said…
What an amazing job Dustin and Larae!! Good work! It was fun to be able to see the before, in between, and after. What a rewarding finish to so much hard work!...
January 19, 2009 at 7:17 PM
i said…
wowzers!!!!!!!!!!awesome!
January 19, 2009 at 8:54 PM
thecustercrew said…
It looks sooooo nice. It doesn't even look like the same kitchen. I see you got your microwave under the cabinet. It looks great with the cabinet raised.
January 20, 2009 at 12:01 AM
Janelle said…
Was the painting totally hard on your cabinets? I would love to get rid of our oak cabinets without getting rid of them! Our friends refinished theirs another stain color, looked great! They said they wouldn't recommend it, and wouldn't do it again. Too much sanding. Yours look fabulous. Would you paint again? We have a while, and some saving before we can do anything in our kitchen! Are your countertops granite? Sorry for all the questions! It is gorgeous! I love it! So fun for you! Enjoy it!
January 20, 2009 at 9:08 AM
Larae Taylor Merritt said…
Janelle- The cabinets were a lot of work, but not sanding. Dustin just ran his sander over it. We then put OIL based primer on it before we painted. This allows the new paint to stick without having to do a lot of sanding. Then we chose the color of paint. Dustin painted everything, then he took the walnut gel stain with a sponge brush. Applied it in the creases and on the flat front. He let it dry a little and soak in. Then took a clean rag and a little Mineral Spirits (a gentle paint thinner) and took the stain of where we didn't want it. It took him a whole week on thos cabinets. So just make sure you have the time. I love the look of it. I have a friend who did hers in about the color of my wall. Very pretty. I would totally do it again. Maybe next time Dust will let me hepl even more. He's a perfectionist and likes things done his way. I was the gel stain applicator. Maybe I'll get promoted.
The countertops are granite. Dustin was mad I didn't mention that. We got a great deal! There are a lot of contractors who just want the work. Good luck!
January 20, 2009 at 9:58 AM
Brittany Marie said…
Hi Larae, can you email me at mrsmangus@yahoo.com? I have a question.

Thanks,
Brittany
January 21, 2009 at 2:48 PM
Taryn said…
The kitchen looks so fabulous! Can't wait to see it in person! I love the pops of red!!
January 22, 2009 at 1:36 PM
Kristin said…
Your kitchen looks awesome! I LOVE it! How fun for you. You guys did a great job on it. Enjoy!
January 23, 2009 at 7:40 PM
ChicChat said…
I really like your kitchen. Its so warm and cozy feeling.
Camille
January 26, 2009 at 1:28 PM
The Bach 10 said…
Love It!!! You deserve an awesome kitchen!!
January 28, 2009 at 10:08 AM
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