Another phase in the kitchen re-do...

Hello there,
Hope you all had a fantastic weekend!
I was hoping to get this post out on Sunday night, but we were blessed with a nice chilly evening, and so, after a day spent in the garden, we decided to drag the fire pit out and chill with a cuppa on the patio. The evening would have suited a nice Rioja perfectly, but, as it was a school night, tea had to suffice.
Anyhoo, before our impromptu garden campfire, I grabbed a few minutes away from the kiddies to take some shots of the kitchen.

Now, I have to say, I felt a bit silly taking pictures of our run-down, haphazard kitchen... I mean, yes, it has just had a lick of paint, but it's hardly Homes and Gardens... I spend an inordinate amount of time drooling over lip-smackingly gorgeous kitchens (you should see the stack of my well-thumbed issues of Country Living and the likes), and so, when faced with my kitchen through the lens, I saw it with a critical eye, and it appeared exactly what is was: a tiny, old kitchen with a new paint job and a lot of stuff packed in!

Now, I'm not going to downplay my own personal pleasure as to what I have achieved. As for me, it was a pain-staking job... I did the prep-work and painted between the hours of 8pm until 11pm most weeknights. I asked a contractor friend for tips and the best way to complete this daunting task, and I followed his advice to the letter...

... and I am ecstatic with the finish. To be honest, I don't think I could have paid and gotten better...

...but, I imagine for many out there, you look at this little space and say, 'Now, there's a place in need of an update' and you'd be right... but we all have to make the best of what we've got!
So, the cabinets are still old, but have now been refreshed and given a new lease on life. My kitchen is still tiny, but the bright colour opens it up....

I used to refer this room as Dracula's Coffin, because of the red walls and overbearing wood... The picture below makes it look much nicer than it actually was (and even this looks bad...)

Picture from original house specification.

But, now, the macabre look has all but gone... and replaced by a much lighter cottage kitchen... not one worthy of Country Living, granted, but for me, the difference is immense...

Picture from original house specification.

We've still a way to go... the counter tops have yet to be replaced with butcher block...

... all the appliances need replacing...

... I dream of a farmhouse sink some day... subway tile back-splash...

... new light fittings... Oh, and a new ceiling...

... and much, much more.

But for now, I'll take it... I'm happy... happy to have finished painting. Happy to have a space I want to spend time in!

If you would like to read some more kitchen posts, check out why red features so heavily here or read about my conundrum with distressing chairs here!
Take care all and thanks for popping by.
Lx

Shared with Sarah at A Beach Cottage Good Life Wednesday