We sure know how to holiday around here. As a Christmas gift to each other, we’re tackling the kitchen remodel. Tuesday evening, Ben removed the bay of 2 feet deep pantry cabinets. He was able to get each one out fully intact, so they’re in the garage, waiting for a new home.
Christmas Eve morning, we picked up 10,000 pounds of slate tile for the kitchen and pool house. After Ben and a friend unloaded it all, the remodel literally started with a bang. Ben was itching to knock out this wall. Unlike our last kitchen remodel, this wall is not load bearing, thanks to free span trusses.
All the planning and ideas of how this would look still didn’t prepare us for the result. It’s amazing how open everything is! We could host a cooking show in here now. Okay, not right now. Maybe once we’re finished.
Over the weekend, we installed pine tongue and groove ceiling planks. Keeping the kitchen functional as long as possible is our goal, so the ceiling was something we could work on without interrupting anything else.
Replacing the large flourescent light with 6 inch cans and LED bulbs has really changed the mood of the room.
Soft light radiates down, rather than the surgical light before. After finishing the ceiling, we started emptying and removing cabinets. Instead of this:
We’ve got this:
Fridge in the dining room. Clutter all over the counters until we get more bins to pack everything away.
A wonderfully large opening connecting the rooms.
And loads more work ahead of us.
Next up, removing upper cabinets, spraying the ceiling white, and then out with everything else.
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I am a silent follower of your blog, but no more! I love how you make a plan and go for it. This kitchen re-do is going to be the best series yet!
Hi Wendy!
Glad to hear from you! It seems we’re pretty impatient when if comes to plans and action. Not much delay there once we’ve made up our minds. 🙂 So excited to chug along and share more.
Thanks!
Amanda
I love, love, love, this ceiling. Can’t wait to do one like this in our home. 🙂
Thanks, Lisa! It’s so much nicer looking than the old knock down ceiling. 🙂
Thanks!
Amanda
The transformation is amazing! I love how open it looks and the ceiling is incredible. Y’all are such a great team!
Hey Julia!
Isn’t that crazy different?! We’re so excited to have everything open and more functional.
Thanks!
Amanda
Wow – amazing what taking down the wall did for your space! The openness is great. From the pictures it appears to have given more definition separating the dining room and family room area. I too admire how you have made a plan and are now tackling it. Can’t wait to see the project unfold!!
Hi Nikkoferrous!
It’s wonderful having the rooms flow together. So much easier for entertaining and dealing with kids. We can see everything now. 😉
Thanks!
Amanda
So awesome! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Thanks, Pinetreehome! 🙂
Wow. The new ceiling is amazing! I was worried it’s look too busy or heavy since the ceiling isn’t super tall but oh my gosh, it’s so deliciously cozy…as if that was the way the kitchen was always meant to be. Bravo.
Hello Selenablake!
That’s what’s so funny about tongue and groove. It seems like it’d lower everything and feel really dark. But it’s sleek and doesn’t really attract a lot of attention. And it’s so much nicer looking than the old knock down that was there before.
Thanks!
Amanda
Have you guys ever considered raising/vaulting a ceiling?
Hey Selena!
I love the look and open feeling vaulted ceilings give, but it’s not an option with this house. Our trusses are free span, so the roof wouldn’t have adequate support. I’m also not sure I could handle a project that all encompassing right now. Eek, so much stuff to relocate. 😁
Thanks!
Amanda
Oh my word!! It looks fantastic!! I love the direction that you are going…can’t wait to see the next step!!
Thanks so much, Myssie! It’s going to take a while, but we’re excited to knock things out.
Thanks!
Amanda
What a difference that makes!! I can’t wait to see what happens next!
Hi Esther!
It’s so different and great now! We’re working away, trying to get things done. More updates to follow. 🙂
Thanks!
Amanda
Wow, it looks AMAZING! So exciting 🙂 Can’t wait to see how it unfolds!
Aww, thanks, Sara! More to come.
You know I would NOT paint the ceiling, but we have had this talk B4. I think it is looking good though.
Hi Robert!
I know, and this pine is actually pretty, but the white will look sleek and great. 🙂
Thanks!
Amanda
Excited!! Love your blog and love your ideas
Aww, thanks, Joanna! 🙂
That ceiling is so beautiful! I might be in the minority here, but I actually love the natural pine color and wouldn’t paint it white. I’m sure it will look great either way, though!
Hey Amanda!
I do like it, but I think the white will look best with the overall kitchen and our house. It’s really pretty though.
Thanks!
Amanda
AMAZING! can’t wait to watch the progress! 🙂
Thanks so much Kristen! Stay tuned for more. 😀