Monday, March 8, 2010

Deamy Kitchens

I've been having a bit of an issue with my kitchen lately and here is why: it really REALLY needs some  TLC but I hesitate to do too much with it because it is a rental, and Brian and I really aren't sure how long we are going to be living here. It's perfect for right now but we talk about things like moving up a few towns to Fairfield, CT, getting a doggie (no pets allowed at our current apartment), and having our own washer and dryer! We also talk about buying but that is a whole separate issue...

I have to admit I am kind of ashamed to post these pictures - please don't think any less of my taste for interiors! It is not a reflection of me, it is just what I have at the current time in my life. I do the best with adding things to make it feel like mine, but haven't actually changed anything except the hardware on the cabinets. 

THIS IS HARD but here it is, eek!

Now, here is what I LOVE and want! 
  
I'm definitely into the white and natural fibers look, clean yet rustic...
  
I'm also liking hints of blues to remind me of the ocean...
 
I like open shelving with pretty glass containers...
     white, blue, and natural - beach love!

I think with some white paint on the cabinets and maybe a light blue on the walls, I can get this look - doable in a weekend??

images: coastal living, beachcottagelove.blogspot, southern living websites

10 comments:

  1. Hey girl~I think you have done a nice job with your rental kitchen. I lived in rentals for a long time and know how hard it is to "Make do". Your kitchen may not be a reflection of your taste and incredible design ability, but at least there is room for you to dream! Your kitchen selections are supurb. I just LOVE white kitchens! I posted once about my imaginary dream kitchen too!

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  2. Great choices. I would love a white kitchen.
    When I was renting I would have been thrilled to be able to paint the cabinets.

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  3. You can do it! And don't feel bad...it's a rental! I'm sure you'll make it beautiful. The paint will help tremendously!!

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  4. P.S. In Honor of your lovely (and honest) blog, I just added your button. :)

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  5. Hi, there! Thanks for sharing your dream kitchen photos. I especially liked the last one, with the sea glass tile counter tops. And those marble counters, ah, also lovely. Even within a single beachy theme, it's hard to make a choice!

    I just repainted my own kitchen cabinets -- from medium honey oak to "Balboa Mist" gray. (It's an offwhite, really!) What a difference it has made!

    Whether or not you can do it in a weekend depends on how energetic you are! It takes a lot of time to sand and prime so the new paint will stick (I stinted a bit here and there in my efforts and it shows), but it's well worth it.

    And I bet your landlord would be glad for those updates you do!

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  6. You can do it Liz, and it will turn out beautiful like everything you do!! Think of it as great DIY practice for when you get a home of your own!
    ~xo

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  7. I love all your inspiration pics, especially the one with the blue backsplash! I tried painting my cabinets white last weekend and it took four coats, probably because I am lazy and skipped the primer. Good luck! Can't wait to see the results!

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  8. Love it!! I think it's totally doable in a weekend or two! I've painted cabinets before and it does take a little londer than you think:)
    I wish I could have a kitchen like that but it's just not the style of our house:(
    Can't wait to see the finished product~

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  9. your kitchen isn't in bad shape at all! I agree with simpledaisy-- you could paint the cabinets in a weekend or two. I absolutely love fresh, white kitchens!
    XOXO fallon

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  10. It's a real life kitchen, and not something in a magazine - don't feel badly. i think a simple white coat of paint on the cabinets would add a tremendous amount to this cute kitchen - and, I'd paint the walls that pretty blue you have on the tiles of your "wish" kitchen...those two would make a world of difference...as you can see from the time I'm up way too late finishing up emails and now off to bed....but hope my comment helps...I have an outdated kitchen in my NYC prewar apt too and did some similar cabinet painting and blue walls....now it has a retro 1950s feel....

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