My New Dream Kitchen: Before, In Between and After
The kitchen is the heart of the home and in our case this is true, as there is hardly a moment that it is not being used. Unfortunately our tight little space wasn't always heartwarming. It was like being in a tiny claustrophobic box. 11ft. by 9ft. to be precise. Though we have a lot of good memories in that little kitchen, it was often very frustrating.
When we bought our charming little cottage of a house, it was perfect for Josh and I, Israel(2) and our new little baby Judah on the way. But as we grew exponentially, it became harder and harder to all fit comfortably. It was like going into the chocolate factory with Willy Wonka, where it seemed impossible for everyone to fit through the door, but somehow they do.
We of course made do and I learned a lot in that little kitchen, as I tried to make everything somehow fit and washed loads and loads of dishes by hand, and eventually in a mini dishwasher. Looking back now, I truly believe God performed a miracle for us, because it just does not make sense that meal after meal came out of that little kitchen; much like Mary Poppins' magic carpet bag.( for some reason movie metaphors keep coming to mind;)
When things began to get more difficult in that space I started dreaming of a bigger kitchen and becoming more and more discontent. I would drool over pinterest images of big, beautiful kitchen spaces. I would often get frustrated at the kids and my husband that I didn't have an efficient space to feed my family in and would make excuses for my behavior. Eventually God showed me that I needed to be content right where he placed me and learn to make the most with what he had given me, and really it was a cute little kitchen; emphasis on the word little.
As I surrendered my heart and dreams to him, he so faithfully changed my heart and attitude. Though I still struggled at times, God truly changed my heart and I can honestly say that I found contentment in him; right in that tiny little spot. You could say this blog was birthed in that kitchen:)
If things had gone as I had wanted, we would have moved or added on a long time ago, but there might have not been such a great work done in my heart and I might not have experienced the growth that God wanted to do in me. It's been quite a long road, but I am so thankful that everything came together in God's perfect timing and we were able to add on last year.
If you have read my addition updates, you might have noticed I didn't show that much of the kitchen because I wanted to wait for the Big Reveal. I love before and afters! My favorite show is Fixer Upper, because it is so amazing to see the drastic changes that can take place with hard work and great design. (and I just love Chip and Jo!)
So if you haven't read how this kitchen came to be, please go back and read those posts so you can get the big picture.
BEFORE
I really wanted to show you the before pictures in this post so you could see all the room we gained. That whole wall in our living room came down to make way for our much needed dining area. The back wall of our kitchen was the end of the house. With the addition we added on 14ft. to the back of the whole house to include our new kitchen, our master bedroom and bath.
IN BETWEEN
The thing that made the biggest difference is that the wall between our living room and kitchen came down. I can't tell you how long I waited for that wall to come down! It just opened up the whole house! I cried tears of joy when I saw it for the first time!
As you can see Josh did just about everything minus the plumbing and electricity. So thankful I married a handy man!
AFTER
So this is where our old kitchen was. It is now our dining area. One of the biggest things that I wanted for our family was to be able to sit down at the table all together. This is now possible! Josh is going to make me a new table (when he gets the chance) For now we are making due with a folding table, but it works!
Okay so now for the big reveal!!!
After the addition was finished, Josh and I would stand in our new kitchen in unbelief that this was really our house. Our house is not huge by any means now, but it feels so big and open, and just perfect for our family.
Our final inspections were finished last week and I was so giddy to take off all the stickers and give the windows a good cleaning. We have a ton of projects yet to do, but it feels so good to be officially finished.
I couldn't be more in love and thankful for my new dream kitchen. It's everything I (and Josh and the kids) hoped, prayed and dreamed of. I share more in detail about what inspired me for this kitchen in my post here.
Now instead of having to drag myself off the couch at night to clean up, (because even though the kids have chores, there is always more to do.) I love cleaning the kitchen until it sparkles and shines. There is something about getting new appliances that makes you want to keep them looking new. Though I admit sometimes I just don't feel like cleaning...period.
My favorite thing of all about the kitchen is all the light that pours in. It just makes me so happy! I love looking out the window above the sink as I do the dishes. Thankfully I have a beautiful view of our neighbors trees and can see the sun coming up. It's perfect!
A close second to the light and my window, is the pantry. I am SO glad we put it in! I really don't know how I stored everything before. Oh yeah...I remember I had to use our hall closet, the garage and everything basically was overflowing. It's so nice to come home after a shopping trip and be able to have plenty of space for everything.
I also love that the kids can all get their own drinks from our new refrigerator! It's such a nice convenience! Basically... everything is awesome!;)
Looking back it all seems like a big blur. It was such a crazy intense time, especially for Josh. I am so thankful for all the hard work he put into our addition and for giving me full reign( within our budget and time restrictions) to make it how I envisioned. Josh is thankful too...that it is all done and he is thoroughly enjoying it as well, as he is a great cook.
This post has been a long time coming and I am so excited to be able to share our journey with you and give glory to God for his goodness and faithfulness.
There is still a lot to do in getting our house back in order after the addition. It feels like we have moved a couple of times. I can't wait to share more updates and before and afters. It really feels like a new home.
I still have to pinch myself that I have a Pinterest worthy kitchen...it really is the heart of our home.
I pray that whatever kind of kitchen you find yourself in, that your contentment would be found in Christ. Because at the end of the day it doesn't matter what are kitchen looks like...but our hearts.
What do you think!?
Do you struggle to find contentment in your home?
What does your dream kitchen look like?
Need some more small kitchen inspiration?? Check out Shutterfly's post on 80 ways to decorate a small kitchen. Featuring my kitchen!
Linking up here!
When we bought our charming little cottage of a house, it was perfect for Josh and I, Israel(2) and our new little baby Judah on the way. But as we grew exponentially, it became harder and harder to all fit comfortably. It was like going into the chocolate factory with Willy Wonka, where it seemed impossible for everyone to fit through the door, but somehow they do.
We of course made do and I learned a lot in that little kitchen, as I tried to make everything somehow fit and washed loads and loads of dishes by hand, and eventually in a mini dishwasher. Looking back now, I truly believe God performed a miracle for us, because it just does not make sense that meal after meal came out of that little kitchen; much like Mary Poppins' magic carpet bag.( for some reason movie metaphors keep coming to mind;)
When things began to get more difficult in that space I started dreaming of a bigger kitchen and becoming more and more discontent. I would drool over pinterest images of big, beautiful kitchen spaces. I would often get frustrated at the kids and my husband that I didn't have an efficient space to feed my family in and would make excuses for my behavior. Eventually God showed me that I needed to be content right where he placed me and learn to make the most with what he had given me, and really it was a cute little kitchen; emphasis on the word little.
As I surrendered my heart and dreams to him, he so faithfully changed my heart and attitude. Though I still struggled at times, God truly changed my heart and I can honestly say that I found contentment in him; right in that tiny little spot. You could say this blog was birthed in that kitchen:)
If things had gone as I had wanted, we would have moved or added on a long time ago, but there might have not been such a great work done in my heart and I might not have experienced the growth that God wanted to do in me. It's been quite a long road, but I am so thankful that everything came together in God's perfect timing and we were able to add on last year.
If you have read my addition updates, you might have noticed I didn't show that much of the kitchen because I wanted to wait for the Big Reveal. I love before and afters! My favorite show is Fixer Upper, because it is so amazing to see the drastic changes that can take place with hard work and great design. (and I just love Chip and Jo!)
So if you haven't read how this kitchen came to be, please go back and read those posts so you can get the big picture.
BEFORE
I really wanted to show you the before pictures in this post so you could see all the room we gained. That whole wall in our living room came down to make way for our much needed dining area. The back wall of our kitchen was the end of the house. With the addition we added on 14ft. to the back of the whole house to include our new kitchen, our master bedroom and bath.
The thing that made the biggest difference is that the wall between our living room and kitchen came down. I can't tell you how long I waited for that wall to come down! It just opened up the whole house! I cried tears of joy when I saw it for the first time!
As you can see Josh did just about everything minus the plumbing and electricity. So thankful I married a handy man!
AFTER
So this is where our old kitchen was. It is now our dining area. One of the biggest things that I wanted for our family was to be able to sit down at the table all together. This is now possible! Josh is going to make me a new table (when he gets the chance) For now we are making due with a folding table, but it works!
Okay so now for the big reveal!!!
Our final inspections were finished last week and I was so giddy to take off all the stickers and give the windows a good cleaning. We have a ton of projects yet to do, but it feels so good to be officially finished.
I couldn't be more in love and thankful for my new dream kitchen. It's everything I (and Josh and the kids) hoped, prayed and dreamed of. I share more in detail about what inspired me for this kitchen in my post here.
Now instead of having to drag myself off the couch at night to clean up, (because even though the kids have chores, there is always more to do.) I love cleaning the kitchen until it sparkles and shines. There is something about getting new appliances that makes you want to keep them looking new. Though I admit sometimes I just don't feel like cleaning...period.
My favorite thing of all about the kitchen is all the light that pours in. It just makes me so happy! I love looking out the window above the sink as I do the dishes. Thankfully I have a beautiful view of our neighbors trees and can see the sun coming up. It's perfect!
A close second to the light and my window, is the pantry. I am SO glad we put it in! I really don't know how I stored everything before. Oh yeah...I remember I had to use our hall closet, the garage and everything basically was overflowing. It's so nice to come home after a shopping trip and be able to have plenty of space for everything.
I also love that the kids can all get their own drinks from our new refrigerator! It's such a nice convenience! Basically... everything is awesome!;)
Looking back it all seems like a big blur. It was such a crazy intense time, especially for Josh. I am so thankful for all the hard work he put into our addition and for giving me full reign( within our budget and time restrictions) to make it how I envisioned. Josh is thankful too...that it is all done and he is thoroughly enjoying it as well, as he is a great cook.
This post has been a long time coming and I am so excited to be able to share our journey with you and give glory to God for his goodness and faithfulness.
There is still a lot to do in getting our house back in order after the addition. It feels like we have moved a couple of times. I can't wait to share more updates and before and afters. It really feels like a new home.
I still have to pinch myself that I have a Pinterest worthy kitchen...it really is the heart of our home.
I pray that whatever kind of kitchen you find yourself in, that your contentment would be found in Christ. Because at the end of the day it doesn't matter what are kitchen looks like...but our hearts.
What do you think!?
Do you struggle to find contentment in your home?
What does your dream kitchen look like?
Need some more small kitchen inspiration?? Check out Shutterfly's post on 80 ways to decorate a small kitchen. Featuring my kitchen!
Linking up here!
Beautiful kitchen! Congratulations on getting your dream kitchen and the expansion. In terms of your questions, I always struggle with contentment in my home. I think part of the problem too is social media. It's easy to get lost in the many beautiful homes posted online (or home reno shows-I love me some FixerUpper too!). They often look bright, beautiful, and inviting. It's easy to feel like what you have is lacking in some way and to covet what you see online or on tv. It's all about finding a balance in wanting to bring beauty and functionality into your home, versus feeling discontented with what you have out of envy of others. My dream kitchen would just be slightly updated from what we have now. We have an older home, but it has good bones in the kitchen. It is large and open, but the previous owner loved themselves some color (haha). It is such a mishmash in here. If I could update my kitchen, I would repaint the cabinets, get new counter tops, and paint the walls. I think that alone would make a huge difference.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing your renovation with all of us!
Thank you so much!! Yes, I think we will always struggle with contentment till we get to heaven. I love older homes. It's amazing what some new paint can do! Praying you find contentment in him and that you are able to upgrade when the time is right!
DeleteWhat a transformation! I love the window/sink area. Enjoy!!
ReplyDeleteThanks Emily!! I am!!
DeleteYour kitchen came out beautiful! It must make your morning every day to step into it! :) Thank you for sharing it with us on the Art of Home-Making Mondays at Strangers & Pilgrims on Earth! :)
ReplyDeleteThank you Jes!! It really does!!
Delete