Makely

Let's Make Life Awesome

You are visiting: Home » Decorating/DIY » Decorate Your Home » What’s Cookin’ in the Kitchen?

What’s Cookin’ in the Kitchen?

by on 68 Comments

I’ve mentioned this before, but I have always found the kitchen to be quite a decorating challenge. I’ve never wanted my kitchen to look cluttered with too many knick knacks, but I also don’t want it to look sterile and uninviting.

So, instead of being beautiful, my kitchen became a receptacle for junk that didn’t have a home. I know I’m not alone in this, so don’t try to hide behind your computer screen and act like you don’t know what I’m talking about. I’m calling all of the Internets out on this one.

I’ll show you what I mean, if you promise not to judge me.

Here’s the wall of my kitchen that holds my refrigerator, cooktop, and most of the cabinets. It is apparently also the place where tiny R/C airplanes and all the paper in my house goes to die. I was actually warming some soup when this photo was taken, so you may not snicker because there is a pot on the stove. However, you may snicker at the ugliness of said pot.

Photobucket

Here you will see a smaller counter, some cabinetry, the oven, and the microwave. You’ll also meet my best friend – the coffee maker – and it’s step brother, the cappuccino maker. You can also see it’s third cousin, twice removed – the coffee grinder. The cappuccino maker and coffee grinder don’t get much use, as pre-ground Dunkin’ Donuts coffee is my one true love.

Photobucket

Next, you’ll see our sink and surrounding counters. Do you see the three elevated bar areas? Junk. Magnets. Just in this photo alone you can see my purse, a camera lens bag, a bowl of “crap” (we’ll get to that in a minute), and some gardening gloves – clearly, all things that belong in the kitchen.

Photobucket

This was the scene looking from our living room to our kitchen. Scar-y. And do you see that silver Nambe bowl there in the corner? Um, yeah. My husband and I got that as a wedding gift and he quickly adopted it as his “crap bowl.” There is just random junk in there – change, receipts, gum wrappers – random “guy” junk. Just in case you missed it the first time, let me re-emphasize that this is a Nambe bowl.

Photobucket

Even our pet fish, Blue, had his own little junky home. I let my then-2 year old son pick out his “castle” and rocks, and I’m pretty sure he picked out the most hideous items ever created.

Photobucket

So, when the Nester announced that she was going to have a Mr. Linky party showing 10 minute changes people have made to rooms around their homes, I knew that my kitchen had to be included. She’s been writing a really great series called “Ten Minutes to a Room You’ll Love,” and you should definitely check it out. So far, she’s covered master bedroom, living room, bathroom, and kitchen.

Okay, I will freely admit that my little kitchen spruce-up took more than 10 minutes. Between the shopping for goodies, finding a home for all the random junk that used to live there, and stopping every few minutes to play Hot Wheels or Wall-E with Zack, it took quite a bit longer. Everything from start to finish was completed while DH was at work, though, as most good projects usually are. 🙂

Are you ready for the “after” photos? Yay! Me, too!

Here’s my long stretch of cabinets with the cooktop. It’s still pretty sparse, but I know that DH (i.e. the cook) would seriously freak out if more of the counter space was taken up by pretty things. He had a secret freak out about this already. He thinks I didn’t know, but I could see it all over his face.

Photobucket

Ahhhh, there’s nothing quite as nice as a clean refrigerator.

Photobucket

I bought a little bronze lamp at Home Depot and added a gold tassel from Tuesday Morning. I also bought an amber apothecary jar at Tuesday Morning and filled it with Zack’s rock collection. I added a little photo of a 7-month old Zack to the little vignette, but I’m not planning on keeping it in this frame (and maybe even printing the photo in black and white). It’s just what I had laying around that wasn’t in use. I wish that I could figure out a better way to hide the wall outlet here, but putting anything directly in front of it would cut off too much prime counter space. I’ll have to think on that one (and I welcome your suggestions!).

Photobucket

I totally stole the mirror above the cooktop idea from Nester. I had this little mirror stored in a closet, and it matches my appliances perfectly. It doesn’t reflect anything beautiful like I know a mirror should, but I really felt like I needed something in that space and it was free. We’ll see if it lasts or if I find something else to hang there. On the other hand, I totally love my little french rooster! I thought he was a steal for $7.99 at Tuesday Morning and couldn’t pass him up.

Photobucket

My little coffee station saw a change as well. I put the cappuccino maker and coffee grinder in the cabinet, since they don’t see much use. That freed up some space to add my two-tiered server that I bought a few years ago at a Southern Living at Home party.

Photobucket

I decided that our staple bananas would look nice on the server – or better than they looked on their chintzy old banana hammock. I also thought it was a nice place for the beautiful footed coffee mugs my parents sent me for Valentine’s Day (I think they are too pretty to actually use). I also added some odd glass vessels I purchased a while back at the Habitat for Humanity ReStore for 5 cents a piece (I bought 5 of them for a grand total of 25 cents!). I stuck another Tuesday Morning tassel on one of them, because I thought it dressed it up a bit.

Photobucket

On one of the little elevated bar areas, I added this glass jar and two finals from Hobby Lobby (all three from the 80% off section, people!). I filled the jar with some Spanish Moss and twigs that I’ve used in other parts of my home.

Photobucket

Next, you’ll see that the “crap” bowl has been greatly reduced! Also, the hodge podge of pictures that were on the right side of this ledge has been replaced with a new piece. I had this hurricane vase collecting dust in a cabinet, so I cleaned it off, added some more of the moss, twigs, and branches, and then added a little birdie.

Photobucket

That little bird was marked down to $1 at Hobby Lobby. He’s all chippy, which I’m sure is why he was on super sale, but the chippiness is what makes me love him even more! See how cute?

Photobucket

Even Blue got in on the action with new digs. I used another glass vase that I had on hand and added three stalks of Lucky Bamboo (I stole this idea from my mother-in-law). Blue is very happy there, and I’m even happier to have the rainbow monstrosity out of my kitchen.

Photobucket

I’m so excited about my new kitchen! It was a pretty, cheap, and simple update, but I think it made a world of difference. It still doesn’t look like it came out of a home decor magazine, but it’s liveable and it’s “us,” and that’s all that matters.

P.S. Don’t forget you have until Friday night to enter the big giveaway! If you win, you could even use the plates to decorate your kitchen.

About Lindsay Ballard

Lindsay Ballard is a former college mascot turned political geek turned roller derby playing, DIY fanatic.

Lindsay chronicles her projects, design ideas, and lifestyle tips here at Makely, where she shares tutorials and inspiration. Her DIY designs are bold and graphic, while her spirit is fun and full of color.

Lindsay lives outside of Austin, Texas with her husband (Tom), children (Zack and Emma), and dogs (Duke and Jill). She plays roller derby for the Rockin' City Rollergirls out of Round Rock, Texas.

Comments

  8. Mrs. Querido says

    Love the makeover of the fish bowl! Of course the rest of your kitchen is awesome too…I am drooling over your fridge. Stainless..sigh…in my dreams. I have an ugly almond-bisque ANCIENT fridge..which I am grateful works, but I wish it were more stylish.

    Reply

  11. These Are The Days says

    Wow…what a difference. I guess I’ll move to the kitchen next, I need some small lamps so I can avoid the harsh overhead lights if possible. Great job!!

    Reply

  20. Lindsay Wagner says

    Ok…I have the exact same backsplash above my stove. I’ve wanted to hang something there also, but I’ve never known how to put a nail into it. Will you PLEASE email me and let me know how you hung that mirror! I am dying to copy it, but I have a feeling you didn’t use a nail!!! Thanks in advance, and your kitchen looks fantastic!!! lindsaywagner03@yahoo.com

    Reply

  23. Denise says

    I had to really look to find that bowl. It brought me back to the Where’s Waldo? days. *wink* That said, you did a great job and have to feel such satisfaction. I wouldn’t dare take a photo of my counters right now. They drive me crazy! I guess some place has to catch the week’s stuff. Until the weekend when I can see the tops of mine, I will just hang out at your kitchen!

    Reply

  28. bj says

    OMGoodness….what a wonderful change, girl. You did great. It all looks so beautiful and just think….you have a clean, uncluttered kitchen that ALL of you are thrilled with. Wonderful makeover!
    xo bj

    Reply

  30. Misti of Studio M Designs says

    Wow you did an amazing job at pairing down and sprucing up! I LOVE Mr. Blue’s new diggs too. What a lucky fish to get in on your venture! Thanks for sharing all of your hard work.
    ~Misti

    Reply

  37. trish says

    Very nice! I especially like how you have displayed your coffee mugs, it beckons you to a cup of warm coffee! :o)
    Sincerely ~ Tricia Anne

    Reply

  38. Becky says

    Your kitchen looks great, Lindsay. I was just blogging about your blog. 🙂
    My husband has a junk basket in the same spot on our counter. He junk is now overflowing to the area all around the basket.
    I also want to know how you hung the mirror on the back splash. I want to hang something there, but I really don’t want to drill a hole.

    Reply

  42. ellen says

    I always feel better when my kitchen is decluttered; maybe because I spend so much time there. You did a great job! We have a “crap” bowl, too, and like yours it is a very nice bowl we received as a wedding gift. I guess I think it looks nice because it’s in a pretty bowl!

    Reply

  47. Party of 5 says

    Oh that’s beautiful. You did a great job. I need to get my kitchen done (not very big and NO counter space). Have idea’s but need to wait til this weekend.

    Reply

  49. Maureen says

    It looks fabulous. Your kitchen is beyond gorgeous to begin with, but you’ve made it even more beautiful. I am a huge fan of DD coffee… it’s how I start (and sometimes end) every day.

    Reply

  50. Remodeling Guy says

    Being the construction guy, I kind of see the stuff that you didn’t change…and I say that you have a beautiful kitchen, even if it doesn’t stay as pretty as it looks now! Very nice!

    Reply

  53. Vintagesquirrel says

    Okay, I just LOVE your kitchen and what you’ve done to it. I have a lamp on my kitchen countr, too, and think it’s a great addition. I also think your coffee station looks fabulous! Go ahead and use those coffee cups (Anthropologie, right?), you are worth it. At least your paretns think so…
    Michelle

    Reply

  56. Sherri @ Design2Shine says

    I love the coffee set up! Got.to.have.it! And thanks for the info about Hobby Lobby! I went after work, scored and even did my OWN 10 minute makeover. Whoo hoo!

    Reply

  57. Kara@ Creations by Kara says

    Your kitchen is beautiful! And in my humble opinion, it’s as good as some I’ve seen in home decor magazines.

    Reply

  58. Sun-Kissed Scholars says

    Oh my goodness, I love your details!! The wooden bird. Oh, be still my heart. And the tassel. Sigh. I’m going to be on the lookout for one now. Nester is making this world so much more beautiful, inside our homes.
    Btw, love that stainless steel fridge as well. Just looks pure silver all cleaned off.

    Reply

  59. ♥Amber Filkins♥ says

    Everything looks so wonderful!! I seriously cannot even believe those little glass vessel things that you got at the Restore. Amazing! I know we have one here, so I’ll have to go check it out.

    Awesome!

    Reply

  60. jenjen says

    Your kitchen looks awesome! I love the lamp – it really makes the space seem cozier! And the coffee stations is great!

    Jen

    Reply

  61. Living With Lindsay says

    Wow, y’all know how to make a gal feel special!! 🙂

    Becky and Lindsay Wagner (who is my name sake, actually – how funny!) – I hung the mirror on the tile backsplash with one of those 3M Command adhesive hooks. It’s the kind that comes off really easily and doesn’t leave a residue. I had to have a small one for that mirror since the hanging hook is really high on the back, so it’s a hook only rated for 1/2 pound. LOL Yeah, we’re not breaking on it so it doesn’t come crashing down. 🙂

    Reply

  63. honeysuckle says

    You took on an awesome task as I think Kitchens get the most use from all family members. Mine seems like it doesn’t stay “neat” for very long. You did a great job in so many areas and what a transformation! Don’t you feel proud? Good for you! I hope it stays that way.

    Reply

  65. Kim says

    You’re before pictures look really close to my kitchen right now! Where does all that paper and crap come from that lands in our kitchens?

    I have that same large tassel that you got at Tues Morning, but I got mine from a little shop on the square.

    Great job on everything!

    Reply

  67. Heidi @ Blue Eyed Blessings says

    What a wonderful transformation! I just spent a couple of extra minutes to read through all of the comments, as well, and I will “second” each and every one of them. My kitchen counters have a lot of kitchen tools and misc. all over them, but it’s kind of getting out of hand, so I’ve been thinking of clearing off more space and only keeping things we use often. This is a great inspiration! Thanks for sharing!

    Reply

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.