Come back soon...we're revamping! July 2019

Our kitchen makeover is finished! I am beyond excited to finally be able to share photos from our completed kitchen makeover! This was a ...

Lark & Lola House: The Kitchen Makeover Before & After

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Our kitchen makeover is finished!
I am beyond excited to finally be able to share photos from our completed kitchen makeover! This was a low budget, mostly cosmetic process. We didn't do any real remodeling and our appliances are all still the same! But I think you'll see that with a few cosmetic upgrades, you can acheive drastic changes in your home. 

Before...
Lark & Lola House Kitchen Makeover
After!
Lark & Lola House Kitchen Makeover
Before & After
Lark & Lola House Kitchen MakeoverLark & Lola House Kitchen Makeover
Before...
Lark & Lola House Kitchen Makeover
After!
Lark & Lola House Kitchen Makeover
Ugh. BEFORE. And AFTER!!!!
Lark & Lola House Kitchen MakeoverLark & Lola House Kitchen Makeover 
Just one more. 
Before.
Lark & Lola House Kitchen Makeover
After. 
{bliss}
Lark & Lola House Kitchen Makeover
The kitchen. About which I posted about here. Has been made over. Lark & Lola House Kitchen Makeover Lark & Lola House Kitchen Makeover

And this is what it looks like now. 
Lark & Lola House Kitchen Makeover
I picked out a pendant jar light from Renew {where my booth is located} and mys husband installed it,
with an Edison bulb and all!
Lark & Lola House Kitchen MakeoverLark & Lola House Kitchen Makeover
I sewed some cafe curtains up for the brand new window.
{Again, you can read more about that process here.}
The new window is so nice and turned out perfectly. I can't believe we did it ourselves. 
Lark & Lola House Kitchen Makeover
I love using the new untiled sill to perch my Ball jars on. 
Lark & Lola House Kitchen Makeover
So this project took several more weeks than expected, and this was just a makeover, not really a remodel. We still want to install some can lights in the corners, which will be great as our kitchen is not well lit to begin with. Also, I'd love a new light fixture to replace the 90s spotlights, but honestly I'm still searching for the perfect one. I'd like something unique.
Lark & Lola House Kitchen Makeover
It was my husband's idea to paint the door with our leftover chalkboard paint {not to be consfused with chalk paint}. It was a good idea, until we can afford a new door with frosted glass which is what I'd really like...someday. As for the chalk drawings...I guess it's just...well...on Pinterest, everyone pins cute FAKE drawings their kids supposedly do. Chalkboard paint is all the rage right now, and has been for a while. But seriously, moms, let's just set it straight: kids don't color "pretty" on chalkboards.
{Pinterest is a drunk and a liar!}
Lark & Lola House Kitchen MakeoverLark & Lola House Kitchen Makeover
To celebrate the kitchen being finally madeover, I reorganized the pantry. Folks, this is what a real pantry looks like. Down with this make-believe! People live here. The pantry is somewhat organized looking, and I spent a whole day working on this. It will look this "good" for approximately 12 hours. #becausewedonotliveinamagazine #theyarealllies 
Lark & Lola House Kitchen MakeoverLark & Lola House Kitchen Makeover
Last year I thrifted the hand-embroidered vintage laundry bag. I loved it so much that I tried to sell it for $25 {you should see it in person, you'd understand} in my booth at Renew. {If you're ever at an antique mall and are shocked at a price of something, just remember this: it's probably because the owner isn't really ready to part with it.} When it didn't sell, I took that as a sign that it should just come home with me. And now it's on the back of the pantry door and it holds our dirty dishtowels until it's time for a wash. #tide
Lark & Lola House Kitchen Makeover
There was no way I was going to mess with these cabinets. They are original, 1957 quality. They are STURDY workhorse cabinets. When we moved in, we thought we'd gut the kitchen. Then we realized these cabinets were high quality, well made. I mean, 57 years and they still have their original hardware!! We're not messing with that. But, I did paint them. I used the Home Depot Americana chalk paint {only two $16 jars did the entire kitchen!}. I chose chalk paint because it doesn't gunk up like latex but is durable and long-lasting like oil based. 
Lark & Lola House Kitchen Makeover
Would you believe...?!?
We painted the floor! 
Yes, painted!
It was a tedious job, just taping off to do checks, but so worth it. Look, there is a lip at each end of our galley kitchen that brings the floor down. Basically, we can always add tile or hardwood or whatever. We could easily make the kitchen level with the rest of the house and install some tile, but for now, to save on cost and to get immediate results, we PAINTED the linoleum.
{You don't just paint with wall paint, however, I have a tutorial coming.}
Lark & Lola House Kitchen Makeover
Around the time that we bought this house, I got into Rehab Addict, which is a show about this amazing blonde chick from Detroit  who restores old houses to their original glory. She. Is. AMAZING. And hardcore. Anyway, the Rehab Addict is all about restoring homes to their original glory and avoiding trends, restoring homes to what they would have looked like when they were built. It was from here that I learned this:
REMODEL TIMELESSLY--NOT TO TRENDS!

Got that?
Trends are for throw pillows, light fixtures, and everything else easy to change.
Watching her show, I noticed how she often pushed these things:
1. Butcher block counters. Because we've been usuing wood to cut on since, like, the beginning of the world. 
2. Subway tile is never out of style. It's timeless, classic, ever since around 1900 when it was created for use in, yes, subways and then caught on in the home building industry for it's cleanliess and practicality.
3. Checkerboard floors are also always in. They also fit the time and style of our 1950s home.

See what I'm saying? It's okay to decorate to trends, but don't remodel to trends. Makes sense! Picking anything trendy means it's just going to look dated sooner. Remember how teal and purple tile was in for about 6 months in the 1990s? Okay, so my blue paint and jar lamp are pretty trendy, but again--those are more easily changed features--and also, in the end you should do what you like. 
Lark & Lola House Kitchen Makeover
With that, we went with butcher block countertops from IKEA. We love them. We treat them regularly with tung oil and we do not cut on them. They were extremely inexpensve for countertops. Did you know granite--yes, granite!--is actually going out of style? {Of course and again, you should get it if you like it! But I was just surprised to hear that because granite has been the THING to do for a couple decades now.} Butcher block might not be the trendiest thing at any given moment, but it's just a classic that always looks good. Also, butcher block is so inexpensive, we could actually afford to replace it every year. I mean, we won't. But if it were damaged or something. From IKEA, our butcher block countertops cost us just $230. 
Lark & Lola House Kitchen Makeover
The apron sink!
Again, from IKEA, the apron sink was on my bucket list. We bought the single basin sink, though IKEA also sells a double apron sink.

How do I like it?

Um....I FREAKING LOVE IT!!!

First, why does every home have a divided sink? We have dishwashers now, we don't need to scrub and soak like we used to. This isn't an industrial kitchen. I don't get it! I fully embraced the one basin apron sink. The baby takes baths in this, I can fit the whole highchair tray in it. I could probably fit all my Pyrex in it. {Haha!} It's large and roomy and I love it. One basin is just perfect! 

Moving on, the subway tile. 
We did this tile job all by ourselves. We've done two tile jobs before actaully! So we were slightly experienced. Truth be told, I've always wanted subway tile in my kitchen. I just absolutely love how it turned out. 
Lark & Lola House Kitchen Makeover
Ironically, if you look at the before photos again, you'll see we didn't change that much looks wise. There was already white tile to begin with, but it was a horribly done gritty grout job. The laminate countertops were also wood patterned. We just traded up for more white tile and real wood!

The faucet was found on Amazon. This, actually, is intended to be a bar faucet. However, I felt it fit our small kitchen and one-basin sink quite well. The Domsjo IKEA sink is actually created with "punch out" holes to fit a sprayer or extra kitchen sink gear with. When we bought the sink we thought...hmmm... let's give this a go and see if we end up needing the extra sprayer and such. So far, we're good. I love the style of the faucet. It has actually been powerful enough for washing dishes, despite being marketed as a bar faucet. It should be noted: IKEA has one-hole faucets that fit their own sinks too, and one is very similar in style to ours. 
Lark & Lola House Kitchen Makeover
I am so glad that we installed a new window for our kitchen!
It was one of those things we didn't have to do, but figured now was the time--as we ripped out tile and sinks, you know? I have to admit, I'm impressed that my husband did such a good job, even the trim is perfect. 
Lark & Lola House Kitchen Makeover
I also love that above our cabinets, there is some space for storing/displaying some vintage goods from my collection. Because goodness knows, I'll never have enough vintage.
{This is why I had to open a shop.} 
Lark & Lola House Kitchen MakeoverLark & Lola House Kitchen Makeover
On the counters, vintage goods we use daily. I love aluminum tumblers.
They don't do well in dishwashers.
{I learned that the hard way.}
Lark & Lola House Kitchen Makeover
I use vintage Ballonoff canisters.
Admit it, your grandma had some of these, didn't she? 
Lark & Lola House Kitchen Makeover

Lark & Lola House Kitchen Makeover
My great grandmother's EAPG sawtooth cake stand is a staple in my kitchen. {Partly because no one else in the house is allowed to touch or move it. It's over a hundred years old, you see.}
Lark & Lola House Kitchen Makeover
So this is our kitchen makeover and we haven't even replaced a single kitchen appliance. Soon, in the near future, we plan to replace our built-in-oven. But don't fix what's not broken, right? Someday I will own a Smeg fridge, or so I tell myself. Until then, here is our kitchen. Just a handful of cosmetic upgrades made all the difference. It went from being my least favorite room in the house to my most favorite. I'll be posting details on how we painted the floors in the near future.

Thanks for visiting me and my new kitchen!
Lark & Lola House Kitchen Makeover
{I love it.}
Lark & Lola House Kitchen Makeover

Cheers,
Heather

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11 *´¯`* ℓσvεℓү cσммεηтs *´¯`*

  1. Wow! I love it! Especially the cabinets! I painted my boring white cabinets a light blue a few summers ago, it is amazing the difference it made. I love the sink and counters also. I bet you are enjoying cooking for the holidays in here, it is so cheery!
    Hanna

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  2. It looks beautiful! Great job, you guys!

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  3. It looks great! I am especially impressed with the painted linoleum. I can't wait to see how you did that. Well done!

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  4. Outstanding. The floors had me fooled. Great job.

    Debra

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  5. I just discovered your blog and I am enjoying it! I love your kitchen. Amazing that you painted the floor! Read about your IKEA mishap. (I go to IKEA a lot). God Bless....your daughter could've been hurt badly or even worse. They probably are/were purposely ignoring you.

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  6. Oh my gosh! I love this! I just pinned it onto my "kitchen renovation" board on Pinterest. So glad to hear you're happy with the IKEA butcher block. We've been seriously considering getting it. I can't believe you painted the linoleum. It looks awesome!

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  7. Hi Heather - what a beautiful blog you have. Love the colours and changes to your kitchen - so clever and great advice there too. I'm off to keep browsing around. Thanks for you inspiration.

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  8. Love it. We are remodeling and also putting in the ikea sink and butcher block counters. Debating tung oil or Waterlox - how has the tung oil held up?

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    1. I'd be inclined toward the Waterlox, I read some good things about it but didn't use it myself. The tung oil has done a nice job, but I disliked how it would stick to the grout at the bottom our backsplash tile where it meets the counter. Gives it a yellowish hue, which can be scrubbed out but it takes some elbow grease.

      Our countertop has since picked up a couple stains too. We've been able to sand them out for the most part, but it's definitely acquired a couple spots of "use" on it. Still, I love it and would choose the same countertop today.

      Now the floors on the other hand...we'll be tiling soon! Thanks for the comment :)

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  9. I know this is a little late...I love all the vintage things you have! Pyrex love! The blue cabinets are adorable. But I would have left the 4 inch square Mexican style tile backsplash...I love Mexican style tilework. They're handmade and will always look "rustic", which I like. And I'm not a fan of subway tile (reminds me of my elementary school). But your kitchen re-do is fantastic!

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  10. I like the colors you used. It kinda looks like oldschool Jadite. I fell in love with that color from Martha Stewart :)

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