Do you ever get the itch for change?
Of course you do. We all do.
Unless you are a statue. But then you most likely would not be reading these words today if you’re one of those.
But then again, if you were a statue, you would probably be Jonesing for change all the livelong day…you would just be rendered incapable of it.
Poor lil statue-friends.
But back to the point at hand. I was itching for change. So I made a lot of them.
Changes, not itches.
In between the sucker punches, I’ve spent the past several months reconfiguring the first floor of my home, assisted by the brilliant mind and loyal friendship of Mindy from Styled Living. Each room has been given a new design or purpose. I’ll show you around in time.
Today? I’d like to start in the kitchen. The room in which I decided that I’d be better off without my kitchen table.
No, we’re not eating off the floors. Although The Small One did propose the idea when I announced my plans to do away with the behemoth thing.
The table, not The Small One.
Again: The point at hand. This is what my kitchen looked like prior to the redesign.
Photo courtesy of styledlivingblog.com
This one, too.
It was a great kitchen. With a great table. But I had this vision…a vision in which my Happy Hour(s) guests didn’t all stand cramped around that smallish island…a vision of a streamlined space which could accommodate meal preparation, homework, before school breakfasts, casual weeknight dinners…and yes…the occasional sizable Happy Hour(s).
And so?
We did away with the table.
Kitchen prep space on the lower section…homework and eating space on the upper…two paint cans and my yellow down jacket in the back right corner…{I will never learn to properly stage a photograph}
The super-sized cabinets afford us tons of added storage. The Cherubs fit neatly under the bar, and, with the snap of a padlock? It’s a convertible time-out space.
Serious Happy Hour(s) functionality abounds.
And…when you consider the expense of a complete kitchen overhaul, the price tag on this project was modest by comparison.
Yet it still satisfied my itch for change.
And the kitchen table?
Oh, it’s tucked away safely in storage. It’s a nice piece, and perhaps it will be put to use again one day.
But in the meantime?
We’re better off without it.
pssssst…itching for some more eye candy? Follow me on Pinterest. All of my home projects…and tons of other goodies…are organized there.
Inspired by a prompt from Mama Kat
I have to admit when I first read the title of this post I was nervous to open it and read what you had gotten “rid of”. A flurry of ideas raced through my brain.
Having first hand knowledge of THIS fabulous purge….I am excited that you love it so much. Some of my crazy ass design ideas are not easily embraced by friends and family far and wide
. You rocked this idea and the new addition to your family has become one of my favorite “watering holes”. And dinner spots. And Nutribullet 101 testing grounds. And coffeehouses….. I heart your new addition(S)!
(that’s my spin…)
Heee! I knew I’d make some locals click over with that teaser. Love your crazy ass!
Wow, I love it!! Definitely a better commune area. You must be in heaven every time you walk in!
I’m looking into having a little blow-up mattress installed to fit the lower work surface. Then I’d NEVER, EVER have to leave, Kat.
Eff You,
Signed Girl with a kitchen that was ripped out the day after Christmas because her husband thought that it was a good idea and now they must eat in the basement and her carpet is getting jacked up and there is a microwave that is in the way of the bar and she can’t drink as much and she needs to because she is living in her basement.
I felt the love in that eff you, Kimberly. Come visit anytime.
Oooh I love how your kitchen looks like! So cozy and the drinks looks delicious!
You’re invited for Happy Hour(s) anytime, Maureen. It’s only…what…a ten hour flight? xo
*Takes a drink* Thank you.
The kitchen looks fabulous. I am jealous of the space. Our kitchen is incredibly tiny.
Most welcome, Amber. Good to see you here!
WOW! That looks gorgeous and EXACTLY what I need in my kitchen. We have a very similar space and people always end up standing around the island!!! Why do they do that?? Thanks for a great idea. Love it!
I know, right? No matter the size of the island, peeps always gather around it. Human nature, I guess.
“The Cherubs fit neatly under the bar, and, with the snap of a padlock? It’s a convertible time-out space.”
You didn’t think we’d catch that, did you? Love it! And your kitchen is beautiful. If I promise to bring wine AND cheese, can I come over???
Thanks for linking up to KetchupWithUs, Sue. Please come back and see us again on the 1st.
Oh, darlin. I never doubted you for a second. xoxo
what a perfect solution
to a sticky problem
i love people who love to entertain
and design their homes around the idea
of hospitality
thank you for sharing
your beautiful kitchen
at Fridays Unfolded!
Alison
No…thank *you* for your hospitality! So glad to have found you, Alison! We’re going to be friends. I can feel it in my cabinets.
Absolutely love it! Change is good! Everyone congregates in our kitchen when we entertain as well, and when we put in our addition years ago, we had that in mind.
It’s fun to make your house really “yours…” to suit your family’s own needs.
Very creative and by the way, it looks great! What I like best is that it’s different from everyone else”s kitchen. Nice…well done!