Hailey’s Kitchen Remodel

When I married my husband, I also married the quirky 1940s cape cod that my husband had purchased before we met. Since then, we have been slowly working to give our home some much-needed love. I have been blessed with great teammates; most of my projects could not be realized without my architect husband and contractor father! One of the biggest projects we have tackled so far is our kitchen remodel. With the exception of the electrical, tile work, and installation of the countertops, all demolition, design, and construction was completed by my father and husband. Despite needing to utilize the inherently small space that owning a cape cod guarantees, the final product maximizes storage and work space without feeling cluttered or claustrophobic. To achieve this, we made conscious choices in design. All outlets are hidden under the cabinets along with under-cabinet lighting; this allows for a crisp, uncluttered backsplash and a clean, well-lit workspace. Smaller appliances such as the microwave and toaster oven have been kept off the counter because we do not use them regularly. We also minimized the use of open shelving; I prefer closed cabinetry for the storage capacity and keeping dust and kitchen grime off dishes. Lighter-color cabinets, paint, and backsplash were chosen to maximize the natural light in the room and give it a more open feel. I have loved the result both for its simplicity and functionality and do not miss my 1940s mint green kitchen cabinets at all!

Initial Layout Ideas and Sketches

Experimenting with different layouts based on our specific kitchen measurements gave us the basis to discuss the benefits and potential pitfalls to each layout. To keep the project in budget, we needed to work around existing radiators, doorways and plumbing.

The Refrigerator

Our cabinets were designed around our refrigerator (not recommended!). The proudest and most relieved I’ve ever seen my husband was when we confirmed that the fridge doors would open fully. Here’s hoping that we will find a similarly-dimensioned fridge in the future!

The Coffee Station

Our antique coffee grinder was a gift from my husband’s grandmother and the banana art was purchased at a MICA student art sale. The wood for the open shelving was sourced from old lumber that my father-in-law was hoarding in an old shed.

Under-cabinet Lighting, Outlets and Counters

For the countertops, we loved the look of soapstone but not the price or labor to upkeep. Our compromise was unsealed granite; it has the look of soapstone and is much easier to maintain!

The Pantry

If there is anything that I have learned about myself, it is that I need to have realistic expectations as to my organizational capabilities, budget, and ability to maintain order in a way that meets the needs of me and my family. The pull of Pinterest can be alluring – while I would love to a) be able to afford and b) actually use matching glass jars and containers for all my dry goods, I know that I will never spend time transferring my angel hair pasta to a different container even though my Pinterest board tells me I definitely should. Instead, my goal is to be able to keep the pantry organized for more than a week! This is what works for us:

Baking supplies at the top and bottom of the pantry since I tend to cook more than bake.
Canned goods on one shelf.
Tea and coffee has its own space.
Baskets for dry goods such as rice, pasta etc.
Baskets for snacks, breakfast foods, and bread.
Designated spots for oil and vinegar.

Since our remodel has been complete, our kitchen has allowed me to enjoy cooking even more. From grabbing a pot or pan from directly behind the oven, to quickly stepping to the pantry, the flow of our kitchen helps us find balance in our daily living. Even if it is on a smaller scale, I hope this inspires you to look for ways to organize and refresh your kitchen to bring simplicity and order for you and your family! – Hailey

Harmonious Home