In my family I’m not known as a chef. In fact, I think those in my family largely scoff at my kitchen abilities.
It all started when my mother was teaching me how to make spaghetti. By "teaching" I mean yelling directions at me from the living room where she was watching TV.
She walked me through cooking the hamburger meat, adding the sauce, etc. Not once did she mention boiling water to cook the noodles. I am nothing if not literal and since she didn’t tell me to do it, I didn’t do it. I was following her instructions. (This exchange was to be the first of many miscommunications between us. It may have also been the first time I’d considered becoming a technical writer when I grew up.)
Anyway, my family thought it was hilarious that I had made the sauce but no noodles. That story still comes up at holiday dinners.
I told you that story to show you this one.
My kitchen is just about done. We lack glass tiles above the backsplash over the counters, new paint on the walls, and both the electrician and drywall guys have a few things to do. For the most part, though, we’re moved in and using it!
Here’s our beautiful farm sink with it’s apron. Oh, how I’ve always wanted one of these! We opted for the single basin instead of the double basin. I love it. It makes me singularly happy just to keep it clean.
Here are our beautiful quarter-sawn oak cabinets made especially for our kitchen. The color is to die for. I simply adore it. I love all things primitive and arts-and-crafts and I think I’ve finally achieved it in our kitchen. The dark wood is something I always migrate to.
The island. This is the most useful thing I’ve ever had in my life. It has storage, barstools, and plenty of room on top. Don’t you just love the granite? It’s a bit darker than we thought it would be; it’s so hard to know how granite will turn out even though you pick it out yourself. Each slab is a little different. We are pleased that it blends so well with the cabinetry, though.
Our refrigerator (need to dust much?) and (finally!) our pantry. I have not had a pantry in the ten years we’ve lived in this house. I finally have somewhere to store our food! Joy! Rapture! The refrigerator is paneled to mimic an old-fashioned ice box. I found handles at a salvage store in Des Moines this summer, but I need certain screws to mount them. It’s on my list.
Finally, our stove. The double ovens can be conventional or convection. The six burners on top are gas. There is also a built-in griddle (which I have yet to use). Oh how I loves me some gas cookin’. I’m not a huge fan of the stainless steel, but Husband was adamant. Overall, I think it’s a nice compliment to the kitchen–fusing the new with the "old".
What’s that? You want to know what I’ve been cooking in my fantabulous kitchen? Well, I’ll tell you. Cereal and a lot of Scooby Doo Mac and Cheese. I never said I was a gourmet, I just like to pretend in my new kitchen. Maybe my family was right after all . . .
{ 40 comments… read them below or add one }
It is so beautiful!!! Reminds me of the kitchen in my Mom and Dad’s new house…dark cabinets and granite. Two of my favorite things!
They actually gave up one of their double ovens so they could have a steam oven, however. I couldn’t believe that (being the southern girl that I am), but they use the steam oven all the time.
I hope your Scooby-Doo Mac and Cheese tastes awesome in your fancy-schmancy new digs. They are lovely!
Oh wow – it would inspire fantastic take-away if all else fails!
All I can say is OHMIGOSH! It is jaw-droppingly beautiful. My mental image of the cabinets wasn’t one iota close to the beauty of them in reality. Your attention to the details, colors and materials is on a professional level. WOW! KAPOW! HOLY COW Batman!
You could take a bath in that sink!
Gorgeous kitchen, Chili.
Oh my goodness, it is absolutely gorgeous! And who cares if you only make cereal and mac & cheese? The fact that you get to do it in such a beautiful kitchen is wonderful all the same!
Gorgeous, dahling, simply gorgeous.
We all know that the essentials of life like mac and cheese and cereal taste better surrounded by such loveliness. I’m betting your children are even healthier : ) Ha!
Looks great!!
Do not covet you neighbor’s belssings, do not covet your neighbor’s blessings, do not covet your neighbor’s blessings……
OMGosh — it’s stunning!!!
That is GORGEOUS. I’m drooling.
It’s beautiful, Chili!
And I have a story just like yours, except substitute, “making tea” and “never mentioned to take the tea bags out of the wrappers”. I thought the wrapper was the bag. But after years of hearing it about that, my grandmother told me that once she called home from work and told my mom to put corny dogs in the oven. “All of them, the whole package.”
And she did, styrofoam tray and all.
I know how long you were kitchenless this summer but it seems like it was well worth the wait. The cabinets and granite look great together and love your stove/oven!
Wow! That kitchen is awesome! I am so jealous. I love love love everything.
I am going to just sit here and oggle your kitchen…you don’t mind do you? the floors are fabulous, love cabinets and the sink is amazing! So lucky…(wipes drool from side of mouth)…
I have the same situation on a smaller scale: I have a rockin’ cool sewing machine with computery dooflotchies and accessories galore. I hem things and replace the occasional button. But I do it in STYLE, Baby!!
The kitchen is MAH-VAH-LUSS, and your family is blessed. Enjoy!
You did a really good job capturing this in pictures. I’m so glad for you that this is over!
I’m oh so very jealous!!!! That is a BEAUTIFUL kitchen and any cooks dream! LOVE IT!
Buffy, clearly we didn’t know who we were talking to…..lovely.
Your kitchen looks great! The granite is lovely against the wood of the cabinets. Definitely all the components of a *dream* kitchen.
Love it Chili! I’m not jealous because I know you’re going to invite me down for a trial run in it… soon right? And both of our families will laugh and eat and play in that great space of yours.
Oh, and you do know to boil the water for the mac and cheese, don’t you? Or else buy the kind that you stick into the oven for heating. As a matter of fact, why don’t you go that route… just make sure you take it out of the box first.
I have such kitchen envy right now!! It’s just beautiful. Have fun using it (or not using it and just staring at it
You have an absolutely gorgeous kitchen!
Gosh, I never thought I would ever say that. It is a sign I am getting old.
I don’t think I would like to use that kitchen. You don’t want to dirty up something that beautiful. I think you need to go out to eat so the kitchen stays pristine and beautiful.
Please excuse me while I drool!
It is gorgeous! I hope you enjoy it tremendously! We have been in our house for about a month and a half now, and I am rejoicing in all the space, but I think it would fit in your island!
Cook in good health!
Gor-geous.
I was in love with my brand new kitchen, until about 3 minutes ago. I hope she can’t tell.
Hi there!! I just wanted to take a minute to come by and say thanks for participating in my Mary Kay blog give away. Since you showed interest in Mary Kay products by entering the contest, I would also like to ask, do you already have a consultant who serves you??? If not, I would be honored to have that privilege! I will be hosting an MK Web party (at my Mary Kay Website – http://www.marykay.com/susannereeder) sometime in the next couple of weeks, and I will be posting the invitation on my blog very soon. This will be a “Mystery Hostess” party full of wonderful prizes, so be on the lookout for the all the details including the date and time. Thanks again for your interest. Have a POSITIVELY PINK day!!!
Love and Prayers,
Susanne Reeder
The kitchen looks so great that anything you eat in it (including take out) will taste better in the beautiful surroundings! I think I want to live there. In the pantry so my kids won’t find me. ;D
Great Kitchen!!!
Your kitchen is GORGEOUS! I’m so jealous!
Wow! That is beautiful!!! I’m sure it makes the Mac-n-cheese taste like gourmet food!
oh what a beautiful kitchen, I am so jealous!
I am so incredibly jealous of your new kitchen! It’s GORGEOUS! I’ve always wanted a farm sink. Enjoy!
Lemmetellya, ANYTHING cooked in that kitchen is gourmet! ANYTHING!
i just did the breakdance moves on those shiny new granite counters. yummmmmmm
Ok, literally – my jaw dropped when I saw the pic of the stove. jealous, so jealous. It is so very beautiful!!
first comment here…the kitchen is beautiful..i love the arts and crafts look too.
That’s so beautiful!!!! Enjoy it! LOVE the fridge!
I’m speechless. It is unbelievable! When is Southern Living showing up for your cover shot?
UUHH!!!
LI LAA LOUUR LKITLEN…
The tongue and the slobber are in the way.
Coveting. Right now…
The kitchen itself will inspire you. Maybe you’ll make pancakes on the griddle. Then you’ll try blueberry pancakes. Then, maybe, French Toast! Bwahahahaha!
I would kill for that stove! And I would actually cook on it. Lots. (wink)
I think I have finally seen my favorite kitchen.
What magazine will your pictures be featured in?