before & after
Don't you just love "before & after" pictures? I do...doesn't matter what the subject is...kitchens, fashion, gardens. I found some "before" pictures of our kitchen when I was organizing all of my digital camera photos recently. Now, I'm not saying that my "before" picture is that bad...I still love the little decals that were on the cabinet and was so happy when I found a vintage tin with similar decals...the green tin sits with the vintage cookbooks now. The "after" picture is a little staged (is that wrong?)...the shelves are just as they are everyday but I set the counter space for coffee/tea. I did use stuff that was already in my kitchen somewhere else so it isn't a total fake...just a little prettier than the piles of school papers and such that are usually there.
Right when we bought our house, I remember Mary Engelbreit's new home was featured in Home Companion (feb - march 1999). In the few months leading up to us actually moving in, I spent a lot of time staring at the pages of the magazine...and fixed this picture from Mary's kitchen into my brain. When we finally got around to redoing our kitchen, I knew exactly how I wanted the little cabinet nook to look.
Wow. It was cute before but I love the new, more elegant look you've done! You've definitely captured Mary's look!
Posted by:jona | April 16, 2007 at 11:34 AM
I wish I had a nook that cute! But I do have the same turquoise Fiesta teapot. It's my fave.
Posted by:Andria | April 16, 2007 at 07:06 PM
Oh, it is beautiful! Staged or not it is wonderful. Love the colors so much!
Posted by:Eren | April 16, 2007 at 08:51 PM
Amazing job & so loving the mint green glassware!
Posted by:norththreads | April 16, 2007 at 09:03 PM
If you ever need decals like the cuties on your original cabinets, I sell licensed reproductions on my website, sweetgaldecals.com. I think those Dutch children are among the cutest of the oldies!
Posted by:Maria in Iowa | April 17, 2007 at 07:40 AM
I love the after! Makes me want to redo my kitchen too. I'll have to wait for it though. It must be satisfying to you to have spruced it up!
Posted by:Angelina | April 17, 2007 at 12:22 PM
I love, love, love it! Do you mind sharing the manufacturer of your cabinets? I hope to do a kitchen remodel in the next few years and I love the clean lines of your cabinetry.
Posted by:Jen | April 19, 2007 at 12:34 PM
Very nice make-over...I like the before pic, too. I have some original Dutch kids decals & a shelf trim, but haven't gotten around to using them yet - need to reproduce the decals as the originals fall apart they're so old. Love jadeite & display the few things I have in the kitchen.
Posted by:tammy g. | April 20, 2007 at 11:36 PM
Gosh...I remember that cabinet from Mary's magazine! It stuck in my mind, as well. You did a marvelous job recreating that look!
Posted by:Susan | April 24, 2007 at 02:05 PM