Hummingbird High’s Kitchen Remodel, Pt. III: After
This is the final part of my three-part renovation diary for my kitchen remodel that happened last summer. In this post, I give a tour of my kitchen AFTER the remodel. To see the kitchen before the remodel, check out Part I: Before. To hear more about my kitchen design plans, check out Part II: Inspiration. Thanks for following along!
After half a year, I’m finally revealing my kitchen! A big thanks to my incredibly talented photographer friend Celeste for taking these beautiful photos of my kitchen. For the last few months, I’ve been sharing bits and pieces on Instagram. But now it’s finally time for the official tour! Here we gooooo:
BEFORE/AFTER: THE SINK AREA
So remember this hot mess? Complete with a sink leaking into the wall of the house, 18-inch depth countertops, a window that I couldn’t open since it was painted shut and no dishwasher resulting in a setup of two space-consuming dish racks perpetually full of drying pots and pans?
Well, now it’s THIS:
Although I did lose some of the old house charm (in particular, I’m sorry to see the black tile border and the ventilated cabinets under the sink go), the sink area is much more timeless and functional with the white subway tile and neutral rectangular cabinetry.
Can we just take a second to acknowledge the dishwasher next to the sink? Prior to the remodel, I hadn’t had a dishwasher in years. And let me tell you something, guys — Erlend and I get in to so many less fights now that we have a dishwasher. It’s crazy how many of our fights were related to washing and leaving dirty dishes in the sink.
In the end, despite some initial reservations, I went with the double bowl farmer’s sink from Ikea that some of my blogger friends had warned against. It was just too cheap, huge and pretty not to buy. Although I sometimes panic when I wash off things with particularly colorful ingredients like turmeric or beets, staining hasn’t been a problem yet — everything can be cleaned off with citrusy soap, salt and elbow grease. Also that faucet deserves some praise: it reaches all corners of the huge sink, and its spraying capacity is out of this world. Washing sheet pans and giant woks has never been easier.
My neighbors used to grow bamboo in their garden, turning their house into some sort of mini bamboo farm in the 70s and 80s. My own house benefits from this funky bit of Southeast Portland history — even though a new set of owners lives there now, they left a lot of the old bamboo farm’s greenery and a huge, verdant, blooming wall made of bamboo and other trees divides my house from my neighbor’s house. This is what the window looks out onto; the view is nothing but green, green and more green. Also since the window faces west, it lets in a lot of great light in the late afternoon. Considering I live in the heart of the city, this is really the best view I could ask for.
Seen above:
- Dishwasher: Miele Futura Classic 4225 with Cutlery Tray
- Sink Faucet: Ikea HJUVIK
- Sink: Ikea DOMSJÖ Double Bowl
- Rug: World Market Cardinal Concentric Braided Rug (no longer available)
- Pendant Light: West Elm Mini Industrial Glass Pendant + West Elm Spiral Edison Bulb
- Plants: Artemisia Portland (succulent) + New Seasons Market (eucalyptus)
- Bowls: Anthropologie Mini Latte Bowls
BEFORE/AFTER: THE RANGE AREA
This is where I used to cook. A dimly lit side of the kitchen with no hood, excessive and oddly sized storage that wasn’t actually all that useful leading to tons of clutter:
- Hood: Vent-A-Hood K30 Pro Series
- Range: KitchenAid Architect Series II 5-Burner Gas Double Oven Range
- Fridge: KitchenAid Architect Series II French Door Refrigerator
- Cutting Board: Madeira Bread Board
- Salt Jar: Ikea KORKEN
- Butter Dish: Anthropologie (no longer available, but this is similar and very cute)
BEFORE/AFTER: THE “FRIDGE” AREA
Well, I turned the area into something glorious. Something I hardly believe I have myself. Something that causes me to pinch myself everyday to make sure that it’s real.
I turned it into a baking station:
Now if you look closely, you can see how nerdy I really am — not only have I used a freakin’ professional label maker to label all my jars, I’ve also included the weight and volume measurements per ingredient. For instance, my giant jar of flour has two stickers: a label declaring it as all-purpose flour and a sticker reminding me that “1 CUP = 5 OUNCES”.
BAKE NERD 4 LYFE.
- Mixer: KitchenAid 5-Quart Artisan Stand Mixer in Pistachio
- Jars: Oggi Acrylic Jumbo Canisters, Oggi 5-piece Acrylic Canister Sets, Kerr Wide Mouth 32oz. Mason Jars and Weck 7.4oz Tulip Jars
- Gallery Photo Frames: Ikea RIBBA frames (small and medium) and Ikea VIRSERUM frames (medium and large)
This is the result:
With the arch gone, I was able to expand the counters along the sink, giving me more counter and cabinet space than before. It made a world of a difference, really opening up the kitchen and streaming in more natural light than before.
Remember that a goal I had for my remodel was to be able to turn the kitchen into a place where we would actually enjoy lingering. I think this nook does that — the windows let in lots of lovely light, which makes it the perfect place to enjoy breakfast and lunch. Even at dinnertime, one of us is usually hanging out in the nook while the other person is cooking or cleaning in the kitchen.
Another favorite detail of mine are the built-in benches. Having built-in benches saved us a ton of space, especially when compared to having a table and four separate chairs. I made sure that the benches had extra storage space underneath — the end of each bench has a cabinet door that opens to reveal storage space the depth of each bench. Pretty nifty, huh?
Seen above:
- Light Fixture: Schoolhouse Electric Factory Light No. 4 Pendant
- Table: CB2 Odyssey White Dining Table
- Chair: Crate & Barrel Vienna Yellow Side Chair
- Shelf: modified Ikea EKBY JÄRPEN / EKBY BJÄRNUM shelf
- Frame: Ikea RIBBA (featuring this funfetti anniversary cake!)
- Vases: Ikea SOCKERÄRT and Stumptown Cold Brew with flowers from New Seasons
- Terrarium: Artemisia
- Chopping Board: Ikea DOMSJÖ
- Animal Figurines: World Market Paper Safari Animal Ornaments (no longer available)
And there you have it!
Before I head out, however, I wanted to take some time to reflect. Back in January, Food52 ran an Instagram contest asking folks to share their tidy kitchens. Mine was one of the kitchens regrammed. While most of the comments were overwhelmingly positive, I noticed a handful on my picture and others regrammed that accused Food52 of only picking high-end kitchens that only rich people could afford. Some Instagrammers even left comments that the kitchens looked unlived in, and that many were purely for form and show.
Here’s the truth: yes, the remodel was crazy expensive — I’m embarrassed to say that it cost more than half of my annual salary, even despite consciously choosing several lower-end options (stock cabinetry and lots of Ikea, for instance). And here’s how I was able to afford it. It’s not sexy, but here’s my formula:
Lots of saving, sacrifice and help.
What does that mean? Saving high-paying bonuses from stressful, soul-sucking jobs that were so awful that I cried of relief and exhaustion every time I left the office. Living with too many immature and careless roommates who I absolutely hated and treated me disrespectfully for way too long. Guiltily borrowing a little bit of cash from my incredibly generous parents. But these are the sort of things that you don’t see on the blog, and it’s far too easy to sit back and judge. And even despite it all, I still know how incredibly lucky and privileged I am in the first place to have had all those opportunities, even the ones that left me feeling miserable and racked with guilt.
As for the claims that my kitchen looked unlived in and unused, I actually laughed out loud. Of course my kitchen doesn’t look like the picture you saw on Instagram!!! Hell, my kitchen doesn’t even really look like the pictures you see above! In reality, there’s a large unphotogenic drying rack by the sink, the double oven range is always splattered with grease and, on the counter, there’s a massive clear jar of fermenting rice that looks remarkably like vomit that Erlend’s studiously trying to coax into wine. There’s almost definitely a stack of dirty dishes in the sink and weird sticky puddles on every surface of the kitchen. But who wants to see that?
People come to Blog Land because we like the glimpses into other people’s lives; it allows us to quit our jobs and vicariously live in beautifully restored barnhouses in provincial France, wear designer clothing that we can’t afford and eat exotic food from far-reaching corners of the world without gaining a single pound. Bloggers are more than happy to provide that escape, but it’s important to remember that these are exaggerated moments and that what you’re seeing is everything at its best/shiniest/happiest/most Pinterest-worthy. It’s a rotten game to start comparing yourself to such unrealistic standards, and it’s one that is ultimately impossible to win. Because outside the frame of every shiny, sparkling picture, all of us have dirty dishes, shabby furniture and ugly rooms too.
We definitely have the same taste. I love the white on white look. I wanted the butcher block too but heard too many bad things to move in that direction. I cannot wait to see what you decided on.
wow, GOOD CALL on all of these things. i wish i had you echoing in my head when we did our kitchen! we are almost a year into a our new kitchen and i am kicking myself for going with all of my favorite pinterest looks. i mean, ok, i still like looking at the farm sink and the butcher block counters, and the white cabinets. but the counters have been really really worn and oh, if i never had to have another freakout about cleaning our white sink and white cabinets, i would be a happy camper. it's all a learning process, but i am glad that you learned it before going through it all!!! it sounds like you are making some awesome decisions that will look great and stand the test of time. it's a shame to hear about marble though because i've been dreaming of that. but ok don't make us wait too long for the big reveal, i am so excited to see it!!! 🙂
I love your nook! The storage under the benches is really smart. I thought if I ever had kitchen benches some day, I'd hinge the seat but using cabinet doors is much smarter!
So much lovely light in your space as well. And that subway tile! And the double oven! (I could go on and on.)
This is GORGEOUS!! Many, many congratulations! I always think kitchens are the most important part of a house. They are there for nourishing. My parents'/childhouse house's kitchen was literally centered around the kitchen. And of course I love your kitty 🙂 x
Okay, so when it comes time for me to design a kitchen, I'm just going to refer to your posts. We are SO on the same page about kitchen preferences. I love it! Also, your kitchen guy sounds like a dream.
First of all, thanks for your comments at the end. That's extremely refreshing and honest, and probably needs to be said more often. Second: OHMYGODILOVEIT. Seriously, when it comes time for me to design a kitchen I'll just be like "Yo, I want Hummingbird on High's kitchen; just look at these pics. See ya." Officially PINNED to my "Dream Houses" pinterest board. Super jealous of your baking and "hanging out" nooks, and I love the prints on the wall, too. Makes me think about how terrible my kitchen is currently … it's a smallish square so it's terrible for having people hang out in there when you're cooking (even though they do it anyway, haha), and no dishwasher. 🙁 But it has its charms. One of these days I'll have a Pinterest-worthy kitchen like yours, AND like yours it will have stains and spills all over it!! hahah xoxoxo
Did they forget about the time when you didn't have a dishwasher? People?!?! I love the end result. Now you will be on MY pinterest board!!
Such a great post!!
1. Double Ovens – One of my personal life goals!!
2. I love how subtle the two-tone cabinets are. Had you not mentioned it in the previous post I am not sure i would have picked up on it. It makes such a difference!
3. Baking station – now on my personal life goals list!
4. Thanks for keeping it real!! The blogosphere can be equal parts amazing and negative. Though, I am looking forward to visiting you on that Provencal barn house with all of the designer goods and plenty of Tattinger!
OH MY GOSH. How beautiful! I think you just inspired me to create my own little baking station area in my kitchen. And don't think I didn't notice that tasty looking, half-eaten pie on the counter 😉
Michelle, your new digs are so so so beautiful! From the double oven to the baking station (I'm already amazon-ing label makers, adding the weight/volume measurements = genius!) to the built-in benches with storage (!!!) I am oozing with kitchen envy. And congratulations, I know how much work and sacrifice that blog projects on top of work projects on top of life take — you 100% deserve such a stunning space — even if it only looks this clean and sparkly about 5% of the time. 🙂
Really enjoyed this post! Including (and maybe even especially) your closing paragraphs. And…double labeling for volume to weight ratios is not AT ALL nerdy! It is SO SMART! And I'm totally doing it the first chance I get! Can't believe I haven't thought of that 🙂
Your kitchen looks incredible! I bet you worked your butt off to get it to this point. I'm so impressed and inspired. That nook! IN LOVE. I'm in love with it all, actually. Including the mini gallery of your photos hanging on one wall. Well done. Maybe someday I'll get to dream up a kitchen like this too!
It's so exciting to see this all together! I love how you did the before and afters– yay (sorta) new kitchen!
SO freaking GORGEOUS!!! Congrats girl!!
Your new kitchen is beautiful! And I'm so impressed that you were able to get such beautiful photos from older posts in your "before" kitchen! I'm totally inspired to get to work in my kitchen, even if it isn't super photogenic and doesn't have the best lighting.
What a beautiful new space, it's lovely to see the before and after and to have read the previous posts about how carefully you made decisions. Thank you so much for sharing, not least your honesty about how you managed to pay for it all. It's awful to think how judgemental people are when you've skimped and saved and worked incredibly hard for something you deserve and a part of your home that is most important to you. Congratulations for finally having your dream kitchen!
I have total baking station envy! And that nook too! I'm totally considering ripping out the bathroom next to the kitchen so we can have a nook 😉 Seriously though, your kitchen is beautiful and so practical as well + your honesty about how you managed to pay for it is super refreshing in a world where design kitchens seem to just fall out of the air for some people.
I devoured every picture! Love everything you did, especially the baking station and nook area. Congratulations on your beautiful kitchen.
Loved reading this post, Michelle! The white on white look is beautiful, and I can't wait to see how your kitchen turned out (going to check it out right now, actually). 🙂
Oh my goodness, Michelle, your kitchen is gorgeous! I mean, that baking station… perfection! I'm totally jealous 🙂
The subway tile is so lovely, and the photos you framed & hung up are beautiful.
As for what you wrote at the end… YES. Just, yes. Totally agree with every word you said.
Such a lovely space…light and airy!! Thank you for sharing the steps of the remodel and tying it all together in a neat, honest and heartfelt bundle. You deserve this kitchen my dear!!
BTW, which brand of Dove Gray did you go with?
wow what a makeover! the new kitchen looks gorgeous!
I love this on so many levels, Michelle. Firstly, the remodel is stunning. If I ever have the opportunity to remodel my current (very ugly/outdated) kitchen, you will most certainly be hearing from me! Secondly, I love what you've said at the bottom and I couldn't agree with you more. Your wise words stand to benefit us all, I think…even the IG haters of the world! 😉
Oh my gosh Michelle, I LOVE your kitchen!! The nook with the benches is awesome, I feel like I could spend a whole Saturday there, with some tea and breakfast, only to linger there with a book. Also, I beamed with excitement when I saw your baking station! The main counter I bake on is right next to the stove (it's the only flat surface with no tile), which means a) I have to share it with my housemates when they want to prep items to cook, and b) there's no plug near that counter at all! Your baking station is a dream!
Lastly, thanks for sharing your closing remarks — it's fun to admire other kitchens but I'm often discouraged by how "out of my league" it all seems. I appreciate you sharing what you had to do to make your dream kitchen turn into a reality. It brought me back to earth (and I especially liked your comments about Blog Land, so true & wonderful…).
=) Ashley-Marie
Such a great remodel and your thoughts/suggestions on specifics are great!!
Ugh, I know. Honestly, I still daydream about butcher block. Thanks for stopping by!
Oh no!!! I'm so sad to hear that you're regretting some things about your kitchen; it looks so beautiful on your blog and instagram! Oh well. It's definitely a learning process though, and there's always next time!
Hahha, he was super knowledgeable about kitchen design, but also kinda flakey when it came to the actual, you know, constructing of it. But you know what they say about contractors; it's crazy impossible to find a perfect one!
Thanks Abby!
Thanks Am! The original plan was to hinge the benches, but honestly, I'm so glad I went with the cabinet doors instead. It's a lot less finicky and bulky — can you imagine trying to lift open a heavy wooden slab everytime you wanted to grab something out of that space?
Thanks Supal! I agree with you, kitchens are definitely the most important part of the house 🙂
Thanks Sara! And also, thank you for following along and commenting on the last few posts. When I was writing these, I was thinking to myself "oh gosh, here I am blathering along — nobody's probably going to read these!" Seriously though, thank you for following along. Means the world to me!
LOL, I guess so. Folks are fickle, with short memories. Thanks for following along with the remodel, Emily! Seriously means the world to me, I thought nobody was going to read these.
Hahah, I'm glad so many elements of my kitchen made it on your life goals list! No really. Also, you're welcome any time at my future barn house, of course. Provided that I can borrow your private jet on the weekends 😉
LOL, good eye Laura! That pie is actually up on my blog; do a search for the "salty honey pie" recipe. And your kitchen is looking beautiful too! Can't wait to see your photo tour 😉
Thanks Katie! And also, seriously, I love that little label maker of mine to death. I highly, highly recommend it. 😀
Thanks Kristin!
Thanks Renee!
Yay! Thanks Celeste! And thank you for taking the After pictures, of course ;-D So many people have said such kind things about them!
I'd love to see your kitchen! Seriously, when I get back to PDX, I'll shoot you that email for us to grab coffee. And I totally agree with you — it's a lot easier to make my blog pretty and clean, since most of my life really isn't!
Thanks Tabitha! I took those photos right before the remodel; I was seriously up to my last wits with the old kitchen. Honestly though, you don't need a pretty kitchen to cook and bake (though it certainly helps) — I hope you get working soon!
Thanks Rebecca! I try not to blame other folks too much; I've definitely been guilty of the internet/Pinterest envy. It's so easy to get sucked into the negativity. But when I do, I always remind myself I'm probably not seeing the full picture — I just wanted to remind other folks of that too!
LOL, Kathryn, DO NOT RIP OUT THE BATHROOM. I know you were probably joking, but my house only has one bathroom (three bedrooms, one bathroom… like…. wut.) and I would kill to have a second one!
On that note, I'd love to see pictures of your place. From what little I've seen, it looks like it has a gorgeous balcony and beautiful light… will you do a house tour soon? 😉
Thank you!
So I went kinda cheap with the cabinets and used "stock" cabinets, which means that I didn't paint them myself and went with the manufacturer's pre-selected colors. My cabinets come from Omega Cabinetry, and I used their "dove grey" stock color.
Thanks Sarah!
Girl, I hear you. But honestly, my experience has taught me that it's still possible to get a nice place and remodel so long as you're willing to put in some sacrifice and ask for help. It's just too, too easy to get swept up on all the pretty things on Pinterest and Instagram and Blog Land!
Thank you!
It is SO beautiful Michelle! You have made me one jealous girl.. you are so lucky to have such a beautiful kitchen & creative workspace. LOVE it xo
This second part got me to understand your process and study. I think white and grey is an option for me. I have to add some color ,so maybe subway tiles won't be for me. And the Quartz countertop''plan de travail'' is a great idea. I know some sellers in my area.
Your last thought was right on the money. It is so easy to get upset when you think others have what you want and the truth is everyone has their own issues.
About this 3rd post, wow. the ultimate result is gorgeous and looks like you have a very practical space there. I think the nook is a success. The appliances made the finish and I liked the choise of keeping your floors like that.