inside my brain: the kitchen

Warning: This is only the beginning of the decor ideas I have going on inside my brain

Here is what our kitchen looks NOW:

 

A couple of things that I would like to do {on a major budget}

1. Paint the chairs a light blue / teal color. I might paint the table too. I'll have to see how it looks after the chairs are painted. I love it when people mix match the chairs, but I might just make do with what I have for now.

 

2. I want to make this super fun Anthro knock-off light to hang over our kitchen table. {I already bought the basket that I am going to use}

 

3. I might make a doily table runner like this one. Not sure yet. Probably will.

 

 4. Tear out the kitchen cabinets on the to the left and the ones that bend around (to make a bar ... but there is absolutely no room to put stools up to it. So now it is just extended countertop that takes up space and make the table feel super cramped.

After I tear out the cabinets, then I will need to tear up the floor. Then, I want to extend the flooring that's under the table into the rest of the kitchen. I hope that I can match the color. I have the name of the manufacturer, but I haven't looked into it yet.

 

5. Next on the list, replace the existing countertops with these butcher block ones from Ikea. These are the same coutnertops used in the kitchen with the wire basket lamp, and I think they turned out great. This is a very inexpensive alternative to granite or even laminate.

 

 6. Next up, paint the cabinets all white. I am also going to leave the doors off of the top ones, just like in this picture. I love how much more open it makes a kitchen feel.

7. I also want to get rid of our microwave cart that is shoved in the corner, and put a new microwave above the existing stove.

8. While I am at Ikea, I am also going to pick up a couple of this clamp on lights.

 

9. For the lighting over the sink and bar, I am thinking about one of these pendants. Which one is your favorite?

 

10. Maybe not right away, but someday I would also love to buy a large natural fiber rug for under the table.

11. On the large wall behind the table, I am going to add a huge chalkboard like this one.

12. {I told you I had a lot stored up there in my head} I would also love to start collecting and fill my cabinets full of depression glass.

13. {It just keeps coming} I would also love to add these to the bottom cabinets.

 

14. And ... if I find an extra $185.00 I will put in one of these Ikea versions of a farmhouse sink.

15. Since I am taking away some storage by ripping out the cabinets to make room for an island, I want to add a set of vintage lockers against the left wall in their place. So far I haven't had a lot of luck finding vintage lockers in Lexington. I found some on ebay that are reasonable, but I would really like to see them first. I also found a lot of new lockers at a good price. Maybe I will just have to go with new and vintage them myself. Keep your eyes open, ok?

16. One small thing ... I am going to add a strip of molding to the top of the cabinets. I hope that this will make them look a little taller and add some detail.

Can you see it now?

I know you are all thinking, that's all? I know I know I have a lot of ideas. One of my resolutions was to make my kitchen cooler this year and I am bound and determined to make it happen. Not sure yet about the start date. I will need to save a little bit more cash. Unfortunately things like ... pay off the car ... were also on the resolution list. Boo.

I would LOVE to hear from you. Any suggestions, sites, or ideas that you think would fit with the things I have shared :) Or any of your expertise on renovating a kitchen without spending a small fortune.