In an old house, there's always something to fix. Cracking walls, worn floors, and leaky plumbing come to mind because they are all on our project list. But beyond those mundane repairs, the best fix is recreating a space to make it more functional and useful. Living in a small old house, every square foot needs to work smart and work hard to earn its keep.
This past year and I have given a lot of thought to what changes we can make to transform our little cottage into an empty nesters' paradise. Since I spend a good amount of time in our kitchen, it makes sense to create a more comfortable kitchen nook for the two of us. So we're taking the plunge, and joining One Room Challenge to make over this space! For the next six weeks we will transform this bitty 44 square foot room into something that lives a little bigger than it does currently.
You all have seen a multitude of tablescapes and floral arrangements on our kitchen table. This wobbly thing has followed me around since my first apartment in 1980. Until three years ago it was surrounded by hungry teens on a regular basis, but now that our girl has a place of her own, guests at this table are few and far between. Out of decency to you all, here's a past photo where the table is actually set :)
All along I've been keeping a little secret from you all. As much as it pains me to reveal this, the other side of our kitchen nook holds this beast
Lovely, right? Um, no. Forgive me for not watermarking this masterpiece :) This huge bookcase has been taking over the room for far too long now. In the past this was command central for school projects and homework. Under the desktop are storage bins, Elfa drawers full of craft supplies and a file cabinet. While this bookcase and desk served us well for many years, since then it has really just become a holding area for Junk and Clutter. We don't even use 95% of what's in here. So we are saying adios to the beast, and in its place I hope to find a vintagey-modern console to hold a few necessities and give us a place for some pretty decor.
And these walls, ugh. I did this lovely texture on the walls myself. Brilliant idea back in the 1990s, not so brilliant now.
What I'm about to say terrifies me to the core, but we are channeling our inner Chip and Joanna and pulling down this sheetrock. Because underneath this loveliness lies the original shiplap!! Yes, I said shiplap, the basis of all great Fixer Upper renovations. WE HOPE. We know from demo-ing other rooms in the house that it's under there, now what kind of shape it's in we won't know until we are in far over our heads here.
Here are a few inspiration photos that I have saved, to give you an idea of the mood that I'm going for.
I love everything about this room, the print draperies, the gorgeous roomy chairs, the mint green cabinet. Found at Infarrantly Creative.
Two comfortable chairs pulled up to a modestly-sized table (photo source unknown)
This kitchen seating area from HGTV.com
I love the elegant draperies in this room (photo source unknown)
From Sarah Richardson
So demo day is coming, and this week I have a LOT of decisions to make! I have surfed half-heartedly through Craigslist for a cabinet, and we have an idea about the chairs we might want to buy. We may purchase a table, but making one is not out of the question either. Draperies, blinds, shutters, who knows?! The only thing I do know is that the next five weeks is bound to be a wild ride :)
Want to read more? Dozens and dozens of bloggers are joining this challenge to make over a room! Head over to Calling It Home and get ready for some inspiration!
I'm joining:
Kim at Savvy Southern Style for Wow Us Wednesday.
Hi Andrea: I found your blog through another blog and decided to follow you on Bloglovin because I'm from San Antonio and just purchased a cottage home one year ago September 1st. We love it and the neighborhood. We are also slowly remodeling and I love your ideas. Keep up the good work. I also have a nook about the same size as yours and need to put in that round table you are showing. I'll send you pictures if you like?
Lamar from San Antonio
Posted by: Lamar Mendiola | October 08, 2015 at 09:47 AM
Your inspiration collection is very pretty- good luck!!!
Posted by: christine dovey | October 08, 2015 at 01:24 PM
How much fun! I could see you doing something like that last photo. It is so adorable! I think you should copycat it!
Posted by: Ricki Jill Treleaven | October 09, 2015 at 07:04 PM
ooooo nice!!!!! Cant wait to see your room come along! So glad to see you are participating
Posted by: Stephanie @ Casa Watkins | October 13, 2015 at 02:43 PM
Great inspirations!
Posted by: Pamela-From My Front Porch To Yours | October 13, 2015 at 06:06 PM
I love your inpsiration photos and can't wait to see the shiplap revealed!
Posted by: Melissa @ Polished Habitat | October 15, 2015 at 12:41 AM
Wow, your room looks pretty nice to me, love your table, colors and embellishments are so pretty. You have very nice things and know how to style them really well.
Hey it all looks so much nicer than our kitchen, no dining area at all. Real estate so expensive for us here we had to buy what we could afford, slowly trying to fix up the joint but have very resistant hubs. He thinks what is, is fine. Sorry but I definitely do not think it's fine. I waited 8 yrs. just to get living room painted finally. I can't do all by myself or it would be done. What you thought was clutter on your desk in room, haha, that's nothing compared to what I have created on my own. This house is so small and I have way too much stuff. Going to get myself a storage garage for much of it so can walk into my craft room and sewing room, it's way past time for it. Hopefully when I get used to not having all that stuff around I'll be able to let it go.
Enjoyed your post and look forward to many more great ones and seeing your finished room. Happy weekend
Posted by: JaneEllen | October 29, 2015 at 09:54 PM