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Empowered Moms and Kids

Our Kitchen Remodel with DIY Barn Wood Countertops

(Inside: A DIY kitchen remodel with barn wood countertops.)

 

**This blog post contains affiliate links.**

 

 

I recently read that Pinterest stresses people out and makes them feel like they are not crafty enough.

 

Not me.

 

If I hang out with crafty friends that show me what they have done, I feel as though I have also crafted…just by being around them.

 

It’s the same with Pinterest. I see all the kitchen remodels and have felt like I have also remodeled my kitchen numerous times over the years.

 

We finally took all those ideas and executed our kitchen remodel. (Our favorite inspiration being The Lettered Cottage.) My husband is the hero in all of this. He was the catalyst and did much of the work himself.

 

I didn’t do a good job of before pictures. We will call this picture “in progress” because a few years before we had already laid down the flooring, changed the hardware and livened up the cabinets with Walnut Restore-a-Finish. To truly get the before image you have to imagine white laminate flooring that was cut unevenly and stapled along the edges. The tired looking cabinets were burdened with out-of-date big brass hardware.

The kitchen doesn’t get a lot of light so we wanted to lighten the cabinets. We painted the insides light grey and hired a professional to paint the outsides. We stumbled across a place that made recycled barn wood countertops and we were smitten. Though the countertops were professionally made, my husband finished them with walnut stain and Waterlox sealer. He did 5 coats on the top and two coats underneath with sanding in between. My husband (and his dad) made the beadboard backsplash. The farmhouse sink and light fixtures are all from Ikea. We ordered the glass cabinet doors, though my hubby had to cut the glass and put it in. It was easier said than done. We went through more glass than was necessary. In the end, though, we are pretty excited about how it turned out.


My husband also refinished the dining room table his parents were getting rid of. I painted the base and he sanded and refinished the top. We had family over this weekend and they didn’t even recognize the table.

And while I am on the subject of my husband’s handiness, he redid our fireplace a few years ago. One of our son’s hit his head on the ledge that extended 18 inches, so my husband demoed it. Here is the before shot (well, kinda):

Here is the after shot:

Then, as if he had not already done enough, my husband found a cozy little electric fireplace that fits perfectly in our real fireplace. It’s kid friendly and heats up that room nicely. With this addition, I think I am officially in heaven.

It feels good to finally have our kitchen done. It is my new “happy place.”


 
 I love creating a space that’s lovely to come home to after our over-busy days. My husband and I consider our home a place for us to stretch our artistic fingers. The more we’ve done, the less we worry about messing up. Because when it comes down to it – it’s just a table, or lights or even cabinets.
 
There are no rules to creating a nice space  – create one that YOU like, even if it’s not the recent trendy look. It’s your home – your place. If you want to see some of my favorite finds for the home check them out here (affiliate link). 

Do you want empowerment but are too busy and/or tired to take time to find it? Let me do it for you. I seek out nourishment for moms, inspiration in parenting and the everyday sacred. Then I’ll send empowerment straight to your inbox. (Plus, all sorts of lovely freebies including the below eBook.) Let’s stay connected.

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Creating our Family Space

My husband and I always wanted to buy a home that needed TLC and make it our own. To be a great mom, you don’t need a perfect space! But, I think it’s fun, empowering and even healing to have this creative outlet. I love a pretty, comfortable place to start and end our crazy days in. Also, I posted these pictures of our home in a pristine state – because if you post it on the internet as perfectly clean, then our home is always spotless…right!?!

DIY Kitchen Remodel (With Barn Wood Countertops!)
Our DIY Bathroom Remodel
DIY Master Bathroom Remodel
DIY Bedroom Remodel
My Remodelaholic Guest Post – How to Create a Sliding Mirror Over a Bathroom Window
Sadness Over Change and The Good Stuff It Means {DIY Complete Home Remodel Photos}


 
Linked to Remodelaholic’s Party and Put A Bird On It’s Party.
Cheryl Donely

Cheryl is a mom of 3 boys, wife, speaker, high school teacher, and author of Empowered Moms & Kids. She has a Master’s degree in Educational Leadership and is passionate about learning and teaching. On www.empoweredmomsandkids.com you’ll find inspiration and encouragement for moms raising tweens and/or teens. Read more in the “about” section of this page.

Tags: DIY home remodel, Organization

6 comments

  • Crystal Holliday November 2, 2013 at 4:51 am Reply

    Great kitchen makeover! Would like to use most of the elements you guys used once we are able to remodel. I would be interested in a budget breakdown for the entire project.

  • Cheryl November 4, 2013 at 12:51 pm Reply

    Crystal, here is the estimate cost:

    Countertop=$700 (The counter was unfinished. We spent about $100 more to buy the stain and Waterlox to finish it. We mixed a little Walnut stain with the Waterlox to give it the darker color. We also considered sanding down and finishing the butcher block countertops from Ikea which would have cost even less.)
    Floors=just under $1000 (We did them ourselves. It is not real wood but the high end laminate. We love it. Wears well and looks just like wood.)
    Appliances=around $4000
    Paint=$1200 (We hired someone to paint the outsides and he included the paint in the cost.)
    Glass doors=$60 each (We ordered them online, but then we had to buy glass from Home Depot to insert. The glass was cheap, around $5 for a 16 in x 20 in piece)
    New hardware = around $200-$250 (I shopped ebay for the cup pulls and bought the handles in big packets at Home Depot.)
    Sink=$300 (Ikea)
    Facet=$160 (Ikea)
    Pennant Lights =$30 each (Ikea)
    Rug = $20 (Ikea)

    Thanks for your nice words about our kitchen makeover!

  • Kaylor Little December 28, 2013 at 12:27 am Reply

    It is beautiful! Visiting from the Remodelaholic party.

  • Cheryl December 31, 2013 at 5:59 pm Reply

    Thanks Kaylor!

  • Essie Reed June 28, 2016 at 6:31 am Reply

    Well, I don't think you should limit yourself to calling yourself "crafty", after looking at the work you've accomplished (which is truly impressive, by the way) I think you may have to call yourself "handy" instead! Don't worry about keeping up with the Joneses on Pinterest, you can hang out with the Smiths on any home improvement site. Looks great!

    Essie Reed @ Valley Home Improvement

  • sinceibecameamom October 19, 2016 at 3:49 pm Reply

    Loved this comment! Thanks!

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