Rustic Chic Kitchen Remodel: Tearing Down the Wall

Have you ever wanted to take down the wall in between the dining room and kitchen? We did just that in this kitchen remodel. It has become the perfect open entertaining space and we repurposed cabinetry!

Open Floor Plan

Theres nothing I love more than creating bright open interiors. Most of the times that can be achieved with paint and furnishings but not with this project. As most of us know the kitchen is the heart of the home and no matter how large the rest of the house is we all gather in the kitchen. So when my sister Jenni and her fiancé Mike bought their new house they knew that the smaller sized kitchen was too tiny to cram their blended family of 6 around a small table. Entertaining was even more of a challenge. A Kitcheners remodel was evident so we brought in the sledge hammer and tore down the wall in between the kitchen and dining room. The light started flowing from the front to the back of the house.

Before Kitchen

If you follow along on Instagram you may have seen images of my parents 12 foot island that we all gather around every Sunday night for dinner.  Jenni and MIke wanted the same feel only on a slightly smaller scale. The existing cabinets were quality cherry and relatively new. We contemplated painting them but decided we could update the look with new counters, backsplash, wall paint and repurposing cabinets to make the space work better.  Here’s a little peek…..

BEFORE: Bright yellow walls and cream colored counters. The refrigerator stuck out into the room.

BEFORE: Tight eat in kitchen. Loading the dishwasher was a nightmare if you were standing at the sink. You would have to stand away from the sinks so that the door didn’t get in your way when it was down.

Formal Dining Room

Before:  Small formal dining room with textures ceiling, built-in window seat and two door openings. Big double windows looking out onto the front yard.

Farmhouse Kitchen

After: Walls removed and openings maximized. We were so excited to find behind the drywall the brick chimney stack that added to the room’s rustic charm. You  never know what you’ll find when tackling a kitchen remodel! We needed a space for Jenni’s large rustic sideboard. With a bit of handiwork we made it fit in the opening previously the window seat.

Crown moulding was added and walls were painted in Sherwin Williams Agreeable Gray SW7029.  large black iron Island pendant chandelier, a large 6 light dimable chandelier was hung giving the space a light and airy feel. 10 farmhouse X back wood stools fit the whole family and more.

Farmhouse Style Decor

More rustic decor fill the walls.

Kitchen Rules. Shop here for fun reclaimed wood signs.

Repurposing Cabinets

We covered up a corner window and repurposed every cabinet. A second oven and microwave are easily accessible. This area hold all the barware and serves as a dry bar when entertaining.

The sink area loses the peninsula and a Moen touchless high arch faucet and deep one basin sink is added along with new satin nickel cup pull hardware.  Counters were swapped for Quartz Michelangelo and  Carrera white Bianco 3 by 6 marble subway tiles were added. A darker gray grout emphasizes the subway’s shape and creates interest and pattern.

Jenni needed plenty of space on both sides of the stove when she cooks. Width restrictions kept us from putting the stove at the end of the island. By placing on the right she has plenty of space while cooking and gave her the room for extra cabinets and drawers. It also gave her a straight view of the front of the house.

Morning Sitting Area

A antique soda crate from my parents barn serves as a side table for the gray linen tufted chair purchased at HomeGoods and knit cable woven pouf. This little corner is the perfect place to have morning coffee and catch up on daily emails. A white wooden vintage glazed floor lamp adds soft ambiance lighting . 

A silk floral arrangement from my sister’s shop Wisteria Flowers and Gifts. 

Behind the Scenes: The wall comes down. Yahoo!

Contractor Steve makes the rustic farmhouse hutch fit. We had to raise the top bump out a bit and frame out the opening to highlight the space. The window gets covered up but the overall light in the room is 100 times brighter.

Steve builds a custom island and we tape out the size of the counter to make sure there’s enough space.  Faux doors are applied to all side for visual balance.

Faux Painting Kitchen Cabinets

I paint the unfinished island with Amy Howard at Home One Step Paints in Luxe Gray. We distress the the cabinets exposing the natural wood.

To match the rustic hutch I add a tobacco colored glaze that puddles in the cracks and highlights the woodtones.

Jenni, Mike, and the kids couldn’t be any happier with the way their kitchen remodel turned out. This bright and fresh space reflects their lifestyle and is a perfect gathering place for family and friends. Next up was redecorating the family room. We brought in gray washed wood tones and cozy family friendly slipcovered furniture.  Lots of love and many thanks for swinging by! xoxo Amie