Coastal Collective Co.

Kitchen

Kitchen Makeover Progress and Herringbone Tile Backsplash

Kitchen, InteriorsAnneke McConnell

Hello friends! Be sure to follow along on Instagram and Pinterest for all the behind the scenes, not to mention my new FAVE app Periscope!!

Today I have a brief kitchen makeover update for ya.

*****Update: here is the entire series

Week 1: The Vision and Before Photos

Week 2: Painting the Cabinets

Week 3: Purging, Storage and Organization Solutions in the Kitchen

Week 4: Herringbone Tile

Week 5: Evaluating Progress

Week 6: Kitchen Reveal

 

 

So kitchen news = not so exciting BUT exciting at the same time.  How so???  Well, not much happened on moving forward this week.  It kind of felt like a waiting week and discussing some final decisions about what we really would like to do.

The lighting and window treatments have yet to arrive and be installed, but the backsplash has been up for debate.  Here is a recent progress shot to give you an idea of the backsplash area.

 

There isn't a ton of square footage that we are working with, but it isn't exactly a small project like just painting or what I was thinking >>>>> to add some horizontal planking and extend the white color from the cabinets down.

I'm SUPER happy to say that after talking with my husband, we have decided to move forward with installing a herringbone tile backsplash.  Heck to the YES!!! #happydance

Once I began searching for more options, it became clear that this would look beautiful with our current countertops and add a little bit of pattern and interest.  For months I thought that when we did go ahead with adding tile, we would go with a classic white subway tile, but I absolutely LOVE the look of the herringbone pattern!

Here are just a handful of kitchens I found inspiring for our beach house kitchen.  Most of these have a similar cabinet style to our home and touches of gold.

I'm honestly not sure if this part of our kitchen makeover will happen before the reveals of the One Room Challenge, and I'd rather not rush the decision, but here are a few options I have in mind.  I'm open to your thoughts on these too!! I think the biggest decision will be the size of tiles that we go with.

 

I love all of these options and think they are so beautiful.  I'm personally leaning toward the 1 x 3 sizing in Calcutta Gold but the smaller mother of pearl is so pretty too - what do you think???  I am considering the amount of direct light we get from the kitchen windows as well as an easy to clean option.

Overall, the kitchen is coming along nicely and I can't wait to share the entire makeover!! Thanks so much for following along!


xo,

Anneke

Follow along on instagram at:

@coastalcollectiveco

@coastalcollectivestyle

@coastalinteriors

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Want to learn how to refinish your own furniture? Click HERE.



One Room Challenge: Storage and Organization in the Kitchen

Home Blog Posts, Interiors, KitchenAnneke McConnell

Welcome if you are hopping over for the One Room Challenge!  This was a bit of a slow week in the makeover, but I tackled some pretty key tasks in regards to organizing the cabinets and drawers and making things more functional for everyday. 

You can see the before photos vision in Week 1 and the detailed ups and downs of painting of the cabinets in Week 2 - that was a BIG change!!

At this point, I'm still waiting on the delivery of some key pieces we'll need to install like lighting, window treatments, etc., and debating on the backsplash area.  We're not ready to take on a tiling project, but I'm not sure I want to just paint. Decisions, decision!  Anyhow, it was a good week to tackle the functional side of things.

And look! The hardware got installed!! I'm so happy about this - it adds so much sparkle and warmth to the kitchen.  Installing hardware is actually a slight fear of mine - like "fear of screwing it up and ruining the cabinets" kind of fear.  Even though they make these cool installation guides, our hardware is 6.5" and 7.5" roughly and much longer than the guide.  I ended up making my own "jig" from stiff cardboard and it worked beautifully! #happydance

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When it comes to the storage and organization side of things in the kitchen, I think most people want to tackle it head on, get it all "perfect" and live in organized bliss.  What I've found over the years is that it is truly a process.  Yup.  Needs change, which means the need for various kinds of storage and organization change as well.  Here are a few of the items we currently use and the process I went through to better serve our family's current needs.

 

1.  Purge Excessive Kitchen Items.

Even after downsizing from our previous home, it had been a couple years since I'd had a heart to heart on what we really needed and were actually using.  When space is tight, it especially forces you to get rid of items you have multiples of.

I pulled out a few laundry baskets and began separating items into Keep, Maybe, and Purge baskets.  You can use cardboard boxes or whatever else of course.  I realized I had way more serving utensils than I needed (even when it came to entertaining and having extras), baking dishes, serving platters, etc.  Purging was honestly such a relief!  It's tedious and not so fun, but worth it in the end.  When you don't feel like your cabinets are coming out at you when you open them, it creates a calm - at least for me.  

 

2. Evaluate the Placement of Items.

It has already been a time saver and stress relief just moving items around to different areas that simply make more sense.  We moved a few items down that make it easier for our kids to reach.  A few examples are that everyday dishes and bowls got moved to a lower drawer instead of an upper cabinet.  We also moved down a handful of drinking glasses for them to have easy access to.

 Our toaster got moved from a high upper cabinet to a lower cabinets along with our glass storage containers with oatmeal, rice, hot cocoa, etc. These got moved off of our counter space and I couldn't be happier - clear counters in a smaller home really make everything feel so much more tidy and clean!  I had the room to do this, because I went through Step 1 and wasn't storing as much bakeware in this cabinet.

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3. Group Like Items and Consider "Flow of Traffic".

It only makes sense to put things where there is the shortest "reach" or distance when actually using them.  The coffee maker is near the faucet for water and cups, beans, etc. are all within reach.  This is especially important when you have a larger kitchen.  Less used items are typically higher and on the outer edges so to speak.  When you don't have a pantry like us, you may have reserves stored in a cabinet with a few of each item in a closer to reach work zone.

There is a cabinet next to our dishwasher that is a bit out of the work zone and was the perfect place for party type place settings, vases, etc.  The sun beats down in this area through the back window and skylights at different times of the day so anything in this area has to be able to withstand heat.  I'd LOVE to put a small storage cabinet here for extra pantry storage, but this reality nixes that idea instantly. 

round gold dining chargers / natural round dining chargers / white serving platter

 

Overall, I'm pretty happy with how things are coming together.  I feel like things are looking more of our Pacific Northwest coastal loving style and we're gaining more organization, more function, and less stress.  That's a win in my book!  If you're looking for some storage type of containers for your kitchen, below are a few others that we have as well as some recommendations.  I almost forgot to mention I love using open weave baskets like the ones below for storing potatoes and onions!  As for this next week, I think we are going to tackle the desk/dining nook area, but here's a peek at the latest furniture makeover!! I can't WAIT to share more!!! >>> ***UPDATE: Makeover can be seen HERE. To get on the waitlist for the next online furniture painting class, learn more HERE!


xo,

Anneke

 

Follow along on instagram at:

@coastalcollectiveco

@coastalcollectivestyle

@coastalinteriors

Follow along on Facebook

Want to learn how to refinish your own furniture? Click HERE.



One Room Challenge Fall 2015: Week 1 Kitchen

Kitchen, Interiors, Home Blog PostsAnneke McConnell

There's nothing I love more than a good challenge, especially when it is challenging me to finish something I started this summer - our kitchen.  The One Room Challenge is a 6-week challenge, hosted by Linda of Calling It Home, to transform, finish, or fluff a room sharing weekly updates of their blog.  I've watched and admired the transformations in the past, but was not in a position to participate at that time.

 

If you're new to Coastal Collective Co., welcome!  This is a newer blog I launched in full force this Fall after taking a year off of blogging at my previous blog This, That and Life.  It's been a crazy and exciting transition from being full-time stay-at-home mama for the past 10 years (and part-time blogging the past few years), to full-time blogging now that all of our kiddos are in school during the day.

 

New beginnings can be scary, especially not transferring any previous content I had built up, but I'm having a blast being back to blogging and sharing with you all - my personal spin on everything from interior design, furniture makeovers, fashion, and what I've learned about blogging over the years and balancing it all!

 

Ok, so what about the challenge?!  Our little beach house kitchen is about to get DONE!  Finished! When my husband and I decided to move into our little beach house, he promised I could paint the cabinets white - my dream!! Two years later and this summer I impulsively cracked open my paint can and just started.  FYI....I don't recommend that, even after all that scheming in my head for months.  I had quite the good and back experience through it all, sharing the occasional post on Instagram, ultimately abandoning the full makeover in its entirety once the cabinets were painted and reinstalled.

I was burnt out. Done. No more.

I was also wanting to enjoy the view, enjoy my kid's summer break, and enjoy a functioning kitchen again.  Honestly, I vowed to never do a major project like that during the kid's summer break again. Yikes - but I will share what I learned with YOU, so you don't make the same mistakes I did. PLUS, I'm going to finish, because we still have a list of things to accomplish with the space. You are officially my accountability partner, ok?

Want to see the BEFORE photos already?  Here are photos of our kitchen when we had it listed as a vacation rental.  Yes...most of the time is spent looking out. We are extremely thankful and our move to this home has been a blessing!

 

So the kitchen, although very "orange-toned", was well taken care of when we bought it and it has great lines to work with.  We have much bigger plans in mind [renovation scale] to move the stove, flatten the island to countertop height, and upgrade appliances and flooring, but this plan is our mid-way "make it better on a budget with little mess" plan.

 

Here's the vision and plan:

  1. Make it affordable and manageable with the family schedule - so no new countertops, appliances, flooring, etc. at this time.
  2. Paint the cabinets white.
  3. Paint the walls - which color though, still not sure.
  4. Source, buy, and install knobs and pulls for the cabinets.
  5. Source, buy and install a new kitchen faucet. The current sink will stay.
  6. Choose finishing items: window treatments, kitchen rug, kitchen towels, wall decor.
  7. Tackle the backsplash.
  8. Address better storage solutions and organization of items in the cabinets and drawers.
  9. Address the little nook space next to the cabinets.
  10. Address the dining nook by the window.

 

I'd say that's a pretty good list to tackle over the next 6 weeks!  Check back every Thursday for updates and the final reveal with be November 12th - just before my birthday! Woohoo!  Here is the vision and a few inspirational photos to give you a better idea of my style and the looks I am drawn to.

 


source WS Home

Cheers to the next 6 weeks of progress updates and following along with the 20 selected designers and linking participants. Wish me luck!

****Update: here is the entire series

Week 1: The Vision and Before Photos

Week 2: Painting the Cabinets

Week 3: Purging, Storage and Organization Solutions in the Kitchen

Week 4: Herringbone Tile

Week 5: Evaluating Progress

Week 6: Kitchen Reveal

 

xo,

Anneke

Follow along on instagram at:

@coastalcollectiveco

@coastalcollectivestyle

@coastalinteriors

Follow along on Facebook

 

RECENT BLOG POSTS

Top Picks: Lantern Chandelier Lighting + 10 Tips To Making Confident Choices in Lighting

Interiors, KitchenAnneke McConnell

Lighting has the ability to entirely change a space and a beautiful lantern chandelier can certainly become the focal point of a room when paired properly with the other elements in the room.  They can be utilized to brighten up an entryway, kitchen island, dining area, or even span a hallway or staircase if the walls are high enough. I've used lantern chandeliers in an office space before and they can really add a huge statement to the room while brightening everything with a soft light.

Some general lighting tips to help you make a confident choice in your lighting:

 

  1. It's perfectly acceptable to mix finishes and textures within your home. Lighting can be made with various materials. Your lighting should compliment the room you are styling or decorating, not necessarily match everything or create drastic contrast.
  2. Consider adding a dimmer to accommodate different tasks or mood lighting depending on the time of day and when or how much lighting is needed.
  3. When installing hanging lights, choose a chandelier of pendant that is roughly 12" less in diameter than what it is being hung above.  Because most chains are adjustable, make sure that the bottom of the light is about 30" above the table or countertop.
  4. Use at least two different kinds of lighting within a room, preferably more! From a lamp to sconces, pendants, gallery lighting, etc., it adds dimensions, beauty AND function to your home.
  5. Pick your size accordingly. More common nine and ten foot ceiling heights almost demand to be filled with beautiful lighting, otherwise risking a void look. BUT if this isn't the case for you, there are many options for mini chandeliers and pendants out there today.
  6. When installing heavier chandeliers and ceiling fans, always make sure you or your electrician have proper mounting hardware to appropriately accommodate the weight of the piece being installed.  One that I have used personally for mid size chandeliers and children's ceiling lighting is the Saf-T-Brace by Westinghouse Lighting.
  7. When installing a foyer light, either center it with the window and if that is not applicable, hang it so the bottom of the chandelier is about 7 feet high from the floor.
  8. Dining lighting should be about 50-75% the width of the table depending on the style and room. Again, make sure the bottom of the light is about 30" above the tabletop for 8 foot high ceiling. Every foot higher than eight, the chandelier can be raised approximately 2-3" higher.
  9. The larger the room and higher the ceilings, naturally the bigger the chandelier OR the opportunity to use multiple chandeliers.  Consider two and three tier styles to fill the space and illuminate the room more evenly.
  10. Think outside the box! Mini chandeliers and pendants have been steadily filling laundry rooms, walk in closets, mudrooms, home offices, bedrooms, and even small dormers.  There are SO many great designs out there these days and your lighting can really bring a unique look to your home.

 

What are some tips YOU have learned along the way about lighting? I'd love to know in the comments below!

 

xo,

Anneke

Follow along on instagram at:

@coastalcollectiveco

@coastalinteriors

 

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