Tuesday, January 17, 2012

the heart of the home...my REAL farmhouse kitchen..part one

 While we're finishing phase 2 of the pantry
I thought I would give you a bit of history of my kitchen...
This is  peek at what my farmhouse kitchen 
(be WARNED-not for the faint of heart) 
looked like
 15 years ago 
when we first walked in the door 
to take a look at our new home...


  • yes, that is the same pantry that I showed you last week
  • yes, it was dirty, mouse-infested, and scary
  • yes, those pantry cabinets were the only cabinets in the kitchen
  • yes, that was the kitchen sink (back in the corner-behind the wall)
  • yes, it was in the pantry
  • yes, that is a chimney and the washing-machine hook-up


  • yes, the  *kitchen*  was empty except for the...
  • yes, that is a  built-in china cabinet 
  • yes, that doorway lead to the bathroom,
  • yes, there were 4 doorways
  • yes, the floor was that gross,
  • yes, I was in love with this house,
  • yes, I had a vision of what this house  could be

and



yes, we bought the house!


without one minute of hesitation...



If you're like me,
 you like to see
 before and afters
and all of the details.


This is a rough floor plan of what we started with.




my favorite carpenters
hard at work
ripping out the old
and 
putting in the new


You should know:
this is how we like to buy 'em.
I like my houses old 
and 
I like 'em original.
I want to work beside  My Mr.
and beside my children
to make the  house into our home.
At a price we can afford.


Here's a peek...at where we ended up.
This photo is a couple of years old-
in the height of my *shabby chic* days.
Come back for part two to see  a few more details
and
to see my new farmhouse style.



White Wednesday @ Faded  Charm 
Vintage Friday @ Common Ground
Farmhouse Friday @ Laurie Anna's Vintage Home
Home Sweet Home @ The Charm of Home
PRIMP Your Stuff @ (PRIMP)

44 comments:

Gail said...

Love that you had a vision for this house! Can't wait to see more.

margits bastelstube said...

dear rene,
thank your for this famous post.
i'll come back to part 2.
many greetings
margit

Jacqueline~Cabin and Cottage said...

I admire your hard work so much! You really have such vision. Amazing transformation!

Stacy's Shabby Shoppe said...

Wow, what a lot of work, but completely worth it. You guys did a wonderful job...I love your home! xo

Weisser Traum said...

oh einfach himmlisch deine neue küche.
herzlichst daniela

On Crooked Creek said...

Miss Gracie,
You remind me of my parents when they bought a post Civil War home in South East Kansas and did the same thing. I was barely 13. I remember standing in what was to be the greatest kitchen ever shivering...I din't want to live there. It was horrible . . .then! THAT is THE house where all of my siblings have the greatest memories. We all took our children there to see "the grandparents" and their cousins. Thank you for having a vision of what could be. . .and the warm memories!
Fondly,
Pat

FlowerLady Lorraine said...

It is a real joy to take something that's a wreck and put some hard work into it to make it home and a thing of loveliness. I love your kitchen and look forward to seeing more pictures.

Love and hugs to you ~ FlowerLady

ALISON said...

Great to see what can be done.....love the way you have it now......ciao ALISON

Anne said...

I am in LOVE with your home.Oh how I would LOVE to have an older home.But it will never happen.Not with my Mr.As I said he is not talented in that way.I can't wait to see the rest.But honestly I see why you bought your home.The bones of your home the possibilities.I can see what you saw.And I know why you fell in LOVE with your home too.

The Mac's House said...

Wow, all that character in the house. I love it. I actually love that sink. What charm this place has. I can't wait to see what you do with it. Boy I would love to get my hands on a place like this minus all the mice of course. LOL

Pamela Gordon said...

WOW! I can't believe it! You certainly had a great vision of how you could transform this dreary space into a beautiful kitchen. I love it! Oh, I guess it looks a bit different now and I can't wait to see the country farmhouse decor. Great job! Pamela

Unknown said...

Just lovely...what a labor of love...I too have done this many times over my lifetime with the old ones. My home now is over 100 years old and I am still having fun with it.

Can't wait to see what you have done with it now!

Diane said...

You have no idea how inspiring this remodeling is to me. We live in an old house, too, and although we've made a lot of improvements there are still a lot left. I've gone back several timest to look over your beautiful pantry. Diane

Sweet Old Vintage said...

Yes it was scary but the transformation makes it all yours and so very cozy ... It is quite unique and lovely.... Hope the new year finds you healthy and happy....

Curtains in My Tree said...

I will be back to see more I know it will be fabulous

I have walked in old houses like yours

love them

" SHABBY JUNK" said...

I like it all. I love old houses so I see past the dirt! Looks great!

NanaDiana said...

Rene- You have done a wonderful job of renovating your home. I have done 14 houses and I like them original, too...although most of them weren't. Pretty soon we will be doing it again- putting this house on the market and starting to downsize...hard to imagine that it is time for me to do that. But, the bright spot is---a new project! xo Diana

CottageRose said...

Hi, Rene'. I just love the shabby chic version of your kitchen. In fact, I love all your decorating ideas, and can't get enough--please keep them coming. Can't wait to see more posts on your kitchen and pantry! (And congrat's on that 'lil granddaughter-on-the-way!!)

Lisa~A Cottage To Me said...

We have lived in 3 over 100 yr old homes in our married life. Our current home of 12 yrs. was built in 1879....love these old beauties. Kind of fun to watch those with newer homes try and re-create what we have isn't it? You've done a wonderful job!

Sheila Rumney said...

I just love how you put a lot of you and your family into preserving a old home. What a treasure!

LNicole said...

How delightful! Reminds me of the state my kitchen was in as well in my 1901 French house. You've done a lovely job.

Jane said...

your kitchen is beautiful!

the old white house said...

What a beautiful transformation! I am still dreaming of your beautiful pantry, we don't have one but ohhh how I would love the know out a wall or two to get one as wonderful as yours! If I showed my hubby a home in the condition that you found yours in, he would turn tail and run! I especially liked the photo of your favorite carpenters working along side eachother to create your dream home. What a statement of they made by working together. well done my friend. t.xoxo

Elzie said...

Oh my what a change. Your kitchen sure is beautiful and it's hard to realize it looked that way earlier, lol.
Hope you have a nice day.
Love Elzie

Unknown said...

So beautiful. I love buying older homes too and making them our own. I guess I enjoy the challenge. I have lived in new homes and it just wasn't the same. Not enough character. You do such a lovely job.
Hugs,
Mary

❁Velma ~Down Our Country Road❁ said...

Oh my goodness. I love people who are able to see the potential of bringing an old home back to life and am a bit envious as well.
I absolutely love old homes...the character, the feel, the smell, the sounds...it all touches me deeply. Unfortunately, my husband cannot see the potential and is not a very good carpenter. So, we built a new house that has alot of looks as an old home. I wanted to do more but the $$ could only go so far. :) You're 'shabby chic' kitchen...I would die for and I'm sure I will feel the same with your new kitchen. Can't wait!!

Donna@anangloinquébec said...

Hope you don't mind that I pinned your image of your kitchen....so in love with this! I am also your newest follower. Drop by for a visit.

Amanda said...

Ooohhh...this is so fun and exciting! I cannot wait for part 2! Your house is one of my very favorites featured in blogland! I think I sort of live in your neck of the woods! I hope to someday make it to one of your amazing sales!
Best Wishes and Blessings,
Amanda

chateau chic said...

Amazing transformation and great to be able to implement your vision. Looking forward to seeing the farmhouse style pics.
Mary Alice

Privet and Holly said...

Wow, what a journey!
You saw the good bones.
Looked past the grubby
stuff to what she could
be.....Can't wait to see the
latest pics!

xx Suzanne

Mrs. MK said...

Where's the pics of the original bathroom?? :-) THAT's what I remember!!

mary pernula said...

Wonderful post. Your hardwork and working with the family did paid off. Hugs Mary

Cheryl ~ ZanyMayd said...

I Loved seeing the pantry transformation last week, now to see the Real Before photos is amazing... Isn't it incredible when you can walk into a run down house & Know that it will be Your HOME! Blind Vision, seeing it only with your Heart!
Cheryl

Blessed Serendipity said...

I can't wait to see the rest of what you've been up to. I have always loved your vintage style and I know I'm gonna love it.

xo,
Danielle

Lou Cinda @ Tattered Hydrangeas said...

Such GREAT bones! And you saw that....it is gorgeous! I will def be back for part 2 :)

Lou Cinda

RuthSMac. said...

Your kitchen looks so neat and warm, Thanks for Sharing it. I'm your new follower :)

Anonymous said...

Well, I love shabby chic, so I really like your kitchen as it was in the last picture. However, I know how easy it is to tire of a look when it's in your own home for years. I'd love to redo my kitchen, so I'm envious of your redo. Can't wait to see the vinished look. I'll be following your blog so I won't miss it.

I'd like to invite you to share this or any other post on my "Your Cozy Home" party each Tuesday. Any post about your home is welcome and details are on my blog if you're interested. I'd love to see you there!

Karla Do More said...

I love the last photo. Unbelievable that it used to look the way it did. You'd never think it. It's gorgeous now. :)

Mrs. Sensibility said...

Rene, I love the paint color in your kitchen. Would you mind sharing the name and who it is made by? I look forward to the new changes. The pantry is awesome!

Barbara Jean said...

This was so fun. You cam a long way on that house.
Wonderful to all work together as you said.

sweet blessings and looking forward to the net post.

barbara jean

Anne Lorys said...

What a stunningly beautiful transformation! Just gorgeous!

PCovi said...

That is some good clean fun right there!!! I am able to see the beauty underneath too :)
It looks tremendous!!!

The Charm of Home said...

Old houses just have all the great character! It turned out beautiful!! Thank you for joining me at Home Sweet Home!
Sherry

sofa modern said...

Hey
miss gracie's house
I enjoy your blog!, This unique is just a totally nicely structured posting, I do appreciate the writing
Thank you!