Our farmhouse kitchen remodel was probably the biggest and one of the most important renovations we made to The Yellow Rose Farmhouse.
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Our kitchen is where life happens! It seems to be the place where everyone gathers to chat, snack and hang. We are so lucky to have a large family and friends group! That also means we need plenty of space for hosting get-togethers. One of the things we loved the most about this house when we were searching for our new home was the large kitchen. For as big as it was though, it felt a little crowded and blocked from the rest of the house. After some thought, we came up with a new floor plan that would open it up and accommodate all our kitchen needs and dreams.
The Demo & Rebuild
The original island and built-ins near the bay windows took up a bunch of space. The island wrapped around the kitchen in a sort of L shape. There were also really low hanging pendant lights all around. This made it feel too stuffy and closed in. I wanted something a little more simple and way more open.
After some measuring and serious Pinterest inspiration, we came up with a way to still have a large island and the open concept farmhouse kitchen I dreamed of. Let the farmhouse kitchen remodel begin! Taking the island out meant adding a bunch of other projects to our list. Once we removed it, we also had to remove the original wood flooring because it wasn’t laid underneath.
We had to completely change the lighting since the layout didn’t work for us anymore. Then, of course, because I was changing the island and it’s placement, we had to be mindful of water and electricity. I knew I wanted a large island and I wanted to keep it simple. I decided to do a rectangular island with room for seating on one side and a farmhouse sink on the other. It needed to be large for extra seating but I didn’t want it to look bulky which is why I went with the simple shape.
The next thing I wanted to be sure to have was plenty of room to cook. First was the issue of the microwave. Yes, I love to cook but a microwave is a MUST because you never know when Mama just needs a break. We found a space on the side of the island that would be just perfect. It’s in a spot that’s hidden unless you’re looking for it but it’s in reach of the kids. Nailed it!
In our previous home, we had a large open-concept kitchen that I loved but the oven and stove top were fairly small. This kitchen had the same problem with the current range oven. I dreamed of hosting a Thanksgiving dinner with a double oven and plenty of room for goodies on a large cooktop. Isn’t that what everyone dreams about?! We took out the range oven and part of the cabinets and started making our cooking dreams come true!
The Layout & Design
With all the major renovations out of the way, it was time to get started on the fun part. The design! The next step was a Pinterest binge (obvi…🙄🤪). I tried to take careful notice of any trends, patterns or similarities in my pins. I learned that I was drawn to simple, neutral, bold color contrasts and wood accents. The first decision I made was the color of the cabinets. I went with Sherwin Williams’ Alabaster. It’s the perfect white and really adds to the bright and airy feel of the kitchen.
I knew right away that I wanted subway tiles. I didn’t want anything patterned because I was scared I’d want to change my kitchen style in ten years and they’d throw off my vibe. Commitment is hard but subway tiles are neutral and timeless. I love the simplicity and industrial look of subway tiles. They were an easy choice and may just help prevent a style identity crisis later on.
Flooring, countertops and lighting, oh my! I really struggled deciding on these. There are just so many to choose from and it can be hard to visualize what they’ll all look like together. To get started, I took samples of my backsplash and paint and looking at countertops samples at HomeDepot. I knew that we had a really large space and that I’d need them to be affordable and durable. I ended up going with Domoos by Dekton. These countertops are amazing and I loved the contrast of the black countertops with our white subway tile and cabinets. There are a million different styles you can choose from but I really liked the minimalist look of the solid black. Ultimately I chose this material because it doesn’t scratch or stain, it’s heat resistant and super easy to clean. I was sold!
Once I had our countertops, it became a little easier to find flooring. I wanted darker floors because I knew this was going to be a high traffic area. I really loved the herringbone layout with the thin tiles but unfortunately most were out of our budget. So I found some larger rectangular tiles and I was able to lay them herringbone. The layout is not as obvious as it would have been if we’d had the smaller tiles but I think it still looks unique. My only regret on the floors is the grout. We used a light grout and it is so hard to keep clean. If I were to do it all over again, I would use the same colored grout that we used in our laundry room renovation.
Last but not least, the lighting. I love shopping for lighting but it can definitely be overwhelming. Especially when you are as indecisive and as picky as me 😬 I’d had my eye on the chandelier I chose for the dining room for years. It was a no-brainer for me that it would hang beautifully above our table. It is still one of the fixtures I get asked about the most.
The pendant lights above the bar were a bit more difficult to decide on. I had originally purchased black barn lights and thought they’d be the perfect fit for my dream kitchen. However, after they were installed, I felt like they blocked my view of the range hood (one of my favorite parts). I needed to find something a little more dainty. I searched all my usual favorite spots and I ended up finding these beauties at a local lighting store. They were exactly what this kitchen was missing.
Farmhouse Kitchen Decor
If you’ve followed me for long, you know this is always my favorite part. As I said earlier, I love a simple look, bold contrasts and wood accents. The barnwood range hood is definitely one of my favorite spots in the kitchen and it really stands out from all the white around it. I wanted to add a little greenery and a magnolia wreath just felt right.
I also added some natural wood barstools and some cute wooden cutting boards. There isn’t a lot of wall decor because, again, I really wanted to keep it simple. On the walls next to the table, I have some round shelves styled with plants and old books. I love these shelves so much and you can actually find these same ones in one of the girls’ bedrooms too.They’re just so versatile and a statement piece for sure. The cup rack on the wall next to the refrigerator is also a piece that I knew I had to have to complete the look of my kitchen.
I’ve changed up the decor behind the range a few times but currently I am loving the vintage vegetable print I found at the Round Top Antiques Fair last season. To complete the look of my kitchen, I added a boho patterned area rug and runner. Did I mention that they are WASHABLE?!?! Genius move for moms of kids and dogs, just saying. And they’re super cute! I change out most of the other decorations by season or depending on my mood 😏
I think every remodel is a learning experience but it’s so rewarding once it’s all finished. Our farmhouse kitchen remodel was a success and a huge help in making The Yellow Rose Farmhouse feel like our home. Be sure to check out some of our other remodel projects here.
I hope you enjoyed our farmhouse kitchen remodel. I’d love to hear all about your kitchen remodeling wins! What inspires you? What’s keeping you from having the kitchen of your dreams? Leave me a comment below. Don’t forget to subscribe and follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest to keep up with our day to day. Thanks for stopping by!
Sources For Our Farmhouse Kitchen Remodel
*Click the items below to shop affiliate links
Area Rug | Runner | Countertops | Subway Tile | Floor Tile | Mixer | Cooktop Range | Double Oven | Decorative Metal Basket | Faucet | Farmhouse Sink | Counter Stools | Farmhouse Table | Dining Chairs | Mug Rack | Round Metal Shelves | Pendant Lights | Chandelier | Light Bulbs for Chandelier | Seagrass Planter | Magnolia Wreath | White Candle Holders | Black Candlesticks | Large Glass Jug | Lamb’s Ear | Pothos Plant | Faux Olive Tree | Table Lamp |