Hello! There’s an exciting update in our kitchen: the cabinets are being delivered and installed. I don’t have progress photos yet because work hadn’t started when I began writing, but I’m thrilled—picture me doing a happy dance with a huge grin.
If you’ve seen any Instagram stories or follow the blog, you know the kitchen currently shows dark blue walls and a natural wood tongue-and-groove ceiling. The blue is only primer, and the ceiling, although beautiful in its natural wood state, will be painted white. Both elements have been affecting the overall mood I want, so I’m eager to see them painted. The crew expects to finish by December 21, and I’m counting down the days.
Our kitchen is compact, so every decision required careful consideration. In a small galley kitchen, each piece matters more; everything you add occupies a small visual footprint and becomes immediately noticeable. We thought through scale, placement and how finishes would interact in that tight space.
While the finished kitchen will feel fresh and light, we avoided playing it too safe. Instead of bold, dramatic patterns that could overwhelm or visually close in the room, we focused on richer personality through thoughtfully chosen details. The goal was to keep the backdrop subtle while introducing interest with contrasts, shapes and textures.
The room already has updated architectural features that add character: the archways, the round window and the new light fixtures help define the space. Because these architectural elements bring personality to the shell of the room, the rest of the design can remain clean and edited. When we want a change, we’ll introduce it with seasonal, easy-to-swap items—plants, rugs, dishes, cutting boards and dish towels—rather than permanent, heavy-handed choices.
I love changing the look of a room, so I’m excited about the flexibility this design allows. The design board shows many of the elements together, although it doesn’t capture every detail. I’ll reveal more as the project progresses and will answer any questions along the way.
Later I’ll share the layout and explain why we chose each element. There are some sources noted below for those curious, and I’ll publish a complete source list once the kitchen is finished. It’s been years since we had new appliances—the stove and fridge travelled with us through the last remodel—so getting new KitchenAid appliances installed will be a dream. I’ll include model numbers in the full source post.
We can already tell this kitchen will change the feel of our home in all the ways we hoped.
Kitchen Elements Sources:
Wall color: Simply White by Benjamin Moore / Dutch door color: Blue Note by Benjamin Moore / Cobalt and brass wall lights / Farmhouse sink / Brass faucet / Hardware: crystal knobs, small knobs, drawer pulls, round knobs / Plaid kitchen towel (set of two) / Appliances: KitchenAid refrigerator and range / Quartz countertops: Daltile / Tile floors: Daltile (Haze color)
A more detailed source list will be provided when the kitchen is complete.