Making a Kitchen
We’ve been in our home for just over four years. There’s so much that I love about every detail of our home, but our kitchen remains my favorite. Let’s get down to it and talk about this gorgeous kitchen. But first, some background information.
When we first sat down with our builder, we gave him the “dream list.” If we could have every bell and whistle in our new home, this is what it would be. Shoot for the stars, right? The dream list didn’t match our budget, so we started whittling down to our priorities. What were our “must-haves” and the details for our home we couldn’t live without. More importantly, what were the items that we couldn’t easily change out or upgrade a few years down the road.
For me, our kitchen cabinets were a big one. Our living room and kitchen are the center of the home, and this element of the design had to be right. I had my heart set on shaker-style inset cabinets. Are they more expensive? Yes. Are they more labor-intensive? Yes. Are they worth it? Yes.
This was a detail I felt would really push the design over the edge and make our home look like an authentic craftsman farmhouse. This is how cabinets were constructed years ago, and I’m glad it’s a trend that is making a comeback. If you do a little research, one of the other typical “cons” to inset cabinets is that they stick or don’t shut properly over time. But this isn’t 100 years ago. They were constructed in a climate-controlled environment, and they live in a climate-controlled environment. Although I live in the swamp, I’ve told that muggy, sticky heat to back off my cabinets.
In a lot of old kitchens, a portion of the cabinets often looks like built-in china cabinets. That’s what I did just to the left of the sink. I took the uppers all the way down to the countertop. Glass front cabinets sit on top of a set of slim drawers, where I stash extra silverware and such.
Shaker-Style inset cabinets
Built-in China cabinets
Kitchen island pendants
Custom globe pendant light
I researched, took notes, and dissected as many old kitchens as possible when dreaming up this space. Next up on my recipe for the perfect farmhouse kitchen was an apron sink—no brainer here. This is also a trend I’m glad to see stick around. But if you want to get technical, a true farmhouse sink is about twice as wide, often has drainboards and a wall-mounted faucet. But, because I wanted the windows above the sink, I felt it wouldn’t look quite right.
Above the sink is the prettiest thing I’ve ever found on Etsy. This talented gentleman made this light fixture for me, and I couldn’t be happier with how it turned out. It’s a delicate twist on a globe pendant light.
Above the island are matching barn pendant lights. The black is a sharp contrast to the cabinets and a complement to the island. And, if you take a peek underneath, it’s lined with mirrors, which helps disperse light even more.
Speaking of the island, and countertops, too, what’s that stone? It’s an antique (or often called leathered) black granite. It’s a matte finish and has just the right amount of texture. Some day I‘ll share how I eventually settled on selecting this surface.
Sprinkle in polished nickel hardware for good measure, including these fun matchbox locks.
Whew. Is that everything? I’m sure I’ve forgotten something. If I did, don’t hesitate to ask.
Kitchen DetailsCabinet color: Sherwin Williams Alabaster SW 7008
Countertops: Black leathered granite
Sink Faucet: Kohler Artifacts
Cabinet hardware: Martha Stewart Living Polished Nickel
Island lights: Emile Urban Industrial Bronze Pendant Light
Sink pendant light: Lucent Lampworks