My Kitchen Plans

Well, we’ve officially taken the plunge! The one I’ve been talking about, dreaming about, and pinning endlessly on Pinterest. We are renovating the kitchen!!!!!

We’ve been in this house a little over 2.5 years and I have to admit, trying to find anything amidst the jumbled mess in our kitchen drawers always sparks a tiny rage inside of me.

That, and the fact that our kitchen island does not have any electrical outlets. AND the chips and peeling stain on the cabinet doors… these are the moments I dream of an entirely different kitchen. One with lots of drawers, an organized pantry, a beautiful island—a space that feels like… us. And guess what? That dream is finally becoming a reality!

Kitchen Confessions: What’s Wrong with the Current Kitchen

My current kitchen has a few… let’s call them “quirks”. Okay, more like major flaws. I’m talking the kind of flaws that make you slightly embarrassed when guests are around. The doors on the cabinets are scratched and chipped, making them look more battle-worn than charming. The blue-tone backsplash clashes drastically with the countertops. And while I love the honed black granite on our island, the two-tier bar just has to go!

The overall style is very 90’s and comes off as very dated. While I appreciate the size and the layout, it doesn’t feel like “home.”

Then there’s the issue of lighting. Or rather, the lack there of. We have one light over the sink, one over the island, and some woefully outdated track lighting that casts an uneven glow, making the whole room feel like a dimly lit cave. It definitely doesn’t make cooking feel inspiring.

And those are just the problems you can see! Every spring, the ants consider our pantry their vacation condo. I figured it was time to change that before we end up with permanent insect roommates. Honestly, this kitchen renovation truly can’t come soon enough!

My Dream Kitchen Takes Shape

Every time I walk into the kitchen all I can think is, “this isn’t me.” I long for a space that is light, airy, and functional – a true reflection of my style and a space that fits how our family lives now. Naturally, I started creating my dream kitchen inspiration collage. It became such a joyful process – like finally being given permission to design a space that sparks happiness every time I look at it.

The subtle modern farmhouse elements and touches of vintage charm I’m planning to add through accessories will make this kitchen feel uniquely ours.

Finally, it’s a space that’s both inviting and functional! And honestly, the thing I’m most excited about? The airy lightness that will replace that cramped, dark feeling of the old kitchen.

The Renovation Plan

Layout: We’ll be keeping the current footprint of the kitchen which means less mess and easier design! All the appliances will stay in place as will the plumbing.
Flooring: The tile flooring on the entire main level will be replaced with something more modern and neutral. Ripping out the flooring in the powder room we just renovated might seem crazy, but it’s all part of creating a cohesive space that reflects my design style now. It’ll be worth it to have a beautiful, neutral floor that flows seamlessly into the new kitchen! Sometimes, your vision evolves as you start pulling together the pieces. I knew those floors weren’t quite right, even though they seemed fine at the time. And that minor change means we’ll have to gently demo the powder room too… definitely not ideal, but it shows how renovations can have a ripple effect!
Cabinetry: Extending the cabinetry to the ceiling will give us valuable storage space, making the whole kitchen feel more grand. The perimeter cabinets will be painted Oxford White by Benjamin Moore and the island and pantry wall will be natural white oak! This combination of materials is going to create a bright, modern kitchen that feels warm and inviting at the same time.
Hood Vent: A custom white oak hood vent will replace the awful over-the-range microwave. It will add a touch of warmth and natural elegance, complementing the island and pantry.
Drawers: Adding deep drawers instead of lowers with doors means saying goodbye to overflowing utensil piles and playing Tetris with pots and pans.

SHOP THE KITCHEN

Countertops & Backsplash: Out goes the black granite countertop which will be replaced with a light and airy white quartz with minimal grey veining. The backsplash will be the same quartz material, creating a clean and cohesive look.
Island: The new island is going to be our family’s hub – more prep space (with electrical!), room for my toddler to help “bake”, and the perfect gathering spot.
Electrical: Running electrical to the island (it currently doesn’t have it and it drives me mad) is priority #1 for this new kitchen! Not only will I gain two additional outlets in the kitchen, but I can finally get the drawer microwave I’ve eyeing! With a toddler who’s becoming increasingly interested in helping in the kitchen, having a microwave at her level is going to be a game-changer for safe snack prep. Plus, honestly, I love the clean look of tucking the microwave away instead of it being a focal point above the range!
Appliances: Let’s not forget the workhorses of the kitchen – the appliances! We’re lucky that our Café induction range is only a year old, so it gets to stay! But the fridge and stove are being replaced with new Café appliances. This time around, we’re splurging on a fridge with a water and ice dispenser – something we don’t have currently, and miss dearly from our last kitchen. Installing that will require running a new water line while the flooring is out, but the convenience will be absolutely worth it! Plus, having a dishwasher that connects to Wi-Fi feels like a luxury I never knew I needed.
Lighting: Lighting has been a major pain point in my current kitchen. It feels dim even on the sunniest of days. Adding pot lights will brighten the whole space, sconces beside the hood vent will give me focused task lighting, and we’re moving the chandelier to center it over the island. It might seem like a small detail, but a layered lighting plan will make a huge difference!
Other Small Details: We’ll be removing and replacing all the trim and baseboards, removing the shutters from the window above the sink (they don’t open anyway), replacing the sink with a Blanco silgranit sink, and adding a fresh coat of paint!

Renovating with Sustainability in Mind

I’m always looking for ways to reduce my impact by recycling or re-using when possible, but quite honestly, there’s not much worth keeping from the current kitchen, other than the new Café induction range and Blanco Urbena faucet. I plan on donating the kitchen to Waterloo’s Habitat for Humanity Restore. They have such a great program where you can donate your gently used furniture, appliances, décor, building materials, and more.

Partnering with the Best: My Kitchen Renovation Dream Team

Searching for contractors, designers, and all those specialized trades can be overwhelming, and choosing the right people to transform my kitchen from “meh” to “yah!” felt almost as important as the design itself! I wanted talented professionals who understood my vision, were trustworthy, honest, and just nice to work with! After all, these are people I’d be inviting into my home for weeks.

That’s why I’m so excited to be working with my sister, Amanda Cromwell Designs. Honestly, she’s so incredibly talented and I’m so lucky to have her on my side, bringing my vision to life!

Finding a cabinetmaker who could execute the custom details, like my white oak hood vent and wine niche, was super important, which is why Amanda recommended Kitchen Appeal. They specialize in beautiful, handcrafted cabinetry, and have a team that is caring, respectful, and detail-oriented.

TIP: Finding your own Dream Team: Don’t underestimate the importance of good communication and trust when it comes to finding your renovation partners. If you get a bad feeling, keep looking!

And now…. we get started!

The demo dust is about to start flying, and I’m a mix of nerves and absolute excitement! Renovations are messy, and there will probably be days I’ll wonder what I’ve gotten myself into. But through those chaotic moments, I’ll keep picturing that final reveal – my dream kitchen finally becoming a reality. I know it’s going to be worth it. Maybe this project will even inspire others to tackle one of the rooms in their own homes that needs some love.

Get ready to see this transformation come to life!