My Kitchen
This Post May Contain Affiliate Links. Please Read Our Disclosure PolicyHave you ever noticed I only show you select photos of my kitchen? Well, there’s a reason. I’ve always been a somewhat embarrassed to share the space.
Since I bought my house, I’ve only made minor changes, such as painting and decorating. My countertops and backsplash are pink laminate. My appliances are out of date. The room isn’t all that grand or big.
The other day when I was making my corn chowder, I spotted a somewhat picturesque moment so I snapped a few pictures on my phone and shared one via Instagram.
To my complete surprise, that photo garnered many kind and wonderful comments. I was shocked. Lots of comments included the words, “adorable” or “vintage love.” One person even wrote, “formica for the win” and “my dream kitchen.”
Now, to be honest with you, I’ve always liked this little kitchen. Even though there are things I want to change, it’s worked well for me since I moved in. But sharing it with the world was a different matter. After all that Instagram love, however, I’m feeling a little more inclined to give you more than a peak. So here we go. I’ll point out a few of the changes I’ve made, and little tweaks I’d still like to make.
As I said above, I painted the entire space. (You can find paint color details HERE.) The cabinet colors (gray and pink) were the same when I bought the house. I used custom color matched paint from Sherwin Williams if someone is interested. Let me know and I can add them in somewhere.
I also replaced the crown molding when I painted. There were four different styles of crown molding in the space before I replaced it. I kid you not.
You might also remember I installed a new exterior door and double-hung window.
Since I know someone will ask, the wine holder is from Pottery Barn. My mom bought it for me when I lived in Philadelphia about 10 years ago, so it might be difficult to find at this point. The white bench is from Target, and the cabinet to the left of the bench is from World Market.
Speaking of that cabinet, that’s where I keep my microwave. Previously, it was on the counter. As you can tell, I don’t have tons of counter space, so it’s nice to have the microwave tucked away.
Back in 2013, I also had a new floor installed. This made a huge difference in the look of the kitchen. You can check out some before pictures HERE.
I did remove a few of the upper cabinet doors near the sink to create some open shelving.
My oven is probably 60-years-old. (My guess is that it was new when the kitchen was renovated in the 50s.) Although it is a bit smaller than a standard oven, it still seems to work pretty well. The controls for the stove are located in the panel below the window.
Unfortunately, my stove top isn’t the best. Each burner has at least one temperature setting that no longer works. It makes cooking pretty interesting.
You might remember that above the stove is the pegboard storage I created last year. I still love it! It’s amazing how things can stay organized when they have a place.
While I have no plans to completely redo this kitchen, next year I would like to replace the stove, countertops, sink, and backsplash. This kitchen has so much character that I don’t think I could ever gut it. However, making those small changes would be a true upgrade. Of course, changing the stove will be bittersweet. My old stove has unique features and vintage charm, but I do need fully functioning burners.
I also hope some of the pictures gave you a sense of the layout of my house. The traffic pattern downstairs is just one big circle.
Well, friends, that’s my kitchen. Thanks for inspiring me to give you a tour of this space where I find so much pleasure baking, cooking, and creating the savory dishes and sweet treats I share on IBC.
I agree, it’s so nice to see a kitchen that no one else has…charming is the only word that is coming to mind! Never be hesitant to show your kitchen, I only hope you show more!
Rondell♥
You have mad, mad skills, my friend. You have an eye for design that just can’t be learned. When I win the lottery, I’m hiring you to design all my homes that I will buy. I’ll be sure to let you know when that happens – in the meantime, I will have to satisfy myself with your blog.
I ABSOLUTELY LOVE this kitchen. Love the pink counter tops and back splash. The cabinets. Michael this kitchen has such vintage charm. It has character that you can not find in today’s style. I am glad that you only tweaked it here and there. The stove is a must keep. Can you get whatever is wrong fixed?! Are there any other treasures that you have hidden from us? 🙂
It’s absolutely enchanting! Unexpected details everywhere you look. It’s refreshing to see a room that no one else has. 🙂
Michael……I love your kitchen! It’s a beautiful mix that you could never make happen by choice. The open cupboards, the sliding doors, every single little detail that brings it all together! I was a redheaded child who wasn’t allowed to wear pink because they didn’t ‘go together’. Boy, if my mother were alive I’d show her who makes it happen beautifully. I even love the quirky way the stove backsplash was broken down and the control panel moved. Is there any way you can get the burners repaired? This kitchen has the charm mine had when we married and bought our first house in the late 60s. Unfortunately I thought everything had to be up to date and match and now I realize that was such a mistake. Don’t be in such a hurry to redo everything.
Chris
Such a beautiful and inspiring space! I love the print above the stove. And the stove. But I totally get the need for functioning burners. Been there and it t’aint pretty. 🙂
Yay! Thanks for the kitchen tour, Michael. I have wanted to see more photos of that space for a long time! I’ve notice little peeks of the great character in your kitchen here and there over the years. The things you are embarrassed about in your kitchen are the things that other people love! Lol. I’m going to scroll back up and look at your pics again. :o)
I love your kitchen Michael! You have inspired me since I first came across your amazing work online!
Thanks for sharing so many photos , I love the simple clean lines of everything. That is my future goal for my home. Always checking your site to get inspiration! Thanks for sharing your gifts with the world!
I just adore this kitchen! So much character and charm. I love a new, beautiful, marble-adorned kitchen as much as anyone, but they will never have the character that yours does! It’s like you can feel the love that has happened here. I still have my 1970s Formica counters and Sears and Roebuck cabinets, which I painted red, and adore every single day. Thanks for making me feel like I don’t have to be embarrassed by my kitchen, either! **Long live Formica!** xoxo, Andrea
I love your kitchen! Now I just need you to come to my house and tell me how to make my old kitchen look as cute as this.
Love this! Just proves that you don’t need to gut a space to make it look great and work well. I do agree about the burners, though! My old kitchen had a 1937 Chambers oven. I loved it until my sleeve caught fire due to the odd way the broiler functioned!
I LOVE your kitchen! So light and happy. Too bad you can’t get the burners fixed. thabks do much for sharing the whole picture.
Thank you for sharing your kitchen. These pictures made me smile and reminded me of kitchens from my childhood.
Aw, I love it! Our old house had part of that same exhaust fan, not that it worked anymore though. I wonder if you could have the stove repaired instead of replaced? It would be a shame to completely replace, but I can imagine how frustrating it is for it to not work very well!
Oh I love it, my first kitchen was pink and I adored it. I even had pink appliances.
i love your vintage kitchen it is adorable I would be proud to show the world listen I have blue counter tops with I would love to replace but not in budget. The exhaust fan brings make memories of my childhood we had one just like it.
Those cabinets are spectacular! I’m sure they are solid wood inside too, and with the pull out cutting board! They will last far beyond cheaply made modern cabinets. Renovate the house to the time period it was built is a good rule of
thumb and you are doing a wonderful job.
Oh my goodness, those coffee mugs! Where are those from?
I got them from RedEnvelope last year (they are no longer in business). I actually had the quotes custom printed. You could do the same at a different place.
Hope that helps.
xo Michael
Thanks so much for responding! I’m a bit sad – I love the shape and color of those mugs. So pretty!
Love every inch..so happy, bright and cheery. Maybe you can score a new stove with vintage flair that will seamlessly fit the style of your kitchen.
Wouldn’t that be awesome!?
And thanks Diane! Hope you’re doing well. See you in September!!!
xo Michael
love that we’ve seen a beautiful kitchen that has issues that we deal with also. You’ve made it lovely and embraced its quirkiness. Congrats!