I'm still wreaking havoc in the kitchen. I got all the walls and trim painted white. I took the doors off one of the upper cabinets and started putting vinyl in the back. Then I ran out of vinyl. Drats. Here's what I've got so far.
I also managed to sweet talk Mitch into painting the doors in the kitchen black.
Why did I photograph the door from this angle?
I was trying to photograph this guy.
Meet Willie, my new grand-pup. Alyssa got a new baby, the four legged variety. Isn't he a sweetie?
OK, did you enjoy that bit of sweetness? Back to the kitchen insanity. Why not do some closet demo while were at it?
I have a pantry that I really hadn't been using as a pantry for some time. It had really become the closet equivalent of a junk drawer.
So, I pulled everything out, and piled it on every flat surface in my kitchen. Nice.
That blue box up there has the topper from my wedding cake. I've been married 23 years. Do I really need to keep the topper from my cake?
Pretty, huh? Just wait till you see the inside of the closet.
Those big holes are from removing the wire shelving. It's outta here. The dirt, well I have no explanation for that, other than the fact with all that junk, who could see the dirty wall?
I'm happy to say it has been cleaned and painted and will be getting newly painted wood shelving.
Soon, I hope.
I'll be back later this week with a few more projects I've been working on.
I'm very excited to be contributing to pillow month at Sew Mama Sew.
You are just amazing - LOVE the black doors and the almost-done vinyl. Can't wait to see it all done and that little puppy is too cute!
Posted by: Amber Carrillo | January 26, 2011 at 12:21 AM
What a cutie Willie is! Can't wait to see your finished kitchen. :)
Posted by: Annabelle | January 26, 2011 at 12:41 AM
Wow! That's a lot of hard work. Good luck to you. Will be waiting to see your pimp-up kitchen! Oh btw, the puppy is so cute. :)
Posted by: Carol | Online Flyer Printing | January 26, 2011 at 03:27 AM
Please don't throw away your wedding topper! I'm sure your grandchildren would love to have that one day! I know I would love to have had my grandparents topper.
Posted by: lisa | January 26, 2011 at 09:03 AM
Ever since I started following your blog years ago, you have been an inspiration. I've always admired the way you tackle new home projects whenever something starts to feel tired. After living 5 years in this all-white, builder basic house, I read your last post about changing things up, and Mr. Plum and I are starting with some hardwood floors and beadboard this weekend.
Thank you!
Posted by: Jessica | January 26, 2011 at 10:32 AM
Wow Jessica, what a nice compliment. I will be sharing this with my husband, and when he groans about me redoing something.... again, Im going to point out that it isnt just for me. Its to help others. Really, Im doing it for the greater good.
Hardwood and beadboard! Fun, fun stuff! Im so excited for you. Please share pictures.
xo Autum
Posted by: Autum | January 26, 2011 at 10:57 AM
Dont worry Lisa, I wont throw it away. But I dont think I need it in the kitchen pantry. Not sure why it was there and not in a box in the attic anyway, but thats where it will be going.
xo Autum
Posted by: Autum | January 26, 2011 at 10:59 AM
Thank you Carol!
xo Autum
Posted by: Autum | January 26, 2011 at 11:00 AM
Thank you Annabelle. Love your name : )
xo Autum
Posted by: Autum | January 26, 2011 at 11:01 AM
I LOVE cleaning!! I have been spring cleaning like mad lately and this post makes me want to tackle the kitchen. again. :) I LOVE LOVE LOVE your little pup!! Just darling!!!! Have fun painting my dear!! xo
Posted by: Ms. Megan | January 26, 2011 at 11:01 AM
Thank you Amber. I like the black doors too. I wasnt sure at first. They looked like big black holes, but theyre growing on me. There are a lot of doors in this one room. Two exterior doors. One to the garage and on to the back porch. My bedroom door and a set of french doors. There also used to be a laundry room door, but I took it down a few years ago.
I cant wait to get it all done. My vinyl came in the mail today, so Im itching to finish the cabinet.
xo Autum
Posted by: Autum | January 26, 2011 at 11:04 AM
Ms. Megan, you love cleaning? I wish you would come to my house. I guess I dont really mind cleaning, I just wish it would stay that way a little longer.
That pup is a sweetie pie. My husband loves that hes not mine ; )
xo autum
Posted by: Autum | January 26, 2011 at 11:06 AM
You are such an inspiration Autum!
I'm slowly getting ready to paint my kitchen cabinets white, but I'm a little scared.
LOVE the grandpup!
Posted by: anina | January 26, 2011 at 11:08 AM
Dont be scared Anina! Im going to repaint the upper cabinets next, and I bought some paint I read about online. Its cabinet and trim paint from Ace Hardware. I found it after reading about another paint Cabinet Coat. Both paints are latex and are supposed to be as durable as oil based paints. From what Ive read, they give a factory looking finish because the paint self levels as it dries. Leaving almost no brush strokes.
I will have to prime my cabinets, since they were painted with oil based paint, but hey, whats one more step, right?
If you havent decided on a paint yet, you may want to google either Cabinet Coat or Ace Cabinet and Trim.
xo Autum
Posted by: Autum | January 26, 2011 at 12:21 PM
Oh Autum the way you get things done and with such fantastic taste I am going to need you to come on over and help me:)
Posted by: Shannon | January 26, 2011 at 04:19 PM
Your grandpuppy is precious!!! Love the vinyl! My pantry really needs a DEEP CLEANING!!! I keep going in there, pulling out a few things tossing some but still can't get to my cookbooks...It is such a MESS and to think I had it pretty good shape before Christmas...
Posted by: Elaine | January 26, 2011 at 06:34 PM
Dear Autum,
Is there no end to your talent and energy?
I feel like a total slacker.
The pupster is darling and I love seeing Bayleigh's little shoe in the picture:)
Love,
No energy in Utah
Posted by: Bridgette | January 26, 2011 at 07:01 PM
Wait, is your range hood above the stove BEADBOARD? I <3 beadboard. There is drool on my keyboard now. :)
Posted by: TheBargainBabe | January 26, 2011 at 08:38 PM
Well that would be a yes... sort of. It is beadboard wallpaper. Ive used it in my kitchen, dining room and living room and LOVE it. Sold at home depot online.
xo Autum
Posted by: Autum | January 26, 2011 at 09:03 PM
The kitchen is fab, but I'm smitten with the pup. A dachshund? I love the way their noses seem to grow along with them!
Posted by: Linzee | January 26, 2011 at 10:20 PM
Thank you Linzee!
Yes, Willie is a dachshund, a very cute one : )
Posted by: Autum | January 26, 2011 at 10:42 PM
Wow - I dont know what I am more jealous of - The inside of your cupboards, the black door, or the puppy! I want all three. Badly. Thanks for sharing.
Posted by: Megan | January 27, 2011 at 04:19 PM
Thank you Megan. I like the puppy too, but he isnt mine, so Im jealous right along with you : ) I get to snuggle him and send him home for my daughter to house break.
I hope to finish the cupboard today. I have cut the vinyl, I just need to put it up. First I have some sewing to do.
Have a great weekend!
xo Autum
Posted by: Autum | January 28, 2011 at 12:31 PM
Willie is precious! I love all babies....well except snakes and stuff like that. :o)
I love your black lower cabinets, too. My kitchen is all white, and I've been holding off doing anything until I found something I like. I think I want to paint the bottom ones black now! Are they hard to keep clean? Any regrets? Also like the black door. Did you paint the doorknob, too, or was it already black? We have shiny brass ones all through our house, and replacing them is just not an option right now.
I just cleaned out my pantry, and oh my goodness, it was much worse than yours. I have never been a fan of wire shelving, so my sweet husband built wooden shelves for me a couple of years ago. I'm looking forward to seeing your new shelves. In fact, I love following all your projects. You're very inspiring, Autum. Thanks!
Posted by: Karen | January 30, 2011 at 03:18 PM
Hi Karen,
Did you enjoy the wonderful weather we had today? I sure did.
About the black cabinets. Theyve held up nicely, but I did distress the edges slightly when I painted them, so a scuff here and there doesnt really matter.
The only thing that bothers me about the black, is the places where you can see the baseboard and shoe molding. Black shows EVERY bit of dust and dog hair.
I painted most of my door knobs a couple of years ago. I used oil rubbed bronze spray paint and most of them have held up. The door in from the garage, that everyone uses and that pantry door, also used multiple times daily have a few places the paint has scratched off. I didnt seal them and should have. I also think priming first with automotive primer may have helped.
I did buy new knobs for the exterior doors in a brushed nickel, so now I need to replace the rest. It will not be all at one time and not any time soon. Why are door knobs so expensive. I have found that ebay is the most economical place to find them.
xo Autum
Posted by: Autum | January 30, 2011 at 07:06 PM