I’m sooooo excited. We are finally getting started with a couple of projects to “charm up”  the kitchen. I like my kitchen. It has a lot going for it. High ceilings. Lots of cabinets, a walk-in pantry, counter space. Plus wood floors, a hand made looking subway tile and granite. But it’s still lacking in charm for me. The cabinets are plain, no crown, no varying heights, just a long row of brown. I want to warm them up a bit by adding some reclaimed wood.

The problem is, we are of a “certain age,” the age where you know your time in a house is limited. We’ll be making the decision to move within the next few years. To a maintenance free home, condo or villa…. when the time is right. We’ll want to sell this home, and will have to be sensitive to the sales market in our area. That means paying attention to classic finishes. Not over renovating for our neighborhood, and going easy on trends. Beadboard, subway tile, shiplap, board and batten….. I have to weigh my desire for charm against what our market will bear. So there’s that.

But…..here’s why I’m so excited today! The country border is gone! GONE!! Oh yes, it has departed. I am thrilled. Well….. sort of. I have to do some patching and sanding before the painting is finished, I painted up to the bottom of the border last year thinking that would satisfy me (it didn’t) and I’ll have to sand the line between the new paint and the old,  but the hard part is done, thanks to Mr B. So I am thrilled, albeit temporarily. I still must contend with the buzz killing, “Oh crap, I still have to do the other stuff” part. I’ll be thrilled again when it’s all done!

Removing that border was a project put off for quite some time. Mr B was reluctant to tackle it.  He put the border up at my insistence, years ago, with extra glue so it would stick. He was meticulous in matching seams and going around corners. There were no visible seams at all. That border was great and I loved it…..until I didn’t.

And now I’m asking him to forget all the hard work he did to put it up…..and do even more work to take it down. Is that fair? Why yes….yes it is. It no longer compliments my style. Reason enough for it to be removed in my mind. (What’s in Mr B’s mind is altogether different).

But I digress. In recent years as I’ve been defining my style, that border became an eyesore. It was too busy. It was a remnant of my classic country days. Don’t get me wrong, it was a cute border, I searched for a good long time to find it. I collected blue graniteware at the time, and this border was the compliment. It’s lived happily up there for years. The blue graniteware is gone, packed up for someone else to enjoy. The border served its purpose.

I dislike it so much now that I hate whatever I put on top of the cabinets. Even my prized stoneware bottles and vintage crocks look a bit…off.  That.border.has.to.go. Mr B wasn’t enthusiastic so I began a search for a handyman. As it turns out I didn’t need to hire  a handyman, I have the handiest man of them all, annnd he works for free! Well, almost free, he does like his snickerdoodle cookies. But that’s almost free, right??

One morning last week I awoke to a most wonderful sight! Mr B on a ladder, with a bucket, sponge and assorted border removing supplies. My beloved, coming to my rescue. Again.  Of course I had to assume the duty of micro-managing. Um….. I attempted it. One major stink eye later and I was safely in my chair, reading …… pretending not to watch.

So the border is gone. And the charm may begin. We’ll be adding reclaimed wood to the vent surround, the front of the breakfast bar and removing the two cabinet doors over the fridge to add  glass, or open shelves backed with the same wood to tie it all together. The paint will have to be extended up to the ceiling line. The ugly builder grade formica covered landing spot for junk desk will be removed. Replaced with a replica of the vintage desk in my office (and built by Mr B.) I’m excited. I hope you follow along to see the changes.

It doesn’t take much to add charm to a kitchen. Sometimes it’s as simple as changing the hardware, or changing light fixtures…. or adding a classic backsplash. Subway tile isn’t the only option, consider beadboard, thin brick veneer, tin, (either salvaged or new), decoupaged and sealed recipes, or pallet wood strips, sealed with a matte sealer.

Removing outdated decor is simple and mostly free. Paint is your friend. Paint your cabinets. Or paint your island a different color. Add some artwork.  Rework collections to curate them for a simpler look. Or begin collecting  vintage kitchen items.

Consider how long you will be in your home, and what the market is if you aren’t staying long, but in the end, do what makes you smile when you walk into your kitchen.

Create the home you see in your heart. Love the home you’re in, you deserve a sanctuary no matter where you live.

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