Goals: VHH Kitchen Renovation

I had a few goals when I started to plan my kitchen renovation.  In the beginning I didn't really sit down and make a nice cohesive list like you'll find below.  There were some obvious changes I wanted to make but others evolved as I met with my contractor and perused photos on pinterest that inspired me.  In my experience, it's always best to find a handful of inspirational photos and be able to identify the elements you like from each design.  For example, one photo may show the cabinet color I love but not the hardware.  Together, the photos create the full picture.  I referred back to these photos during my selection process.  It can be overwhelming when you're In a designer showroom with all sorts of decisions In front of you.  If you go into the process with some idea of your likes and dislikes, you'll be able to drive more of your remodeling process.

If you haven't already, read "ReDo! Vivid Hue Kitchen Remodel "

My Kitchen Renovation Goals:    

1. Replace white cabinets with a light colored cabinet (like gray or beige).

2. Replace black granite counter tops with white counter top (material to be determined)

Vivid Hue Home Inspiration Photo

3. Create the illusion of a more open space without changing the physical square footage of the current kitchen.  (Considerations included relocating appliances and removing the pantry closet to create more width In the space).  

4. Replace nickel hardware with brushed brass. 

5. Integrate a fun splash of color on the island base, for example Blue Muscari.   

Courtesy of Michele Morgan Interiors

6. Find a neutral back splash with an interesting geometric shape.  Something that provides pattern without introducing additional color.  

As we move forward, I'll begin to share the color selections and decisions I made during the design phase of my kitchen renovation.  Please continue to check In for regular updates!

Do you have a specific design element you are obsessed with for a kitchen?  Please share!  

Read Next: 

Let's Redo!   |   Renovation Goals  |  Kitchen Selections

xoxo

Heather 

  

Let's Redo! VHH Kitchen Remodel

When I designed my kitchen ten years ago I thought for certain it would stand the test of time.

I do believe that it has held up design-wise but, functionally, it's showing signs of wear and tear: the white cabinet paint has started to chip;  the walnut floor in front of the fridge is warn; and hardware is broken. In a nut shell, time for some repair.

They say timing is everything.   Initially, I considered ways to slightly update the kitchen by repainting the cabinets and updating the counter top granite color.  Well, then a major wrench was thrown into my personal life (divorce) and I decided no better time than the present to remodel the whole damn thing.  Nothing like a complete remodel to create a fresh start and cleanse the soul.

Over the next several weeks, I'm going to take you on the journey of my kitchen remodel.  To start, this is the current kitchen: White cabinets, black granite counter tops, white marble on the island with walnut base and stainless steel appliances.  Upon the surface, it still appears to be in good condition, but with a closer look, aspects are starting to go.

Vivid Hue Home | Heather Grahling Kitchen 

Vivid Hue Home | Heather Grahling Kitchen 

I have a nice open floor plan and the kitchen overlooks our every day eating space and the family room.

Photo shoot by Gridley & Graves of Heather Grahling Kitchen 

Several years ago, photographers from Gridley & Graves came to photo shoot all of the rooms in my house for the potential inclusion in a shelter magazine.  The process of getting published is timely and not guaranteed and, after several years "on the verge" of being featured, the shelter magazine they were pitching became defunct.   I held out for quite some time with the idea that the photos would be used elsewhere.   That was maybe five years ago now.  I've given up hope.  But it was a fun process to watch and it's amazing to see how they can stage and transform a space. 

Vivid Hue Home Photo Shoot by Gridley & Graves

I have upgraded the chairs around my kitchen table now, too...The end chairs are high backed King's Grant Chairs by Taylor Burke Home with Zebra Hyde.  The side chairs are black knobbed wooden chairs with muslin covering.  

Vivid Hue Home Kitchen 

But, back to the renovation plans.  In the next few weeks I'll take you along my process for selecting new appliances, cabinetry, lighting, bar stools, back splash and more!  The actual demolition has not started (it begins In the next week) so I will be showing you photos as the work is happening!  

Next, I'll show you the new floor plan I decided upon to give me a bit more open space and remove some elements that I've never been crazy about (yes, we are moving appliances and demo'ing closets, etc).  Stay tuned!  And In the meantime, follow Vivid Hue Home on instagram for daily updates and behind the scenes sneak peeks!  

Read Next:    Renovation Goals  |  Kitchen Selections

xoxo

Heather 

VHH Master Bedroom Project

It's rare that I find a block of time to sit down, start a post and actually finish it.  This Saturday morning, I'm going to attempt to catch up on as much as possible before the kids beckon my attention.

(Their latest fascination is with professional wrestling and WWE wrestler John Cena 
They simulate wrestling matches and chant Cena's theme song "You Caint See ME, tha time is NOW"...."

This started out as funny; however it has gotten progressively more annoying.  Especially when their play wrestling escalates into a full on brawl...then I attempt to separate them and give them each a time out and they look at me with this face and say "you can't seeeeee me, you can't seeee me."

But I digress.

Most of ya'll that follow me on instagram manage to stay up to date with projects and happenings that I'm working on.  I post there daily and it's so simple.   But I think it's important that I maintain a connection with the rest of my Vivid Hue Homies through this blog.  And so, I promise that I will still post about projects and events here as well.

With that said,  one of my current personal projects at home is updating my master bedroom.  Here is a current photo of the room.  Don't get me wrong, overall, I love the room and I have put quite a bit of work into it already.  But I have always wanted the bedding to be a bit more upscale and better tied into the other elements of the room.  Much of the furniture is custom or made to order and I feel like the bedding has always been an "after thought."

There are a few caveats that I have needed to consider.  The curtains, fireplace chairs, dressers and X benches were all part of our initial investment into the room.  They are not old enough for me to replace and we made an investment into these items, so I needed as many of them to remain as possible.  (I'm not wanting to do an entire room make over).

So I had yellow, gray and teal to work with as my colors (Of course with pops of other colors but I considered these colors not as permanent).

One day I was in the @vividhuehome shop perusing through the Cotton & Quill textiles that we often turn into pillows and upholstery for our customers when I had an ah-ha moment.

The Cotton & Quill Deco Collection had a swatch called The Charleston with all of my necessary color ways.

So I took the swatch home to try it: 

And I absolutely love it.  I'm currently having Cotton & Quill make the duvet for me in the sateen finish.  The front will be the Charleston print and the back will be the yellow candlestick print.  

And now everything else seems to be falling into place: 

Stay tuned for the finished result.  I will post more as it progresses.  

I'm starting to hear the Cena theme song and one kid has the other pinned to the ground for three seconds while the other is shouting "you can't see me!  you can't seeeee me."  So I'm off to refer that project for now.  Until next time!

Take a tour of other rooms in our house here.

xoxox

Heather 

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