Kitchen make-over...

First......

the Before!

The first thing we did was to take all the beloved books out of our bookshelf.  (Big job!)  I will be sorting through the books in another project  Next, we tore apart the old forest green bookshelf, and I painted it for repurposing in my sewing/craft/whatever room.  Then we tore out the wall that held upper cabinets and a large pantry (on the right below).

The footprint of our "new" kitchen is mostly the same as it was minus the wall.  We added a large island/pantry with seating to replace the previous cabinets and pantry.

  

 

Here's the newly remodeled kitchen coming in from the door.  

The dining area is right where I'm standing (above).

Try (as best you can) not to see the ugly fridge.  One day, when it dies, there will be a shiny new one there!

 This is the side where the old pantry and wall cabinets were.
It's replaced by an island & pantry combo. Now I'm facing the door and dining area.

 Here's our island/pantry.  There are cabinets facing into the kitchen and cabinets facing the seating.  I have the stuff I don't use as often in the seating side of the island. 

 

I plan to add some corner shelves on both sides of the window (my dad is building them) and I'll put my brightly colored pitchers and things on them for more color.  I'm trying to decide if I want to dress the window with a curtain or not.  So far, I like it wide open and bright.

 

Here's a nice little pull-out cupboard where I keep all my baking stuff (above).

This is a spice cupboard that is right next to my stove (above).

A view from the seating side of our island.  

We're planning to put a small TV there on the wall to the left.

I've been baking and cooking up a storm and today I'm cooking for the

Super Bowl Party.  The family's coming out!