Before & After Guest Blogger: Brooke Giannetti of Velvet & Linen

I'm so excited to be a guest blogger for Lauren!

Lauren mentioned that her readers like "before and after" posts, so I thought I would share my kitchen update with you.

When my husband, Steve and I first built our home, we decided to use simple, classic materials in our kitchen. We selected white subway tiles for the kitchen backsplash and Carerra marble slabs for our kitchen counters. We knew that we would be less likely to get tired of these materials and could always give our kitchen a little freshening up by doing a few cheaper cosmetic changes. Well, it's been almost 8 years since we built our house, and Steve and I felt that it was time for an update.

This is how our kitchen looked for the past 8 years. All of our kitchen accessories were pink and green. Our kitchen island was a minty green that complimented our green glass knobs and plates.


We used two white Holophane lights over the island, and two Pottery Barn barstools for seating.


A Victorian style screen door was used for the pantry.


In the past 8 years our style has gotten a little more neutral and less floral. Steve also wanted our home to feel a bit more masculine. He asked if we could add a few industrial elements into the mix as well. Would it be possible to update our kitchen to reflect our changing style without tearing the whole place apart?

Here's what we did....


1. I replaced my floral curtain under my sink with a natural linen. I used my favorite linen: Hinson's Luxembourg Linen in Natural.

2. I gave my green glass knobs to a friend who was re-doing her kitchen! In their place I purchased these from Restoration Hardware (in satin nickel):


The Ephram is a classic egg shaped knob.


The Ephram Pull is clean and simple without feeling too modern.



3. Potted herbs and my old cutting boards added color and warmth.

4. An old wood sign replaced the floral print above the sink.



5. I put all of my green and pink plates away in my cabinets and brought out my white plates, old trophies and hotel silver for display on my open shelves.


6. To add a bit of an industrial feel, we painted our Holophane lights silver and...


7. We replaced our Pottery Barn stools with these medical stools from here.


8. We painted our island a light Swedish gray. Although it's a custom color it looks like a lighter version of Farrow and Ball's Cornforth.

Steve and I were really pleased. We were able to make a few inexpensive changes to achieve a look that reflected our present design aesthetic. Except for one thing... the pantry door. As several of my blogging friends noted, our pantry door felt a bit out of place now.


So, I started to look for inspiration.

My dream was to ask my friend Greet to design my new pantry door. I wanted a door that looked like the ones in these images from Greet's gorgeous blog:

The natural wood and the simple glass panes would be perfect in my "new" kitchen.


Or what about a smaller version of this one, Greet?


Unfortunately I didn't have the budget to fly Greet here from Belgium! So, I went in search of a less expensive alternative.

I found this door online from Coppa Woodworking. Ok, I know it's not as wonderful as Greet's amazing work, but it was only $159! Because my pantry is so skinny, the door will only have two panes across instead of three.



I ordered the door in pine, but I wanted it to have the finish similar to the old sign above my sink. I'm fortunate to be able to ask my finisher Oscar to make my door look like this...


Oscar was able to give my new pantry door the finish of an antique pine door!


I used simple door hardware from Crown City Hardware. I didn't want it to match the other hardware in the kitchen, so I bought it in polished chrome.



I hope you enjoyed my kitchen update!

Thank you again Lauren for inviting me over for a visit.

xo

Brooke
______________________________________________________

I really can't get over this kitchen.  It's insanely beautiful and I just love all of the updates.  It's so fresh & aged at the same time.  The Giannetti's are masters at mixing old & new.  I pretty much freak out over everything they do because they're so good.  Thank you so much to Brooke for sharing your before & after with us!!  I love it!!  Check out Velvet & Linen

xoxo,
lauren
ps-  the winner of the giveaway for the Inside Avenue trays is Farrell!!  Farrell, please email me at lauren@thepurestyle.com with your mailing address when you get the chance.   congrats!! :)

71 comments:

Nadine said...

I'm absolutely stunned! All the little updates are so clever and completely transform this kitchen! I love the industrial touch to it. It looks so fresh and modern.
What an inspiration! Thanks so much for sharing!

Greet Lefèvre said...

I do love the new look of your kitchen! As you did the little updates,it looks so new and fresh!
I wish we lived closer Brooke! Then indeed I could have made a new pantry door for you! But the one you added now is fabulous!!! And eve the hardware you choosed!
I love it!!
Thank you for mentionning me here(I was so surprised!) in this post of Lauren's blog! She is such a sweet person!!
xx
Greet

Jules said...

How simple and how effective.

Low Tide High Style said...

Both the before and the after are gorgeous! I love the new industrial bar stools and her beautiful new pantry door. What a wonderful, yet understated makeover! It just goes to show that a few small things can really add up to a dramatic change!

Kat :)

Susie @ Maddie G Designs said...

I think the before and after both look great. I love the new pantry door and the medical stools are such a great idea! I am looking for antique doors for the entrance to our MBR, perhaps having them made and then finished to look like antiques is the way to go?
Thanks for sharing. Such a treat.

lizziefitz said...

Yes ,Please, I will take one exact kitchen. Every detail is absolutely perfect!!

nelya said...

What a wonderful transformation. You've managed to completely change the look and feel through a few deft and thoughtful changes. I love the new, old kitchen. It's beautiful!

Brooke @ Blueprint Bliss said...

Love Brooke's kitchen update!

Tammy said...

Lovely..I adore it. And it is still the same kitchen just a bit more masculine.
tammy

Kim @ Savvy Southern Style said...

I love Brooke's inviting kitchen. Even with the industrial touches it still welcomes one in to sit and stay a while. That pantry door is fantastic.

Anonymous said...

This kitchen is insanely beautiful - I am crazy about how you mixed the pretty with the industrial. It's very timeless and beats anything from the magazines!
Sarah

Design Esquire said...

Everything is just perfect. Brooke really has an eye for all the details.

La Maison Fou said...

The new door fits in well with your new kitchen look Brooke. I like the clean pine look.
L.

Acanthus and Acorn said...

Smitten along with everyone else! I've been anxiously awaiting the pantry door reveal. It's the last thing that that needs to be addressed in my kitchen as well.

Brooke, I too have architechtural salvage over my kitchen window, in what appears to be the EXACT color of your new door...so I'm dying! Do you think Oscar wants to come to Virginia???

Thanks Lauren, this was so fun. :)

Willow Decor said...

I love the new door!! It's just wonderful!! You are lucky to have such a great refinisher - he did an amazing job making the door look old. Great job as always!!

ArchitectDesign™ said...

Have you thought about putting a cafe rod inside, obscuring the view of the pantry, in a matching linen? Just a different look :-) beautiful either way!

Kathryn said...

Love it! Beautiful!!!

Caroline said...

I have ktichen envy...of the "after" AND "before" pics!!

Unknown said...

Love the more masculine look ...hope this means Steve whips up a few meals.

Karena said...

These changes really made an amazing difference! It really does not take that much to update a room!

Karena

1 Funky Woman said...

Wow, simply amazing! I love the silver and trophies, I'm coming over for a cup of coffee, hee hee!

Developing Designs said...

No matter how much I look at this kitchen I am so impressed and blown away with the impact that the changes have created. The new color and finish on the island and lights are perfect, all of the industrial elements added, and the wonderful antiqued pantry door create for an amazing inviting space. Great job (as always)! Changing the glass to something such as an antiqued or seedy glass on the pantry doors could add even more of a vintage feel. xo

Janell @ House of Fifty said...

Stunning, comfortable, chic and welcoming! Janell

Velvet and Linen said...

Thank you again Lauren! It's such a treat to see my kitchen here on your blog! I hope you are spending some time with that beautiful family of yours today :)

I also want to thank everyone for your wonderful comments! Steve and I are enjoying them.

ArchitectDesign,
I love the idea of adding linen behind the glass. I haven't decided between doing the linen or adding more baskets and pretty containers in my pantry. I'm going to the container store today with a client. I'll have to see if they have anything that can spruce up my pantry!

xo
Brooke

Kathysue said...

Brooke and Steve always do an amazing job. It is so nice to see their project on your blog,Lauren! The new pantry door looks perfect,great choice to go with the changes you have already made.Love the silver trophies, they always look as if they could tell a great story if they could talk. I love objects with a story,Kathysue

My Galveston Cottage said...

Miss you Lauren, but I really enjoyed your guest blogger. She never disappoints! Beautiful.

Alisa D said...

Gorgeous. I am loving the open shelves and the sign above the window. Fantastic!

Michelle Hughes said...

Both looks are great, but i am definitely drawn to the after. Love it!

Michelle

Tricia said...

The new pantry door is just perfect. Brooke's new kitchen is absolutely amazing~ I love her house and style and wish I could move in with her and her sweet family!! :-)

Marty@A Stroll Thru Life said...

What a stunning kitchen. I loved it before and the small changed made a huge difference. Everything is just fabulous. Love it. Hugs, Marty

Sara said...

This is the good blog with good images and good details. Please keep on posting the more stuff. I will like to hear more from you.
Luxury Bedding

Bonnie said...

Wonderful post with tons of great information.

Your kitchen is beautiful and I love the more "masculine" touches.

Lovely inspiration, thank you!

Have a great Wednesday. :)

vignette design said...

I love all the changes Brooke has made with her kitchen without tearing it apart. The screen door was so cute at the time, but the aged pine door is perfect for now and goes beautifully with the "new" kitchen.

Tracy Watier said...

Beautiful and smart. Brooke AND her kitchen. I'm in the process of un-coloring and de-patterning my own white kitchen. Lots of inspiration here. Thanks to both of you!

Unknown said...

Hi Brooke! I loved your kitchen before... it was stunning, and I mean that... it was just perfect, not too over the top with girly prints and foo foo... And I totally understood your hubby's request tho. You both did a fabulous job making those changes and now its sophisticated and functional yet warm and inviting...
Really... really beautiful!

~Really Rainey~

vicki archer said...

Gorgeous as ever...xv

Tammy@InStitches said...

I love how all the small changes you made added such a big impact. The new door and the island paint are my favorite !

Laurie from Laurie Jones Home said...

This kitchen makes me swoon! Love the before and love the after! I love the kitchen island with the mix of butcher block and marble! Beautiful!!!! 5 stars!

Catherine Peart said...

Absolutely amazing that such simple changes make such a big difference! This kitchen is just so beautiful.

Visual Vamp said...

Brooke - Lovely to see it all together as one big project post!
You're a very good guest blogger hint hint.
And Lauren, hope you're enjoying your day off.
xo xo

Anonymous said...

Lovely! thank you for sharing....smiles.

Leah Moss said...

Wow!!!! It's incredible how much you changed the look without doing a total overhaul. Congrats, how wonderful it must be to cook in that gorgeous kitchen!

Liz @ It's Great To Be Home said...

Wow - I loved the before, and the after is spectacular. Brooke created such an amazing example of how a few relatively quick and inexpensive changes can truly transform a space - so inspiring!!

~ Liz
www.itsgreattobehome.net

Anonymous said...

Wow! Such subtle changes made a huge difference! Very nice of you to keep the boy in mind :)

Jami

Anonymous said...

Wow, it's amazing how you managed to change the style and feel entirely with just a few subtle changes. It's a beautiful space.

Roeshel said...

Brooke - your kitchen before was gorgeous but the after is awesome. I love the new accent and finishes. Great job!

Hi Lauren!

~Roeshel

3 Peanuts said...

Love the new look..it is sleeker but still warm and welcoming! Perfect updates. The pantry door is fabulous!!!!

Natasha in Oz said...

Beautiful! Thanks for posting the details about this gorgeous renovation.

Best wishes,
Natasha.

annie said...

Great change-up!
Brooke, you have once again shown that it doesn't take a lot to make a room feel fresh and updated.
Thanks!
annie

Anonymous said...

Their house keeps getting better!! I absolutely LOVE their style... And my favorite part is that she decided to get polished chrome hardware for the door as to NOT match the kitchen cabinets. Most people would think opposite... but I'm with her. Mixing and matching is key!

Jennifer Sergent said...

Brooke, I follow both your and Lauren's blog, and it's so great to see you come together. What a great surprise! And as a former magazine editor who's seen umpteen beautiful kitchens, your's is truly unique/ never seen anything like it, which is quite a feat. Bravo.

DecRenew Interiors said...

What a treat to have Brooke be a guest blogger, we all love her incredible style. We also love your style Lauren! Brooke's kitchen is an incredible transformation and I especially love the pantry door she changed, nice suprise.

Ruthie

HOUND HILL DESIGN said...

I am sure Brooke you just woke up one day and said - floral and mint has to go NOW! Great update - love the finish on the new door...
Nancy

Riviera Boardwalk said...

Elegant, classic, perfect and soooo you!
xoxo,
nancy

Linda in AZ * said...

*.... am truly, sincerely and most HONESTLY "in awe"... then again, with Team Giannetti, that's the way it A*L*W*A*Y*S works for me.

Ohhhhhhhhh, how I LOVE how you two T*H*I*N*K*, & love it EVEN MORE when I get to see the results of your collaborations!!!!!!!!

Lovingly,
Linda in AZ *
bellesmom1234@comcast.net

Ianny said...

Clean cut and refreshing. You guys must have put in much thought to the project. Must have been fun.
Splash! Posters

Tamra said...

Much better and it really stands out without stealing the show.

Nice.

Anonymous said...

Loving the new door!

Mrs. Limestone said...

What a gorgeous space! Thanks for sharing.

Anonymous said...

I love everything about the new kitchen!! What great vision!
AK.

Doug Davis said...

Brooke is so talented! The pantry door is the perfect finishing touch to a beautiful space.

Donna @ Paisley and Perspective said...

Stunning! I love the impact these small changes make on the whole feel of the kitchen. As always, I'm blown away by Brooke and Steve's work.

Lauren, hope you are enjoying your special time with the little one!

Cindy said...

Fabulously gorgeous!!! The Gianetti's are amazing designers. I loved the before, but the after is even better and I didn't think that was possible! Cindy S.

Maria Killam said...

Love everything Brooke does, nice to see her kitchen again!!

Danielle@LiveLikeYou said...

It is truly amazing when the before and after pictures are both gorgeous!

Caitlin @ That House on the Corner said...

You just showed me my dream kitchen. This one is going in my favorites folder! Thanks for sharing!

Melissa :) said...

(Psssssst...I love your blog! I couldn't find a button, so I added your link to my blog! :)

Unknown said...

Gorgeous, Lauren! I just gave you a shout out and re-posted your photos on our facebook page. Simply beautiful! www.facebook.com/fluffyourstuff

Lorrie Williams, President
Fluff Your Stuff Interior ReDesign
www.fluffyourstuff.com

Lauren said...

Lori (Of fluff your stuff)--- I didn't do this gorgeous kitchen. If you'll read the post above, it's actually a guest blogger post done by Brooke Giannetti. Could you please change the info on your facebook page so it links to her site? Thanks so much & I appreciate it!! :)
Best,
Lauren

Unknown said...

Thanks for the heads up, Lauren. I changed the info. That's what I get for skimming! :-)

Lorrie

Gretchen said...

What a great post your guest blogger, Brooke, shared with the quick changes they used to update their lovely kitchen. Although it was great b4 they updated it the new more industrial feel is fabulous and so with the times. Love the simple touches they used and their talent surely shines in this post. Thanks Lauren for this inspirational guest blogger.
Gretchen