Our Kitchen/ Pantry Demo & Redo Part 1

You might remember that I have  had a pantry in my kitchen covered by oatmeal-colored painters's dropcloth curtains:


When we moved in it was a gaping hole that exposed a funny little pantry.  It held a LOT of stuff but in the most unattractive, unorganized, RIDICULOUS manner:


{scaaaaaary}

We've lived something like the above photo since we moved in almost 2 years ago and kept it hidden behind the curtains.


{more scariness}

We've planned since Day 1 to eventually tear it out & open up the wall above the closet and then add cabinetry up to the ceiling for intense storage.  Yesterday afternoon around 1:00 we were at Lowe's picking up some top soil and grass seed (our lawn is pathetic) and a pergola when we wandered into the unfinished cabintery aisle.  We knew roughly what our dimensions were and piled a bunch of cabinets into our minivan (kids-in-tow) and set out to demo the existing pantry:


We discovered some old wallpaper & even older linoleum and of course enjoyed Taco Bell & pizza, which we pretty much do every time we have a project.  My husband (Dave) is painting the cabinetry today to match our existing gray-green cabinets:


{Behr's "witch hazel" on our cabinets, photo by Helen Norman}

We need to get the drywall fixed and of course if we were normal people we would have had it done beforehand, but we got too excited to wait yesterday so now that's on my list of things to do this week. 

Here's an in-progress shot of what it looks like now

{very crooked pic- sorry!}

We're going to have small thin hidden doors squeezed on either side of the bottom cabinets and I'm going to cover the center panels in a pale oatmeal linen to break up the big expanse of green & add a little interest.  And hardware of course.  Although it's completely mid-construction and looks trashed I am LOVING the organization!!!  My favorite drawer is full of pasta:

{hello warm fuzzy slippers!}

And the sippy cup & bottle drawer is so easy to get to!!:


On a side note, the grass seed, pergola, and top soil are still in the car.



xoxo, Lauren

If you'd like help creating a home you absolutely love, contact me about our design services.

50 comments:

Kathysue said...

Lauren I love to do projects like this, full of enthusiasm!! It will look great. The little spaces on the side will be great storage for cookies sheets and trays!!! have fun!!! The grass will wait!! KS

Cristin // Simplified Bee said...

Looking good! Love these organizing projects. xo

sharon santoni at my french country home said...

No wonder your blog is so popular! Not only you show great ideas, your whole writing style is just so sweet and unpretentious. Wonderful!
I'm sure this is going to look fantastic when it's finished.
Sharon
My French Country Home

Mom About Town said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Geezees Custom Canvas Art said...

Love these ideas! Can't wait to see pics when it's done!

The enchanted home said...

I can imagine how gorgeous it will come up....the post was funny and the pictures a treat as to what lies ahead. Love your cabinet color and chalkboard faced fridge...genius for young kids!
Very nice....have fun!

Naomi@DesignManifest said...

Lauren, you crack me up! Love the slippers and sippy cups.

Isn't life better when its organized?

I have this grand goal to put all my pantry items into mason jars. Because pasta is certainly more attractive in a glass jar. I know chocolate is.

PS- my sister (at age 27!) still enjoys a sippy cup from time to time. It's bad. So please promise us you won't let it get that bad with your guys ;)

Melissa at HOUSEography said...

That is going to be awesome. It's amazing what you can do with a little stock cabinetry and some paint! Double YEAH for easy access sippy cups!!

Jenny B. said...

Wow! I know you don't like your countertops, but really once you replace those your kitchen will be pretty much perfect, and on a budget. Then you can slowly replace your appliances as money allows. Great job.

TheVirginiaHouse said...

I can't wait to see it all finished! Your kitchen colors are almost exactly the same as mine, only your kitchen is a little more amazing:-) Love it! Your whole home is such an inspiration with what can be done with a little imagination and creativity.

Anonymous said...

Instead of trying to retrofit skinny doors why not leave it open, but divide into two spaces and use it for tray, baking sheets and cutting board storage? handy and I think more esthetically clean, even though it would be open.

Anonymous said...

Instead of trying to retrofit skinny doors why not leave it open, but divide into two spaces and use it for tray, baking sheets and cutting board storage? handy and I think more esthetically clean, even though it would be open.

karen said...

I am officially coveting this! There is nothing more important than a well-designed pantry system.

We have a pantry in our renovation plans -- I insisted on it from the start.

Acquired Objects said...

Oh well not like the grass seed is going to sprout in the car but at least you're getting a handle on your pantry...most important in my opinion. I can't wait to see the finished results!

Emma (Glitter and Gold) said...

I am so excited for you - this post just got my heart pumping - I love organization and this is going to look absolutely fab when done - CAN'T wait for after photos!

xoxo
E

www.glitterandgoldblog.blogspot.com

paula said...

looks gorgeous so far! you must be so excited. I know I would be!

Patricia @ 9th and Denver said...

Wow! don't you just love lifes little surprises?
You shop for dirt and get cabinets instead!
Well, hope you don't lose track of what y'll are doing...(we tend to get sidetracked ourselves)you may get in the car one day and find that the grass needs mowing! LOL...
can't wait to see the finish.

blessings
Pat

Comeca Jones said...

Cant wit for the results.

Unknown said...

Looks amazing and really transforms the space, Reminds me of a butlers pantry!

Anonymous said...

i really really love your kitchen!
we are in the process of redoing ours this week and i am so excited for the finished result!

under spanish moss said...

We are glad to see that we are not the only ones who go to Lowe's for one thing and leave with a totally different spur of the minute project. Love do it yourself projects. We are sooo inspired!!!
Can't wait to see the finished project

Zoe Marie said...

Looks great. I just did something similar last week with shelves in my workroom. We lived in a big mess for days, but it was fun!

Jenny Castle Design said...

Looks great so far - love getting things organized, it's the best feeling! xo

Tina@thriftingwithcake.blogspot.com said...

Love it so far! It's going to look amazing, obviously. What made me happiest: Cute sippy cup drawer! LOVE it! :-)

Courtney said...

"intense storage"...LOLOL, love it. I feel ya.

Lynda @ Happenstance Home said...

What a great amount of space you have to work with. Love how it is looking!

WhisperWood Cottage said...

Brilliant! Can't wait to see the cabinets with paint!

Anonymous said...

Great, great idea. I really appreciate the sippy cup drawer! Every young family needs one. Looking forward to seeing the finished product and finding out how you attach the linen to the center panels. Also drop cloth curtains -- I know that they're gone, but brilliant.

Joy@aVintageGreen said...

Just found your blog and very happy about that - I love backward forward reno projects. Makes me feel right at home. Everything gets done, just not in a regular sequence. Love what you've done.
- Joy

Loretta Fontaine (EcoHappy Blog) said...

Lauren- What a satisfying project! I can't wiat to see how it turns out!

Loretta

traci zeller designs said...

Oh, so exciting, Lauren!! Projects like these get me so excited because it is just going to make the space soooo much more functional!!

Mary said...

Why did I think you had sea grass wall paper in your pantry? Am I thinking of someone else?

toves sammensurium said...

I am convinced it won´t be scary for no more!!!!!!!!!
tove,Norway ;P

Jane @ The Borrowed Abode said...

Wow, that's going to be a great storage space when you're done!!

Project supplies often languish in my car for weeks. . oops.

tarheel said...

that's amazing. I want it. I love that you couldn't wait for the drywall.

Anonymous said...

You are FEARLESS! I'm not worthy. R

Tawna said...

Hey, now your sheetrock looks like our remodel! It's so fun to see the continuation of you home...and when you find a place for all those sippy cups, if feels like you've conquered the world! Good luck with finishing up. Can't wait to see the photos!

Tawna

Mona Thompson Providence Ltd. said...

This is going to be great. Can't wait to see it finished. I will say that your temporary solution with the drop cloth curtain was very inventive and looked quite good.

Jennifer said...

exciting!!

Carol@6WilsonBlog.com said...

Omg, that is so me -- go in for the lawn, come out with a huge unrelated project. We could be BFF's, you and I! I am envious -- I soooo need kitchen space. My food stuff is on shelving going down the basement stairs!

Forever Lovely said...

Your pantry is going to be so much more functional now, How wonderful :) I absolutely love your kitchen! Your white dishes look so lovely on the shelves and the chalkboard refrigerator is such a great idea, especially with little ones! Thanks for sharing.

-Forever Lovely
http://foreverlovelydesign.blogspot.com/

Unknown said...

Love it when you get an urge and you just must follow through! Love how you roll up your sleeves and get Taco Bell (and old favorite of mine!).

Looks like you are well on your way!

The seed and pergola can wait! :)
xoxo elizabeth

Stacy said...

Lauren I love your spontaneity. That cabinet will be so great for storage. I live outside of Baltimore so I am going to try to get to the design house. It sounds like its going to be wonderful. I just started my own design firm after closing my home decor boutique last year to focus on designing. I am loving all the people I have meet in the design world and how kind and supportive everyone are. I can't wait to see your finished cabinet. Take Care, Stacy

Julia R. Dominguez Lawrence said...

Great project, I'm sure it'll be beautiful when it's done and functional.

red ticking said...

fantastic... i am in ORG mode right now with my cabinets... in every room it seems! edit edit edit...hope you are well sweet friend... xoxo

Karah said...

ahhh it does feel so good to get organized! i love love love your kitchen with the open shelves and that fridge rocks! )

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Anonymous said...

Your home looks very beautiful and nice to share with us, totally awesome.
Property Manager

Kel said...

Hey lauren. Looks great! Just a thought for you as you begin the organization of your stuff: Leave a lower drawer for things your kids can get to for themselves. Saves you the time of retrieving it for them and teaches a bit of independence. At their ages, this idea may need to wait, but I'd been doing it for almost 5 years with a drawer of paper plates, napkins, cups, spoons, and instant drink mix and my boys can "do it" on their own. The neighborhood kids know where to get the cups after they come in from playing. I also add a sharpie marker and everyone knows to write their name on their cup and re-use it throughout the day.

LindsB said...

it looks so good! You must be so happy with all the new storange now that everything is hidden behind pretty new cabinets!