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Saturday, February 2, 2013

How's My Kitchen Holding Up Part II?

 Hi blogland friends! I hope you are having a wonderful weekend.

Today I'm sharing how the working end of my kitchen is holding up since my remodel nine months ago. But first I liked to thank Kathy at  "Life on Lakeshore Drive" for featuring my post on the eat-in area of my kitchen at her link party, A Bouquet of Talent. Thank you Kathy.

Life on Lakeshore Drive

You may see the post on the eat-in area here.





I'm going to give you an evaluation of all the finishes I chose for my kitchen. I'm not sponsored by anyone and I'm not trying to sell you anything so I'm going to be brutally honest.

I still love all the finishes I chose. For the budget I had I am very satisfied with everything.  Let's look at my butcher block style counter-tops made from red oak flooring with a thick poly finish. You can see the tutorial on how to do them yourself here.



They are still pretty and shiny after nine months of use but they do scratch. Remember this is a thick polyurethane if you drag something across it with a rough base it will scratch the finish. 

They are easy to clean and do not show stains. I was even able to wipe off Sharpie marks! About once a week I polish them with furniture polish. By the way this tutorial is the most viewed post on my blog with thousands of views.




I left one area by the stove bare to use as a butcher block. I love this and use it a lot. 

Treat this as needed with mineral oil. 



My stock kitchen cabinets were finished out with trim to give them the look of custom cabinets. You can see that tutorial here.



I used Annie Sloan chalk paint and gave the cabinets a distressed, vintage finish. I used different handles and painted some with chalk paint to give the look that they were added over time.  To achieve this distressed look takes a three step painting process and you may see the tutorial here.

I finished the cabinets with a clear, soft wax and even though I have scrubbed them quite a bit have not needed to re-wax yet.  I am very pleased with how they have held up.

I LOVE my apron front, farmhouse sink! I will say that if my budget had been a little more I would have chosen a stone or copper sink, instead of the oven-fired, clay sink.


One thing I do not like about it is that certain metals will mark it with a silver mark. Its not a scratch just a mark, but I have not found a-n-y-t-h-i-n-g that will remove it.  I do have several of these marks on the inside where the dishes brush the sides of the sink.


A new stove was not in the budget and mine was not very old but it was almond in color and did not match.  So I painted it with epoxy, appliance paint. I'm not satisfied with how this is holding up at all!  To me, especially on the top, the paint is wearing off and now looks more almond than white.  Also it has a slightly rough texture and does not clean easily.

I think a new stove is in the works soon. :-)


Finally I love, Love, LOVE my tin ceiling tiles! You can see how they were installed in this post.

I also love the back-splash of subway and glass tiles and you may see that tutorial here.

Over all I love my kitchen.  It is small but just right for my husband and myself. When all the children are over the open concept into the dining room works great for visiting while I am cooking. 

If you are planning a kitchen remodel and have any questions please feel free to leave a comment and I will be glad to give any help I can.





Okay, y'all don't forget to link up all your projects next week at Transformed Tuesday. We can't wait to see what you've been up to.


15 comments:

  1. Your kitchen is just gorgeous! I clicked over to your tute on the ceiling tiles....I would love to put some in my kitchen! We are working on our laundry room right now and I am very pleased with the way it is coming along! Looking forward to the party this coming week....hug, Penny

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  2. I loved your kitchen when you finished and still do. Bar Keepers Friend will easily take those marks off. Just be sure to rinse. Let me know how it works out. CTD

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  3. just love wht you did. i may email you with the big question, as mu kitchen is about same size, and would like to do pretty much same thing. susy

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  4. I was just popping over to say the same about the bar keepers friend. It should take those marks off. Hope it helps!

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  5. This is just downright lovely! I would stay in there and cook all day - no, eat take out so I wouldn't get it messy!

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  6. I'm Loving the white distressed cabinets! I am your newest follower on GFC, and I am excited t follow your blog, as I think we have a lot of the same tastes! I'm just about to link up to your party, and I did put your button on my link up page! When you have time, stop by and say hello as well www.wonderfulathome.blogspot.com. I am a new blogger, but am loving the community everyone has! Hope to be blogging buddies with you!

    Thanks and have a lovely day!

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  7. Everything looks beautiful. I might have to try the ceiling tiles. I wonder what finish would provide the most light? You might also try a baking soda paste on your sink as I've a great luck with that in removing such stains on a wide variety of surfaces.

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  8. Everything looks beautiful. I might have to try the ceiling tiles. I wonder what finish would provide the most light? You might also try a baking soda paste on your sink as I've a great luck with that in removing such stains on a wide variety of surfaces.

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  9. Thank you so much for your sweet shoutout, Peggy! I adore your kitchen. Thank you so much for sharing at A Bouquet of Talent! Have a wonderful weekend.
    hugs
    Kathy

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  10. What a beautiful kitchen you have!

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  11. For those of you that recommended that I try Bartender's Friend for the scratches on my sink. It didn't work. sigh :-(

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  12. Hi, i was just wondering if you had any trouble with the polyurethane being food safe? Did you actually end up using Envirotex Lite, or something else? Im doing one very similar for my grandma's house and i need some kind of sealer that is food safe.

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  13. Comet will do the trick on those sink spots. I must be old school as I thought everyone cleaned their kitchen sink with Comet.

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  14. Try Bon Ami for the marks! I think I have the same kind of sink that you do, and it works wonders :)

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I love to read your comments. They make my day. I no longer take anonymous comments. Too much spam. Also, I will not reply on post to comments but via email so please be sure you are a reply blogger. Thanks, Peggy :-)