From everything I've read, original Craftsman style bungalow kitchens were often just a nook in a house— nothing special, just a space big enough for an icebox and a sink and a small prep table. Our original kitchen's no exception.
The week we move in, Que casually asks, "So... Do you hate these knotty pine cupboards as much as I do?"
"Yes." I answer.
Ka-Blam!
Without hesitation, Que takes a sledge hammer to the knotty pine...
We replace it with Ickyah's finest, and spiff them up a bit with some 1920's art deco nickle nobs, which match nicely with some existing 1940's deco action around the sink...
Que also wrecks out an awkward protruding wall and adds room for a refrigerator...
The office acoustic ceiling tile is merely covered up with a layer of sheetrock and then painted a cream white; which really brightens up the room. I attack the faded country floral wallpaper with a vengeance. The walls are skimcoated smooth. Lastly, we brighten the walls with a three layers of Lander's Apt Yellow and a bright glossy white for the trim...
Before Kitchen: Ceilings are covered with "Downtown Office Chic" grey acoustic ceiling tile and this charming "Interrogation Room" style bare lightbulb...
The bare bulb is replaced with a deco pendant light from Portland. The Muddy 80's Mauve colored trim is updated with a bright white gloss...
Before: The former owner of our house raised rabbits, so we find rabbit-themed kitsch everything throughout the house.
After: Switches and plates are promptly updated with durable and classic nickle plates.
Mauve No More!
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Brief side note: Possible future menaces?
Our window guy J is accepted to graduate school for sculpture. He invites us to dinner to celebrate and to meet his cats Mary and April for a "playdate". Do we have two mature pet cats in our near future? J shares El Big cat ownership rule #1: Cats must stay indoors at all times or risk becoming tasty cougar snacks!
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