It’s here! Reveal day for our long await Retro Glam Kitchen renovations is finally upon us, and I can’t believe we actually made it in time. Big shout out to Dan for working so hard with me through this entire project, and for trusting me when it came to certain design choices. He loves every bit of it just as much as I do, and it’s easy to see why.
Catch up on our progress so far: Plans for out Retro Glam Kitchen Renovations, How to Paint Plywood Kitchen Cabinets, Choosing A Retro Kitchen Floor Tile, Retro Kitchen Details, Glam Kitchen Finishes & How To Choose A Retro Sink.
P.s Welcome to week 6 of the ORC! Make sure you go check out the link-up with all the other linking participants, and check out what the official ones are up to.
*Polycor, Velux Canada, Blanco, Villa Lagoon Tile, Hygge & West, BEHR Paint, Homesense, Metrie, Emtek & Hudson Valley Lighting sponsored this post, but all thoughts are my own. Thank you for supporting the brands that make PMQ for two possible.
ALL SOURCES LISTED AT BOTTOM
Won’t ya come on in! You can’t enter this kitchen without first remarking on the new doors, doorways, and handles. I like having the kitchen as a separate space in the house, and giving it new entrances felt fitting.
We’ve got the Livingston door from the Masonite x Metrie collab, along with casing & architraves from their new Option M line.
When you come in, the first thing you’re greeted by is our new seating area. We’ve always had the table there, but with this renovation we wanted to add something that would at once cover up the baseboard radiators, provide seating, and give us extra storage.
Our window corner bench was expertly built by Dan, and painted by me. We had custom cushions made up, and are very happy with how they turned out. I couldn’t have made anything as nice as those, so the extra cost was well worth it.
We added the red chairs (deciding to move the pink ones into the dining room), and are pleased with the pop of colour they provide against the white tulip base table.
Hanging the large Sphere No.1 Light from the Mark D. Sikes x Hudson Valley Lighting collaboration, above the table, really gives an interesting play on scale and shape, especially with all the rigid grids and lines from the cabinetry.
Setting the table for this reveal felt like an exercise in Saturdays and summer days to come. From my hat, to my sunnies, to the domino set and big citrus cups, and the statuesque pitcher (all from Homesense), I can’t wait to spend an early evening or late afternoon enjoying some lemonade inside and out of the sun.
It also makes me think of late nights and early mornings with our baby girl. She’ll be here around the end of August, and I’m sure this kitchen will be getting lots of use for late night activities.
Even though we didn’t change a single thing about the layout in this space (because it was actually really good to begin with), we did make major changes my updating doorways and doors. The architectural detail that they add to the space, really make it feel like a glam kitchen, and one deserving of a place in this lovely home.
The door hardware is something I spent a lot of time deciding on actually. These handles from Emtek are a joy to look at, and even easier to use (nothing worse than a sticky handle).
Dan’s only mark against them, is that they’re easy for velociraptors to open (Jurassic Park anyone?), and since I don’t think that’ll be a problem anytime soon, he’s gonna have to sit on that one for now.
You can immediately see the difference that the skylight from Velux has made. That corner — that’s now beautifully lit — used to be dark. The layout didn’t make it an obvious place for a light fixture, so adding a big window onto the sky was such a luxurious option that we jumped at the option to do so.
I’ll have a full post about the process, the skylight itself, and how we’ve incorporated it into our smart home tech. (it closes automatically when it senses rain, or will open with CO2 levels become dangerous).
Can we please take a minute to talk about this cool cat? The poor cats have had their food bowls moved all over the house since the kitchen reno started, and not only am I moving the back into the kitchen, but I’ve given them new food bowls!
These are actually people bowls from Homesense, but I wasn’t going to let that stop me from using them for my fancy kitties. Since neither of them would sit still long enough next to them for a photo (Boots made his presence known almost everywhere else), I added my ceramic cat for dramatic effect.
Although selecting all the big finishes was a crucial and exhilarating process (I’ve never had the luxury of choice in all our military rentals), choosing the soft finishes like decor, pillows, art etc. was by the far the most fun. Mainly because there wasn’t so much riding on those choices.
Can we talk about the countertops and full height backsplash for a hot minute? I’ve got an entire post dedicated to them coming up, but in the meantime you should totally take in all the White Cherokee Marble goodness from Polycor.
It’s more durable than traditional marble, and the veining in these slabs was the perfect balance of bold and delicate for me.
Having them installed all around the kitchen (and between cabinets) has made the space not only safer (we used to just have gross old wallpaper – 5 layers of it), but easier to clean. I just need a wet sponge to clean them down at the end of the day.
Given how we have our range and oven separate (a retro kitchen feature I ADORE), it means there’s nothing standing between our pots and pans, the grease or mess, and the back of the range. The marble will be so much easier to clean.
With our cabinet re-shuffle (we took down 3 upper cabinets on the wall with the sink), I had the opportunity to shuffle things around. When we moved in, our friends kindly unboxed the kitchen for us while I was directing traffic. It means that I didn’t actually pick where anything went, and decided to leave it until the reno.
Would you believe me if I told you that we have so much cupboard space (even with those upper 3 gone) that there are currently 6 empty cupboards in our kitchen? Mainly lower, and it’s a reflection of the fact that I keep a lean kitchen and don’t like to hold on to lots of stuff in here (contrary to the rest of the house).
I definitely took full advantage of a shuffled kitchen to create a rainbow arrangement for all the extra fluff in one wall’s cupboards. It’s all the cups, vases, dishes, trays and more, that I don’t use regularly, but still want to be able to access.
So instead of cramming them in with our day-to-day sets, they get to be organized by colour here.
Nugget and I are hungry, and right now we’re after the salty stuff.
Once we moved everything back in, we decided to localize all the food in one spot, so we moved the pantry to these upper cupboards. Now when we’re unloading groceries we don’t have cans and boxed items on one side of the kitchen, far away from the fridge.
We also updated our kitchen countertop appliances with more retro inspired pieces, and you can find all of them in my round-up of Kitchen appliances & decor under 100$.
Last week we talked about our new retro kitchen sink from Blanco, the IKON 33 in Silgranit. It’s quite simply, amazing. I can fit all my plants in there, at least a meal’s worth of dishes, and will hopefully have a baby in there soon enough.
With all the updated decor, the extra light from the skylight, and my big sink, I don’t mind doing dishes now. No one tell Dan.
In our Glam Kitchen Details post update, we talked about the large Sphere No.1 Lights, but I said we’d show you where the other ones were going. Ta da!
We’ve got two, one on either side of the sink, above in the bulkhead. They’re on a different switch than the peninsula Sphere, so we truly have some utilitarian and glam kitchen task lighting.
Before I sign off and go enjoy my kitchen for a few days before moving onto the next space, I want to take a minute to thank all my sponsors for so generously providing product for our retro glam kitchen renovation. I couldn’t have done it without you!
- Kitchen cabinets and window bench in Opal Silk PPU12-8m by BEHR Paint.
- Tugboat pattern cement tile from Villa Lagoon Tile
- Velux Canada skylight
- Livingston doors from Metrie, and door handles from Emtek
- Cupboard/drawer hardware from Emtek
- Sphere No.1 Light fixtures from the Mark D Sikes x Hudson Valley Lighting Collab
- Baird Sconces in Aged Brass from Hudson Valley Lighting
- White Cherokee Marble countertops & backsplash from Polycor
- Copper Peonies Rifle Paper Co. x Hygge & West
- Corner Window Bench custom cushions from Cushion Source.Ca
- Crown moulding from Metrie’s new line Option M
- Doorway Casing and architrave
- BLANCO IKON 33 Silgranit Sink + Faucet
- Chelsea Dining Chairs from Wayfair
- Art near sink: Roast with Mushrooms by Eugenia Loli, Look at You! by Julia Walck,and BAGELS BAGELS BAGELS by Anna Dorfman
- Retro Countertop Appliances
- Accessories from Homesense & personal collection
Shop the Retro Glam Kitchen Look
Omg Ariel!!! This looks amazing! There are so many elements in this space that I love????
Sure are! I can’t believe it’s ours! It’s all ours!
It looks incredible! You have such a skill for balancing color and pattern! cheers to the end of another ORC!
Cheers! And onto the next Reno! And thank you for the lovely compliment
I love all the things about this!! But, the floors and the cat are my favs!
Those floors will forever be my fave!
Ariel!!!!!! you did it! this is amazing and I am so proud of you both! I am so glad that you went to the effort to add the skylight. it’s incredible! the lighting and tile are amazing. the vintage touches are so much fun. way to go my friend!
Amen Sista! It all makes such a difference, and I can’t believe it’s complete! The skylight is an game changer since it provides so much light, and lets me keep plants in that part of the kitchen now ????
Sooo bright and cheery! Well done, Ariel! This is a kitchen to love!
Thank you Angela! Can’t wait to go see your guest room!
WOWOWOWOWOW! SO IN love with it al!!!! Makes me want to live in your kitchen. I will have to revisit again. Soooo gorg!!!
Ya know, I’m tempted to live in this kitchen too! It’s such a fun space
this is the funnest kitchen i’ve seen in a long time! i love all of it so much!!!
Thank you! Life is too short for boring beige kitchens
Such a gorgeous space! I love the retro appliances the most…wait, maybe the wallpaper…nope, I love it all!
Great job!
Ha! ???? I’m with ya! I think I love that it’s MINE the most
All the colorful heart eyes! Hard to choose a favorite part, but I’m still drooling over the lights and wallpaper! Beautiful transformation!
Thanks Virginia! I still can’t believe it turned out this well! Between all the hard work and the amazing brand sponsors, we definitely got the kitchen of our dreams!
Perfectly you! Looks amazing!
Thanks so much mama!
absolutely Beautiful! Such a fun place to live life in 🙂
One question, the built in bench seating covers your radiator, will that be a heating issue?
(my caps button seems to be on the fritz lol!)
Shouldn’t be, because we have venting around the sides, and it doesn’t touch the radiator. We also have the ability to turn off this section of the radiator if need be!
It’s gorgeous!! I love the cabinet color with the wallpaper! And all the other color too. Great job!
Thank you so much! We absolutely love how it all turned out
This is the perfect kitchen for you! Down to every retro detail. Congrats and enjoy..
You know it! And more importantly, it fits with the house!
I’m pretty sure it would be impossible not to be a morning person in this cheery kitchen!!! I love it ALl!
You pulled so many different elements together to make a large space seem intimate and both cozy and cool! ????
Your kitchen looks amazing! The skylight was a genius idea! And I love the countertops. Enjoy!
I pinned like crazy! it’s absolutely stunning! it’s unique and so you and I love that so so much!
Thank you so much! I’m so glad you like it!
you totally ourdid yourself, ariel! beautiful space that is creative, fun, very unique and very you!
Thank you sweet friend! We are SO pleased with how it all turned out
Such an inspiring and colourful space!! Love everything you did 🙂
Candace
http://www.themintedmama.com
Thanks Candace! I still can’t believe it’s done! Pinch me!
Perfect place for an early cup of coffee!!! Well done friend. Home run.
Thank you! I’m definitely looking forward to my share of them
Even though I love my new kitchen, your’s is my dream kitchen. My favorite part is obviously the tile, but you have so many lovely details like the door handles, rainbow accessories, and globe light fixtures! I won’t get tired of seeing it!
Well shoot! I’m waiting till tonight to go check out all the reveals. I wanna see how yours turned out!
It looks fantastic. I love every pop of color you have incorporated. I cannot not pick out just one thing I love because I love it all.
Thank you so much Linda! I am so pleased with how it all turned out
HOLY SMOKES!!! THIS LOOKS sooooo good!!!! congratulations!!! YOU DID PHENOMINAL.
THE TEAL MIXED WITH THE RED IS PERFECT WITH THE BLACK/WHITE FLOORS AND RETRO VIBE. i LOVE IT!
Ariel!!! YOu have a way with color, girl. So good. so, so good. As a self-proclaimed #catlady I love your fancy cats (both real and fake) too!
Congrats on finishing in time!!!
This room just makes me smile! i love all of the little details!
WOW Ariel…just..WOW!! It turned out so so incredible! There are so many details to love I can’t choose just one. That cabinet colour is perfection – so bright & cheerful and I love how you paired it with the sunny cushion on the window bench. The door handles & cabinet pulls, the wallpaper…and that FLOOR!! It all just works. You never cease to amaze me with your ability to pull together colour and pattern in a way that just works. Kudos on another masterful reno! I can’t wait to see what space you guys are gonna tackle next.
WOW WOW WOW! You are blowing me away with the perfection and harmony of all this color! Everything fits together seamlessly and it’s stunning! Congrats on a beautiful reveal!
Thank you! That’s exactly what I was going for! Harmony of colour!
I am always blown away by your photography and your use of color. There is so much color and pattern, and it all works!
Thank you SO much! I pride myself on those things, and seeing them all come together here has been so rewarding
Love it! Love it! Love it! I always enjoy your bold use of color and your flair for accessorizing. I hope you can velociraptor-proof those handles and stay safe.
I hope so too! Maybe if I make all the outdoor entrances velociraptor proof it’ll be enough?
I love this! do you have before pictures? I’m an editor at Apartment Therapy and would be interested in featuring this on the site — can you email me? jamie @ wiebe.co
Sure do! Before a are in the first post!
This is beautiful Ariel! Love the color of the cabinets with the marble and the wallpaper! Hope you enjoy all the time you will be spending in here with your little one!
I’m sure I will! I’m so glad we got it all done in time to do other things first!
Ariel,
you knocked this one out of the park! Love the beautiful floors and the cushions were definitely worth the added expense. Nicely done! Now it’s time to kick back and enjoy a break before baby PMQ arrives.
If only! I’ve got a few spaces left to do to satisfy my nesting urges, let’s hope I can get them all done! Thank you for the kind words!
“People bowls” ???? – It figures that boots doesn’t show up for the one photo that he’s actually perfect for. ???? (Why is there that open space under that part of the counter? It looks like the perfect spot for a kitty or dog hideaway!)
So, I don’t know where to start. There’s so much to love! The tiled floor, the cabinet colour, the marble countertop, the retro appliances, and OH THE HARDWARE. Well done Ariel. This kitchen Reno is quite the accomplishment!
Wha can I say! Boots picks and chooses his moments ???? that space used to be a desk! We considered closing it up, but right now it’s a handy place to store the cat food bin, and might be a great place to put a high chair
Ariel I love this transformation so much! The use of colors and patterns just makes me smile. I would love to be drinking lemonade ???? in this kitchen any day. Congratulations on creating such a happy place!
Thank you 🙂 I wish I could have everyone over for a glass of lemonade! I pride myself on my use of colour and pattern, so to get a call out about it is such a nice thing
Pinning all the pretty pictures! Love the new doors and hardware and Dan did such a great job on that breakfast nook. SUch an amazing space and your styling always blows me away!!
Thank you so much! Dan and I definitely got our renovation feet wet with this project, and here on in they’ll be less demanding, but in no way equally fabulous
As I keep saying on instagram, your home is so happy and this kitchen is no exception. I love the wallpaper and your bold choice of colour and pattern. Kudos Ariel!
Well thank you! I’ve been singing my bold tune for a while now, and it seems everyone is finally catching up! Or maybe my design is getting better? ????
Oh my gosh Ariel- OH MY GOSH!
1. You look STUNNING!
2. The space looks STUNNING!
3. OH MY GOSH.
I am obsessed with every detail of your eat in kitchen.
Well thank you! It was a labour of love, and one I am so glad is finally complete
I am loving this color palette! I’m designing my she-shed, where did you get those orange bamboo shades they are beautiful!? Is that a diy?
I think I linked to them at the bottom 🙂
Hello Ariel! Simpl stunning. Could you pleaseeeeeee share where those amazing orange bamboo shades are from? I looked through all you links and cant find it 🙁
Hi! I stumbled upon your post while searching for the masonite livingstone door reviews. your kitchen is so gorgeous and i am just in awe of your vision, style, and the execution of it all! hope you are enjoying cooking in it.
by the way, I couldn’t quite figure out what color paint was used on the doors. Would you mind sharing the information? thank you so much! it would help me so much now that I am putting the finishing touches on the house renovation which has taken us 6 months! thanks again!
Love this so much!! PLEASE TELL ME WHERE YOU GOT THOSE ORANGE window blinds!
I didn’t mean to yell 😅😳
those are just bamboo blinds off Amazon! there should be a link listed in the sources at the bottom 🙂