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Friday, April 23, 2010

Our Kitchen

(You can click the photo's to make them larger)

I thought I'd share some more pictures of our kitchen here on the farm. It's a good sized kitchen and it's one of the 3 rooms that haven't been renovated yet. Former owners fairly recently put in these cupboards

and installed a dishwasher. The dishwasher was black and so was the microwave and the sink was like plastic that was stained because of the high iron content in our water. I found a near new Whirlpool dishwasher and microwave and a cast iron Kohler sink for $325 on Craigslist and DH installed everything. He's so darn handy! The cupboards only have one coat of finish on them so they are a bit rough and the plan is to paint them sometime over the next year or so.
Before we get to that though....the ceiling has to be covered with beadboard and we have to do something with the walls. They are covered with some kind of beadboard type panelling that was never cut to fit correctly so there are gaps here and there. On one wall they used Z brick to cover the old chimney and over half way up the wall then above that is very old wallpaper. Yep. (you can see it in the top picture)




I took the doors off under the sink and put this skirt up. I like the cozy feel it gives and it works perfect for us!

The floor is sticky backed floor tiles which really isn't that bad and it's easy to clean with animals coming in and out but I'd really like to tear it up and the plywood and go back to the original wood floors. I think I'd paint those and maybe stencil something on it then protect it with a clear protector.


When we moved in my DH put these temporary shelves up for me...these REALLY make life much easier!


Later he added these little shelves in a wasted corner.
Eventually we plan on building an old fashioned tall hutch type cupboard where the cabinet is.

 
The door to the left is the bathroom and the laundry/entry is on the right.
Both rooms have to be renovated along with the kitchen.
I'm not looking forward to it but it has to be done.



I found this old kitchen table on Craigslist last year. It was made in Germany and was brought to this country when the owners family moved here in the mid 1800's
The elderly fellow gave me old photo's of the table sitting in his uncles house covered with canning jars filled with food. His uncle had passed away years earlier and the table was stored down his basement to be restored but he left it too many years and didn't feel he was up to restoring it. 
The table was in bad shape but my dear brother in law planed the top (it was badly warped and broken) and stripped the stained painted legs (must have been used in a garage for a while) and I applied tung oil over everything. The base is walnut and we aren't sure what the top is. This is the natural color of both woods.I think I will have to put a tougher coating on the top though. Both sides fold down, I have one side up in the pictures.

 

The table legs had dry rot so we had to cut them off a couple of inches and we added these 'feet'. since the legs are natural walnut color we didn't want to mess with a stain that didn't match so we just left them natural like the top.

Take a close look at the feet...see the rope?
The table came with the original rope around 3 legs and he told me that this rope was dipped in
kerosene and tied around the legs to keep ants from climbing up the legs and getting into the preserves.
Pretty smart thinking...but I bet it smelled!
We replaced the rope.

Now you know where I spend a good deal of my time when I'm not blogging.
So..we have our work cut out for us sometime in the future.
For now...we're just enjoying what we have and are very grateful to be living in the country.

I hope you enjoy your home...or maybe you are dreaming of something different in the future.

What ever your dream is...I wish you good health, happiness and contentment. 

26 comments:

Deb said...

It is one of those kitchens I would love to sit and have a cup of tea in. You have made it very cozy and pretty. I love dishes....LOVE dishes so I would look at all your dishes on your shelves and be happy with that. Have a great day on your wonderful farm. Just love those cats. Deb

Maura @ Kisiwa Creek Photography said...

Hi Deb! Yes it's one of those kitchens...DH and I usually have breakfast on Sunday mornings in there (Saturdays we head to a restaurant!) I love dishes too...always have for some reason. You're a real cat lover...Olly and Lizzy sure are a couple of fun cats. I never have been a real cat lover but I've changed since we've moved to the farm and now I really enjoy them. Thanks for stopping by...have a wonderful day! Maura

Girl Tornado said...

Even before you renovate your kitchen, it is so adorable. I love that yellow cabinet, AND your table. What a find. :) And Z brick... LOL. I remember Z brick. My dad used it in a country house my parents renovated when I was a teen. I just returned from Ohio, helping my mother clean out my grandmother's home (my dad's mom) and they have Z brick above the kitchen sink. What a blast from the past, and probably not an entirely good one. :-0

From our Kansas home to yours, wishing you a wonderful weekend!

Pondside said...

Hi Maura - love your kitchen. It looks real. It looks like it's in the country. Real + country = true country kitchen....nothing contrived here, and I like that! Your plans all sound do-able - have fun!

Unknown said...

Well I think you've made it quite lovely already! Not only was the table a great find but to know the history of it also, that's pretty cool! I'm really loving that yellow cabinet too, gorgeous!

It is a lot of work; we haven't 'finished' one room yet. Some days I wish I could just snap my fingers and have it done but life would be pretty boring if that happened! ; )

~Andrea~

Maura @ Kisiwa Creek Photography said...

I agree Andrea...sometimes it's not just the 'arriving' that's important but the 'journey' to get there. That's what makes us apprecaite things. Have fun on your restoration 'journey'!

Maura @ Kisiwa Creek Photography said...

Thanks Pondside...'been there done that' before but this time it will be a labor of love here on the farm. I hope you're getting some great weather up there on the Island...such a beautiful place to live. Have a great day!

Maura @ Kisiwa Creek Photography said...

Hi Oz Girl...welcome back! I hope things went well in Ohio. I bet you're glad to be back in Ozland on the farm. I'll be watching for you when you get time to post. Have a great weekend too! Take care

Beatnheart said...

Morning Maura, Thanks so much for that awesome Ann. Card!! how sweet was that of you!!! We had a great day out...I'm going to post on it tommorrow...or maybe the next day! Your kitchen looks so warm, cozy and inviting...just as a farmhouse kitchen should be..enjoy the last of the lilacs...Do you have peonies?? my other fave..Cynthia

Twyla and Lindsey said...

Good Morning, Maura! I so enjoyed seeing pictures of your beautiful kitchen! You've done such a nice job with it. Love the shelves! I Really enjoyed reading the story of your table. I love old antiques and love that it's so old and the story about the ropes. Neat! I hope you have a wonderful weekend! Twyla

~from my front porch in the mountains~ said...

The history of your table is incredible! I have always wondered about rope on table legs, when I have seen it before. Now I know!!!
I love your kitchen as is. I cannot imagine what it will look like when renovated!
Have a great weekend, Maura :)
xo, misha

Maura @ Kisiwa Creek Photography said...

Morning Cynthia! You're very welcome for the ecard..Jacquie Lawson makes great cards don't they. I'm glad you and David had a great Anniversary and I'm looking forward to seeing your post on it. I'm glad you like our kitchen. No we don't have any Peonies here on the farm...all the people who have lived here over the years have never spent time or money on flowers. The only plants that were here when we moved in were orange day lillies and some Irises but we haven't seen the Irises in bloom and unfortunately they've all been dug up and moved as we do the dirt work around the house. We've got them in a spot to replant later. Once we get the screened porch built we'll put up a fence with a gate and arbor and start planting LOTS of flowers then. One step at a time as they say. BUT I'll have peonies for sure eventually...they're my fave's too! :)

Maura @ Kisiwa Creek Photography said...

Good Morning Twyla and Lindsey..or maybe it's afternoon where you are now?! It's a neat old table and I'm so glad to know the history behind it. I had the pictures on my old computer that the fellow gave me but then we got a new computer and haven't put them on a disc yet. One day I'll post those...it even shows the house in Kansas where the old table lived for most of it's life...so far. I hope you girls have a wonderful weekend too!

Maura @ Kisiwa Creek Photography said...

Hello Misha! Well now you know what the ropes on the table legs were for LOL!! When we finally get around to renovating the kitchen the plan is to keep it in the 'farmhouse' style but with some 'cottage' touches. I don't want to loose any of the old 'character' and after all it really is a farm kitchen. I think it will be a fun renovation for us. I hope you and J and the other 'family members' have a wonderful weekend!

Flat Creek Farm said...

I do love your kitchen the way it is! :) Ah yes, Z-brick. We installed it in our kitchen about 30 years ago (hanging head in shame.. lol). I had envisioned this little wood-burning cookstove we have, fully restored and sitting under that Z-brick. I still have plans for that little stove someday, minus the ZB! -Tammy

Scufty said...

I absolutey LOVE your kitchen. I knew you'd have it homey in no time - especially with DH helping out! LOL That's so cool to know the history of that table and even down to the ropes and why they're there. What a super find! The skirt really adds to the kitchen and I agree that it softens the room up. It's wonderful. I know the other rooms will be, too, when you have them done. They don't seem too bad right now ... I'll have to come and see for myself! ...Scufty

Maura @ Kisiwa Creek Photography said...

Hello Tammy...Ooooo a wood cookstove...I've ALWAYS wanted one of those! I hope one day you'll get that installed and bake some bread in it...I can smell the coffee simmering on the top. It'll happen one day. Good luck! Have a wonderful weekend.

Maura @ Kisiwa Creek Photography said...

Hey Da Momma LOL So GOOD to see you on here! Thanks for visiting my blog Sis...hey your beds ready for you when ever you're ready to come down to the farm! We'll sip that tea during the day and some wine in the evening...can't wait to see you. You and Barry have a wonderful weekend ok. Love you!

Shirley said...

Farm houses have a uniqness about them. Your table reminds me of one we had when we first got married over 40 years ago. We sold it, but I wish we would have kept it. I like it because of the drop leaf. You didn't have to pull it apart for the leaves to go in when you had company. Have a wonderful weekend.

Anonymous said...

I love your kitchen!! Every detail....Kathy

Catherine said...

I love your kitchen and your clock. The table is nice too , but i agree with you the idea was good ,but the rope was certainly not smelling nice.I WISH YOU A GOOD WEEK END.Catherine

A Brit in Tennessee said...

What a beautiful kitchen, so welcoming, and inviting.
That table is spectacular, wouldn't you love to hear some of the old stories it could tell.
I think the old farmhouse kitchens are the most special, you have done a wonderful job !

Beatnheart said...

Wow look at all those comments!! You are moving along so nicely..I love your new design...getting fancy on me...did you do all this yourself...Still did not solve my "button problem" I have tried to grab other peoples but cannot do it. I did manage to grab a widget counter and was very proud of myself for doing that...Have a wonderful Sunday my friend...talk soon. Cynthia

Maura @ Kisiwa Creek Photography said...

Hello Cynthia! I'm glad you like the new background and picture and yes I did it myself...I mean I changed the background on my own but I found it on a website for backgrounds so it was already created by someone else...I just changed my picture and colors etc.Easy Peasy so they say. I wish figuring out your button on Apple was that easy! I hope you have a wonderful Sunday too...HUGS..Maura:)

Joy said...

Hi, thanks for sharing the photos of your kitchen. Your blog here is comforting and warm. Your rooms are so welcoming looking. I liked the photo of the laundry and bathrooms off the kitchen---I got a smile over your nylons hanging over the bathroom shower curtain! I've lived in the city, country, small town, suburbs... I am beginning to think the country is best over-all.

Chenille Cottage said...

Hi Maura,
What a warm and cozy kitchen! I love the red checked skirt you added to your cupboard. Isn't it amazing just how much charm a little skirt adds? I have added red gingham skirts to several pieces of furniture in my sewing room. I love the cottagey feel and the added hidden storage.
I have enjoyed your blog so much!
Blessings,
Carolynn

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