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I’m excited to be bringing you our kitchen update today! Excited because that means we made enough progress to share, and also because I’ve been getting a lot of requests for a closer look and well, I aim to please! 😉 The kitchen is not finished and if you make it to the end I list what’s left to do, but I don’t want to wait years to share this post and well, I’m pretty happy with how my French Country inspired kitchen is turning out. I’ll share lots of photos in this post, but I’m also going to be talking about the process, product sources, and more. So get comfy!!
My French Country Inspired Kitchen Update
Have you seen the post I did months ago about my kitchen vision? You should check it out and see if we got close or not! 😉
But first, some before pictures to give you a feel of what we were working with.
![kitchen before](https://www.mychicobsession.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/kitchen-before-764x1024.jpg)
![kitchen before](https://www.mychicobsession.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/before-kitchen-e1575919929179-768x1024.jpg)
![kitchen before](https://www.mychicobsession.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/kitchenbefore-e1575919894238-768x1024.jpg)
![kitchen before](https://www.mychicobsession.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/kitchen-before-1-1024x768.jpg)
We did live with it for a couple of months before changing anything. In a previous post I did say that we’d wait a while and do everything at once and haha, how naive was I! I mean, it’s not impossible but I didn’t want to wait a really long time to save up everything for the new floors, appliances, countertops, and everything in between before we even got started. Plus, a lot could be done in the beginning as long as we were willing to put in a lot of labor! And oh boy, did we…
Everything that we did/will do is mostly cosmetic. Besides replacing the dishwasher, which is practically broken haha. The layout didn’t bother us then and still totally doesn’t, so we had no plans to change it. I’m sure someone could think of a more efficient design or Joanna Gaines would knock down a wall or something but we didn’t care. We really didn’t want to get into a big, expensive layout change if we didn’t have to. We’ll leave it for the next owners! 😉
The first things we did was take out the bulkheads, the breakfast nook light, and the breakfast nook table. It really opened up the space!
![removing kitchen soffits/bulkheads](https://www.mychicobsession.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/kitchen-before-8-e1586457345353-768x1024.jpg)
![removing kitchen soffits/bulkheads](https://www.mychicobsession.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/kitchen-before-7-e1586457128590-768x1024.jpg)
I started on painting the cabinets and I have a tutorial about how to paint kitchen cabinets the right way here. (I used the same paint in that post-Benjamin Moore Advance Semi-Gloss White Dove.) I had originally thought I’d do a strip & bleach method to the lower cabinets to have natural wood and paint the top white. Well, I did experiment on some cabinet doors and NEVER AGAIN. I like how the doors turned out but I’m so glad I didn’t attempt the whole kitchen. You’ll see how it turned out further down this post!
Painting the cabinets was not a quick fix for us…I simply was just not interested in getting new ones! I don’t get heart eyes for new cabinets and I would rather put the money elsewhere. However, I’m sure it would have been a different story if our cabinet style was more outdated. I think shaker style is the most classic/desired and correct me if I’m wrong, but I don’t think ours are far behind. At least I’ve seen this style at Ikea! Ha! If they start deteriorating in 10 years I won’t try to cover it up with paint or anything, but who knows if we’ll even be here in 10 years!
![kitchen makeover before](https://www.mychicobsession.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/kitchen-before-3-e1586457267353.jpg)
As we were waiting for the kitchen cabinet paint to dry, we got started on our backsplash. Originally I thought we’d do everything brick and when we priced it out, I just didn’t love that idea so much to spend what it would cost. Plus, I knew I wanted wood elements anyway. We went for a shiplap/shiplath look using 4×8 sheets of 3/8ths inch plywood cut into 6-inch strips with a 1/8th space in between.
![shiplap backsplash](https://www.mychicobsession.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/kitchen-before-4-e1586457217121.jpg)
I chose skinny over thick because skinny is typically used more in cottage homes while thick is used with the modern farmhouse style. That’s also the same reason why I chose placing it vertically instead of horizontal.
Related: What is French Country Style? The Difference Between French Country, English Cottage, and Modern Farmhouse
Once all the wood was up it started looking like a sauna and I was a little nervous about the whole thing haha. Of course, paint came to the rescue!
![kitchen before](https://www.mychicobsession.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/kitchen-before-e1586458735333.jpg)
Important tip: Make any necessary repairs to the wall and paint before hanging shiplap. I had read a blog post where someone said you didn’t need to and could barely tell, but I could tell for us and it was a pain to go back and try to fix what we could. I suppose if your walls are white and you’re hanging white shiplap then it wouldn’t matter.
I was really liking how everything was looking once the walls were painted white and we got our open shelving up. I knew from the very beginning I wanted a good amount of open shelving. I chose the wall near the sink where we keep our dishes since that would be the easiest to convert. It’s also on the other side of the stove so there’s less chance grease/grime would get them. But honestly, I don’t really care about that and I’m okay with a little extra cleaning if it means I get open shelves.
![staining open shelving](https://www.mychicobsession.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/kitchen-before-6-e1586457283829.jpg)
For our open shelves, we used 2x12s. I was in charge of staining them and I used Minwax-Provincial. To be honest it came out a little darker than I wanted so I messed with sanding and doing a limewash and then it just looked gray. Boo. Haha. I was going for more of a medium brown. Butttt when all was said and done I didn’t care enough to start over. I don’t know what kind of vibe you’re getting from me but I really do care about my kitchen haha. I just have to decide what’s worth my time and what’s not and I try to be flexible to things that don’t go how I originally hoped. 🙂
You’ll see that I repeated the same stain and limewash look throughout the kitchen for consistency. I am a big fan of limewash glaze now (I used Valspar Limewash Glaze) and it’s kinda my fix for everything now. 😉
If I’m getting the process a little out of order, forgive me. My brain is hazy. But after (I think) the shelves were done we moved on the brick…and I was in charge of that!
![kitchen before 2](https://www.mychicobsession.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/kitchen-before-2-e1586459646389.jpg)
Since I decided not to brick the whole room, we chose to make it a statement backsplash over the stove and under the (what will be) the wood range hood. Brick was an element I knew I had to have in our kitchen! In our first house, we added brick and I whitewashed it and in this home, I tried a german smear/heavy grouting look. I must say, I love what I did! 😉
Titus went on to build the wood range hood, starting with the frame. In our first home, he built it out of pallets and this time, 1x4s. He didn’t use a plan and winged it, but if you really want a tutorial (like the baseboard heater covers he built) I can try to get him to make one! 😉
![kitchen before](https://www.mychicobsession.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/kitchen-before-5-e1586457243776.jpg)
I did the same stain & limewash look on the wood range hood but instead, I brushed it on with a rag instead of a paintbrush and it went on way lighter. I was happy with how this one turned out!
![kitchen before wood range hood](https://www.mychicobsession.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/kitchen-before-9-e1586460699832.jpg)
Okay, did I do enough explaining of the process? Let’s move on to the afters so I can do even more explaining! 😉
![french country cottage inspired kitchen](https://www.mychicobsession.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/french-country-kitchen-2-of-52.jpg)
Can I just say…how beautiful! No, it’s not modern and it’s not everyone’s style…but that was never my goal. 🙂
![french country cottage inspired kitchen](https://www.mychicobsession.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/french-country-kitchen-5-of-52-683x1024.jpg)
![french country cottage inspired kitchen](https://www.mychicobsession.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/french-country-kitchen-8-of-52-683x1024.jpg)
![french country cottage inspired kitchen](https://www.mychicobsession.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/french-country-kitchen-6-of-52-683x1024.jpg)
Below are the slightly gray yet beautiful shelves haha. Pretty much everything on them is functional and things I use, besides maybe 5 things. A clock my Grandpa made is on the top shelf and it’s really special to have sentimental things on my shelves too!
![french country cottage inspired kitchen open shelving](https://www.mychicobsession.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/french-country-kitchen-7-of-52.jpg)
![french country cottage inspired kitchen](https://www.mychicobsession.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/french-country-kitchen-15-of-52-702x1024.jpg)
![french country cottage inspired kitchen](https://www.mychicobsession.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/french-country-kitchen-16-of-52-683x1024.jpg)
![french country cottage inspired kitchen](https://www.mychicobsession.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/french-country-kitchen-14-of-52-683x1024.jpg)
The “island” is just a dresser. I don’t think our space can “technically” fit an island but it’s a beautiful, antique piece I found at a secondhand place and I like to have all my beautiful pieces in a place I can look at. 🙂
![dresser as kitchen island](https://www.mychicobsession.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/french-country-kitchen-19-of-52-683x1024.jpg)
![dresser as kitchen island](https://www.mychicobsession.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/french-country-kitchen-18-of-52-683x1024.jpg)
![dresser as kitchen island](https://www.mychicobsession.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/french-country-kitchen-17-of-52-683x1024.jpg)
I may move it, but I like it for now.
![copper pots](https://www.mychicobsession.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/french-country-kitchen-24-of-52-683x1024.jpg)
![dresser as kitchen island](https://www.mychicobsession.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/french-country-kitchen-20-of-52-683x1024.jpg)
![copper pots](https://www.mychicobsession.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/french-country-kitchen-21-of-52-683x1024.jpg)
Those claw feet!
![french country cottage kitchen](https://www.mychicobsession.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/french-country-kitchen-22-of-52-683x1024.jpg)
![french country cottage kitchen](https://www.mychicobsession.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/french-country-kitchen-23-of-52-683x1024.jpg)
![french country cottage kitchen](https://www.mychicobsession.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/french-country-kitchen-37-of-52-683x1024.jpg)
![french country cottage kitchen](https://www.mychicobsession.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/french-country-kitchen-36-of-52-683x1024.jpg)
![french country cottage kitchen](https://www.mychicobsession.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/french-country-kitchen-35-of-52-683x1024.jpg)
![french country cottage kitchen](https://www.mychicobsession.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/french-country-kitchen-32-of-52-683x1024.jpg)
![open shelving in kitchen](https://www.mychicobsession.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/french-country-kitchen-33-of-52-683x1024.jpg)
![french country cottage kitchen](https://www.mychicobsession.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/french-country-kitchen-31-of-52-683x1024.jpg)
The picture below is where you can see my try at natural wood cabinet doors. I used Citistrip to strip it. Then I had to scrape, scrape, scrape. Sand, sand, sand. Bleach, bleach, bleach. Then I went over it with the Valspar Limewash Glaze. Like I said, never again! I really like the end result but it was so much work.
![french country cottage kitchen](https://www.mychicobsession.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/french-country-kitchen-44-of-52.jpg)
For the hardware, I think I found the perfect mix between modern yet rustic. Even though modern isn’t my style, sometimes it’s good to balance out a rustic style!
![kitchen cabinet hardware](https://www.mychicobsession.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/french-country-kitchen-39-of-52-683x1024.jpg)
![kitchen sink](https://www.mychicobsession.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/french-country-kitchen-26-of-52-683x1024.jpg)
![red striped ticking towel](https://www.mychicobsession.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/french-country-kitchen-28-of-52-683x1024.jpg)
![french country cottage inspired kitchen](https://www.mychicobsession.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/french-country-kitchen-48-of-52-683x1024.jpg)
![french country cottage inspired kitchen](https://www.mychicobsession.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/french-country-kitchen-51-of-52-683x1024.jpg)
![french country cottage inspired kitchen](https://www.mychicobsession.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/french-country-kitchen-47-of-52-683x1024.jpg)
The wood range hood came out slightly bigger than what we expected because I wanted all the boards to be the same size. But we can always remove one board if I don’t want it to come down as far.
![wood range hood](https://www.mychicobsession.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/french-country-kitchen-38-of-52.jpg)
![french country cottage kitchen](https://www.mychicobsession.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/french-country-kitchen-46-of-52-662x1024.jpg)
![french country cottage kitchen](https://www.mychicobsession.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/french-country-kitchen-52-of-52-683x1024.jpg)
![french country cottage kitchen](https://www.mychicobsession.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/french-country-kitchen-41-of-52-683x1024.jpg)
I’m getting carried away with all the photos and I got to stop now so there’s something new left to show you for when we finally do get to the big reveal! But I will show you just one before & after because every post needs that. 😉
![kitchen before](https://www.mychicobsession.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/kitchen-before.jpg)
![french country cottage inspired kitchen](https://www.mychicobsession.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/french-country-kitchen-2-of-52.jpg)
Now, here’s what we have left to do:
What’s left:
- We are considering building the cabinets to the top, or at the very least adding trim.
- New appliances. We are debating between a vintage-looking fridge (like a smeg), a stainless steel one, or something classy like Cafe appliances and building cabinets around it so it’s enclosed. We think we want stainless steel for our other appliances though.
- New floors. Most likely hardwood or engineered hardwood.
- Mudding/smoothing the ceiling where we took the bulkheads out. There’s one layer of joint compound in the photos but we’re not done yet.
- Filling in the gap between the shiplap and the ceiling to make it even and a smooth transition.
- New sink & faucet. Probably a farmhouse sink…at the very least white!
- Countertops. I want marble or a very good quartz look alike!
- Need a better way to tie back those curtains haha!
Is there more to do? Probably. I mean, are you ever really done? 😉 I’m not sure of the timeline though. What’s left are some pretty big things! I can still be content in the meantime though. Or die trying…
Check out the sources below and if I missed anything or you have any questions, let me know!
Sources:
Cabinet hardware
Sink sponge holder
Iron towel rod
“Antique” chandelier
European (hidden) hinges
Hooks for hanging copper pots, apron, & straw bag
Kitchen curtains
Copper measuring cups + spoons
Hanging garlic
2 Set soap dispenser (Castille soap in one, dish soap in the other)
Bamboo drying rack
Do you like seeing home updates? Then you’ve got to check out the living room and entryway posts then!
![my chic obsession signature](https://www.mychicobsession.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/my-chic-obsession-signature-e1559230432876.png)
The kitchen reno turned out great! We bounce back and forth on renovating either the kitchen or the bathrooms and I find excuses not to because, honestly, THE MESS. But, it’s so worth it. When we upgraded our fridge and dishwasher, we spent a bit more out of our budget because we are foodies (really, who isn’t nowadays?) and needed those appliances to handle our grocery shopping and clean up. We went with a 2 drawer Fisher Paykal dishwasher and a gorgeous Liebherr fridge.
Whatever you choose, I’m sure it will be great.
Thanks so much, Elys! I agree that renovating major rooms is a headache because of the mess, but it’s worth it, in the end, to “get it over with”. Appliances definitely shouldn’t be taken lightly. I’m going to look into the ones that you got. Thanks for sharing your experience!
Wow! It is so charming and full of character! Fantastic job on the details. We’re about ready to take the plunge on a kitchen renovation and I love the cottage look. I’ll be using some of your elements. Thanks for the inspiration!
Absolutely Beautiful!!! Cozy , open shelving love , your dresser/island is perfect . The back splash ship lap Love. The curtains I would remove , personally I don’t like curtains, let the sun or light in its healthy. Curtains are dust collectors …lol. That Range Hood is Absolutely Beautiful would love to have one of those. The Brick you did an Amazing job on , looks Beautiful !!! You and your Husband did an Amazing job !!! All in all I especially Love the coziness oh your kitchen. Enjoy it and do some entertaining !!!! God Bless you Both 🙏
Love Love LOVE!!!
I literally thought your after pictures were out of a magazine!!
Also, are those little pots and pans on the island Will’s play toys? SO CUTE!
Aw that is so so sweet! Thank you for the kind words. It’s definitely a work in progress and labor of love! And the pots weren’t technically his, but he plays with them now. 🙂
This renovation speaks so true to your style and I think it is absolutely breathtaking!! It looks very inviting also; I believe anyone could walk into the space and feel the exuding warmth. The stages of your renovation are well thought out and your future plans are something you can dream about and look forward to. I live in a century farmhouse so I understand the time and effort put into any type of renovation. You’ve inspired me to get a grip on my own kitchen redo; a galley kitchen with ugly cabinet pulls, a nondescript sink, nasty Formica countertops, and no charm. Some of its bones are good though: original pine hardwood floors, an amazing barn beam we hung to mimic a support beam, and a collection of antiques from the 18th and early 19th century I’ve collected. I will definitely glean from your after pictures!! Thank you for sharing.
ps~when I moved into my house 25 years ago,, the kitchen was “Good & Plenty” candy colors, pink, white, and black – horrible look in a farmhouse!!! haha
Aw thanks, Cindy! That is so sweet of you to say! We’re really happy with how it’s shaping up so far. I think it’s so cool you live in a farmhouse. That’s been a dream of mine but sadly, my area doesn’t have a ton! It sounds like you have amazing charm to work with in your kitchen. I can’t wait to see how it all comes together. Send pics! 🙂 Good luck!
You’ve done such a beautiful job! Truly lovely. Would you mind sharing where your shelving brackets came from? I’m looking for something similar. I was going to go with the typical farmhouse ones, but love the feminine curve these have sooo much more.
Thanks,
Jessica
Thanks so much, Jessica! We got them from Menards and if I remember correctly, they were around $5 a bracket. Good luck with your project. So exciting!!
Hello! Where did you get your dinnerware set? I love it and we are looking for a similar set!
My sister passed it down to me, but I believe it was a Target find!
So beautiful and absolutely looks like it belongs in a French cottage. You nailed it!! The dresser as the island is pure genius!!! Where can we see the entire room??
Aw thank you so much! It’s a work in progress, but hopefully soon. 🙂
Where did you purchase the brackets for your shelves?
We got them from Menards and if I remember correctly, they were around $5 a bracket.
I love seeing your pictures as you made progress in your kitchen. I am so glad that you also had links to the products you use. I have already ordered 3 of them. Thank you so much!
Thank you so much, Brenda, for your support! 🙂
I just came across this kitchen reno on Pinterest and I’m obsessed! I love how you just made your dreams work on a budget and to me it’s a timeless style! I love the cottage/old world look and this is so cute! I’m gathering ideas for a new home that will have us on a tight budget but seeing these updates makes me realize I can still make it my own. Also I love the mixture of upper cabinets with the open shelving..it’s a look I want to do.
Thanks, Carli! So much is possible with a little bit of hard work…even on a little budget! Good luck with your own updates! Mixing upper cabinets with open shelving is a great idea. 😉
Wow Beautiful!! Enjoy reading all your thoughts and seeing all the pictures. Great job!!
Thanks so much, Carolyn! There’s even more to come yet on this project!
I come back to this post over and over. There are very few kitchen remodels out there on the net that actually resonate with me but this is one of the few. Our kitchens are similar in some ways as well as the things I am wanting to do with mine so I come and look at this obsessively haha. This kitchen is warm and inviting and I hope it draws you in to cook. Thanks for spurring me on in my own fun reno
Thanks so much for the kind words, Suzy! Good luck with your own reno too. It’s a lot of work but worth it!
Wow – you sure nailed it!! Looks so nice and I hope you are patting yourself on the back for a job well done. I like how you used a dresser for an island – very creative. You never cease to amaze me!!
Aw thank you! We’re still updating this kitchen, however. Getting new countertops as I type!
Great job looks fabulous warm,cozy and chic.
Thank you!
Beautiful job…you guys have done a wonderful job on your reno and it gives me inspiration and hope on ours…Thanks for sharing!!!
Love what it is transformed into! Beautiful!
I loved reading your article .. for clarification on the style!!
This is my style and love it.
Beautiful job on kitchen !
Looking forward to reading and seeing more on this style through the rest of
A home !!!
Demo is exhausting.. 3 years into kitchen are we still having finishing to do .
But, we did it all.
Thanks again
Look forward to more reading
Deb
Bucks County , PA