One Room Challenge Final Reveal // Spring 2015

I am so thrilled to be sharing our "new" kitchen today! It's not an over the top transformation by any means, but a few changes have gone a long way here. Namely replacing an old ceiling fan with a pendant fixture over the table, updating dark hardware for lighter and brighter brass, adding a window treatment over the sink, swapping out for a more whimsical rug, replacing the fridge, and giving the space a fierce decluttering. And even though the design snob in me wishes more could have been done, we've certainly come a long way from where we started and I'm beyond pleased with the results! I wanted to keep the styling simple because that's soooo the opposite of what we're used to....here's hoping we can keep it that way for at least a week.

Without further ado, here is the kitchen now:

It thrills me to finally have a home for some of my favorite vintage barware in the open cabinets. I moved all of our china above the fridge where that awkward and impractical wine rack used to be. I mean, if you drink wine like I do, you need easy access! I framed a piece of Ava's art for display on the countertop, which is perfect for an abstract art lover like myself, and easy to switch out as new pieces inevitably come home.

I can't say enough about the gorgeous Mara pendant. She is quite photogenic, and I assure you she is every bit as beautiful in person. If nothing else had happened in this space, that just might have been enough of a transformation all by itself.

As you transition to the patio, you get a little more color. I was able to find the perfect home for that glorious flower pot front and center on the table. Someone suggested succulents, and I love that idea so I may try that at some point this summer! For now, Ava is sure loving the pretty flowers...which she immediately plucks the heads off of, so I guess understanding flower care comes after 21 months. ha!

Of course, you know I couldn't stop there! Once I got going, I felt like Ava deserved a new kitchen, too. So I took the Ikea DUKTIG play kitchen to the next level with gray cabinets, brass hardware, marble countertops, a porcelain sink, and plenty of vintage accessories.

She was just the proudest little nugget when she finally got her kitchen back!

Participating in the One Room Challenge is always such a treat because the transformation happens so quickly. Something that would otherwise be unheard of around these parts. I had the great pleasure of partnering with the fine folks at Bellacor to make this kitchen update happen, and I can't thank them enough for their sponsorship and great service!

Huge thanks, too, to photographer Jane Kortright for the beautiful photos.

To get this look at home: pedestal dining table | chairs, vintage (you might find something similar here) | sheepskin throws | brass light pendant | brass knobs | brass pulls | rug, vintage (similar) | bamboo roman shade | footed chop block | barware, vintage | brass wine rack, vintage | ceramic fruit bowl | wireless speaker | blue and white oversize flower pot | Benjamin Moore White Dove on walls and trim

To get the look for Ava's kitchen: play kitchen | cookware | fruits and veggies | try Benjamin Moore Cape May Cobblestone for similar gray paint (mine was a blend of old paints) | pulls | gold spray paint (my go-to!) on pulls, faucet, feet (not seen as Ava's not tall enough yet), and salt and pepper shakers (which are actually old spice containers) | white spray paint for sink basin | brass and horn knobs for stovetop/oven | faux marble paint treatment | accessories, vintage

Now, if you have the time, I recommend checking out everyone else's transformations!

Because It's Awesome kitchen update is sponsored by but not exclusively furnished by Bellacor. All opinions are expressly my own.