I finished repainting the window wall (from pear green to Simply White by Benjamin Moore) and I only have one more wall to do and I’ll be done with the hard part of my budget kitchen makeover. Yay! Then I can get into some fun farmhouse style decorating! Of course, now all the trim looks dinging against the fresh white of the walls….
The window wall part of the kitchen is sort of like a little alcove – it even has a slanted ceiling.
Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links to Amazon and/or Etsy, which means that I may earn a small commission from some of the links in this post. Please see our Disclosure Page for more information.
It was the eat in part of the kitchen when we bought the house 12 years ago (which we don’t need since we have a dining room). There was a small, teeny window in here and that’s one of the first things I changed all those years ago -I put in that big window. We didn’t get a screened porch until many years later, so it used to be really sunny in here in the afternoons.
The window seat is made out of the cabinets that you put over a refrigerator. I wanted there to still be some seating so my family & friends could sit and talk to me while I cooked. But, I don’t like a whole lot of people in the kitchen when I’m cooking 🙂 So a little seating was enough for me. I also sit and read if I’m cooking something that needs attention. There’s storage below. Although it’s hard to get to. If I was going to do it over again I would have made the seat flip up instead of having the doors open. I think that it’s much easier to get things in and out.
As most of you know, the lighting was one area that I wanted to improve in this kitchen. So I wanted to show you the lighting that we added. We added this small but very illuminating pendant light. I believe it was $29.
It’s connected to a track light we have on the other side of the beam that makes the alcove. The track light is facing out instead of down. We have two small lights that are facing into the back corners of the kitchen. The light switch to this is on the wall I still have to paint and I’d like to put them on a dimmer so I can control the level of light. I am so happy with this lighting set up! It makes this dark little area so bright now!
We got this little fan that goes into the track light system at Home Depot about 5 years ago. I don’t know if you have to special order it. I haven’t seen it on the shelves in quite some time. In the summer we switch out one of the little lights for it and it creates a little bit of a breeze in this alcove.
I’m not sure I’m going to keep the yellow gingham curtains. I have a bunch of red buffalo check material that I bought at IKEA to make curtains for my dining room that I may use. Or I may get some red toile valances. Any opinions? I’ll decide what to do when the whole kitchen is done.
So that’s the most recent progress. If you want to see what went on before check out these posts:
My Plans for a Budget Kitchen Makeover
My Inspiration for My Kitchen Makeover
Next time I’ll show you the piece I’m adding for more storage that I got at IKEA. BTW I am liking the white walls now.
The black and white checked floor – wow!
Yellow and red curtains – my kinda colors!
Very cute. I like the yellow curtains but the red would be cute as well. Love the floor.
Your kitchen makeover is coming along nicely Manuela. The white paint really brightened up the room especially the alcove. I think a red and white checked or toile valance would be cute. Looks great!
How long are you going to use your seating in the kitchen? If for quite some time, it’s not too late to make it into a flip lid. Everything looks bright and fresh in your kitchen. If you’re ready for a change in curtains…go for it, but I think these look great, too.
Love all the color you have incorporated into your kitchen, you and I must be on the same wave length, I just finished my kitchen redo. Stop by and check it out if you get a chance. Love everything you have done in yours.
I like the white walls. It makes the kitchen look brighter. If you’re not crazy about the window seat, you could always tear it out and put a little round table with 2 chairs there. It’d be a nice place to sit in the morning and sipping your coffee or tea while looking out the window. You could peruse your cookbooks there, a visiting friend would have a place to sit, etc.
Looking so pretty! Your yellow curtain is so bright and lovely! You always have the cutest plates too.
Be a sweetie,
Shelia 😉
I am loving this makeover Manuela!
We are in the market for new light fixtures in the kitchen and I’ve been considering track lighting and, now that I’ve seen that little fan you showed the, tract is winning over pendants! Great ideas as always!
Love,
Tracey
XoX
I love it! Keep the curtain it is so bright and cheery! Or send it my way….tee he….I really love it!
LOL Laura! I just may give them away if I decide to change them out for something red.
Definitely replace the yellow valances, Manuela. Then, since we wouldn’t want them to go to waste, you can just send them to me!
It’s fun to switch out curtains–I have a rotating cast in my kitchen. Looking forward to more changes in your little nest.
I love the way the way it’s coming out so bright and light and happy. Your lighting solutions in this part and part 1 are great ideas, and the white really is a great backdrop for all your wonderful stuff. As for curtains, I like every option mentioned. I always think toile when I think of you, but that doesn’t mean you have to use it, I’m a HUGE fan of buffalo check.
It looks lovely, Manuela!
Looks great Manuela! (I think) I vote for the red toile … decisions, decisions! 😉 Excited to see the outcome. Thanks for sharing!
I love the fresh white of the walls and all the cheerful accents, Manuela! Thanks for sharing 🙂
It looks really great!
I love freshening things up!
It’s looking great Manuela! I am having fun watching your progress.
Love the wall color! You can make a big change with a little paint:) What a great idea to have the seating area near the cooking area! Sweet family visits! Have a blessed day and thanks for sharing your makeovers with me! HUGS!
It looks great, I am a recent convert to white walls, I think they lwt the pretty colors of the accesories in a room shine:>)
The white looks so fresh Manuela…and it connects very well with the white wainscoting in the adjacent room…and your bright colors play off of the simpler backdrop so nicely…very you! I love the ikea cabinet…such a great idea for extra storage and getting the most used appliances off the countertops. I like how you backed the inner wall with toile…and wheels…I am such a wheels girl…wheels give you options! ;))). Love it!!!
Love,
Tracey
XoX