Many of you know I love to cook and host dinner parties and get-togethers. Some of you have asked to see my kitchen. We’re still in the planning stages for our kitchen reno and quite frankly, I have no idea where to begin!
Since the kitchen is the hub of the household and where memories are made (long dinners spent with loved ones, gathering around while the meals are being made, and having lots of great conversation), I want the kitchen to be conducive to entertaining and having people gather in the heart of the home. The problem is, we have lots of windows and entryways, which leaves us with only one wall to work with. I never thought I’d complain about having too many windows or a door leading to the greenhouse, but I just do not know what to do to make the best use of our working space. I don’t even have a kitchen “triangle” (easy access to fridge, stove, sink/counter) because of the odd lay out of the kitchen.
In the interim, I’m making due and am not complaining too much!
I have a love-hate relationship with my rustic kitchen
First off, we’ve got this crazy wall unit that I have been using for all my cooking items. I have spices and dishes, small appliances, and cookbooks on here. This is my attempt at having a Chef Michael Smith-inspired spice pantry.
I find all kinds of interesting items that Little One stashes everywhere. I don’t know if it’s like this with boys, but having a little girl, I constantly find things within things, within things! Now I have a reindeer in my kitchen!
My kitchen is a bit “eclectic”, to say the least.
This is the Norwegian Teak table my aunt gave us when we got married. This table has seen many dinner parties and celebrations. It’s also been named by friends as our “Big Love” table because it seats a dozen people. They thought it was funny.
A home for all my dishes. This used to be what my mother-in-law stored some of her preserves, jams and jellies in. It’s got character. I love it.
We have a lovely original Findlay Oval wood cook stove that has taken up permanent residency in our kitchen. It was with house when Hubby bought the farm ages ago and used to heat the house and was used to cook the meals. I have never used it and it is taking up a lot of prime real estate in our kitchen. The thing is, though it is ornamental right now, I am hoping to eventually use it again. It is so beautiful and there’s something so nostalgic about having a wood cook stove like this. Who knows. Maybe one day I’ll start a new blog and call it “365 days of Cook Stove Cooking”. Just kidding. I’m pretty sure the idea has already been taken!
I have a lot of cooking items, but I actually use them all. We also have a very small dishwasher that I am hoping to eventually replace with something bigger and built-in.
I would love a proper kitchen island/breakfast nook. The counter and all the cabinets under the sink need to be completely gutted and redone because they are so old. The flooring needs to be redone as well. In essence, I need a new kitchen as ours is so old. Having the “rustic” look and actually being rustic are two entirely different things! I’m having difficulty envisioning how to redo the kitchen. I’m not great at envisioning the end product.
I love my rustic kitchen because it’s the only room on the ground level. Yes, my kitchen has its own floor/level! I love the light and the energy the kitchen has. It’s really cozy and homey. It’s also out-dated, needs repairs, needs renovations done and needs more storage and a better/bigger working area for me.
I’ve been “pinning” my Dream Kitchen and all the things I’d love for my kitchen on Pinterest. Hubby doesn’t think my dream kitchen would fit with the feel of the house because we do live in an old farm house.
Help! Any suggestions on how to make this rustic kitchen functional and look beautiful?
I love the original Findlay Oval wood cook stove, not many people will have one of those, you are very lucky
Your kitchen is cozy with a touch of vintage and that’s what I like in a kitchen too!
You have a very cute kitchen. I just adore it!
I love and miss your kitchen C! Heh heh, I see that you have the Barrel Man we gave you on display!!!! Schwing!!!! I really like your huge kitchen table too. Very cozy!
HAHAHA! Canine!!! SCHWING!
We miss you guys and hope to see you again soon! xoxo
I love your kitchen.!! So jealous over here…
Ahh! Thanks, Darlene! Trying to figure out how to “redo”/”reno” the kitchen. I need it updated, but still want to have a warm, cozy, country feel.
Love the idea of the spices in the mason jars! Love that wood stove! Good luck as you try to figure out what to do with it.
Thanks, Judy! I NEED luck with this one! Still not sure how to redo the kitchen!
OMG I love your wood cooking stove, I would totally be using it, we looked at a home that was for sale and there was one in the kitchen, my hubby wanted to be the home just for the stove lol, too bad the house needed way to much work or I would of had one of them stoves
Lynda, I love the stove too! We need to get our chimney fixed so we can connect it again and get it working again. There are quite a few people on the Island who still use their wood stoves to heat their homes and cook their meals. I’d like to try someday! We shall see!
You are just like Michael Smith with all those mason jars. I love your kitchen it feels very homey and comfortable. Lots of good things are made in that kitchen…
🙂 Thanks, Margarita!! xo
Christine, it’s a really cool kitchen with some great features but I can understand your frustration. You definitely need more storage so your countertops are clear (I have the same problem in my kitchen). Love the teak table!
My thought is a large island that has tons of useful storage for the things that are on your countertop and/or change your cookstove into a beautiful centre for all the things you use for your dinner parties.
Can’t wait to see what happens as you begin to transform it.
Ohh! Great suggestions, Kerrie! Now I’m excited!!!
I am in LOVE with your kitchen. I feel like it is so consistent with the rest of your house (even though I haven’t seen your house, but I’m going by your description). Your wood stove is to die for. And your spice wall is amazing!!! I think if you were to do any temporary or immediate changes for now – I would think about the window dressings or accents on the counters or that grandiose table. Maybe change the chairs and put in a solid wood island. I know what you’re talking about with the difference between feeling rustic vs. being rustic. But I think your kitchen is authentic and cozy. I would start with more of the superficial and “easy” changes and you’ll see the conversion take place even without drastic changes at first. I’m dying to see the end result!!
You are one smart lady, DEBALINO 🙂 I have an even better idea! Why don’t YOU come over? LOL! I love your style and vision. The girls can play and the men can go boating or golfing. 😉
With only one wall, you do have a problem. Maybe you could look in some magazines or online to get some ideas. Than get a really good carpenter and make sure he understands what you really want.
I love your stove. My mother had one like it years ago .
Farmers are usually more interested in fixing up the barn or other outside buildings-I speak from ezperience! Hugs.
Ha! Elva, it definitely sounds like you understand my predicament! 🙂 Yes, it does seem that everything else takes priority on the farm. Out buildings, farm equipment, fencing, etc. Forget that I need a kitchen that is functional so I can cook our meals! LOL!
I love your kitchen but I think you should get a great heirloom table.
Erica, that would be ideal!!! Going to look for ideas online for one!