The kitchen that needed time...
April 2025
Some spaces don’t come together in a single weekend—and that’s okay. This kitchen held years of memories, messes, and emotional weight. The first redesign didn’t quite feel right, though it held up over two years. The second still missed the mark. But we kept going—because healing (like good design) is layered, imperfect, and worth the effort.
This is what a revival really looks like: trial, error, and tiny wins that add up to peace. Proof that you can repaint, rearrange, and reclaim… as many times as it takes.
I’ve known this house for quite a while. Over the years, it passed through the hands of different renters—families who lived, loved, and made it their own in small ways. But despite the memories created within its walls, the house never fully felt like it belonged to anyone. It was missing a sense of rootedness, of warmth that lingers after the furniture’s gone.
When I was brought in, it was clear the home needed more than just a cosmetic touch; it needed intention. The revival happened in phases, stretched out over time, but that only made it more special. With every update, it felt like the home was finally stepping into itself again.
Bringing it back to life was a joy. And it was a reminder: even homes that feel forgotten can find their way back to feeling loved.
I got the before picture! Clutter and all but I got it.
So, after round one—this is where we landed.
The clutter was cleared, the cabinet doors were refreshed, and a clean coat of paint brought everything back to life. We even added a whitewashed brick wallpaper around the window to soften things up (though of course, I can't seem to find a photo of that part!).
It wasn’t done, but it was a shift. A first layer.
Sometimes, that’s all we need to start seeing the space—and ourselves—a little differently.
Well... then she calls me again and says,
"Let’s just gut it and start over.”
And honestly? I was all for it.
Sometimes, a space needs a full reset—not because the first try was wrong, but because we’re ready for more. More clarity, more intention, more alignment. This kitchen became a reminder that transformation is a process… and starting over can be part of getting it right.
We got brand new cabinets, and this time, chose open shelving instead of uppers to keep things feeling light and open. We also scrapped that bulky back trim (it just didn't feel right) and focused on the details that made it hers. The final touches pulled everything together in a way that felt like home.
Haven't heard from her again. Safe to say our work was finally done!
Sometimes, it takes a few tries, but when a space finally feels right... you just know.
