The little birds...

If you watch little birds you will see they are busy and happy! Using whatever they can find they create the most gorgeous little nest.
I would be the little bird with some glittery thread in her nest!
We can be like this. Happily working away with the things that are available to us to create a beautiful and happy home.
All the while with a little song in our heart.

Banner by Free Pretty Things for You.

Sunday, 3 August 2014

My new kitchen at last!

When we bought this house we knew it would be our "forever home" but that over time we would upgrade the kitchen and the bathroom.

 The kitchen came first as the cupboards were broken and it was a daily frustration and we saved up almost three years to do it. And my Mum gave me my island bench for Christmas, Chloe gave me a trolley on wheels and Lucy gave me hanging storage towards it.

 Andy did all the work himself and I did plastering (had to learn fast) and painting and general assistant stuff. As Andy was also working he did a few hours most days on it. So I cooked most of winter outside on the BBQ and did not buy one takeaway meal. I have learned a lot about BBQ cooking!

 And now its almost done... when I say almost there are details to finish off but I am in there using it. It's so much fun to have a kitchen again.

The chandelier came with us from our last house. And you have seen my pantry cupboards...

We spent $6000 this included a new dishwasher, stove...


cook top, range hood, dishwasher and removal of old kitchen. And flooring... and an electrician... (Australian dollars and prices)

My old stove was terrible and the cook top was awful. So I am in love with this and the difference is amazing.

I love the sink. Is it normal to love a sink?


My husband has had no free time in months doing this for me and at times it was really stressful. Tiles had to be removed and the cement had to be ground and the mess was terrible!

Now the basics are done though it is so beautiful. And I can add some shabbiness to it... 


I salvaged this wrought iron years ago from a fallen down farm house. I am using it to hang utensils from.

Re starting in the kitchen has been a bit like moving house. I can set a new routine and the clean out, de clutter has been massive. It transforms everything. I don't know why but I had a habit of all kinds of things ending up in the kitchen that didn't belong there!

An alternative, if you need it, is to do the kitchen challenge on A Bowl Full of Lemons. She has you completely empty your kitchen... and start again. It is MASSIVE. And it's like moving house! But it is wonderful if you need to feel as if you have a new kitchen.

Flylady is my other favourite. She is right... if you wake up in the morning and the kitchen is clean and tidy and the sink is empty and shiny it is a joy and a good way to start the day. Her methods of a few minutes here and there and routines have helped me a lot!

Over the next week I hope to post some more details as I get them finished. I am having a hanging ladder for my drying herbs and flowers...

Now this work is mostly done life will be a lot easier and I can enjoy cooking again and a normal routine.

Renovating is not easy. But attacking something and getting it done is really wonderful.

Have a lovely week. Today we have sunshine and it's beautiful. And roses and blossoms are starting to appear! xxx
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17 comments:

  1. KayeB3 August 2014 at 23:21

    Your kitchen is just magnificent Annabel. Really beautiful and just as I imagined it to be. xo It would have cost many times the amount you paid if you'd have paid a kitchen company. It is a real credit to Andy and yourself. I'm so happy for you xoxoxo Kaye

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    1. Annabel4 August 2014 at 00:34

      Thank you Kaye! Yes I know it would have cost thousands more to just buy it and have it installed! And it wouldnt have happened...
      It is a real joy to have it done. Im glad Amy liked it too! xxx

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  2. Susans Perspective4 August 2014 at 05:16

    Absolutely gorgeous Annabel, all that hard work has paid off big time. Now you can enjoy doing the little touches that make your heart sing & leaves your signature all over the place. Fun times! (& I agree, the sink is stunning, LOL). Big hugs! :) xx

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    1. Annabel4 August 2014 at 14:28

      Thank you Susan! I have never had "good feelings" about a sink that is for sure. The other day on my fb I posted a pic and added "this is for Susan" Im not sure if you saw it... xxxx

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  3. Anonymous4 August 2014 at 09:46

    Very impressive, thank you for sharing. We just did this in our master bath as our 25 year wedding gift to each other and it was worth it! We did have quite a messy bedroom for a few months as a result, so I know how hard it is, our whole house has had to be redone over time...but we now have a huge corner jacuzzi tub in our bath! YAY!God bless you in your lovely new room! xo Marybeth

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    1. Annabel4 August 2014 at 14:30

      Thanks Marybeth. I can imagine the mess re doing a bathroom would be. That is our next project but maybe in a year or two. And a jacuzzi would be heavenly! xxx

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  4. Mimi5 August 2014 at 19:35

    Just stunning Annabel. A dream of a kitchen for sure...xxx

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    1. Annabel5 August 2014 at 19:55

      Thanks Mimi. It has changed the feel too... I used to feel hemmed in and cluttered... now it is light and airy with loads of counter space. I am still walking to the wrong spots ie to the fridge in the old place but getting the hang of it!xxx

      Delete
  5. Anonymous6 August 2014 at 00:41

    Hi Annabel, can you tell me the brand of your new oven? I need to replace mine and am finding it hard to get anything stylish in white. Yours is beautifully simple. Thanks, Olive

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    1. Annabel6 August 2014 at 00:49

      Dear Olive, It is from IKEA and IKEA appliances are from Westinghouse so all Australian. I have had Westinghouse appliances before and was very happy, although not an oven. We got it on sale too fro $200 off. I am very pleased with it too, it heats up so fast and has a grill and heaps of functions. The colour got me originally but I am really happy with it. I hope this helps. (I would say looking around it comes in at a very reasonable price too) xx

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    2. Anonymous6 August 2014 at 21:31

      Thanks so much Annabel. I wouldn't have thought of looking at IKEA :) Olive

      Delete
  6. Mrs. Kelley Dibble7 August 2014 at 07:43

    Za-za! Wow! Amazingly beautiful, my friend. I can just imagine you whistling while you work now! To God be the glory!

    Hugs and happy weekend,
    Kelley~

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  7. Jan7 August 2014 at 17:40

    I have finally found your blog after hearing from a few SS friends. :) Your new kitchen is exquisite and one that I could quite happily live with. I am a shabby girl too, although I dabble with all styles. Love the chandelier in the kitchen. I wanted to put a modest one in my new bathroom but was laughed at.

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    1. Annabel7 August 2014 at 17:54

      Hi Jan! (Im thinking you are Happy Jan) correct me if Im wrong, it is tricky with SS names! If you are then I hope you are feeling ok and doing well!
      I have a chandelier in my bathroom! I think it makes perfect sense! But it is the best thing in the room the bathroom is actually pretty terrible... Hopefully the chandelier is a slight distraction! Im so glad you found me and thank you for commenting. Love Annabel.xxx

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  8. Anonymous7 August 2014 at 19:48

    I just adore your new kitchen Annabel:) I was so excited when I saw the title of this post as I have been waiting to see it! All of that hard work has paid off and you have a beautiful space. I will dream about your sink too - I love it:)

    Mrs Tiggywinkle

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  9. Jan7 August 2014 at 22:13

    Hey Annabel I am Jan WA from SS, you may not have come across me. :)

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    Replies
    1. Annabel8 August 2014 at 00:13

      Thanks Jan! I know you, well I hope I have it right now! I had seen you were using Annie Sloan chalk paint. This means we are kindred spirits!

      Delete

I really appreciate your comments thank you! The aim of my blog is the be a place of encouragement and happiness. Very rarely is anyone rude. Actually only twice so far! If you post a rude or aggressive comment I will read it but not publish it, thanks for understanding.xxx

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