A week or two ago I told you all about my moral dilemma with shiplap backsplash…
However, I was too long-winded to be able to include the rest of our mini farmhouse kitchen remodel drama, so here it is today.
You know that joke about the people who get a new couch and they ends up redoing the entire living room to match it?
Well, that’s how we roll with EVERY SINGLE PROJECT we’ve ever done.
This latest adventure started innocently enough with a simple shiplap backsplash, but ended with installing new custom shelving, axing the range hood in favor of a pot rack, and cutting a ginormous hole in a perfectly good wall above the sink.
Yes, I realize we are out of control.
What can I say? Home reno projects are our love language. Or something like that.
Here’s how it all went down.
The Awkward Shelves
I had these shelves installed when the cabinet makers built our cabinets during our big remodel. I had a vision in mind, which I apparently did NOT do a good job of communicating to the builders… because once I saw the shelves on the wall, I just didn’t love them. I thought I could live with them, but nope. They weren’t necessarily horrible I guess, but the feel was all wrong for the space–they were too thick, too smooth, and just too awkward.
We had to remove them in order to put up the shiplap, which was a good enough excuse for me to sweet-talk Christian into making new ones. Thanks honey.
It’s safe to say these are about a million times better.
Christian built them out of weathered roughcut pine. (They are approximately 7″ deep and 36″ long.) We shopped around for brackets online and I found some simple iron ones on Etsy that I liked. However when Christian saw the price tag and shipping cost, he decided to make the brackets himself from 1/4″ x 2″ steel. (I love this man.)
They’re rough and imperfect and totally fit my rustic, industrial, vintage, farmhouse style. (How’s that for a label. I don’t really know what I am.)
There were also some of these same weird shelves above my sink, which leads us to…
The Window Saga
When we initially removed the shelving above the sink we had full intention of putting new shelves in their place.
But as I was washing dishes at my shelf-less sink one evening, I realized how much I loved the open feel, which got me to thinking…
WHAT IF we left the shelves off and I just decorated that spot with something cool instead?
(‘What ifs’ are a dangerous thing at my house. They always seem to foreshadow some sort of major project.)
I thought about my options, and thought perhaps an old chipped window would look neat there.
Bingo.
Now this next part I blame entirely on Christian, because when I was telling him my “hang-a-window-on-the-wall-idea” he had the audacity to mention actually installing a window there. Like a real one. The kind you can see through.
Stop the presses. You mean that’s a possibility?
OH BOY.
I’ve never loved that my little kitchen doesn’t have an exterior window… Unfortunately, when you have a 100-year old house that has been added onto repeatedly over the years, it’s not uncommon. It’s especially annoying when you want to take food photos that don’t have a gross yellow tinge to them. (If you’re wondering why some of the photos here look grainy or yellowish, that’s why… not enough light.)
At this point, even a window looking into my laundry room is better than nothing.
But there were a lot of things that had to fall into place first…
Of course I didn’t want to just buy a window at Home Depot like a normal person. Too easy. No, it had to be vintage.
Christian dug through our very nice neighbor’s barn and found absolute perfection in the form of an ancient, crusty, ol barn window that was the PERFECT size. What are the odds? Seriously.
I was beside myself.
It was meant to be. I was sure of it.
Until we started cutting into the wall, and we realized there were some big yellow (important) electrical wires running SMACK through the middle of the proposed window hole.
Nooooooooo.
Anyone that knows me knows I don’t take no for an answer very well. Once I get an idea in my head, it will happen y’all. IT WILL. No matter what.
So I begged and prayed and threw a temper tantrum and we racked our brains to figure out how to make this stinkin’ window fit in the spot.
And Christian worked magic. I don’t know exactly how he did it, but he figured out a way to (safely) re-route the very tight wires and the window found its new home. (I knew there was a reason I married a Master Electrician).
Two months later, I still can’t stop gazing at my crazy window– it really opens up the kitchen too, even though it looks into my laundry room.
Goodbye Range Hood. I Won’t Miss You.
This brings us to the last piece… the range hood. I’ve never really loved the look of range hoods, but figured I *had* to have one to prevent smoking out the house when I grill steaks inside. Sounds rational, right? However, the hood we installed never really worked that great. And since I didn’t love the look, why not just ditch it? I know, my thoughts exactly. (P.S. Anyone wanna buy a slightly used range hood?)
Thankfully, this wasn’t as intense of a project as the window– we simply installed the shiplap over that portion of the wall and I found a cute pot rack on Wayfair.com to put there instead.
Because more cast iron storage is always a good thing.
And there you have it, folks. It was a wild ride, but I’m beyond happy with my little space. I don’t foresee any more changes for a while (famous last words…). It’s cozy and rustic with a bit of a vintage vibe thrown in. It’s the perfect working homestead kitchen.
BONUS: A Video Tour of Our Homestead Kitchen!
Beautiful! You know what might look even better? A matching “plant shelf” above your new window. Or, perhaps, a cool old clock.
Stunning! Where did you get your storage jars??? Thank you.
What is the brand of range that you went with?
one word BEAUTIFUL
What wood are your cabinets? What stain? Thanks!
I love it. The only thing I have to ask is with the pot rack. Do you find that all the stuff you have above the stove gets covered in that greasy-dusty film? Is that just me? every time I see open shelving near a stove I cringe because I think about the cleaning involved, despite loving the look.
I have the same question. I would love a pot rack above my oven.
I agree. What do you do about the guck that seems to vapor up off the stove?
We recently removed most of our upper doors creating a lot of open shelving. We solved the build up problem by storing our daily use items there. Things that get washed all the time anyway. Everyday dishes and glassware. Been about 8 months and we love it.
The homemade shelves do look a lot better than the old shelves. My husband’s the same way, always fabricating brackets and such.
Wow! I LOVE the update! I LOVED it to begin with, when you first did it, but the window and new shelving and rack make a HUGE difference! And the ship lap is AMAZING!
I have to ask, I have been looking for a pot rack exactly like that forever. Do you have the link for that specific one?
Love it!! The shelves are to die for and that window is perfect!
Love your kitchen…..
Absolutely beautiful !
This looks absolutely FAB!!
Didn’t know you could hang cast iron because of their weight. Love the idea, because I don’t love hauling my cast iron skillets and pots out of the lower cabinets. I tell myself it’s a good workout, but don’t really love the bending over and the lifting. Purely inspired!
Love how your kitchen turned out, I seem glimpse of your light where did you find it.
This is fantastic. The beautiful simplicity of life.
We had a similar issue when we built a laundry/mud room onto our 1917 farm house; it would have covered the window over the sink. In the end we EXTENDED the window space without glass and put new windows into the new wall opposite and had glorious morning sunshine and a view of the farm through both rooms.
I love that! What a great solution! Those cabinets are hickory, no? I just bought a sample hickory cabinet door, and I am in love! We are building our own home, so I insisted on an open floor plan. I have a 4 foot by 8 foot double slider window over where my kitchen sink will be!
Looks great! Now what about enlarging the door in the laundry to let even more light in?
Far better. Cant beat character and upcycling.
Looks lovely and the new shelves go with your kitchen so much better.
Cannot imagine not having a range hood, even one that does not work that well. While many don’t look great, it’s better than the greasy mess that wafts above the stovetop accumulating on the wall and pot rack. Just my two cents, I certainly hope that it works out for you!
I love my window over the sink. I see the neighbors roof since our house is 2′ off the ground but, the sky above it is fantastic. I would love to have the vent a hood. I’ve wished/dreamed of having one for about 36 years now. I hate smoking up the house. Especially in the winter. As for hanging the pots and pans, I’m too short for that. I’d set my self on fire trying to reach them. Mine are on hangers on the wall in 2 rows with the lids on the fridge side hanging on the stick on hooks.
The advertising photos of a completely different kitchen make the article really difficult to read and follow. Totally spoiled the post.
Where did u get the spice rack I see in the picture? It would work great in our rv.
I have the same question! I LOVE the rack holding your spices…where did you find it?
Love the re-do of the re-do! I love the fact that your husband catches on and makes things happen. In fact he’s quite talented in that his brackets really go along with your pot rack. Looks like they could have been purchased at the same place.
I’d like to buy your old shelves if they are available. Thank You
Thanks to post kind of great blog
I am seriously considering a copper sink for my kitchen. I have heard many “cons” against it. How do you feel about yours?
Nice remodel what color and brand are your quartz countertops?
I didn’t know you could chisel or fracture the edges of quartz.
It looks great!
Love your kitchen. We are getting ready to do a major reno on a farmhouse built in the 1880’s, but remodeled in the 1940’s. I’m always looking for ideas for the farm and your tastes are similar to mine! I like your random tours and how-to’s. Keep up the good work, Jill (and Christian!)
I would love to purchase a white kettle like the one you have on your stove top. What brand is it or where can I find one like it?
Nice and great idea! it so clean and clear. I love it!
Hannah | wallboard
Hey, I loved your kitchen! I will definitely use these tips to reorganize my kitchen cabinet. These tips are really helpful. Thanks for sharing this amazing post.
Oh girl. I feel ya on old house layout issues! Fixing to do a kitchen remodel here soon. But, tell me about that rack on the wall between the 2 doors! An herb rack?
I have been dreaming about a kitchen remodel but struggling with the “modern” look. I want rustic, farmhouse, but all the convenience of modern well made cabinets, and I want TONS of space to work for canning and cooking. I love the look of your natural wood with black accents and will be saving some of these photos for inspiration! Thank you!