Heart of the Home, Kitchen Party- I'm Late

Sweet Sheila said those of us who didnt get a chance to participate could still post our kitchens.. Is she the bestest Sweetie of all time or what:)   Bless your kind heart Sheila..
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 I wanted to show my kitchen not because its one of the biggest and its certainly not the fanciest but OH BABY, I love my kitchen sooooooooooooooooo much...

click Sheila's link to see all the great kitchens there...
http://notesongs.blogspot.com/

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  I thought I better start with a picture of todays barscape- otherwise you might not come look at all..

We remodeled our kitchen-- umm wait- we actually took out the wall between the dining and kitchen and part of the wall between the original kitchen and the family room.. Then new oak cabinets:: which Mr. Dreams wanted: new sink, fauset, stove, fridge and dishwasher.    I knew when they set the first oak cabinet in place that it just wasnt going to work for me but at that point there was nothing I could do, so for 3 years I tried to live with it..
  Here's the oak kitchen..  Dont get me wrong- oaks fine- just not for me...

See what I mean?? It was fine.. I think anytime I showed it on the decor forum folks were always nice and said- Warm and Cozy..   so ok it was Warm and Cozy.. But folks- I wanted a white kitchen.. soft white, but white.. Every morning for 3 years I would start to round the corner from the living room to come through the dining into the kitchen and I would visualize seeing-- WHITE CABINETS, but once I rounded that corner, I'd see OAK.. Apparently this transformation was going to require more than Visualizing:)  dreaming or wishing. It was going to take cleaning sanding priming and painting....  About this same time Mr. Dreams wanted a Mancave built onto the back building.. We made a deal. I got a white kitchen, he got his Mancave...For me this was a WIN WIN cause I'd have what I wanted and He and his Pals wouldnt be in the house either lol..   I love it when a plan comes together- dont you...?
Doors off and cab surrounds painted... all ready lookin better:) wooohoooo
Dont be jealous of the lovely painters plastic decor.. You too can find this at your local Home Depot..

Doors back on ~ I was going through my Apple Green phase.. I do still love these colors- black/white and apple green and I often use them in different configurations depending on the season..Did you spy my black sink and fauset over in the corner... Love them~!
Just to show the remarkable different it makes-- white side only had primer on it but I knew it was gonna be great...

Its been 2 years and I have played with a few mock ups like- Glass in a few of the cab doors and a built in plate rack?  I still havent decided if I want to add these yet..

  What do ya'll vote for-- glass in the cabs or leave them solid??

 This is looking from the pantry door, through the breakfast nook and into the kitchen..

  Oh my, the breakfast area has certainly changed too :)  these were pics from last year...
  I just bought a new chandelier for the dining area from Pottery Barn. A 6 arm upswing candelabra style.
   Hopefully I can get that up before Christmas and make the shades for it..
Heres are a few more photos of this mornings barscape.

Thank ya'll so much for stopping in to see my kitchen, even though the party was yesterday...
Sheila, thank you for being so kind and allowing those of us who couldnt make it in time a chance to still be able to share our kitchens...
Happy Fall to ALL~!!!
Much love from Dream Lane, come visit us Anytime...