Stories Collected While Living in France

French la Vie

The Happy Kitchen

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The Kitchen is in working order. Though I need to paint it. So until I finish painting it here is a taste of our new cabinets.
I am so in love with our new kitchen that last night I woke up and ran downstairs just to see it, and make sure that I wasn't dreaming.
Oh the joy of having kitchen drawers! The joy of not having to run around a fifty mile, tri- angle kitchen course, in order to pour a glass of wine. Cabinets that open and close easily, simple pleasures are a must: I am in hog heaven.

The cabinets are from IKEA.
The counter top is Zimbabwe granite, with a "Bec Corbin" edge, and the finish is called, Twinswet Antique, that name is fitting isn't it?
The handles are from Leroy Merlin, a chain hardware store in France.

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As you can see I have not advance very far in my decision making. I would like to paint it a lively, happy color… but I think I would grow tired of a happy color. Sounds sort of strange to say I would grow tired of a happy color, doesn't it?

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Happy, happy, happy, I am… even cutting onions can't make me cry!

Comments

38 responses to “The Happy Kitchen”

  1. rel

    Corey,
    Tears of joy perhaps?
    Joyful colors are good in small doses.
    It’s the fench way right? A little, but very well done!
    rel

    Reply
  2. Colette

    The cupboards are a happy, wholesome colour – they’re the colour of onion skins. I can’t wait to see how the walls turn out.

    Reply
  3. Tamisha

    Corey,
    It looks lovely! I adore the countertops. That rough hewn look is gorgeous. I can’t wait to see the rest of it.

    Reply
  4. carol

    Congratulations! No woman should have to do a 50 mile lap for a little happiness.

    Reply
  5. Kristin

    Paint it the color of a tomato! Or an eggplant! Ohhhhh that would be pretty!!!!

    Reply
  6. Candy

    I can’t wait to see more! I know you’re in heaven. I can feel it all the way over here. For the record I love all the colors you’re thinking about. I need to post pics of the happy house we’re painting. Oh my gosh you will freak out. It’s wild! I don’t live in it though so it’s ok.

    Reply
  7. Gina Baynham

    My first kitchen when I was newly married had orange, yellow, red and bright blue walls. I stamped red strawberries along the window edges. I thought it was the most wonderful kitchen in the world.
    13 years on and my kitchen in our new house is cream, mocha, stone, brushed steel. A calm place to be. I think it is the most wonderful kitchen in the whole world!
    Tastes change, Luckily painted walls can be too! I’m really looking forward to seeing what colours you choose!

    Reply
  8. Nancy

    My new kitchen is 18 years old…. and I still *love* and *enjoy* it! Yours will serve you well! Can’t wait for future food photos and fantastic kitchen stories! Sharing your enthusiasm!

    Reply
  9. Sheala

    Thanks for the little taste of your new kitchen. Looking forward to a banquet of photos soon.

    Reply
  10. Rhonda

    It is great to have a new kitchen isn’t it. It gives you inspiration to cook lovely meals for your family and friends. Can’t wait to see it all finished. Good luck.

    Reply
  11. Beverly

    I love the new cabinets! (We just went to Ikea yesterday…I loved everything in that store!)
    Waiting on the walls…

    Reply
  12. Dee/reddirtramblings

    I completely understand about being in love with your new kitchen. I felt exactly the same when we finished ours six years ago. Your cabinets and countertops look very grand. I thought I wanted to paint my kitchen a nice shade of red, but instead, painted it a soft green.~~Dee

    Reply
  13. GunnersideGill

    You must be so excited. What fun,
    GG

    Reply
  14. Debra P.

    Corey, you inspire me to keep going! I am in the middle my kitchen re-model and quite seriously want to give up and . . .fly away . . .to the Bahamas?? I’m so happy you are loving your results. Looking forward to seeing more! Oh, thanks for including the granite info . . .that helped a lot.
    Debra P.

    Reply
  15. Marilyn

    Corey,
    It looks wonderful! I know what you mean about trying to find the perfect color, especially for the kitchen.
    I was just admiring the bowl of onions and thinking how nice it looks against the new counter top. Have you considered painting your walls the color of those onions??
    Marilyn (in Dallas)

    Reply
  16. marilyn

    How joyful! A beautiful new kitchen is the best. Congratulations on putting up with the mess. That can be a challenge and you did very well.

    Reply
  17. martina

    My kitchen is very tiny, old and minimalistic. White cabinets and appliances, one white wall, but three of the walls are a bright yellow orange. How about doing a bright color on one wall of your kitchen and the others more subdued? You so deserve that new kitchen!

    Reply
  18. shannon in oregon

    it all depends on your definition of happy color. i think greys can be happy…just sayin’.
    xo

    Reply
  19. Joan@anythinggoeshere

    When you’ve put your heart and soul into something it must be rewarding when it starts all coming together. Great job.

    Reply
  20. Paula

    I like the idea of a color similar to that of the onions. Maybe just on the backsplash? Then the rest could be more neutral.

    Reply
  21. jani

    yippeeeee…so glad your happy..

    Reply
  22. megan

    corey,
    i don’t know if you look at design*sponge but check out the gray/white combination in this house
    http://www.designspongeonline.com/2009/06/sneak-peek-office.html
    i think it is sooo beautiful/classic/would be easy to add color to with accessories and evvverything would match.
    megan

    Reply
  23. leilani

    Your kitchen is perfectly lovely and I love your comment about getting up in the middle of the night just to go look at it.
    My little Pullman kitchen is a cacophony of color: The ceiling is the yellow of French’s mustard; the top cabinets are Mexican red; the bottom cabs are the same orange as extension power cords; and the walls are an unusual darkish green with a lot of grey in it. Wild vibrant colors in big doses. The California way? Perhaps. But I love it and haven’t tired of it in over two years.

    Reply
  24. Courtney

    Why not a happy colour in a muted shade?

    Reply
  25. Alena

    Happy is good.
    I am so happy for you; it looks really great, cant wait to see the rest.
    Enjoy your cooking !

    Reply
  26. Ruth Tortorici

    How wonderful…..my hubs is the ‘owner’ of our home kitchen, He ‘allowed me to choose the color then proceeded to personalize it…lol. Now it is an apple green? with a Tortorici original painting in vivid red hues….(after 6 months the green is growing on me)! Congratulations!

    Reply
  27. Mindi

    Yeeaaah, I can’t wait for the new recipes!!! I love the kitchen & can’t wait to see the final finishing touches! Now, I have to make some of these shots-if only I had some vintage shot glasses…

    Reply
  28. Beverly

    The kitchen looks wonderful, can’t wait to see the color.

    Reply
  29. Rosemary

    Love it!!!!
    Beautiful Corey!
    Good luck picking out the paint color. I totally understand that Happy color thing.
    Rosemary

    Reply
  30. Brenda Kula

    Haven’t been around in a spell. And obviously I’ve missed much! I have to go through your back posts now and figure out what you’re up to!
    Brenda
    http://viewfromthepines.com
    http://cozylittlehouse.blogspot.com

    Reply
  31. Elaine L.

    I don’t think that it’s so much that you would get tired of a happy color, I think that it’s easier to live with neutrals. It’s easier to change your look with your accessories, rather than having to repaint.
    ~elaine~

    Reply
  32. dotsie

    Gray like your bathroom? It will be lovely; already is!

    Reply
  33. Ellen Cassilly

    Yeah for your new kitchen! I love IKEA. Now concerning colors. The onion skin color is the obvious and delightful safe choice (nothing wrong with that – simply elegant). I wonder if you might have be able to pick up a color from the huge poster on your kitchen wall? It might be nice. and an over-the-top antique mirror on the wall of the stair to brighten the non-window side of the kitchen. Hugs, E

    Reply
  34. Vicki’s Bit-o-Earth

    All that 50 mile running is over! Congratulations (:

    Reply
  35. msmezzo

    I have come to terms with the fact that I will never have a kitchen of my own design. In my entire adult life (I’m 51) I only had a dishwasher once, for 2 years! I feel your joy in your kitchen, and know that it is love that makes it so beautiful, just like my kitchen with the peeling floor, the mismatched cabinets and the leaking sink. Love makes it beautiful. Enjoy, enjoy, enjoy! xoxox Rebecca

    Reply
  36. jend’isère

    In Scandinavia, white is too often the choice. Much needed light is brought in, but kitchens all look alike. Your warm wood choice is appropriate for the Mediterranean climate and for the walls, I see why it is a tough choice. Perhaps a contrasting colour, like tourquise in a rather neutral tone. Since you eat primarily colourful vegetables and fruits, they need a backdrop.
    So glad your share your fun with us!

    Reply
  37. Brother Mathew

    Who is this Mr. Alan Dente anyway?

    Reply
  38. WhichBurner

    Glad your happy, glad I found your blog, I’ll look in now and then

    Reply

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