I've been promising to do the Kitchen Reveal for a while, but it wasn't quite ready. The stools were the last piece, plus a little more painting. I have now officially painted the entire house, and earned my Advanced Painting badge. I've come a long way. A few years ago, Richard would only let me paint the inside of closets. True story. And I paint commando. None of that taping business.

So back to the kitchen. Here are a couple of Before shots. The house was built in the 1920s, but the kitchen was remodeled in 1969.

I'm sorry I didn't do a better job of documenting the avocado appliances. Feel free to use your imagination.

Here's Richard taking down the drop ceiling. Look at the pretty bead board!

Sad to say the paneling had to go. *sniff*

There was all sorts of behind-the-scenes work, you know, having to do with electricity and water and making sure the floor didn't end up in the basement. Richard took care of all that, and of course it was HUGELY interesting, and it's great that we don't have to worry about getting electrocuted or drowning or dying, but I think we'll just move on, okay?

So what, pray tell, did I do? Well, the designing and shopping and paint color choosing and all that. I even did the cabinets myself. No, not MAKE them. But I did use graph paper and decide what went where and how big everything should be. It was hard work.

That's the hole between the kitchen and the dining room. I do not like to be stuck in a box when I am cooking. It makes me cranky.

Ready to see the result?

Ta-da! More, you say? Sure thing.

There's the hole. No more Mrs. Cranky. And I'm certain you've noted what a fantastic paint job that is. And the stools? $60 for the pair at Overstock.com.

Here's the view from the dining room.

I'd love to hear your accolades, I mean, thoughts. It was a great project.