Kitchen: Before and After

Here are two "before" pictures of our kitchen from when S signed the lease on the apartment.

There were no appliances, but it had potential and opens onto a deck. I liked the red handles on the cabinets which I knew would totally work with all my red kitchen-y items! So, now for the "after"....

Our dining area: our formica table and chairs that I found for free beside a dumpster at my old apartment complex on Chicago. I LOVE this table. And I also LOVE the mirror above it which was a gift from a family friend for the opening of a play a few years ago.

We have a washer and dryer (hooray!) but they are in the kitchen, so it makes it a little cramped for space. (But I am not complaining- I am so thankful to be able to do laundry at home!) So S got creative and found a wood top to put over the washer so it becomes extra counter space for when I cook or for use as a serving station to put food on. :)

You can see our new-to-us stainless appliances. Buying those was one of the first things we did in Montréal. We bought a stove, fridge, washer, and dryer all at the same place.

S installed Ikea lights over the sink and stove, and now washing dishes and cooking is more fun! You can also see my aprons hanging on hooks on the wall. The hooks were previously in the bathroom but we recycled them to a better use. Also in that corner is trash, recycling, and our brooms/swiffer/etc.

In the background there is another row of the (previously bathroom towel rack) hooks with things like measuring cups hanging there for easy and quick access. Years ago, I got that creative and practical idea from my friend M.

Now we both enjoy spending time in the kitchen and are often working on laptops at the kitchen table. It is cozy- especially cozy when we have a couple guests over for a meal and we crowd around the table to eat! :)