Tuesday, October 11, 2011

The Heart of the Home

Today I'll be joining  the Room by Room ~ Kitchens party over at Cottage & Vine and Nifty Thrifty Tuesday over at Coastal Charm. Our kitchen is truly the heart of our home. It's where everyone always seems to gather and it's where I seem to spend most of my time. I'm sure that goes for most of us!


 Our kitchen island was the latest thing to get a makeover in here. A few months ago the hubby and I added beadboard and decorative molding  to it, to give it more of a custom look. The painting and distressing we let get done by a professional.

                                   Here's how it looked before....... BLAH!


                                                   After


           This $12 silver pitcher is still one of my favorite finds!








                           Looking in from the dining room




Thanks so much for coming along on the tour with me. Are you like me and spend most of your time in the kitchen too? Have a great week!
                                                                 Martina

Linking to: Cottage & Vine  
                   Coastal Charm
at

50 comments:

  1. AnonymousOctober 10, 2011 at 10:45 AM

    I absolutely do spend most of my time in the kitchen ~ I feel so fortunate to have one that I love. I would love spending time in yours also Martina! It's so pretty and the changes to your island really set off your whole kitchen!!

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  2. AnonymousOctober 10, 2011 at 10:48 AM

    I love your kitchen island Martina, you both did a great job, love the beadboard! I'd love to spend more time in the kitchen if mine looked like yours, so fresh and clean looking!

    Rondell
    somethingniceandpretty.blogspot.com

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  3. UnknownOctober 10, 2011 at 10:49 AM

    I am right in the middle of an update of my kitchen. Loved looking at your images.

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  4. TriciaOctober 10, 2011 at 10:56 AM

    What a nice, cozy kitchen. I really like your island a darker color. It ties things together well with your countertops :)

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  5. DawnOctober 10, 2011 at 11:16 AM

    Marty,
    Beautiful kitchen. I love a white kitchen, they are timeless and never go out of style. The black island gives it the pop it needed. Fab!!!

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  6. Nancy's NotesOctober 10, 2011 at 11:42 AM

    What a bright and beautiful kitchen! Great tour and the kitchen is the heart of a home, thanks for sharing!

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  7. KellyOctober 10, 2011 at 12:03 PM

    I really love how you redid your island. We added beadboard to the sides of our cabinets many years ago and loved the difference it made. I like the jute webbing you used on your kitchen valance too. All in all it's very pretty!

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  8. Anita DiazOctober 10, 2011 at 12:13 PM

    Martina, your kitchen is beautiful and I can see why everyone would want to be in there!! Gorgeous! Love what you did with the island. We are planning on changing the shape of ours and using reclaimed beadboard on it also.

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  9. Kathy @ Creative Home ExpressionsOctober 10, 2011 at 12:25 PM

    Your kitchen is so light and bright, Martina! I love how the island turned out ~ it looks like a much more substantial piece now in black.

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  10. Kim @ Savvy Southern StyleOctober 10, 2011 at 12:36 PM

    Martina, your kitchen is so charming. No wonder people gather in there. Your photography is getting better and better.

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  11. UnknownOctober 10, 2011 at 12:43 PM

    Your kitchen is very pretty, with so many elements I admire. Love the counters and bin pulls too.

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  12. LindaOctober 10, 2011 at 12:53 PM

    Your kitchen is very lovely...I love that island...wonderful!!

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  13. Penny from Enjoying The Simple ThingsOctober 10, 2011 at 1:15 PM

    You have a wonderful kitchen! I love the island....

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  14. xinexOctober 10, 2011 at 1:24 PM

    I love your kitchen, Martina. It's beautiful!..Christine

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  15. debbie~refreshrestyle.comOctober 10, 2011 at 1:29 PM

    Martina, I love your kitchen and your bar makeover is fantastic! Thanks for visiting my kitchen, it's fun to hang out in everyone's kitchen!
    Debbie

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  16. debbie~refreshrestyle.comOctober 10, 2011 at 1:30 PM

    I meant island make over, I must be thinking about a bar!
    Debbie

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  17. GailOctober 10, 2011 at 2:17 PM

    Hi Martina, your kitchen is beautiful and I love your island.

    Enjoy your day,
    Gail

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  18. Lou Cinda @ Tattered HydrangeasOctober 10, 2011 at 3:21 PM

    Martina, the island is FABULOUS!! Love the black and the distressing and the beadboard and the trim on the corners!! It is the perfect touch in your glorious kitchen!! LOVE IT!!

    Lou Cinda :)

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  19. A Vintage VineOctober 10, 2011 at 3:40 PM

    Your island is incredible! You have so many great elements in there! Thanks for sharing!

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  20. At The Picket FenceOctober 10, 2011 at 4:00 PM

    I just absolutely love your kitchen Martina! It is light and bright and so beautiful! :-)
    Vanessa

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  21. MariaelenaOctober 10, 2011 at 4:01 PM

    Love your kitchen...as I knew I would...:)
    xo, Mariaelena

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  22. Pat@Back Porch MusingsOctober 10, 2011 at 4:11 PM

    Your kitchen is beautiful Martina. I love your island makeover!!

    I spy your tea kettle!

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  23. Linda@Coastal CharmOctober 10, 2011 at 4:42 PM

    What a charming kitchen and I'm lovin that $12 silver pitcher too...great treasure!!! Thanks so much for coming by:)

    Blessings,
    Linda

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  24. JacquelineOctober 10, 2011 at 4:55 PM

    Definitely the heart of this home, why have any other rooms, or sometimes it seems that way! We built a big living room for parties and they all cluster here! Love the pitcher - $12? Really?

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  25. CindyOctober 10, 2011 at 5:44 PM

    Hi Marina,
    Your kitchen is very pretty, I love your island, it is so gorgeous painted black or is it navy? It is so hard to tell in photos, but it is lovely.
    Your granite counter tops are gorgeous, as is your decor in there. You do a lovely job of decorating.
    Hugs, Cindy

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  26. SueOctober 10, 2011 at 6:11 PM

    Love the contrast of the black island against the clean white cabinetry in the rest of the room. As for the silver on the countertop- it is so pretty. Like the country touch with the rooster, too. Glad you came by again, Martina. ~ Sue

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  27. SriOctober 10, 2011 at 6:53 PM

    Your kitchen is so beautiful. You have so many great items in your kitchen. looks fab..

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  28. PamelaOctober 10, 2011 at 7:15 PM

    Martina your kitchen is just beautiful! I love how bright and airy it is and your island is amazing!

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  29. Carrie @ Dittle DattleOctober 10, 2011 at 7:38 PM

    Your kitchen is so warm and inviting and your latest makeover project really makes the kitchen come to life. I love how much life your island brings to the rest of the kitchen :D

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  30. Cindy @ Dwellings-The Heart of Your HomeOctober 10, 2011 at 7:39 PM

    Gorgeous kitchen Martina,hoping for an island one day!

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  31. Pam KesslerOctober 10, 2011 at 8:02 PM

    I love that valance!!! It all looks so nice and clean and fresh. I do remember your island from before. It makes such a statement in your room.

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  32. Honey at 2805October 10, 2011 at 8:22 PM

    I think the change in th color of your island is such a dramatic difference! Looks wonderful!

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  33. DebbiedoosOctober 10, 2011 at 8:32 PM

    Love your kitchen Martina, it is so pretty and so warm. I love those valances too, what a great touch. The island redo really made a huge difference. I wish my husband would let me paint mine..there is NO WAY he will allow me to paint that wood.

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  34. Yvonne @ StoneGableOctober 10, 2011 at 8:32 PM

    What a gorgeous kitchen! I love the white cabinets and the new and improved black island. So warm and dramatic!
    I could cook in this kitchen all day!
    Yvonne

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  35. Ann from On Sutton PlaceOctober 10, 2011 at 8:43 PM

    Haven't seen your kitchen for a while. Looks beautiful. Can't believe that pitcher was only $12.00. Have a great week!

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  36. Cathy @My 1929 CharmerOctober 10, 2011 at 8:45 PM

    Your kitchen is gorgeous, love that the island is painted black, makes the room pomp, and the beadboard did give a custom look. Thanks so much for stopping by my blog.

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  37. Pam@OurAdventuresInHomeImprovementOctober 10, 2011 at 9:02 PM

    Martina, your kitchen is beautiful! I love the darker island contrasting with the white cabinets. That lavender box is so cute.

    Have a great week!
    Pam

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  38. Yvonne@StyleBurbOctober 10, 2011 at 9:29 PM

    Yes, we all end up in the kitchen, too! Your kitchen is stunning and the island is gorgeous, so it's no wonder you all want to hang out in there! If I had your kitchen, I'd probably sleep there as well;) I love your red kettle and rooster, too!

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  39. Lakeshore Cottage LivingOctober 10, 2011 at 10:43 PM

    Your kitchen is so bright and cheery and I really love your island. Everything is just beautiful! The pitcher was a GREAT find!

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  40. Chari at Happy To DesignOctober 11, 2011 at 3:09 AM

    Hi Martina...

    My friend, I think that this might be the first time that I've seen your beautiful kitchen. Of course, I may have seen it before and am just having a "senior moment"! Hehe!

    I totally agree...I think the kitchen is the heart of the home! I love, love, LOVE your beautiful kitchen island. What a difference that painting it black...made! I love when kitchen islands are done different than the cabinets...just makes everything more interesting! Anyway, it's gorgeous!

    Ohh..and I love your pretty silver pitcher too! I would have picked that little beauty up in a heartbeat if I had seen it! hehe! Well dear friend, thank you so much for sharing your beautiful kitchen with us...this was such a treat!

    Love ya,
    Chari

    PS...ohh, was going to tell you that I really like the pretty fruit plates that you are displaying above the cabinets! Pretty!

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  41. Ramblings of a Southern Girl ~ Rhonda GOctober 11, 2011 at 8:21 AM

    The bar transformation is very nice! Good Job! :) And I am just crazy about the silver pitcher!!!

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  42. RenéOctober 11, 2011 at 10:16 AM

    Your island really adds a nice pop to your kitchen and I love that little topiary sitting on the floor.

    Thanks for sharing your kitchen in the Room By Room series!

    Rene

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  43. The Tuscan HomeOctober 11, 2011 at 10:21 AM

    Beautiful kitchen and I *love* your black island! I also love the Rooster and wheat in the corner, so cute! Thanks for sharing, I always love looking at kitchens. XO ~Liz

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  44. KellyOctober 11, 2011 at 10:56 AM

    I just nominated you for the Versatile Blogger award! Go check out my blog for the details.

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  45. mtashieOctober 11, 2011 at 11:35 AM

    Gorgeous kitchen! I love the roo's and the red pieces you brought into the kitchen. The silver pitcher was quite a find! I'm a new follower!!

    http://mtashie-theplace.blogspot.com/

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  46. FABBY'S LIVINGOctober 11, 2011 at 11:46 AM

    Martina, your kitchen is wonderdful and the island is so pretty and elegant with the new look and color. Yep, the silver pitcher is a terrific find! Hugs, FABBY

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  47. AnonymousOctober 11, 2011 at 11:59 AM

    Your kitchen is gorgeous Martina!!! Love the beadboard you added to the island and the new black paint color. I can see why you love it so....just beautiful :o)
    ~Des

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  48. Debra@CommonGroundOctober 12, 2011 at 12:38 AM

    Hi Martina, you have such a wonderful kitchen, love your island. The contrasting paint is just gorgeous!! Thanks for always coming by for a visit. love hearing from you, xoxo

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  49. Katie @ Wildwood CreekOctober 13, 2011 at 5:01 PM

    You have a beautiful kitchen, and I love your island transformation! I love it when an island contrasts with the kitchen.

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  50. PatOctober 18, 2011 at 9:06 PM

    Your kitchen is beautiful and I too love that silver pitcher - the price definitely was right :)

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I love reading your comments! Thanks so much for stopping by, Martina