Plank and Beam Kitchen Ceiling Thus Far


I keep talking about the work we're doing on our kitchen ceiling and I realized yesterday that I haven't taken any up to date photos of our progress. I posted a couple of "after dark" photos last month, but they weren't that great, and since then we've added the final and third beam (it still needs a little work, the last beam). In this photo, you can see what we started with - a very ugly, outdated, weird plastered part "faux" cottage cheese, part "stalactite" looking ceiling. It's hard to tell in this photo, but trust me, it was very, very, ugly. Here's a close-up if you'd like to see for yourself. You've been warned, lol!

And here is how the ceiling looks so far. I know the beams may be a little over the top for this little ranch-to-cottage house, but I really love the feeling they create in the kitchen. We're going to add finishing trim to conceal any gaps created by our very uneven old ceiling, then we'll paint it all out white, even the beams. (I really like the look of wood and would love to just stain it, but hubs likes the look and airiness of an all white ceiling...I agree - I just like both looks, lol.) The wall you see beside the fridge and window is the wall I'm seriously thinking about bricking up and painting the same color white, then distressing.

And here is a shot from the other side of the kitchen. See the part of the beam we need to finish up? That's where the flu hit a few weeks ago and we left off. This weekend, barring a major emergency, we'll finish it up and add the trim. Don't you just love our slothlike progress?

A few have written me and asked what we plan on doing for our countertops. We decided to just go with laminate. In many ways, it goes against all I'm working toward in making our kitchen as old-fashion as possible, but sometimes you just have to compromise. I didn't want to clean tile grout and soapstone (which I really like) was way out our budget. Stained concrete would have been pretty, but even I wasn't up to the task of tackling that project. I had some crazy, inexpensive, and unique ideas like using pebblestones (you can buy them in sheets like small tiles are sold!) or something similar for both the counter and backsplash for a really cohesive, natural look, but hubs wasn't thrilled and thought it would be too hard to clean. So anyway, we decided on a neutral laminate.

And here is a glimpse of what the brick pavers will look like against our countertop choice. The pavers will go all the way up to the bottom of the cabinets. I was concerned that the laminate might be a little too dark, but the antiqued-white backsplash really helps to balance everything out.

This is a shot of the countertop with the cabinets in view. Despite my initial worries, I think they go together nicely and keep the natural feel I was going for. I think it will go well, too, with all the oil-rubbed bronze fixtures I've bought for the kitchen. Oh, by the way, I lugged a piece of the countertop in for these photos - we haven't actually installed them yet. *sniff* We also haven't installed our lighting which means we've been working and eating by the light of big ugly portable yellow heat lamp lights (or whatever they are called, lol.) Ahhhh - the joys of home renovation!




21 comments:

Nonie said...

Looking good.

January 24, 2007 at 8:35 AM
Angel Jem said...

It will be lovely when it's finished.. don't you hate it when people say that? But it's looking good so far,and it will all be lovely when it's done!

January 24, 2007 at 8:46 AM
Amy said...

DARLING! All of it! I don't think the beams are over the top at all* FABULOUS! Stopping in to check in and catch up, I've been sooo busy lately but am finding a moment today to see your progress and I LOVE IT! xo

January 24, 2007 at 9:04 AM
Marilyn in NM said...

I think your beams look great! No way are they too much for the space. I can sure relate to the kitchen renovation project. Ours wasn't quite as extensive but we redid our kitchen 1 1/2 years ago and I'm so glad it's done!
The finished project is so worth it!!! And you'll be there soon!!!!

January 24, 2007 at 9:14 AM
Chelsea said...

I love it! We haven't done the ceiling in our kitchen yet...I think I may have to show my husband your pictures...

January 24, 2007 at 10:43 AM
Sharon Kay said...

Oh I just came across your blog and I love it. I just moved back to Ohio and we bought a condo that I am also turning in to the cottage look. And guess what I am going with the same colors inthe kitchen. What a small blogging would this is. Pleas visit me at September Morn and watch as I turn a plane condo in to a look of yesteryear. So happy I found you................Sharon K

January 24, 2007 at 12:19 PM
Mrs. Staggs said...

Hi Kim,
Thanks for taking the time to leave a nice comment on my site.
Your blog is really nice. Love how each post looks like a page.
Your home is lovely and everything that you're doing is coming together so well. I like your choice of laminate and think it looks great with the pavers.

January 24, 2007 at 3:25 PM
Jessica said...

Hey Kim -
We are finally back online for good.
Your kitchen is coming along well. Our house had a beam that was built just like yours, it took the place of a wall that one of the previous owners took out. It was the division of the kitchen & living room. They clear coated the beam, which aged over time for that aged pine color. At first I didnt like it, but it grew on me over time, and by time we finished things, it fit quite well.
Well hope all goes well for you so you can accomplish your goals this weekend. =)
Talk to you later...Jessica

January 24, 2007 at 10:10 PM
debbie said...

Hi! I just discovered your blog, well really blogs in general, I know where have I been? Anyway love your kitchen it is looking beautiful. I have a suggestion and I only make it because I wish I had know about it 2 years ago when we built our house. I saw somewhere (maybe HGTV) that if you have the little backsplash cut off your laminate before it's installed and bring the tile backsplash right down to the countertop it makes it look more like granite or something more expensive. Now I remember it was that Get Color show on HGTV she was redoing a kitchen and she sid it keeps the laminate from looking like laminate. I wish we had done it my DH wanted to put in granite but said no it just seemed like too much $$$$. Anyway just a suggestion can't wait to see how it all turns out. debbie

January 24, 2007 at 11:40 PM
A said...

I think that's a very wise decision! Noone has the time to clean the kitchen several hours a day just to have it just like in old days, and it still looks so old fashioned and beautiful. :) And btw, it really is ok if you write in English on my blog, sometimes the translator messes up the sentenses so that I don't understand it. ;) Sorry.. :) Have a wonderful day!

January 25, 2007 at 5:41 AM
Jo said...

Just found your blog and wanted to say 'hello' the renovations look super and I will check back soon!

January 26, 2007 at 8:47 AM
Jodialamodi said...

Hi Kim-
Your kitchen & home are so cozy & airy all at one time. Makes me want to sit down to tea (I love the appearances of your kitty in the photos).

You have a great eye for color- and for still-life photography. Your groupings are very nice- and I love the shot of your feet on the black & white paper in black & white skirt.

btw- I've done the same thing with coins in the drive-thru! Doh! So you need not feel alone!

I don't know if you're familiar with Joni Mitchell- you remind me of her song "Ladies of the Canyon"-
your home is so inviting & you actually DO cool projects (I have myriad ideas, but do too few of them....Anyway, I admire you).

It's refreshing & inspiring to visit your blog. Keep 'em coming!

January 26, 2007 at 12:19 PM
Colleen said...

I just found your blog and I love it! Your kitchen is just lovely. I'm looking forward to going back into your archives.

January 26, 2007 at 4:45 PM
Jen Kershner said...

I love, love, love what you have done to your ceiling. I would to do something interesting to the ceiling in at least one room in my house too!

January 27, 2007 at 6:52 AM
"Maggie" said...

The beams are wonderful and not too "over the top" for the ceiling and I love the counter top. We are in the process of choosing new counter tops for our guest bathroom and I love the new laminates.

January 27, 2007 at 2:07 PM
Annabelle said...

All so scrumptiously delicious. Love your style only wish I had the money to do my kitchen; someday soon. For now I’ll enjoy yours. Thanks for sharing.

Annabelle ~^..^~ xo

January 27, 2007 at 8:53 PM
Twice Remembered said...

Yes, I can't wait until it's DONE! This has been one, long drawn out kitchen transformation. We found out this weekend that we need to add the crown moulding before we add the finishing trim to the beams. Before we add the crown moulding, we have to paint the kitchen walls. Before we paint the kitchen walls, we have to remove a door to the laundry room from the dining area (there is another entrance from the hallway, the one from the dining room is not needed...) We worked on removing the door yesterday and later today, we'll get the drywall up. Then we'll have to mud and sand and prime...then paint. Ugh, what a process!

Thanks for the affirmation about the beams and countertops!

Kim

January 28, 2007 at 11:20 AM
Twice Remembered said...

Thank you, Leona!

Angel Jem, hehe, I love it when people say that! I sometimes wonder if it's going to look like anything when we finally get finished, lol, so when other people think it's going to look good when we're finished, I feel a sigh of relief and can press forward. Thank you!

one blue egg, thanks for stopping in! Always a pleasure to see you!

Hi Marilyn! I'm happy that you can relate! I wonder why these renovations seem to take so long? I guess because we have a life outside the house:) At any rate, it will feel good to say "DONE!"

Chelsea, my husband thinks I'm creating a lot of extra work for husbands around the world, hehe! Glad to "help"!

Hi Sharon! I can't wait to share with you your adventure in turning your condo into a cottage... Thanks for letting me know about your blog!

Hello Mrs. Staggs! Thank you for visiting. Hopefully the laminate will look as nice installed as I'm hoping it will. There's no turning back now!

Jessica, it's great to hear from you again! I need to change out your blog link now that you are at your new Kentucky farmland. I'm so happy for you and hope things are going relatively smoothly for you. I've enjoyed all those snow photos on your blog...still so jealous, lol:)

Hi Debbie! Thank you for visiting my neck of the woods! That's a really great idea about the countertop. I wish I had thought of that when we ordered it. I wonder if it's too late to do that? I don't know why I didn't think of that before...it would look so much better.

Thank you, Anna! I'm glad you think the counter still looks old-fashion. I was worried about losing that look. Yes, I think I will stick to purely English. I tried once more to comment via translator for the sake of your other readers, but I don't think it's a very good translator. When I plug Swedish to English in, it makes no sense to me, lol, so I was wondering if what I wrote made any sense to you:)

Hi Jo! It's nice to "meet" you! I checked out your blog and it's lovely...I've added it my link list!


Jodie, I can't believe that someone else besides me has tried to send coins up the air chute, ROFL! I feel *so* much better! Whew! Aw, thanks so much for the kind words. I do love color so much. I'll have to look that song up...neat! THank you for visiting me, dear!

Hi Colleen! I appreciate you stopping in to see me and our progress here at our little "cottage". It's nice to meet you!

Jen, I'm glad you like the ceiling! It's our goal to use the pine planks on every ceiling in the house. They aren't that hard to install at all...easy peazy!

Hello, Maggie! I'm glad to hear from you and others that the beams aren't too much. I often overthink things, lol, and worry too much. By the way, your illustrations are wonderful...what talent you have!

Aw, thank you Annabelle! We are on such a budget now, which is one reason our kitchen renovation is kind of pokey. A little at a time!

January 28, 2007 at 10:39 PM
The Decorated House said...

Hi Kim!
The beams are looking great! I toyed with doing the same thing in our kitchen during the little remodel, but mine is smaller than yours. I've posted before how lovely your kitchen is, but it bears repeating. It's so charming!
Do you have room for shelves that look like a shallow hutch on that kitchen wall you were considering brick for? It would really be nice with your style if you could have a shallow display space there, either painted white or the color of your cabinets.
It's really fun to see another person fixing a ranch style to suit their style.
Donna

January 29, 2007 at 8:58 AM
Paula said...

The colors are fabulous! So cheery. I've just recently found your blog, but an anxiously awaiting the changes.

January 30, 2007 at 1:27 AM
Twice Remembered said...

Hello, Donna! That's a great idea about that wall. I was thinking about what you said and I think a few shelves suported by shabby looking decorative old metal brackets would be pretty. Thanks for the suggestion! I think that would look nice:)

Hi Helpmate! How nice of you to visit! Thank you so much for stopping and for coming along for this crazy renovation ride:)

January 30, 2007 at 10:31 AM

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