Kitchen reveal...

So here it is : My new look kitchen!! What do you think?? I Love it!! Gone is the horrid blood red walls, grubby wall tiles and mismatched fittings! See the before pictures in this post! This transformation happened quickly: It started when my mum bought me a pot of paint (Homebase silver mist, If you want to know!!) with the instructions to "sort out the kitchen!" back in June... Not that I needed instructions to do it, as I had been planning this makeover for quite some time, but the paint was the "kick up the backside" that I needed... It has been a lot of hard work, but I can honestly say that I have loved every minute of it!! And I've learned some new skills along the way.... ...like tiling!  Of course I got my metro tiles for cheap: Firstly I got hold of a box of tiles for nothing on freecycle , then I phoned up the company on the box, walls and floors, explained the situation, and they where very helpful and advised me on the most economical wall adhesive and grout to choose!!.....And they gave me a 15% discount and free delivery on the rest of the tiles that I needed....IF YOU DON'T ASK YOU DON'T GET!! Anyway: I now tile like a demon!! Even if I say it myself: I did a pretty good job for a "first-time" tiler: Even Mr was impressed!! It was a messy job: I first had to chisel the old tiles off the wall, and most of the plaster came off ....so I had to patch up the walls and re-plaster as well ( also a new skill!!) I was thinking of doing a "novice guide to re-plastering a wall and tiling....but I think I'll leave that sort of advice to the experts! I found some really useful advise on tiling at the walls and floors website and on re-plastering walls here!  

So with the kitchen painted ad re-tiled, I was ready to add some finishing touches to complete the look:

Like hanging up some curtains (Some old IKEA ones that I already had) to cover the washing machine!

I also made my own DIY cement diamond cupboard pulls, to personalize and refresh the old kitchen units!

I love IKEA for practical yet stylish solutions: I already had the IKEA fintorp dish drainer and cutlery stands on wall rail , but had never got around to hanging up: Of course I had to drill through my tiles to hang it up  (another new skill) which was a bit daunting, but actually really easy....see my post here to find out how!!

And it really is so useful to have this wall mounted storage by the sink, as it keeps my recently re-surfaced wooden worktop free from clutter and makes it easier to keep it damp free!

I have used a giant ceramic serving platter, that I picked up in the sales in my local supermarket, as a draining board next to the sink!

I also wanted a shelf on that wall, and had had my eye on some lovely ones with hooks for your mugs underneath from a local antique shop....but they came a rather hefty price tag (nearly £200??!!) So I decided  to compromise: So when I found an old scaffolding plank in the skip, I instantly knew that this would be my new kitchen shelf! And I am so glad I did...I love the way they look against my metro tiles!!! See how I did it here!

A feature I've always loved in my kitchen, is the built in wooden shelves in this corner: I just gave them a tidy up and use them to display my small collection of white bake ware! 

And the butchers trolley is now clear of all my unfinished projects and has become the new home for all my plates etc. - freeing up some much needed cupboard space!

I did splurge on some new accessories for the kitchen, like this Betty Jackson fruit bowl and the little faceted bowl in the back ground, from Bloomingville....but as ever: I waited until the sales, then snapped them up at bargain prices!!

I also used copper spray paint throughout the kitchen to add some details, like in the cubby holes and on the mini chest of drawers  in the pictures above...

The copper idea all started when I found this wonderful copper pendant shade from Dunelm mills at a bargain price of £14.99.It was perfect for over our kitchen table! I simply used a cord kit from Claes Ohlson, and hung it up from a hook in the ceiling! (To save forking out for an electrician to come and install it!!)

I just love it!

And with the little shots of copper throughout the kitchen, like on my upcycled kitchen chair, below...

....and the details on this piece of slate, left over from when we had our roof redone recently, used as a table-top-saver....

The copper really ties the look of the kitchen together!

Another thing I splashed out on, was a new kitchen table!! Our old one was just a bit too big, making it  awkward to squeeze past to get into the kitchen! I was going to DIY one, but when I found this one ,for a bargain £95, the perfect size, with rounded corners (to avoid bumps and bruises)  and just the right nod to mid-century scandinavian design, I went for it!! And as I sold my old kitchen table for near enough that,  I felt I could justify it!!  And I love the white tabletop....no more need for a tablecloth!!

Other than the new table and pendant shade there is not much change on this side of the room....

The window dressing is still the same, with the addition of Mr.'s bowler hat that he wore on our wedding day! And I love my Thai sweeper, given to me by a friend!!

A new basket fits perfectly on the corner shelves, another bargain from TK maxx, and provides storage for all the paper that always seems to pile up in our kitchen. 

The blackboard organizer I made here has been given an update with a free printable calender from Jasmine Dowling, A wire storage basket from housedoctor is perfect for incoming mail, and the "concrete geoball bowl", part of my new, more sculptural range of concrete home accessories, provides the perfect spot for keys and change!!

I am really pleased with my new , and updated kitchen ceiling spotlights! Again the shots of copper helps tie the look together!

I treated my self to a new kettle and bread bin in the sales.....

.... and updated our old wooden knife block with some copper spray paint to fit in!

Everything just looks so much fresher now , set against the white metro tiles...

I adore my new condiment tray,with the amazing Jonna Saarinen print, courtesy of my luxe, a fab online homeware shop, that specializes in unique and affordable home accessories! I love small online shops, like My Luxe, that promotes small and up-and-coming designers!!

It is perfect for keeping those cooking essentials in handy distance by the cooker whilst saving the worktop from stains left by oils etc!! I was also given a matching Jonna Saarinen print tea-towel, that I love so much I have banned Mr. from using it!!

I bought some cheap glass storage jars, that I've made some simple labels for, for my cooking and baking essentials, displayed on my new kitchen shelf they not only look great but also saves me some more valuable cupboard space. I will show you how I created the labels in my next post!

I have also set my mind to keeping some living salad, fresh herbs and a few potted green plants in my new kitchen- for a fresh look!....God bless them,  for I  have black thumbs, and have in the past been known to kill anything green within a week!! But in my attempt at keeping the greenery in my new look kitchen, ahem....green ,I have hung a jug in handy distance from the kitchen sink, ready for a daily watering session!! Wish me (or rather: My poor plants) luck!! 

I am soo pleased with my new look kitchen, and the fact that I've managed to complete the transformation for less than £200!

I have compromised, begged, stole and borrowed, used what I had, upcycled, updated and found some creative solutions to achieve the look....but most of all: It was hard work and determination ....and a clear vision of what I wanted that got me there in the end!!

Read my guide to redecorating your home on a budget and my post on decor and furniture on a budget for more tips and tricks to get the look you want for less!!

So what do you think about my new look kitchen?

Let me know by leaving a comment below!

Please spare a minute to vote for me for best diy blog in the Amara interior blog awards (click on the image below)

Reclaimed scaffolding wood for new kitchen shelves...

How do you like my new kitchen shelves?

So....here's the reason why I needed to drill holes in my tiles (see my previous post here to see how)!!

Nice, hey??

And do you know what the best thing is about my new kitchen shelves??....I got the wood for free....fished out of a skip!! So apart from the 2 IKEA brackets, at £2 each...I made this shelf for practically nothing!!

Today I will show you how I reconditioned the wood to make these rustic looking kitchen shelves!!

I swear people think I'm mad around here! I am always looking through skips and bringing home items in various states of distress : Lugging home pieces of wood on the bus etc....

My husband certainly thinks I've lost the plot, as my shed is slowly filling up with rubbish....useful things for future projects!! Anyway, I had been on the lookout for weeks for a piece of wood to make some kitchen shelves with!! Actually: I did want to make a table, but lets start with the shelves!!

The other day, as luck would have it, I passed a skip: Lo and behold: the holy grail!! A dusty plank of old scaffolding board!! OOOH...the joy!! (And not too far from home either!! Result!!)

I pulled it out of the skip...getting covered in dust in the process (and some serious strange looks from passers by...) Brought it home and set to work immediately!!

First: I gave it a good scrub with bleach and water! (after all who knows where its been??....Oh! That's right: a skip!!)

Then I pulled out any old nails and staples...

Cut it to size with a wood-saw. (I chose the area of the plank that had most interest in the wood, in form of knots and cracks and damage etc......the more the merrier!!!)

Then I got out my trusty old palm-sander + 40grit sandpaper, and set to work!!

I wasn't after a very smooth finish, as I wanted it to look quite rustic (!!) But I sanded it back just enough to smooth down the surface and get rid of any splinters etc! I paid particular attention to the edges of the wood, using the palm sander to round off the corners a little!! 

When I was satisfied with the surfaces, I dusted it down and applied 1 coat of Danish oil to seal the wood!!

This darkened the wood initially, but later faded to reveal the beautiful patina of the old plank!! 

I left the plank overnight to soak up the oil, before attaching the IKEA brackets the following day!!

My new kitchen shelves were ready to hang up!!

I love how they turned out...better than I had imagined actually!!

(Oh! by the way: If you like my labelled glass jars, I will show you how I made the labels soon)

I love the way the rustic wood looks against my crisp new tiles!!

What do you think?

From a skip to your kitchen: Yay or nay??

I am so-nearly-there with the whole kitchen reveal...just waiting for the neighbor to come and fix up my new spotlights in the ceiling (There's another post, coming soon!!)

I am soo pleased with how it looks now!!

If you are curious, you can see how it used to look here

Cant wait to show you guys!!

How to: drill through tiles

OK...so maybe not the most exciting post ever, but very useful!

When I finished tiling my kitchen the other week (Oh boy! that was a BIG job!!!), I was very pleased with myself: It looks great!! But then to my horror I realized that I would now have to drill through my beautiful (If I say so myself...blush)new tiles!! 

This filled me with utter dread: I suffer from "hole-in-the-wall phobia" anyway, but drilling through tiles....!!! What if they crack and I ruin all my hard work??

But it had to be done!!

After consulting with anyone I could think of....(and Mr Google) i took a deep breath, and got to it!

And do you know what? It was easy...not at all scary, and I didn't damage a single tile!!

Turns out this is one of those jobs that simply requires the RIGHT TOOLS!!

A small masonry drill bit(2-3ml), some masking tape, a fully charged drill...

....and most importantly: A tile cutter drill bit!! (that's the one with the arrow head!!) They come in different sizes according to what you need! They cost between £3-4, and its definitely worth the money!!

...Oh and a bowl of water(?)

First mark where you need to drill the holes with a marker pen on the tiles, then cover each spot with a cross of masking tape.(This will give the drill bit something to grip into, instead of sliding around on a smooth tile!!)

Then use the small masonry drill bit to drill a pilot hole in the tile...Go slow with an even pressure!! This WILL take longer than expected!! Every now and then dip the drill bit into the bowl of water, to cool it down! (the friction will make it red hot, and could cause it to melt!!??)

That's all the hard work done!!

Next: Using your arrow-headed tile bit, place it into the pilot hole and watch it drill through the tile like a knife through butter!! Soooo good!!

When you're through the tile,  swap to a drill bit (same size) suitable for whatever your wall is made from (I used a masonry bit as my wall was bricks) and drill the hole deeper!

Job done!!

Remove the masking tape to reveal your perfectly drilled holes in the tiles!!

Now just add wall plugs and off you go!!

Not so scary after all!!??

On Saturday I will show you the reason why I needed to drill these holes...

...and I promise you: It looks amazing!!

New blog design

Hi! Yes...you have come to the right place! As you can see, Nostalgiecat has undergone quite a transformation in the last few days!! How do you like my new blog design?? The wonderful Sarah from Trisarahtops smiles has worked her magic!! I can highly recommend her services: Not only does she create the most amazing blog designs, but she makes the progress quick and easy....And she has the patience of a saint!! (God knows i tested it with my flapping and indecisiveness!!) I cant believe how quickly she came up with the header....which was spot on for the brief I gave her!! All in all the process took about 1 day: from point of contact to finished blog design!! And for just £15...an unbeatable price for a fab design and excellent service!! I just love my new-look blog!! I hope you like it too, and that you find it a bit easier to navigate (with the new floating menu bar at the top!!) Anyway, Tomorrow it will be business as usual, and I will be back with another how to post .....almost ready for the kitchen reveal now!!

How to: Resurface a wooden kitchen worktop

...resurface a wooden kitchen worktop 

 

I love the wooden worktops in my kitchen....But after finishing the tiling, I realized that they were in dire need for some TLC!!

This is my own fault: When we bought our house 2 1/2 years ago: the wooden worktops in the kitchen was one of the features of this property we fell in love with. And we were told that they would need regular re-oiling to keep....however: I forgot...or rather, kept putting it off!!

Naughty me!!

And with so much stuff being made in the kitchen (Not just food, but a lot of my projects come to life here...) the worktops had suffered an unreasonable amount of abuse, and was seriously showing some wear and tear + they had started yellowing and did NOT look like the beautiful wooden worktops they once were....poor things!!

So operation: Resurface the worktops was set into action: 

I started by taking off the previous finish of the worktop.

I used :

Clean Spirit (a non-toxic version of white spirit)

Wire wool

A paint scraper

 Wearing rubber gloves I applied the Clean Spirit to the worktops and scrubbed with wire wool... left to soak for 10-20 minutes the clean spirit lifted the old oil finish from the wood!

 Then I used the paint scraper to scrape off the mucky mix of the old oil-finish and Clean spirit. Then I wiped the surface clean and left to dry.

I then dug out my palm sander and sanded back the surface...first with 40grit sandpaper, then with 100grit. Paying extra attention to where there was marks in the surface!!

I then brushed away the wood dust and wiped the surface clean with a damp (NOT WET) rag .

 I then applied a layer of bleach to the surface with a rag and left this to soak into the wood for 1/2 hour.

This will not only disinfect the wooden worktops, killing any bacteria in the wood, but also help lighten the wood and removing some of that yellowing!!

You can buy special wood bleach if your wooden worktops are very yellow, but I settled for normal household bleach!

 When the bleach had soaked in to the wood, I again wiped the surfaces down with a damp rag! It is important not to get too much moisture into the wood at this stage as the wood in unprotected!! I left the wooden worktop to completely dry out for a couple of hours... then I reapplied 3 coats of Danish oil (there are of course other oils, with different finishes, but I used what the previous owners left behind to save money!!)with an old dishcloth, leaving a couple of hours in-between coats.

(It does say on the tin to leave 5-6 hours in-between coats, but this was a particularly hot day....and I am so impatient!!! Anyway: 2 hours seemed to be just fine!!)

NB!! Make sure you soak the rag you used to apply the oil with before disposing, as the oil can make it self combust at any time!!

 Leave it at least 24 hours before you use the resurfaced and re-oiled wooden worktop for food preparation!

Not all of the marks came out , but I am pleased with the new finish of my wooden worktops...Nothing like a good "scrub-up" to make you feel as though you start afresh...

And I promise to treat my new-conditioned wooden worktop to a regular re-oiling from now on ( and to treat it with a bit more care!!)!!

My kitchen is almost ready for the reveal now, just have few more smaller projects (and one larger DIY) to finish off!!

I am learning a lot in this makeover, and will be sharing some more of my new found knowledge with you all next week....so far the biggest lesson learnt: I can do ANYTHING I put my mind to!!

....and so can you folks!!

xxx

June