Welcome to a New Kitchen

Welcome to Metamorphosis Monday with Susan at http://betweennapsontheporch.blogspot.com/. Be sure to look at other great changes on her blog.

I printed "Take Time..." and put it in the little black frame. Of course that ties to the name of this blog but also to what was about to happen in our condo kitchen.

Our lake condo kitchen was in need of a change - or - more than that - changes!

I tried to show that kitchen a little love but it was no help. It still looked like the 80's. The former owners had painted the cabinets and except for a few small "boo-boos" they looked great. But it was still that wallpaper.

I even hung a welcome sign. But, I did not feel welcome in that kitchen.

The only solution was to relieved it of its wallpaper. And that my blogging friends, was not an easy task.


These were tools everyone told me to use to make it an easy task! Wrong! I used a commercial product guaranteed to remove the the most stubborn wall covering. It did not come off. I used a tool to score that paper along with the product. It did not come off. I used hot, hot water and a putty knife. It did not come off. I used vinegar in the hot, hot water with the putty knife. Well, you know the story. The same thing happened with fabric softener. I even tried a clothes steamer. Not to be!

This was after the first day. The paper literally came off in pieces the size of postage stamps. At this point, there was no turning back. Honestly, I just wanted to jump off the deck but I don't swim and I hated to leave a job half done.

Another resident at the condo stages homes in addition to doing a variety of wall finishes. She most graciously said, after seeing the panic on my face, that she would show me how to remedy the situation. Jump for Joy!

I removed the top layer of wallpaper in the rest of the kitchen. She suggested that I purchase a gallon of drywall mud, Kilz to seal it, and paint for the wall. Now we were talking. Paint- that was what I was talking about.

Now mind you, I am not the most talented, but after watching her smear that mud on that wall, I was ready to create. It went on in about an hour and a half. There was no right. There was no wrong. I love it! The texture was just what it needed. I then sealed it with Kilz to prevent any of the dreaded wallpaper from surfacing.

I selected Lenox Tan to complement the colors in the rest of the main level. It was the perfect background for my red and black accents.

The Bon Appetit picture is from my friend Marshall's. You've got to love that place. The wooden fork and spoon I found at World Market. The drain cover is from Wal-Mart . (I wish that wasn't in the picture, but at this point tonight, I'll just leave it.)

The little red-shaded lamp is a Wal-Mart find and I do love it. Mr. Rooster was on the roost at Gordman's.

I had purchased a tray for my dining table at Marshall's several weeks prior to this. I just HAD to go again to see what new treats I might find, and there it was. A plate that matched my tray for $3.50. There was no way I was leaving without it.

I hope you have enjoyed the saga of my condo kitchen. If you get to the Lake of the Ozarks, stop by, I always have coffee or tea brewing.

Thank you for allowing me to share with all of you.