Monday, January 19, 2009

The Kitchen Shelf


Hi everyone! I'm getting a bit of a late start today. The kids are home from school so the morning has been a little hectic! My Before and After for today is the shelf above our kitchen window. I love the double window we have in our kitchen, it gives the small room a lot of light. Ever since we moved in, I had a picture in my head of a nice shelf above the window. The mouldings in this room were replaced somewhere along the line. I can't help but wonder what happened to the old wood that was taken out? Hmmmmmm..... The mouldings that were put in are just straight and plain. They needed some dressing up! Here it is before:


We bought two brackets, an 8" x 8' piece of pine and some trim. I got everything all primed. Let me tell you, I don't know who had the idea for these swirly brackets but they were impossible to paint. Oh wait, that may have been my idea.
Then came the installation. As you can see, I had the very difficult job of holding the camera.

When the shelf was up in its primed state, I just couldn't help myself and had to throw a couple things up there to see how it looked. At this point I had trouble wiping the smile off my face, I was so happy with it.


A couple coats of semi gloss later and here it is!



I've decided the brackets were worth the work of painting them. I was able to forget about the spatterings of paint in my hair as I looked at my new shelf.
Here is a close up of the trim around the edge. The way it sits on the shelf created a bit of a lip so I don't have to worry about my precious pitchers falling off.




32 comments:

Helen said...

Thoroughly charming ... enjoy this day with your kids. I remember mine on holidays from school so many, many years ago and I wish I had embraced those opportunities more than I might have. (though they tell me now I did ....)

Wendy said...

I love everything you do in your home. Loving the shelf, the brackets make it, they were worth it.
I also love the collection of white pitchers. I have been trying to buy them too, but my collection is small, I only have 3.

So sorry you had the hard job of holding the camera, somebody had to do it.

Wendy

Cheryl said...

I love your idea the shelf looks great also your pitchers. you just gave me an idea for over my kitchen doorway I have such a small galley kitchen. My kids are home also, I been putting them to work early today *evil grin* lol at this very moment the oldest is clearing out the fridge, I heard a few mumbles lol Have a Great day
Peace and Blessings
Cheryl..Snatch Joy!

Susan @ A Southern Daydreamer said...

I love your shelf....and the pitchers! It's beautiful!

Anonymous said...

Beautiful! My husband hates that I found your blog. Everytime you do something I start thinking of more things I can do around my house. And like you, my role is to stand back and take pictures or offer advice :) Thanks for inviting us all into your home.

pammiejo said...

I like it and the supports were worth the effort! I love your pitchers too - smart to add the lip to the shelf. I had my husband build a shelf like that too and I had him add a plate groove to it and I was glad several times for that! PAM

Cottage Lifestyle said...

The shelf and brackets look great. What a good use of space.

Renee

Anonymous said...

I love your shelf! You've done a fantastic job and the brackets just set it off! I'm so glad you survived the ordeal of the holding of your camera!! lol
Be a sweetie,
Shelia :)

Lisa (aka) French said...

Absolutely charming and the perfect addition;) I have painted those before and they are a pain! Maybe spray paint next time? French;)

Kim @ Starshine Chic said...

Love the shelf. It turned out great. I too collect white pitchers. I think I will have hubby put a shelf above one of my windows to have more display space as I have my eye on another white pitcher to add to my collection.

Susan (Between Naps On The Porch.net) said...

I love this idea! Now I'm wondering where I can do it in my home! :-) It really looks great and extra display space...perfect! Susan

Anonymous said...

Your shelf looks so pretty. It's all in the details!!!

cherry said...

Girl....I adore that! You have a thing for pitchers like me! I also have pom pom curtains like that in my master bedroom. Toooo cute. If you don't mind I would love to feature you on my blog! You have great tastes. cherry

Jan said...

Very nice! I love your look, and houses like yours. My son and his family had one similar in the midwest before they moved far away. It was so homey and quaint, so I will just have to come and visit at you blog! Thanks for sharing, Jan/jjlmnaz on RMS

Anonymous said...

I love what you did here. It's beautiful!

Anonymous said...

I just love the FRESHNESS & "CRISPNESS" (?) the new shelf provides, ESPECIALLY w/ that fab white pitcher collection! Most heavenly! Kudos, kiddo! Best, Linda

Cindy (Applestone Cottage) said...

Very homey and charming, love the look. Cindy

tam said...

Oh your shelf is just perfect! Love the pretty brackets! How fun-lucky girl!~Tam:D

Confessions of a Plate Addict said...

Wow! I didn't know you could buy brackets like that! What a big difference it makes. And I love your pitcher collection. Now you've got me thinking!...Debbie

Anonymous said...

Love the crisp white against the walls ... I think the scrolly brackets add all the extra trim needed to fancy up the new molding.

Victoria :o)

Anonymous said...

Hi Michelle and thanks for your visit today! I do try to be organized, but I seem to go in spurts! lol
Be a sweetie,
Shelia :)

Unknown said...

Your kitchen is the perfect place to be! I think it is gorgeous!

~Liz

Lynne (lynnesgiftsfromtheheart) said...

It is so nice to meet you.. I love your shelf and your brackets are so worth the painting. They make your darling room. This is just perfect for all your treasures. I skipped ahead to your other post. :-) I love the "grape" plate.. it is wonderful as well as the other plate. Thanks for swinging in to see my little assistant and his work. We truly had a lot of fun working on it. I hope to see you again soon.
hugs ~lynne~

Kat said...

I love what you did with this, it adds so much interest to the window. And your pitcher collection is lovely. I bet you were doing the happy dance when this was done! Kathy

Christina said...

Your new shelf is just perfect. Good to meet you. Look forward to looking around your blog. Love all of your white pitchers too.

Karen said...

Oh, I LOVE that shelf! My house is more....cabin type style, so it wouldn't work quite that way for me, but I love yours! Love your blog, too! Karen

Merry Hearts Ministries said...

I love the shelf! I just found your blog...what beautiful ideas you have! I can't wait to read all of your past posts!

MarthaYvette said...

I love the shelf!!! is that a door painted with black chalkboard paint in the background of one of the pictures?? if it is, you just gave me a great idea for my pantry door in my kitchen!! thank you :)

AnNicole@Our Suburban Cottage said...

I love your shelf. Those brackets are perfect, and I'm so jealous of your pitcher collection displayed on top.

Mrs. Gray's Class said...

So bummed this won't work on our kitchen's double window - the ceilings are high enough. It looks wonderful - as though it has always been there.

Anonymous said...

Your shelf and pictures are adorable! I love that lamp too!

Anonymous said...

Pretty nice place you've got here. Thanx for it. I like such themes and everything connected to them. I would like to read a bit more soon.

Bella Kuree