Kitchen Window Meets Character...

I have been playing with my new baby Izzy and having some fun.  I now realize...there is so much for me to learn and understand about photography! This is going to take lot's of practice and patience's.  I feel like I am learning a new language...trying to get familiar with words like, aperture value, polarising filter, ISO values, and white balance. I know eventually I will get it all down. 

I have been busy working in the kitchen.  One of the projects that I am the happiest with so far...is our kitchen window! 
Windows let the light in or a give a view outside...they are the eyes of a house.  In our home all of the windows are very plain. No framing around them or ledges to give them detail.  I decided that before we could do any of the window treatments all of the windows needed to be framed.  Adding this will give the eyes of our home some of the character and charm it is missing.

The kitchen window above the sink was the first one to meet...character.  I had Mr. Wonderful cut the window ledge before he left on his TDY in January.  He in fact wanted me to wait until he came back to do any of the work on the window. I of course being the stubborn woman I am, said..."I can do this and it will be done by the time you come back." I did not lie...it was done!

I had found some old shutters at the Restore (Habitat for Humanity) only $10 for the set. I knew little shutters in the kitchen would be exactly what that window needed to give it some of that charm and  character.  The only problem...they weren't the right height or width.  I decided that with a little creative problem solving I would make these work!  

I have a whole other post I will be showing on the solution I did for these little shutters...I am calling them my Labor of Love!  For now, I want to show you the work I did on my kitchen window...and yes, all by myself.

Before the window could be completed the beadboard backsplash had to go up...proud to say, I did it with out the husband.  All the intricate cuts for the light sockets and plug ins were done with a jigsaw. Once done I nailed it on. I then had to add trim to the top and bottom of the beadboard.  I learned how to cope...I did this on a mitered edge of the molding...that is. After all this was done...I   then moved on to the window!

The ledge for the window had to be sanded, leveled, caulked and nailed down.Using my favorite tool...my nail gun...yes, Mr. Wonderful knows he really bought it for me...I love it! Next I added thin wood planks that would be the reveal on the inside of the window. I then mitered the molding on my next favorite tool...the power miter saw, nailed and caulked the molding around the window.  Finally...I painted, painted and painted!  I am so happy with how all of it turned out and I also learned a lot of new skills I didn't know before.

  Here is my new baby Izzy and I showing you how a Kitchen Window Meets Character... 

A window with a view...

Distressed wooden shutters with 
vintage pink glass knobs...

One of my favorite fabrics 
 by Tanya Whelan...

My pretty chandelier that makes me smile...

Soft pink hydrangeas in 
blue turquoise glass jars...

Falling in love with my kitchen so far...

Letting the light shine in...

More of my open shelving...

Izzy's photos of my glass cherries...

I love standing here at my sink looking out...

Beautiful blue gray paint
 behind white dishes...

Antique crystal Salt and Pepper shakers...

A little sugar bowl...

My window has now met character...  

All in the details...

I hope you all loved seeing the changes going on in my kitchen.  It is turning out even better than I had envisioned.  Still have lots of work that has to be done...will show snippets here and there until it is finished.  

An update to share on the farmtable island...the frame is together and Mr. Wonderful is working on the bottom support and then the top.  A little closer to being able to stain and paint it! Yay!! :)  


I am linking this up with Kimba@Soft Place to Land and her DIY Day! She has a great giveaway going on and so many amazing projects linked up to see!

Hugs to you all,