If you ever have the opportunity to knock out a wall and add a window, I say DO IT! There is never a bad place for a window. I take that back. One time I visited a house that had a powder room right off the front door. The toilet faced the front yard, and directly in front of the toilet was a huge window. Most awkward bathroom ever.
I take that back. The most awkward bathroom ever was this one bathroom in a restaurant that we used to stop at on our way to my parents house. It didn’t have a lock on the door. Not a broken lock. No lock. And it was large enough that it simply wasn’t possible to use the facilities while holding the door shut at the same time. You basically just had to do your business with your hands covering your face, because you were certain to be walked in on at least twice. I … uh … heard this from a friend. A friend who also stopped there … on her way to my parents house. Ok, fine, it was me.
ANYWAY. This kitchen was screaming out for a window, and once Christine happened upon one with the perfect fit, the rest of the kitchen makeover fell into place. Do you love the shaker-style doors? They’re the SAME doors! See all the great details on her blog Simple Moments.
19 Comments
Bee
October 2, 2014 at 6:08 AMThat corner cabinet is weird but I love the way Christine used what she had and made it wonderful! It was a nice touch to remove the brown wood from the original and then add it back in with the countertop. Of course, the window is the best change–
Ariela
October 2, 2014 at 6:58 AMWas this at that Taco Bell Lindsey? 😉
Lindsey @ Better After
October 2, 2014 at 11:47 AMWhy yes … yes it was. 😉
Sarah
October 2, 2014 at 7:42 AMAmazing! I love it!
Alicia S
October 2, 2014 at 7:58 AMWhat a huge difference that window made! Being able to look outside while you’re standing at the kitchen sink is such a pleasure. Much better than just staring at a wall!
Laurie V
October 2, 2014 at 8:36 AMYou would swear those were new cabinets. It looks so clean and new.
Speaking of awkward bathrooms. There is one near where I live that is decorated with antiques and assorted old stuff. In the ladies room there is an old claw-foot tub with an Indian manikin sitting in the tub staring at you the whole time you are “doing your business”. Very disconcerting.
Lindsey @ Better After
October 2, 2014 at 12:00 PMOK, that’s hilarious. I once visited a restroom in a roadside restaurant that was completely full of porcelain dolls. It was super creepy. I think they were for sale, but who on earth buys a doll from a restaurant bathroom????
anna see/anna whiston-donaldson
October 2, 2014 at 11:01 AMWow! What a great job she did!
Marci
October 2, 2014 at 11:03 AMOh, your bathroom story reminds me of the time I broke my ankle on a cruise excursion. The ship had a few dedicated handicapped restrooms in the public areas. I had my sister with me to wheel me around, so she was able to open the door for me, but they also had a push button that a wheelchair-bound person could use to open the door for herself. The first time I used the handicapped restroom, I was sitting on the loo when my sister accidentally leaned up against the button and the door swung open. We were frantic – my sister desperately trying to figure out how to close the door and me sitting helpless trying to cover up as much as possible. Fortunately, no one was around in the hall at the time, and the door closed on its own after a few seconds.
BTW – This kitchen makeover is amazing! The new window adds so much, and I can hardly believe those are the same cabinets.
Lindsey @ Better After
October 2, 2014 at 12:02 PMHahaha! That’s priceless.
Kaylee Coles
October 2, 2014 at 2:44 PMOh my goodness! The bathroom you described in the beginning is just like my in-laws’ bathroom. It’s the WORST. When I first started dating my husband I just didn’t know how to make things less awkward. Not only is there a giant window in front of the toilet, but 98% of the time the blinds AND the window are open. So if you’re sitting there doing your business, you can hear people sitting on the porch and talking or coming into the house. It’s so horrible.
Shea
October 2, 2014 at 5:06 PMI’m pretty sure the only comments I leave on your blog are me telling you how funny you are, but I have to say it again. The first two paragraphs of this post are the best ever! I love your writing style! I don’t only come here for the makeovers, so you could write about anything and I’d keep coming back! 🙂
Lindsey @ Better After
October 3, 2014 at 8:50 AMAww, you are so sweet Shea! Thanks for making my day! 🙂
LeeAnn
October 2, 2014 at 5:52 PMThat is the perfect kitchen.
Victoria
October 3, 2014 at 4:28 AMLOL at Marci’s story!!! That’s hilarious! The kitchen makeover is lovely. I have those same kitchen cabinets but it’s a rental so I’m stuck with them:(
shelley anderson
October 3, 2014 at 7:05 AMThat’s pretty AMAZING!!! That window makes the room!
Mindy
October 3, 2014 at 8:14 AMIf you are stuck at the sink doing dishes, at the very least you need a window to look outside! I’m looking forward to not being in dark little apartments with their tiny galley kitchens. At least this time my sink faces my living room (weird) but I can watch TV while I do dishes. But I’d rather look outside and have sunshine!
KrisTy
December 9, 2016 at 1:25 PMWow, the end effect is amazing! I’m in the middle of replanning a kitchen and looking for inspiration. Your example incites to think outside the box. Ahh, all the light coming in!
Margo
January 1, 2019 at 8:07 AMI have spent countless hours trying to find the blog that was linked with the details on the cabinets but it looks like doesn’t exist anymore?! I have been contemplating attempting to do this same cabinet makeover ( I have the exact same “before” cabinets) but I haven’t been able to figure out the best way to remove/cover the oak trim.