The guest cottage has been getting a fresh look lately as most of you already know
and one of the things we did while putting in the new kitchen
was to create custom open shelves with farmhouse legs
as part of the base cupboards.
was to create custom open shelves with farmhouse legs
as part of the base cupboards.
I know that open shelf cupboards are not for everyone- but I do love them.
This kitchen is in a vintage cottage- built in the 1940’s
and comes with concrete flooring and all the uneven character that is part of an older home.
We worked around those things but I decided to embrace the vintage character
and add a bit more back in when designing the new kitchen.
and add a bit more back in when designing the new kitchen.
Starting with the layout~
I incorporated several new ready to finish cupboards and drew plans for the for the rest.
The design called for 3 farmhouse style ‘legs’ for the kitchen.
One for each side of the RTF sink base to create a more substantial feeling there
and to also help with the transition from a deeper sink base to not quite as deep counters
and to also help with the transition from a deeper sink base to not quite as deep counters
For the rest of the counters area- we needed one more leg for the open shelving.
I mentioned before that these legs are not actually legs.
I mentioned before that these legs are not actually legs.
Yes, Lowes carries beautiful gorgeous legs for using in the kitchen-
but dealing with custom sized shelves because of the cottage having uneven walls and floors
we were looking for something a little chunkier and bulkier to fill the spaces
and gaps that inevitably would be there.
and gaps that inevitably would be there.
Here is a look at what they are intended for
and where we used them elsewhere in the little cottage…
and where we used them elsewhere in the little cottage…
Yes, the cupboard ‘legs’ are stair posts that we flipped over and cut to size to use as legs.
I absolutely love them and have plans to pick up a couple more for another project next week too
😉
😉
Absolutely perfect in size, chunkiness, style and just $15.00 each.
An amazing price and an amazing touch for the kitchen.
Love love love.
Here’s what it looked like mid construction.
We attached them to the sink base
by screwing them to the cupboard from inside.
Super easy.
by screwing them to the cupboard from inside.
Super easy.
The center leg of the cupboard was built right into the counter and to the shelf boards.
We built the shelves out of pine- 2×4 framing, 1x planks for the shelf boards
and strand board for the counter underlayment.
and strand board for the counter underlayment.
(geez- talk about a messy job site! lol! 😉
The original kitchen in our 1940 house is constructed of pine and painted white-
so that seemed like a natural choice for the guest cottage as well.
After the cupboards were built- we finished up with trim and paint and then
it was time to add the finishing touches.
I sewed a couple of drop cloth ‘skirts’ for one area of the open cupboard.
They are held up with a simple tension rod.
I also found several vintage fruit crates for storing bits like wine bottles, linens, etc
in the open shelf area.
I think they compliment the open shelving perfectly
and I love the dark aged look that they have.
Absolutely beautiful!
Beautiful space. I love the look of open cupboards. I'm just not organized enough to make that happen in my world. Thanks for sharing.
lovely job!
It's beautiful!
What did you use over the plywood to finish the top of countertop and trim the edge?
Absolutely beautiful! I have some posts out in the garage that I am saving for our bathroom reno….great ideas here : o )
you did such an amazing job on this kitchen! It looks as if it's been there forever, and yet it is fresh and bright at the same time.
I love white kitchens and your is just fantastic! Your cupboards like just like pieces of furniture. I love how you incorporated the simple fence posts into your furniture design. Just stunning!
Looks absolutely splendid. I used the same stock cabinetry in my kitchen re-do, but I went with wood countertops cuz I have a friend who does custom wood work. I love your little bit of crystal bling hanging from the ceiling too!
its soooooo dreamy!!!!!
I love what you have done!! I think I want to live there….the kitchen is just adorable!!
Amazing Courtney! I love your new kitchen! ~Delores
Gawgeous!!! 🙂 But then you already know that I luv everything you do Courtney.
The open shelves… the crates.. the drop cloth drapes… the chandy… all just perfect!
Cheers, Gee
Courtney,
I want to move into your kitchen!!!! It is beautiful! Every detail ~~~LOVE~~~!
xx
Anne
Beautiful…Love the look of the open cabinets, also love the crystal bling.. great job.
I could stare at these pictures all day! You and your husband did a fantastic job!
XO,
Jane
my dream kitchen…..thanks for sharing…..someday I hope to have one this beautiful and inviting
Perfect
Beautiful!!! I am beginning to love the look of open cupboards.
It beautiful, Courtney! You have achieved a perfect in the mix old white and dark, new and old! A wonderful job!
Darling Courtney, it turned really stunning!
And what a idea for the legs!
Thank you for share
Silvia
Your Farmhouse Kitchen is sheer elegance…beauty everywhere!!!
What a briliant idea with the stair posts Courtney. I so love your sweet little cottage kitchen
I started a new blog and used your name as one of my inspirations. If you get the chance please pop by. Thanks~
Such a nice project. And your photos are wonderfully styled! Lovely all over!
Don't be surprised if you find me puttering around that gorgeous kitchen someday, Courtney! lol! It's just PERFECTION, girl!!! You have SUCH a special gift for creating beautiful spaces and styling them. Everything about this sweet kitchen is something I'd want in my own home. 🙂 Absolutely, positively LUV it!!!! ♥
xoxo laurie
I could live in your little cottage! You are so talented. I study your style as it's not a natural talent for me. congratulations!
Sleepless in Savannah
When would it be convenient for me to move in??? lol
Courtney – Such a precious kitchen. I'd like that in my own house. Lots of neat ideas.
Judy
Great idea using fence posts. The kitchen looks fabulous.
A beautiful job. Are the kitchen cabinets oak? I have some unfinished oak cabinets I want to paint white, but need something to "fill" the grain. Any ideas? Thank you
Awesome! i will have to remember that if we ever get to the point of redoing our kitchen – it just might be a fun detail as we have a rather small kitchen and I love the look you have created here! I also want to say that i love how you style your photos! You always do such a great job – makes it fun to come over to see your posts!
Gorgeous, Courtney! I love everything you have done to the kitchen. What a treat your guests will have to stay there.
~Shanon
Great job, I love the way it looks, Thanks for sharing.
Courtney, the kitchen is incredible and I love that you used newel posts for kitchen legs!
I love a woman who is fearless and has her own shop full of power tools to prove it!
Catherine
OMG Courtney…That is freakin' adorable! And pure genius using the stair posts as legs! I'm filing this one in my memory banks. *winks* I'll bet your guest will never want to leave! Thanks so much for stopping by. It was lovely hearing from you. (((HUGS))) Vanna
I'm just going to look at this all day, love!!!!
XO
Kristin
Courtney! I love this little kitchen soooo much!!! The vintage stove was the topper for me. Love it with the chalkboard above and the shelves on either side. Love the use of the stairway railings as legs on the cabinets. Love that the cabinets are open with skirting. I'd love to redo my kitchen just like this. So inspiring!
This is darling! I could sit and sip coffee for hours in this kitchen! Love the use of the "legs" with the cabinets and the dark crates with the open shelves are fabulous! So much character in this room! Such an inspirational design! Hugs, Leena
So beautiful and inspiring kitchen ! I'm transforming my house and want a shabby French look and your blog is wonderful for ideas !
Kisses from PARIS/FRANCE
Joëlle
What a cute idea to use the stair legs for the edge of the cabinet! You always have the best ideas, Courtney!
Have a great day rock star!
karianne
Wow, can I LIVE in your guest cottage?
Oh my word, this is absolutely breathtaking. I love it. One of the prettiest kitchens I have ever seen and those ceilings are to die for too. Fabulous. Hugs, Marty
Thank you, Courtney! I always appreciate the inspiration you share at Potpourri Friday!
Your kitchen is one of the prettiest I've seen.
Dee
Amazing, Amazing, Amazing… I can't say it enough.. I am definitely thinking about how you used those posts. I think I have the exact post on my stairwell!
My absolute dream kitchen – I need look no further! Gorgeous! CJ
So very pretty and cozy, those roses are amazing. You all did a great job with the kitchen.
Oh how gorgeous is this kitchen. You have given me alot of food for thought. Maybe you could stop by and give me your in put on my current blog post. You have such an awesome eye for design.
Thanks for sharing,
Chrissy
Everything about it is inviting and sweet!
Liz
It's all just amazing… Utterly, completely beautiful. I love the use of the stair posts for legs, so clever, and so cute. And, the wooden crates, just to die for. The gorgeous roses in the photo aren't too shabby either… !
Cindy
Both your Cottage Kitchen and Cottage Bath are featured today at Potpourri Friday!
Hope your Christmas was magical!
Simple BEAUTIFUL!!! We're purchasing a old farmhouse built in 1900 and I now have my plan for the kitchen, thanks to you! LOVE the idea of the newell posts and mixing open shelving/unfinished cabinets/curtained-cabinets for an inexpensive way to get lots of storage. I think I'm going to paint my cabinets a light yellow and maybe do light green gingham skirts for some of the shelving. There are many apple orchards in the area, so I'm hoping to find some fruit crates there. Thank you SO MUCH for this wonderful article!!!
Beautiful kitchen! I love the leg idea and I'm hoping to incorporate them into my kitchen!
Thanks for all the beautiful inspiration!
Susan
I love your kitchen. Congratulation on sticking to your idea. It looks fab