Hello Lovely Fixer Upper {Kitchen Reveal}

Welcome to our DIY renovated timeless and tranquil modern farmhouse style kitchen!

Serene white simple modern farmhouse kitchen with Minuet quartz and marble subway tile
Serene and Simple Modern Farmhouse Kitchen – Hello Lovely Studio

I have shared glimpses here and there of the

kitchen at the Chicagoland fixer upper, but this

post will roll out some of the resources and

reflect upon how far the kitchen has come.

If you’re new to the blog,

we’re wrapping up a whole house

DIY reno, and we’re half out

of our minds since we work full-time

in fields unrelated to construction.

Yes, m’am, things move at a pace

around here we’ll call

L O V E L Y  T I M E.

Serene white kitchen with modern farmhouse style, white oak hardwood floor, and quartz countertop
Serene White Kitchen with Modern Farmhouse Style

In the end, we turned the space into a

modern farmhouse style kitchen

with a slightly European feel.

Here’s how we made that happen.

It would have been swell to open the kitchen

to the adjoining dining room, but

that turned out to be too tricky so

we kept the cozy size

and re-designed the layout by

moving the frig, range, microwave,

dishwasher, peninsula…oh yeah,

by moving everything.

Below is how it looked when we

bought it…20 year old

vinyl cabinets, newer laminate

counters, and maple hardwoods

which looked pretty but were

ruined from water damage.

We salvaged all of this and moved

it down to create a basement workshop.

Demo is always a relief,

and after the area was gutted, we met with

kitchen designers and gathered our ideas.

As much as an island would be great,

it felt awkward wherever we taped it out.

I couldn’t imagine working at it because

I would be oriented to the long

hallway and not the outdoors,

so I opted for a peninsula/bar

as before but pushed it out further,

stealing a foot from the breakfast area.

It was at this stage that I plastered the ceiling…yep, I became a mudder.

We moved a gas line,
recessed lights, and electrical outlets
to prepare for the new design.

What a happy day when the
white oak hardwood flooring went in!

Now we have more space in the working

area of the kitchen, and we may eventually

add a small island in the center,

but since I’m kind of a freak

about visual clutter, it’s best

to take our time.

There are white custom Shaker style cabinets

from floor to ceiling on the frig wall

and no other upper cabinets.

Cabinet hardware pulls are the simplest

stainless modern ones I could find.

The dishwasher is hiding behind a panel

to the right of the sink.

Bosch stainless appliances,

a wall of polished subway marble tile,

a fireclay farm sink,

a bridge faucet,

a beverage frig,

new drywall,

beadboard on the bar and an accent wall,

and new Shaker style window trim

round out the plan…and what am I forgetting???

The quartz countertops!

The color choice was more challenging

than I prepared for, but I’m so happy

with the Minuet (LG Viatera) which

you can read more about here.

Minuet is an alabaster

white with light grey veining

that works beautifully with the

natural polished marble wall.

We used white grout on the tiled wall

which quiets the marble, and you may

recall these tiles are dear to me since our

Bella pitterpattered over each and every

one when they were laid out on the floor

just a couple of days before she got her wings.

It’s a small humble kitchen, yet we managed to

fit lots of lovely useful things in here!

Minimal modern farmhouse white Shaker kitchen by Hello Lovely Studio
Hello Lovely Studio – Kitchen Reveal

I’ll be sharing more with you in another post

about secrets of downsizing, and I don’t mean

secrets of the variety “here’s how to do it perfectly,”

but rather the realistic challenges you should be prepared

to encounter and some of the pitfalls you may

not have considered…adjusting to a much smaller

kitchen is harder than I imagined it would be.

Minimal modern farmhouse white Shaker kitchen by Hello Lovely Studio
Hello Lovely Studio – Kitchen Reveal
Serene white simple modern farmhouse kitchen with Minuet quartz and marble subway tile
Serene and Simple Modern Farmhouse Kitchen – Hello Lovely Studio
Murchison Hume products on my counter Hello Lovely Studio
Murchison Hume Must Haves
White modern farmhouse kitchen with Minuet quartz countertop
Viatera Minuet quartz countertop, Bosch appliances
Minimal modern farmhouse white Shaker kitchen by Hello Lovely Studio
Countertop: LG Hausys Viatera Quartz in Minuet
Hello Lovely Fixer Upper – Kitchen DURING
Hello Lovely Fixer Upper – Kitchen DURING
Hello Lovely Fixer Upper – Kitchen DURING
Minimal modern farmhouse white Shaker kitchen by Hello Lovely Studio
Hello Lovely Studio – Kitchen Reveal
Minimal modern farmhouse white Shaker kitchen by Hello Lovely Studio
Hello Lovely Studio – Window Seat in the Kitchen
Serene white modern farmhouse kitchen with Minuet quartz countertop and farmhouse table
Hello Lovely Studio – Chicagoland Fixer Upper Kitchen Reveal

Below are most of the resources for this kitchen:

LG Viatera Quartz – in Minuet

Stainless Range Hood

Bosch stainless cooktop


30″ Bosch 800 Stainless Gas Cooktop


Bosch 36″ Counter-depth French Door Refrigerator
(ours is a model with just one drawer)

Bosch Wall Microwave and Wall Oven

Bosch 800 Series Microwave/Convection/Oven Combo

24″ Bosch Panel-Ready Dishwasher

30″ Reinhard Fireclay Sink

Kohler Parq Bridge Faucet

Kohler Parq Deck-Mount Kitchen Faucet with Spray, Vibrant Stainless

Polished Venatino Marble Subway Mosaic Tile

Allen + Roth Venatino Polished Mosaic Natural Stone Marble

PAINT COLOR:

Benjamin Moore “White”

Yep. Just plain White with no word before or after it.

I used it throughout the whole house and for trim.

This is a pure bright white I needed to offset the

yellow cast of the light here which seemed to compromise

every other white I tried…even whites I have used in

the past which were cool, looked yellow here.

I may not be able to work a simple jigsaw puzzle

or know how to turn on a television, but this girl

can pick paint colors…cocky, yes, but I have been

doing it for other people forever and am confident

with my artist’s eye.

So I created a graphic cheat sheet for white and grey

paint colors which have worked well in our homes.

Please pin it and let me know your opinion!

We used Ashley Gray in several rooms at our prior home.

Revere Pewter is what I used to glaze our bedroom

furniture, and Classic Gray is what I’m leaning

toward for the laundry room.

Vintage Dundee marmalade jar on romantic feminine modern farmhouse tablescape on rustic farm table
Hello Lovely Studio – Kitchen Reveal

I am still shopping for some vintage pieces
scaled better for the kitchen than our huge
harvest table, but these things take time,
and I have learned to be patient.

Vintage silver on white farmhouse table with gold and greenery
Hello Lovely Studio – Kitchen Reveal
Romantic modern farmhouse feminine tablescape on white farmhouse table with blush roses gold and green
Hello Lovely Studio – Kitchen Reveal
Modern farmhouse slow living tablescape on white farmhouse table with candlelight
Hello Lovely Studio – Kitchen Reveal
Hello Lovely Studio kitchen
The large painting is by Melissa James, and the smaller ones are by me

Thanks for touring our DIY kitchen reno progress,
and stay tuned for reveals of more rooms very soon.

If you missed the master bedroom reveal, you’ll find it here.
The master bathroom reveal is right here.

I independently selected products in this post—if you buy from one of my links, I may earn a commission.

Peace to you right where you are.

-michele

Shop for items you already intended to buy on Amazon RIGHT HERE, and also find home decor here to keep decor inspiration flowing on Hello Lovely!

Hello Lovely is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

White Slipcovered Sofa
SHOP MY HOME!
29″ Whitewashed Table Lamp Set of 2
White Matelasse Quilt on MY BED
SHOP MY BATH!
Trees White Wallpaper Mural
Round Farmhouse Table
Myla Slipcover Sofa
Deconstructed Wingback Bed
French Farmhouse Dining Table
Milagro Heart
Slipcovered Dining Chair
Rustic Farmhouse Stool
Edgecombe End Table
Parisian Style Iron Table Lamp  33.5″
Black or Bronze Accent Table
French Stripe Basket Set
White Cotton Crochet Bed Skirt
French Country Rattan Basket Set
Marble Subway Mosaic Tile
Rattan Basket With Lid
White Ruffle Bedding
Seagrass Basket Set
Schumacher Wild Things Wallpaper
Slipcovered Sofa
Upholstered Dining Arm Chair
Shop My Breakfast Nook
White Matelasse Quilt
Tree Mural Wallpaper
Faux Potted French Lavender
Shaw Daybed
Distressed White French Country Chandelier
French Country Headboard
Oval Back Counter Stool, Set of 2
Antique Brass Pharmacy Floor Lamp
Round French Tufted Ottoman
Kinston Wood Bench
Italian Candelabra Chandelier
Slipcovered Linen Chair
Warner Upholstered Bench
Rustic Country French Dresser
Laurel Wreath Mirror
Round Farmhouse Dining Table
Reclaimed Wood Dresser
Louis Upholstered Bench
Pardon My French Doormat
Stripe Turkish Towel Throw
Pamela Arm Chair
Sweater Weave Basket
French Carved Wood Chandelier
Terracotta Pots & Basket
French Country Wood Chandelier
French Linen Dining Chair
Gustavian Cabinet
French Farmhouse Dining Table
Bar Stool
Beachy White Slipcovered Sofa
Rattan Armchair
Diptyque Oyedo Candle
Cross Back Dining Chair
French Country Candle Holder
French Industrial Metal Chairs (4)
Designer Favorite Wall Mirror
Holborn Lantern Pendant
French Country 6-Light Chandelier
Tray Side Table
French Country Upholstered Arm Chair
Wicker Trunk Set
French Ticking Stripe Pillow
Jute Area Rug
Mohair Throw
Rustic Industrial Farmhouse Shelves
Belgian Linen Sofa
White Duvet & Bedding
Rustic Wood Candlestick Set
French Market Basket
Linen Modern Wing Chair
French Country Farmhouse Baskets
Concrete Pillar Table Lamp
Boheme Madera Bench
Belgian Style Lamp
Kendall Skirted Dining Chair
White Charleston Sofa
Scrubbed Wood 5-Light Chandelier
Arched Champagne Wall Mirror
Moravian Star 1-Light Pendant
Highback Armchair
Mini Pendant Light
White Vase Set
Round Woven Placemat Set
Cashmere Throw With Fringe
Wreath Doormat
Fireclay Farm Sink (Reinhard, 30″)
White Waffle Coverlet
Light Grey Vienna Quilt
Boheme Madera Bench
Belgian Linen Duvet Set
Round Marble Side Table
Rustic Pedestal Farm Table
Rattan Hanging Chair Swing
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16 Comments

  1. March 24, 2017 / 6:47 am

    Your Kitchen is beautiful, and I love the airy feeling in its grandeur….
    I also noticed you made a video…. I had to lol, a big smile because it was fab girl….Michele,
    I love your take off of VOGUE 73 questions….
    Your quick punchy answers were as if you were interview by vogue themselves.
    Your home is sensational…
    Xoxo
    Dore

    • March 25, 2017 / 5:52 pm

      Thanks for the love, French Cali girl–I am totally ready for Vogue just as soon as I learn to dress and check the mirror for how the back of my hair appears…ha! xox

  2. March 24, 2017 / 12:16 pm

    It turned out awesome! You have transformed this house. Serene. The shutters from the bathroom are something I would love to try but not sure I could get the measuring all squared up! We are in the middle of updating our kitchen right now (we built our house 15 years ago, so we are ready for an enhancement-painting the cabinets, new granite countertops, bluestar custom color stove – that was fun selecting color/knobs! and new hardware) super inspirational, love the color for your laundry room…and whites are interesting to select…Benjamin Moore incredible white is what I am probably doing on the cabinets…enjoying your blog so much

    • March 25, 2017 / 5:54 pm

      Thanks, Elaine! I was so nervous about the shutter measuring and ordering online but Barb at Riverwood Shutters made it a snap with emailing me exactly what she needed. When you have a real live person holding your hand AND building the product hen you are home free. Your project sounds gorgeous!!!

  3. March 24, 2017 / 1:07 pm

    WOW! It looks beautiful!! You should be so happy! LOVE!

    • March 25, 2017 / 5:56 pm

      Thank you, Leslie. With the construction done, I am now focused on details to make it personal and pretty…it has taken soooo long to get here with doing it ourselves…never again…probably. Ha!

  4. March 25, 2017 / 6:13 pm

    Michele it is simple, understated, elegance in it's best form. So peaceful and serene, bright, fresh, airy. All the buzz words I love in describing a space. Great job and design!! Kudos to you and hubby!!

    • March 26, 2017 / 5:39 am

      thanks, kathysue. i'm humbled by your words.

  5. Shawn Rocco
    February 11, 2018 / 12:35 pm

    Whoa! I accidentally stumbled onto your blog site and could not be happier to be here. Yay for me!! Now I get to sit back and enjoy your beautiful work while I explore all that you’ve done. Mama needed to stumble here. Giddy-up!

    • michele
      Author
      February 11, 2018 / 4:42 pm

      You’re fun! Thanks for landing here, Shawn. 🙂

  6. Tomi Valdez
    January 29, 2021 / 7:31 am

    Hi I bought the same backsplash as u have!I am picking grout color did you pick white?a Few of my tiles are a little crooked and I don’t want to highlight the imperfection, would white work better for that or light gray! By the way I love your kitchen!

    • Michele
      Author
      January 29, 2021 / 1:40 pm

      Thanks! We used the whitest white grout we could find, and I actually love a crooked/imperfect look and asked my husband to not be a perfectionist. The problem I have experienced with grey grout/caulk is it can look awful if you pair a cool grey grout with a warm grey tile (and vice versa). I personally would not like a grey grout with our tiles since I hand-selected each mosaic from the boxes and only used the brightest/whitest. Hope this helps.

  7. Ann
    May 17, 2021 / 12:43 pm

    HI Michele! Am back, LOL…your kitchen has some Magical Power over me! I would like to know what sheen you used on your kitchen cabinets/ walls and what is the biggest difference between BM Chantilly Lace and BM White you chose for your Gorgeous home? Do you think BM Chantilly lace would work with your Viatera Minuet? As Always, Thank YOU! I just think you have the BEST Style EVER!

    • Michele
      Author
      May 17, 2021 / 1:25 pm

      I am so flattered and always happy to see messages from you! The kitchen cabinets have what I would describe an eggshell finish, not shiny. The walls are flat. Chantilly Lace is not that different and would be beautiful with Minuet. I needed “White” to counter strong yellow and green tones from the natural light here. Without the heavily wooded lot, another white would probably be fine.

      • Ann
        May 17, 2021 / 2:52 pm

        Thank YOU, Michele! I ALWAYS APPRECIATE Your replies! It is harder than ever these days to renovate any space whilst being in lockdown – Thank God for Lovely People as yourself, Michele, who are willing to share their knowledge and impart wisdom over the internet! SO Grateful!

        • Michele
          Author
          May 17, 2021 / 4:03 pm

          I need to devote time to a post about this very thing – real estate and renovation during a pandemic! I can only imagine the extra headaches and stress. Always here to help, friend.

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Let’s SHOP!

White Slipcovered Sofa
SHOP MY HOME!
29″ Whitewashed Table Lamp Set of 2
White Matelasse Quilt on MY BED
SHOP MY BATH!
Trees White Wallpaper Mural
Round Farmhouse Table
Myla Slipcover Sofa
Deconstructed Wingback Bed
French Farmhouse Dining Table
Milagro Heart
Slipcovered Dining Chair
Rustic Farmhouse Stool
Edgecombe End Table
Parisian Style Iron Table Lamp  33.5″
Black or Bronze Accent Table
French Stripe Basket Set
White Cotton Crochet Bed Skirt
French Country Rattan Basket Set
Marble Subway Mosaic Tile
Rattan Basket With Lid
White Ruffle Bedding
Seagrass Basket Set
Schumacher Wild Things Wallpaper
Slipcovered Sofa
Upholstered Dining Arm Chair
Shop My Breakfast Nook
White Matelasse Quilt
Tree Mural Wallpaper
Faux Potted French Lavender
Shaw Daybed
Distressed White French Country Chandelier
French Country Headboard
Oval Back Counter Stool, Set of 2
Antique Brass Pharmacy Floor Lamp
Round French Tufted Ottoman
Kinston Wood Bench
Italian Candelabra Chandelier
Slipcovered Linen Chair
Warner Upholstered Bench
Rustic Country French Dresser
Laurel Wreath Mirror
Round Farmhouse Dining Table
Reclaimed Wood Dresser
Louis Upholstered Bench
Pardon My French Doormat
Stripe Turkish Towel Throw
Pamela Arm Chair
Sweater Weave Basket
French Carved Wood Chandelier
Terracotta Pots & Basket
French Country Wood Chandelier
French Linen Dining Chair
Gustavian Cabinet
French Farmhouse Dining Table
Bar Stool
Beachy White Slipcovered Sofa
Rattan Armchair
Diptyque Oyedo Candle
Cross Back Dining Chair
French Country Candle Holder
French Industrial Metal Chairs (4)
Designer Favorite Wall Mirror
Holborn Lantern Pendant
French Country 6-Light Chandelier
Tray Side Table
French Country Upholstered Arm Chair
Wicker Trunk Set
French Ticking Stripe Pillow
Jute Area Rug
Mohair Throw
Rustic Industrial Farmhouse Shelves
Belgian Linen Sofa
White Duvet & Bedding
Rustic Wood Candlestick Set
French Market Basket
Linen Modern Wing Chair
French Country Farmhouse Baskets
Concrete Pillar Table Lamp
Boheme Madera Bench
Belgian Style Lamp
Kendall Skirted Dining Chair
White Charleston Sofa
Scrubbed Wood 5-Light Chandelier
Arched Champagne Wall Mirror
Moravian Star 1-Light Pendant
Highback Armchair
Mini Pendant Light
White Vase Set
Round Woven Placemat Set
Cashmere Throw With Fringe
Wreath Doormat
Fireclay Farm Sink (Reinhard, 30″)
White Waffle Coverlet
Light Grey Vienna Quilt
Boheme Madera Bench
Belgian Linen Duvet Set
Round Marble Side Table
Rustic Pedestal Farm Table
Rattan Hanging Chair Swing