Friends! I am SO incredibly excited to share our Orchard House white kitchen reveal with you today!
When we decided to move out of the townhouse and began the search for our new home, the kitchen area was really important to me. We had just finished a complete renovation of the townhouse kitchen, so we didn’t want to have to totally gut another kitchen in a different house. One of the main reasons we decided to build a house is that after looking at every real estate listing in our target area and in the price range we were comfortable with, every single one would have needed major work in the kitchen to get it the way we wanted it! Eek!
Because we went with a community builder (Our house is a Palermo by Ryan Homes.), our kitchen ended up being a blank slate. We got to choose the cabinets and flooring that we wanted and had some say over the layout since we could choose the home model. We also kind of chose the countertops… more on that later. Other than that, pretty much everything else was determined by our builder. So for the most part, we ended up with a kitchen that had great bones; we just needed to go in and put our stamp on it!
Here is what the kitchen looked like on the day we moved in:
Waaaaaaaayyyyy back in January, I shared our plans for sprucing up our kitchen space. We’ve been plugging away at projects ever since, and since many of them wrapped up at the same time, I decided it would be fun to share the finished space with you first, and then break it down and look at some of the DIY projects we did in future posts.
Ready to see how it all turned out? Let’s take a peek!
Orchard House White Kitchen Reveal
A huge thanks to Caesarstone, Moen, and Osborne Wood Products for providing product for this post. My favorable opinion of gorgeous kitchen decor is 100% my own. This post contains affiliate links. For more information, see my disclosures here.
Our kitchen today!
Even before we moved into the house, one of the first projects we knew we’d tackle was changing out the kitchen countertops. After installing quartz in our townhouse kitchen, we knew we wanted to go with quartz in our new kitchen as well, but our builder didn’t offer it. With a community builder, you can’t just say, “Leave them off and we’ll do them ourselves!” You have to go with one of their options. So we had them put in the standard laminate that came with the house and changed it shortly after we moved in– hopefully someone else is getting some good use out of our former counters since they were still in great shape!
We ended up going with Caesarstone’s London Gray quartz countertops, and I absolutely LOVE them!
We love quartz so much because it is low maintenance, easy to clean, and it’s really durable (an important feature with two crazy little boys running around)! Oh, and also it’s completely gorgeous!!!
I couldn’t resist taking a few overhead shots so you can really see the beautiful detail!
While we’re over on this side of the kitchen, I’ll mention a few other changes that we made– switching out the sink and faucet. Donnie does the dishes in our house (major husband points!) and requested a single bowl sink. We found this extra deep quartzstone undermount option and knew it would be perfect!
And the faucet! I always feel like the faucet is kind of the “jewelry” in the kitchen, and I love how the Moen Glenshire faucet really shines in this space! It’s super sleek, easy to turn on and off, and the head pulls out to make spraying the dishes and the sink simple from every angle. We are loving it!
You may have spotted another change that we made– adding backsplash tile! I decided to go with Carrara marble subway tile. I feel like it’s a classic look that will be able to beautify our kitchen for years and years to come! Donnie was a trooper and did the whole installation himself, so I’ll be sure to get him on the blog to share his tiling tips and tricks! 🙂
The kitchen island got a makeover as well! The original island trim work was somewhat flimsy, so we wanted to beef it up to really make the island shine. Donnie added craftsman style trim to the sides, including some beautiful wood corbels from Osborne Wood Products.
The counter stools were one of the first things we bought after we moved into the new house. The island is a natural gathering spot in the house, and we almost always eat breakfast and lunch (and sometimes dinner!) at the island rather than in the dining room.
I ended up adding this little rail to the end of the island too. I love how it adds some extra interest and storage at the same time– win-win! (Now let’s see how long I can keep that cilantro alive… 😉 )
And I can’t forget about the pendants! This was actually the third set I ordered before I decided that they were “the ones.” The unique angle of the island posed a bunch of different challenges, one of which was the offset lighting, so it was tough to find lighting that looked good in this space. Donnie was actually the one who discovered these lights initially, and I have to say that I’m impressed with his choice!
One final difference you may have noticed was the trim work on the opening between the kitchen and the sunroom. I love that the kitchen connects to our sunroom; we can peek out windows and see the beautiful farmland and rolling hills beyond our house. But the opening between the kitchen and sunroom was pretty bare, so again, we wanted to add some craftsman style trim to give it more character and beautiful detail.
You can see the difference all of the changes make in the before/after!
Yay! It is so fun to see our plain, bare house becoming a home! We love spending time in the kitchen now that it is welcoming and so much more “us”! (And Donnie loves that he didn’t have to completely cut all of the cabinets to get it that way! 😉 )
If you’re curious about where anything from our kitchen came from, I tried to link as much as I could in the source list below!
- Countertops- Caesarstone London Grey
- Faucet- Moen Glenshire
- Corbels- Verona Mission Corbel
- Hardware- Palermo Pull and Capital Knob
- Pendant Lights
- Stools
- Backsplash- Marble Subway Tile
- Sink- Quartzstone Undermount
- Island Rail
- Tiered Tray
- Sunroom Bamboo Shades- SelectBlinds Designer Series Woven Wood Shades in Bali Abaca
- Keurig
- Rectangle Tray- Hobby Lobby
- Pitchers
- Vase- Michael’s
- Rug
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If you missed any of the other posts in our kitchen series, you can catch up here:
Plans for Orchard House Kitchen
First Things First: Installing Hardware
Beautiful and Affordable Kitchen Island Pendant Lights
Orchard House White Kitchen Reveal (You’re here!)
How to Add Custom Trim to a Kitchen Island
How to Install a Marble Subway Tile Backsplash
DIY Craftsman Style Cased Opening
5 Tips for Creating a Beautifully Organized Pantry
How to Organize Under the Kitchen Sink
How to Organize the Refrigerator
How to Organize Food Storage Containers
How to Create an Organized Junk Drawer
Working with a smaller kitchen space? These posts about the kitchen in our townhouse may be helpful:
How to Organize a Small Kitchen
How to Organize a Small Refrigerator
How to Organize a Kitchen Pantry
Have you done any kitchen updates lately? I’d love to hear about them in the comments!
Thank you so much for following along! Hope you have a wonderful week!
A huge thanks to Caesarstone, Moen, and Osborne Wood Products for providing product for this post. My favorable opinion of gorgeous kitchen decor is 100% my own. This post contains affiliate links. For more information, see my disclosures here.
Sarah says
May 11, 2017 at 6:25 amGreat job Abby! Bright, fresh and clean. The open plan nature of the space is very typical of New Zealand homes too (I’m a New Zealander living in the UK!). On another note, I hope your recovery continues to go well. Best wishes.
justagirlabby says
May 11, 2017 at 7:55 amAw, thanks so much, Sarah! I am feeling much better these days! 🙂 Hope you’re having a wonderful week!
~Abby =)
Brittany Wise says
May 11, 2017 at 7:36 amAbby the kitchen turned out beautifully!! I love how bright it is! 🙂 What is next on the list?
justagirlabby says
May 11, 2017 at 7:57 amThanks so much, Brittany! I’m loving it too! Our deck is the next thing on the list and I can’t wait! 🙂 Happy Thursday! <3
~Abby =)
Michelle Wilson says
May 11, 2017 at 9:05 amWhat a beautiful kitchen!! You did a great job of adding small touches that really make the kitchen feel custom. I’m SO glad you included those shots of the countertop from above – they are gorgeous and I don’t think any of the other photos do them justice!
justagirlabby says
May 11, 2017 at 2:17 pmThey really are hard to photograph! Glad the close-ups helped! Thanks for your sweet message, Michelle! Hope you’re having a wonderful week! <3
~Abby =)
Krystal L. Smith says
May 11, 2017 at 12:08 pmLovely! I have random question, what kind og camera do you use to take your pictures?
justagirlabby says
May 11, 2017 at 2:15 pmHi, Krystal! I use the Cannon 6D currently and I love it! I talk about it in this post: https://justagirlandherblog.com/my-favorite-photography-and-video-equipment-for-bloggers/
Thanks for stopping by!
~Abby =)
Michelle Johnson says
May 11, 2017 at 2:11 pmSo beautiful! I love a white kitchen–especially against a dark wood floor! I’m definitely getting that tiered tray!
justagirlabby says
May 11, 2017 at 2:14 pmYou should! I love it! 🙂 Thank you, Michelle! <3
~Abby =)
Valerie | One Happy Housewife says
May 11, 2017 at 11:02 pmIt looks amazing Abby! You and Donnie did a fantastic job! Love all your choices and all the beautiful little details! I laughed when I read about the dishes, Ryan does the dishes at our home too! 🙂
justagirlabby says
May 12, 2017 at 10:10 amThanks so much, Valerie! Isn’t it great when they do the dishes? 🙂 Happy Friday!
~Abby =)
Kendra @ www.joyinourhome.com says
May 12, 2017 at 12:02 amLove your kitchen Abby and all the added touches! The trim on your cabinets is my favorite and it caught my eye because we’re just in the process of adding trim to our new cabinets! Such a beautiful,.bright kitchen! xo
justagirlabby says
May 12, 2017 at 10:10 amThanks so much, Kendra! I’m loving the trim, too! It makes such a difference! 🙂 Hope you have a wonderful weekend!
~Abby =)
Shelley Collison says
May 12, 2017 at 11:12 amYour new kitchen looks beautiful Abby. Very nicely done xo
justagirlabby says
May 15, 2017 at 7:27 amAw, thank you, Shelley! We are loving it! 🙂 Have a wonderful week! <3
~Abby =)
Shelley Collison says
May 15, 2017 at 9:38 amYou’re welcome Abby. Glad you are loving it! Have a great week too🌹😊
Michelle Robertson says
May 13, 2017 at 8:52 amIt looks so gorgeous! I couldn’t convince my husband to go all white when we did our kitchen remodel a few years back, and I still wish we had! Question for you, I bought those World Market counter stools when I saw them in an earlier post of yours. Overall I LOVE them (!) but I’m noticing that the grey wash colo is starting to come off on the seats, like it’s wearing and I’ve only had them for a few months. Have you had the same problem?
justagirlabby says
May 17, 2017 at 2:39 pmNow that you mention it, one of them did flake a little bit. The other three have not. It hasn’t really bothered me, though– adds to the charm! 🙂 Hope you’re having a great day, Michelle!
~Abby =)
Natasha L says
May 13, 2017 at 9:45 amHello Abby,
This is my first time ever commenting on a post. Literally !. I just wanted to say that your kitchen is truly BEAUTIFUL. I am in love with the all white and my sister loves the teal. Your creativity is one of a kind. Also, the flowers are my favorite!. Enjoy your week. 🙂
justagirlabby says
May 15, 2017 at 7:26 amYou’re too sweet! Thank you, Natasha! So glad you like it! <3 Have a wonderful Monday!
~Abby =)
Deanna says
May 13, 2017 at 10:22 amI think it’s wonderful that you acknowledge your “good egg”. While home remodeling and building can be stressful , it’s always nice to have a functioning and supportive partner in you corner. It’s looking fantastic!
justagirlabby says
May 15, 2017 at 7:26 amIt really is! He’s the best! 🙂 Thank you, Deanna! Have a great week! <3
~Abby =)
Cindy says
May 13, 2017 at 10:39 amYour kitchen is stunning. There’s nothing like Quartz. I love it and is indestructible. You did a wonderful job with your choices. I’m loving the lighting and new additions to the island.
New to your blog
Cindy
justagirlabby says
May 15, 2017 at 7:25 amThanks so much, Cindy! Glad you stopped by! 🙂 Have a wonderful week!
~Abby =)
Vicki Bray says
May 13, 2017 at 10:58 amI am curious where you got the plate covers for your outlets? I love the stainless steel look and they look a bit more decorative than the plan ones in the big box stores.
The kitchen looks so good! Great job!
justagirlabby says
May 15, 2017 at 7:24 amHi, Vicki! We got them at Wallplatesonline.com! We love them! 🙂
~Abby =)
Morgan says
May 13, 2017 at 3:20 pmIt looks so lovely! I’m sure you must be so tickled each time you walk into it! Glad you got everything finished and are now able to fully enjoy it! Looks like a wonderful spot where lots of memories will be made! 😁
justagirlabby says
May 15, 2017 at 7:22 amIt really does make me smile each time I walk in the room! 🙂 Thanks so much, Morgan! Have a wonderful week! <3
~Abby =)
Lisa says
May 13, 2017 at 7:35 pmI love how you decorate! Everything looks nice and white- which couldn’t work in my house haha! We’ve been planning a kitchen reno for a few years, and I think it will stay on hold because now we are actually planning on switching our bedrooms, mine+hubby to downstairs basement and the separating the kids. I honestly can’t wait… the kids are excited too, to have more room for themselves!
justagirlabby says
May 15, 2017 at 7:22 amAw, so fun! I’m sure they will love it! Have a wonderful week, Lisa! <3
~Abby =)
Melony says
May 14, 2017 at 7:18 amAbsolutely beautiful, Abby! I was so excited to see how everything turned out. We have used Carrera marble as well in one of our bathrooms and I love it! My other favorite are the corbels. Tell Donnie he did a great job!!!
justagirlabby says
May 15, 2017 at 7:21 amThank you, Mel! That is such a compliment coming from you… the remodel queen! 🙂 Donnie did do a great job… I’m loving how it turned out! Have a fabulous week! <3
~Abby =)
Hannah says
May 14, 2017 at 3:34 pmGorgeous! I decided against going with white in our current kitchen because I was afraid it would be too hard to maintain with a toddler….but you are changing my mind! Now I can’t wait to move and remodel another kitchen 😛
Have a gorgeous and happy Mothers Day!
justagirlabby says
May 15, 2017 at 7:20 amLol! We love our white around here! 🙂 I’m sure your kitchen is beautiful! Have a wonderful week, Hannah! <3
~Abby =)
Hannah says
May 15, 2017 at 2:48 pmThank you! You too!
Julie Briones says
May 15, 2017 at 2:01 amGreat job, ya’ll! Love the counters…. and, for the first time, I have a large single sink in My Wee Abode. I love it! Hope I never have to go back to a double!
justagirlabby says
May 15, 2017 at 7:18 amIsn’t it great! Love it! Thank you, Julie! Have a great wek!
~Abby =)
Jodi Henson says
May 15, 2017 at 7:18 amI love the delicate little pops of color you used! The cake stand by the sink is lovely and what a great idea! Thanks for sharing Abby!
justagirlabby says
May 16, 2017 at 6:32 pmAw, thanks so much, Jodi! I’m loving how it turned out! 🙂 Have a wonderful evening! <3
~Abby =)
Furntastic says
May 16, 2017 at 3:57 amYou did a great job. Your white kitchen looks bright, refreshing and simply beautiful. I just loved each and every detail of your kitchen. The final outcome is amazing.
justagirlabby says
May 16, 2017 at 6:31 pmThanks so much! <3
~Abby =)
Sasha says
May 19, 2017 at 9:24 pmIt is beautiful! You definitely have a keeper with your Hubby! Congrats on the Fabulous Kitchen Makeover!
justagirlabby says
May 22, 2017 at 11:53 amI agree! 🙂 Thank you, Sasha! Have a great Monday!
~Abby =)
Amy Parnell says
May 26, 2017 at 3:45 pmI love the pendant lights over your island! Super cute!! Thanks for sharing!
justagirlabby says
May 30, 2017 at 9:08 amThanks so much, Amy! Have a wonderful week! <3
~Abby =)
Megan says
June 9, 2017 at 9:53 pmLOVE your kitchen!! We just installed London Grey countertops and after seeing your kitchen I think I’ve changed my mind about the backsplash! Did you just order the meram carrara and it came with the variety?
justagirlabby says
June 23, 2017 at 9:57 amHi, Megan! Yes– the Meram Carrara I linked to was the exact tile we bought from The Tile Shop. The example board in the store didn’t have any of the orange veining, but a few of the pieces we received did, so we just didn’t end up using them. The rest of the pieces complimented the London Grey nicely, though. When choosing backsplash tile to go with the London Grey, I would take a sample piece of the London Grey to the store and hold it up next to the tile options. I was surprised that when we did that, the gray/white marble tile I thought we’d pick made the London Grey pull really brown and it was a definite mismatch, so I liked that the tiles we ended up choosing were still gray but had a few brown undertones that played off the London Grey well. I hope that helps!
~Abby =)