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Washing it White

OUR 2nd HOUSE

Ali Raisman.  A dream budget.  The Leaning Tower of Pisa.  A good boob job.  What do these have in common?  Balance. 

And balance is exactly what we wanted to add to our kitchen.  One of the biggest (and smallest) things we talked about doing in our kitchen was adding shelves on the other side of the window to balance out the cabinet.  This has been the plan since day one because we didn’t want to add another cabinet on that side and fully obstruct our windows.  There was no other solution in our minds.  I guess a large piece of artwork would have worked…but I love open shelving and since the existing cabinet next to the window has glass panel doors, I figured this would mimic that same feel. 

As you recall, the previous tile only came up so high… 

I liked the idea of having our beautiful tile in the background, so I planned for our tile to go high. 

During the great shelving debate of 2012, I was convinced that I didn’t need three shelves…that two would balance things out just fine.  Also, I concluded that floating shelves would not be the way to go in our kitchen…that corbels would be my kitchen’s BFF.  Sometimes it helps to hear advice and sometimes it doesn’t…in this case, it totally helped to hear it all discussed up down and sideways.

So today’s post is not about us drilling into the tile (and almost passing out from the stress!) or hanging the shelves with Jeremy’s weight limit requirements met…this is about how we prepped the shelves. 

First of all, we bought four corbels from a local company called Osborne Wood Products.  I found this company during my hunt for wood corbels (we wanted something chunky and simple and our local Home Depot and Lowes didn’t have anything that fit the bill…so I went a hunting online).  The best part is that they make the corbels from a ton of different types of wood – so they can be stained to match cabinets exactly…or be made from more paint-grade woods which cuts down on the cost.  They don’t know me or give me anything for free….I just really am thrilled to be a customer after experiencing their great customer service.  Oh and the best part?!  I got matching corbels for our island that are the exact same profile – just bigger!

The shelf part was actually a scrap of wood that we cut off our old bathroom countertops.  Making the shelf part FREE!  Raise the roof for hoarders!       

So now that you got the nitty gritty on why and what we were working with, here’s how we prepped them.  I really wanted the shelf part to be a little different than a plain matte white…I loved the butcherblock and hated to cover it up completely.  I decided in order to keep some of that wood grain, I could white wash the shelf till it was white enough to blend in but still slightly transparent so that I could see some of that lovely material underneath. 

There are a million point three ways of white washing…there is probably a different method for each generation, each culture, each geographic location, each menstrual cycle, etc.  This is a REALLY simple way to white wash.  First you wanna gather your materials.  I got our shelves out (Jeremy sanded them down till they were super smooth), and I needed a mixing bowl, a brush, water, paper towels and white paint.

Cute baby optional.

I used a 1 to 1 mix of paint to water.  You wanna mix it REALLY well. 

Then brush it on your wood (it’s gonna be really really soupy so be careful of drips).  I let mine sit for a couple minutes.  The wood is gonna suck it up like a toddler and fruit snacks.  After your couple minutes of sucking is done, take your paper towels and wipe off any excess.  This is what it looked like after one coat…

And here it is after two…

See how I can still tell that wood underneath is fabulous but it’s white?!

We painted the corbels plain white…so they are definitely more substantial.  From far away you can barely tell that the shelves are white washed… 

But up close, the texture lends itself to a really subtle and soft shelf.  I love how it looks with the tile.  It’s like they are cousins 🙂

And because I know I’m gonna get a thousand questions about them…the bowls are from TJMaxx.  When The Tile Shop folks came to our house to photograph the kitchen, they took me shopping for styling props and I picked these out.  They are my new loves.  They are rubbing my feet and feeding me bon-bons as we speak.  

I hopefully will be able to wrap up all our kitchen update posts this week.   YAY!  Just be prepared for an onslaught of kitchen posts.  You be the monestery, my kitchen will be the Vikings….be prepared for a beat down.  By the time we are done, you will be so sick of this space that you will wanna strangle me.  Although…monks don’t do that. 

p.s.  Who else is obsessed with the History Channel lately?!  We are so hooked on the Bible series and Vikings.  yes.  that’s contradictory.  we get the irony.

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Comments

  1. The shelves are so practical and pretty. I love how you styled them. And I love those bowls. I think I need some bowls. I’m clearing out cupboards in anticipation of a kitchen remodel this summer so I’ll have room for more bowls!!!

  3. Love, love, love your kitchen! It’s my inspiration as we get ready to do ours. I look at it daily and swoon. Your blogs amazing and so are you!

  4. Thanks for the tip about the bowls. I was totally going to ask – I have a bowl acquisition problem. Love them; love the shelves; love the cute baby!

  5. First of all oh goodness little Weston’s smile just kills me!! He’s precious as can be<3

    & Holy Moley!! Im in LOOOOVE with your kitchen, it looks absolutely gorgeous, I hope I can make mine look as beautiful as yours one day!!!!

    I also wanted to let you know I have been a faithful follower for quite some time (I would say since your first house, maybe 4 years now) I absolutely loove the blog and you are just a beautiful person! I always look forward to reading your posts, you are always such a breath of fresh air and always make me smile!! Thanks again for being so amazing! <3

  6. Uh oh. Girl you are going to get a million replies warning you about having a (adorable) baby in a Bumbo on a table and how he could fall…blah, blah, blah.

    I used to sit my daughter (now 2.5) on the counter to watch me cook or wash dishes. I wonder if that’s why she has such a keen interest in cooking and washing dishes now?

    And can I just say that your kitchen is absolute perfection?! Its exactly what I want to do to my own…one day. Now I have something to show the hubby when I’m talking about my vision. 😀

  7. That kitchen needed your family! Good bones for sure but it’s sooooo pretty now! Thanks for the corbel retailer. I’ve had the same problem with Lowe’s & HD and not finding ones I like!

    PS – I sent you a little email gram last week and I’m just hoping it didn’t hit your spam folder. Sorry to mention it on here I was just looking for some advice. Thanks!

  8. Weston so close to the edge in that seat makes me so nervous!! My son was 3 months old and was able to flip that seat.

  10. OK…. the picture of Weston seriously is soooooo cute! And we are ALSO addicted to The Bible. It’s so good I get goosebumps and cry every single episode! The shelves look amazing and I love that you white-washed them instead of painting!

  11. Every time I see that tile I want to cry a little bit from the sheer beauty!! I also randomly misread the name of the shop where you scored the corbels as ‘Obscene Wood Shop’ which seemed strange. Apparently more coffee is in order over here!

  12. Love love love. Top fave things:

    1. WESTON. Duh.
    2. The pendant lights
    3. The open shelves

  13. Yikes,it’s really very dangerous to put a bumbo on a table. i hope you’ll consider deleting that photo from your site. A bumbo should never be used on a raised surface.

  14. My husband and I love the Bible and Viking series as well!! We were just talking about how Sunday is our favorite tv night. (it used to be even better when Downton Abbey was on too!)

  15. holy smokes does weston look like jeremy or what?!
    both your boys will be heartbreakers!

  16. Please tell me you are just waiting for this comment…there is a reason bumbos are recalled and have warnings all over them. It is not safe to put an infant in one on an elevated surface. My kid flipped in it on the floor. And no the ” I was right there” doesn’t work as you were there distracted by taking a picture and painting. Sorry I love you and your blog but I’m tired of hearing of babies getting seriously injured not by faulty products but patents who don’t follow the directions.

  17. And I grew up and survived in the age of no car seats, doesn’t make it a wise choice or mean that you shouldn’t use one for your child.

  19. *sigh*
    i love you….and your kitchen. Can’t wait for all the posts!!

    I think you should do an entire post about how you get jeremy to help you do your projects. I’ve had it up to HERE with the hubs….we’ve been “redoing” our kitchen for almost 7 months now and I’m about to LOSE it. Beyond threatening to hire someone to come while he’s at work or doing it myself….i don’t know what to do! AH!

    PS – did you see those shirts at target around valentine’s day that said “I heart my boyfriend”? They didn’t have my size (too late to the party) to get one…but thought of you! Next year….

  21. I am also loving the History Channel. My husband and I watched the Hatfields and McCoys last year and we were hooked. Now we’re loving the Bible series. We recorded the Vikings to watch later. I am LOVING your kitchen by the way :o)

  22. your photos are always so beautiful and I LOVE reading your blog! Just love it all! Very witty!
    the photo of gorgeous happy baby weston in the bumbo chair on the table does make my heart tighten up. Bumbos are meant to be used on the floor only. Just in case you didn’t know. But if I’m being all “that person” with that comment please feel free to roll your eyes and delete this comment. its just in case you didn’t know.

  23. Ooooooemgeeee! Weston is the CUTEST! This post, while lovely and informative, was totally trumped by you’re lil guys’ sly smile 🙂

  24. Baby Weston is adorable…. he smiles with his whole face ~ so cute!! 🙂

    Love your shelves and the colors you used to accessorize.

  25. I was thinking the same thing about the Bumbo…Katie, I love you, your blog, your house, etc. but take that cute baby off the table (I am saying this very lightheartedly). Also, Bumbo has issued a warning about them (again) and you can send away for free parts that they say will make it safer:

    http://www.recall.bumbousa.com/

    -Officially that mom who said I would never point this stuff out to another mommy, but I have heard horror stories.

  26. Hannah- I was just thinking the same thing about baby in the Bumbo! Don’t listen to those people (blah, blah, blah is right)- I put my baby in the Bumbo on every “dangerous surface” and she is just fine. 🙂

    I love your posts, the kitchen, and the bowls!!

  27. The shelves turned out so beautifully! You definitely achieved the balance you were looking for, and I love the whitewashed look! How could that not be successful with such an adorable little munchkin cheering you on? 🙂 Thanks for the inspiration!

    ~Abby =)

  28. This is one of my favorite posts by you! Maybe it’s the idea that whitewash technique can be decided by menstrual cycles … maybe it’s the baby eye candy … maybe it’s the open shelving. But you’re more hilarious than usual! (Which is saying a lot!)

  30. I love those open shelves! I’ve been plotting how I can add some in our kitchen 🙂 And I’m still head over heels for that marble hex tile – dang, that stuff is sexy!!

  32. Oh no worries – Jer was right off-shot ready to whisk him off the table. I didn’t know about the free parts though so thank you so much for the link! I’ll definitely look into it!
    xo – kb

  33. Oh don’t say that – I knew that I was gonna get comments on it…I should have stated that Jer was right off shot ready to catch/whisk him away. He was on baby duty and I just borrowed the cutie for the photo 🙂
    xo – kb

  34. I saw them but I didn’t get to it in time!
    And it’s funny that you say that about Jer…he’s the one that asks each week what is on the agenda…I think secretly he wishes he could quit his job and flip houses 🙂
    xo – kb

  35. Jer was on ‘baby watch’ – right off shot ready to grab him right after the photo was taken (this was a project we did while Jer was laid off but watched the kiddos while I did work) so there was very limited risk of injury…but yes, I do not recommend anyone to sit their kids in the bumbo on an elevated surface. DON”T BE LIKE ME PEOPLE!
    xo – kb

  36. Yes it is very dangerous! I had Jer right off shot but I forgot to say that nobody should have their kid up there like that. Forehand meet palm.
    xo – kb

  37. Don’t fret! Jer was spotting him for the photo 🙂 He was just out of camera and pulled him down right after my pic (he’s a nervous guy when it comes to that kinda stuff). I forgot to recommend that nobody do that though so thanks for mentioning it.
    xo – kb

  40. The kitchen looks gorgeous.

    On the cute baby note, do you like the Bumbo seat?

    Our cute baby is a bit younger than yours and eager to sit up, so I’m considering it. The hub isn’t convinced though.

    Thanks!

  41. I know what you mean about trying to get the hubby to help with projects. I’ve been trying to get my own to hang two shelves we bought at Ikea for months now. Just two shelves. He’s now talking about having his brother come over and put them up. Sigh.

  42. I was enjoying the Bible series until last night. They really didn’t need to mess up so much! I was yelling at the TV half the night. I don’t think I’ll be watching anymore of it if they can’t get the story right.

    I love those corbels! They are exactly what I was looking for for my kitchen. Off to check out the company’s website.

  44. That baby is crazy cute. I love how smile-y he seems to be.

    Your kitchen is looking fabulous!

  45. Your kitchen is gorgeous! I love the shelves, and 100% agree that 2 vs 3 shelves was the way to go.

    Haha, also, I’ll be honest and say I purposefully scrolled through the comments because I knew people were going to judge you on the Bumbo thing… but no lie when I saw the pic I thought “I bet Jeremy or someone is right there”- I’ve read your blog for years and think you are an AMAZING (and smart!) mom who has her boys safety on her mind at all times!

  47. Wahoo for local guys (Osborne)! We live in Toccoa (where Osborne is locate) and I know many people who work for them. Thanks for supporting local people 🙂

    and the shelves look fabulous! I won’t even start about the bowls- they are dreamy!

  48. We got it when we were pregnant with Will and he hardly ever sat in it…but Weston LOVES it. I’ve heard a lot of babies won’t sit down in it (Will didn’t like to bend or slouch so I figure that is what other babies hate too) but our little Smiley is happy as a clam in it (probably because it means he is on the floor with Will). I’ve heard that you can buy it on Craigslist for SUPER cheap and then just sell it for the same discounted price if your baby is a no go on the bumbo 🙂
    xo – kb

  49. Oh don’t tell me that. I haven’t seen my episode yet (we wait till Jer and I can watch together and last night we were all about the Amazing Race).
    xo – kb

  50. Adorable shelves and beautiful baby, but please never put a baby in a bumbo seat on an elevated surface. He leaves back quickly and it could flip right off the table! No matter the age! Not trying to criticize as I love this blog but just want to make sure the kiddo is safe!

  51. I love your kitchen, but I LOOOOOOVE Weston and that big ol cheesy grin. Too much cuteness. And you would think by now that people would know you wouldn’t leave your little nugget just hanging there without a spotter!

  52. Love the tile!!! the shelves look amazballs.

    And i love the bowls from TJ maxx. They have a moroccon look to them!

    And mehhh i was too busy looking at westons adorable face to even see he was on a table! haha

    xx

  56. Love the kitchen, and that sweet baby!
    I’ve been reading for a while, but have never commented. Your candor and humor are what keeps me coming back… Congratulations on Jeremy’s new job!! Blessings!

  57. Love the shelves and pretty much everything in your kitchen.

    I watch Vikings and it’s so good (Athelstan has to be my favorite.)

  58. Weston is KILLING ME in that picture! He is so adorable and looks just like Jeremy, it’s cray.

  60. I love your shelves! The white wash is so pretty and looks great with your beautiful tile!

    And Weston’s smile totally made my day! What a cutie-pie!

  61. Love, love, love the kitchen!!!

    And, you are saint for not getting frustrated with all the baby Bumbo comments!!!!

  62. OMG! Baby Weston is waaay too cute! The kitchen looks great too. Aren’t you so happy all that hard work is behind you?

    I am sooo jealous your husband helps with projects. My husband can barely fix a snack, let alone anything else! I do all the projects, handy work, fixing, installing etc. It would be nice to have some help sometimes!

    Carry on Bowers! Can’t wait to see more!

  63. I still can’t get over your tile. It’s breathtaking. I’m such a sucker for marble!! And those bowls!! Anthropologie? Hope you don’t mind it when you come home to find me face-rubbing your tile 😉

  65. haha, me too (re scrolling through just to see how many people commented on the daggone bumbo safety)! i hate it how people feel like just cuz someone has a blog, that means you automatically should tell them how to do their lives!

  68. I got it from an antique shop…and I think it is labeled a planter…so you might wanna try etsy or ebay 🙂
    xo – kb

  69. Oh no worries…we had Jer right next to him (he was off camera but he could have caught him if he started to buck). We just staged the photo because we want to have tons of photos of our kids “participating” in tons of different DIY stuff 🙂
    xo – kb

  71. I read all the time and never comment but I HAVE to this time! That baby is sooo cute! I will give him the fourth cutest baby EVER only b/c I have to give *mine* props too.
    Beautiful kitchen, I hope to one day have the same vision for my kitchen, it just hasn’t gotten there yet!

  73. Whew! I knew SafetyMan would be on his game. 🙂

    I got the first of many head injuries when my mom left me on the table in one of those plastic 1960’s baby seats (like this: http://tinyurl.com/bma9g7s) where your baby is supported by a thin wire. (Quinland is currently doing a Flour Baby unit for school, and I constantly warn her of places that her baby could fall off. I am a doting FlourGrandma.)

  75. Did you ever think about adding one more shelf just above the tile line? Once full, it would balance out the height of the window and the cabinets on the other side. (I like it very much the way you did it, but I am totally OCD about things like that.)

  76. WESTON IS SOOOOO CUTE! AAAAAH! Need to cuddle him! (Ok, I don’t even live in the same country ATM, not to mention that we’re not friends, but ACK! he is adorable!) 🙂

  78. I believe that John & Sherry have gray penny tile and I have 2″ marble hex…they could be cousins, I guess 🙂
    xo – kb

  79. Yes I did! That was the original plan but in real life, it definitely would have looked awkward because it would be over eight feet high.
    xo – kb

  80. Weston is ridiculous. I want to smooch his cheeks. And I LOVE your shelves and all the pretty things on them! I’ve been reading your blog for awhile now and enjoy every bit of it. Thanks for letting us peek into your life via the internet 🙂

  82. I live about 10 minutes from Osborne Wood – so cool to see a local (to me) product going into KB’s house. =)

  83. Either way, don’t worry, I ended up with four concussions by the time I was four (SUPER clumsy-still am!) And I turned out just fine…I think….lol!!

  84. 1. Yes, LOVING the new shelves and the white wash looks fantastic.
    2. Vikings is amazing and I try my best not to feel bad about it when watching it on the History channel. I talk myself into it… “Its on History… this is historically accurate… sure”
    3. Watch The Bible AFTER Vikings… it always makes me feel better… like going to church after a rough weekend to be forgiven 😉

  88. It looks amazing! I love it. we have dark granite countertops in our kitchen and will be painting our cabinets white. I love your choice of cabinet hardware. I love everything!

  90. I LOVE the way the shelves turned out! I am using them as inspiration for the new shelves I hope to put up in my kitchen.

    I am so happy for you and the success of your blog! You deserve it. I’m a long time reader and I think you are just wonderful! You deserve all of this success, you work hard for it!

    xoxo

  91. Oh my gosh, I bet you never get tired of that smile on Weston! I know your readers don’t! He is too much.

  92. Katie, your kitchen looks great. I’m loving the tile and the shelves. Your boys are precious, thanks for sharing all the cute photos. I give you credit for handling such ridiculous comments the way you do.

  94. I love the open shelves. It definately looks modern, clean and bright. I just bought the same honeycomb vase at Target and love it!

  95. Helpful mama reminder! Keep the bumbo only on the floor. There was a massive recall due to children falling off of tables/chairs/raised surfaces.

  96. Yes! I meant to say it in the post itself but he didn’t sit up there without Jeremy right off camera spotting him. Jer was on baby patrol and pulled him down just as soon as my camera clicked 🙂 Thanks though – I should have said it before!
    xo – kb

  97. Congrats on putting an end to the ‘great shelving debate’ and getting them mounted. I think this shows that even with careful planning there are always unexpected design changes that pop up during a kitchen remodel. You handled it like a pro – well done.

    Bring on more kitchen posts!

  98. LOVE that shot of Weston! He really looks like Jeremy there too. Happy babies are the best!

    Also, I read your laid off post the day I found out I may be losing my job in the next few weeks, so good timing and encouragement. Thanks! I’m so happy Jeremy has a new job. Praying for your whole fam to adjust well. Subsequently, I had a weird dream that we had to sell our house and move into an apartment. You guys had just moved into a temporary apt, so we visited you to ask your advice and see if it was a good place for us too. Our 2 1/2 yo son enjoyed playing with Will. Thought you should know.

  99. I love how your kitchen is turning out! The shelves are perfect with just two. Good choice!!

    PS – Please don’t let all the negative comments get you down! It’s obvious you are a great mom and would never do anything to put your children in harms way!! How kind of you to explain yourself to all the people who commented otherwise.

  100. Gorgeous! I have to know where you got that white canister with the clover cut outs! I’m obsessed with it!

  103. Great tutorial! I plan to use this for the shelves in our bathroom 🙂

    Also, love the vase on the island holding the limes. Great style. Target?

  107. Doing one wall in my den with 1×6 not sure to do white or white wash with some kind of used barn siding 3 ft up around other walls what do you suggest?

  108. I like both ideas…the white wash will definitely allow for more texture and variation (and probably hide imperfections better) but the white looks crisp and clean! Maybe try the white wash and if it’s not your thing, go for just white!
    xo – kb

  109. I love this! I stumbled upon it searching white cabinets because we are looking in to painting ours white. I have two small children at home and was concerned that the painting project would produce harmful fumes for little ones to breath. Were yall able to stay in your home while painting the cabinets??

  110. We did stay because it is low-VOC…I would recommend that if you have small children that you don’t allow them in the room if you are spraying because that could result in particulate inhalation.
    xo – kb

  111. Hi! LOVE the kitchen!!!! Where are the “pendant” lights from?? (over the island)

    Thanks!!

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