Project : Kitchen

3 October 2021


I can finally hang up my overalls and put tools in the garage because I have finished my flat! Three months of scraping and painting and drilling, I think I underestimated how much I had to do and how exhausting it would be. Anyhow I aimed to finish it in September and I just about did.
It feels more like home now. It is very white, I think that white walls help me mentally in some way, I do struggle to cope sometimes (as we all do) and my surroundings effect me a lot. So, it is nice to have a bright clean place to live in, as I work from home too, I will see a lot of these walls!
My children liked the way it looked when we moved in but I wasn't so keen on the blue and cream gloss tiles and cupboards from the previous owner, so I painted them...

It is a small kitchen but I just about squeezed in a table for us.

I put up a few extra shelves and I changed the cupboard handles to brass ones and put up some lights.





I made a (very small) utility area behind the door!




I hid the ugly orange oven plug switch with a picture - cards from Gemma Koomen

I have much less space here than in our old house, when I moved I had to be really careful about only taking things I really love using or looking at. I also cut down on clothes for us three and only have the minimum, so now I have less washing and clothes to put away. We only have three of everything in the kitchen so less washing up too! If you visit, bring your own mug/plate/towel/fork.


That was a joke, I have some extras hidden away.

Some boring jobs were to sand down the window frames and repaint them, same with the cupboard doors.
These were gloss laminate, I sanded them (and filled the holes left by the old handles) and used Dulux Trade Supergrip Primer (Also used this on the tiles) I used a special topcoat for laminate cupboards and a tile paint using a smooth roller. I re-grouted and sealed the tiles after painting.

These are the before pictures












I'm going to focus on jewellery making for a bit now, as xmas is coming! but I will try and update here more often now we all feel a bit more settled. I also need to concentrate on myself a bit too, I really need to chill out for awhile! Thank you for following my progress here, I have really enjoyed all your comments and messages which I read with a glass of wine after a hard day of painting each week x

29 comments

  1. Your flat looks absolutely amazing and thank you for documenting the entire process on your blog.

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  2. Well done, you’ve done a fantastic job and from one mum of a youngster to another: you’ve earned yourself a break so take it :)

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  3. In complete awe of this transformation, you have such a great eye. Loads of lovely ideas here which I am going to shamelessly pilfer, especially the little display shelf for vases, so lovely to make them a feature. Enjoy your quiet time, you have achieved so much so fast! X

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  4. An amazing achievement. You deserve that glass of wine!

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  5. alessia3.10.21

    Beautiful and inspiring as usual!

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  6. veg artist3.10.21

    It looks amazing- you should be so proud. One day your kids will look back and realise how you did so much on your own. A terrific example!

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  7. I love your whole flat - with its amazing view. It makes me look at my own house and wish I had your determination to get things done! I hope you feel really proud of yourself x

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  8. Anonymous3.10.21

    Looks amazing, you’ve done so well ❤️ julka x

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  9. What a marathon of intensive redecorating! You must feel so satisfied when you look around your sweet little flat. You have transformed it into a lovely space with your inimitable signature style. Well done and enjoy your new home!

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  10. The kitchen looks so beautiful. Bespoke with all of your tasteful details - everything looks so good against the white. I also feel so much calmer with the white walls and earthen colors and objects. Congrats on a job very very well done!!!

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  11. Looks great Artemis. I also really like the white, it’s fresh and clean and makes your plants, wooden and ceramic pieces really pop. The little jug painting is gorgeous. All your hard work has created a beautiful comfortable home where you will create lots of treasured memories with your kids. Congratulations.

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  12. Beautiful Artemis, congratulations on going all in for so long! Love your style and space, now sit back and enjoy the cosy life! Happy autumn 🍂 Xxx

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  13. I liked the kitchen when you first moved in ... but you have made it 100 times better. We have very similar tastes and everything in your kitchen would look equally at home in mine. Although I went for a very muted green on my kitchen units along with white walls and you are a muted grey.

    I love the light hanging lower over the table and I can imagine the three of you having some lovely meals around the table.

    Well done on doing the whole flat by yourself in just three months. You deserve to put your feet up in the evenings now with a lovely glass of wine.

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    1. And I have just noticed we have the same electric kettle!! I spied it on a Jamie Oliver programme while I was pulling together the elements for my new kitchen and knew I had to have one. Mine is cream.

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  14. I love your transformation. The kitchen looks so fresh and new. I've wanted to paint my kitchen cupboards for a long time. Thanks for the inspiration. I'm glad you can take a breather now and work on your jewelry. Hugs to you and the kids.

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  15. Wow Artemis it’s beautiful. Looks so peaceful and airy

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  16. Well done you! I am on my own too, so I appreciate the effort it takes, especially the DIY. Thanks for all the photo's...

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  17. Steph4.10.21

    Your new home is cozy and beautiful and I'm in awe of all the work you've done. We've been in our small flat 10 years and there are still a few corners that need doing up. You've inspired me to tackle them during the next school break. Take good care of yourself :-)

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  18. Anonymous4.10.21

    Wonderful!

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  19. BRAVO BRAVO BRAVO! Now all the good wine and treats!

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  20. Anonymous5.10.21

    Wow! What a transformation! You've done an amazing job on the whole flat. You are such an inspiration! xxx

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  21. Just lovely! ❤️

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  22. Everything about it is so fresh and simple. I love the rag rug especially. I am sure you and your family will have many happy meals here. Thanks for sharing. PS: for what it is worth, I inherited my grandmothers glassware and she made me promise I would always store it right side up. The rim is the most delicate part and the base is more topheavy, so it is safest to store it the way you use it...right side up. passing along granny wisdom.

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  23. Anonymous7.10.21

    I'm in awe!

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  24. it's so beautiful

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  25. Anonymous17.10.21

    Where did you get the lovely plug-in light that hangs above the table?

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  26. Why is it that even the “before” pictures in the UK always look 10x more lovely than most “finished” kitchens, with their yucky oak cabinets and granite countertops, here in the US? It’s lovely, Artemis, and the perfect canvas for a fresh start.

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  27. Artemis,
    You recently popped up somehow on my computer. There have been many life changes, and I had inadvertently lost track of you several years ago. It felt like finding an old friend. ♥️ I see things have changed for you, too. I hope you and your adorable children are doing well. Your calming, gentle style still brings me joy and I look forward to following you again. I wish you well, sweet girl.

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    1. Thank you! Yes lots of changes have happened in the last few years, but we are all okay. I hope you are okay too? take care and thank you for following me x

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