Better Homes and Gardens Kitchen and Bath Makeovers Our Kitchen Project… The Story Behind the Story…

Several months ago I did a little post on a house that we flipped. The day I posted about this project I got a call from Meredith Publications field editor extraordinaire Bonnie Broten.  She said don’t post any more pictures of that kitchen on your blog I am going to submit it tomorrow.  She called me back a day later and said they want it!  Last October Bonnie and John Granen travelled to Salinas to photograph the kitchen. I posted about that here http://roughluxeperspective.blogspot.com/2013/10/our-project-has-been-selected-for.html.

The issue is out on newsstands now.  Locally you can find the issue at Star Market in Salinas and probably Home Depot etc.  This issue is chock full of ideas and inspiration for anyone contemplating a kitchen makeover on a limited budget. You can find our kitchen on page 54 of the issue.
 
The house was actually empty and ready to go on the market when Bonnie called.  This is the shot that caught Bonnie’s eye on my blog  here http://roughluxeperspective.blogspot.com/2013/08/new-project-update-kitchen-before-and.html.

This is what the kitchen looked like before the remodel

Here is the kitchen after being beautifully styled by Bonnie and photographed by the amazing John Granen.

John Granen for Kitchen & Bath Makeovers
When Bonnie received the photo shoot instructions from the Art Director they said they wanted to photograph this area as well ……eeeek!!

By the time Bonnie and John were to arrive the house was actually already on the market. I have gotten to know Bonnie pretty well the last couple years so she doesn’t  mince words with me anymore.  When she saw the picture of the kitchen she commented ” I am sure you have a refrigerator already installed by now, right”?  I said no, it is normally up to the future owner to purchase or bring their own.  She said what…you crazy Californians don’t put in refrigerators! So….Colin and Lauren emptied out their refrigerator and Steve and Colin hauled it over to the house.  The things one does for a photo shoot!! Note the empty hole below.

and with the substitute refrigerator below

John Granen for Better Homes and Gardens Kitchen & Bath Makeovers  
For the shoot Bonnie imagined a big table centered in the room. I gathered up things that I thought might work and fortunately Bonnie and I were on the same wavelength.  Here is what we came up with . The sign on the wall is actually a sign that my son and daughter in law created for my daughter’s wedding.  I posted about that here http://roughluxeperspective.blogspot.com/2013/06/three-weddings-and.html.

Bonnie loved the sign ( I thought maybe she was nuts putting it in, but of course she knew what she was doing).  Hence that was our starting off point. This is what the space looked like before the remodel.

This image below (actually not selected for the magazine) is the after shot.  The table is actually our dining table from the lake house. You can find all the resources for all of the new items in the article.  Bonnie imagined an iron chandelier similar in finish to the sphere pendants.  I asked my son Colin if he thought he could throw one together using old wine barrel hoops. I meant to bronze it up but we ended up liking it in it’s raw state.  Since we were selling the house John had us hold up the sign and he photo shopped it in later ( so there would be no nail holes).  Is he a great guy or what?

john granen for better homes and gardens kitchen and bath makeovers
Here is another photo that was not selected that really showcases the dynamic duo’s (Bonnie & John) work. They are truly amazing!

john granen for Better Homes and Gardens Kitchen and Bath Makeovers
I have so much I want to share with you but after being off work all last week I have to get busy! I will post on the latest photo shoot in my next post.