The day is finally here, my friends! I know I’ve been talking and talking endlessly about all of the updates we’ve been planning and working on over the past several months, and I am beyond thrilled to be sharing the first ‘reveal’ with you today! I know it’s not a complete overhaul, but I can tell you, with just a few simple changes and additions to this space, our traditional, ‘old-world-meets-modern’ kitchen is now at a completely different level of chic. Our new kitchen lighting and barstools, plus a vintage style rug add just the right amount character I’ve been looking for. As you already know, this past summer, we added a new brass faucet and new brass hardware (read more here), which completely changed the look in here! I also shared the previous ‘before and after’ of this space since we built our home nine years ago – you can see it here – there’s no question our kitchen and our home have undergone many ‘revisions’ since we first moved in, but that is part of what I do as a blogger and designer – I am always looking for ways to update and reinvent our home. Everyone’s tastes change, and style evolves constantly, and I am so grateful that I have a platform which allows me to work on our home and share it with all of you! I’ve been looking at changing out our lighting and barstools for quite a long time now. I loved our before, but the after is exactly what I had been envisioning – I couldn’t be happier! I hope you love these new changes as much as we do, and I would love to hear what you think in the comments below!
Before I begin, I want to extend a huge thank you to both Perigold and Wayfair, for partnering together with me to bring these gorgeous new changes to our space! While I’ve received product in exchange for writing this post, all selections, reviews and opinions are my very own. *Affiliate links are provided throughout, or at the bottom of this post for your shopping convenience – see my full disclosure policy here.
Table of Contents
OUR NEW KITCHEN ISLAND PENDANT LIGHTING
I want to start with the lighting over the island since it makes the biggest impact in the room. If you remember my post from last month, I shared the three different lighting styles that we were considering for this space (read it here), and although my photoshop mockups featured our final choice, it certainly didn’t do justice to the real thing! We chose these gorgeous, 4-light cone shade pendants by Hudson Valley Lighting, from Perigold, which are also available in a larger, 8-light size. I’m a big fan of over scale lighting, and almost chose the larger size, but in the end, I was nervous that two of them would be overwhelming, so we went with the smaller version instead. What I love most about these elegant and tailored pendants, is the brass detailing. Brass lighting was a must for me, and these have just the right amount of metal detailing to compliment all of the brass that we have going on in this space.
As many of you know, we’ve been working on some big changes in our home over the last several months – our kitchen being the first reveal, and our living and dining rooms are both about to be revealed in the coming weeks as well, and I am just so excited to share the changes with you! I’ve shared quite a few peeks on Instagram if you follow me over there, so you’ve seen some bits and pieces so far! I’ve partnered with Perigold on those two rooms as well, and I can tell you honestly, they have been absolutely ideal to work with. The selection is endless in any category you’re searching for, they offer a complimentary ‘concierge service’, which truly helped me with my selections, and their free, white-glove delivery service was amazing when they delivered our sofas and dining room table. I couldn’t be happier with the pieces we chose and the service they provided.
OUR BRASS GLOBE PENDANT SINK LIGHTING
Finding a single pendant to compliment the shade pendant lights was not as easy as you would think! I didn’t want to have another shade hanging here, that would have been overkill, but I knew I wanted something brass, and large enough in scale to make a statement. This gorgeous brass globe pendant light by Hinkley Lighting, also from Perigold, is the fourth generation of lighting that hangs over our sink in nine years, and I think I’ve finally found the right fit. One of the details that I really got excited about is the small little pointed tip that sits right above the dome – sorry I don’t know the technical term for it haha. It has a sort of Chinoiserie-esque detailing that reminds me of a Chinese pagoda. Perfect for all of my blue and white pieces that often play a role in our kitchen.
OUR CHINESE CHIPPENDALE BARSTOOLS
Ok – let’s talk about these fabulous Bayou Breeze 27″ barstools from Wayfair! They are as perfect as it gets in my opinion! You know I’ve had my eye on these particular ones since the summer (read about it here), and I’ve been talking about my love for Chinese Chippendale since I’ve been blogging! My aunt had the most gorgeous Chinese Chippendale kitchen set in her kitchen when I grew up, and I have loved it for many, many years. Because of my Aunt Jo, and that fabulous kitchen set of hers, I developed a love for this style when I was very small! She’s since changed her set, but kept the table for me, to take off her hands one day. Too bad the chairs aren’t around anymore though! They’d be perfect in our dining room with my new pieces that we chose. Which, by the way, we are working tirelessly on, so stay tuned for that reveal coming in the next few weeks!
OUR VINTAGE INSPIRED TURKISH RUG
The last piece I layered in this space is this fabulous Turkish style vintage-inspired rug. I had been looking and looking and looking for the right runner to use here, and I knew that I didn’t want to spend a lot of money, simply because I change rugs here quite often. Last week, I shared my dilemma between a runner and this larger, rectangular size option on Instagram, as well as here on the blog (see the two different sizes here), and I can’t get over the amount of feedback I received (mostly on IG) and how popular this rug has become as a seller already! As many of you know, you can purchase products through my links here on the blog as well as my LiketoKnow.it profile (which I link to my IG posts), and I don’t think I’ve ever seen something become such a hot item so fast. I can honestly tell you, the bang for the buck is worth every penny. For a very small amount of money, this beauty is perfect and will go with so many different styles. When I stumbled upon it, I knew I had to try it. I bought it from Wayfair, which is honestly one of my favorite online shopping destinations. I always find what I’m looking for, it’s so easy to navigate the site, and the customer service is excellent. My rug came the next day, which is amazing to me – I’ll take free and fast shipping over $49 US (or $75 CAD) anytime!
I’d really love know what you think of all of our updates, tell me your favorite part! I’m not sure I can pick just one to tell you the truth. They feel like the perfect package to me.
Thank you so much for taking the tour with me, as always, I love to have you here and am grateful for your time! Do you love our new kitchen lighting and barstools as much as we do? What about the rug, would you go for this style in your kitchen, or another room in your home? When I get the guts, I’ll share our laundry room too, so you can see how fabulous the runner looks in there. Stay tuned for my living room and dining room reveals coming very soon! xo
Lisa
November 6, 2018 at 9:16 PM (2 years ago)Oh my goodness Tamara, I love the new look in your kitchen! Those pendant lights over your island are gorgeous! It’s a beautiful modern touch mixed with that new rug…so chic! Love your updates!
tamaraanka
November 6, 2018 at 9:20 PM (2 years ago)Lisa, thank you SO MUCH!! That means so much to me coming from you, my friend! I’m thrilled you like it all! We are in love with everything!! xo
Elizabeth Schaefer
March 15, 2019 at 4:45 PM (2 years ago)Hi! I love your hurricane sconces in the kitchen. Do you mind sharing where you bought them? Desperate to find these for our kitchen update!
Reva
November 6, 2018 at 9:19 PM (2 years ago)I love, love, love the updates. I am always thinking of changes and my taste evolves as well. I do agree. They all tie in perfectly. I am so glad you went with the natural bar stools. I think the ivory ones would have gotten lost. I actually like your hood. I think if there was some way to add a little brass to it, that would be awesome. If not, your kitchen is just perfect.
tamaraanka
November 6, 2018 at 9:24 PM (2 years ago)Thank you, Reva!! I’m so happy you like everything! We are just over the moon with it all! We think link!! Adding brass to our hood is something I’ve talked about for a long time too, and definitely a quicker and less expensive update! Thank you for stopping by to day hi! xo
Tracey
November 7, 2018 at 12:09 AM (2 years ago)These little changes are so dramatic! The island colour stands out so much with those stunning chairs and the lighting and gold touches all are perfect with that rug. I love the new sleek look. Little touches that make the room look like a huge overhaul are the best!!
tamaraanka
November 7, 2018 at 8:22 AM (2 years ago)Aren’t they though?! It’s amazing what small changes can do! I’m is glad you love it all too! You will have to come and see it in person!! xo
Dana
November 7, 2018 at 7:54 AM (2 years ago)I love it!!! So beautiful and chic. I am such a fan of the way you pull things together. I realize you don’t spend a fortune; but it looks like it. That takes talent and taste. It’s funny your home never appears sterile, which some of the blogs I follow do even though it is streamline, chic, and not to mention supper clean. LOL, Thank you for such lovely inspiration!
tamaraanka
November 7, 2018 at 8:21 AM (2 years ago)Dana, thank you!! That truly means a lot to me that you would say that, I’m very humbled :) I definitely don’t like to spend too much money! Sometimes you need to, depending on what you’re changing, but the key is to invest it in the right places! I really appreciate your support and your kind words, thank you for following along with me! xo
terry
November 7, 2018 at 1:46 PM (2 years ago)Tam it all came together so flawlessly and has such a chic look to it all….
You’re tireless search paid off and it just looks stunning…
Ill be over soon get the wine ready …!xo
tamaraanka
November 7, 2018 at 2:41 PM (2 years ago)Thanks Ter!! I’m in love with it all, it really feels so different in here! So happy you love it too!! xo
Jessy
November 8, 2018 at 2:50 PM (2 years ago)Another fabulous post! Talk about a transformation. It looks like a completely new kitchen, and those stools are a dream.
Liena
November 8, 2018 at 2:53 PM (2 years ago)WOW! These changes are so nice and make your kitchen look so much bigger.
Gorgeous! Great job Tamara as usual.
Ann McAndrews
November 8, 2018 at 5:20 PM (2 years ago)What color of stain did you use on your hickory floors?
Lana Cass
November 9, 2018 at 10:49 AM (2 years ago)Hi, your kitchen updates are fabulous! You did a great job. I purchased your rug from Wayfair and unfortunately it had way too much turquoise and baby blue and didn’t work at all for my home. It was going under newly upholstered navy velvet wing backs on dark walnut wood floor. Keep the updates coming!!
Patti
December 30, 2018 at 9:30 PM (2 years ago)I love the brass updates! Do u have brass door knobs in your home. We have pewter. Can I still update my own kitchen with brass!
tamaraanka
January 2, 2019 at 6:51 PM (2 years ago)Thank you so much! Yes, you absolutely can! We just updated to brass, but only because we really wanted the change! Mixing metals is totally fine! Thank you for popping in!
Jamie
March 21, 2019 at 7:49 PM (2 years ago)Gorgeous! What color white is on your walls?!
Kas
June 26, 2019 at 10:12 PM (2 years ago)Your kitchen is beautiful! I just discovered your blog and I’m currently gorging myself on your wonderful style. :)
Can you please share what paint colors you used on your cabinets and island? We just had our backsplash updated and the cabinets are next, and those are the exact shades I’ve been picturing in my mind!
tamaraanka
June 27, 2019 at 8:12 AM (2 years ago)Hi Kenna! Thank you so much for your very kind words! Our cabinets came as they are, we didn’t choose a paint color! They were the only ivory and black options available at the time! I hope you can find what you’re looking for! xo
Kas
June 29, 2019 at 1:41 AM (2 years ago)Thanks so much for responding, I really appreciate it. :) Who knew picking shades of ivory & black could be so daunting! Lol
Melissa
March 23, 2020 at 2:49 PM (1 year ago)Your kitchen is BEAUTIFUL! What color paint did you use on your kitchen island?
tamaraanka
March 24, 2020 at 8:20 AM (1 year ago)Thank you very much! When we built our home 10 years ago, we requested black and it was the only black they had! I don’t have the color name unfortunately! I wish I did!