Thank you for all the great comments on my post yesterday!
Y’all were cracking me up about my big girl panties!
Some of you encouraged me to put them on and get busy.
Some of you told me to hike ‘em up get ‘er done!
And one of you even asked to borrow them….awkward! 
(You know who you are!)
Well, I decided that not only am I going to paint them, but I am going to take some of them down!
Yep! I unscrewed those babies, and took them off the wall!
I am planning on making and installing café shelves on both sides of the window.
I am going to make ones like I did for my previous kitchen, but they will be white.
![IMG_2911_thumb[2]](http://www.beneathmyheart.net/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/IMG_2911_thumb2.jpg "IMG_2911_thumb[2]")
You can see the tutorial HERE.
So here is what my kitchen looked like last night…
And tonight it looks like this…
Here it is from the other side last night…
And now…
It already looks so much bigger and brighter! I cannot wait to see it with the shelves.
I have been pinning a bunch of pictures on Pinterest of kitchens with open shelves. Here are some of my favorite…
I love the white shelves and the gray/blue cabinets on the bottom in this one….
The picture below gets me excited about decorating my shelves for Christmas…
LOVE the painted bead board behind the open shelves in the picture below….
And the farmhouse sink!….
Isn’t that lantern gorgeous?! This kitchen is so crisp and clean!…
If you would like to see the sources for these pictures, click HERE.
If you are not on Pinterest but would like to be, put your email address in the comment section, and I will send you an “invite”.
You can follow me on Pinterest HERE.
Lastly, here is a very raw video of removing the kitchen cabinets.
(It seems that someone always leaves a comment about my “accent”. I didn’t realize it was so thick. Glad I can make y’all laugh! Love ya!)
Traci, you can come up with some of the best ideas. I really got excited too when I saw the one decorated for Christmas. Classic but cottagy! I’m going to check you out on pinterest, I’ve been following your sister on a couple of her boards.
I love your blog and am going to check you out on pinterest and I also want to get on pinterest. Can you send me an invite! Thanks!
So what do you do about that area in the corner? Just curious! I know it’s going to look fabulous.
I would love an invite to Pinterest! I love following your blog and your sisters too!
Traci, I love the one with the beadboard and farm sink! It’s fabulous! Another thought….any interest or possibility in making 2 larger windows above the sink for the extra light you were wanting??
awesome. JUST awesome! can’t wait to see!!!!!!!!!
I follow you on Pinterest and I’ve been seeing all these ideas you’ve been pinning and wondering what you were up to. I think that is going to really open it up, brighten it up and look sooo good!
Have so much fun!
It’s going to look so amazing! I can’t wait! You have me wanting to take some of my cabinets down now too! Have fun!
This looks great already! I love the inspiration pic with the painted bead board behind the shelves-brave woman to take all of those cabinets down- I wish I could do that in my kitchen but I’d lose ALL of my storage! Looks like your heading in the right direction-can’t wait to see the resukts!
Such a brave person you are! I was just talking to our friend who is going to spray my cabinet doors! You have really motivated me to get this done!
I’m already on pinterest but I’m going to check yours out now!
I stumbled on you blog completely by accident about 6 weeks ago. I am having so much fun watching your progress and reading about your past projects. Wow, y’all are a family of worker bees. You must be so proud of your crew. Can’t wait to watch the addition come along. I’m sure the kitchen will be fabulous when you are done.
very exciting!!
good luck.
How exciting! Those shelves are going to look fantastic! Just a little note though, if you put your logo on someone else’s photo you could get in trouble big time for copyright infringement. Even if you found it on pinterest and you are just blog stamping… just thought I’d let you know, I’d hate to see you get in trouble for something like that. Can’t wait to see the results!
Hi, I’m a new follower and I LOVE your blog. I just gave you a Versatile Blogger Award over at Love of Homes. Please stop by and see who else got the award & maybe become one of my newest followers. Thanks! Sally
You GO, girl!!!
Can’t wait to see the end result which I know will be fabulous.
I started reading your blog right about the time you finished your kitchen in your old house. I remember thinking, “WOW…she and her husband did that, by themselves?” :)
You’ve got great vision! Once I saw what you were up to, I could totally see how it will transform your space!! BTW, you’ve got an Adam too? My Adam is the sweetest boy…anyway, can’t wait to see what you do!
Becky B.
http://www.organizingmadefun.com
Organizing Made Fun
Those big girl panties must be very inspirational because the kitchen is already looking better.
Traci
I have dark cabinets in my kitchen. I’m going to be *paying attention* because I think that removing some cabinets would lighten up my kitchen a lot. Here’s a picture of my kitchen before we painted the woodwork white. I always thought it would be good to take down the cabinet to the left of the sink .
Dixie’s Kitchen
Have fun with your remodel. I love your beginning.
Dixie
This is going to look so good. I’m impressed that you are taking this all on yourself while your hubby is working on the new addition! Have you thought about making the space feel more open by removing the soffit? That probably gets into more construction than you are planning on. But I couldn’t help but think it would open things up. I can’t wait to see your open shelving! This is going to look so good! I look at my cabinets and in my head I redo them, but I never have the guts to get in there and just do it. So you are an inspiration for me!! :)
Yay, I would love to be on Pinterest! Thanks for the offer. I am so excited to see what you do with your kitchen.
I would love an invite !!!!!
Your off to a great start! I look forward to seeing the transformation.
YOU GO GIRL! <3
You have INSPIRED me!!!
And I have requested an invite to Pinterest. WOOHOO! :)
You just amaze me. I have been wanting to paint my cabinets in my office nook forever. I guess I need the old “Big Girl Panties” also. You inspire me. Love the idea of the shelves in your kitchen, can’t wait to see them. I would love an invite to Pinterest also. Thank you.
Brooke
Wow, aweseom! It’s a great idea and I can’t wait to see how it opens your kitchen!
We removed the soffit when we remodeled our kitchen this summer and I love how open it now feels. We didn’t put the new cabinets up to the ceiling and instead have about 10″-12″ of open space about the cabinets (can you say “accessories?” :) I think the white beadboard on the wall would look awesome and you wouldn’t have to prep/patch/sand the walls! I’m excited to see more. You’re off to a great start!
I would love an invite to Pinterest, please! Thank you, Traci! You are such an encouragement and inspiration! lindsaymarie84(at)bellsouth(dot)net
I want to do the same thing! I’ve already told Jim how I want the cupboards rearranged, but the lower cabinets will have to be moved also–only because I want the stove moved over away from the wall.
It’s going to look fantastic when you’re finished!
Oh my gosh! We almost have the same kitchen! ha! Come over my house and help me! hee hee!
Love your blog (and your accent) –I find so much inspiration here. I would love to do my kitchen like the one with the beadboard and farm sink–love it! I can’t wait to see what you decide to do with your kitchen! I would love an invite to Pinterest: gtlacroix(at)gmail(dot)com
Many thanks!
How do I follow you on Pinterest? Thanks! :) <3
You are doing exactly what I want to do in my kitchen. Thanks so much for the inspiration and giving me the courage to go for it!
I really like the different two colors on the cabinets in one of the pictures above. The ones with gray on the bottom and white on top although I also like all white. In the Chicago area, you rarely see white cabinets. They are very pretty and “southern.” I have to ask: What is that on your ceiling in the kitchen? It is very not Tracey, I dare say. Can’t wait to see how it all turns out!
hahah Awkward! Your kitchen will look amazing when all the had work is done! It is so hard to get over that first hurdle though!
I can’t wait to see your new open shelving…. I don’t think I’m that brave…errr…organized and tidy! :) However, I love, love the eye candy, especially the Christmas kitchen. I just hung a wreath above my sink, in the window and I’m loving it! I went to bring you a picture of it and realized that I have yet to blog about it…my kitchen is still pretty ugly so the world is not missing much. :)
what in the world. dang google. It did not have me as following you. Well, I am your newest old follower. goodness.
I have been trying to get invited to Pinterest. Please invite me. ostermillerb@bellsouth.net. Love your blog. I read it every day.
I love the idea of the shelves. I totally understand having to work yourself into the mode of getting it done. I have to do that for cleaning the bathrooms sometimes. : ) I would love an invite to Pinterest. My email is shdouglas(dot)family(at)gmail(dot)com. Thanks so much!
It’s going to look awesome! I love before & afters :) That pin with the white and blue/gray on the bottom is my favorite!!!! Love it
I love the look of open shelving, but am I bit chicken about having them in my kitchen. I have kids and I am sure the dishes would never (hardly ever?) look neat and organized. Also, I live in CA and the thought of all those dishes coming crashing down from open shelves during an earthquake makes me think twice. But heck, maybe I’ll take the cabinets down one of these days and just hang artwork (if I can find a place for the displaced dishes and glassware). I would at least like to do it around the sink.
I’m just getting into reno and redo for my house. I was thinking I could just follow your pictures I love the same style. It’d be nice to have my own Pinterest page. Please send me an invite. kimbstamps at hotmail dot com Thanks for sharing all your hardwork!
How amazing! I love your tutorials! As you progress, could you please also go into detail in re to the lighting, as you mentioned the possibility of adding can lighting, and ? in re to the light currently over your sink? My home was built in 1967, and I have an over the sink light, just like yours, a square or rectangular box, with a cover, and a single light bulb that sits in it horizontally–so will be so interested in what you do with your lighting, and how your shelving will look as well. Ditto re your dark cupboards-as I also have dark cupboards which I have considered painting as well. My kitchen is much smaller than yours, but your ideas are super, for anyone to consider.
Absolutely love your blog and posts in re to family. I believe you bring great joy, peace, and love to many-as well as motivation and great ideas, all shared with a servant’s heart-much needed in our society today.
Thanks again-and will look forward to your continued adventures and journey!
I would love a pinterest invite, thanks! What great work so far, I think the open shelves are a great idea to make the space look bigger, and your inspiration rooms are great, your kitchen is sure to be amazing!
Please send me an invite to Pinterest. When I see an email from you, it’s the first one I look at.
I LOVE that you are putting the shelves there! It is going to look amazing! You are my hero! I can’t wait to see the final results!
I love your remodels!! GO girl! I would also love an invite;) thanks.
Your bravery in the face of a perilous kitchen cabinet redo is truly inspiring! Thanks for sharing your adventure — your blog awesome. I would love an invitation to Pinterest if you wouldn’t mind!
I am very impressed! I can’t wait to see the progress. You have some beautiful sources of inspiration. I’d love an invite to pinterest. My email is thehineshouse@sbcglobal.net
Sharon
p.s.
You are my inspiration!
Can’t wait to get my project inspiration from Pinterest.
Do you know yet if your going to paint the wall behind your shelves or do beadboard? I have to say, after looking at the pics you posted I’m LOVING the beadboard!! Way to show all your men that GIRLS ROCK too ;)
You are so brave! I have an area that I am considering for open shelves, but the dusting and keeping straight is holding me back. I love your ideas, and would love an invite to Pinterest. lcb58@yahoo.com
Many, many thanks!!!
No wonder you needed some big girl panties!! My goodness! This is going to look FABULOUS!!!
Yeah, Eli! :)
Your kitchen looks so different already – good different, I’m a get my BGP’s on and figure out my colours! BTW – are you going to do a window treatment at all?
Love what you are doing to your kitchen – unfortunately my dark cabinets are not worth painting or reusing, so am looking at a total kitchen remodel. Your inspiration pics are just the look I’m going for. Would love an invite to Pinterest so I can follow you there.
I’m so excited for you Traci – getting to remodel a new house and make it just the way you want. It’s what we all dream of! Your kitchen is well on its way and I just can’t wait to “pin” it when it’s all done!
xoxo,
Kim
I would love an invite to Pininterest. My email is lmeakes@umich.edu Thanks so much
hi traci, i love your blog! i always wanted to change up my cupboards with open shelves but i always got discouraged because i’m thinking everything would get super dusty…is this something you think about?? also, i’d love to paint my cupboards but they’re laminate….do you know how i could go about painting over them or what i should do? thanks and can’t wait to see your kitchen!!
Traci,
Yes, please, send me an invite! angie@creativityltd.com
Traci, I know you’ve prob had someone else mention this to you (I haven’t read all the other comments), but have you thought about taking out that bump out above the cabinets on the wall below the ceiling (does that make sense)? If you’re just putting the cabinets back up, it’d give you a display area right above them(yay!). I don’t know what you think about that, but just thought I’d give you my 2 cents. When are you going to have them down again in the future? ;)
Love your blog…and your ideas! Please send me an invite for Pininterest!
Yes, I would like an invite to Pinterest! Thanks so much! Blessings and success as you tackle the cabinets!
Hi Tracy! I’d love to get onto pinterest! lkvandemark@yahoo.com. I love your blog and all your ideas! Can’t wait to see how the kitchen and rest of the house come along!
I would love an invite for pinterest! I have been requesting one from the site forever with no response. Love all the ideas on your blog! Thanks for your inspiration.