Four years ago, we started our farmhouse kitchen renovation – hence the farmhouse kitchen tour coming to you right now! For the past four years, we'e been ripping, sanding, painting, tiling, installing, and (dare I confess) weeping from fatigue.
But we did it. Pinching pennies in parts and splurging in others (hello, Lacanche), the result is deeply personal. One of the greatest compliments I've received about my kitchen was a friend who walked in and said “It couldn't be anyone's but yours.”
Exactly.
If you'd like to take a video tour of the kitchen, you can watch my cottage kitchen tour below:
For too many photographs of said kitchen, keep scrolling down.
(What else is a girl to do when it's 103 degrees outside?)
This kitchen is built around my needs, my size, my priorities, and my design aesthetic. Many may have opted for an easier to clear floor (terra cotta tile is many things, easy to clean is not one of them) or a different type of countertop (I'm a sucker for wood). Still – it is ours. And I am deeply grateful for the hours (and hours and HOURS) I spend in it.
Come along on the farmhouse kitchen tour with me! You'll notice that cheesemaking while the cow's graze the pastures is in full-force around here, as are the summer fruits and flowers. So it goes. (PS: If you'd like to pickle recipe from the photo below, you can check that out right here.)
Lest you think it's all gravy on our farmhouse kitchen tour, there is still ONE ENTIRE corner of the kitchen to finish up. The stairs down to the root cellar need to be sheet-rocked, wallpapered, and patched to sit flush with the other walls. I've decided to save up, hire a handy-man, and allow him to polish off this last corner. Dare I say – I think Stu has had enough kitchen projects for his lifetime. (PS: Can't you see another beautiful chandelier hanging over the root cellars stairs with that wallpaper in the background? Swoon!)
It brings tears to me eyes (is it just me getting older or are my hormones changing? Mama be weepy a lot these days…) to see the life and progress of this space. A farmhouse kitchen tour may seem simple, but it's anything but (as any DIYers can attest to). Right now the sun is so bright and hot coming in it's windows that we have to draw the tobacco-cloth curtains from mid-morning to sunset. The cupboards are constantly filled with dirty vegetables, still warm from the garden. But in just a few short months, there will be firewood stacked by the (soon to be) newly-piped in Jotul range and the creeping Virginia that drapes in front of the windows will be the deepest shade of Crimson.
Bring it on. I'm hungry for it all!
And Amen.
Carol
You always inspire me even though I am 67 years old! I Just love what you are doing on your homestead and and in your organic garden. I know it’s not always as easy as you make it look but I also know it is your passion and it shows in every episode! I have watched all of the episodes and some twice. You are a breath of fresh air..thank you!
Meme Hammonds
Your kitchen is lovely! Very old world
Lisa
So many of our home improvement projects have been peeling it all back to expose the past!
Of course you can cry, you are a gracious beautiful old soul!!
Your family home is warm and beautiful!
Thank you for sharing!!
deborah wilson
I watched your video this morning having coffee on my porch, was just able to look at photos. It looks like just what you were going for. I think a French look and I love the range and floor. I don’t know how you and Stew do it all but I really enjoy watching. Of course you can cry, Im just trying to keep up and its hard but at the end of the day or by 5 ha I have my wine grill with my husband and lab and look at all the hard work and the watering I thought I never get finished along with seemed like a million other things and I am happy. I still watch your first video every morning where the door opens and I hear chickens with my coffee on my porch. Ha makes me happy .I have one of your books looking to get more. love it all
Nadine M Dillard
Shaye, your kitchen is stunning! I absolutely love watching and listening to you! You and your family are beautiful!
With Love,
The Dillards
Sharon Opsal
I loved your kitchen tour! Thank you so much!
carrie king
Wow. Absolutely inspired design!!! How soulful! How delightful! Beautiful and yet noone will be afraid to live their best lives in this kitchen. Talk about timeless.
I love love love the different walls, the colors, the light, the textures—it is so totally creative!
I watched the Youtube video, went to Instagram and there weren’t any posts, came to the blog am here looking at the stills and what…wait…did you just say podcast???!??? OMW
Cheers!
Kimberly
I absolutely love the built-in shelves that you uncovered! I have a question that I haven’t seen anyone else ask. It’s been on my mind ever since I first saw those shelves quite some time back. The shelves aren’t as deep as the space is, so what’s behind the shelves? Is there another set of shelves behind the ones facing the kitchen on the way down the stairs? I’m from New England and grew up in and around very old Victorian farmhouses. They always have the best nooks and crannies and secret little closets here and there. They’re my favorite style, and very similar in certain architecture and decor to your French style. So much fun!
Cate
Every time I see your kitchen wallpaper (which I love), I think of Van Gogh’s Starry Night painting. It’s beautiful and looks like a masterpiece on your wall.
Jackie
I wanted to ask about your pans, did you have to resurface the inside to be used again?
Hilary
So unique and wonderful! I love the wood walls and tile floors, along with so many other things.
jennifer
I love your design and individuality, it makes it special to you, Looks like home.
Resa Files
This is hands down the best video I’ve seen. Couple of questions. What are some of your sources for your beautiful collection of copper and any good suggestions as I begin my own? And THAT OVEN!!!! Have you had any problems with it and if so whats the service/repair situation like? One more. I follow a YouTube channel titled, Homesteady and recently they have encountered a dreadful situation with their beloved family Jersey milk cow…?Johnnes disease? So I looked at other sites I follow that keep milk cows for years and don’t see that with their situation. It seems, in the literature, to be pervasive. Makes me wonder about commercial dairy production. Frequent, diligent testing is what this family practiced and one of those recently came back positive, with their cow being ?4-5 years old, having calved twice, I think. What has been your experience.? They had the previous owners paperwork of their history of testing since the cow’s earliest years. In reading, I find less than honest sellers can be indiscreet about some of that paperwork being absent. Your thoughts?
Lynda
Nice! Very European and functional. Love the walllpaper and that range.
Pat Held
I love everything about your kitchen. Reminds me of some of my relatives kitchens, old farmhouses in Louisiana. Thanks for sharing with us
Phyllis Jobe
Love your Kitchen.
Patty Hirsch
hello I love watching all the love you put into your home what an inspiration for everyone. Embracing the past is so vital something many have forgotten.
Could you tell me about the wallpaper in your kitchen the blue with yellow flowers?
Sincerely,
Patty
Eva
Your kitchen it gorgeous! I am curious about the wall cover. Is it stenciled or wallpaper? How do you protect it behind the stove or other areas where it may get dirty. I finished my kitchen 8 years ago but have never settled on what to do with the wall between the countertop and upper cabinets. Thank you.
Nora Kline
Thank you. I have learned to be in love with my ordinary life.
Nora 🙂
Katie Murrey
Can you tell us where the wall paper came from ?
Cristina Caraza
Hi ! What a lovely kitchen you created warm n cozy. You mention a link to the Knifes . I went looking for the information but couldn’t find it would you mind letting us know we’re to purchase n brand please. I be looking forward to more of The Elliott Homestade thank you .
JANET RICHARDSON
How has your cooking changed, and the amount of times you have to go down the stairs to the walk-in refrigerator when you added the two refrigerator drawers? What makes the most sense to store in the drawers if ones refrigerator is elsewhere?
Amy Everhart
Absolutely beautiful old world kitchen! Thank you for sharing.. I would love to know more about your wall paper and counters.. how did you find your beautiful materials?
Thank you!
Amy
Melissa
SAME!!
“Wow. Absolutely inspired design!!! How soulful! How delightful! Beautiful and yet noone will be afraid to live their best lives in this kitchen. Talk about timeless.
I love love love the different walls, the colors, the light, the textures—it is so totally creative!
I watched the Youtube video, went to Instagram and there weren’t any posts, came to the blog am here looking at the stills and what…wait…did you just say podcast???!??? OMW”