Walk-In Pantry Reveal

Sometimes I don’t know what my problem is.  I started this project last year in April, and I fully intended on finishing it last year in April.  But I didn’t.  And then summer came. And went. And it was still unfinished.  And I’m not going to lie, this project was the start (and end) or many a heated discussion between my husband and I.  So I made a promise last fall to finish it up over winter break.  And I held up my end of the deal and it was completed before I went back to school in January.  And here it is May and I’m finally getting around to telling you about it.  Sorry about that.

Anyway, maybe you remember how it all started.  If not, here’s a quick peek at the room we used to affectionately call “the nook.”  

It was full of ugly linoleum, sucky lighting, and awful curtains.  Not to mention a too small table shoved into an even too smaller space.  So when we refinished our dining room we no longer needed to eat in the nook.  And so it sat for months, waiting for someone to take initiative.  And then I started by ripping out the floors.  And just as quickly, I realized that I might have bitten off more than I could chew.

And that’s where I left you.  Mean wasn’t it.  Making you wait for a year to see the final product.  But that’s reality.  I am just one woman, and I have three kids and a full time job.  Sometimes it takes me a year to finish a project.  That’s okay though, the end result.  WORTH IT.

I bet you want to see it now don’t you.  I would if I were you.  I mean initially I just stood and stared at it. Long lingering glances across the kitchen.  Awkward. Here she is, in all her glory!

See that beautiful stenciled wall hiding behind the shelves?  I used the same technique in here (same paint and all) as I did in my master bedroom.  I love the effect this Royal Design Stencil gives, it reminds me of a trellis climbing my pantry wall.

I also decided on a dark stain for the floors.  It doesn’t match the rest of the floors in my house (yet), but I love the look.  I went with Rustoleum’s Kona stain from Home Depot.  I also covered the stained wood with three coats of a floor poly.  Just to be safe, you know, with three kids and all.

Those shelves are garage storage shelves from Home Depot.  I scored both of them for about $140.  Get yours (affiliate link) HERE. Old glass jars make everything look fancier and more put together.  Seriously, start saving those old pickle/spaghetti sauce jars.  You’ll be vintage chic in no time. Rolling can storage?  Of course!  I bought two originally, and I totally didn’t need to.  One was more than enough and I’ve never needed more than this.  Plus it went together in about 5 minutes. Get yours (affiliate link) HERE. Now I have to say I have the best friends a girl could ask for.  These awesome vintage metal locket baskets came from my girl Erin.  I am sure you can find some out there for sale.  Maybe (affiliate links coming) these, these or these suit you?  And that vintage scale.  My friend Kerry’s grandma moved recently and she snagged that thing for me.  Like she saw this rusty, chipped old scale and thought to herself, “Ashley would love this.”  See what I mean about the best.  I love them!! These pictures.  Oh my!  One day my nanny let my (then 4 year old) play around with the camera on her phone.  And she took these photos. Amazing right?  I simply printed them off as 8×10’s and stuck them on a clipboard.  Easy peasy.  And she loves showing them off as hers to every single person who comes to our house.