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Thursday, June 28, 2012

I Finally Got The Courage!

Our new green kitchen is still evolving.
I'm tweaking it here and there after living with the final reveal for a few months.
You know, things just come to you in the middle of the night!

For example:  The doors...

This cabinet has beautiful leaded glass doors!
I kept asking myself why would I take perfectly good doors, freshly painted and store them in the garage?

Because when the doors were re-installed, I "lost" the dish display I worked so hard on.

I found myself leaving the doors open all day, kind of experimenting with the look of open shelving and getting up the courage to take them off.

One day, I just did it.
Oh, and it felt good, too!
Yes, there will have to be a small repair where the hinges were, but I love seeing my dishes on display.
I kept the doors on the other glass cabinets across the room, but I'll admit that I gave it serious thought to remove them too!

BEFORE

AFTER

What do you think?

I'm still working on the window covering, and the corbels for the range hood.
I'll keep you posted....


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45 comments:

  1. Marty@A Stroll Thru LifeJune 28, 2012 at 8:26 AM

    Looks fabulous. This spot is perfect for open shelves in your kitchen. Very pretty. Hugs, Marty

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  2. KifusJune 28, 2012 at 8:29 AM

    Your shelf display is so lovely it should definitely be visible!

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  3. UnknownJune 28, 2012 at 8:51 AM

    Love it! I think it looks much better that way.

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  4. Jan HermannJune 28, 2012 at 8:52 AM

    OH, I love the doors and all their beauty...but you were right in removing them...the display adds so much to that area!!

    Jan ♥

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  5. AT HOME BLOGJune 28, 2012 at 9:08 AM

    It's beautiful! :-) I like it a lot!
    kisses

    Etta

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  6. Tricia Rose Rough LinenJune 28, 2012 at 9:09 AM

    Yes, it is better Delores.

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  7. Penny from Enjoying The Simple ThingsJune 28, 2012 at 9:30 AM

    It looks wonderful with the doors off. Your kitchen redo is beautiful.

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  8. SusanJune 28, 2012 at 10:02 AM

    Love it!! Your kitchen is beautiful.
    Susan

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  9. Nita StacyJune 28, 2012 at 10:05 AM

    Love it with the doors off. It opens the room right up and love seeing the display. I did this in my own kitchen a few years ago....I debated it for several months..like you leaving the doors open and one day I said..."They have to go." I will never put them back on. It helped my little kitchen look more open sooooo much! I too would like to open up another one....but I really need to store things somewhere....I can't have all my cabinets just for display....that said...I still may do it because it really makes such a huge difference in how the kitchen looks.

    Love your kitchen!

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  10. Elizabeth@ Pine Cones and AcornsJune 28, 2012 at 10:13 AM

    It looks fabulous! I love it!

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  11. AnonymousJune 28, 2012 at 11:44 AM

    As much as I love your beautiful leaded glass doors, I do love the 'without' look the best! What a lovely kitchen and I really like your green.
    be a sweetie,
    Shelia ;)

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  12. AntiqueChaseJune 28, 2012 at 11:53 AM

    I like it better now. either way it was gorgeous but much more "touchable" now!

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  13. MonicaJune 28, 2012 at 1:52 PM

    This comment has been removed by the author.

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  14. BabsJune 28, 2012 at 1:54 PM

    Normally,I'm not much of an open shelving person since I'm so messy, but I actually really like yours, especially because it's above your coffee area. It works perfectly there and makes the area more open.
    Babs

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  15. MonicaJune 28, 2012 at 1:54 PM

    I love your blog! So glad i found it!!

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  16. LindaJune 28, 2012 at 2:26 PM

    It looks lovely! The doors are pretty too though. I think you just have the touch...and an eye for beauty and design!

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  17. mikkyJune 28, 2012 at 2:56 PM

    I think it looks fantastic without the doors (like others I agree that the doors are pretty) it gives the room a more open, fresh feeling. One little idea I though you could do is wallpaper the back of the shelves maybe, I`m not sure if it will look to busy though. You did a great job with your display - I like the pop of red in the glasses.
    :)
    mikky
    www.todaloos.com

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  18. ℳartina @ Northern NestingJune 28, 2012 at 2:58 PM

    Love it without the doors!! You can see your pretty display so much better now!

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  19. carolyn bradfordJune 28, 2012 at 5:01 PM

    Oh, I love it!!! I probably need to do this in my kitchen as well! It's hard for me to make changes in my own home but I promise you I think it looks amazing and I'm so glad you posted it for us to see!

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  20. kim @ whitebarnbasicsJune 28, 2012 at 7:24 PM

    I will agree with everyone else...love the doors off! They are beautiful doors (could you use them for something else?) But your arangement is beautiful as well!

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  21. MarlisJune 28, 2012 at 7:58 PM

    ooh that had to be hard to remove those beautiful doors. But I do like the area now without them. You style everything to beautifully that it makes sense! have a blessed weekend, xo marlis

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  22. SarahJune 28, 2012 at 8:53 PM

    Looks fabulous! Those doors are close by should you change your mind, but for now ENJOY the full view!
    ~ Sarah

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  23. Mary Ann PickettJune 28, 2012 at 11:05 PM

    Your title of the post is really catchy!!!

    I lIke it!

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  24. Fabulously FrenchJune 29, 2012 at 12:18 AM

    Love the transformation! A small change can make such a big difference :-)

    Leeann x

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  25. Burlap LuxeJune 29, 2012 at 1:41 AM

    Awwwww! Beautiful Delores, you know How I so lové your home.

    Xox
    Dore

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  26. KimJune 29, 2012 at 5:53 AM

    I think I LOVE IT! Delores you have the perfect kitchen for open shelving. I'm glad you took the plunge. I say go for it!
    xoxo,
    Kim

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  27. Pinky at Designs by PinkyJune 29, 2012 at 7:30 AM

    When I first saw the GORGEOUS leaded glass cabinets I thought how can she take them off??? But then when I saw it all open, it is perfect! I NEVER would have thought to take those doors off. So glad you did!!!! Now you have me rethinking my new kitchen:):) XO, Pinky

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  28. Libby June 29, 2012 at 8:01 AM

    Oh yes, very nice Delores! Great either way...those doors are wonderful...but this does open it up. Maybe just more inviting this way?
    Have a nice weekend!

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  29. AnonymousJune 29, 2012 at 8:06 AM

    Well, I certainly love the glass doors but since it's not like you're getting rid of them permanently. I like the open shelf idea with the lovely vignette. I'd go with it!

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  30. KarenJune 29, 2012 at 8:43 AM

    Delores,
    I love the doors but think it looks great without...the good news is you can change it up as the mood strikes. Your kitchen turned out so well.
    Karen

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  31. KarenaJune 29, 2012 at 9:34 AM

    Delores I do love your glass doors, however to best show your lovely vignette I like that you took them off!

    xoxo
    Karena
    Art by Karena

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  32. AnonymousJune 29, 2012 at 9:53 AM

    I love the open shelves!!

    Is there somewhere else that the leaded glass doors would fit?? They are so pretty!

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  33. VictoriaJune 29, 2012 at 10:21 AM

    It looks beautiful, Delores. I know exactly what you were going through. I spent days arranging my china in the new breakfront in my kitchen before the doors were installed. It looked perfect. Then the doors went on and I had to rearrange everything. I liked it better without the doors, but I have full overlay, not inset doors and I was not up for the repair needed.
    Best...Victoria

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  34. Rooms by AnnJune 29, 2012 at 10:57 AM

    I love it, The doors are beautiful but I really like seeing the dishes on display.

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  35. Betsy SpeertJune 29, 2012 at 12:08 PM

    MUCH GOODER!!!
    I have glass doors on my kichen.....
    Hummmmm.....
    Never mind, I'm too lazy.

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  36. ToniJune 29, 2012 at 4:59 PM

    I like the doors off on the one area because of the display. But I'm not a fan of a whole kitchen of open shelving.....all I can think about is it being a dust collector and I really don't want to have to wash things before I use them to be sure they are clean! Guess I'm too practical. But I do think that one space is pretty.

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  37. Shirley@Housepitality DesignsJune 29, 2012 at 6:16 PM

    Great decision...looks wonderful!

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  38. Segreto SecretsJune 30, 2012 at 3:17 AM

    Love it! easier to get to things as well and you see all your beautiful dishes!

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  39. StephanieJune 30, 2012 at 4:42 AM

    Really like how your kitchen is coming along. I can understand how it might have been difficult to know "on" or "off" with the cabinet doors. they are pretty, but with them off, it gives a break up and a resting spot for your eyes to see the beautiful dish collection you have. Great work!!

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  40. pastsoonJune 30, 2012 at 2:29 PM

    Lovely ~ How nice to have 2 gorgeous options. The display is so artfully arranged, it got me wondering ~ Have you considered painting the shelf "fronts"? Just the part that is directly visible to connect them visually to the cabinetry on either side? The backs could remain the cream color or any other color you like to use. I was thinking that painting those shelf fronts would give it more of an enclosed, "special" feel, while still having the openness you wanted. Just a thought! Your kitchen is amazing, as are all your creative table settings, etc. Thanks for a great blog! TJF

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  41. for the love of a houseJune 30, 2012 at 7:42 PM

    Love the cupboard without the doors- looks great!! I did the same think under the sink- took off brand new doors to add a skirt. Dan is still scratching his head on that one!
    hope you are well!
    xojoan

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  42. KathysueJuly 2, 2012 at 9:54 AM

    I knew it, I knew it!!! I am so glad you followed your heart! I say go for it, take the others off too. It looks great D! Miss you,
    Kathysue

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  43. JuliaWJuly 5, 2012 at 9:35 AM

    Love the new layout.
    Please can you tell me where you purchased, or the manufacturer of, the jar with the bee?

    Many thanks

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  44. KimberlyJuly 10, 2012 at 7:58 AM

    It is all so wonderful--your whole blog!

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  45. JamieJuly 31, 2012 at 6:55 AM

    Just found your site via Hooked on Houses. I love it and love your green kitchen! I def am all for your new door-less look (even though they were gorg doors) by your display of dishes it just showcases it without any fuss or interruption! fun stuff!

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