We moved into our 1891 avenues home about 5 months ago. From the start I knew I wanted to have hanging pendant lights over the kitchen island. I love the look of pendant lights. I believe lights are the jewelry of the home!!

Recessed Lights Can Be Changed to Pendant Lights

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One of the things I love about our home is that there are a lot of recessed can lights in the kitchen. Our home will be 230 years old next year and I love that the kitchen has high ceilings and updated canned lights.

Determine What Type of Fixture You Want

One row of recessed lights is directly above the island and two of those lights are centered over the sink. I thought those lights would be the perfect placement for the new pendant lights.

Change Recessed Lights to Pendants or Chandeliers

I thought we would need to have an electrician come over and convert the lights to put pendant lights in. Then i found out about Westinghouse Recessed Light Converter Kit. It’s awesome because it make changing out a recessed light to a pendant light or chandelier fast and easy with NO remodeling.

Hang Light Fixtures Up to 50 Pounds

If you have a 6-inch or 4-inch the Westinghouse recessed light kit will work with your light. This light converter can also hold the weight of a chandelier that is less than 50 pounds. So not only can you hang a small pendant, you can hang a full-size chandelier! Before I took on this project, I read hundreds of reviews and was impressed that the kit has so much positive feedback.

Recessed Light Kit

Another thing I love about this converter kit is that it comes with a plain white medallion that can be used painted any color. I didn’t end up using the medallion because our light fixture wall hardware covered the existing hole in the ceiling but it can be used if needed.

Everything you Need to Complete the Project is Included in the Kit

The only other supplies needed to complete this project are a drill and a screwdriver.

Self-piercing Screws

After reading the reviews, most of the feedback was that it was difficult to get the screws through the metal edges of the can housing. There are self-piercing screws that are included with the kit. We opted to use our own self-piercing screws and we had no problems getting the screws through the metal housing.

Self-Piercing Screws

No Need to Touch Existing Wires

We have a very old house and we have seen inside other light fixtures inside the ceiling that there are a lot of old wires in the ceiling. One of the things I liked about this kit converter is that you screw a socket pigtail into the existing can housing and that connection connects the old wiring to the kit. Then once you have the kit installed you use the new wiring to connect the kit to the new fixture.

Full Instructions

Westinghouse has the full instructions on their website, but I thought it would be helpful to show you pictures of the steps along with what we did to convert our recessed can lights into beautiful pendant lights!

How to Change a Recessed Can Light into a Pendant Light

Switch Circuit Breaker Off

The most important step is to switch the circuit breaker off. Also flip the light switch off just to be safe.

Take the Existing Can Light Out

Pull the existing can light out of the ceiling, leaving the metal housing. The process of taking the light out will depend on the brand or type of recessed light that you have. We had to pull the light out a few inches and then push down on brackets behind the front of the fixture to get the fixture out of the ceiling.

Insert the Socket Pigtail

Screw the socket pigtail into the recessed can socket. No need to touch existing electrical wires.

Fit the Brace to the Recessed Light Opening

Take mounting bracket and remove the two 1/4″ long side screws. This will allow you to fit the bracket to the size of your can light’s width in the ceiling. Raise the brace into the can light opening. Adjust the brace to fit along each side of the opening.

Secure the Channel Brace to the Recessed Light Housing

This is where the self-piercing screws come in. There are screws that come with the kit, but based on the reviews we bought our own screws. Screw the brace to the recessed light housing. One screw through the hole in each end of the brace, piercing through the metal of the metal recessed light housing.

Install Mounting Bracket

Now you install the mounting bracket on top of the brace. Use the two side screws to secure the mounting bracket to the brace. If you have a 5 or 6 inch can you also use a washer with the screw. If you have a 4 inch recessed light fixture, don’t use the washer.

Connect the Ground Wire

Connect the green ground wire with screw to the side of the recessed can using ground screw.

Install Cover Plate

Place the cover plate over the can light opening and rotate it until it locks in place. Make sure the mounting bracket holds the metal cover plate in place. The mounting bracket has holes that go through to the channel brace and secures your fixture to the ceiling.

Attach Your Light

Now this part will differ for people, depending on what type of fixture you are installing. If you light has a mounting bar, this is the time to attach it. Two long mounting screws are included that you can also use to attach your light fixture.

Add Medallion

Optional. If you want to use the medallion, you put the medallion over the cover plate and pull pigtail wires through the opening. This medallion doesn’t attach to the ceiling. It will be held in place over the top of the new lighting fixture, which will hold it in place.

Wire the Kit to Your Light Fixture

Connect the electrical connections of the socket pigtail to your new lighting fixture. Your fixture should come with twist-on wire connectors. If you aren’t familiar with installing ceiling fixtures, have a professional do this for you.

Hang up Your New Pendant Light or Chandelier

Use the instructions to install your new light onto the fixture, screwing the new light fixture mount into the Since this projects was posted we completed our kitchen remodel! During the remodel process we decided we needed bigger pendant lights so we bought these globe pendant lights. I think they are perfect for the scale of the room. We used the same Westinghouse converter kit that we used to hang the smaller lights to hang these giant pendant lights. They have been hanging up for about a year and we have had no problems! I did use medallions with these lights to cover the old recess openings and love the way the medallions look with the lights! Comment below if you have any questions – I would love to answer them!!

Follow Along With Our 1891 Remodel!

We are remodeling our beloved 1891 home. Follow along with our projects in real-time through @tatertotsandjello on Instagram!

Pin How to Turn Recessed Lights into Pendant Lights for Later!

Here’s a pin with all of the steps. Pin it to do later!

Or this one!

Have a Beautiful Day!

xoxo

The post How to Change a Recessed Can Light into a Pendant Light with No Remodeling! appeared first on Tatertots and Jello.

Update a Dated 90’s Kitchen on a Budget

Hi, friends! If you have been following me for awhile you might know that I love old homes. I remodeled my 1905 cottage and it was a pure labor of love. I was heartbroken to sell it and although it was fun to move into a brand-new home, I always missed that quirky little cottage. So when I had a chance to buy a 1891 home in the middle of Salt Lake City’s Avenues neighborhood, I jumped at the chance. All of the stars aligned and it was a dream-come-true to find our historic home. Since then we have been slowly updating and remodeling the house from top to bottom. One of the first projects that we tackled was our main kitchen.

Adding Timeless Kitchen Features

The last time the home and the kitchen had been remodeled was 1990. Before, the kitchen and the whole home was very dark with brown walls, busy brown granite counters and 90’s modern-ish cabinets. Since I was remodeling the whole home, including transforming the dark and scary basement into a separate apartment, my budget was limited. I’m sharing how I transformed the kitchen from 1990’s Ikea to a timeless home that nods to its 1891 history.

Reflect Your Homes Age in the Detail

I love a historic home, but I hate seeing homes that are stuck in an era. Does that make sense? On the one hand I love when a remodel reflects the home’s age in the materials used but I also think adding some modern elements is key to creating a space that feels fresh and modern but also has elements that could have been in the home when it was built.

Subway Tile is a Classic

Subway tile is a classic element. Some people disagree I know, but subway tile was created around the turn of the century and continues to be a clean, inexpensive element in home design. I’ve written a blog post all about subway tile, its origins and different ways people have used it over the years if you want to give it a read. So when I was designing our 1891 kitchen remodel I knew subway tile would be a great way to bring the classic style of the time our home was built. I brought a little modern element in with a larger subway tile which has a bit of movement to update it.

Open Shelves Create a Sense of Space

Open shelves are also a but of a controversial subject. As I was researching kitchens around the turn of the century I saw that at that time built-in cabinets weren’t very common. Most kitchens had cabinets with shelves. And I wanted to open the upper part of the kitchen up. We took the top kitchen cabinets off completely and replace them with a big planked hood and open shelves. The sweetest wood brackets support the shelves. The arched shape is classic and beautiful. They look like they could have been in the home from the beginning.

Timeless Overhead Pendant Lights Create a Focal Point

In the 90’s remodel, the kitchen was fitted with recessed lights, which is great. Bringing in some pendant lights to ground the island and creates a statement. Oversized globe lights have a classic shape and I only had to add two lights since they are so big and stately. We saved money with the installation by using a kit that let’s you add a pendant light to an existing recessed light. Here’s the article sharing exactly how to do it on this post – How to Add a Pendant Light to a Recessed Light with no Remodeling.

Update an Island With Paint

The wood island had been around since the 1990 remodel and the stain had faded, plus it had a lot of chips and worn parts. I decided to paint the island black to match the finish of the globe pendants. I sanded the small chips and used wood filler to fill in the larger chips. Then I sanded everything down evenly and primed the island with two coats of primer. Then I painted the island, the island cupboard doors and drawers black. The black color grounds the island and contrasts with the wood floors. This summer we plane to refinish the wood floors a much lighter color, which will make the contrast even greater. I think it is going to be beautiful! I will update this blog post with new pictures once that project is done.

Classic Hardware is Timeless

Another way I made the kitchen remodel seem more high-end that the budget was is through adding really high-end hardware. The hardware really elevates the remodel and doesn’t break the bank. I used a beautiful, heavy gold handle with a backplate from Rejuvenation. When you pull the drawers and cabinets you can feel how sturdy and well made the handles are. I kept the original lower drawers and even though I plan to reface those cabinet doors eventually, the handles on those old drawer and cabinet front look great and help gloss over the fact that they are original. For now.

Planking Adds Character

Another element that I brought in was super wide planks that we installed above the subway tile. Planking is an element that people did use at the turn of the century before drywall was invented. And given the age of our home, I thought it was a great way to bring in some character to the upper walls. We saved money by using plywood which we ripped into 10 inch widths, mitered the corners and painted white.

Boxing in Existing Stove Hood

Another way we saved money was building a box that fits over the existing range hood. The range hood was in good shape so we decided to create a box to create a focal point. The planking above the subway tile ties in with the hood so the planks continue all the way across the kitchen wall. We actually kept going past the kitchen with the planking to tie the new family room to the kitchen and planked that whole side of the house. We added a new fireplace in the family room which the planking goes over. I think having the planking go from the kitchen, over the hood, into the family room and over the new fireplace really ties the two rooms together. Originally the family room was the dining room and as I reconfigured all of the rooms, turning the dining room into the family really made more sense. This way the two rooms are joined and it feels like it flows so much better.

Adding a Back Pantry

Another project that we tackled in the kitchen remodel was adding a pantry behind the kitchen. When we bought the home, the room behind the kitchen was a sauna. The people we bought the home from took the sauna out and we had a blank room there. They had a laundry room in the basement, but since we turned the basement into a separate apartment, we needed to bring the laundry room back upstairs. So I separated that room into two sections. One is a new laundry room and the other is a pantry with a little baking station, a retro fridge and a farmhouse sink on a thrifted 1900 bread cabinet. I divided the room into two parts with antique french doors I found online and spent the summer stripping to expose the walnut wood. I love that we can shut the doors when we are doing laundry to keep the pantry quiet, but the sun comes into both sides of the room through the french doors.

Adding a Sense of Continuity to the Pantry

I tied the pantry to the kitchen by painting the pantry cabinets the same color black and using the same hardware.

Adding a Dish Cabinet

Another element that a lot of kitchens had was a dish cabinet. When we bought the house there was an awkward pantry cabinet in-between the two kitchen windows. It was quite deep and it really made the kitchen layout strained because it made working at the stove cramped. We took that cabinet out and replaced it with a much less deep antique cabinet. The cabinet was originally a gun cabinet around 1900. It is painted the same black color as the kitchen cabinets. The top part of the cabinet has open doors. Black and white graphic cement tiles give it a modern update. Being able to see the pretty glass-wear and dishes inside the cabinet is so nice. I keep serving ware and pots on the bottom shelves which are covered by wood doors. I also used the same cement tiles in the pantry to tie the kitchen and pantry together.

A Classic Timeless Kitchen

We love our new classic kitchen! I love how we incorporated classic elements with a modern twist for a kitchen that reflects our love of our 1891 home. We still have some projects that we are working on to make our kitchen even better and more beautiful. Come connect with my on Instagram at @tatertotsandjello, where I share DIY home projects and behind-the-scenes inspiration. I am also a realtor with City Home Collective in downtown Salt Lake City. I help people find their homes and remodel them to make them come to life!

More Remodeling Ideas

Here are a few more projects we have tackled at the 1891 cottage!

How to add a new electric fireplace to your home

How to Add a New Electric Fireplace to Your Home. Fireplaces provide a cozy focal point and heat to your home. How to choose an Electric Fireplace for Your Home.

Our 1891 Airbnb Apartment

Here’s our new airbnb apartment! I love meeting new people and running this little side business!

Have a Beautiful Day!

xoxo

The post Update a Dated 90’s Kitchen on a Budget appeared first on Tatertots and Jello.

15 BEST Kitchen Ideas for 2023!

Hi friends! You’ve heard the saying, “the house is the heart of the home”, and I think it’s absolutely true! Today I’m sharing 15 amazing ways you can update and refresh your home to make it even more cozy and comfortable for your friends and family. You will want to pin these ideas because they are easy to do and will elevate your kitchen in so many ways. So let’s get started!

Update a Dated ’90s Kitchen on a Budget!

If you’ve been following along with me on my blog or Instagram, you might know that we moved into our 1891 home about three and a half years ago. Since then we’ve been updating our house and one of the first projects we tackled was the kitchen. I am sharing some easy ways that we updated our kitchen on a budget in this post!

How to Decorate Above Kitchen Cabinets

Looking for ideas on how to decorate above kitchen cabinets with a modern farmhouse style? Rachel shares tips for creative decorating using collectibles and more. I love the way that Rachel used vintage items above her kitchen cabinets to add interest and detail. Be sure to hop over to Rachel site she has a beautiful Home full of character!

How to Update a Kitchen Without Painting Kitchen Cabinets

Who says a kitchen with cherry cabinets can’t look modern? We’ve got ideas to update your kitchen with wood cabinets without painting them! Did you know that wood cabinets are coming back in style? They bring so much warmth to a kitchen and I love the ideas that simply 2 Mom’s are sharing on how you can have natural cabinets and create a warm welcoming kitchen that has charm!

How to Create a Gorgeous Butler’s Pantry with DIY Ideas

Looking to update your butler’s pantry with a few DIY projects on a budget. Learn how to lay a beadboard backsplash over your existing tile. paint your cabinets and pour epoxy countertops. Wendy’s Butler’s pantry is just amazing, be sure to hop over and see how she created it!

How to paint the kitchen cabinets with chalk paint

Looking to update your kitchen on a budget? Learn how to paint wood cabinets with chalk paint with my good friend Stacy from Bricks ‘n Blooms. It’s a budget-friendly remodel that is easy to do and totally worth the effort! Head over to Stacy’s site to see this amazing tutorial, and be sure to check out her yard it is incredible!

How to Decorate Kitchen Countertops

It is tricky to decorate kitchen countertops in inviting ways without feeling cluttered. Follow these simple tips for to make kitchen counter and kitchen island decorating a breeze! Robyn’s home is so inspiring. You are going to love visiting and seeing all of her ideas!

Open Shelves in Kitchen Design

Open shelves are a controversial kitchen addition. This post gives you all the reasons you should install them in your kitchen. I adore Pasha’s home and all of her ideas!

Give Your Kitchen Table a Makeover With Paint

Do you have an outdated table that could use some TLC? Jen shows you how easy it is to give your kitchen table an affordable makeover with just a bit of mistint paint. You will love visiting Jen site and while you’re there be sure to check out all of her tablescape ideas!

How to Style a Kitchen Hutch

Do you have trouble styling your china cabinet or kitchen hutch? I have some easy step by step ideas on how to decorate you hutch with layers that add uniqueness and interest.

13 ways to create a beautiful cottage kitchen

Have you considered transforming your kitchen into a more relaxed and cozy space? Kim will show you 13 simple ways to create a charming cottage-style kitchen. I love Kim’s home and her garden is amazing!!

How to Style Open Kitchen Shelves

8 simple, universal tips & tricks for styling open kitchen shelving that can be applied to any shelf, in any room, regardless of personal style. Heidi has such good ideas. You are going to love her home!

How to style your kitchen counters for spring

As we transition into spring, do you struggle with how to style your kitchen counters? You can have beautifully styled kitchen counters without a lot of fuss or clutter. Let me show you ways to bring in spring accents.

How to Make a Beautiful European Style Copper Pot Rack

Follow along as we show you how to make an elegant pot rack from copper pipe. See our full step by step instructions! I am absolutely in love with this DIY project that Renee shares be sure to check it out!

How to Organize Your Pantry Refrigerator

Simple tips and tricks on how to keep your pantry and refrigerator neat and tidy all year long Such great tips!

Reasons to Refinish Your Kitchen Cabinets

Thinking about redoing your kitchen cabinets? Then my post is a must read on why refinishing kitchen cabinets is a good idea! Kelly is one of my favorites. Be sure to click over and see her home and ideas!

More Kitchen Ideas

Here are a few other kitchen ideas!

Kitchen Curved Backsplash Ideas

Curved Kitchen Marble Backsplash Ideas. Add a curved marble backsplash to your bathroom or kitchen for a timeless architectural element.

15 Kitchens with SMEG Fridges

15 Farmhouse and Cottage Kitchens with Smeg Fridges. How to incorporate a sleek and colorful SMEG to your farmhouse or cottage kitchen for a boost of style!

Which Kitchen Idea is YOUR Favorite?

Let me know in the comments!

XOXO

The post 15 Best Kitchen Ideas for 2023! appeared first on Tatertots and Jello.

Welcome Home Saturday!

Hi friends! How was your week? This week flew by for me. My sister and her kids came to stay with us on Monday and we spent the week exploring. I am trying to convince her to move here by us so we visited some homes that were for sale and I showed her some of my favorite restaurants and shops. We had so much fun! How was your week? What was your highlights??

Remodel Updates

Our bathroom and bedroom remodel are still going and making progress! We have the tub in our new bathroom now and I am SO excited!!!

I went with a modern tub filler faucet with cross handles and I love the way the brass looks against the black walls.

New Projects

We welcomed my sister and her kids with a fun grilled potato packet bar. Everyone chose either sliced potatoes or cauliflower pieces and layered onions and butter plus salt and pepper and herbs. Then we put the packets on the grill for 30 minutes. Then we put together a topping bar with all kinds of yummy toppings like cheese, bacon, pepperoni and sauces for the yummiest meal. Everyone loved customizing their packets!

Veggie Grill Packets and Topping Bar

I also shared some of my favorite DIY Cane projects. We are working on our main bedroom and have some big things planned! One of them is an Ikea dresser hack using cane webbing. I shared some of my favorite cane projects as well as some cane products you can buy instead of DIYing.

My Favorite DIY Cane Projects

I also shared our little 20 square foot bathroom in the airbnb we built and 10 ways we made that tiny space seem bigger!

10 Ways to Make Your Tiny Bathroom Seem Bigger

Welcome Heather from My Life Well Loved!

This week we are featuring Heather from My Life Well Loved. Heather shares great fashion ideas as well as recipes and lifestyle ideas

I loved Heather’s recipes like these Sheet Pan Recipes Families Love. And I love her Back to School Essential Ideas. Be sure to follow Heather at @mylifewellloved on Instagram!

Welcome Home Saturday

She Gave It A Go / Summer Decor Ideas For Your Master Bedroom

Tatertots & Jello / 10 Ways To Make A Tiny Half Bath Seem Bigger

Noting Grace / How To Limewash A Brick Home

The Tattered Pew / 9 Must-Haves To Score During The Macys Big Home Sale

White Arrows Home / Strawberry Bars With Dots Pretzel Crust

Crisp Collective / Butler’s Pantry Remodel

My Life Well Loved / How To Organize Your Kitchen Pantry

What are YOU loving this week?

xoxo

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Choosing Faucets for Our Airbnb Remodel. Updating our 1891 home and adding an airbnb with a new bathroom and kitchen on the bottom floor.

Choosing Faucets for Our Airbnb Remodel

You guys! Our airbnb is almost done! We’ve been working on it for a year and it’s so exciting to see it come to life. We put so much thought and planning into designing the space. I am super excited to give you a sneak peek! We partnered with Peerless Faucet and I love how the faucets look in the space! If remodeling a big project seems overwhelming, I am sharing how to break it down into easy steps to bring your vision to life!

Start with a Pinboard

When we bought our 1891 Cottage I was so excited at the thought of restoring the home and bringing it into the future. The home hadn’t been remodeled since the late 1980’s when it was converted from apartments beck to a single-family home. I started by creating a Pinterest board for the home and mood boards for each room.

Then Create a Specific Mood Board for Your Remodel

A pinterest board is a great way to pin room ideas and products you like so you can see how the elements look together. Once I narrowed down the overall design, I created mood boards for the future airbnb kitchen and bathroom.

Choosing a Faucet for the Airbnb Kitchen

As I was designing the kitchen, I knew I wanted a wall-mounted faucet. We picked the Elmhurst by Peerless Faucet which is the same faucet we put in our pantry. I love the clean lines!

The faucet is one of the first things guests see when they walk in our new airbnb and it really gives the space a special feeling.

I chose classic chrome for the kitchen faucet, but the Elmhurst faucet also comes in oil rubbed bronze and stainless. The shape of the Elmhurst faucet matches the arc of the Westchester faucet that we put in the upstairs kitchen. I love bringing that continuity throughout the house.

Airbnb Bathroom Remodel

We created a luxurious bathroom in what was our old laundry room. I wanted to upgrade the apartment by putting in a beautiful tub.

A black tub to complement the Zander wide-spread faucets and shower head.

Xander in matte black really pops against the white subway tile and marble countertops! I love the way they look paired with the pretty tub and the classic hex black and white tile we installed. The modern lines of the Xander fixtures by Peerless are beautiful and really catch your eye when you walk in the room.

I chose matte black and it really pops against the white subway tile and marble countertops! I love the way they look paired with the pretty tub and the classic hex black and white tile we installed. The modern lines of the Xander fixtures are beautiful and really catch your eye when you walk in the room.

I feel that the Xander line of hardware is simple and striking and it would blend in with many different decorating styles!

Peerless Faucet in Our Upstairs Remodel

We also partnered with Peerless in the kitchen and pantry of our 1891 upstairs home. You can check out the post for more details on that space too!

Our Pantry and Kitchen Remodel

I hope you will follow along with our #1891AvenuesCottage remodel as we continue to update this vintage home! You can find out more about Peerless on their website! And on the Peerless social channels:

Peerless Faucet on Instagram

Facebook

Twitter

Have a Beautiful Day!

xoxo

The post Choosing Faucets for Our Airbnb Remodel appeared first on Tatertots and Jello.

Choosing Modern Faucets in Our 1891 Home Remodel. How we updated our turn-of-the-century home with modern fixtures while still maintaining the original vintage charm.

Choosing Modern Faucets in Our Vintage Home

When we moved into our home, the last major update happened over 30 years ago. The kitchen was large and spacious and I knew the space had so much potential. One of the first projects in our remodel was updating the kitchen and creating a back pantry area.

Picking a Kitchen Faucet Style

I consider faucets to be the jewelry of a home. I really wanted a faucet that went with the vintage age of our 1891 home but I also was hoping for a modern twist. Peerless’s Westchester faucet was the perfect solution for us. It’s a widespread bridge faucet which I love because it has a vintage vibe, but the faucet has a really wide modern arch! I love looking into our kitchen from the family room and seeing that beautiful arch.

Choosing Our Kitchen Faucet Finish

I was so excited when I was contacted by Peerless because I love the finishes and designs they offer. We decided to paint our island a classic black. We also put in a new marble countertop and a huge white farmhouse sink. So I thought a dark faucet would really POP against the whites of the countertop and sink. I chose the oil-rubbed bronze finish which looks great with the black island. The Westchester also comes in chrome and stainless finishes!

Adding a Back Pantry

Along with our kitchen remodel, we transformed a room behind the kitchen from a room with a giant sauna to a pantry with a baking station! Because our home is 130 years old we didn’t have wall space in the kitchen to install wall ovens. But we did have room at the back of the kitchen to install some in our pantry. Since we will be cooking in the back room, I knew we needed a sink back there.

A Wall-Mounted Faucet

Besides baking, I also wanted a sink in the back pantry that was big enough that we could use it for flower arranging and to bathe our dog! We used an almost identical modern farmhouse sink in that pantry as we used in our kitchen. We found a vintage bread-making table that was the perfect height to put a sink on top. A wall-mounted faucet was perfect to fit in that space.

I picked Peerless’s Elmhurst wall-mounted faucet for that pantry sink. The classic chrome finish fit with the vintage vibe of our stand-alone utility sink. The Elmhurst also comes in oil-rubbed bronze and stainless.

Adding Faucets in Other Spaces in Our Home

I’m using the same Elmhurst faucet downstairs in the little kitchen we are creating there and I can’t wait to show you how it looks when it’s done! And we also have a half bath on our main floor where we are using the Elmhurst faucet, along with a trough sink. So many different ways to use wall-mounted faucets.

We are also using Peerless’s NEW Xander matte black faucets in our NEW bathroom downstairs. It’s going to be so beautiful! Here’s what it looked like in October when our skeleton Matilda took a bath during the construction haha! I can’t wait to show you the full bathroom and NEW kitchen down there!!

I hope you will follow along with our #1891AvenuesCottage remodel as we continue to update this vintage home! You can find out more about Peerless on their website! And on the Peerless social channels:

Peerless Faucet on Instagram

Peerless on Facebook

Peerless on Twitter

Have a Beautiful Day!

xoxo

The post Choosing Modern Faucets in Our 1891 Home Remodel appeared first on Tatertots and Jello.

Six Reasons We Chose a Maytag® Dishwasher for Our Kitchen Remodel. We did the research, here is why we chose our Maytag® dishwasher. And a free printable dishwasher schedule!

Six Reasons We Chose a Maytag® Dishwasher

We have lived in our 1891 for about a year. Since it is our “forever” home, we put a lot of thought and consideration into the remodel – especially our kitchen. We wanted our kitchen remodel to make sense for our busy blended family of seven.With so many teenagers and young adults coming and going, we go through a lot of dishes! Having an easy-to-use, efficient dishwasher was at the top of my priority list! We’ve been using our dishwasher for eight months now and I love it! Here are some reasons why!

Maytag is a Brand You Can Depend On 

We zeroed in on Maytag as the brand of dishwasher we wanted for our remodel. I partnered with them because they have been manufacturing dependable appliances for over 100 years. I grew up with Maytag and it’s a brand I can rely on. 

Our Maytag® Dishwasher Saves Me Time

As a small business owner and a mom of five, having enough time to get everything done is a challenge. Our Maytag® dishwasher lets me skip soaking, scrubbing and pre-rinsing. YES it’s true!! My teens and never take the time to scrub everything off their plates. So  I’m lucky that our Maytag®  dishwasher has Dual Power Filtration. What’s that you ask? This industry-exclusive system combines 100% microfiltration PLUS a 4-blade stainless steel chopper to DISINTEGRATE caked on food. That way I don’t have to spend time taking dishes out that my kids have put in without rinsing them off. Yeeeeeees – mom wins!!!

Our Maytag® Dishwasher Cleans More Dishes

One of my favorite features is the adjustable third level rack, which is the secret weapon of our dishwasher! The Maytag® 3rd Level Rack has a specialized wash zone and room for room for mugs and bowls. This distinct design means more loading space and cleaning power straight to the top of the dishwasher. This is HUGE! Our other dishwashers had a hard time cleaning things on the top row. I love that this dishwasher not only effortlessly cleans each row, but also is adjustable so I can fit larger items in when needed – what an amazing design!

Our Maytag® Dishwasher is Efficient

Yes you read that right! Our Maytag® dishwasher has something called a PowerBlast® Cycle! This cycle scours away stubborn foods. My teenagers leave their dirty cereal bowls and crusty milkshake cups up in their rooms for days at a time, I can pop dirty dishware into the dishwasher and it uses a combination of high-pressure jets, increased water temperature, and hot steam to magically get the dishes sparkly clean. Being able to get dishes clean in the first dishwasher round means that I don’t have to run my dishwasher more than once to get my dishes clean. Therefore, and, on top of its powerful performance, our dishwasher is ENERGY STAR® certified, which means it uses less water and energy than standard models, helping you save money on utility bills! 

Our Maytag® Dishwasher is Pretty

Ok, ok, you might not think this is a valid point. But come on ladies, isn’t a beautiful appliance important? Especially when you are remodeling a kitchen. You want your appliances to enhance your remodel, not detract! I love the design of our Maytag® dishwasher with a Fingerprint Resistant Stainless Steel finish. The buttons are hidden on the top of the panel which is convenient, but also makes the dishwasher look sleek and easy on the eyes. I also love the look of the towel bar handle which is very modern and sleek as well!

Our Maytag®  Dishwasher Warranty

Maytag has been a household name for over 100 years because they are reliable. All Maytag® appliances come with a TEN year limited parts warranty* which gives me peace of mind!

*Visit maytag.com for warranty details.

Dishwasher Family Schedule

Since we have so many kids running around, I made a family schedule which has really streamlined our kitchen routine. No more dishes in the sink. Each person has a day they empty and load the dishwasher and it’s been helping our family get organized! I’m sharing a family dishwasher schedule printable with you! My kids have been loading and unloading our family dishwasher since they were in kindergarten. I believe it’s good for kids to have responsibilities and this schedule has really helped our family stay organized.

Family Printable Dishwasher Schedule

Click here for the FREE Family Printable Dishwasher Schedule!

Just double-click on the above link and save it to your computer to print off. I tape the schedule to our fridge so it’s easy to see. But you can also frame it and hang it up!

Follow Along With Maytag

You can find out more about Maytag on their social channels. And comment with any questions you have about our Maytag® dishwasher – I am happy to answer them!

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Have a Beautiful Day!

xoxo

The post Six Reasons We Chose a Maytag® Dishwasher for our Kitchen Remodel appeared first on Tatertots and Jello.

Colorful Cottage Fall Kitchen Tour

Do you decorate for fall? I love decorating our home, especially in the fall. Of course I decorate our front porch and mantel but one of the other places I love to spruce up for Autumn is our kitchen! We spend so much time there that I think it’s a fun space to decorate too!

21 Fall Kitchen Tours

I am sharing our 1891 kitchen tour and I am excited to be joining some friends who are also sharing their fall kitchens! Be sure to hop down to the bottom of the post to go see all of the gorgeous kitchens!

Easy Colorful Fall Kitchen Decorating Ideas

Decorating your kitchen may seem over the top, but adding just a few elements can really add so much color for fall! Come on in!! These are our Cavaliers — Trixie and Tourpel. Let me show you our home!!

Kitchen Remodeling on a Budget

We have been remodeling our kitchen for about 6 months and right now it’s about 75% done. We didn’t have countertops for awhile so we feel so happy to have countertops. Some other inexpensive things we did to update the space were taking out the upper cabinets and replacing the tile. We installed shelves on both sides of the hood and also built a square frame around the existing hood. I am going to write up a full post about the kitchen remodel soon!

Updating the Island

We updated the island by installing a new faucet and sink, plus painting the island a modern black color and adding really nice drawer pulls. To add a little color for fall I added some faux fall leaves in an oversize vase. I love the way it brings such a beautiful pop of bright pink/red to the room.

Adding a Kitchen Wreath

When I designed the new square hood I always envisioned being able to hang wreaths there. I made the simplest wreath ever by hot gluing little pumpkins to a grapevine wreath and added a pink bow. I hung the wreath with a nail in between the planks so I didn’t damage the hood.

Adding Fall Elements to the Kitchen Shelves

The open kitchen shelves are functional AND decorative! I added a few pumpkins, fall platters and a little saying to the shelves in addition to the normal items that I keep there — our drinking glasses, salt and pepper shakers, platters and baking supplies.

Pumpkins on Cake Plates

One of my favorite ways to decorate in the kitchen is displaying favorite items on cake plates. Throughout the year I love fresh flowers. I display them in water pitchers and often times put the pitchers on cake plates. For fall, I put a few of our favorite pumpkins on the cake plates.

Fall Dish Towels

Dish towels are a great way to bring color into your kitchen. I went with orange and pink for fall in our home. We always have pink items and I added orange into the mix for a fall vibe.

21 Fall Kitchen Tours

How to Make a Wool Pumpkin with Chunky Wool - Happy Happy Nester
Fall Kitchen Decor on a Budget - Hallstrom Home
Touches of Fall in The Kitchen - Craftberry Bush
Simple Fall Kitchen - A Blue Nest

How To Style Kitchen Shelves For Fall - Modern Glam 
Hints of Fall Home Tour--Part 2 - Finding Lovely
How to Add Fall Decor to a Kitchen - Sanctuary Home Decor
Coffee Station For Fall - My Sweet Savannah

Fall Kitchen Decorations - My 100 Year Old Home
Fall Kitchen Decor Ideas - Jennifer Maune
Fall Entertaining in the Kitchen - Twelve on Main
Natural Decorating In The Kitchen - Jennifer Rizzo

Neutral Fall Decorating Ideas in the Kitchen - Grace In My Space
Fall Kitchen Decor - Lemon Grove Lane
Easy Elegant Fall Kitchen - Styled With Lace
1891 Cottage Fall Colorful Kitchen Tour - Tatertots and Jello

Early Fall Kitchen with Copper, Leaves & Eggplant - Pine & Prospect Home
Simple Fall Touches in the Kitchen - Dreaming of Homemaking
Decorating the Kitchen for Fall - Seeking Lavender Lane
Cozy Fall Kitchen Ideas to Add Warmth to Your Home - Life Is Better At Home
How to Decorate Your Kitchen for Fall - The Ginger Home

Colorful Fall Family Room

And here’s our colorful Fall Family Room if you want ideas on more COLORFUL Fall decor!

Have you ever decorated YOUR kitchen for Fall?

xoxo

The post 1891 Colorful Cottage 2020 Fall Kitchen Tour appeared first on Tatertots and Jello.

1891 Avenues Cottage Remodel

We are just finishing up our #1891AvenuesCottage kitchen remodel and I couldn’t be MORE excited! I painted our island last week and installed the new knobs this week! So my mind is ALL about kitchen design right now!

Kitchen Tile Makes a Huge Statement

Clark + Aldine Kitchen remodel

Installing new kitchen tile might seem overwhelming but it’s really a simple way to bring a potentially HUGE statement to your kitchen. I learned how to tile a few years ago as I was working on my 1905 Cottage remodel. And even if you don’t want to install the tile ourself, you can contract it out for a very reasonable price. The tile itself is pretty inexpensive.

Consider Hiring an Expert

While tiling a straight wall as you find in new homes is pretty straight-forward. If you have an older home like ours, your walls might be crooked or uneven which makes installing the tile more difficult. For our new home I worked with Frank from Frank Smith Renovations and he did such a great job on our walls!

What Types of Tile are Considered “Farmhouse” or “Cottage”?

Farmhouse tile is typically tile that was around in the time farmhouses were the typical family home, generally anytime around the turn-of-the-century or before. Think subway tile, brick, simple tile or stenciled tile. Modern farmhouse takes that trend and adds a modern element such as a different color, pattern or design that plays off of that farmhouse aesthetic. Cottage is generally the same as farmhouse. The nice thing now is that a lot of tiles that are considered “modern” can be incorporated into a more farmhouse feel and bring a fun spin on the traditional farmhouse look!

25 Gorgeous Modern Farmhouse and Cottage Tile Ideas

Whether you decide to go with timeless tile, bold and patterned tile or a mix of both, here are some ways you can add remarkable style to your kitchen with TILE!

Cement Tile Focal Wall by Joanna Gaines

Joanna Gaines is famous for bringing modern farmhouse into trend. I love the way she uses traditional materials and puts a beautiful spin on them. In this case she took the stove area and used bold tile to create a beautiful focal point.

1952 Farmhouse Kitchen Makeover

This 1952 farmhouse makeover kept the traditional farmhouse elements of subway tile, classic pulls and simple cabinets and added a stunning geometric floor that looks modern but also has a vintage feel.

Subway tile is such a classic look, and there are so many different tiles you could use. Here’s one I really like that you can easily order online and pick up at Home Depot.

Floral Hex Tile Kitchen Floor

This hex mosaic tile is one of my very favorites. I plan to put it in our bathrooms at our cottage. I love the geometric shape which feels very modern but it’s a classic pattern that can be found back in many original farmhouses and cottages.

Farmhouse Kitchen Floor Makeover at Sarah Joy

These bold ceramic and concrete tiles are very trendy in modern farmhouse styles right now. If you like this look but are afraid it is too trendy, consider either stenciling it on your wall or getting peel and stick floor tiles. I did this in the original 1891 fireplace hearth and I love how it updated the space. But if I get tired of it I can peel them off and go back to the original hearth.

Navy and White Boho Wall Tile at Ginny MacDonald

Bold geometric black and white tiles are very modern farmhouse, but you can also find them in cottages and bohemian kitchens as well. You can use them on the floor, but another idea is to use them as a backsplash!

Peel and Stick Farmhouse Tile at Home Stories A to Z

This is my friend Beth’s kitchen. She used Wall Pop adhesive tiles to create a stunning focal point in her kitchen. Such a wonderful transformation!

Neutral Bohemian Cement Tile Kitchen Backsplash

If you love the look of the bold black and white geometric cement tiles but want something a little more subdued, consider a softer look. These cement tiles in grey are lovely and still give a kitchen a striking focal point.

Floral Tile Pattern

There’s something magical about this kitchen with the navy cabinets and stunning bold floral tiles. I think it works because the rest of the kitchen really coordinates and lets the floor design shine. I love the white subway tile above the counters that gives the room texture but doesn’t clash with the bold tiles on the floor.

Black and White Checkered Tile

Black and white checkered tile seems so classic to me. It feels very European and old-world. I love it in this kitchen as it compliments the natural woods in the island and swinging doors.

Black and White Boho Farmhouse Backsplash

Another trend in cottage and modern farmhouse decor is floating shelves. Tiling behind a floating shelves really accentuates the shelves and gives the whole kitchen an eye-catching spotlight.

Clark and Adeline Black and White Statement Wall

Some bold tiles might seem a little busy, but if you use them in a small space they draw the eye in. I think this is he perfect example. The black and white tile sets off the traditional subway tile and gives the whole kitchen an interesting feel.

The trick to the perfect statement wall is finding a tile you absolutely love… and the smaller the statement wall the louder the pattern you can use! Here’s a tile I really like to help jog your creativity.

Hudson Valley Farmhouse Kitchen

This kitchen is one of my favorites. The black and white tile behind the industrial stove is traditional but running it vertically gives it a modern feeling. Also the kitchen nook at the end of the room is so cozy and the matching butler’s pantry at the other side offsets the space so well for a really warm, welcoming feeling!

Floral Cement Tile

Another example of using bold tile to make a statement. The rest of the kitchen is very simple and traditional and lets the more modern element shine through.

Bold Patterned Wall

This geometric tile is one that I haven’t seen very often. Using it along with all of the natural woods in the room and black cabinets give the whole kitchen a very bohemian farmhouse feel. If the tile was subway instead of the bold geometric tile this room would have a much more traditional farmhouse vibe. The modern tile really give the farmhouse theme a refreshing twist.

Black and White Hex Tile Backsplash

This is the black and white hex mosaic that I featured earlier in the post. I’ve almost always seen this tile used on a floor. What a refreshing change to see it as a backsplash. And paired with such modern cabinets the whole room is very surprising and charming.

I also love the idea of mixing and matching a black and white hexagon tileset like the one linked here to create your own wholly unique backsplash!

Concrete Quilt Design Stencil

As I said before, if you are nervous about committing the time and energy into installing a tile floor, consider stenciling your floor first. This works especially well if you already have a vinyl or tile floor. You can paint right over it!

Apartment in Provence Kitchen Tile

The pattern in this Provence kitchen floor is utterly vintage-looking and charming. The pattern could be a modern one but is undeniably old and is a great argument that patterned tile can withstand the test of time and be timeless.

Crisp Black and White Kitchen Tile

This kitchen is a perfect example of one that doesn’t fall into a style mold. I would say this kitchen is timeless. The black and white patterned floor is neither modern nor farmhouse. This type of tile can be used in any design style and the items you include will decide what type of style your kitchen is.

Bold and classic Kitchen Tile Pattern

Another bold and classic tile. I love the pattern in this striking tile floor. Paired with navy cabinets and wood accents, this kitchen is classic yet very on-trend.

Kitchen Island Tile

One big trend in the past couple of years is tiling the bottom of an island as a big focal point. I actually love this idea. I think the trick is only using bold patterns on the island and sticking to neutrals in the rest of the kitchen to really let the island tile stand out.

Kitchen Island Star Design

Another example of the island tiling trend I love the smaller star pattern of this tile. I think it would look amazing as a wall tile or floor tile as well,. But not all together, obviously LOL!

Tiny Kitchen with Bold Tile

Sometime people think you can’t use a big, bold tile pattern in a small room because it will overwhelm the small room and make it look smaller. I think the opposite is true. I feel that using larger tile and even larger furnishings in a small room makes the room seem bigger and makes the tile into more of a statement. The owners of this small kitchen used big tile and a large island and instead of overwhelming the room it makes the room even more interesting and gives it a cozy feeling.

Grey and White Kitchen Tile

There’s something old-world and charming about the pattern of this grey cement tile. I love the pattern and I think the use of white in the tiles makes it a tile that you can use on a whole wall without looking busy or crowded.

Classic Subway Tile with Dark Grout

Of course subway tile is a classic choice in any modern farmhouse or cottage kitchen. The use of black grout in this one gives it an old-world feel but also elevates the kitchen by emphasizing the pattern of the subway tile.

Classic Mosaic Tile

Another mosaic hex tile pattern that I love! I love the snowflake design and I feel that these hex tiles can be used in any type of kitchen – from modern, retro to classic farmhouse, modern farmhouse, bohemian and cottage kitchens alike!

Which Kitchen Tile is Your Favorite?

Those are a few of my favorite modern farmhouse and cottage tile ideas? Which kitchen did YOU like the most? I’d love to hear!

Follow Along with Our 1891 Cottage Renovations

Tag me on Instagram at @tatertotsandjello with YOUR projects! I would love to see what YOU are doing. And I’d love to have you follow along with our 1891 Cottage remodel. I share behind-the-scenes projects on my Instagram page!

More Modern Farmhouse and Cottage Tile Idea!

Here are a few other tile ideas that I love for bathroom and laundry rooms!

22 Modern Farmhouse and Cottage Laundry Room Tile Ideas

20 Modern Farmhouse Bathroom Tile Ideas

Have a Beautiful Day!

xoxo

The post 25 Gorgeous Modern Farmhouse and Cottage Kitchen Tile Ideas appeared first on Tatertots and Jello.

9 Ways to Add Charm to a Kitchen

I love houses. New, old, remodeled, fixer-uppers. I will always treasure the time I spent fixing up the #1905Cottage. I loved that little home the first moment I went past it. I loved learning about the history and I loved the process of remodeling it and seeing it transform into a modern home that retained it’s vintage charm. Now that we have moved into a brand-new home, I also love bringing in charming accents that warm up a new home’s interior to reflect our family story.

The #1905Cottage before

9 Ways to Add Charm to a Kitchen

The #1905Cottage after

9 Ways to Add Charm to a Kitchen 

As we have been working on our brand-new home, I’ve loved seeing inspiration from many different sources. A couple of years ago I was introduced to Cindy Ambuehl Lifestyle, a wonderful source for high end decorating inspiration.  I love the homes she has shared on her site. Most of which have a modern California vibe and many are also older homes that have been remodeled.

As we work on adding charm to our new-construction home, I thought it would be fun to share 9 ways to add modern charm to a kitchen! These are beautiful, high-end homes, but the gorgeous kitchen ideas that follow can be used to add charm to any home.

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1. Add vintage elements. 

This island is made out of an antique table. I love the warmth that the wood island top brings to the clean, modern kitchen.

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2. Consider adding butcher-block countertops.

Instead of granite, think about warming up the space with wood countertops. Not only do wood countertops bring color into a room, they are less expensive than granite or marble countertops.

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Instead of just tiling under the countertops, tile an entire wall to the ceiling. It will make the room seem larger.

3. Tile is an inexpensive way to bring in texture and color to a room.

Source

4. Add specialty windows or doors. 

We added a dutch door at the #1905Cottage and it ended up being one of my favorite elements in the home. Another idea is a tilting window like the one above. It makes a wonderful architectural element in the room.

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5. Add clean-lined planked ceilings.

The wood brings in warmth and texture to a modern kitchen space.

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6. Bring in more light with multiple light fixtures and skylights.

Instead of recessed lights, add a few chandeliers or vintage-looking light fixtures to bring in character. And if your kitchen is still dark, consider adding a skylight or two. I added skylights in my bedroom at the #1905Cottage and I loved the natural light they provided.

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7. Install an unexpected ceiling.

Planked or wood ceiling have been increasingly popular, but how charming would a reproduction tin ceiling be? I love that idea, especially when paired with ultra modern counters and tile backsplash in a new kitchen or kitchen remodel.

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8. Add some rustic charm with a log ceiling.

The texture and color of the wood planks and beams would be a beautiful contrast with a new builder-grade home.

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9. Add glass fronts to cabinet doors or add built-in furniture instead of builder-grade cabinets.

9 Ways to Add Charm to a Kitchen

For more beautiful homes and design inspiration, be sure to head over to Cindy’s site. I also love following Cindy on Instagram.

Yesterday, Cindy and her real estate company The Agency were sponsors at the annual Express Yourself fundraiser hosted by P.S. Arts. P.S. Arts is a non-profit Los Angeles based organization that brings dance, music, visual & theater arts to underserved public schools. Each November, celebrities and their families attend this awesome fundraiser to raise money and awareness for arts education in public schools. This year the booth’s theme was “Home is Where the Art is” and was staged to look like a living room with a football game going. Celebrities like Mark Feuersteing and Adam Scott stopped by with their kiddos and made Duck Tape crafts. So amazing.

As a mom of four, and PTA committee member, I am a huge believer in encouraging the arts in schools! My kids love expressing themselves through art, and I am a huge proponent that all kids should be given that opportunity. Cindy and Duck Brand spent yesterday creating Duck Tape crafts for the kids at her Express Yourself booth. I love seeing celebrities and their children giving back to their community and supporting the arts! Awesome!! You can find out more about the fun event on Cindy’s blog!

xoxo

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