Before & After: A Personality-Filled Kitchen Remodel
We love a space that reflects those who inhabit it, and that’s definitely the case with Audrey Leary’s 19th-century home in northwest Connecticut. Behind its bright blue siding and window trim, you’ll find a rainbow of colors and patterns awaiting you in every room.
A professional chef herself, Audrey has been renovating her (once dated) kitchen as of late. Despite a number of challenges, she’s used bold paint and a few clever design changes to make the room truly her own. You might’ve seen our previous home tour with Audrey and this time, we asked her to give us the full scoop, including what advice she has for others who are changing up their own spaces.
First, can you share a little bit about your background?
I live in a tiny town in northwest Connecticut, near the Berkshires. My husband and I run a tiny dinner restaurant together, where I’m the chef. I also have an Instagram account where I share my personal and home style — I love color and pattern, and our house is full of my DIY projects.
Tell us about the kitchen! What were some problems you saw from the get-go?
Where do we start?! It was last renovated sometime in the ’70s, we think. The linoleum floors were old, stained, yellowed. and ugly. (They’re still an issue, but they’re about to be replaced.) The kitchen had two overhead lights that were insufficient for lighting a rather dark room. The cabinets were old, dark, and made of ugly wood. I could go on and on!
What has the renovation process been like?
We’re still in the thick of it, but it all started with me finally deciding to paint the wooden cabinets. I was really determined to save the cabinets rather than replace them. I wanted a color that would make the granite countertops, which we aren’t replacing, feel more intentional. Ultimately, I went with Blue Maize from Farrow & Ball.
My dad came out and helped me raise the upper cabinets. He also built some open shelving to show off our pretty East Fork dishes. I removed the cabinet doors from the peninsula to make a makeshift eat-in counter.
Next up was lighting: I knew I needed more lights, and I wanted something fun and colorful to match the kitchen and house overall — especially pendants over the peninsula. The Otto line was perfect! Now we have a nice, big-impact light over the sink and some smaller task lighting near the range and countertops. The lighting has made a massive difference.
What advice do you have for someone looking to update their kitchen?
Think about how you can use what’s already there. Cabinetry is so expensive, but adding some color can make older cabinets feel more modern and intentional. If the space is functional, adding good lighting, color, and fun design elements can really help you love the things that didn’t feel right before. I have never been a fan of our granite countertops, for example, but they’re in good shape, and painting the cabinets made me fall in love with them!
To you, what makes a house a home?
Personality! Whenever someone who knows me comes to our house, they say it feels like me in house form. Don’t think about resale (unless you have to!). Make bold choices — you can always paint again or change a light fixture. Have fun with it.
Finally, can you share your favorite Schoolhouse picks and why you chose them for your space?
I really love the Otto line of lighting. Between all the different colors and glass shades, there are so many ways to personalize it. I also love the Teig Lamp. It’s such a cheery little lamp, I have two!
We have a big Plaid Wool Rug under our dining room table. It makes the space feel warm and pulled together but has enough of a pattern to hide all the little crumbs and bits of fruit that fall on the ground thanks to our five- and seven-year-old.
