Reclaiming salvaged wood trim…

Notice anything different? 

Let’s go back to the winter when our built-in microwave caught on fire. That’s my dad surveying the damage. Actually, we just had to remove it as the fire was contained in the unit. 

I really liked the open space there, so we decided to get a counter top microwave which will eventually be in the island. I decided to try tiling the backsplash, and we got a $33 hood. Really. The cheapest one they had. But it was so high up, you could see the light. 

So, I had Luis trim it out with some pallet wood. I added the medallion and painted it black as well as the upper cabinet. 

And I loved it. 

Then I decided to paint the cabinets with historical colors from my great grandfather’s house. The upper cabinets were painted and stained and the bottom cabinets were painted grey then distressed and rubbed with walnut stain to match some painted wood I had found from the house. I could not love them more! 

But, can you see what has been bugging me?? The under cabinet lights have always been exposed.

So I went to my wood pile. And yes, I can totally see the beauty in these bundles of wormy chestnut and oak trim, tongue and groove boards and various other pieces. They were stacked neatly by my grandfather years ago, but I have been moving things around to find what I need so it’s a bit of a mess. I love it though.  

I cleaned up the pieces I wanted and Luis cut them then put them up for me. Let me add that working with salvaged wood is not the easiest thing to do. Usually the pieces are not straight, or they are bent, etc., so serious patience is required. The great thing is, these pieces had a groove already cut that fit right over the bottom of the cabinets.

Just look at the match! I am so proud of the finish. I just rubbed Minwax Wood Sheen in Colonial Walnut over the pieces and they came out beautifully. 

Here is the before with the lights peeking out…

Now they are nicely covered. 

I just love that I have reused something from the old house. I know many people are not into dark kitchens, but I am so in love with the “feel” of this one. It’s the place we all hang out and having so many family things around, makes me smile. There’s only one thing I would change. 

I would love to have a pretty countertop — like marble or solid surface in white. 

And maybe this backsplash. The grey and blue are just perfect for my vintage kitchen. 

Oh well, I know that’s not happening. A girl can dream:-)

Thanks so much for stopping by! Yes, I am still working on opening up my etsy shop. Gee, who knew there was so much to do beforehand. Come join my facebook page for updates and more.

Anita

I’ll be joining:

Wow Us Wednesdays

Treasure Hunt Thursdays

Inspiration Friday

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29 Comments

  1. Carlene @ Organized Clutter
    October 2, 2012 / 11:02 pm

    I am always a fan of your kitchen. I love the purposely mismatched cabinet colors. Makes it soooooo much more interesting.

  2. Pamela
    October 3, 2012 / 12:15 am

    Anita you amaze me!! This is such a fabulous project. I would never have thought about doing that. It looks amazing. Come by sometime for Treasure Hunt Thursdays. You can link up anything!:)

  3. Anonymous
    October 3, 2012 / 12:32 am

    Anita you have great help…Luis and dear ole Dad what a blessing and I have to tell you I'm lovin this "old wood" re-purposed…yall's hard work is surely showing….love your kitchen!

  4. Pam - @diy Design Fanatic
    October 3, 2012 / 12:33 am

    Your light rail looks wonderful Anita. That grey and blue glass tile would look fantastic in your kitchen.

  5. Sweet Melanie
    October 3, 2012 / 12:47 am

    I know you have toiled over this kitchen for some time….let me say it has paid off in full! I love the cabinets, upper and lower! You have given me an idea for my hood light and fan that I hate and I have to thank you for that! I love working with salvaged wood to and so know how it goes. Mike hates it but he does it fo rme, lol! Of course we argue while we are doing it, bu then he sees the beauty when we finish. I wish we were neighbors, we could sit our sewing machines side by side and have such a great time sewing away! Thanks for sharing your beautiful kitchen Anita, what a beauty she is!

  6. Unknown
    October 3, 2012 / 12:54 am

    Looks great, wow!!
    <3 Dana @ This Silly Girl's Life

  7. Debbie
    October 3, 2012 / 12:57 am

    One of your best projects ever. Considering how many I've seen you do, that's really saying something. I really love the way you used the salvaged trim, and the finished product looks just wonderful.

  8. The Quintessential Magpie
    October 3, 2012 / 12:58 am

    Oh, how I've missed you, Anita! This is so clever. You always have such creative projects and tablescapes. A talented lady you!

    Hope things in your world have been going well. Lots of craziness in my life, but I'm still kicking!

    I had hoped to have a computer by now, but a very unexpected house repair ended up costing enough to pay for a new car so I'm letting the pinch on that ease a bit before hitting Mr. M up for a computer. I fully intend to return to you guys as soon as is feasible. In the interim, I wanted to drop by and wish you a wonderful fall, my friend.

    Love to you…

    XO,

    Sheila

  9. Emelia DiCarlo
    October 3, 2012 / 1:41 am

    Hi Anita, good evening, so wonderful to see a photo of your father, what a blessing to have him near. I love it all, the wood and stain was genius, you and Mr. D. have lots of patience.The kitchen is warm, inviting and all your past, present dishes, items mix so well. I just noticed, love the hanging Lantern and your new window treatments. Tea towels, tea cups all so lovely.Blessing for this new season, Fall.

  10. Shenita @ Embellishments by SLR
    October 3, 2012 / 1:42 am

    Anita, you always come up with the best ideas and solutions! The hood and the trim look great! You and your hubby are an awesome duo! I'm loving the blue; and you know I love dark, warm kitchens! Great job!

  11. Unknown
    October 3, 2012 / 2:25 am

    Your kitchen is looking fantastic! I remember the "fire"! I bet you'll get your backsplash…

  12. Yvonne @ StoneGable
    October 3, 2012 / 3:06 am

    You are one very talented girl, Anita! I just love your kitchen…every last salvaged inch!!!!

  13. Pam Kessler
    October 3, 2012 / 1:47 pm

    I love your fix for the lighting problem. I have some low profile under cabinet lights, but I can still see them when I am sitting down, so maybe I need to look into something similar for my cabinets. I love that glass tile. I look at that every single time I go to Home Depot and my husband always pulls me away. That would look fabulous in your kitchen!

  14. Rooms by Ann
    October 3, 2012 / 4:11 pm

    This is a really great idea
    I love the feel of the space.

  15. Babs
    October 3, 2012 / 9:14 pm

    I'm sitting here going OMG and thinking how great your kitchen looks. I have a stove that could be a cousin of yours and was thinking about putting a microwave above it when/if our counter top goes out. I never thought about painting the cabinet above the stove in black to match the stove…but then my cabinets are cream…hmmmm. Love the trim you did on the hood and under the cabinets.
    Babs

  16. Pamela
    October 4, 2012 / 12:46 am

    Anita thank you so very much for coming to THT!! I know everybody will just love your post!

  17. Linda (More Fun Less Laundry)
    October 4, 2012 / 3:10 am

    Hi Anita, I agree that a dark kitchen can be very cozy and you have perfected that feeling. Your changes and updates are wonderful, and keep your fingers crossed, maybe the glass tile will come your way some day! Linda

  18. ❁Velma ~Down Our Country Road❁
    October 4, 2012 / 4:12 am

    Wow! How blessed you are to have all that wonderful old wood to work with and to have the wood match your cabinets…geezers! Looks beautiful. I love the character, feel and even smell…of old wood. There's nothing like it!!

  19. Andrea at Opulent Cottage
    October 5, 2012 / 12:37 am

    Hi Anita,
    I think your "dark" kitchen is so cozy, and inviting, and charming! What a difference a little bit of trim can make. This is a great idea, and something I need to do too 🙂 I'm enjoying catching up on your blog, your home is always so lovely and enjoyable to see! Hope you are enjoying a wonderful fall,
    xo, Andrea

  20. MONICA LIVAS
    October 5, 2012 / 10:57 am

    Beautiful kitchen!

  21. Chrissy
    October 5, 2012 / 7:42 pm

    Oh how those little things can make a big difference. Your trim turned out beautifully. I am visiting from Feathered Nest Friday and am now a follower.

  22. Debbiedoos
    October 6, 2012 / 2:18 pm

    What a huge difference and such a fantastic idea. I love that you can salvage so much pretty much from you own backyard. You have great treasures Anita.

  23. Seana
    October 6, 2012 / 9:14 pm

    Hi there! Im a new follower from the Napa Valley; found you when searching for the Mikasa Brava Rooster dishes! What a fantastic find, even if I didn't really find the dishes :). I love your kitchen; the antique scale is fab! And doncha love those grey/blue glass tiles? I'm using the same ones only in sort of coppers/browns for my the facing on the steps on my front porch; in fact, that's what I'm supposed to be finishing up right now :). Love your tablescapes, can't wait to spend more time browsing here! Have a great weekend!

  24. Pinky at Designs by Pinky
    October 9, 2012 / 1:31 am

    Anita, I love, LOVE how you hid the lights in the hood! We just moved into this new house and I don't like seeing the lights either. BUT, the hood is stainless and I doubt I can do much:( Hiding the under counter lights looks beautiful and I LOVE the stained cabinets. My new cabinets are DARK: almost black but you can see the brown through. I LOVE THEM!!!!!!!!!!!! I'll be posting SOOn, I hope. I have more to unack:):)XO, Pinky

  25. Andrea's Blog
    July 23, 2013 / 5:56 pm

    How did you paint and stain your upper cabinets? I LOVE the color

    • Anita Diaz
      July 23, 2013 / 7:11 pm

      Hi Andrea, I sanded them, then painted with dark brown latex paint then pulled off some of the paint back off with the same brush. I sanded lightly after drying, then repeated that process. After that was dry, I brushed on water-based dark walnut stain the same way. I used Minwax Water-Based Wood Sheen Rubbing stain and Finish, which I get at Walmart. I just worked it until I got the look I wanted and it worked:-)

  26. Laurel Leaf Cottage
    October 28, 2013 / 5:59 pm

    Hi Anita, Thanks for the info you posted above about the cabinets!! I was going to ask the same question!! They are gorgeous!!! My other two questions are…what is the brand/color of the blue paint you used, and the fabric for the sink. Everything is so warm and inviting!!! I was going to paint my cabinets white until I saw this!!!!! Thank you so much!!! Deanna

  27. hoboken
    February 27, 2014 / 7:08 am

    Hi
    Pretty good post. I just stumbled upon your blog and wanted to say that I have really enjoyed reading your blog post. Santa Barbara Green building

  28. Debbie
    December 8, 2014 / 4:22 pm

    Saw the photo of your kitchen on the side and looking around 🙂 I love that you don't have a back splash. I just redid my kitchen and I'm thinking of doing it the way you did. Just at the bottom and here it looks beautiful! Shows me what it will look like. Thank you and I love all of your kitchen. Mine is dark as well…cozy 🙂