Loft Kitchen Additions

Hey tribe! If you've been rollin' with me for a minute, then you know one of my favorite parts in my home currently is the loft. It was one of the amenities that drew me to this home in the first place.

Just a little trip down memory lane, this loft area had a full blown tenant in it when I went to view the property. Full kitchen, bathroom living area and two closets. I was so impressed at how useful the space was, and truly blown away at the fact that the owner had done all this. Immediately all I could think of was creating an area in the home that my parents, and long term guest could enjoy while staying at the house.

Now I will say, the original layout of the kitchen wasn't the greatest. Since this part of the house is technically the attic, there is a drastic slop of the roofline on one side. This is where all the functional items like the sink, cabinets and storage was. I couldn't quite understand why this area wasn't on the opposite side of the wall where the full height ceiling was.

So, when I decided to tackle this room, I knew the first thing that needed to be done was rearrange the layout and make it more functional. This was absolutely a necessity due to not only how tall I am, but how tall my parents are as well.

Once the back wall was opened up making more room, and the layout switched for better function, it was time to decorate this little gem and make it feel like home. Now remember, the goal was to get as much of my items from The Home Depot's website as possible. Not only was this going to make the project much more convenient, but it was going to make the project quicker as well. I find that most of the time invested in my decor come from sourcing so many items from so many places. So to take this approach to one of the areas in my home this way for the first time was a major change.

First up, and the item I was most excited to assemble was the nook. This backless nook was the perfect size for the L shaped corner in the kitchen. The Linon nook comes in both unfinished, and in natural white. The unfinished version was not available at the time, so I went with the natural white, and because I was going to paint mine anyway it worked out. Now remember, if you decided to go this route was well, make sure you give your nook a l

ight sanding before painting. Also one of the best features about this backless nook is the hidden storage under the bench. When the seat is lifted, it houses open space for you to put any and everything.

I decided to go with a customer color match for the nook since I will eventually be bringing the Chasing Paper wallpaper in this room as well.

So now that we have the nook assembled, it's time to add the right table. If you've ever seen an L shaped bench then you know a round table will always, and forever, fit beautifully next to it. The hunt was on to find the right fit, and after a day or so of hunting one down on The Home Depot's website, I found the perfect one.

The best part, the table happened to be from the same company as the nook, so this was a major win win. This round wood dining table seats four, and the natural wood top and iron base paired great with the rest of the kitchen accents.

Both these beauties were simple and quick to setup, and couldn't be happier with how this little corner came out.

I'm excited about further decorating this area with pictures from some of my favorite artist, and adding wallpaper to break up some of the black. You guys know I'll take you along with me as I further add things here and there.

Now let's get into some of the other decor items that made this kitchen stand out. I wanted to utilize as much as the wall was I could to house dishes and other grab and go items. Since this kitchen is small, and there's really only one usable side, I wanted to make sure that everything was in reach and easy to get to. When that's that case I usually have to be creative. The theme in the kitchen is loft rustic, with a lot of metal and wood elements, so I want to make sure to stick to that while looking for storage. I came across something that I knew would fit perfect in such a small space. It was advertised for bathroom storage, but you know the rules when it comes to your home... do whatever makes you feel good.

This wall storage not only gave me the look I was going for, but it with slim enough to go on the all without taking up too much space.

The frame was boxed in one single piece, with just the shelving to assemble. So for my beginner DIY folks, this is definitely one for you.

Once I mounted the frame on the studs, this girl was able to hold all the plates, dishes and a few other decorative items for quick access.

I love how I was able to find all the black elements, and decor I need ed from Home Depot's website - including this beautiful matte black ceramic bowl that blends perfectly with the existing setup.

An even better part of this assembly is when you're ready to remove your setup, or move it to a new location, it's as simple of removing a few screws and that's it!

Since we're on the topic of storage, let's talk about a few storage solutions I added to the a-frame cubby.

I've mentioned on my instagram that in between long term guest, the upstairs loft would serve as a movie room. So storage is key to hold snacks and other items to enjoy.

I decided on a mix of glass/bamboo containers, and mixed metal baskets for bagged items.

The top baskets are super lightweight, but sturdy and match the surrounding elements perfectly.

The bamboo and glass storage containers will hold anything that needs to have an airtight seal for freshness. It will also house loose items like candy and cookies.

As as you can see from the picture there's a little something yellow hiding over in the corner that catches your eye.... soooo let's talk about that!

So back to the original function and purpose of this space which is a guest suite. If you want to circle back to my loft recap on my instagram, you'll see that I installed a built in convection oven for guest to cook in. Since this an electric oven guest will be baking, and will need the essentials to do that.

Not too long ago Caraway dropped an amazing 11-piece bakeware set in some amazing colors that match their infamous pots. Thinking ahead knowing that the nook is yellow, and that I'll be bringing the wallpaper in the kitchen, I decided to go with their bakeware in Marigold. It brings just the right pop of color in this moody space, and immediately draws your eyes to a focal point.

I've used their pots for years, so naturally when the baking line dropped I knew it would be an amazing addition to the loft. What's even better is, when the full renovation of the main kitchen gets underway, and I'll need a place to cook in the meantime, I'll be able to transition smoothly.

Of course I couldn't just stop at the bakeware set, I also had to grab Caraway's matching 9-piece cookware set.

These girls are a complete showstopper, to the point where you'll want to put them out for display.

I added the same metal pipe system that I used to hold my upper shelving, to create a wall mounted pop rack for them.

I mean come on... who wouldn't want to display these works of art. This is truly a mix between the two things I love, function and art. All of Caraway's pots come with lid storage, and pots racks just in case you want to store yours on a counter, or in your cabinet.

Oh and we can't forget about those small, but mighty appliances. You guys know I love me a good cup of coffee, or tea, so I wanted to make sure that amenity was also provided here as well. I also wanted to make sure I was on brand as much as possible, so naturally the cafe coffee maker was a must have. It's nice and compact, so it doesn't take up too much space on this countertop, and is extremely sleek and sexy.

One of the best perks about the Cafe coffee maker is it's wifi capable. Which means that you can control this little lady from anywhere using your phone.

I like to set my downstairs coffee maker on a schedule for the week, and that way first thing in the morning my coffee is ready to go. What's best is the coffee pitcher is insulated, so everything is still nice and hot by time I'm ready for a good pour.

Pictured:

Cafe Toaster Oven

Caraway 11-piece Bakeware Set

Kitchenaid Stand Mixer

Chef's End Cutting Board

15-Piece Teak Knife Set

Mango + Black Serving Bowls

This project was fun, simple and made a major impact on this little area.

Never underestimate the power of decor, no matter the size of the space.

Shout to The Home Depot for providing such amazing quality items, and for this fun partnership.

Until next time tribe!