After what seemed like an endless heat wave and constant air conditioner use, the grossness finally broke last weekend. As it wasn’t too horribly stifling and we had nothing in particular planned, we decided to paint our kitchen — or as we referred to it, “Let’s just get this freaking over with.”

The kitchen was the last room in our apartment that required a fresh coat and we chose Benjamin Moore Pearl Gray. We repainted the trim a brighter white and covered a depressing maroon on the crumbling fireplace with many coats as well. The exciting part is that, now that we’ve finished painting, we can finally decorate — and you know how much I enjoy that! Our kitchen isn’t really anything to write home about, but I’m determined to make it the best it can be. I’ve got a wish list going on Polyvore: stoneware dishes, vintage school chairs, hanging planters, baskets galore and a giant botanical poster. (And who can forget a giant, homey chandelier?)

More kitchen photos, me in a house dress and some kitties for good measure. Ignore the cat food and ugly garbage can.

More to come as we put up curtains, build a pantry and install a butcher block!