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Young House Love » Reader Redesigns » Adding A Kitchen Banquette Eating Nook

| By John Petersik | January 16, 2013 | 100 Comments

Adding A Kitchen Banquette Eating Nook

We always love a big kitchen renovation when it comes to Reader Redesigns, but sometimes making over just the corner is enough to get us inspired bigtime. Just check out what Deme and her family did to the breakfast nook of their dated kitchen. Here’s her email:

Hi Young House Lovers! Your blogs is one of the highlights of my day and I wanted to share our  breakfast nook with you. After removing a thick lacquered chair rail and scrapping layers of fruit patterned and 70’s wallpaper, we ended up with some pretty fugly untextured walls.

Deme Before

We started with a dark dungeon of a corner and ended up with something bright, fresh and uber functional for our young family of five!

Deme After

I scored an L-shaped bench on craigslist to give us some additional seating (our previous table could seat four, leaving someone in our family out of luck at mealtime). We said goodbye to the honey finish, giving it a fresh coat of white paint.

Deme Storage Benches Intro

Even though the benches were a pretty standard style, they had storage in the seats, which helped solve the problem of our art/craft supplies that were scattered throughout the house. We lined them with some graphic shelf paper and they now hold all of the kids’ painting/art supplies, homework necessities, and learning activities for our youngest bambinos.

Deme Benches

When it came time to paint the walls, I planned to use stripes to help this corner feel larger. But I also can’t help but be pulled toward the ombre trend, so we went with a subtle ombre stripe treatment for our backdrop.

Deme Artwork

We used a digital scrap booking kit to break up one of our favorite Dr Seuss quotes into four prints (“The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you’ll go.”). We framed them with some white lovelies we grabbed on sale at Target… they mark this space as a place to learn, explore, and create!

Deme Flower

Overall we are so happy with the change to this little kitchen corner! It serves so many functions for us and I can’t help but smile whenever I walk into the kitchen… especially since the rest of the kitchen is in that ugly mid-cabinet-painting stage of DIY kitchen reno! ~Deme

Deme Owl

It’s a fun update, right? I’m jealous of the storage benches. And I think the paint treatment on the wall is pretty awesome too. She’s got plenty more details and extra photos of the makeover (including updating their existing table and chairs) on her blog. Thanks for sharing Deme!

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Filed Under: Reader Redesigns

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Comments

  1. Jazmina says

    January 16, 2013 at 2:30 pm

    So lovely!

    Reply
  2. Mindy says

    January 16, 2013 at 2:31 pm

    I am IN LOVE with the gradient stripes, meow!

    Reply
  3. Jennifer says

    January 16, 2013 at 2:32 pm

    Awesome update from granny’s kitchen to cute, modern, and stylish! :)

    Reply
  4. Brenda says

    January 16, 2013 at 2:32 pm

    I love the shading scale on the wall! It’s neutral but interesting.

    Reply
  5. Christy Niebaum says

    January 16, 2013 at 2:32 pm

    First of all, I’m super excited that someone else uses the term “fugly.”

    I really love the benches, the bright throw pillows and my heart soars for those red chairs!

    Reply
  6. SingleMama says

    January 16, 2013 at 2:33 pm

    That is so cute! I love the benches for extra seating :)

    Reply
  7. mjr says

    January 16, 2013 at 2:34 pm

    So pretty! My favorite part is the paint! Good job, Deme!

    Reply
  8. Anne @ Planting Sequoias says

    January 16, 2013 at 2:36 pm

    Now I want an L-shaped bench!!! Gorgeous.

    Reply
  9. Shannon says

    January 16, 2013 at 2:37 pm

    I love this! The walls look fabulous! Great job Deme! :)

    Shannon
    Shannon Loves Design
    Fabulously Vintage

    Reply
  10. Claudia says

    January 16, 2013 at 2:38 pm

    I love the ombre stripes! I think that effect could be very overwhelming on a wall, but the subtle color changes are gorgeous!

    Reply
  11. Cassondra says

    January 16, 2013 at 2:39 pm

    My favourite is the ombre stripe! Also, we’re thinking of adding bench seating to our kitchen dining when we renovate, how do we make sure it’ll be comfortable?

    Reply
    • YoungHouseLove says

      January 16, 2013 at 2:54 pm

      Anyone have tips for Cassondra? I would go for thick foam on the seat with some wipeable outdoor fabric, or if you’re more into wood seating just sit down and make sure it’s comfy :)

      xo
      s

    • Deme @ Fresh Coat Of Paint says

      January 16, 2013 at 10:32 pm

      we added a 2 inch foam to ours and it’s pretty cushy! I wrapped it with an old sheet and gave it a trial run for a few weeks. I wanted to see how dirty it would really get before I settled on a more permanent cover. With 3 kids under five, it definitely gets messy…like cup of milk spilled and soaked into the foam messy. So, if you have little ones or clumsy ones, I would definitely recommend something that is wipeable, water resistant/proof, or even just treated with something like Scotch guard. Ours is also fairly comfortable without the cushion, but we like the added height. As Sherry said, just sitting down on it without a cover should give you an idea of it’s comfy-factor :)

  12. Krissy says

    January 16, 2013 at 2:39 pm

    The gradient stripes are SUCH a neat idea! And I love L-shaped benches. Every time we hit a furniture store, I linger at the benches… Nice work!

    Reply
  13. Holly says

    January 16, 2013 at 2:39 pm

    this space is darling…and inspiring! :)

    Reply
  14. jenny says

    January 16, 2013 at 2:43 pm

    LOVE!

    Reply
  15. Michelle Kersey says

    January 16, 2013 at 2:47 pm

    I knew John posted this when…. I got to the bottom and there was no ogling over the Ceramic Owl crayon holder in the last image…

    Reply
    • YoungHouseLove says

      January 16, 2013 at 2:53 pm

      Hahah! Totally John!

      xo
      s

    • Rebecca says

      January 17, 2013 at 6:51 pm

      I snagged one of those ceramic owl vases from Michaels for $3. (Used a half off coupon, full price is $6.) It is adorable!

  16. Dana says

    January 16, 2013 at 2:48 pm

    Love it! It’s very similar to the color scheme/look of your sunroom area.

    Reply
  17. Andrea. says

    January 16, 2013 at 2:48 pm

    AWESOME update! I didn’t even notice the stripes until they were mentioned in the write-up — guess I was too busy drooling over those red / coral chairs. They are absolutely perfect in that space!!

    Reply
  18. Ali Miller says

    January 16, 2013 at 2:49 pm

    I have one lone chair similar to these that floats about the house. I am so excited to give it a happy color now! :)

    Reply
  19. Rozanne Paxman says

    January 16, 2013 at 2:52 pm

    What a great redo. It’s actually kind of shocking what a huge difference it has made. I wouldn’t have guessed it is the same house. It makes me want to paint my chairs red!

    Reply
  20. Kara says

    January 16, 2013 at 2:57 pm

    OMG, great job Deme! You did a fantastic job, I am so jealous. Smart choice on the ombre stripes, I think it helps the corner feel “taller”! Did you mix two colors to achieve your stripe colors, or are they each their own paint-ship color?

    Reply
    • YoungHouseLove says

      January 16, 2013 at 2:57 pm

      Hope she drops in with that info!

      xo
      s

    • Deme @ Fresh Coat Of Paint says

      January 16, 2013 at 3:30 pm

      Thanks Kara! I used one paint chip from Valspar (with 3 colors). I used the lightest color for the 1st top stripe, mid color for the 3rd middle stripe, darkest color for the 5th bottom stripe, and then mixed the light and mid 50-50 for the 2nd stripe and same 50-50 mix of the dark and mid color for the 4th stripe. Hope that makes sense! There’s a pic and better details on the blog :)

      http://freshpaintabq.blogspot.com/2012/08/a-new-nook.html

  21. Chelsea says

    January 16, 2013 at 3:01 pm

    I have the same L-shaped bench in my kitchen also purchased off Craigslist and then painted white. I am inspired to add some pillows and paint an accent chair! Great nook!

    Reply
  22. Michelle @ Lifewithacrazypup says

    January 16, 2013 at 3:02 pm

    Ombre stripes for the win!

    Reply
  23. Tyra says

    January 16, 2013 at 3:04 pm

    Love love love the ombré stripes. Neeeeed them in my life!

    Reply
  24. Kathleen@ Home Wasn't Built In A Day says

    January 16, 2013 at 3:06 pm

    That is such a great transformation! I love the bright red and the inspirational wall art :)

    Reply
  25. Karen F says

    January 16, 2013 at 3:12 pm

    This is absolutely beautiful, and so functional and cheerful, too!!!

    Reply
  26. Kate says

    January 16, 2013 at 3:19 pm

    Did they lop off the tops of those chairs? What a good idea! It completely updated them. I don’t know if I would have even thought of that.

    Reply
    • YoungHouseLove says

      January 16, 2013 at 3:45 pm

      Totally looks like they did! Good eye!

      xo
      s

  27. Rebecca S says

    January 16, 2013 at 3:19 pm

    Wow! I am totally in love with this! I don’t think I could pick a favorite feature.

    Reply
  28. karla says

    January 16, 2013 at 3:20 pm

    I love this! The paint treatment would be so cute in a kids room as well! Pinks would be adorable!

    Reply
  29. Kelli from LittleCottageOfMine says

    January 16, 2013 at 3:21 pm

    Sooo cute!

    Side note to express my horror!!! Stupid me was waiting around for an email from FLOR regarding the new date for your visit in NYC which I had previously rsvpd for. I just checked your schedule because I had not heard from them and its already closed! How disappointing! Now I must go ball my eyes out!

    Sooooo saaaddd,
    Kelli

    Reply
    • YoungHouseLove says

      January 16, 2013 at 3:47 pm

      Fret not! If you RSVPed for the first event you’re still accounted for! They only wanted new people to RSVP, so if you already did before you’re all set and should just show up. They’re expecting you :)

      xo
      s

  30. Marie-Pier says

    January 16, 2013 at 3:22 pm

    This looks fresh and lovely! We can feel the YHL inspiration! And there’s even a white ceramic owl! Great job Deme!

    Reply
  31. Deme @ Fresh Coat Of Paint says

    January 16, 2013 at 3:26 pm

    What a crazy happy surprise to see my nook on your site when I checked my reader a few minutes ago – AHH!! Thank you SO much for sharing our space on your awesome blog!!!

    Reply
    • YoungHouseLove says

      January 16, 2013 at 3:43 pm

      Of course Deme! Thanks for sending it our way!

      xo
      s

  32. Leslie says

    January 16, 2013 at 3:33 pm

    Oh sweet, as soon as I saw the before pic, I thought it would be a perfect spot for a corner unit :)

    Reply
  33. Danielle says

    January 16, 2013 at 3:35 pm

    Sooo love a nook! Thanks for the inspiration!

    Reply
  34. Kristi - SimplePrettyThings says

    January 16, 2013 at 3:39 pm

    I love this! I went to her blog and left her a comment as well. Thank you for sharing! Ohh those chairs!

    Reply
  35. Lauren says

    January 16, 2013 at 3:46 pm

    Such a huge improvement!! I love what she did with the walls. So pretty!

    Reply
  36. Kate says

    January 16, 2013 at 3:46 pm

    Great job! I think my favorite part is the re-use; they didn’t go out and buy all new furniture, they just painted the table and chairs and added a Craigslist bench.

    Reply
  37. Wendy says

    January 16, 2013 at 3:48 pm

    I love the red chairs & framed quotation!

    Well done, Deme & good luck w/the reno!

    Reply
  38. Jennifer says

    January 16, 2013 at 3:50 pm

    That was so smart to chop off the tops of the chairs to give them a more updated and proportional look. I did not see that coming.

    Reply
  39. Emma (Broke Ass Home) says

    January 16, 2013 at 3:51 pm

    What a beautiful breakfast area! I love the ombre stripes!

    Reply
  40. Gabriella @ Our Life In Action says

    January 16, 2013 at 4:01 pm

    Love all the colours. Those red chairs are to die for!! BEAUTIFUL!

    Reply
  41. Heather says

    January 16, 2013 at 4:05 pm

    Love the walls! Love them so much I almost wish I had seen them last week when I painted my three year old’s big girl room.
    And the fabric on the pillows, especially like the zig zag multicolor fabric!

    Reply
  42. Aly Marcotte says

    January 16, 2013 at 4:11 pm

    Hi guys!Would love to know how to submit for a reader redesign!

    Reply
    • YoungHouseLove says

      January 16, 2013 at 7:04 pm

      Just send the pics and letter to [email protected]. Wahoo!

      xo
      s

  43. karen little says

    January 16, 2013 at 4:21 pm

    Love this, too! So smart and smart-looking. Wanted to visit her blog but can’t get through, for some reason. :(

    Reply
    • YoungHouseLove says

      January 16, 2013 at 7:04 pm

      Oh no, maybe it crashed for a second? Hope it’s back soon!

      xo
      s

  44. Rachel says

    January 16, 2013 at 4:22 pm

    It’s so white and fresh and beautiful! And scoring that on Craigslist – seriously. I need some of that luck to rub off on me.

    Reply
  45. Deme @ Fresh Coat Of Paint says

    January 16, 2013 at 4:26 pm

    You all are too sweet! And yes, we totally lopped the top rung off the chairs so they wouldn’t overwhelm the space :)

    Reply
  46. Andrea B says

    January 16, 2013 at 4:27 pm

    I LOVE the ombre wall! It brings so much design to the space without being in your face. Looks great!
    Have you considered this for your sunroom? I think it would look really neat in there and bring out some of the architecture of the room.

    Reply
    • YoungHouseLove says

      January 16, 2013 at 7:04 pm

      Looks awesome! I don’t know if we’re ready to repaint the sunroom just yet but you never know where we’ll end up!

      xo
      s

  47. Wrenaria says

    January 16, 2013 at 4:38 pm

    Cute space. I’ll take the little white owl, please. Where’s he from, Deme?

    Reply
    • Deme @ Fresh Coat Of Paint says

      January 16, 2013 at 5:22 pm

      best part – dollar bins from Target last spring. I had to stop myself from grabbing 500!

    • Rebecca says

      January 17, 2013 at 6:54 pm

      I bought an identical one two weeks ago from Michaels. In their new “spring” line of vases and planting pots for $6

  48. Paige says

    January 16, 2013 at 4:39 pm

    Wow! Love that! I am totally feeling inspired to add some red to my chairs.

    Reply
  49. Alison lengen says

    January 16, 2013 at 5:01 pm

    Love this!
    And ps..,,,just booked Haven conference!!!!!, are you guys going to be there?..

    Reply
    • YoungHouseLove says

      January 16, 2013 at 7:06 pm

      Wahoo! We’re not sure! We’re doing lots of travel for the book, so we hope we can squeeze it in!

      xo,
      s

  50. jessica says

    January 16, 2013 at 5:07 pm

    Love everything about this!

    Reply
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John and Sherry Sitting On Woven ChairHey, we’re John & Sherry. We’ve fixed up 7 homes, written books, designed products, started a podcast, and then downsized & moved to the beach! Here you’ll find over 3,000 DIY projects & home updates. More about us…
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