Bay window seat progress

November 10, 2014

I’m back with an update on the bay window we’re reworking into a window seat in the kitchen. I told you a little bit about our plans for this space a couple weeks ago and I am so excited.

So I was looking back for old photos to show you how this space looked before and it immediately struck me how much smaller the bay window looked:      

bay window black door

I’m sure it’s because that whole area is so much less cluttered now – but the difference is huge to me!

When we took down the wall in the family room we quickly realized we’d have enough space to practically double the size of the kitchen: The sofa and sofa table used to go up to the middle of that small wall where the black dresser is. We had new wonderful, lovely, amazing space with everything moved down so we moved the kitchen table over and LOVE that change.

The next phase of the renovation was supposed to happen in the spring, but I wanted to just get the construction stuff done so we moved forward. It’s been slow going because of some delays with the doors, but we were able to move ahead with the bay window changes.

This time the hole in the house was on purpose:

replacing windows

To make this spot work for a window seat (my dream) we replaced the super tall windows with shorter ones. I tried to figure out ways to keep them but it just didn’t work – they are 72 inches tall and we couldn’t move them up higher enough to accommodate a seat in that spot.

I was surprised at the cost of the new windows – they weren’t bad at all. I’m selling the old ones so that will help to make up some of the cost. The guys ended up moving the new windows up a bit higher than the old ones and then replaced the door with a window as well:

bay windows

We just had that door replaced last year – gah. But it had to be done because of leaks to the basement. We gave the old door to one of the guys in exchange for some services so that helped too. (I actually wanted to use it for the mud room to garage door but it opened the wrong way and we didn’t think we could make it work.)

The free services were to wire and install four lights in the bay window. We had one coach light outside by the door so we added one more to even it out now that there’s no door there:

replacing bay window door with window I think it looks so stinking cute from the outside! So much better without the door and the added light outside is always a bonus too. The guys had to fill in some siding and it turned out perfectly. They ended up taking some from the side of our house that had hail damage – we got an insurance check for that over a year ago and went ahead and got that fixed too. I’ll be glad when there are no more big projects around here. This project fund has been depleted. :)

Because everything was open we were able to add a little something to the inside as well – two sconces on either side of the middle window:

metal sconces

I laughed when we got them up and realized I used the same exact lights in the mud room:

mud room beadboard

They’re actually exterior lights and $20-something each. I LOOOOVE them. Obviously:

IMG_0492

Here’s the window area with the window trim, drywall repairs and the new lights:

sconces in bay window

Doesn’t it look so warm and cozy on a rainy day? Sigh. I think one of my very favorite things to do is add accent lighting like this around the house. I think it adds character and warmth to the house in a different way than anything else.

I finally got the walls painted last week and it makes it feel so much more finished! I didn’t bother patching up the baseboards where the door was since there will be a window seat there eventually:

craftsman style window trim bay window

There’s trim that still needs painted and I still need to extend the crown molding, but at least it looks somewhat presentable now. :)

There are two things I’d love to get done in the kitchen before the holidays – this window seat and the expanded kitchen island. Having the larger island would be ideal for serving and parties but I know I’m not going to be able to tackle both projects in that time. I’ll be lucky to get one done. ;)

See what I mean about the bay window feeling so much more spacious?:

bay window black door

bay window seat nook

I know, duh – removing a table and chandelier will do that. ;) But it’s something about the windows too. The day they finished my husband walked in and said “It always should have looked like that.” See? We’ve been saying that a lot during this process. ;)

Now to get the new door finished up and then we are DONE with the dusty part of this renovation! I’m SO THRILLED that we were able to do this – it has been huge for our family and the way we live in these spaces. 

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Comments

  1. The bay window looks amazing and the window seat will be perfect. This is so much better and the perfect change.

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  2. Love it! Love the scones and good to know exterior sconces can be used inside. laur

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  3. That was so fast! It looks great and now I want new windows lol. It really does look like this is how it always should have been. That's when you know you have a successful reno on your hands!

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  4. Looks fabulous! Most of the windows in our house are those long ones as well, but my hubby would never agree to replace them just because I wanted a window seat. In the office where I wanted one, I just had him build a bench so it could be easily slid out to access the window cranks, although it's just a regular window flanked by bookcases. I'm happy with it but I still have hopes for the living room which ISN'T a long window. I want to replace the regular window with a bay and do what you did. I have a feeling it won't happen, but a girl can hope, ha!

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  5. I love it! It looks great!! I love the lighting you added too. Which project are you going to tackle?? I would go for the island if you can. That extra serving space for the holidays will be so nice. :) We added four new windows to our house. We have builder grade (AKA cheap vinyl sliders) windows. Slowly we have been adding new windows to the house. What a difference it has made in the few rooms we have replaced them in. I wish I had the funds to finish them up. To our freezing basement we added casements and then bought that froth pak, spray foam kit to spray around the rim. OMG!!! What an amazing difference!!! SO much warmer down there. this weekend we even got a few sheets of sheet rock up. yay!!!

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    1. Yes I think the island too -- just have to finalize my plans for it! :)

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  6. Looks amazing! And yes, it definitely opened the space up.

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  7. I know this wasn't the point of your post, but I LOVE your black door! If you don't mind...Where did you get your lights? Thank u!

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  8. It looks fabulous!!! Can't wait to see the finished product.

    Mindy

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  9. Progress looks amazing! Maybe you've covered this in another post that I missed .... but how will you access your backyard without the door?

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    1. Lori we put a door where windows were in our family room. We went without a back door for a month! :)

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  10. That's fantastic! It's going to look great when you install the seat!
    -Ash
    www.stylizedwannabe.blogspot.com

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  11. Love, Love, Love the new room. I also have a corner fireplace but I'm stuck with it since our master bedroom is on the other side:( Last week I planked the wall above the fireplace and love it. I haven't been able to find the wall color you used for the bay window. Please let me know what it is.

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    1. That is called Analytical Gray by Sherwin Williams. One of my favorites!

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  12. Love it! How cozy and homey.

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  13. I literally have the exact same little bump out area in my kitchen as your before, with the door and two windows! We don't have the same house layout at all, but the exact same bump out. I love what you are doing with it!

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  14. Amazing! What is the paint color? -KimB.

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    1. It's called Analytical Gray by Sherwin Williams, love it!

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  15. I'm shaking my head it's all so freaking pretty! I love the carriage lights and the sconces that you chose -- they're perfect for the space, and the perfect size, too! So glad you're getting your window seat dream come true.

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  16. Can you tell me where you sourced the outdoor lights for this area? I've been on a hunt for something like this for a powder room. Love what you've done so far!

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If you have a specific question I will do my best to answer you back here!

You can find our paint colors and links to items at the "Our Home" tab at the top of my site.

THANKS so much for reading!