Wednesday, November 7, 2012

100 Year Old Pantry - The Big Reveal

Thank you for your patience.

The time has finally come to open the French door and invite you into my pantry.


Before you can appreciate how far it's come, you may need a reminder of what it looked like when we bought our house.


And, here is what the pantry looks like now.


In comparison to the rest of my very modest sized home, our pantry is enormous.


The 10 foot ceiling provide room for the shelves to span well beyond my reach...which is why we decided to add a library ladder.


AND, I have a confession to make.  I am deathly afraid of heights.  Even being up on this ladder makes my heart race. 


This beautiful ladder was given to us for free.  You can find library ladders at flea markets or even on ebay, though they usually run anywhere from $800 on up.


My talented husband, sanded down the ladder and applied a Briwax in a dark brown finish. The Briwax is a stain and a wax and easily restores the beauty to old wood.


We bought the wheels,


the rollers, the rail and the brackets all from Van Dyke's Restorer's.


And, we installed them ourselves.  By 'ourselves', I really mean, I supervised my husband while he provided the manual labor.


We weren't able to get the angle of the ladder to come out more than about 2 1/2 feet so the steps are not level BUT it is still useable. 


Before the addition of the library ladder, the most impressive thing in our pantry were the walls...


which I hand painted thanks to the painted wall paper tutorial from Jones Designs.


And, just so I don't forget how lucky I am for not only my new library ladder but for everything I am blessed with and by, I gave my sterling silver Goodwill tray a makeover by adding chalkboard contact paper to it and this reminder...


And I am.

71 comments:

  1. That is one seriously gorgeous pantry - and the ladder?
    TOO DIE!!! I'd keep everyday things on the very top just so I could roll it back and forth and scramble up and down it lol
    xxx

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  2. My mouth dropped open when I read that you hand painted the walls. I was thinking prior to that that I loved the wallpaper! EEEKKKK! AWESOME!!!!
    Beautiful room!

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  3. Your pantry is absolutely amazing, Amy. It's beautiful and simplistic. I cannot believe you hand painted those walls. Your goodwill tray is the perfect addition to your space. Enjoy!! Megan

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  4. oh W-O-W!! who would not be jealous of this beautiful pantry makeover?!!

    my favorite part is the hand-painted-art-kind-of-thing on the wall amy! i like the pattern :) super! and to think you hand-painted it! you're definitely artistic...

    huggies***
    rea

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  5. That is gorgeous! I with I had your pantry. And I love the stenciled walls.

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  6. I am jealous.

    There, I said it. I totally want to live in your pantry.

    (Would that be weird?)

    But I would totally climb the ladder and get things for you if you let me move in.

    Plus, the tray?? Love! (And you were complimenting *my* "handwriting"?!?) ;)

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  7. That looks beautiful! Fantastic transformation!

    --Katie

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  8. B-E-A-U-T-I-F-U-L!!! love that ladder! glad you made it work

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  9. I so love your pantry Amy!! The ladder is such an awesome addition. I'm so jealous of your pantry... not just because it's simply so cool and big.. but because it's so organized too!! Whenever I try to organize my little pantry so I can easily find things, a tornado or two hit.. I call those tornadoes hubby and Susu! :P

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  10. I can't imagine the time and love (and dare I say Hate) that went into those walls...Gorgeous! I love how you've modernized yet stayed true to the integrity of the original era design. I would venture to say that your house is very pleased with you and Mr. While Wearing heels!

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    1. What an incredibly kind comment. And, I always chuckle when someone refers to my husband as Mr. While Wearing Heels...I love that!

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    2. I can appreciate your house so easily because we live in a 1912 Craftsman bungalow in downtown Riverside, CA. Our area is so lovely and there is so much history due to the citrus industry. There are so many original pieces still in our house including the hardwood floors, doors and hardware and even windows and screens!

      I love your inspirations and transformations from your Goodwill trips...if only ours had half of the good stuff you find (and I've been curious as to why so many people are getting rid of their globes?! My 6 year old son would love to get one...)Thank you for your blog and it's so joyous to see your heartfelt replies!

      Paula

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    3. Paula, you have my dream house. I would love to own a craftsman bungalow. I am sure your house would make me green with envy :). I couldn't agree more about people donating their globes...why!!! I have vowed to save each globe that crosses my path, especially if they are $3.99.

      And, I hope you realize how much I appreciate your very kind, thoughtful, sweet comments. Thank you so much!

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  11. Absolutely gorgeous! I love it! The walls are wonderful and the ladder is to die for! I am so jealous! But happy for you too!

    Love it!

    Holly

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  12. Wow! This is an amazing project. Your pantry is gorgeous. The ladder is great, but I really love the painted walls. You have such mad skills! Wonderful.

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  13. It looks fabulous! I absolutely LOVE the library ladder! And I'm definitely jealous of all that pantry space!

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  14. This is so pretty!
    I so want one..... too bad my ceiling is kinda low - ish......

    hugs x
    Crystelle
    http://www.crystelleboutique.com

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  15. Your house just has so many lovely surprises! The pantry is gorgeous :)

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  16. Um WOW, I can't even begin to tell you how much I love it. I think you meant you supervised the progress not sat and watched. It's fantastic, so jealous of all that space. I think the ladder is safer than the step ladder you were using. I love the painting to, need to come back to that later.

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  17. That is amazing. Truly. That pantry turned out great, you should be proud of yourselves!

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  18. Awesome! Love it - and I'd never have noticed the steps weren't level if you hadn't told us!

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  19. OMG...this is gorgeous! I have an 1888 house and I so need to update our pantry. I pinned and tweeted this so I can find it again!

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  20. I love it! Great Job! You should enter the "This Old House - Do It Yourself contest!! You could win!! I just know it.

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  21. WOW!!! Just amazing!! I LOVE it!! GREAT job!!

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  22. You have a fine set of wheels there, and your storage doubled being able to access all the high spots. You need a little dumb waiter basket thing on the side so you can fill it up and lower it down.

    Bliss

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  23. I LOVE this!! It looks absolutely gorgeous! Do you just want to live in there now??

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  24. What an amazing transformation! Love it!! The ladder was a fabulous finishing touch! I live in an 1890 house and this makes me want to do my pantry. It's not as big as yours, but it needs a major makeover. Thanks for the inspriation!!

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  25. Came via Delightful Order.
    WOW! That is a fantastic job you've done. The ladder is gorgeous and practical, too. As someone above said, I love how you've modernized, but still kept the old vibe from the house.
    I hope that it serves you well :-)

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    1. Anne, thank you so much for your very thoughtful comment. I tried to return the favor and visit your blog but was unable to. So, thank you for visiting and for taking the time to leave me a comment as well.

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  26. Very pretty. I love the stenciled walls. We are thinking of building a big pantry, and I love the ladder idea.

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    1. Thank you so much for taking the time to leave such a sweet comment!

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  27. Lovely--and that ladder is amazing :)

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  28. Love all of it and the ladder is amazing.

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  29. whoa, now that is one dreamy pantry! i wish i had one, and i wish it held books-always wanted a ladder system thing like that!

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  30. I LOVE this Ladder! What a beautiful after!!! Perfect project and perfect space!

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  31. Beautiful! Such a big job isn't it? I have been slowly painting mine since last summer.

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  32. Your pantry is absolutely gorgeous! I love it a lot! If only we all had a pantry that spacious! Well done on stencilling the walls... that must have taken some patience! And the ladder is the perfect touch! S x

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    1. Sophie, you leave the sweetest comments. I wish I could reply to your thoughtfulness directly instead of via my comment thread. I hope you know how much your comments are appreciated. Thank you!

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  33. I'm pretty sure I heard the angels sing when you opened that French door to your AMAZING pantry! Wowza! Bam! Boom!

    And, yes, I'm sounding like the old 70's Batman tv series ...

    :)

    Linda

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  34. Now following. Found your cute blog on the link up.
    I love what you did in the pantry. My husband is looking over my shoulder and is not trying to figure out how we can incorporate a ladder like that in ours. Great job.

    Danielle
    www.thesweetpeapod.blogspot.com

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  35. Drool! Love this pantry and that beautiful ladder! Amazing job with your painting skills and patience! :)

    Julie

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  36. New follower! Found you through At the Picket Fence.

    Love this pantry~the painting on the walls is very impressive! I only have a narrow closet for a pantry so anytime I see a pantry makeover I have to drool over it!

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  37. I am in love! Your pantry is fabulous- I would find excuses to spend time in there!

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  38. That turned out beautifully! It's what dreams are made of!

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    1. Kathryn, thank you so much for taking the time to leave me such a sweet and thoughtful comment.

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  39. Gorgeous pantry! I don't know if I would ever want to come out of that room! I love the finishing on the walls and absolutely adore the ladder! How lucky to have been given it - a real treasure.

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  40. Hol-eeee-smokes Amy! You rocked this! Love everything! The ladder is stunning - and the perfect color too! Your hubs is very talented! And you are too to make the stenciled walls! Total gorgeousness!!

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  41. Seriously gorgeous! Every little bit of it!

    Angela

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  42. Oh WOW! Amy this is amazing! The ladder.. the stencil.. everything is seriously gorgeous! You are so talented!

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  43. Wow, I just love it! That library ladder is absolutely gorgeous, and totally functional! I've always wanted an actual library big enough (or tall enough) to need a library ladder. :-) Thanks for sharing at The Fun In Functional!

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    1. I'm just stopping by again this morning to let you know I featured this at Practically Functional today! You can check it out and grab a button here: http://practicallyfunctional.net/2012/11/the-fun-in-functional-link-party-25/

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  44. wow, wow, wow! i am so blown away by the beauty, simplicity and design of your pantry! i especially love the hand painted walls and the ladder. i love putting things in my home that have a story or significance attached to it, and that is what that pantry is for your home - personal touches, a gifted ladder that you brought back to life beautifully, hand painted walls, and beauty everywhere you look. you are amazing amy (and you have a great hubby - good job on the ladder!!). love it!

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  45. LOVE your stenciled wallpaper, and the grateful plate, and the ladder, and the order in your beautiful pantry!!!

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  46. This is simply gorgeous! I have a pantry that's very similar in siza and shape to yours, and now I want a ladder! And your Jones Design walls are fantastic! After doing that stencil on a curtain, I know I'll never take the time to do it in my pantry, but now I kinda want to. Everything is super amazing here! Fantastic job!!

    Jeannine @ The Concrete Cottage

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  47. This has got to be the coolest pantry ever!

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  48. I have featured your ladder this week.

    Holly

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  49. Lucky you! A ladder in the pantry is a great idea. Your pantry is gorgeous!

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  50. Featuring your lovely pantry on this weeks All Star Block Party! BEAUTIFUL!!

    http://www.nutmegplace.com/2012/11/all-star-block-party-24.html

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  51. Thanks so much for sharing at last Wednesday's Adorned From Above Link Party. This weeks party is live. The link to the party is
    http://www.adornedfromabove.com/2012/11/wednesdays-adorned-from-above-link_14.html
    Can't wait to see you there.
    Have a great week.
    Debi

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  52. It has been said by everyone, but I have to say it too, fantastic job!! It is simply stunning and I am envious! My pantry is four pull out drawers!
    You are very lucky and talented. You did a great job on the wall!!
    Congrats!
    Nancy
    http://wildoakdesigns.blogspot.com

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  53. This is stunning, and how clever you all are to make that ladder! On a side note, can you tell me what font your use for while wearing heels in your pictures? It is so fun! Thanks!

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    1. Thank you so much for your very sweet comment. I get all my fonts from PicMonkey. I used Channel...doesn't that just sound like a great font?

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  54. I, too, used the template from Jones Designs! Isn't it great how much graphic impact a little hand-painted stencil gives? I adore your pantry and especially the addition of a library ladder. As a homeowner without a pantry, I am quite envious. Great job!

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  55. Amazing and way too cool with the ladder! You have made a beautiful space there, your pantry is very nice! I've got this linked to my pantries post too today, for inspiration.

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  56. Stunning and I love the library ladder...you've given me some great ideas I have 14 foot ceilings in my pantry!! Talk about heights!! Blessings~~Regina

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    1. Thank you so much Regina. 14 foot ceilings in your pantry..wow!

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I am head over heels you took the time to leave me a comment.

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