Hello Oh So Shabby readers! I’m Karianne from Thistlewood Farm and I am so excited to be here today sharing my renovated butler’s pantry. I live in a turn-of-the-century farmhouse. In the middle of no where. Well…..actually….the middle of no where, Kentucky. I’ve learned a lot renovating the farmhouse.
I’ve learned that vinegar is your friend and wallpaper is not and that four layers of flooring can hide beautiful old floors and that white paint makes everything look better. And about 5,214 other useful pieces of information.
I’ve learned that I like milk glass stacked to the top of the white shelving and new crisp white moldings…. and linen lined baskets….
and white built-ins with crystal knobs…. and numbered baskets lining the top of the shelving. Oh…and…and I’ve discovered that I like checkerboard floors, too. And $4.00 garage sale ladders.
Yep. It’s official. I’ve discovered that I like “afters” way better….
…..way better than “befores.”
I’ve learned that I like open shelving….and milk glass and gray walls instead of khaki. And little white stools for anyone who can’t reach the dishes.
And khaki linen dish towels with fleur-de-lis.
But over the past six months….you know what I’ve discovered about myself? What I’ve discovered about me? Something that really surprised me.
I mean….I still can’t believe it.
I cannot believe how much….I love to bring my farmhouse back to life. Really and truly. I love it. There are days when I think I would rather work on the farmhouse than go on an all-expense paid trip to Disney World or win the lottery or have the perfect hair day or learn how to paint sea creatures on my toenails for a new beach look or sit by the pool on an 108 degree day.
And every night when I sit down after a day of renovations. And I think about my day. And that I just painted the butler’s pantry. And how excited I am about it. And that I absolutely LOVE just saying the words “butler’s pantry.” And that this time I decided to go with gray. And that I’m not really sure if grey is spelled grey or gray or greige. Or maybe I should stop with all the gray and start with navy blue and orange?
And then I laugh to myself….because everyone knows that navy blue and orange is so 2013 
PS It was awesome to meet you! If you like to read about more farmhouse adventures, follow along at www.thistlewoodfarms.com.
I love what you did with your Butler’s Pantry and I’d love to see the rest of the farm house. I love them. We just recently renovated an old Cracker House for the state and are living in it. We gutted everything but the huge farmer’s wife’s kitchen. I refuse to let them touch the cabinets. They wanted to take them down and put NEW ones in. NO WAY. I fought hard for them. So did Danny who worked all the house all the way through it. We both did. I won the battle with the cabinets. It was easy. We are in a huge budget crises. Right. OK? New cabinets would have cost the state over 10,000 dollars. Probably more. We worked on them. Layers of wall paper had to be taken out. It should be outlawed. I counted 8 layers in places. Sanding. I can tell you a lot about the grades of sand paper. Danny and I sanded every inch of them. Staining and varnishing. Then came the cabinet drawers and doors.They really needed to be replayed but the cost would have been high. So we sanded and sanded and sanded some more. Then painted them and finally covering them with a clear stain. Cost for supplies. Less than $300.00 Most of Danny’s labor was done off the clock. My was totally off the clock. Money saved…..A fortune. It was a project I never thought we get finished. The doors are still old and show signs of age. The cabinets are better than most you could buy today. Our house ….(for the time)..OUR Project. We had new counters and sinks put in. I was hoping to keep the old flooring….It was the same kind that WAS in your Butler’s Pantry to start with. It just went with the wood ceiling. ….I enjoyed your pictures and your guest post.
Sarah…from Sarah’s Attic of Treasures.
Amazing huh..
GORGEOUS!!!!!!!
I love Karianne’s pantry, actually her whole house!
Debbie
Debbie,
Thank you so much for featuring me! I am so excited to be here and to meet your readers
blessings,
karianne
My pleasure Karianne
Smiles
Debbie
Debbie – how fun that you’re featuring one of my all time favorite gals – Karianne! Her entire home is fabulous. Oh, if only I could have a butler’s pantry my world would be a happier place!
Kelly
Kelly ~ I am soooooo with you. Karianne’s work and home is so amazing.. It was a true HONOR to Feature her, and her home..
Debbie
Just darling! Absolutely darling! Come re-do my house! LOL
oh WOW, what an absolutely fabulous space; I love the colours & organisation ….
Karianne, I love your butler’s pantry. I once lived in a historical house here in Alabama (I’m not too far from Debbie, although I do not know her personally). My favorite part was the butler’s pantry. It was so charming. It was between the kitchen and the dinning room.
We are building in the middle of nowhere too and our house is turning into a sort of farmhouse as well. Farmhouses are so homey.
Amazing befores and afters! I am inspired and I DON’T have a farmhouse! I do so love the open shelving and your $4 ladder and the floor and….everything!
I am Pinteresting it, but, I’m sure it has already been pinned a million times! It’s lovely.
Worth every minute you’ve worked on it!
Your home says: “LOVE”.
Happy home making!
~Leslie
I love your pairing of humorous descriptions, self revelations and incredibly inspiring transformations (okay I know a pair is two but had to list all three) But I have to say, this is what I love about the internet the most. Connecting with very cool and talented women and being able to share our creativity with each other. Going to head over to thistlewoodfarms.com now to see what else you’ve been up to!
Love your pantry. It is awesome!! Especially love white cabinets and shelves. Belongs in “House Beautiful” for sure!!
Love all of your renovations. You did such a great job.
You have such wonderful ideas !!! I love following you on facebook!