Want to know a little secret? I’ve been dreaming up plans for our kitchen renovation. I know, I know – it feels like we just did a medium kitchen makeover with my bestie, Savannah, but it’s impossible NOT to see these design plans in my head.
As I’m cleaning up the kitchen at the end of the night, I find myself wishing there was a specific cabinet, or that the layout was just a tad different. A kitchen renovation is extra tempting because I had my dream kitchen in our last home in Arizona! I’ve taken so much inspiration from that space and recreating a version of it in Tennessee is something I’d love to do.
A few details have come into play recently that has motivated us to tackle the kitchen sooner rather than later. And by sooner, I mean, like…right now! Yep, it’s official! The Monarch Revival kitchen remodel is underway!

You might have noticed a few of my recent blog posts.
I’ve been digging into the archives to make decisions on our new kitchen. With shipping times what they are, I need to make my selections sooner rather than later.
A few questions I’ve been getting:
It’s been a year and a half since our budget makeover. I know that isn’t that long – but remember, this is my job AND my passion! The goal was always to remodel the kitchen and we finally have the resources together. Unfortunately, we’ve had a few issues with our appliances and the cabinets are on their last leg. It looks great in photos but there are some issues we need to address.
It will definitely have some similarities, but differences too!
We plan to take our time and use this opportunity to teach the boys some valuable skills along the way. We aren’t in a hurry but hope to finish up in the fall. But, we are flexible and know how it goes. This isn’t our first rodeo! I don’t want to rush anything and I need to schedule days off and rest as to not get overwhelmed or overworked. Again, not my first rodeo!
What are your kitchen must-haves that I should be planning for? I’d love to hear from you! Comment below and let me know.
So exciting! Can’t wait to follow along on this :)- I know it will be beautiful ❤️.
We did a full gut kitchen remodel about 5 years ago and I understand what you mean about needing a space so you’re not continuously eating out. We had no such place and by the end we were so excited to cook.
A must have is a dedicated baking zone with all those baking items to enjoy that time creating a food masterpiec!
Kids special drawer with their items to enjoy baking with you.
I’m sure it too will be magnificent. Talented beyond your years!
I’m here for this! Thank you for something positive to look forward to at the end of a long school year!
Do you ever rest?! Wow…I wish I had your energy!
Its going to be stunning! I can’t tell from your mood board- are you going with La Cornue or a different range this time?
I’m doing the SMEG Portofino I think!
Did you like your La Cornue range? We are thinking about getting this for our new kitchen. Thank you. You’re amazing
We loved it!
Rich color, lots of wood, brass, pot filler,
A butlers pantry, storage, and a large family table
For me as I’m thinking about tackling my kitchen a double wall oven is gonna be a must! I’m the kitchen cooking for our large family and family gatherings all the time. The bending over to get things out is getting old as am I! So trying to work that into my small-medium size kitchen is going to be a trick.
Under cabinet outlets instead of on backsplash, trash compactor (can’t live without it!), 2 dishwashers, scullery kitchen
Oh my gosh!! I’m super excited.. The mood Board!!!im swooning!! 💓
Thank you!! I am excited too!! xo
I am SO exited to follow along- it will be beautiful! The one thing that I WISH I would have done was put all of my outlets under the cabinets. It just looks so nice and clean without them.
Such a good tip. I need to think about that. Thank you!!
Love everything about the mood board! Gorgeous…GORGEOUS!!!
Thank you!! xo
Thank you for all the inspiration you provide. You are truly amazing and blessed! We just bought a home that has a galley kitchen that we plan to blow out into the room behind it to open up the space…major gut and remodel. I know coffee bars are popular, but in my last kitchen in the island I had a cupboard below the prep sink with an extra outlet that my Vitamix was plugged into 24/7. Within seconds I could lift the blender up to the counter (protein powders and accessories in drawers right there) use it, wash the pitcher, and everything out of sight when finished. Super easy and convenient. ❥
Brilliant! Thank you for sharing and for being here! xoxo
I have 2 dishwashers, 1 on each side of the sink. They are both Fisher & Payless dish drawers. I love the ability to run a drawer at the time and not have to wait for a full load. In the future when I get new ones, I will probably do the 2 drawer unit on one side and the full dishwasher on the other side because not everything fits into the dish drawer.
We’re doing 2 dishwashers again too! We did that in our Arizona house and loved it with our large family! Thanks so much!
Your mood board looks great! I’m looking forward to following along, as I’m already impressed with your demo video on Instagram. Wow! You are an inspiration!!
So excited to see your vision com to life. It is wonderful to see your whole family involved in the process. Thank you for sharing I so enjoy the journey.
Hot water on demand faucet with a dedicated tea drawer below. I drink a lot of tea working from home in the dreary Oregon Winter and I love not having to heat water in a kettle anymore.
Could you please provide us the information on your cabinets? I’m saving for a total kitchen remodel but want real wood cabinets. If I’m going to tear hand built cabinets, I want to put something back in that’s comparable. Thank you.
Yes! In a week or so!
Are you going to take down the wall on the other side of the stairs to open up to the livingroom?
Nope! I prefer it closed off. Unpopular opinion: I don’t really like a fully open floor plan for my own home. 😀
I can’t wait to see what you do!! We I designed our new house, I designed the kitchen layout FIRST and the rest of the house was based on it. My must haves: all drawers (no more sitting on the floor trying to find stuff in the back of a cabinet), no corners=no lazy susans, double layer drawers next to the cook top for utensils and spices, LOTS of counter space!! I LOVE my kitchen and I know that you will too!
I’m assuming you will have your trash in pullout cabinets. Make them from floor to countertop to get the tallest cans you can in there. Many I have seen have a drawer over the trash. It will save you time and give you more room for trash. With such a big family of boys, soon to be big eaters, the extra trash room will be helpful.
I’m just excited to sit back and watch you do your magic!
Just seeing your mood board makes me excited!!! I’m excited to follow along on your kitchen journey!