Kitchen Soffits and Other Crimes Against Humanity

There it is. That big honkin' expanse of space above the cabinets. Glaring at me. Empty.

Not to mention making our eight foot ceilings feel more like a very cramped seven. Yes, I know I could've hung up plates or vinyl lettering or 10 lords of leaping. I could've even ripped them out altogether, but since we've got ductwork on the other side, they're staying. Call me spoiled, but I rather do enjoy air conditioning. 

 
I thought about painting it cream, but knew that rather than giving the illusion of taller cabinets, it would just look like painted drywall.

So I had the lovely gentlemen at Lowes cut down a 4 x 8 sheet of beadboard paneling into eight 12" tall strips, 
   
and then nailed them up side by side.
 

A little rough (I prefer to say rustic), but that's where a bit of molding and caulk come into play, followed by a coat of paint.

 
While I had my brush out, I also painted the small gap in between the crown of the cabinets and the underside of the soffit so that it blends right in. 
   
Although the doors on the other side were off like a prom dress, this side stayed covered for housing all the unsightly kid necessities: plastic IKEA plates. Cocoa Puffs. Nyquil. 
 

Before 
   
and After. 
 

(to see that yucky backsplash painted out and other kitchen updates,

click here)