Sunday, June 8, 2008

My new kitchen

It all began with wanting to open up my pocket door. My kitchen felt tucked in a back corner of the house and I wanted it to be more open.

So I called Randy and he dropped by and he took it all down in under an hour!!!

But. Once I did that, where the wall was taken down, it exposed the subflooring where the wall was! So I knew I needed to replace the kitchen floor --- which I wanted to do ever since I pulled up my carpet and finished the hardwood floors.

The kitchen was the same kitchen from when it was built in 1956. The doors were no longer closing properly. The shelves inside the cabinets weren't very high and I had to lay the syrup bottle and cereal boxes on their sides so they could fit. (You know what I'm talking about if you're living in a mid-century home and have the original kitchen cabinets).

I was on a tight budget and didn't go overboard with any high-end remodel, but I did buy new cabinets, counter tops, flooring, crown molding, light fixtures, subway tile for the backsplash, an over the range microwave, dishwasher, garbage disposal, sink, faucet, new plug outlets, and updated wiring in the kitchen. Basically it went from being gutted to all things new.

And it feels good.

I helped lay down the new floor. It was hot that day and very tiresome. But so rewarding to be able to say "i did that!" I also put the backsplash tile in myself and grouted it. I put the light fixtures in, too (with a help of a good friend) and before too long, I will select glass for my two cabinets on both sides of my sink.

I'm glad I didn't realize what how much work would be involved. Whenever I watch one of those inspiring HGTV shows, the transformations are so exciting and they are changed immediately after only a few moments after a commercial!

However ... in real life, it takes days and weeks and the changes each day are so miniscule, it is hard for me to experience that "wow!" factor I longed for. But this is what I'm excited about. I now get to enjoy the kitchen instead of waiting to sell the house and either redo it before I sell... or give the new buyer credit to update the kitchen. I learned a lot in doing this and the next time I will do some things differently so I'm grateful for the lesson as well.

Before
After
Before
After
Before
After

8 comments:

Doodlestreet said...

WOW!

WOW!

WOW!

That is a TON of work! But how fantastic you dove in and did all that...very very cool. It looks awesome, girl. You did a great job and made slick choices...I especially like the hardware...very clean lines and the subway tiles totally rock!

It really opened up when you took out that door and partial wall--you just about have a Greatroom now! That's a smart move doing it now so you can enjoy it yourself...what time should I be over for dinner? Let's give that kitchen a workout!! :o)

danny said...

Wow what an awesome transformation! I've been wanting to see the before and after pics, and now here they are! You did a great job shawn, what a learning experience it must have been. Enjoy your new kitchen!

Rayne said...

Oh my gosh! You are totally my inspiration! We need to do this to our kitchen and I'm so afraid to start wading in. Your kitchen looks fantastic!!!!

doodlegirl said...

Thanks doodlestreet! I actually bought the hardware from IKEA! When I went to pick them up, much to my surprise, they were on clearance and they only cost $3 for a pair of two! (I bought extra incase down the road I need more.

Thanks Danny and Rayne for your kind words. Rayne... Don't wade in. DIVE IN! It's amazing how much one can do themselves. I think the greatest expense is paying for the labor so if you can do anything, do it. It can save you bundles!!!

roz said...

WOW WOW WOW! This is fabulous!

bren said...

it rocks! very nice and I am glad you can enjoy it.
love the subway tile. SWEET.

doodlegirl said...

Thanks Roz and Bren. Just tonight I stepped back and looked around and felt proud and happy I did this. It really is a rewarding transformation.

ValGalArt said...

What a beautiful job! You must be thrilled!