First, a tour of the metamorphoses of our kitchen.
Below is what it looked liked when we bought the house in 1997 -- plain with carpet on the floor, but lots of storage and counter space!
It was the 1990s -- I couldn't leave it alone. Had to have wallpaper and a border that I personally cut around every last one of those paisleys. What was I thinking putting in a dark blue countertop when the kitchen was already dark? We also replaced the sink, laid hardwood floors, added glass to four of the upper cupboard doors, and changed out the appliances from beige to white.
The darkness got to me -- here are new light formica countertops AGAIN, the addition of six new can lights, and the start of the removal of the wallpaper.
Here's the mid-2000s metamorphosis - lighter wall paint and crown molding.
Still too dark - painted the cupboards a cream color and added a chandelier. Also, in this reincarnation, we built the microwave in above the stove.
I thrive on change -- so here we go again in 2013! It all started with a discussion about getting a new sink. The old one was losing its sparkling-clean look. Decided it was time to upgrade from Formica countertops to a solid surface product with an integrated sink. That required a new backsplash, also.
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| Countertops and integrated sink - HiMacs 'Tambora' solid surface, fabricated and installed locally by Dan Madone of Cedar Rose Wood Works. |
I was ready to change out the 1980s cathedral-design cupboard doors, and wanted a simpler Shaker-style.
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| Demolition and mess; new soffit trim before painting and before new doors and drawer fronts. |
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Interior of cupboards painted 'Blue Sonata' from Color Place (Walmart)
Backsplash - American Olean subway tile from Lowes, installed locally by Craig Hayden Tile and Flooring. |
Also, I would have loved to have a new refrigerator; but the budget made me choose between the doors and the refrigerator. No new appliances this go-around. They will be updated as a need arises.
We have never had any knobs and pulls on the cupboards and drawers -- time for a little bling. The new doors also have concealed hinges.
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Cupboards and walls painted 'Pure White", Pro-Classic by Sherwin Williams; towel bar is a Moen grab bar from Lowe's bathroom section.
Cupboard doors and drawer fronts made and installed locally by Matt Micci (woodworker, contractor, friend). |
I wanted to demolish the soffit, but that was nixed! So, we just beefed up the molding to make it more a part of the cupboard architecture.
We contracted out the cupboard doors, countertop, backsplash, plumbing, and electrical. In our younger years, we have done a lot of DIY renovations; but now that we are older, it seems wise to hire some stuff out. As the saying goes, retired people have more time than money, but sometimes more money than energy!
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| Replaced the falling-apart shutter with new curtain. Fabric from JoAnn's. |
We were very pleased with all of the craftsmen that contributed their talents. Bob and I (mostly Bob - after all, he's 26 days younger than I am) took care of demolition, painting, molding construction, moving stuff out, dust removal, sewing, and cooking under unusual circumstances (example: go find the oregano, please -- I think it is on the floor in the living room!). Still need to install some of the hardware, and we are in the process of washing every dish, pot, and pan that goes back into the cupboards. However, the end is in sight; we love it; and it was worth it!
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