#StapKitchenReno - Update #5

Phew! What a busy few weeks it's been around here! Apologies for going dark around here, but we had a pretty big party to prepare for so it has been all eyes on the prize with this kitchen!

It's actually starting to be a functional space, which couldn't have happened fast enough!  Our party went off without a hitch and made us realize even more what a great entertaining space we have created!

We still have some small details left to do, like texture the ceiling from our drywall repair, and build small custom wine storage... as well as one or two bigger details, like getting rid of that archway over the entrance to the kitchen and the big back splash tiling job... but at least we have a usable kitchen again at long last!

Here's how our list is looking at the moment... (look at all of those items crossed off!!)

• Remove partition wall between dining room and kitchen
• Dismantle existing kitchen cabinets & island  
• Remove dishwasher, range and microwave (and sell!)
• Remove tile flooring in dining room 
• Remove and/or reroute electrical from partition wall   (we still have some electrical to finish up, as well as some lighting design to decide on.)
• Assemble new kitchen cabinets 
• Have wood floors extended and refinished (hired out) 
• Repair drywall on ceiling and wall from wall removal
• Install new cabinets, hardware, drawers and doors  
• Have new countertops installed  
• Install new sink & cooktop
• Install hood over new cooktop 
• Tile wall above sink & cooktop 
• Put toe kicks, moulding, and other finishing touches on the space 
• Demo archway on dining room entrance, and replace with beautiful custom moulding!

Now, you'll have to excuse me while I go stare at my kitchen...

Kitchen Evolution

Last summer during a particularly creative spell, I found myself daydreaming about expanding our kitchen. I had no idea that one year later we would be doing just that.  

While the overall design has evolved, the concept remains the same: knock out a wall, move the formal dining room to the front room and make an enormous kitchen.  It has been just a few short weeks (7, to be exact) and our kitchen is coming along quite nicely.  

Just for fun, here is a little look at it before, after a cabinet paint job, and a few progress photos of our current renovation.  Enjoy!

#StapKitchenReno - Update #4

Well, it certainly took longer than I thought it would, but we officially have a kitchen island! I will save you the story of all the roadblocks we encountered while trying to place that island, and just tell you that we did it. :) You have no idea how proud we are of that beauty!

We are still without a sink, cooktop and oven but are starting to see real progress which helps keep us motivated for the time being.  We are hoping by late next week that we have a working kitchen again, which is - of course - dependent on the electrician coming through for us.Who knew electricians were so popular?!

Here's how our list is looking at the moment...

• Remove partition wall between dining room and kitchen
• Dismantle existing kitchen cabinets & island  
• Remove dishwasher, range and microwave (and sell!)
• Remove tile flooring in dining room 
• Remove and/or reroute electrical from partition wall (hired out) 
• Assemble new kitchen cabinets 
• Have wood floors extended and refinished (hired out) 
• Repair drywall on ceiling and wall from wall removal (after the electrical + inspection)
• Install new cabinets, hardware, drawers and doors  (the island is done, hoping to get the rest done in the next few days!)
• Have new countertops installed (hired out) - measuring this week, hopefully install next week!
• Install new sink & cooktop (once countertops are in)
• Install hood over new cooktop (once countertops are in)
• Tile wall above sink & cooktop (this one will be delayed until we live with the space a bit and decide which type and color of tile to go with here.)
• Put toe kicks, moulding, and other finishing touches on the space 

It is all starting to come together now, which is a huge relief!  When you convince your husband that demolishing a wall is a good idea, and you have measured and designed the kitchen without seeing the space opened up first, you cross your fingers and hope it all turns out okay!  I am happy to say that we are both very pleased with how it is turning out so far!