A Kitchen Reno Update!
September 10, 2015
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A lot has happened in our kitchen renovation…but it looks much like it did weeks ago. ;) But there is progress! It helps to see before pics so I'm sharing those -- if only just to prove to myself that there has been some progress. ;)
Last I left you I was waiting for some help with a couple projects. One was adding the sconces to the wall where the cabinets used to hang.
After that was done we could have the drywall patched up. Here's a view before we tore out the backslash and drywall:
Here's that view now:
Excuse the cat. The lights are in (yay!!) and the drywall is fixed. I haven't done anything with it yet -- I considered painting it for now but I don't know that it's worth the time or effort when it will be covered soon.
I LOVE the lights. I was a little concerned about the color (they looked greenish in the pic) but they are a true oil-rubbed bronze. I got the Edison bulbs for them so the light is very warm. They are on dimmers and are really fantastic at night.
Yesterday I tackled the craftsman trim around the window. I shared how I take the old sill off and add the trim in this post. Just the trim made the room feel a little more finished! I added one of these roman shades I use throughout the house to that window. The only bummer is they don't carry the same color I have in most of the house -- it's a darker espresso color now and most of our windows have a lighter, more brown tone. I still need to caulk and do one more coat of paint but I just LOVE the trim!! (I'm waiting to add the piece at the bottom -- I haven't decided if I'll do that or just tile.)
Here's the view over by the range before:
Then we tore out the drywall:
Here it is with the lights and the new range (that I adore!!!):
We did not add the niche above the range -- mostly because I just didn't want to do it. Ha! Many of you mentioned issues with grease but that wasn't a concern for me -- it wouldn't be much different than having a backsplash. (And we don't fry much anyway.) No, it was just that I got lazy and didn't want to tackle it. Full disclosure. :)
We are splurging on two things in this space -- the slide in range was one (it is this Kitchenaid model) and the new countertops (they come to measure on Monday!) are the other. I got great deals on both though -- the range was a great price for a Labor Day sale and I shopped around for the granite and got a fantastic price. So neither were as much as we planned on, thankfully.
Of course during a renovation there are always ups and downs -- the lights went in and we love them…but I need to have one moved. Our range isn't centered on the wall so I need to have one moved a few inches. I had them installed equal distances from the ends but I should have had them both centered on the counters below them.
We actually got the range within a couple days of paying for it (an up!) but when they went to install it the gas line was too high (a down, sad face). It's constant with every piece of the puzzle! So it sat pushed out about five inches from the wall for close to a week till we could have the gas line moved. It was an easy fix. I adore the range, so worth the headache!! It is dead sexy:
This version does not slide in over the counter top, which was fine with me. I didn't want to deal with any potential issues with the counters not being the same exact height. Also, usually you need to get a filler piece (either countertop or stainless) for the back, but this one goes right up against the wall. Can't wait to see it with the new counters and tile!
Here's that side of the room before we removed the tile:
And here it is today:
I'm having that light to the right moved over a bit -- the vent hood will go in the middle. You'll notice the walls are different colors - the color above the pantry is my favorite paint color analytical gray. The wall with the lights is my old favorite, sisal. :) I didn't paint that area above the (old) cabinets last year because I knew this reno was going to be done.
The drywall took about five days to complete -- the stuff from the counters was on the island the whole time and the kitchen was covered in a layer of dust every day. I gave up trying to clean it -- there's really no point. I've never been so happy to have basic white walls!!
Here's the space after we took down the cabinets on that wall:
And here it is now -- the new microwave is installed in the island and I cannot tell you how much I LOVE having the cabinets off that wall!:
It has made the biggest difference in here -- it opened it up tremendously and I feel like the space can breathe. That's the best way to explain it. Love.
This is the view that's changed the least from when the beadboard was still up before:
To now -- but I do adore those lights!:
Oh my goodness -- even with the small issues I'm just so excited about this space! It's funny because I like it so much I don't even mind the unfinished walls. I know I'll be over them soon enough but I'm loving the space so much already.
This week I was planning on tackling the extension of those cabinets to the ceiling but thought better of trying it. I'm hosting a shower in a couple days and just wanted to focus on getting the space cleaned up. At least I got the window trim installed!
Next week they come out to measure for granite (more on that soon!) and then the week after that it will be installed. I'm beside myself I'm so excited. I want to get the upper cabinets done before the install so we aren't working above the new counters at all. I have to get that crown pulled down and then I can get started -- other than painting the cabinets that's my last big DIY project for this space -- if I can get that done I'll feel like I've crossed a major hurdle.
There you go -- the kitchen as it is now. I love sharing the progress! It already feels so good, I absolutely love the direction it's going. :)
It looks great! I can't wait to see how you finish the space.
ReplyDeleteWhat color are you going to paint your cabinets? Love all the changes you're making in your kitchen.
ReplyDeleteThank you! I haven't decided yet! I keep going back and forth. Gotta decide for good soon though! :)
Deletelooks great so far. I love the new lights. Adds such a custom look to the kitchen.
ReplyDeleteHI Sarah! How have you been? It is looking so beautiful! I'm going to have to spend some time going back through and catching up on all the amazing work you've been up to! I hope life is treating you well!
ReplyDeleteHey Xazmin!! So good to see you here! Hope you're doing well too!
DeleteIt is looking fabulous. I love the range and those lights are amazing.
ReplyDeleteI am so so so so in love with those lights. What a great idea! It looks fantastic!! Can't wait to see what you picked for countertops!!!!!
ReplyDeleteLove the progress! Are you painting the cabinets?
ReplyDeleteYes! Just haven't decided on a color.
DeleteEven the plain drywall looks amazing! Baby steps are still steps, and they are leading to a gorgeous place!
ReplyDeleteWhat great progress! Looks so much more open and I don't blame you for not wanting to do the niche, that's probably just more work you don't need (hehe). I LOVE the lights they look fantastic and that new range is definitely dead sexy. Can't wait to see more!!! Its gunna look amazing I can feel it.
ReplyDeleteLauren Baxter | Lovely Décor
xx
Looking great Sarah! I love the lights, and the stove is fantastic! Thanks for the update!
ReplyDeleteI would love to know where you got the pendant lights in your kitchen! Those are just what I've been imagining for mine.
ReplyDeleteThose are from Lowe's!
DeleteCan't wait for a tutorial on how you paint your cabinets!! I am dying to do mine!!
ReplyDeleteIMHO I would do tile under that window. We have nice beefy trim under our window above the sink and the water that sprays up there has ruined the trim.
ReplyDeleteWe had trim there before and it was fine but I think it will be easier to do the tile without it! I will have to see how it looks with the new counters. :)
DeleteWow! It looks so awesome already- I always love following along on your projects and seeing the transformations take shape. I have a strong suspicion that this may be my favorite of all your room makeovers! Can't wait to see the next steps!!
ReplyDeleteLoving your how your new kitchen is turning out. Alas my significant other believes females can't do things like this so may have to do things while he is at work hahaha'
ReplyDeleteHe's a "hire it out" type not a diy type which doesn't go with my "creative just get in there and do it" type :-)
Can't wait to see the finished kitchen.
What material is your floor and what is the stain color??
ReplyDeleteThey are hardwoods stained in Jacobean by Minwax and finished with a satin poly -- this helps to hide footprints!
DeleteIt's coming together so beautifully! I love the idea of the lights and that range is amazing.
ReplyDeleteI love all your have done. Especially love all the lighting in the new space. I know you have similar lights as scones in the bay window area but in silver tone. You NEED TO... PLEASE spray those silver lights in the bay window a oil rubbed bronze paint color to match the kitchen lights. They are close in design and will be really odd without a uniform lighting color. I am not a person who likes it all similar but when it comes to this lighting design plan they are to close in design and the kitchen layout to not be the same color. Just my opinion and I do this for a living.
ReplyDeleteI don't know that I will -- I like mixing metals and with the stainless appliances and faucet they work fine as they are. I'll have to wait till I'm done to decide though!
DeleteA-MAZ-ING!!!!!
ReplyDeleteIt looks so nice and as long as it makes you happy, that is all that matters!
ReplyDeleteHi Sarah! Just a tip about those Edison bulbs... we had them in a fixture that was on a dimmer, and they did terrible. I would say we lost 1 or 2/month (our fixture had 8 bulbs) and they are waaayy to expensive to have to replace that frequently. I think they are made to just be on or off, not in between!
ReplyDeleteOK good to know! I will watch for that -- these were marked for dimmers so hopefully they'll hold up!
DeleteLooks great... can't wait to see it all done. :)
ReplyDeleteI must have missed something, but you aren't putting a shelf above the stove, and the drywall is finished, what are you going to do with the old microwave outlet? It looks really weird just hanging out in the middle of the wall.
ReplyDeleteIt is staying for the vent over the range.
DeleteI agree. Those lights are to die for! I love how a light can get us so giddy. I am looking for our girls upcoming bath redo's. I have found a few but REALLY expensive. LOVE this light!
ReplyDeleteI can't wait to see how you paint and what use to paint your cabinets with! I've wanted to do mine for 2 years but I'm so afraid of how they'll hold up. I'm afraid to mess up something that was good enough :)
ReplyDeleteYou are brave to have a shower there in the middle of remodeling. I would totally do that, but my husband would be appalled! :)
ReplyDeleteYou can check the writing on the base of the lightbulbs to see if they work with dinners. Not all of them do.
Good luck!
You are brave to have a shower there in the middle of remodeling. I would totally do that, but my husband would be appalled! :)
ReplyDeleteYou can check the writing on the base of the lightbulbs to see if they work with dinners. Not all of them do.
Good luck!