Renovation Nation

Okay, so I’ve been quite the slacker in sharing the latest goings-on with the kitchen renovation, painting, etc. My apologies; life just seems to get in the way sometimes.

Here are photos of what the room looks like now that the walls are down and you can see into the den (click here for a before pics). We had hardwood placed in the kitchen and also covered our den paneling with dry wall. Prior to the painting, two of our walls were white, two were accented in red. Once the dry wall was complete, we painted the entire room a neutral color, “Bone White.” I’m now working with a fabulous designer and fellow Junior-Leaguer, Darcie, on picking fabrics for the window treatments – I’ve included images of the sample fabrics I’m considering.

In addition to the activity on the main level, we removed the Santa Fe-inspired wallpaper in the master bedroom upstairs (seriously, what were the previous owners thinking??) and painted the walls a grayish/blue. We then replaced the old, green carpet with a more neutral carpet and removed the God-awful window treatments, replacing them with plantation blinds. Our bedroom is much more the calming oasis it should be.

I am quite pleased with the progress we’ve made. We still need to figure out what to do with the countertops and the bare spot on the wall above the stove. That’s next on our list, although the tab is running up, kids, and we really need to watch our pennies. Maybe I’ll just create a mosaic out of broken pieces of china, glass and legos, stick it on the wall and call it a day. Whatchya think?

* Please excuse the disarray of the house in these photos. Art work needs to be hung on the walls and we're waiting on the arrival of our new sofa, so some things are still in flux.

Two Steps Forward, One Step Back

So, plans to start the kitchen renovation are in place (One of my inspiration kitchens from Southern Living is featured above). It very well could get underway in a week or two. Our contractor was over Thursday night, we settled on a more-budget friendly design and we were getting excited. Then he had to check in the basement one more time to make sure that we can knock through one of the walls. Wait...there's plumbing in the wall. So, now we have to see what the plumbing/HVAC folks say. Is it something that can be easily reworked or would it be too much trouble? We'll have to wait and see.

Then, we take Hubby's SUV to the mechanic yesterday because something is wrong. Something is right. The damn thing needs a new transmission and fuel pump. This on the heels of finally committing to a kitchen renovation that we've been wanting for more than six years.

Sigh. I just need to put this in perspective. I have a roof over my head and another vehicle to drive. People in Haiti have lost everything. I know, I am blessed.

I'm still a bit peeved, though. ;)
Image courtesy of Southern Living

Kitchen Renovation - It May Really Happen This Time

I know this kitchen has been featured on such blogs as Cote de Texas and most recently The Newlywed Diaries, but I couldn't help feature the island because it's so gorgeous. I love the idea of taking a piece of furniture and making it the island. Oh, to have such a space to cook in! Actually, we've been working with an architect/contractor on possibilities for our kitchen renovation. Last week, he had the cabinet maker and electrician out to the house for a walk-through. Today, I'm meeting him at lunch for the flooring and HVAC guys to see the kitchen. We're waiting on a final quote to see if this is going to break the bank or not, but it's sounding like it's a real possibility after the holidays.

Luckily, we don't need to purchase new appliances, which is a big cost when renovating. And, we're not completly redoing the cabinets, so another area where we can save. But, we are looking at some demo, to open the kitchen into the family room. Given that we're discussing possibly moving a little closer into town over the next year or so, we really need to update the kitchen, since that's what often sells a house. But, we don't want to outprice ourselves for our neighborhood by going overboard. I think what we have planned is a good balance.

So, I'll keep you posted on if and when this adventure in renovation begins. It'll mean several weeks without a kitchen, so I'm sure I'll be in a great mood in the first part of 2010. But, I just need to keep my eye on the prize, right?
Images courtesy of The Newlywed Diaries

Kitchen Cabinets - Before & After

Before shot - dark, dark cabinets. Of course, as you'll see in the after shots, the clutter never changes. :)

After shot: white cabinets and the art gallery that is our fridge.

After shot - white cabinets (again, please disregard the cluttered countertop and dishes in the sink - such is life at our house!)

The "new" old farmhouse table and chairs I purchased Friday (and the lovely green linoleum floor - blech!)

I must close with this print that hangs in my kitchen and I know that many of you have as well. Always a good message to keep in mind.

I’ve had a couple of readers ask how the painting of our kitchen cabinets turned out, so thought I would post some before and after pics. But, I must warn you that this is very much a work in progress. We’re still trying to decide on which pulls to purchase (we’re testing a couple different versions, hence the lone pull you may see in the photos). We still need to fix the backsplash, redo the countertops and the floor. Ah, the floor. You’ve read about this in past postings. And now you finally get to see the lovely green linoleum, or as I call it, the Green Monster. But, as I’m sure you can relate, other unexpected projects come along and interrupt your plans. (Like a giant tree that falls during a storm and has to be cut up and hauled away for a nice sum of cash. I'm just sayin'.)

Also, I found a great deal on a table and chairs at a funky consignment shop in town, Eyedia. I had been searching for a farmhouse table, something antique looking and came across it Friday during lunch. Of course, it needs some TLC (Hubby just had to shake his head at my impulse buy, in the end, though, he liked it). But, for right now, Lemon Pledge seems to do the trick.

Have a great day, everyone!

The Painted Cabinets

The painters are at my house as we speak, painting our dark, dated cabinets a lovely, crisp white. When I arrived home yesterday, the kitchen was torn apart, but I could already see a vast improvement with the paint color. Yea!

Tonight at 6 p.m., a kitchen designer who was recommended to us by Casey, our interior designer, is stopping by to survey the space and offer some ideas. I realize that a complete kitchen redesign can be astronomical in price, but it’s helpful to have quotes on a variety of options. Be it a modest cosmetic makeover to a tear-down-the walls renovation, it’s good to know price points.

I would love to hear from any readers who have been through a kitchen remodel, be it a simple makeover on up to a complete renovation project. Any words of wisdom to offer? I would love to hear your experiences and recommendations.

P.S. In my never ending search for kitchen design inspiration, I came across these fabulous sites: The Kitchen Designer. Part blog, part design catalog, this is a great source for ideas if you’re planning a kitchen makeover or just looking for simple tips on updated your kitchen space. And, The Inspired Room, which provides design ideas for all aspects of your home, inside and out. Enjoy!Image courtesy of Coastal Living

A Perfect Combo

I've discovered Simply Seleta's blog and I'm just enamored with her style. In looking back through previous posts, I came across a feature she did on Rebecca Robertson's home, which was at one time a shipbuilder's warehouse in New York. I love this kitchen, because it combines my love of white kitchens and bookshelves, along with a splash of color.
Photo courtesy of Simply Seleta

Keep your fingers crossed...

A few weeks ago, I entered a contest to win a kitchen makeover. You had to submit an essay explaining why your kitchen deserves a makeover and include a photo. Yesterday was the deadline to enter and the top five finalists are supposed to be notified this week. Then, the grand prize winner will be announced on Saturday at the cabinetry store sponsoring the contest. I'm hoping to hear something today, but the later it gets in the day, the more I doubt I'll be chosen.

For inspiration, I included photos from the movie "Something's Gotta Give," which had one of the best film sets ever. I love this kitchen and dining room. Anyway, keep your fingers crossed that I hear something!
Photo courtesy of Archtectural Digest.