I went through the same thing. I'm mostly past it (thanks in part to this forum) thankfully. I suspect it's a combination of all the factors you mentioned.

Flatcoat2004 - I am nearing the end of building a new house and each time something big happens I feel slightly deflated afterward. For example, selecting and designing the kitchen layout took months and I thought about it nonstop during that time but after the cabs were installed I wasn't as excited as I expected. Some of that may have been because the cabs still need some finishing work, but I suspect that much of it is the winding down that comes with finishing a big project. I felt like this after planning my wedding 9 years ago - I spent 3 months in a tailspin, planning all the events, selecting dresses and food and cakes and flowers, and then it was over and I didn't have another "project" to start on so it was like the wind was suddenly let out of my sails. You may be experiencing that, too. Perhaps moving on to another project - even a small one, like organizing your master closet - will help bolster your spirits and give you a softer landing as you come down from the high of running your cabinet project?

Plus, tomorrow is a whole new day and you might wake up excited and sunny and look back on today as an anomaly!

Good luck,
try_hard

I think you are feeling quite normal. In fact I decided that is why I keep putting off a decision on my back splash. I just don't want to admit the kitchen is finished and move on.

After all the work, I think most of us found the actual kitchen installation to be anticlimactic. But that will all change once it's complete. A kitchen is much more than the sum of the individual pieces. You'll walk in one day and say "Wow" as will your friends. Give it a little time and enjoy it.

Yup- It's what I call the Christmas afternoon blahs. There has to be some psychological term for what is a normal let down after so much anticipation.

You'll get that high again, when kitchen is actually functioning, and you walk in one morning to your wonderful new space, and realize it's yours.

Is this your first 'low'? I found I go up and down, starting to slide down a little myself- but it's not so bad as the 'first time', cuz I know I'll feel better again. You will too! :>) I promise! Have they actually installed the cabinets yet? Are you going to let us peek? :>)

LOL, glad I am not alone !

try-hard, you touched on something there. This feeling reminds me of the post-exam feeling in school or college ... the main focus of your life suddenly disappears. (Yes I was a nerdy type who studied too much). And also the massive let-down after graduate school completion. Wow I had totally forgotten about that. The next project needs to be my poor yard that has been trampled and trashed and ruined by all the construction work :-( And maybe a party ?

raehelen, this is truly my first "sad low" during the remodel. I have had several "cranky lows" and at least two "angry lows". The carpenter said he will install cabs today, but I'll believe it when I see it ... the floors are still unfinished. I also picked a paint colour for the house exterior yesterday, and they are painting today. I am just terrified of going home and finding that I hate it all. I am usually really comfortable being a single gal, with all the associated priveleges, but it must make it so much easier at times to have someone help out with decisions. Or at least who can share the blame :-) Compounding this is that all my family lives abroad and none of my friends own their own homes, so they are sick of listening to me about all the choices.

Le sigh.

Y'all can peek at my kitchen when I get home. If I don't cry first. ;-)

Oh flatcoat -- you are definitely not alone! All our cabinet carcasses are up and each time I enter our kitchen (which is often) I'm left with a "feh" feeling. "Feh" as in "whatever," like your "fine." I cannot believe I sweated bullets and somehow robbed a bank (I'm kidding) to pay for this remodel -- it's definitely not making me feel like a million bucks! But for me, it's like going on a big trip: all the planning and research is a good part of the fun. Or an internet romance. It's hard for reality to compare with the lusciousness of our imaginations ....

I have been following your quest for an exterior color (on the Decorating forum) so I am really excited for you about that! I hope it makes you smile -- even without being painted, your home's exterior certainly gave me a thrill. You are doing a great job with all of it and I (among many of us here on GW) am really excited about seeing your kitchen. I know, fat lot of good that does you, but please know so many of us are in your corner.

We lived for a brief spell in Noe Valley (then Woodside and now Colorado), so seeing your views makes me nostalgic.

You have been going through a HUGE remodel for quite a while now. You are bound to be tired of the whole process and ready to move on. And you are not alone.

I'll be thinking of you!

It's like post-partum depression -- or the same feeling you have after your daughter's wedding is over (or whatever). We always invited people back for a post-big event drink, just so we wouldn't be sad and let down. It's relief mixed with an empty spot now that the excitement and anticipation is over and now you have to get to work. But just wait!! The minute you start using this new, wonderful kitchen, you'll feel sooo good.

Flatcoat -- Have an ALMOST DONE PARTY!! Or, a kitchen pre-warming. Invite your friends in for some wine/cheese, coffee and cake even before the floors are finished. When everything is finished, invite everybody within driving distance who has gone/is still going/ through this with you,
and have a real kitchen warming.

Post those pictures when you get home!! We want to see.

Part of growing wiser. More lessons to come no doubt, if my own experiences are anything to judge by. Advise taking up a hobby that doesn't cost so much.

Oh flatcoat, you are not alone. I'm 98% done and still have those feelings. It's like all the planning for a vacation. The waiting, saving, buying the clothes, planning where to go and before you know it, it's over and the vacation was weeks ago.

I started Gardenweb when I was remodeling two bathrooms, then on to the kitchen. I still come here often to see my cyberfriends and what they are doing but one of the other forums you should check out is cooking. Also lots of good friends there with some real yummy recipes. They have a thread going every week of "what's for dinner" Check it out. Isn't that really what this kitchen is for?

I'm sure your family abroad will enjoy seeing the pictures as much as we will. Post when you can so we can ohhh and awwww.

Here is a link that might be useful: What's for dinner #268

One thing I've learned from our 4 years of remodeling: it's *not* over when the materials arrive...you've got plenty of excitement (good *and* bad) waiting for you still...

You can exhale after your punchlist is finished :)

Obviousy what you need is another house :oP

THen you can start over making yourself crazy again :)

Sigh.

Yes I cried when I went home. The house exterior looked horrid. It hadn't occurred to me that a dark blue house with white trim and burgundy accents could look a tad ... patriotic ? At least they only painted half of the front. I think I terrified the neighbours :-) This required much hand-wringing on my part last night, and a trip to the paint store at 6 this morning.

It's only paint, right ?

The painters snickered at me a little. Can't say I blame them !

I think I was feeling a little overconfident on the colour selections, since the interiors had turned out so well. Oh well, an expensive lesson. Anyone want 5 gallons of dark blue paint ? ;-)

Inside, the floors still look pretty bad. I hope the stain colour mellows out.

rosie - yep, this remodel is making my previous hobby seem very economical by comparison.

Igloochic - not sure I can bear the thought of starting over on another house. I have no idea how you have coped with it !

Kitchen cabinets still unhung. Now I am worried about the drawers clearing the door trim. As you said, flyleft, plenty more things to worry about.

Maybe tomorrow will be better ?

I feel this most times a big project is finished! You put so many hopes and expectations into the planning (and the money spent!) Then when it's done you feel a little disappointed, as if it doesn't quite look as perfect as it did in your imagination. But chances are you went with your gut and chose materials and colors you know you like, and in the end that'll pay off. You'll add touches, you'll use the kitchen and you'll grow to love it. Kind of like having a baby. You wanted it, but when it comes it's often a weird feeling. Who is this person?! But you grow to love it!

As far as the floor goes, it'll change a lot once it's finished.

Flatcoat 2004

Why do you think so many of us still go onto this forum months(years??) after our kitchens are finished? WE JUST CAN'T LET GO!!!!

Tomorrow WILL be better. That's a nice thing about awful days. And I meant to advise a nice affordable hobby that doesn't ever have to end. My garden has been keeping me balanced for years.

So, what is your new choice for the outside (your previous scheme sounded very nice)?