This is truly beautiful and authentic. Just love the detail!

Beautiful!!!!

Motarmixer! More pictures please!?!?

I'd appreciate knowing the color, just so I can check in IRL.
I really love your work.

I can't imagine it being ay more beautiful had someone (wasted time and $$ and) had a KD for a magazine doing this.

Beautiful.

I've got $3 of brick in there. Unless I count my time for loading and unloading and moving the brick, and then it could possibly be worth thousands. I'm going to the cabinetmaker's house tomorrow to pick up the rest of the pantry and will find out the color. This total redo will come in under $7k for the entire room as long as my wife doesn't go crazy with granite or backsplash or deciding to replace all of the appliances.

I am soooo happy you are posting and posting pictures. I think it look gorgeous - you are doing an amazing job - I can't wait to see the progress :)

Piaa

Mortar - it's looking fantastic so far!!! I can't wait to see the finished project and hear about your wife's reaction when she gets back. Please record some video of that.

Gorgeous!

Oh....what fun this is to follow along! Looks beautiful! Can't wait to see more!

Amazing! Sorry I ever doubted your skills & knowledge(I hadn't noticed your screen name when I posted on the other thread). My DH was handy, but you are in a league of your own.

Beautiful! The cabinet color is so pretty and looks great with the bricks. Can't wait to see more!

Bumping for MM and photos!

You are so the man:)

The base cabinets are in as of last night on the sink wall. Gas company comes today to check lines and hopefully I can get the base cabinets on either side of the range in this afternoon and the wall cabinets tonight. I'm going to run out of things to do in this room before she gets home, so I will probably have time to work on the pantry. I'll take some pictures tonight to post.

Do you think she has a clue that this is being done? What will you have finished past putting up the cabinets? Will the sink be in and countertops too? Could you please do my kitchen next?

So exciting! Can't wait to see the updated pics and really can't wait to see your wife's reaction. PLEASE videotape it!

Still loving this project! Absolutely looking forward to more photos:)

Keeping my fingers crossed for new pictures!

Anxiously awaiting pictures!

I came for more pictures....

*tappingtappingtapping fingers on tabletop*

I feel like a child on Christmas! :D

Eager for more pictures!

You know the psychology of slot machines...give enough to keep 'em coming back but never enough to be satisfied?

I'm pulling for more pics and an update.

Go Mortamixer!

Good luck with the inspection.

Any news on the cabinet color?

I just love your work!

It was a Sherwin Williams paint match but almost the exact same color as Glidden clay bisque. Here is a picture I took yesterday evening while I was bringing cabinets in. Almost the exact same layout except the cabinet to the left of the sink will be the dishwasher, but I was trying to keep them out of the way. I will get more pictures tomorrow when it's not raining and there is actual daylight. Gas man came and checked all connections and the range is ready to be moved back in once all of the cabinets are in place. I didn't get much done today after spending the afternoon waiting on the gas company and moving the range twice, but I don't have anything but working here planned for tomorrow and will have some extra hands. Hopefully I can get the wall cabinets installed and the range moved back in. And there won't be a finished countertop until my wife decides on something. I'll most likely put some plywood on so the kitchen is semi-functional, but she will have the electric range and a sink in the old kitchen to use as well.

You are absolutely right to do the brick. It's timeless and shows true workmanship.... hard to find these days.

Here is a link that might be useful: Ice and Refrigeration

More pictures!!!
Progress???

No visible progress today. Since it was cool out, I decided to make my way up to the attic to run some can lights above the range. It's dark in there and my little outdoor wall light would have been quite unwelcome if my wife walked in the door early. She's supposed to be coming home soon, but she called tonight and said the girls loved the beach and they were thinking about staying for another couple days. I go back to work on Monday, so progress is going to stall, but I didn't realize it had already been over a week. Cabinets will be finished up tomorrow, and I'll have to run somewhere to get plywood for countertops. The cabinetmaker still has a few finishing pieces like a plate rack and drawer organizers, but for the most part it will be finished and ready for her final decisions, or will be more to tear out if she doesn't like it.

I don't think you'll be tearing anything out... ;-)

I agree with Rhome - nothing will be torn out. Good luck MortarMixer!

you won't be tearing anything out - it's all beautiful! What a wonderful gift for her!

Love how it's coming together!!!

Hoping for some pictures of your weekend project. Sounds like you have a bit more time before The Big Reveal.

I love this thread!

I just read this post and the preceding one in their entirety.

MortarMixer...I'm utterly awed, with your skills, your devotion, your thoughtfulness and attention to your wife's tastes, comments and preferences.

You're way too young for me to even think of you in terms of a spouse, but if I were your mother...I'd be so proud of you.

The fun part (after the shock wave) will be showing DW the earlier and later posts!

I should have plenty of pictures soon. I took out all of the cabinets today after a drywall friend said he would come over and spray primer on the ceilings and walls to save some time. He's coming tomorrow morning before another job is ready. I'll be at work, so I'll have to hurry and get the cabinets in tomorrow evening. My wife is leaving in the morning, but shouldn't be home until Tuesday evening. She's supposed to call tomorrow evening when she is tired so I can reserve a room for her somewhere. I spent most of today removing cabinets and cleaning up the house so she won't feel like she has to do anything when she comes home. Thanks for all of the kind words. I'm hoping that I can get my wife on here to let you know how if she likes what is done.

Can't wait to see more pictures and the finished product! It is so beautiful so far. Try to get that picture of your wife's face when she first walks in and sees it!

Hanging out, waiting to see more, mortarmixer!
You must be exhausted/exhilarated.
really looking forward to see photos of the room and adjoining areas. With or without photos of your DW's reaction. But it will be fun to read some of her thoughts if she decides to share.

Outstanding brick work, and I love the cabinet color with it. I can't wait to see the next photos.

The fun part (after the shock wave) will be showing DW the earlier and later posts!

Oooh, I am so excited for you, MM!

YES! To more pictures!

Bumping for more pics, please.

Waiting here too...

I haven't forgotten about anyone. My wife returned home last night and as far as I could tell, she loves it. She cried and spent a good hour or two looking around and touching everything. I'm pretty sure she opened every door and drawer to test the soft close which we've never had before. I told her there had been some discussions on here, so she plans on reading through them today. She's still sleeping 14 hours later though.

Can't wait to hear what she has to say...and more pictures, of course! Congratulations for pulling this off!

I can imagine her doing that. What an amazing surprise...Wonderful for both of you, since I know it's as nice to pull off a successful surprise as receive on. Can't wait to see more!

Thanks so much for the update. Of COURSE she was thrilled!!!!!!

Yay for the happy suprise! Can't wait to see more.

Oh how exciting! Please keep us posted with your progress Mortarmixer!

Hooray!! I am so glad she loved it:) tell us more....and more pictures.