99.9% Finished!! Thrilled to death

14 years ago

We are nearly done. We need a cover on one outlet and soon as we replenish the budget we will be changing the shelves to glass in the corner cabinet so that when the light is on it shines on all shelves not just the top one.

It was fun installing the Never MT. What a neat gadget that is!!

Backsplash was installed by my dear Son in law. He did a wonderful job. We are thrilled to finally have a working kitchen, and for the first time in our lives a dishwasher!! I don't ever want to be without one again.

Here is a link that might be useful: Photos of our kitchen

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (20)

katieob
14 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Looks great! He did a super job on that backsplash!
Enjoy that dishwasher!
katiee511
14 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Beautiful job! You must be so pleased you held firm on the correct countertop. It looks wonderful.

(Always nice to see pics of Mr Baxter (?) and his friend!)
Related Discussions
AV Death
Q
Comments (37)
My apologies that I didn't come back after dinner and finish my post. I decided instead to go to bed and sleep. Yesterday was not my day and I wanted it to be over. Toni, I can appreciate that you like 60% humidity and it helps your hair and skin....we live with 80-88% here EVERY SINGLE DAY and in the summer, it can get upwards of 95%. It's like trying to breather in a sauna. It can be oppressive to my lungs. Sure, the plants love it but it is hard on one's human body. I relish winter coming because that mans it will drop into the 70's percentage wise and that will be better for me. I do change blinkers rather often in my converstations, it's part of my personality and when I talk to my plants, they don't seem to mind at all :) They just sit there and say, "Uh, huh...." and then go back to growing/blooming. As far as the encounter...I've seen someone with over 300 plants who is so overwhelmed that she can't see straight and her husband has completed checked out from their relationship because of how the whole AV/plant thing has taken over their house and how a pure hatred for anything plant related controls him. This, to me, isn't love for plants...its the inability to set boundaries and pay attention to the things that do matter (like relationships and/or taking care of plants properly). I own the fact that this is a judgement call and I probably don't understand the "whole picture" but it's still my observation. Then - I met an elderly woman this past week who is in an assisted living nursing home. She has one tiny window in her room that faces the morning sun. She has 2 plants there which sit all alone but to hear her talk about how she grooms them each and every day and has taken care of them for more than 8 years, one would be a total moron to not realize how much she loves these two plants. They (IMO) are in some sore need of rescue and grooming, but her love for them is great and she just needs some guidance. I just learned from that lesson that the number of plants you have does not equal the love for the hobby or your dedication/committment to the hobby. It is a personal endeavor for each individual. I used to say that I loved this hobby because it doesn't have anything to do with me being a wife, mother, church member or business owner - it has to do with me being me. I like who I am and I'm fairly confident that other people like who I am too; however, there are few things that personally and privately and publically thrill me (in this kind of way) as much as tending to these AVs, learning about their cultivation, watching them grow and listening to them communicate to me through their conditions and the beautiful blooms - it's like them singing to me. Larry - when anything gets more than one can handle - there is no fun. Good on you for figuring that out and proceeding accordingly in what was best for you. I was talking to someone the other day and remarked, "One can have AVs with a little bit of a life or one can have a little bit of AVs with a life. So, Toni....back to the original post of this thread. What decision did you come to about contacting the vendor about the AVs that died? Dora
...See More
The thrill is gone.......
Q
Comments (26)
I'm not my own GC and I don't think I would have the time as I'm already busy running a clinic. This doesn't mean that I'm not involved however. From day one my builder gave me a set of plans that our subdivision pre-approved. He told me I can change, add, delete anything I wanted. If it was a major structural change it was just going to take much more time to re-engineer and get approved (much more money of course). They told me do as I please with the plan or I could come up with my own plan as long as the community approved of it. I kept my plan as it was and only changed non-structural items to keep costs down. I read all of Sarah Susanka's books and played around with my plan to add character to the home. The biggest decisions I had to make concerned the orientation of the home on the lot as well as designing my own electrical plan and low voltage wiring. This took the most time in my build. I also had them build a soffit over my bay windows and carve out a window seat as well as add a few arches around the house. I wanted to keep my costs down so I didn't fiddle too much with the plans they presented to me. Other than that it was choosing just about every fixture, doorknob, flooring, counter-tops, cabinets, appliances, roofing materials etc... down to the last detail, but I thought that was the fun part. Otherwise I've been very involved in my build, visiting my home just about every other day for the last year and staying in contact with my builder. I've never lost interest probably because this was all so new to me and I had a lot to learn. I'm about three weeks from moving in and I can honestly say the thrill was never gone. That is, until they send me the final bill I'm sure.
...See More
Sniff, sniff...I just finished reading the best book.
Q
Comments (44)
Marilyn, Have you started reading the Grace series by Beverly Lewis? She has just come out with that series, #1 is "The Secret", and #2 is "The Missing". Also, have you ever read any of Lynn Austin books or Tamera Alexandra books? Lynn Austin is an all time favorite of mine and Tamera T. also. Lynn Austin is really, really good she will keep you spell bound from the beginning. "A Proper Pursuit", "A Place to Call Home", and "Hidden Places" are really good ones, but ALL her books are Great. She is comming out with a new one this Oct. She is the only author that I will ask my family to buy her books for me for Christmas at full price. LOL.
...See More
Death of the McMansions
Q
Comments (24)
You're welcome, enigma. I noticed there are now 3200+ comments to the original article. I don't want to tell anyone else how to build their home(s), or regulate size, style, etc., but it seems to me that to design a home in the vernacular would be best. We live in a rural area--no zoning laws, no permits for anything except septic systems, so anything goes. The houses are mostly older farmhouses, newer ranches and modular homes, and a few trailers parked on a relative's property. Within a half-mile of our house are 4 new builds, two of them on opposite corners, 1/4 mile from our driveway. Three of them are two-storey, 3000-3500sf brick homes with Palladian-type windows, and attached garages in the front. The homes are beautiful, well-built, I assume, because they were sub-contracted by the owners, built on land that was part of the original farm that we also live on, and not as tract-housing. One of the brick homes is on the corner of our road and a state highway, about 25 feet from the highway, with only enough back yard to support an aerator, and park a boat. It backs onto another lot of the same size, undeveloped, unmaintained and weedy. We are all surrounded by cultivated or grazed farm land. Personally, I would have spent more money on a larger lot or acreage, and less on the home, especially as they built after both of their children were grown. The new build across the highway is a modular cape, probably 1400sf, in the traditional style with a detached garage, and it looks much more 'at home' in it's surroundings. These are all nice folks, some we've known for years, all (save one) in roughly the same per-capita income bracket, but the brick homes are bordering on the McMansion status, to me, because they don't fit the feel of the area. The brick may have been chosen because of low-maintenance issues, but a farmhouse, even a 3500sf farmhouse, would look better, IMO. The land around us is currently leased for farming, but may eventually be a tract development--I've seen lots of cornfields developed, too.
...See More
marcy96
14 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Wow! What a difference! Your kitchen turned out beautiful. Great job - enjoy it!
I love your doggie, too!
cotehele
14 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Yea, no blind corners or cramped cooking! You did a great job. You must be enjoying all the counter space and not having a peninsula between the kitchen and dining table.
morton5
14 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Nice work! I especially like the backsplash and your tile floor. This is your first DW? Congratulations! I hope you enjoy many wonderful family times in your new kitchen.
bellcrest
Original Author
14 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
YES morton5 our very first dishwasher and we are senior citizens LOL. My very first brand new appliances also!
Life is good. So many friends tried to talk me out of Stainless because they said they were hard to clean. I love them and find them so easy to look after. This kitche was designed to be 'Wayne proof' DH (Wayne) is a wonderful cook but man is he messy!!
holligator
14 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
How exciting!! This is a simply wonderful transformation! I love your choices. I bet you grin every time you walk into that room. :)
shanghaimom
14 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Ooooh! I just love to see the backsplashes that are a little bit brave and different--yours is perfect! It really makes the whole space sing--just lovely. Enjoy.
footballmom
14 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Details! Details! We need Details!
desertsteph
14 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
yes the glass accent tiles are great! love the floor also - picks up on your cabs and SS. man, you are just loving it aren't you? lol! don't blame ya - you've waited long enough for that beautiful kitchen.

the 'audience' is great also... bet they're glad the commotion is over.
alice462
14 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
It is just lovely, not to mention it looks like the function in this kitchen improved about 1000%! Enjoy your new space - beautiful boxers, too!
remodelfla
14 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
I came across a link to your kitchen through another thread. I don't know how I missed it first time but WHAT A GREAT JOB! I really love your flooring and your very cool creative backsplash. ENJOY!
marybeth1
14 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Sorry I did not see your kitchen until now. What a pretty kitchen! I love your floor and your backspash! Great Job! What a nice place to come home to.
eastcoastmom
14 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Wow, what a difference! You should be very happy - enjoy your great new space. Great choices - you did good.
gbsim1
14 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
What a transformation! Yes, I'd like details too... what floor did you use?
lascatx
14 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Very nice!
tiskers
14 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Beautiful, just beautiful! Doesn't it feel WONDERFUL to be *DONE!!!*?!

I agree with the posters above who said DETAILS! WE NEED DETAILS!!!

I'd like to know more about the floor, too. LOVE IT!

Congratulations!!!! It's all BEAUTIFUL.

Lynn
bellcrest
Original Author
14 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Details? You want details? Ok, here goes. My DH and I are in our late 60's.
Our home is 44'by 24' a raised ranch set on 78 acres of land. In 1976 we lost our farm house and all our possesions in a fire. We were in a rush to get reestablished and money was a big issue so we purchased this home. It came in 2 pieces and was put on a foundation, almost in the same location as the old house. The entry is split, stairs to the main living area and stairs down to the large family room, kennel/laundry room.
The house is now 36 years old and we are in the final stages of remodling. The one and only bathroom is next and hopefully last.
The kitchen is our dream come true. It functions beautifully and cleans up great. We are happy with our choices. It is a budget remodel. We tried very hard to stay within $20,000 for the entire DIY project, but like everyone else, we went over budget, by $3,000.
Stainless Appliances, all GE Profile, except the dishwasher which is Maytag. I am loving the easy care of these appliances. Stove is a slide in. (electric, ceramic top)
The floor is laminate (Tuscan Stone Bronze)by Dupont. I love the colours and here again it is so easy to keep clean. I have 2 Boxers and often have other dogs here visiting. This floor is so practical.
The backsplash is Subway tile, Daltile in almond matte 3x6 with Accent strips in Red carnival glass Sonterra 1x1.
The countertop is silestone (quartz), colour is Kalahari.
Cabinets are Thomasville, maple, spice colour.
We have under cabinet lighting and a light in the riverglass corner cabinet. We did not change the fixture over the window nor the one in the ceiling. The wiring is there if we choose to change them in future. We did change the fan over the table as it was white and the new one is stainless. It is a Hunter fan.
The faucet and soap dispenser are Moen, 'extensa' Very practical, attractive and functional. We have the Never MT also. We put the faucet on the left side because most times when using the tap, you are rinsing something that is in the right hand (we are right handed) The curtains are temporary. Till I find something I really love.
We have under the counter garbage pull out. All shelves in lower cabinets are pull outs. On the left of the stove is a pullout for DH's oils etc. Spices and stuff are on the right in upper cabinet and top drawer contains oven mitts and his binoculars as he loves to watch the deer, moose and other wild life out the patio door. The dishwasher is in the island and the drawers beside it contain all DH's brand new paderno pots and pans. The cabinet above the fridge has a slotted pull out for trays etc.
The flooring goes all the way down the hallway to the bedrooms. I like it so much I even have it in the bedroom that I use as a computer room. The Living room and 2 other bedrooms have hardwood (oak, gunstock colour) and family room downstairs is all beige ceramic tile.
I did want the same hardwood in the kitchen but DH got his way as he loved the floor we got, having seen it in his friends house.
Is that enough detail, or is that overkill LOL.
PRO
Window Accents by Vanessa Downs
14 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Your kitchen is beautiful and such a transformation from the old kitchen. I like all the light in it and the space, as well as the colors you chose for your cabinets and counters!

I know you will enjoy your new room!
biochem101
14 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
I LOVE your backsplash! Dark red and ivory is one of my favorite color combinations. :)

You did a really excellent job with the whole renovation. Every detail covered. And I'm VERY impressed that you did it for so close to $20,000!

Looks beautiful. Enjoy your new space!

99.9% Finished!! Thrilled to death

Comments (20)

katieob

katiee511

Related Discussions

marcy96

cotehele

morton5

bellcrest
Original Author

holligator

shanghaimom

footballmom

desertsteph

alice462

remodelfla

marybeth1

eastcoastmom

gbsim1

lascatx

tiskers

bellcrest
Original Author

Window Accents by Vanessa Downs

biochem101

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

99.9% Finished!! Thrilled to death

Comments (20)

Related Discussions

bellcrestOriginal Author

bellcrestOriginal Author

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

bellcrest
Original Author

bellcrest
Original Author