A little bit of piece in my in-progress kitchen (pic)

11 years ago

We kicked the GC out yesterday. He and his crew do wonderful (if SLOOOOOW) work, but we simply ran out of money. So the rest is up to us. There's a TON of stuff to do still, but it doesn't matter, because today is the first day that the house really feels like it belongs to us.

The little one woke me up at 5:30 this morning, and I couldn't get back to sleep. But not because I forgot to put a piece of filler in a crucial spot in the cabinets, and not because the GC put the exterior lights so low that the door bangs into them, or any of the other reasons I haven't slept properly in 4 months. I couldn't sleep because it's like Christmas for me today -- a whole new kitchen waiting downstairs for me:

So I came downstairs and had two cups of tea all by myself, and I feel (finally!) very peaceful. :)

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (23)

fouramblues
Original Author
11 years ago
You know I'm foggy from lack of sleep: I meant to write "peace"! ;)
CEFreeman
11 years ago
Isn't that gorgeous!

I like the layout a lot.
I also like your cute little pendants.

I understand and hope you enjoy every accomplishment from now on, that is truly yours.
Related Discussions
Progress on my new kitchen!!!! Very pic heavy.
Q
Comments (24)
Thanks everyone! Oops, I think there was a misunderstanding. The knotty pine paneling stays and was actually primed yesterday, but the planks behind the cabinets will be covered. My contractor still has to build my mantle style hood and the rest will be tiled with backsplash. We haven't decided what we are doing around the window yet. It has to be covered because he cut holes in it to move the electric and the part of the kitchen that was once a porch doesn't have the same boards. Prill: The wallpaper is something isn't it? Some of it had waxpaper on the back. The rest had a fabric back. Ironcook: We were going to get red oak countertops from butcherblockco.com but we went over budget on the things you can't see (plumbing, electric, etc) so now we are probably getting them from Ikea. We haven't decided which wood. I'm pushing to stain it dark though. Newbieremodeler: I can post a layout, but it will be Monday. It's at school. My cabinets are Norcraft. I ordered them sight unseen (except on the website) from Designer Cabinets Online. Nancy_in_Michigan: The cabinets were a very good value. They were about 7,500. We already had the floor that we plan to put down. We are doing some work ourselves like tiling and painting. We bought the stove on sale, the dishwasher was a floor model so we really saved there. I got the pulls we plan to use on clearance at Lowes, and I bought the knobs, sink, and faucet we wanted on Ebay. We were lucky to find someone to do the work that we trust and is reasonable, so I think we will come in at or near budget. I'm generally pretty careful with money so after I found the cabinet source the rest wasn't that hard. It can be done, you just have to shop smart and find a contractor/installer that is reasonable and good at what he does. Spifeymom: Sorry to hear about your issue with Sears. I hope you get it resolved to your satisfaction quickly. I'm glad my temp kitchen helped you. It's pretty funny to see it sitting there in the living room. We have been eating, but definitely not the way we are used to eating. Yesterday we burned some sticks and the cabinet boxes and had a hotdog roast and smores. It was fun, but I don't want to do it again anytime soon. To all: I am so happy I went with the recommendations I got here to get as many drawers as possible. I got a lot of pressure from well meaning people off site to change it. I'm glad I stuck to my guns and got what I wanted. I think the hutch really does help to keep it from feeling like such a long run of cabinets, plus it gives me space to display some of my favorite things. Oh and someone, I didn't catch who, asked about the ceiling and if we were going to paint it. I thought about leaving it, but alas we can't because under the existing light fixtures the PO cut holes the size of the fixtures. It has to be patched so that we can do a different light. Because the wood is so old, we can match style but not color so it has to be painted. We decided to go with the color of the cabinets for the ceiling and a color that is gray-green for the walls called Thunderstorm. It's coming together. The only thing that hasn't been picked is backsplash. And I am having a hard time deciding what will fit the space best. I see now why people wait so late to choose their backsplash. Thanks to all and I will definitely keep the pictures coming!
...See More
Kitchen progress pics (70ish% finished)
Q
Comments (61)
Hi Aries, Thanks for the compliment! I think I put the most thought and effort into the kitchen and baths. I'm building in southern NJ. My husband and I are the GCs and we both work full time so we're already 9 months in and should be finished up before a full year, I HOPE! I'd be glad to share some pictures of the rest of the house as soon as I get some of the debris and dust cleaned up. The DG plan we chose has smallish secondary bedrooms and baths. I wasn't too keen on that and had planned on expanding them during the framing but we ended up doing a walkout basement instead so we'll have some extra space to store toys. That was enough to get me to drop the whole bathroom expansion obsession. I also like the architectural style of the DG and FB plans. I beefed up the size of the exterior window trim on ours and it made a world of a difference. Seems to make more sense proportionally compared to the columns. I noticed a lot of discussion on the Home Building forum if you search for Don Gardner and Frank Betz, although I didn't see many pictures.
...See More
Kitchen Remodel Progress Pics - Suggestions on Wall Color Needed
Q
Comments (20)
Imalm53 - I usually avoid offering opinions on color because its so subjective and personal, and because monitors affect what you see. But yours is one of my favorite kitchens. Plus I appreciated the step-by-step granite install photos that you posted awhile back. So here goes . . . I agree with some of the previous posters that bold colors would detract from your beautiful cabinets and granite. But I LOVE the colors of your accents . . . burgundy and yellow. Those are the colors of my kitchen. Sort of a mustard yellow on the walls with a burgundy rust on my window soffit. I love it for me, but I dont have the dramatic cabinets and granite that you have. (Its not done yet, so I dont have photos. ) I do like your idea of putting color on the fireplace wall. Hows about putting your burgundy on that wall, with your yellow on the mantle trim. Then using a softer coordinating color on the rest of the room. Then pulling those colors into your window treatment to tie it together. I was going to try to do a mock up but my monitor is playing havoc with the colors (getting mauve and some strange yellows). I just did a search and saw Benjamin Moores Pottery Barn Collection. Looks beautiful . . . at least on my monitor. Can you imagine doing some combination of this? (not sure if you need the green, though) Benjamin Moore's Navajo white Wedgewood gray Brick red Hampton green HTH!
...See More
My kitchen remodel is in progress! (Pics)
Q
Comments (10)
I'm so jealous your kitchen reno is going so fast. (no not really. Happy for youl) Breezygirl, our contractor quoted us 3 months for a full condo redo. We were supposed to be in by Sept. HAHAHAHA! Most likely we'll be in by in by mid Nov if lucky. If I were you, I'd double the time given, not just add a month. If you only add a month, then you'll be stressed and unhappy. If you double it and the GC gets finished in less time, you'll be happy. When we started DH believed the GC. I knew better and tried to explain to him that 3 months actually means 6. I'm not stressed, he is and I'm usually the one who gets stressed. I expect things to go wrong, things to be late, etc.
...See More
tea4all
11 years ago
Beautiful! I would love some of the details when you have time to share them. Your floor is lovely. The overall feel is so very pleasing too. You made good choices. It would be a great place to have tea! Enjoy!
nineteenoeight
11 years ago
Looks like a wonderful place to feel at peace! Enjoy all the small tweaks and finishing up you'll be doing. Bravo, looks lovely.
chiefy
11 years ago
It's beautiful! I can see why you're at "piece" :)
fouramblues
Original Author
11 years ago
Thanks for the kind words, everyone! Once I figure out where everything goes, there will be less counter clutter. :)

tea4all, this isn't an official kitchen "reveal", so I won't put all the details in, but here are the main things you can see from the photo: Plyboo Havana strand bamboo flooring, Starmark cabinets, Windsor windows, Pottery Barn Barnard pendants, and EcoSmart 4" LEDs for the recessed lights.
fouramblues
Original Author
11 years ago
Ha ha, chiefy76! That probably was a Freudian slip, since my life has felt very fragmented since the reno started!
michoumonster
11 years ago
best of luck to you on the finishing touches to your kitchen! it is looking great already. i cannot wait for the final reveal and details!
TxMarti
11 years ago
It looks great. Not much more to finish; enjoy putting your touch on it.
SaraKat
11 years ago
Nothing like a manly man free zone at 5:30 in the morning!!! Looks gorgeous! Enjoy not having strange men in the house. The other things will get done eventually : )) A beautiful kitchen.
fouramblues
Original Author
11 years ago
Lots of finishing touches, but I'm looking forward to the process! (Even though I've already made finishing mistakes that the GC's crew never would have!)

Just for fun, another shot of my sweet range (Capital Precision) and my Wall o' Stainless, which turned out to be not nearly as overwhelming as I'd thought:
remodelfla
11 years ago
Love your ceiling and the many cute personal touches you put in. Particularly the way you framed the vents up top for the frig/freezer and that awesome little alcove you have by the window. It'll get done... don't worry.
fouramblues
Original Author
11 years ago
remodelfla, I totally stole the frig/freezer framing from phorbin (see link below). Funny thing about the ceiling: we lowered the ceiling to 8' in the kitchen/dining room (except the coffered area) for several reasons. So we effectively ADDED A SOFFIT!!! Certainly not in keeping with conventional wisdom, but I like it. :)

Here is a link that might be useful: phorbin's kitchen reveal
dilly_ny
11 years ago
Wow! It looks finished to me and GORGEOUS! Enjoy your first cup of tea and all the other culinary delights to soon come from your new kitchen.

I too am at the point where the kitchen looks done, but I still need paint, one cabinet hung, a bit of tile, and a million more finishing touches. Yet, having come so far, I just want to enjoy for a while before I make any more decisions and follow up with the plumber, electrian, inspector #26, 27 and 28 (LOL!), the tile guy, etc. I can't even say I'm ABBS yet, but I'm enjoying the progress and the change in this old house.

Your kitchen looks great! Enjoy!
fouramblues
Original Author
11 years ago
dilly, I'm excited for you that you're almost there too! SO nice to have a functional space finally, isn't it? Will you post pics, or are you waiting until you're ALL finished? In any case, congrats!
maggie530
11 years ago
It's beautiful! Can't wait to see your finished product. Love your ceiling :)
andreak100
11 years ago
fouramblues - looks very nice. Love the little splashes and hints of red that I'm noticing. I'm sure you are looking forward to everything being finished. Like your animal art next to the Wall o' Stainless too - out of curiosity, where did you get those?
a2gemini
11 years ago
Four-loving it!
fouramblues
Original Author
11 years ago
Thanks, maggie - I was a little worried about creating a soffit!

andrea, the pops of red will magically turn to orange (or blue?) once my rather orange island top is in, but thanks! :) My daughter drew the "meat art", as we call it, thanks for noticing! Funny, all along I thought I wanted a more contemporary space, but my selections have added up to "refined farmhouse", a descriptor coined by my daughter. I couldn't be happier!

a2 - thanks!! Can't wait until my backordered Buckingham is in! I'm bummed that the thing I chose first (last August!) has suddenly become popular and so unavailable temporarily. Oh well. This kitchen has taught me a thing or two about waiting...
Susied3
11 years ago
fouramblues, it's looking fantastic, well, it looks finished to me. :)
What was your alcove before? And, what are you using it for now? Just curious as I have a space similar.
I like how you separated the ref/freezer, it looks very nice.
I know you're not ready for details, but do you mind telling your cabinet color if you know?
colorfast
11 years ago
Great kitchen. It's hard to put my finger on explaining this, but what I like is your sense of proportions: The different heights of the ceiling, the framing of the sink window with just the right size and distances of cabinets, the cosy feel of the nook window (as was pointed out already). Very natural. Everything belongs. Look forward to your finishes.
fouramblues
Original Author
11 years ago
susied, here's a closer pic of my alcove:

Doesn't look like much right now, but finishing the walnut top will make all the difference, I think. Before it was part of the dining room, and now it's my command central. The old layout is in the thread below.

The perimeter cabinet color is a Starmark tinted varnish called "ivory cream", but I think that's a bad description. It's more of a pale putty, with a slight green undertone, than ivory or cream.

colorfast, thanks for the very kind words! But I can take no credit for the way the bones of the kitchen came together. GW helped me with appliance/sink placement and zones, and the architect did the rest. I got to pick the paint color. :)

Speaking of which, I'm just about to run to the paint store. DH took the day off to paint, so I'm getting the supplies. Can't wait to see the space with a little more color!

Here is a link that might be useful: My first kitchen post
a2gemini
11 years ago
Four - bummer that it is on back order. We must have gotten our Buckingham just in time - but maybe it was ours that caused the backlog - remember, the first slabs avalanched, so they had to snag more to template.....

Hang in there - I almost ordered my back splash today - so close - I called but the tile manager wasn't working today.

DId order our sun room table today - but have to let them know the final color, so making progress.

A little bit of piece in my in-progress kitchen (pic)

Comments (23)

fouramblues
Original Author

CEFreeman

Related Discussions

tea4all

nineteenoeight

chiefy

fouramblues
Original Author

fouramblues
Original Author

michoumonster

TxMarti

SaraKat

fouramblues
Original Author

remodelfla

fouramblues
Original Author

dilly_ny

fouramblues
Original Author

maggie530

andreak100

a2gemini

fouramblues
Original Author

Susied3

colorfast

fouramblues
Original Author

a2gemini

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

A little bit of piece in my in-progress kitchen (pic)

Comments (23)

fourambluesOriginal Author

Related Discussions

fourambluesOriginal Author

fourambluesOriginal Author

fourambluesOriginal Author

fourambluesOriginal Author

fourambluesOriginal Author

fourambluesOriginal Author

fourambluesOriginal Author

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

fouramblues
Original Author

fouramblues
Original Author

fouramblues
Original Author

fouramblues
Original Author

fouramblues
Original Author

fouramblues
Original Author

fouramblues
Original Author

fouramblues
Original Author