Ah, I really wanted to open up the thread and see "During your renovation did you ever want to scream/get a divorce/shoot someone/check yourself into a mental hospital?"

Because I am feeling ALL of the above. :)

We've done this before, but it WAS a (little over) a decade ago with 3 less/zero children, a flexible budget, more time, clearer vision. Now I am attempting to fashion a kitchen that I'll still love a decade or more from now, feed a family of 5 in a 1/5 of a typical kitchen- with NO range, work, ect.

We couldn't have hired out this project, that wouldn't have gone with our budget, so I know that IF it was going to get done, this is how- but it's not been pretty.

SOOOOOOOOOOO.... YES, I'd say it's normal(ish) to feel that way. :)

I am sure it will be worth it in the end!

Best wishes.

Yes! I lose sleep over faucet choices! I'm losing it! I was just thinking about how exhausting this process is. Visiting this awesome website gives me terrific ideas, but also maintains/worsens my obsessiveness. :) I keep telling myself it will be worth it.

This is the 2nd kitchen I have done and the 3rd time I have done a large renovation. The previous renovation in this house was a large family /bathroom addition 9 years ago. The last kitchen I renovated was 20+ years ago. This has been the hardest by far.

I agree that the number of options available has been the cause of a lot of stress. The total price tag, what if I make a bad decision, has made me lay awake at night questioning everything.

The night before the granite was installed, BF said that I was sitting in the dark muttering to myself. I honestly don't remember that but I also don't think he was imagining it either. Given my state of mind anything is possible.

Hang in there.... this too shall pass.

The funny part is that this is our very first kitchen and first reno, and I keep calming myself by thinking that I should relax on the decision points, because it's not like it's the only kitchen we'll ever renovate...now I'm thinking I've had this all backwards all along! ;)

(But, yes, if our experience is much to go by, it's totally normal. I even had an "umm...should we really do this?!?" moment---the night after they finished demo!)

The sad part is that we were almost ready for our rough inspection tomorrow---but the electricians forgot an outlet, and it was DH's day home with them and he didn't check any of the work before they left. *sigh* So now they think they don't need to come back till after we have our inspection---and we can't turn the power back on in 2/3 of the house till then. Auuuuugggghh.

Yes, crafterbeth, it is totally normal to feel all of that when you have been placed in kitchen jail. You know you should be thinking about other things in your life like your KIDS and the BILLS and oh, why is my husband so touchy about looking at another round of tile - just one more time??

There are so many options now...it is crazy making. A Rubik's cube made of countertops, floors, cabinets, and the d$%& backsplash. Yes, please join the rest of us crazy people. Really. It will be OK. Just keep the wine close at hand.

It has been almost 4 months since my kitchen was ripped out. My children have told me they will no longer eat pizza. Even hamburgers aren't going over so well. My dining room (which is now my temp kitchen/family room) looks like I am having an Estate Sale. I no longer have time for the gym...instead I go to Kitchen Stores and Tile stores - that and eating take out has helped me gain 5lbs.

I totally feel your pain...I wept when we started this knowing it was going to turn my life upside down. This forum has helped me keep my eye on the prize...and I finally realized there is no one perfect way to do this kitchen. I already know what I would have done differently and what I am happy about. When it is all over I think it will be worth it...and I won't remember all the drama of the past few months.

I can only say what everyone here has said to me...hang in there...it will be worth it!! And know that you are not alone...

I bought new dishes 5 years ago 'for my new kitchen' but as it took 5 years to complete the building, i only now took the dishes out to use them-
and guess what?
I CANT BELIEVE I CHOSE THIS PATTERN! IT'S AWFULL!!
so now i hear it's normal and we all make bad (or funny ) choices once in a while...
thanks but i think i will get new dishes again : )

Here is a link that might be useful: catering

Oh, yes! I feel like screaming, crying, etc. Sometimes I look around and start shaking because I don't know where to start in order to clean up some of the continual mess.

I teach fitness classes every morning and have been at this particular place for over 10 years. I recently got a second class at a new place just on Fridays after my regular job. So, last Thurs, Lowe's called to tell me my pantry door was ready. I was so excited!! Friday morning, I take off for my regular class in the old pick-up truck. I stop and get two bales of hay and then to Lowe's to pick up my door. When I got home, my husband said, "Are you just going to take the car now?" I didn't know what he was talking about. He said, "To your second class!" All of a sudden I got queasy and my heart started racing. I had completely forgotten about the second class!!

So I braced myself for the phone call I had to make and my boss wasn't even at the gym. She didn't even know I hadn't shown up yet. She was very understanding and told me not to beat myself up for it (which I did anyway). However, I would have to fill out a psych form that would go in my file in case it ever happens again!! WHAT?!?

Talk about embarrassing! In 23 years, I only forgot about one class that someone asked me to sub about two months in advance. My DH and kids thought I was teasing them and that the class had actually been canceled. THIS is what this remodel has done to me. Although, it could also be the menopause!!

We couldn't have hired out this project, that wouldn't have gone with our budget, so I know that IF it was going to get done, this is how- but it's not been pretty.

Same here!

I CANT BELIEVE I CHOSE THIS PATTERN! IT'S AWFULL!!

Now that's funny!

It's hard to sum up all the reasons I have awaken in the middle of the night, worried about how this total kitchen gut was going to turn out. With no inspiration picture to gaze at, I just have a vision in my head to go by.

I wore out my mouse, scrolling through pages of light fixtures. I'll probably wear out another before I settle on cabinet pulls. Yes, there are way too many choices.

I have made a game out of cooking. I am trying to get through this no kitchen time with out eating out any more than we usually do. Which isn't often, I've always been into cooking. I dusted off the electric frypan, dug out the old slow cooker and bought a good single hotplate.
I miss having an oven the most.

Right now I just hope I have appliances to cook on for Thanksgiving. The refrigerator came in from the garage last Friday. I have base cabinets without drawers , the quartz is being installed Friday and I think everyone is lined up to install and hook up everything over the weekend.
I am sure all the cabinets will not be in place but if I can cook, I'll be happy.

I'm sitting on pins and needles, trying not to call the plumber, electrician (he's coming again today) and my GC unless I have too... I have been telling them I want to cook my turkey on Thanksgiving.

I so want to have a life again...

Sitting in my dusty dining room surrounded by boxes of dishes and kitchen stuff, that have been here since July and are not going anywhere any time soon. Below me in his workshop DH is running sanders and saws, banging away. The kitchen is a cluttered work zone. My son is planning to bring his new girlfriend home for the first time at Christmas. To this mess. We'll still be in a mess come Easter, I'm sure of it.

ROFL!

YES! YES! YES! I hear what you are saying!

We hired ours out, so the pain was short-lived compared to what it would have been had we tried to DIY it. Still, for the month that our family of 5 lived with 2 RFs in the LR, a range in the DR, the MW in the office, the toaster oven in the BR, the coffee maker in the bathroom, a DW on the back porch....eating pizzas and corndogs and trying to use paper plates but still having dishes to wash in the bathroom sink....reviving the spouse after he sees the final bill....

Let's just say that it's a lot like giving birth. Once you recover from the trauma, you'll have a beautiful kitchen to enjoy and the memory of the pain will fade.

And there's always margaritas....

Thanks so much everyone! It's nice to know that I'm not alone in my frustration and my second guessing!

When we built the house 17 years ago I think I picked out all the light fixtures, hardware, sinks, toilets and tub in one trip to the local building supply store!LOL

The options have simply overwhelmed me! I never believed it would actually take me two weeks of research and agonizing to pick out a darn sink!LOL Paint choice was a week and turned out to be the wrong color,,,,hubby repainted this past weekend! We did it backwards because he has to paint when I'm not home, it gives me migraines.

The dishwasher choice/installation has turned into a huge nightmare due the fact that I requested our cabinets built 1 inch lower 17 years ago due to my short stature!LOL Hubby had to cut into the hardwood floor to get the extra height..........the water is being turned off to the kitchen sink in the next day or so............etc etc etc

The granite choice had me so stressed I couldn't sleep, not to mention the cost!

I just wish I had discovered these forums a few months ago,,,,such wonderful advice, knowledge and support here!