Backsplash Tile

We finally finished the backsplash!

Close up, it looks a little funky.  The walls are not perfect, but from far away you can't notice.

We are almost done with the kitchen.

Pantry Doors

While I was reviewing options for the kitchen renovation, I knew the pantry had to stay, but I hated the bi-fold doors.  They never closed all the way, and sometimes got off the track.  I found this tutorial from 2 Little Superheroes that turned bi-fold doors into french doors.  I was in love instantly.  I would be able to reuse the old doors, and get to use the back of the doors to hang aprons, and potholders.  Win-Win!

Here is what it looked like before; with doors removed:

Here it is now:

I originally painted the doors Fedora by Behr, but the color was too greenish brown, and not nearly dark enough.  I repainted it Black Suede by Behr. The color is so much better, and from a distance looks like the black-brown color of the cabinets.

I put the hinges about equidistant  from each other, but if I would do this again, I would put the hinges farther apart from each other.  It's a minor issue, and a lesson learned.

We are nearly done with the kitchen.  More pictures next week.  We have purchased the pendant light for above the island, but those won't be installed until I have help, because of some unusual electrical work in the house.

Kitchen view

When we decided to redo the kitchen, I wanted a more open living space.  The wall separating the kitchen from the living room need to be expanded.

Here is the view from the front door looking into the living room (2011).  The kitchen is through the archway.

Here is the view now from the front door.  No more built-in bookcase.

The kitchen isn't separated from the living room.  It feels more cohesive, and brighter.  It is exactly what this house needed to modernize it.

I have worked on the pantry doors, but need to repaint them.  More on that next week.

Kitchen Reno: What's Left?

We have been slowly working on the kitchen.  The little details are slow going, and not noticeable unless pointed out.  Here's what we have left:

So as you can see what we have left is a couple small projects (pantry doors and backsplash) and lots of caulking and touch up painting.  It's slow going, but we will eventually get to the finish line.

Recent doings

We have been busy doing projects throughout the past couple of weeks.

We got the hood installed. 

 

I did some summer planting.  I added 2 new potted plants to the front porch, and two plants to front landscaping.

 

Nick worked on the backsplash this weekend.  It looks fantastic.

I'm also working on painting trim for the doorways.

AFI Top 100 Update:  We watched #3 Casablanca, #22 Some Like it Hot, #31 The Maltese Falcon,  and #71 Saving Private Ryan over the past couple of weekends.  27 down, 73 to go!

Bar Area

We added a shelf above the bar this weekend, and Nick styled the shelf. 

Progress is slow, but I love how it look so far. 

Countertops are in!!

It took longer than I expected, but the granite countertops are in.  I am delighted.  They look exactly as I was expecting. 

These pictures show the counters a little darker than in reality.  But you can see the great little dots of black and red garnets. 

We started working on the bar area, and installing the sink.

We have lots of little details to work on, but it functions as a real kitchen now.

Trim Painting

So, this weekend I worked painting all of the trim for Nick's office. 

Nick's office has temporarily turned into trim painting area.  During this week, we will attempt to get trim around doorways. 

I hope to show you pictures next weekend of the office's progress.

Kitchen Renovation

I have been missing for several weeks now.  It has been very busy around here. Let me show you what I mean.

Flooring removed:

Wall Opened Up:

Repair and Install Floor:

Cabinets Installed:

Drywall Repair:

Adding Doors, Drawers, Side Panels, and Pulls:

Yes, we've been busy!
I am so lucky that my dad and mom were able to come down and help.  Without them, I'm not sure this project would have happened.  Since my dad is a carpenter, and experienced with renovations, I knew there was nothing this house/renovation could throw at him, that he couldn't handle.  It was mesmerizing watching him figure out the wall opening.  A couple softball-sized holes, and he was able to get the doorway prepped for location and demo.  I promised both of my parents next time they visit, there will be no big projects. 

We still need the countertop installed (we've got a quote coming this week for this), install the sink/plumbing, attach trim and moldings to cabinets, and add trim to floors/doorways.  It feels like we're in the homestretch though. 

I will try to keep you updated in the coming weeks better than I have.  Working on a Pinning and Pining for April too.

Demo has Begun!

We have ripped out cabinets, and flooring!  It's back breaking work, but we are trying to get as much done before my parents arrive to help. 

Can't wait to be done with this reno.

PS. No Pinning and Pining this month because of the big reno!  March is a busy month for us. Hopefully it will be back in April.