Finished!

I can't believe that the kitchen is really done!  We've talked about doing this for such a long time, but it's really, really done!

 I'm trying to keep the counters less cluttered, but as you can see, I'm not doing a great job at that.  Last night I had everything arranged when I realized that I forgot about the little red spice cabinet.  I'd bought it just for the new kitchen, but I guess I didn't really need it after all.  Oh well...it's cute so out it came!

 I have a lamp ordered for this corner, so this little lamp will get a new home in the entryway.

 I had a hard time deciding on a sink and faucet, but here is what I finally landed on.  The faucet is Pfister's Ashfield in Tuscan Bronze, and the sink is Kohler's Cape Dory in white.  When I was trying to decide on a faucet and sink, I searched the internet looking for a picture in someone's home rather than just the pictures provided by the manufacturers.  Just in case someone on the same type of search lands here, I included the links to those two products.  So far, I'm really happy with both, but the sink may take some getting used to!  It is deeper than the stainless steel double basin and it seems very big!  I love the look and even washed the things that go above the cabinets last night.  I think I'll like using it!

 The trim above the window (I'm sure there is a name for it) looked a little dated, but trying to match the stain  of the cabinets wasn't something I wanted to do.  So I ordered this sign from Appalachian Primitive on Etsy. She does custom work in addition to what is available in her shop, so I ordered at 36 in sign so that it would fit the space.

 One last look at the final product!  Oh...one more product advertisement.  The counters are Catalina by Allen+Roth.  It's hard to tell in these pictures, but they are a great neutral with flecks of white, dark brown, and a goldish-yellow.

Kitchen Progress

Within an hour and a half, the kitchen went from the old counters to this...

 then this!  The counters were done by 10:30 a.m.  I worked on covering scratches on the cabinets and getting some things put back before the plumber arrived.  I also took a nap...this kitchen remodeling is hard work!

The Kitchen Remodel Really Starts!

Once we finally ordered the counters, 5 weeks seemed like forever.  But, as time does, it has flown and here I sit today listening to banging and clanging coming from our kitchen as the new countertops are installed.  

 Everything had to come out of the bottom cabinets and all the drawers had to be removed.  There were things in the far depths of the corner cabinet that I didn't even know we owned.  I could barely reach them and couldn't even see them without a flashlight.  May have to do some cleaning out before things go back in!

 I am a little sad to see these counters go  They've served well over several families and many years.

One last look at the old sink and not-so-old faucet!  David had to remove that trim under the window as the new backsplash will be slightly taller.  The trim will have to be cut down a bit and put back up.

It's a big day at our house!

Riley

No wonder I have a case of puppy fever...look at this cutie pie!

 Riley - October 2009 when he would hardly hold still long enough for a picture

 Riley 2010

 Riley 2011

And Riley the Wonder Spring at age three in October 2012

Kitchen Before and After

Back in July, I told you a little about the kitchen at my very first house.  It was in good shape, as was the whole house.  It just wasn't my taste.  The turquoise kick board under the cabinets, the mauve formica on the back splash, the flower pots holding up the end of the counter, the ceiling fan...  This picture is taken after work had already begun, so it looks extra bad, but you get the idea.  I used to keep this picture on the refrigerator to remember how far it had come!  

 Here its the finished product.  My aunt and uncle painted all the cabinets and the yellow accents and installed the bead board back splash.  My dad put new porch posts in place of the flower pots.  My mom painted the dining area. David installed a new light fixture. My grandmother hung the wallpaper border.  I put on new cabinet pulls.  That's just the list of what those folks did in one room...it goes on and on for the rest of the house. The kitchen ended up being one of my favorite things about that house.  It was so bright and sunny.  Amazing what a lot of elbow grease, some paint, and some wonderful friends and family can do!

 **David and I had only been dating a few months when I moved into this house.  He was very involved in all the work that went into it.  I still wonder why he didn't run the other way.  12 years later and the home projects continue... ;)