The 3 D's of home improvement: designs, delays, and dollars

* * * WARNING!!!!  Long winded journal entry.  WARNING!!!! * * *

I am so excited!!! The kitchen facelift project is in the home stretch and now I can actually see the reward of our efforts.  We started this project a year ago with the wall paper and that's as far as we got  (yes...a year ago...click >here<).  Then the 30 year old redwood deck outside had to be replaced when it became a bit of a safety hazard; nails popping out of the deck boards, weak railings, rotting wood, stuff like that.  Sam spent the entire summer rebuilding the deck after work and on weekends, so the kitchen project was put on hold.  Summer ends, outdoor deck is nearly complete, cold weather sets in.  Back to the kitchen project...almost.  Had to put it on hold again because the counter top installer had several huge projects going on that kept him busy until after the holidays.  I was beginning to wonder if we'd ever get this finished.  Finally, it's almost done!!!!  Good thing we didn't sign up for HGTV Weekend Warriors show or we would be in serious trouble.  LOL!

 

 

 

For the past two weeks I've been without a stove and a sink while Sam built the decks for the new countertops.  My frig and stove were in my dining room, my dining room has been in my living room; the frig we could plug in but not the stove.  Meals either had to be cold, take out, or microwaved and that gets old, real fast.  Had to bring my camping wash tubs in to wash silverware because we ran out a couple of times.  You never realize how much you miss those little things until those things are not there for you.  Good thing I'm a patient person, but there for a while my patience was rapidly declining.

Got the counter tops installed finally and this weekend we...er, Sam, installed the new sink and faucet.  We visited Home Depot to get all the plumbing materials on Saturday; I comment that while we are at it, maybe we should replace the Insinkerator too.  Sam disagrees...if it ain't broke, don't fix it.  Arrive home and Sam begins.  He installed the sink and faucet, then got the 25+ year old Insinkerator reinstalled, and started putting in the pipes.  Run into problem with pipes, pull out the Insinkerator to McGuiver things a bit and make a....interesting...discovery.  Apparently the tubing that flows out of the unit has collapsed, and the pipe is pert near plugged.

 

 

 

Ewwwwww!!!!!!!!!!

 

Back to Home Depot to purchase a new Insinkerator.  I don't say a word.

Time for the reveal.  I thought about waiting until we replace the flooring, but I can't.  I'm just too excited and I have to put it in my journal...now!

THE IDEA:  Old world tuscany meets Idaho bistro

THE INSPIRATION: Artwork by Jennifer Garant (I love her work)

 

 

THE DESIGN: Then and now

 

 

 

Countertop (top), facing and back splash (bottom):

New sink (80% granite, made in England) and faucet (made in Italy).

Sam was a bit reluctant to get a new dining set, and had a year to see that the colonial american table and chairs we had didn't do much for the Tuscany feel.  He surprised me a month ago when he suggested we 'look' at some tables and chairs.  A couple of days later, we had a new dining table and chairs.  Slate with distressed wood and iron.  The manufacturer of these pieces makes replicas of antiques.  We were set on getting a rectangular table with leaves, but after seeing this piece Sam and I both reconsidered.  It fits perfectly with the tuscany bistro theme.  The oldest daughter got the old dining set (with four leaves) and chairs since Thanksgiving is now celebrated at her home and she needs a big table to seat everyone.  See how that worked out, for everyone?

The new flooring to be laid this weekend.  Italian ceramic tile, perfect for my old world italian design.

What a Valentine's Day present!

I find it very interesting how the dark wood finish of the cabinets now seems lighter.

Funny thing, every time I see that red pancake compressor (in the first photo) I have to smile.  I purchased that compressor as a Christmas gift for Sam acouple of years ago.  Right after Christmas his mom asked me what I gave him, soI told her.  She then remarked that it must make really good pancakes.

Maybe I'll invite her over for some pancakes in my new kitchen.

 

Speaking of Italian, what about those two Olympic ice dancers!  She could keep that whole arena frozen, all by herself.  It wasn't entirely his fault they fell; he probably couldn't breathe from that stranglehold she had on him just before they collapsed. 

 

Oh, I stand corrected.  She warmed back up.

 

~~Good things come to she who waits.~~  True, since I've been waiting 14 years to change this kitchen.  :)