Wednesday, March 28, 2012

My New Kitchen - Part 1

The next space in our house remodel that I would like to show you is our kitchen; however, there are so many pictures that I decided that I would divide it up into two posts - This post will show what the kitchen looked like before and the process we went through.



Now, before I go any further, these first pictures are pictures of pictures - so the quality is pretty bad.  However, I wanted you to see what the kitchen looked like when we bought the house.



Isn't the wallpaper just bea-U-ti-ful???  Not!  Then put that awful wallpaper with "peachy - pink" cabinets!  Well, let's just say that something HAD to be done!

This is a side of the kitchen that had 'some' of the angled walls - remember I have said that none of the walls in this house were straight - this included the kitchen. (BTW, isn't my son-in-law cute?) In the background was the space that was suppose to be the dining room.


Now you can see where Mountain Man took the cabinets out and placed them in the middle of the room to see if where we wanted to put the island would work.  Please check out the lights and the fan.

We have finally moved into the demo phase of the project.  That awful wallpaper was still on the wall, but Mountain Man and I worked on removing that awful stuff at night when I got off work.  (Last year I worked at the local middle school teaching World History, Science, and Intensive Math.)  It only took about two days to get the wall paper down.  While we didn't have to worry about some walls since they were being replaced but these are outside walls.  We did not replace the drywall on these walls.

Here you can also see that the ceiling is down.  We tore out all those old lights and raised the ceiling as much as we could.


Walls are starting to go back up on Day 4.  The half wall shown above will be the side of the island.  To the left will be the new pantry. 

Now, to cut costs we kept the footprint of the kitchen the same.  It had a good flow between the appliances (you know - that triangle thing they always talk about) and even with the placement of the island it does not interfere.



Drywall going up.





Wood floors installed.
New can lights and chandelier over island installed.

Kitchen cabinets are being installed.
New washer and dryer are being stored in the living room -
 we used places wherever as storage while the work was being done.


Work still in progress


We decided to use an IKEA kitchen.  We went to a local cabinet maker and to one of the home improvement box stores and got estimates. 
All the prices were at least three times as much as the kitchen from IKEA (in fact, one was over four times as much!).  We decided to go with the IKEA kitchen, not only because of the price, but also because it had a 25 year warranty.  We had seen this kitchen in the store and it looked great.  We figured, that with as much traffic that this kitchen got in the store and it still looked great - Mountain Man and I couldn't faze it.





This is where I am going to leave you for this week - next week I'll show you the finished kitchen.
Have a great week and be sure to come back next Wednesday for "My New Kitchen - Part Two"!








Hugs -


Carol




I was featured on:







I'm Linking Up to:
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48 comments:

  1. How did you get it all done so fast? I've had a basement reno going on since January 2011! Husband has the kitchen all mapped out to be replaced but I'm worried it will be a year without a kitchen!

    I can't wait to see the final result!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Well, when you are living in it - eight weeks is not that quick! We had no kitchen for six of those eight weeks (and no bathroom) so we moved in with our daughter and sil. However, once the bathroom was working again we moved back into the house. I sure did not like not having a kitchen for two more weeks, but it was so worth it in the end. I wish you luck on getting your new kitchen!
      Hugs -
      Carol

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  2. I love it so far... I can't wait to see the final reveal!

    I'm giving you the Versatile Blogger award today at my blog! http://thriftycraftygirl.blogspot.com/2012/03/being-award-winner-is-exhausting.html

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks so much - I can't wait to show you guys the final reveal either!
      BTW - I was so honored with the award (but you are right - it's hard work being an award winner - LOL!)
      Hugs -
      Carol

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  3. What a total transformation! I love seeing project like these and how something can turn from ugly duckling to total stunner! Thanks for stopping by!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. thanks Whitney - you'll need to come back next week to see the "whole thing" done!
      Hugs -
      Carol

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  4. Hi lovely lady.
    Your Kitchen is going to look Beautiful. Looks like you have it all going together good for you.I did Email you about thanking you for following my Tablescape.
    XXOO Diane

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks so much Diane - I hope that you will come back next week and check out the finished kitchen!
      Hugs -
      Carol

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  5. Wow, what a difference! Your kitchen has come a long way. I love the progress you've made!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Wow...what a nice big room to play with! I love the changes you have made so far!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. thank you - wait till you see it finished!
      Hugs -
      Carol

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  7. If this anything like your bathroom remodel, I'm sure the finished result will be amazing!

    Straight walls really make a difference!

    We redid our kitchen several years ago; I love it! It went from almost no counter space to having a whole lot of counter space.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I hope you think it is was done as well as the bathroom! You'll have to come back next week and check it out - then let me know.
      Thanks and Hugs-
      Carol

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  8. Wow, what a job! It looks amazing already though!!

    Thanks for popping by my blog and leaving such a sweet comment on my project.

    Have a great weekend!

    xox

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Anne - I hope you'll come back next week and see the finished kitchen!
      Hugs -
      Carol

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  9. Wow! What a world of difference!! It's looking great so far. Can't wait to see the finish! :D

    ReplyDelete
  10. Thanks so much Odetoinspiration - I hope you come back next week for the final reveal!
    Hugs -
    Carol

    ReplyDelete
  11. Your kitchen is looking amazing so far! Can't wait to see the rest :-)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Jenny - Hope you'll come back next week to see the big reveal!
      Hugs-
      Carol

      Delete
  12. All I can say about those "before" pics is: THERE ARE NO WORDS. That wallpaper! Yikes.

    The new look is already gorgeous. I love IKEA cabinets. For the price, and all the handy little features they offer I am always surprised more people don't use them!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. thanks Kim - I understand what you are saying - the quality it there and they guarantee the cabinets for 25 years - what can you say about that? I love the look and my new kitchen - hope you'll come back next week to see the final "reveal"!
      Hugs -
      Carol

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  13. Great job! I love how its coming out. I would die with no kitchen for a day! Lol. I can't wait to see the final reveal!

    Thank you for linking up to A Pinteresting Party this week!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks for the kind comments - it was tough being without the kitchen for so long - but I so love the way it turned out - can't wait to share it all next week!
      Thanks for hosting!
      Hugs -
      Carol

      Delete
  14. Oh squeal!!!!!!

    I can't even believe how you tore down to the studs - what a HUGE project! You have documented it so perfectly and I am so glad you did - what fun to see it as it happens for you!

    I can't wait for the complete reveal - though you are a TEASE for doing so!

    Have a great weekend!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks so much Michele - it was quite a project and I am so glad that we decided to move out while the construction was going on!
      Hope you come back to see the final reveal!
      Hugs -
      Carol

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  15. Saw you at Tutus and Tea Parties Pinteresting party. Your new kitchen, what little I could see, sure does look good! A massive improvement over that original wallpaper! :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. thanks - hope you'll come back and see the final reveal!
      Hugs -
      Carol

      Delete
  16. OH my, your kitchen is coming along fabulous! You sure have some great men working at it! Can't wait to see the total finished project! Lots of hugs,
    FABBY

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Fabby - Thanks - Mountain Man did most of the installation work on his own, but I will explain where we had help next week.
      Hugs -
      Carol

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  17. What a great job you've done so far. It looks so beautiful. Megan

    ReplyDelete
  18. Wow, what a difference you're already showing! I look forward to seeing it all finished. A pretty kitchen is a wonderful blessing, isn't it?

    Thanks for linking to Grace at Home!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Richella - Yes, it is a blessing to have a beautiful kitchen - I feel like Mountain Man and I are truly blessed. Thanks for coming by!
      Hugs-
      Carol

      Delete
  19. Wow...looking great so far! Good riddance, wallpaper!! Can't wait to see it all done! Thanks for sharing at Shine on Fridays.

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    Replies
    1. Thanks Amy - I was so glad to get rid of that wallpaper! I can't wait to show you guys the final reveal!
      Hugs -
      Carol

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  20. To my mind's eye nothing looks better than a white cabinet. Love love love that you are going white in here. SUCH a transformation. Thanks for letting us share this adventure with you. So happy you linked this up to this week's BeColorful party.
    pam

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Pam - I can't wait to show you guys the final review!
      Hugs -
      Carol

      Delete
  21. Now that is a job in and a half! You are amazing to take this on yourself. Thanks for sharing with the newbie party, really inspirational!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Debbiedoo - it was quite a project but I'm loving the results!
      Hugs -
      Carol

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  22. Wow it looks amazing - we could hardly recognize it! Thanks so much for sharing at Beautify It Monday - We hope you'll come back next week!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks 4 Sisters - I'll be sure to come back and link up again!

      Delete
  23. Wow; fresh and pretty! I love white cabinets in kitchens.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks "Fresh Pennies" - please come back and see the finished kitchen!
      Hugs -
      Carol

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  24. It is looking beautiful!! Stopping by from Savvy Southern Style. I am your newest follower. Can't wait to see the finished product!! - Sarah @ Imperfect Patina

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks so much Sarah - I hope that you will like the Kitchen Reveal - Happy Easter!
      Hugs -
      Carol

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  25. I hope you kept and framed some of that awesome wallpaper :) Your kitchen looks fantastic, I love high gloss white it makes everything look so clean and fresh. Great job!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Michelle - that would have been a great idea, but I didn't think about it at the time- I just wanted to get rid of it - ;). We love the white - to me it just looks clean! Thanks for the sweet comments!
      Hugs -
      Carol

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