Hello my friends! I'm back with a kitchen renovation update today. I haven't talked about the kitchen in almost two weeks…what is happening?? It's time.
I joked on Instagram the other day that a lot has happened…but it looks much like it did weeks ago. It's true. But there is progress! It helps to see before pics so I'm sharing those -- if only just to prove to myself that there has been some progress. ;)
Last I left you I was waiting for some help with a couple projects. One was adding the lights I told you about here to the wall and then after that was done we could have the drywall patched up. Here's a view before we tore out the backslash and drywall:
Excuse the cat. The lights are in (yay!!) and the drywall is fixed. I haven't done anything with it yet -- I considered painting it for now but I don't know that it's worth the time or effort when it will be covered soon.
I LOVE the lights. I was a little concerned about the color (they looked greenish in the pic) but they are a true oil-rubbed bronze. I got the Edison bulbs for them so the light is very warm. They are on dimmers and are really fantastic at night.
Yesterday I tackled the craftsman trim around the window. I shared how I take the old sill off and add the trim in this post. Just the trim made the room feel a little more finished! I added one of these roman shades I use throughout the house to that window. The only bummer is they don't carry the same color I have in most of the house -- it's a darker espresso color now and most of our windows have a lighter, more brown tone. I still need to caulk and do one more coat of paint but I just LOVE the trim!! (I'm waiting to add the piece at the bottom -- I haven't decided if I'll do that or just tile.)
Here's the view over by the range before:
Then we tore out the drywall:
Here it is with the lights and the new range (that I adore!!!):
We did not add the niche above the range -- mostly because I just didn't want to do it. Ha! Many of you mentioned issues with grease but that wasn't a concern for me -- it wouldn't be much different than having a backsplash. (And we don't fry much anyway.) No, it was just that I got lazy and didn't want to tackle it. Full disclosure. :)
We are splurging on two things in this space -- the slide in range was one (it is this Kitchenaid model) and the new countertops (they come to measure on Monday!) are the other. I got great deals on both though -- the range was a great price for a Labor Day sale and I shopped around for the granite and got a fantastic price. So neither were as much as we planned on, thankfully.
Of course during a renovation there are always ups and downs -- the lights went in and we love them…but I need to have one moved. Our range isn't centered on the wall so I need to have one moved a few inches. I had them installed equal distances from the ends but I should have had them both centered on the counters below them.
We actually got the range within a couple days of paying for it (an up!) but when they went to install it the gas line was too high (a down, sad face). It's constant with every piece of the puzzle! So it sat pushed out about five inches from the wall for close to a week till we could have the gas line moved. It was an easy fix. I adore the range, so worth the headache!! It is dead sexy:
This version does not slide in over the counter top, which was fine with me. I didn't want to deal with any potential issues with the counters not being the same exact height. Also, usually you need to get a filler piece (either countertop or stainless) for the back, but this one goes right up against the wall. Can't wait to see it with the new counters and tile!
Here's that side of the room before we removed the tile:
And here it is today:
I'm having that light to the right moved over a bit -- the vent hood will go in the middle. You'll notice the walls are different colors - the color above the pantry is my favorite paint color analytical gray. The wall with the lights is my old favorite, sisal. :) I didn't paint that area above the (old) cabinets last year because I knew this reno was going to be done.
The drywall took about five days to complete -- the stuff from the counters was on the island the whole time and the kitchen was covered in a layer of dust every day. I gave up trying to clean it -- there's really no point. I've never been so happy to have basic white walls!!
Here's the space after we took down the cabinets on that wall:
And here it is now -- the new microwave is installed in the island and I cannot tell you how much I LOVE having the cabinets off that wall!:
It has made the biggest difference in here -- it opened it up tremendously and I feel like the space can breathe. That's the best way to explain it. Love.
This is the view that's changed the least from when the beadboard was still up before:
To now -- but I do adore those lights!:
Oh my goodness -- even with the small issues I'm just so excited about this space! It's funny because I like it so much I don't even mind the unfinished walls. I know I'll be over them soon enough but I'm loving the space so much already.
This week I was planning on tackling the extension of those cabinets to the ceiling but thought better of trying it. I'm hosting a shower in a couple days and just wanted to focus on getting the space cleaned up. At least I got the window trim installed!
Next week they come out to measure for granite (more on that soon!) and then the week after that it will be installed. I'm beside myself I'm so excited. I want to get the upper cabinets done before the install so we aren't working above the new counters at all. I have to get that crown pulled down and then I can get started -- other than painting the cabinets that's my last big DIY project for this space -- if I can get that done I'll feel like I've crossed a major hurdle.
There you go -- the kitchen as it is now. I love sharing the progress! It already feels so good, I absolutely love the direction it's going. :)
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