I finished my kitchen remodel. (pics)

[wildeyed]

Well there are still a few touches that need to be taken care of, but the project is 99% complete.

The kitchen and den were originally divided by a 3/4 length wall. Both rooms were a bit too small, and strangely configured. There was never enough room for a couch in the den, and the kitchen was inconveniently designed. So what I did was knock out the wall between the kitchen and den, extend the kitchen, and moved the TV and couch upstairs into an extra bedroom. I have a beanbag chair for the kids to lounge on while I cook, and a recliner on a far wall, so it is a nice space to relax in, but no longer our main TV area. I don't watch much anyway, and don't miss it a bit.

For this project, I contracted the job myself and my husband and I did part of the work ourselves. I hired an electrician and plumber for the technical work, and a handyman service for some of the finish work. Overall I am quite please. The kitchen work areas flow nicely, and I have plenty of storage. On the other hand, the backplash is a BIT more festive than I had anticipated, but I am sure I will grow to love it ;)

Befores:

There is pantry storage on the far wall now.


The stove is down on this end now.


This wall is gone.


This is the troublesome fireplace in the den.


And after:







The wall between the den and the kitchen came out about where the microwave is now.

[NMDemDist2]

1. wow! that's beautiful!

and it that storage on the end of the island too?

what a difference! how do you like the cork floors? isn't that what you went with?

it has room for a big table too if you decide to add one later

it's absolutely beautiful (and the tiles will grow on you, I think they're nice)

[wildeyed]

5. Yes, that is storage at the end of the island.

I put my stand mixer and a few other essential small appliances in there. When I need them, I just pop them onto the island and plug them in. When I am done, right back in the cabinet. Although this is a large kitchen, there is not a lot of extra counter space, so I put as much as possible in convenient cabinets.

I love the cork! Looks great, and easier to maintain than hardwoods. Plus, when you drop something, it doesn't break, it bounces :)

[Mist]

2. Awesome makeover. The colors of the tiles on the backsplash look

great with both the light wood cabinets and the stainless steel appliances. What a gorgeous kitchen. And your little ones are gorgeous too!

[wildeyed]

6. Thanks!

The kidlets are enjoying the remodel, too :)

[Stinky The Clown]

3. That looks WONDERFUL

Page, your kids are cuties!

I like what you've done with the place :)

It all really looks pulled together and cohesive and ready for HGTV.

The tile on the backsplash may take *you* some time to get used to. I, on the other hand, like it already!

I'll re-ask AZDem's question about the flooring ... that's cork, isn't it? And if so, how do you like it?

NICE JOB!

[wildeyed]

7. Cork is wonderful so far.

I guess we really need to wait a few years to know for sure, but I am fairly confident that it will wear well. I know a few people who have cork in there several years old kitchens, and they all still love it too.

The backsplash, sigh..... I don't hate it. I think I looked at too many Metropolitan Home kitchens, all very cool and sophisticated, so it looks kinda busy to me. But on the other hand, we are not really a Met Home kinda family, so it probably suits us better anyway. I wanted a stainless backsplash, but the hubby liked tile, and the tiles I liked were Way. Too. Expensive. So these were our default choice.

I think I will get used to the tile. It is very cheerful and that is nice in a kitchen.

[Shakespeare]

4. That is absolutely gorgeous!!

Wow, what a fantastic makeover! I love the colors--the warm yet light/soothing colors in the wood and the neutrals--color, but neutral color--of the backsplash. It's all just perfect together.

[wildeyed]

8. Thanks!

What is really great is having all my Stuff right where I want it. Designing and building a kitchen is a pain, but the results are lovely.

[Shakespeare]

10. By the way....I *LOVE*...

...the print (is that what it is?) you have over the fireplace now--looks like a rain-spattered window? It's beautiful AND interesting to look at. Also love the pendant lights over the island/bar in the kitchen. I keep coming back to look at the pics again, because it just looks so great!

[wildeyed]

13. I got the print here.

http://www.md-canvas.com/pages/gallery.html

I love it, too. They have many good choices and the prices are reasonable, at least compared to buying original art.

The lights came form Lowes. I liked them so much I used them twice, once in my bathroom remodel and then again in the kitchen. http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=287x3023 You can kinda see the lights in one of the "after" shots.

[MelissaB]

9. Fantastic makeover from top to bottom!

Congratulations!

[TygrBright]

11. The backsplash keeps it from looking a little too...

...sleek metro chic. That look is impressive, but it never looks 'home' or really comfortable and livable-in to me. The color and stimulating pattern of the backsplash gives it a kind of paradoxical warmth that brings all the nice clean modern elements together. I like it a lot! Congrats! Looks like you solved the fireplace issues with the cabinetry, too.

If you have a 'heart of the home' kitchen area with family & friends hanging out in/near the workspace, a fireplace is a much better focus than a TV!

appreciatively,
Bright

[wildeyed]

14. I know what you mean.

I like ultra modern, just not in my own house.

Originally, I picked the same tile in a 2"x2" size, but unfortunately, the sales person must have quoted me the wholesale price (which was already pushing my budget), 'cause when I came back to order it was twice as expensive. The 4"x4" was 1/4 the cost of the 2"x2", go figure, so I went with the larger tile. But I had spent the past few weeks envisioning the room with a small tile backsplash, kind of a mosaic look, so the larger tile is something to get used to. I am liking it better today :)

[NMDemDist2]

15. I forgot to mention how nice the stained glass panels are too

they really give it a certain "something"

congrats and you deserve it! :hug:

[wildeyed]

17. Thank you!

Those were from my old house. They looked great in my 1920's classic black and white kitchen. I was surprised how well they went with this decor, too.

[NMDemDist2]

18. even cooler when you can recycle something and get it out of

storage

it really does soften up the room

you guys did a great job!

[wildeyed]

19. Yep.

Saved some $$$'s, too, cause I didn't have to buy new shades. :hi:

[spindrifter]

12. What a wonderful job!

The tiles are outstanding; the stained glass is tres cool; the refrigerator is a veritable altar to the kitchen gods. I am jealous.

[wildeyed]

16. Ah, the fridge....

Originally I planned to keep our old fridge, but it was not a counter-depth model and blocked access to the cabinet next to it, so you see I had no choice but to get the massive, sleek, stainless monstrosity :rofl:

[babylonsister]

20. Just beautiful! What a difference, and I'm sure a pleasure!

Great job! Now wasn't that worth it?
:thumbsup:

[wildeyed]

21. Well I never did get around to calling the divorce lawyer,

so I guess so ;) But whew, I had a few knock-down-drag-outs with the SO. One particularly memorable morning, in front of the house over the proper way to operate a wet saw. I am sure the neighbors were so impressed. But anyhoo, things seem to have settled down now that we are both caught up on our sleep.

But seriously, I am looking forward to enjoying this kitchen for years and years. We are pretty settled in our careers, and this is a great house for the kids, so we hope to be here a while. Famous last word, I know, but if we DO need to sell, now we will get a much higher price, too :)

[eleny]

22. It's beautiful and so spacious

And I'm another fan of your tile choice. It adds some whimsy. They pick up all the other colors of the kitchen with a lot of personality.

[yellowdogintexas]

23. oh I do like what you did. As one who has a kitchen redo

looming in her future, I say you done good, dearie.

Like the backsplash, it livens up the place a bit.

[DemExpat]

24. Great job, gorgeous kitchen!

I also just LOVE the tiles above your counters, and what color is the paint on the walls in your kitchen? A soft lavender?

:thumbsup:


DemEx