Monday, December 22, 2008

Kitchen Makeover

Shut up Katie about your kitchen already.

I'm sorry. but it is so hot now...it's like summer in Tahiti hot.

Yea, but we are sick of hearing about it. Enough already.

But if you only knew how far it has come!

Well, do you have 'before' and 'after' pictures? Then we could see the real progress.

Actually I DO!



PHOTO VIEWPOINT #1


All new cabinets, counter top, flooring, and back splash replaced 1970's cabinets, laminate counter tops, linoleum flooring, and mildewy walls. The lower part of the wall was removed in picture #2 after discovery of wet drywall and moldy insulation. The wallpaper was removed and all new stainless steel appliances were installed. Also, thirty years of roach poo was eradicated from the premises.


PHOTO VIEWPOINT #2


The wall separating the kitchen from the den was just ridiculous...even in the 70's. It was supposed to house a wall oven and a cook top. But instead of providing more storage and delineating the space - it actually took up more space than it provided and blocked light and made the space cramped. It was quickly replaced by the 'peninsula' of a granite counter top with overhead pendant lighting.


PHOTO VIEWPOINT #3
The kitchen now opens up to the den. Since there is no eat-in area, the barstools & countertop act as our go-to spot for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Hopefully one day we can find three or four uber-jiggy-with-it stools to allow for a little more seating. But for now, when we have more than two eaters, we find ourselves in the dining room or on our couch.


PHOTO VIEWPOINT #4

(I really don't think my leg is supposed to bend like that! Can you say compound fracture?!)

Lastly, our fridge & microwave area. As you saw previously, the wall next to the fridge was only as deep as the cabinetry. We bumped that wall out a bit to make a complete covering for the side of our freezer-box. This same wall now houses a short bookcase (that holds dishes) and a mirror.

And there we have it.

A complete kitchen makeover - from head to toe. Dontcha just love before and afters?!?! I know I do!

19 comments:

Emily said...

Let me just pick my jaw up off the floor...


Ok. Best Kitchen reno I've ever seen. Did you guys seriously do it all yourselves? Does your boyfriend work in the industry, because you're much too DIY to be real humans.

Dusty @AllThingsG+D said...

Oh WOW Katie!!! These before and afters are absolutely AMAZING!! I cannot get over them. You guys did such an incredible job!

Katie said...

Emily you are too funny!

And Yes - we did everything ourselves - with two exceptions.

#1 We did not install the granite. It was much too heavy for us to do & installation was included in the cost. We are defintely not ones to refuse a free installation.

#2 My brother hooked up the dishwasher. Jeremy ran the electrical for it and liquid nailed the sucker in the correct spot after my brother extended the plumbing. It was a wedding present & therefore another freebie.

And lastly - yes and no. Yes, we are definitely real humans...I think. And no, we do not work in the industry. Jeremy had less experience than I did with home renos when we started :) And that was slim to none. Let's just say that we google A LOT!

XO - Katie

KaitlynRae said...

Wow! I cannot believe it. You did an amazing job on your kitchen. I'm so inspired now! Thanks for sharing. I wish I would have seen your reno before we did ours. I might have went a little further with what we did. A mazing job!

Kristen said...

WOW!

I had no idea your kitchen was so bad when you started-that is absolutely amazing and you should be so proud!

I love it so much!

claire @ a peachtree city life said...

i love the openness of it! it looks fabulous and you should totally be proud!

leah @maritalbless said...

So while I understand that I'm supposed to take away that there was a lot of hard work involved, I'm so insanely jealous of you for it! lol.

Pretty Little Things for Home & Life said...

Congrats!! Your kicthen turned out beautiful!!

Michael said...

It turned out beautiful! (I wish I was so handy to create something from nothing like that!)

Anonymous said...

Wow-wow-we-wow! The difference is ABSOLUTELY AMAZING!! When shall I be over for dinner?? lol.

USANDCO said...

That's it.....I'm demanding the Coast Guard transfer us closer just so I can eat dinner standing in your kitchen at least once a week. And to hang with YOU of course! Pretty darn impressive my friend.
-S

Jen said...

TOTALLY fabulous!!

T i f f a n y said...

Wow! What a show-stopped!!! Unbelievable transformation - it doesn't even look like the same place. I'm so excited for you!

Amber said...

Beautiful makeover!!! Kitchens are the heart of the home and yours is beautiful! Job well done!

Megan @ Megity's Handmade said...

Hello beautiful new shiney kitchen. You sure are pretty! What space you have! What sparkle you have? How rich looking you are!
Congratulations! This is on fantanstic reno!

Freckles Chick said...

Shut UP!! Bow chicka bow wow!! That is one hawt kitchen, K!

I cannot BELIEVE the amazing transformation. Fabulous kitchen reno done right. Removing that wall was pivotal. You've outdone yourselves once again.

I think I need a moment alone with your beautiful kitchen, seriously.

Wesgrey said...

It's a huge amount of work tearing out all the old ugly stuff, repairing damages, planning for the new; then purchasing and installing everything; but you guys did a great job with it. I'm sure you're pleased with the results too! Keep up the good work!

Ms. Florida Transplant said...

WOW - what a difference!!

laura @ so alaurable said...

Wow, I am SO impressed! Amazing!

Please share other photos of your home - the room the kitchen opens up into looks so cozy!