Thursday, September 15, 2022

Thursday Ramble: Before and After the Kitchen



A year ago I said, okay, let's go ahead and redo the kitchen.  Everything worked, but there were issues with the layout and cabinets and countertops were cheap and nasty.  Always had been. 

I reached out the contractor who replaced both bathrooms only to find our friendly easy to work with guy, had moved to Florida, to be replaced by slow to respond and demanding new guy.  His bid was high, then he wanted a very large check up front before he would select cabinets and finishes.  The first appliance dealer wouldn't answer questions about delivery times.  

We retreated for a while, talked with someone else, then he didn't respond for a while.  After New Years we decided to try contractor number 2, one last time and low and behold he responded and made an appointment to do selections.  We went to a different appliance supplier, one everyone warned us would be more expensive, but we had used before.  He turned out to be not more expensive, no one is really discounting appliances right now, and he looked at the shipping numbers, and number of orders waiting, and gave us reliable estimates on delivery dates. We signed back in April, ordered and paid for the appliances and waited.  Appliances started coming in, the induction cooktop was delivered almost immediately, one was in the warehouse that was not sold.  Then the refrigerator - that was in the dining room for two months, the range hood and dishwasher.  Then the cabinets, all except for one that missed the truck and was 10 days late. Then last but not least after the work had begun, the ovens arrived.  The kitchen sink and faucet I ordered direct from Delta via Amazon, they had been here for months.  The last couple of items were the backsplash tile and a garbage disposal.  I went with the top of the line 3/4 hp, super sound insulated disposal, it is not loud enough to cover up the cries of your enemies when you grind them up.  

There is an inspection left to be done,  and a couple of little finish items, but we were told we could go ahead and move in and start cooking. And my stainless steel roasting pan fits in the oven, it didn't in the original oven, what a difference three inches makes in the right place.  


Relocating the refrigerator allowed 33 inches of added counter space.  







We moved the refrigerator to an empty wall, and added a cabinet next to it that has trash and recycling bins in it, and a tall pantry on the other side. 






There was an in wall pantry that originally had a metal bifold door.  We had that replaced with cabinetry that matches the kitchen and has adjustable shelves. 



19 comments:

  1. Gorgeous! Your patience paid off!

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    1. Now to unpack and cook again, we have been without a kitchen for three weeks.

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  2. Omg! It looks amazing!!!!! Yes...people don't realize a few inches makes a big difference...in many cases!!!! And what I love is the use of different texture and pattern too. It has a much more warm look now.

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    1. We struggled with the backsplash tile, and when we finally saw it, knew it was the glue that would hold everything together.

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  3. It’s amazing! I love every choice you made. Can I live in your kitchen?

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    1. You could even cook there

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    2. Oh, no. You wouldn’t want me to do that. Well, I suppose I could make tea.

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  4. Anonymous9/15/2022

    I didn't realise how bad your old kitchen looked, like 1970s. Your new kitchen looks fab. Well done both of you to get it right. Not so sure about your overhead lighting though.

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  5. Wow! Just gorgeous! What a transformation!

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    1. Thank you, it was what we wanted

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  6. Love it. That backsplash is beautiful, and pans fit in the oven which is always a win!

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    1. The roaster was a gift from my sweet bear, I kept it even when it wouldn't fit in the smaller oven.

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  7. Out with the old and in with the beautiful new...such a comfortable and inviting space! What will be the celebratory, break-in-the-new kitchen meal?

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    1. Pork tenderloin, roast potatoes, asparagus

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  8. Wow, it looks fantastic. Those cabinets are great. They look very much like the ones a friend of mine has. They are so bright and clean. I think you are going to enjoy cooking in there.

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    1. I have had a dozen ideas on cabinets, and went back to white, with extra heavy doors, the contractor thought I was crazy, but I love the feel of clunk instead of clang.

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  9. The whole place has a supreme design pleasant to reside in it

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  10. Splendid! How happy you must be for this !

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