Kitchen Remodel Last Chapter

This is my last installment of our Kitchen Remodel (Face Lift)!
What an improvement!
Some of the things I learned:
1) There is a sentence every homeowner says when doing a project. They are "Well, while we're at it, we might as well..... Add more into your budget than you think you will spend. You will probably come up with other things that you want or need to do. We hadn't planned on replacing the microwave but, well you know what we said, so a new microwave was added.

2) Take you time in picking out your colors. Paint can easily be changed but cabinet tops, backsplash and floors can not. Get samples of flooring, tiles etc and place somewhere that can be viewed in different lighting. Look thru magazines, watch remodel shows, see what appeals to you.
3) Don't do a major remodel close to a major holiday.
You don't need more stress!
We  had the cabinet tops installed the day before Christmas Eve!

Also, add a week or two longer than you think it will take. 

4) Prepare and freeze some casseroles. There are just so many times you can have sandwiches or take out. Have some things ready that can go in the crock pot. On the day they installed the floors I had my crock pot going in the dining room. We couldn't be in the kitchen and we didn't want to leave, but we were able to have a hot meal. Also, have disposable paper plates/bowls/utensils on hand. There were several times I just couldn't use my sink.

5) Take before pictures. It is always interesting to look back to see how things looked.
6) Invest in quality materials, such as paint brushes, rollers and paint. It will make a big difference in your quality of work and how it is applied.

7) Remodeling is a perfect time to organize/clean cabinets. I cleaned inside each drawer and cabinet, got rid of items, I just didn't need or use and replaced  the shelf paper

8) Keep a notebook of your ideas, pages out of magazines, paint samples etc. I started planning this remodel at least a year before we actually did it.

9) Do as much of the work you can yourself. It will save you a lot of money. My husband and son did all the demolition, electrical and plumbing and  I did all the painting and  wallpaper.
10) Remember it is just a remodel job and it will get completed. Enjoy!
Kitchen Remodel Chapter One
Kitchen Remodel Chapter Two
Kitchen Remodel Chapter Three
Next I will be sharing "Death of an Ugly Bathroom"
I will be posting this to: Gold Star Wednesday, Frugal Friday, Thrifty Thursday, Skip to My Lou

Kitchen Remodel Chapter Three

Well here is another addition to our Kitchen Remodel. Sadly from start to finish it took us four months. With all the painting, contractors, and our work schedules it just took a long time. One of the biggest improvements had to be the floor. If you need a closer look just look at the floors at Wal-Mart, I had the same thing. Needless to say I was not a fan. It was ugly and always looked dirty. 

Even half way done the floors looked better.

We chose a wood laminate. It is easy to clean and I don't have to worry if something gets spilled.

We had three different colors of cabinet tops. One that was a fake wood, one was black and the rest was yellow. It was a glorious sight to see my husband and son tear them out. For our cabinet tops we chose Meganite it is a non-porous solid surface. It surprisingly wasn't that hard to pick out a color, considering the samples are 2 x2 inches and there was 46 different colors.

Our house is fifty years old and for the past 13 years we have been fighting what was popular then.

The contractor installed the cabinet tops on December 23rd again I don't recommend this. What were we thinking. We also choose an integrated sink, it is all one piece. No seams!

The back splash would have to wait until after Christmas.

Join me again for the last installment of our Kitchen Remodel.

Kitchen Remodel Chapter Two

Here is another chapter in our Kitchen Remodel
We decided to take out a wall between the kitchen and den.  We hired a contractor to do the work, it was amazing how quickly the wall came down.

Fixing the wall took quite a bit longer and the mess what a mess. I have come to hate drywall dust, it is fine and goes everywhere. 

We didn't want the opening to be a rectangle, so we asked the contractor to make it an arch. 

But, what an improvement. It opened up the entire area.  It helps to make the kitchen seem bigger. One word of advice, never do remodeling close to a major holiday. The contractor didn't finish the wall until a week before Christmas. I was in a panic my Christmas tree goes in front of the window on the right. My tree wasn't up and I didn't have all of presents bought and nothing wrapped. But everything got done and we had a great Christmas.

Kitchen Remodel Chapter one

We decided several months ago to start remodeling our kitchen. Our home is close to 50 years old and the kitchen needed a facelift . I started by taking down the wall paper above the cabinets. I replaced it with a paintable wallpaper. I painted the wallpaper and the walls the same sage green.

I then started painting the cabinets doors. This was a time consuming project. My husband and son took the cabinet doors down in stages only 5 or 6 at a time. I didn't want handles on the top any more so using dowel rods, glue and putty, I filled them in.  I sanded, puttied, and sanded again. I cleaned the doors first using mineral spirits then an ammonia and water solution and last just water. I then primed each side with an oil base primer. I chose a cream color for the final coat and used an oil base paint for this as well. 

 Below you can see some of the finished doors.  More to come.....