Remodel: My Kitchen, Part III

I'm so sorry I left you all hanging!  I went to Cabo San Lucas on vacation last weekend, and had full intentions of getting a post in prior to leaving.  Well, sorry, I waited until the last minute to pack, so I wasn't able to get the last of my kitchen remodel up!

 

Well, today I am going to reveal the final product.  If you want to know more about the remodel, take a look at my first Kitchen Remodel Post (here), or my 2nd one (here)!

 

I think I left you guys with my uncle and me installing Subway tile all the way to the ceiling over the oven. 

Tiling the entire wall was painful, but my Uncle Extraordinaire got the job done. 

 

So, after the tile set and dried, my uncle grouted it with a grey color I picked out.  He then installed the vent hood and vent hood housing. 

 

Are you ready to see the final product?  Take a looks-y!

 

The finished wall.  I'm glad I decided to tile to the ceiling!



View from the living room. 

 

Can you see my Ghost acrylic stools in the picture above (from CB2)?  What about the picture below?  I love them because they blend right in with the kitchen and don't distract!  Plus, they are super comfy!  

 



 

 

When I was working with the cabinet man, I made sure that there would be a spot for the microwave.  I didn't want it siting on the counter!  I'm so glad the island turned out the way it did!

 



 

I actually don't mind standing at my sink doing dishes any more!  I love the faucet and the apron sink!  

 

 

 

 

 

Looking into the kitchen from the garage entrance!

So, a quick look at the before and after!



Before

After

I can't say enough how happy I am with the new kitchen.  Even though it was quite stressful planning it out, I'd say it was worth it.  I think the most stressful part was worrying if my husband would like it or not.  Guess what!  He loves it!  He even says I'm a much better cook now! 

 

This just goes to show that anyone can do a remodel (with lots of research and careful planning.)  I'm not naturally a creative person (hello, I work in Mergers & Acquisitions at 7-Eleven), but I put in a lot of time and effort, and the end result was worth it!

What do you think of my new kitchen?  Anyone ready to hire me to redo theirs yet?

Remodel: My Kitchen, Part II

So, bright and early on a Monday morning, my Uncle showed up to being putting our kitchen back together.  He moved the electrical around, added new can lighting, sealed unnecessary gas lines, and re-plumbed.  Let me just say, I was so happy with his work!

After the 1st day, I came home to this!  Drywall was up!!

Once the drywall was up, my uncle positioned the base pots & pans cabinets to ensure everything was centered!

So, after 4 days of hard work, a painter came in a textured and painted the walls.  That took all weekend.

My uncle came back the following Monday, and got right to work hanging cabinets.  My husband was going to help him do some heavy lifting, but when we came home from work, my uncle had all the cabinets on the wall!  I was soooooooooooooo happy to see this!

Once my uncle got the cabinets in place, he began working on the island and adding the crown molding.  That week, we also had granite installed. 

We went round and round looking for the perfect stone.  I found a fabulous Marble, but P told me that I couldn't have it in the kitchen.  He told me that I'd be devastated if  I accidently knocked my red wine over on the counter.  Eventually, I agreed with him....but only after he promised me I could put marble counter tops in the Master Bath. 

We then set out to find the PERFECT granite, which was quite challenging.  We went to several different stone yards, but could never find something we both liked.  (We like movement of the lines, and decided we didn't want a granite that had several spots (like polka dots) in it.  As my husband was telling his mom about how much trouble we were having finding a granite piece, she reminded him that we both love the granite they have in their weekend home.  Holy heck- she's right!  We love the granite in that house.  She told us the name, Lady Dream, and luckily, our granite man had 1 slab of it.  The Hubs drove out to his shop, gave it a once over, and the deal was done.  I was so happy to come home and see how great it looks with our cabinets.

You can't really see how pretty the granite is here, but I have better pictures coming!  We also
took down the plastic divider that served to keep all the construction dust out of the rest of our house.

Oh, can you see the aweome hardwood floor?  We were able to match the wood to the hardwood we have in the rest of the house.  I think it makes the spaces flow perfectly! 

So, in the 3rd week of the remodel, my uncle began putting the finishing touches on.  I decided I wanted subway tile to run all the way up the wall over the oven, so I helped my uncle lay all the tiles.  Boy, let me tell you how difficult it was to make sure all the lines were lining up correctly!  But, I think we got faster and better as we added the rows.  I'm glad I got to help my uncle with this though, because I always wanted to know how to lay tile! 

Oh, do you see my farmhouse sink below the window?  It's my favorite thing ever.  It's enormous, and I can't wait to bathe my babies in it!

Okay, enough teasing....I'll reveal our new kitchen in the next post!  What do you think so far?

Remodeling: My Kitchen

So, I think I mentioned a while ago that we were remodeling our kitchen.  Didn't I?  Well, it's done!

Complete!  Finished!  And I LOVE IT!  My husband says I'm a much better cook now.  Go figure.

We took our kitchen down to the studs and started over.  Paul and I demoed, and my uncle did the installation for us.  I can't wait to show you our new, awesome kitchen.

But first, here are some before pictures:



View of the Kitchen from the Living Room.  See the fur downs?

Oh, that gate in the above picture is to keep the dogs restricted to the kitchen.  I have white furniture....and I like to keep it that way.

Our Kitchen had a peninsula that jutted out awkwardly.
Oh, please note the faux wood laminate floors.

Standing where the fridge used to be, looking back toward the Living Room

These were taken the day before my Uncle began putting our kitchen back together again:

We didn't want to rip out the sink without my Uncle there to guide us!

During the demolition, we made sure to knock out the fur downs.  In the picture below, you can see where we removed the fur down over the peninsula.  As soon as we knocked that one down, my husband and I were shocked to see how much larger our space looked once the fur downs were gone!  People had warned us that there might be venting and electrical work in the fur downs, but luckily, there was nothing except empty space!

Looking back toward the Living Room.

That's it for today.  I can't wait to show you more pictures of the remodel process and then, the final product!

Catching UP

Ciao Sweet Friends!  I am so sorry I've not blogged lately.  I've actually just returned from a 2 week trip in the Tuscany region of Italy!

It was wonderful and beautiful!  I can't wait to share all about it with you. 

This weekend, while the Hubs is on a Quail Hunt with the guys, I plan on decorating for Christmas. (That means I'll spend a large amount of time in Michaels buying more decor!)  Have you already decorated?  I feel like I'm a week behind!

While I catch up on work (and sleep and decorating), I wanted to leave you with these amazing images to help you get through the day! 

Source: google.com via Sharon on Pinterest

Source: marthastewart.com via Brandi on Pinterest

Source: camillaathome.blogspot.com via Lorinda on Pinterest

Source: luxeandlillies.blogspot.com via Melissa on Pinterest

Happy Friday and Happy Holidays! 

Kitchen Hutch

So, I've shared before several ideas I have for our kitchen make-over.  I have a NEW one--go figure!  During meetings with contractors, I realized I kept asking for the same thing--a built in kitchen hutch.  You see, I love white.  Like, LOVE it.  But, I don't want my kitchen to seem bland, so I thought having an awesome built-in hutch (that stood out from the cabinets) would be the perfect way to bring in a bold color and spark some conversations!  Here are a few hutches I've found for inspiration.

This one is my favorite because it resembles
the shape of a Swedish granfather clock--kind of...

Do you guys have any suggestions?  Have you seen any cool built in hutches?  If so, I'd love pictures!  I need more inspiration!

A Castle in Heaven

Sweet friends, as you know, we are headed to Italy soon with my MIL & FIL, SIL & BIL, Opa (Grandpa), and 4 cousins who currently live in the Italian Alps.  I am BEYOND excited.  Like, I am practically so giddy that I've increased my consumption of vino in preparation.  It's my favorite place (hello PASTA, PIZZA and WINE) ever.  It's magical and glorious and beautiful.   

For the past month, we have been in full planning mode for this trip.  As you can imagine, getting 7 people over to Italy from America and then meeting up with 4 Italians was quite a challenge.  (Heck, now I know why travel agents still exist!)  But, once the flights were booked, we quickly turned our attention to a bigger question:

"Where the heck are all 11 of us going to stay?" 

After going 'round and 'round (get me off this carousel) searching for a villa that could accommodate all of us, my FIL just booked this beauty!  Yes, a Castle in Heaven!

Holy goodness--this castle/mansion/hopefully my future residence is a FAR cry from the dumps hostels I stayed at my first time in Italy.  I mean, really, look at this place!



I imagine as soon as I get there, I'll sprint to the top of those stairs (catch my breath) and start singing "The hills are alive, with the sound of music" as I hold out my arms (palms up to the sky) sweeping the landscape....

Oh wait, that song is referring to Austria.  What.ever.

Situated in the Chianti region, this villa has some breathtaking real estate (and some mind boggling wine).  I'm positive I'll get to explore most of the land on my daily runs (gotta try to keep those carbs & wine from going straight to my thighs).  There is also a tennis court, and I imagine we'll have one or two "friendly games" of tennis.  (We are all pretty good at tennis and anytime we get together, we do play.)  Most of the time, us "kids" get beat by my MIL & FIL.  Somehow, they manage to win even though my FIL is smoking a cigar...the whole time.  I gotta hand it to the old man---that's talent.  (Opps, forgot he might read this....let the "friendly" trash-talking begin.)    

Anyway, we have this bad boy for 7 days, which will give us just enough time to NOT WANT TO LEAVE.  It's centrally located so that we can take day trips and always return back to "home base".  I'll leave you now with a few more pictures of the beautiful villa........ 

Gotta Store my Cool Kicks

Friends, do you remember when I told you about my addiction to shoes and my storage solution back in this post?  Well, the Husband has yet to help me solve my problem (he's been busy, I forgive him).  As I was browsing around the furniture on Ballard Design's website, I discovered this beauty. 

Source: ballarddesigns.com via Amelia on Pinterest

I looked at the specs, and I'm 99.9% positive that it would fit perfectly on the wall next to my closet.  Then I saw the price-- $599 + s/h & tax.  I am also 99.9% positive that He will say "Oh Hell-to-the No" if I ask for it.  So, I've found a solution. 

Honey, will you please build me something that looks justlikethis for my shoes?  I'm sure you can do it!  Okay, compromise.  If you build it, I'll paint it.  (We already have the perfect paint color from when we redid the Hutch.)  Totally. Fair!

Restoration, I love Thee

It's no secret that I LOVE Restoration Hardware.  I mean, I walk into RH and get this feeling of euphoria.  I painted my bedroom RH's Slate color and then I painted the guest bathroom with their Stone color.
(I get lots of compliments on both of these colors.)

Then, I found the perfect chairs for our French table.  My MIL & FIL graciously bought them for us.  (Because, let's be honest, I may LOVE RH, but I'm not quite in their target income range.)

So, today, as I was sitting here working away, I get this email about a "Fall Lighting Event--take up to 25% off" from them.  Obviously, I tear myself away from work to look at the lighting.  Indulge me for just a minute, as I've picked out what I WOULD buy if I COULD. 



Source: restorationhardware.com via Amelia on Pinterest

Source: restorationhardware.com via Amelia on Pinterest

Source: restorationhardware.com via Amelia on Pinterest

(garlic) Buns in the Oven

Remember my Oven post from yesterday?  Well, my friend (and former boss...from way back in high school) left me some comments that I wanted to share with you all. 

Peter owns an Italian Restaurant here in Dallas, Alfonso's, that I worked at growing up.  I love all of their chicken dishes (especially the chicken franceses) and my husband and I frequently go there for the pizza.  Delicious!  And, their garlic rolls are to DIE for.  Sometimes, I go in and sit at the bar and eat a salad (with their amazing house dressing) and have a glass of wine and chat with the wait staff.  It's in my neighborhood, so I always see someone I know in there eating.  If you are in Dallas, I encourage you to visit Alfonso's.  (We even had our rehersal dinner there!)

Anyway, here is what Peter had to say about my oven search:

"A few hints: you want a double convection oven 30" wide. Kitchen aid??? not sure about that but you need a convection oven to evenly circulate the heat.

You already know about gas ranges. 6 burners if you have the space...Check the BTU; you want ALL burners to be 15000, not just one. I like Wolf -- that's what we use at the restaurant.  At home I use something else."

Wolf 48" Range

Thanks Peter for these helpful tips!  I hadn't even thought about making sure the oven was a convection oven.  And I will certainly search for a range with all burners at 15000 BTU.  I like Wolf ranges as well. 

Source: us-appliance.com via Amelia on Pinterest

So, now that I've given a plug for Alfonsos, do you think I can get a free 16" pizza?  (Half pepperoni & black olive, half canadian bacon & pinapple.)  I'll pick it up on my way home.  :) 

Or better yet, maybe you know of a great place that sells ovens & ranges and will extend me a "friends and family" discount.  We'll chat. 

Wrapped up in Ovens

In starting to think about our kitchen redo, I've already hit a road block......what kind of oven do I want. 

No, no, not JUST what brand, but what type.  Wall mounted or one that sits on the floor?  I know for sure the range needs to be gas.  Our house currently has a gas range and it's amazing.  We'll never go back to an electric range.  But, back to the TYPE...

If we go with wall mounted, do I want a double oven or a single? Or, do I want an oven / microwave combo?  And if we go with a wall mounted oven, we must then find a gas range as well.  Or, should we just go with an oven that sits on the floor that has a range on top?!

Only after I decide this will we be able to move on to the types of ovens!  I've talked to several people, which means I've received a lot of "advice".  One couple told me to do a Kitchen Aid wall oven and a nice range--like a Viking or Wolf.  This couple told me that in their experience, Kitchen Aid wall ovens heat up quickly and cook food well.  They said that Vikings / Wolfs take a LONG time to heat up--like over an hour!  I can actually say that I've experienced this waiting period.  (But that was during a Viking cooking class that can be a WHOLE nother blog.)

If we go with an oven that sits on the floor, which brand?  I want a COOL range (that makes me look like an offical chef) but also an oven that heats up quickly. 

Ugh, sigh. 

Anyway, here are pictures to prove that this decision just isn't as easy as you'd think!  The wall ovens look great; the floor ovens look great.

 Floor Ovens

Wall Ovens

Or should I just do BOTH?

Oh the agony.......