To continue…
When the professionals left, I had the task of installing the tile. (on a shoe-string budget) A few years back I had bought 4 boxes of tumbled travertine tiles for 50 cents at an auction. Less than a dollar for that much tile is unreal! It was an impulse buy but I knew I could use it somewhere, one day. So when we moved, the tile moved with us. I had this tile but it was a little plain, so I found the tile to make a rectangle around the pot filler. It still needed something so I found bronze tiles at a home improvement store. The catch was, it was discontinued and they only had a few. Another little bump, so again I had to improvise. That’s when I came up with the idea to cut each tile into four smaller tiles and “sprinkle” the design around the remaining back splash. This was my first tile job and I was glad the theme was rustic, but I am very happy with the results.

The color of the walls was a real challenge. This is the third color I painted. That was 6 coats of paint…I was SO SICK of painting!! I couldn’t afford all the appliances I wanted, so a little improv. I had a specific range in mind. I searched the internet and finally found a brand new one on Craigslist for half the price. Someone had bought it for their remodel and then decided to move. Score for me! I had to buy the microwave before the cabinets were installed. I priced around and some stores will meet and beat prices. I got it for the lowest price plus 10% off! I had to wait a few months on the refrigerator, because the one we had worked fine and the one I wanted was WAY out of the budget. I wanted it to be a counter-depth, which of course are more expensive. My advice, when you are purchasing something like an appliance make sure it is something you are going to happy with for a long time. I ended up finding one at a scratch and dent for less than half the price. The imperfections are so small and I have kids that are just going to add them, so it worked for me. At this point I absolutely did not have $$ for a dishwasher and the one we had worked fine. I checked the internet and ordered a stainless steel panel and just replaced it myself. Make sure you measure well before you get anyone to custom cut something, I had to learn from experience.

Little changes can go a long way!
So here’s the somewhat finished kitchen. (I’m always changing things!)