Today Cassity @ Remodelaholic is featuring my kitchen remodel and I thought, if you missed it, you might enjoy it!
Part 1
I thought I would take you on a tour our kitchen remodel that took place Jan. 2009. We did a lot of the work ourselves, but the major things like the cabinets and counters we hired the professionals. Here is what the kitchen looked like right before we moved in. It was builder cabinets, green counters, and purple walls. I can’t say it was horrible, but I had bigger plans for it!
We started by removing all the cabinets ourselves. We saved all the uppers and moved some to our laundry room and gave some to a neighbor for her laundry. The previous owners had just recently put in the hardwood floors, so that saved us a lot of $$. The next task was to increase the size of the opening between the kitchen and living room. Thanks to my dad we did it ourselves…he had to move a pipe!
Next the cabinet guy, yes one man, came to install my cabinets. I also used a coupon on these! I ordered them semi-custom from a home improvement store who was already having a sale. I think I saved around $1500 in the end! I had gotten a quote for granite from the same store and wasn’t sure how I was going to fit it into my budget. So I called around to local suppliers and got the counters for a little more than half of the quote from the improvement store. They had also said it would take about two weeks AFTER the cabinets were installed to get the counters…I have two kids, I NEEDed my kitchen back!! Anyway, the local supplier came to measure as soon as the base cabinets were in and installed the counters two days later, before the “cabinet guy” was even finished!! (If you live in the Indianapolis area and want granite I will give you the name of the supplier we used!)
Now that all the work we were paying for was complete, it was time for me to get to work!…
Part 2
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!)
If you are interested in the island here’s the post for that too! Kitchen Island
Jeralee says
That’s a lot of work and you did a great job! Love the pot filler and your choice of paint color. It turned out really well… and the TILE! I have not been brazen enough yet to take on that kind of home improvement – so kudos to you!
Angela says
It does become a little overwhelming sometimes, throughout the process! Thanks for visiting!
ati says
Wow. Lovely. And you are way resourceful. I would not have ‘thunk’ to get a stainless panel replacement for the dishwasher.
Your kitchen looks great.
Layla says
LOVELY JOB!!!
So glad you invited me over for a looksie!
Layla 🙂
Dawna says
Great remodel!! I think we have the same stove! Isn’t it great to be finished a big project like this…coming over from Sarah’s kitchen party. Have a great day!
Modern Country Style says
That’s such a great idea to replace the front panel of the dishwasher. I never would have thought of that – I didn’t even know there were such things!!! But I do now!!
Your kitchen is lovely. Thank you so much for sharing!
Sarahx
Pamela Manes says
Looks fabulous. I so know what you mean about the painting…kitchens and bathrooms…so much to maneuver around. Great job!
~Pam
Chookie says
I love the green with the bronzy tones, what a good call! And your bargain-hunting skills are amazing!
(Visiting via Modern Country Style’s link party)