Tile Work

Today the grouting was done on the fireplace and half bath tile. I love how both turned out.

Granite Template

Big day today with the template being made for the granite. I was able to be there for the majority of it, which was a real learning experience, since I've only seen this done on tv. We will have approximately 98 sq. ft. of granite. I'm told this is a bit larger than the average kitchen. The granite is scheduled to be installed next Monday. It's going to be a very long week!

Fireplace Tile

Today the tiler came and did the tile around the fireplace in our family room. We recently replaced our old, very dated gas fireplace with a newer model. This one actually works! The tile that we choose is a porcelain 2 x 2 with warm colors. We'll be using the same tile for the backsplash behind the cooktop. I came home midday and was extremely pleased with what I found. Our existing mantel is made of cherry and has shaker pegs underneath...great for hanging my baskets and Christmas stockings! The tones in the tile really pick up on the cherry. It's gorgeous!

This picture really doesn't do it justice.

Cabinet Installation-Day 2

Where do I begin? How about, I LOVE OUR KITCHEN!

Came home tonight to find all the cabinets that could possibly be installed done. I know I'm partial, but it's going to be an amazing kitchen. Only two cabinets left to install: an upper cabinet that will be sitting on top of granite so can't go in until the granite is done and the new half bath vanity. I couldn't be happier. Really pleased that we choose to go with a painted cabinet for the island. I think it will really help break up all the cherry and add more interest.

This is looking into the kitchen from the family room. On the left is the pantry. The cabinet in the foreground in the middle will house our computer printer, a file drawer, and my husband's catch-all drawer. It is higher and will be the starting point of the raised peninsula. To the right of that will be our beverage refrigerator. Next, on an angle is a double recycle bin. The peninsula will seat two. Our plan is to keep our laptop on the raised countertop.


This shows the end cabinet and recycle bin. To the left of the recycle bin will be the dishwasher. To the right of the window will be a cabinet that will come down to the counter. It will have a door and three drawers.

This shows the second upper cabinet with glass. In the center is the cooktop. Above it will be a vent hood with chimney. The angled wall to the two upper cabinets will be tiled. Under the upper cabinets will have tongue and groove bead board topped with shaker pegs. I had shaker pegs in our old kitchen and really loved them, so wanted to incorporate them into the new kitchen.

This is the island looking from the angled cooktop. I plan on putting my dishes in the drawer. On the left is a small cabinet that has two shelves. On the right is a small bookcase for my cookbooks. The island will seat four. The island cabinets are White Antique Distress finish over cherry.

This is looking into the kitchen from the dining room. The two half walls will have square posts to the ceiling.

In the dining room is the new liquor cabinet. I'm sure it will also come in handy for serving. This will have the same granite top as in the kitchen.

I think my favorite cabinets are the two with the glass on either side of the cooktop and the end cabinet that will house the printer. I can hear my sister-in-law now...only you could get excited about having a file drawer!

Cabinet Installation-Day 1

I thought yesterday was exciting. Today topped that by a mile. Our installer did a tremendous job with getting loads of cabinets installed. I am absolutely thrilled with the cabinets! They are Plain & Fancy Quaker flush inset doors and slab drawers in natural cherry. The island cabinets will have a White Antique Distress finish over cherry. Can't wait to see those!

Christmas in April

Today was cabinet delivery day! The truck was scheduled to arrive around 8:30 a.m. I was at work, however, managed to sneak out long enough to snap a picture of it sitting at the bottom of my driveway. Since our house is situated on a hill, our Kitchen Designer's delivery guys moved cabinets from the 18 wheeler to their pickup truck, up the driveway, and carried them around to the back through the deck. 40-something boxes and packages. Thanks guys for doing an awesome job on such a cold, drizzly day!

When I arrived home tonight, it was Christmas in April! I felt like a kid again on Christmas morning and was waiting with my brothers and sister for our parents to wake up so we could open presents. All the cabinets are covered with packing paper and labeled by item number. I found our cabinet design that was left for the installer who begins tomorrow. From that, I was able to identify which package was which on the design. Now I'm even more excited to see it all come together!

More Hardwood Floors and Window Installation

The hardwood flooring has been sanded and two coats of poly applied. The last two coats will be done at a later date. We decided to go with a semi-gloss rather than the high-gloss we previously had. Very pleased with the results.

The new window has been installed over where the kitchen sink will be. This will certainly provide a great view of our backyard.

Hardwood Floors

The hardwood floors in the dining room and front foyer were installed on Friday and Saturday. They did a great job of blending them into the existing hardwood in the kitchen. On Monday they will be sanding, then on Tuesday they will be putting on two coats of semi-gloss poly. We're thinking about getting four coats total, so the other two coats would happen later on in the process.

Looking from the kitchen into the dining room.

From the kitchen, you can see where they blended the existing hardwood to the new.

Front foyer. This use to be tiled.

Sheetrock has begun

The Building Inspector came yesterday to do their inspection of the plumbing, electrical, and structural beam. Everything was fine so sheetrock has started. Where the soffits were taken out has been covered up as well as the beam and new half walls.

A new entry has been framed out going from the dining room to the front foyer.



Tomorrow they will be starting on installing the hardwood. This will be extended from the kitchen into the dining room and front foyer.

We have a cabinet delivery date!

I'm so excited! I received a call this afternoon from our kitchen designer saying that our cabinets would be delivered on Tuesday, April 21. Yippee! Things are moving along extremely well and unless we hit some bumps in the road, the 6 to 8 weeks completion time frame should be hit. I couldn't be happier!

Other developments...

• The building inspector will be by tomorrow to look at things.
• I have a working sink in the basement.
• Carpet has been torn up from the dining room and the hardwood should go in next week.
• Tile has been removed from the front foyer. That will be getting hardwood also.
• Bob spent the day Sunday striping wallpaper from the half bath. You wouldn't think that such a small room would take so much time. He did a great job!
• Lots of plumbing work done today...The baseboard heat in the dining room was cut back to allow for the framing in of a new opening from the foyer and plumbing to the kitchen sink was roughed in. I'm sure there was more, just not sure what's what.
• More electrical work was also done today. We've decided on switch plates for the first floor. In the kitchen and half bath we're going with brushed nickel. All others will be light almond. We're switching to the paddle style switches, so best that the entire floor get redone.

Window Roughed In

Friday we came home and found the window over the kitchen sink roughed in and the old window taken out. The old window was a double casement, approximately 3' x 3'. The new window, which is moved over to the right from the existing, will be approximately 6' x 3.5", and a triple casement with the center window fixed.

The Wall is Out

Huge changes today. The wall between the kitchen and dining room has been removed and a support beam has been installed. The soffits have also been removed, opening things up. When I came home today, the electrician was cleaning up, so I had the opportunity to find out what had happened during the day. Most of the overhead lighting has been installed and is working. The rough wiring for the island pendants and dining room light has been done as well as for the in-cabinet and under-cabinet lighting.

The utility sink in the basement has been setup, just not hooked up. That should happen either Thursday or Friday this week.

On Friday, the existing casement window will be coming out and the new 6 foot triple casement window roughed in. The window isn't expected to be available for a few weeks, however, the plumber and electrician need to know the exact location so they can complete their work.

If all goes well, the hardwood floors into the dining room should be going in next week.

I'm totally thrilled at how much has been accomplished in three short days!

Looking into the kitchen from the family room. The wall that was removed is on the far end to the left.

Looking from what will be the pennisula into the dining room.

Looking from dining room into the kitchen and backyard.