Progress with the kitchen, but not with spring!
It's Sunday morning just before 11 AM as I start to type this and whoo boy, do we have winter! What a contrast from a week ago, when last Saturday was plus 11C and I was cleaning windows, it was so glorious out.
We've been having snow and snow squalls since late yesterday and are still in the middle of it, 80 km wind gusts.
The big plow came through in the middle of the night, then again around 9 AM. He'll have to come back when this all dies down.
However, while we have no progress on Spring's arrival right now, I have made progress on the kitchen.
I took Friday afternoon off work to go to the showroom again, was there for almost two hours. I finally settled on the configuration of the lower cabinets, with lots of help from the planner and the other staff person who was there (office admin/manager, I assume). There's very little space to work with, but in the end, he'll be able to give me a 21" lower drawer unit (the current one is 11"), as well as a lower corner cabinet with access via a lazy susan, plus still give me my double undermount sink. They have another swanky corner pull-out which would have been awesome, but I could not have the 21" drawer unit with it, as it requires too much space. So the lazy susan is the compromise, because I really want that drawer unit!
As for my "island" (see below), I'll be able to have a narrow pull-out cabinet for storing tall items, plus a narrow three-drawer unit as well. There's only 26" overall to work with, so again, space is tight. The counter will not extend out as much in the new kitchen; right now it's very challenging to get my stove out, or the fridge for that matter, because of that overhang.
The other thing he will do is design a unit for the little alcove on the dining side, below.
It will open the same way the dresser does and he is thinking of a two-door upper cabinet/lower drawer unit. I'm not moving the thermostat, but even so, I have up to 54" to play with. I'll see what he says when he drops off some sample countertops and flooring this week. Ideally, I'd like to use the unit as a pantry, but I could change my mind on that when it's all done.
It would be similar to the armoire below, only shorter and of course would be the same colour and style of the kitchen cabinets, with same hardware.
I was really excited about it all when I got home, though it was (and is) bittersweet not to be able to share this excitement with Mom. I hope she approves. As far as I know, she never did a kitchen reno in any of her homes, certainly not in our old house in Gaspé, and not in Harry's house either, after she moved in. (She had other things done, but I know Harry never would have spent the money to redo the old kitchen, he was too...uh...conservative with his money.)
My excitement carried over into Saturday, so I packed up several boxes of kitchen glassware, etc., that I know I won't need anytime soon. I will go through and cull after the reno is complete, because I'm sure there are things I can donate. I don't actually have a lot of kitchen stuff, not being a cook and not throwing lavish house parties (ha!), but even so, I have more than I need.
So that's where things stand. Now I need to settle on countertops and flooring, and after that, decide on tiling, if it fits into my budget. Below are a few samples that he'll drop off to me; there are a two or three others on the Cambria site that I'd be interested in seeing in my space, if they have them in the showroom. I'll ask when I touch base with him in a few days. Everything looks different in your own light, not under the glaring lights in a business setting.
Since the cabinets will be white, it might be nice to have a countertop with a bit of pizazz. The one below is from the Cambria US site, so I don't know if they have it here.
I suspect I'll need a few more trips up to their showroom before all is decided upon!
Thanks for stopping by and putting up with my renovation rambles. It's the only kitchen reno I will ever do, so I'm pretty jazzed about it.
Take care and enjoy the rest of your weekend and your week ahead; I hope you're not buried under snow as we are.
Comments
It is exciting to see you doing all this kitchen shopping and planning. But I realize it is also draining on you eventually. It sounds like you did find a company that is working with you and with the space you have available to put in good cabinet arrangement.
Simple white does allow for complimentary counter color and flooring. Be sure that what ever the flooring, it does not impede rolling the fridge or the stove across tiles that may also crack.
And what a good time to thin down things you may not wish to keep anymore.
I am sure your Mother would just be glad to know you are making fresh improvements. Lynn and Precious XX
Well, since souls never die—your Mom went with you every step of this kitchen reno!
It is always challenging to select things but in the end it will work out fine.
What you talk about of donating things, Just went through my kitchen cupboards this week and took things out for donation. Like you, there will not be any more dinner parties—can't handle that anymore.
Life goes on and we try to do the very best for each stage we're in, or forced to be in.
What a winter you still have, here it is dark and dreary but not too cold. Tuesday it will be sunny and close to 20°C again.
Hoping that we will not have any late frost with the magnolias blooming and soon having leaves on. We've seen that disaster before and only in June they produced a second batch of leaves...
Stay cozy!
Our kitties all lounge inside on the beds—that's the best weather indication.
Hugs,
Mariette
Kim, we're excited right along with you about your kitchen reno. Looking forward (truly) to seeing as things progress!
That is a lot of snow! I hope winter decides it is time to leave.
I've long thought that domestic happiness is often dependent upon efficient use of storage. I've always envied the houses I've seen from the eighteenth century, especially London townhouses, with their built-in cupboards everywhere. I believe you'll be very happy with the changes that are coming. (A lot happier than with the weather, anyway!)
Kim I am so excited for you!!!!! Such excellent choices and designs to give you more storage and I love the idea of the alcove cabinet...very very nice. You will love it.
I recall the first time I walked into our kitchen after it was completed...I thought where am I this can't possibly be my kitchen. YAY and something to look forward to as Old Man Winter is howling and spitting
Hugs Cecilia
Just a suggestion, have the little island set up with wheels. The island at the old house had them and I was able to move it out of the way, when I wanted to pull out the fridge or stove (not both at the same time) to clean behind the appliances. That island, when full of small appliances, pots and pans, tea towels/dishclothes and plastic items was heavy so I didn't need locking wheels. But your small island would likely benefit.
Have fun picking out the counter top and tiles!