Kitchen Update

Well, it is hard to believe that it has almost been 1 year since my kitchen was redone. I live in a small condo, so it is nothing spectacular, but I am finding it to be very, very functional. I added a new refrigerator, bottom freezer, and I LOVE it because it is much easier to see what is in there! Now all appliances have been updated. I did not install granite countertops because sometimes you can over-do a place and it is not appropriate for this community, all mid-income retirees, and I am very happy with the Wilson laminate countertops I chose, with a beveled edge. SO.. I am very happy with the improvement.

Dining Area Painted!!!

I knuckled down and painted the dining area today. Yesterday I tackled the fasteners where the mirror was hung. They had to be banged into the drywall so they were just below the surface and could be patched with spackle, and the patch job came out really nice. I used the spackle that is pink when it is applied, but turns white after it is dry. This turned out to be beneficial for me because some of the patching was deep and it did not show totally white until the next day. After all the patches were dry I sanded, primed each patch, the primed the entire area. That was good because the patched area did not show through the final paint job.

One coat of primer and two coats of paint. I like to prime before I paint because the paint glides on better and the under color (original color) does not show through.

I really want to paint my bedroom, but I am very slow and a professional can come in here and be done in a few hours!!! The job seems daunting. I need to paint my second bedroom closet which means pull ALL THAT STUFF OUT OF THERE!!! Ick....

(try not to think of the mountain... just plod along one step at a time, then it is manageable)

*sigh*

NEXT - Paint Dining Area

Yesterday, I bought the primer and paint to do the dining area. I removed a 3'x5' mirror from the wall. I put towels under it and slid it to my bedroom to prop against the wall as a full length mirror. I asked a friend to show me what to do about the metal thingies I used to mount the mirror to the wall and he took a hammer and pounded one in to put it right below the surface, so now, I will do the rest of them and spackle, prime, and paint. It is a small area and out in the open, not closed in like when I painted the inside of my closet, what a workout, but that is another story.

Once the dining area painting is done, I will be finished in the kitchen/dining/living areas.

NEXT, I want to paint my bedroom. It is kind of icky with orchid or lilac paint color. I have an extra bedroom so I don't care how long it takes, because I have another place to sleep, but of course, it would be much better to badda bing, be done fast.

I will keep you all updated!!

BL

Finished and I mean it this time!!!

Toe kick repositioned; outlets repositioned.

My kitchen is officially DONE!!!

I will post photos later.

Finale, Finis, Finish, End

My countertop guy is coming over this afternoon to correct the outlets. They are sunken back from the tile and he will put spacers in to bring them out flush with the tile. Then he will be done and I think he will be very happy to be done with it all!! He is a patient man, but when you think you are done, and you aren't, it can be irritating. So, good for him. He will be done with it all.

The cabinet guy will come Thursday morning to re-install a toe-kick that was put on crooked. He will be happy to be done with that too.!!!

I will have everybody out of my place!! No more "meet me there at ___ o'clock." I will have my life back!!! All safe and secure in my little castle!

Next, I will paint my dining area. Which reminds me... I will pick up the paint today after work!!

I will find something else to write about... who knows what!?

Before, During, After

Wanting to remove peninsula started all this, and the reason it took so long was because of the black mold that was discovered. I had to wait almost 6 weeks for the insurance adjuster to submit her report, why, I don't know. The actual kitchen work took one month, with several delays, not of the worker's doing, in between. My insurance company paid for everything. I had to give up my time, some elbow grease, and vacation leave to be here when necessary. It was a long road but worth it!

Kitchen Is Finished!!!!!

Well, the kitchen is finally finished. I have been putting things back in place over the past two days. I am not in a rush. It took a long time (4 to 5 months) to get here, so it can't be done all at once. I am also working on my porch, and my second bedroom, which have things that need to be put away. The kitchen rebuild was all worth it. I now have kitchen with new walls, cabinets, backsplash, over range micro, sink, garbage disposer, paint, knock-down ceiling. All new from head to toe!! Oh except for range which is about 1-2 years old and refrigerator which I will replace when it dies (or maybe sooner). I would do it all again! I love my new kitchen and am eating at home again!

Next, I want to paint my dining room the same color as my living room. Actually they are all in one room. So that is a little project left to do. OH and I want to paint my bedrooms, one is purple and the other is apple green. I think I can come up with some better colors! LOL

More later,