Tuesday, June 21, 2011

The Kitchen Chronicles: When it all falls down



Hi again friends! Wren and I arrived home on the weekend and it has been awesome to be home. Awesome but crazy! We had one nice evening relaxing, cuddling up with Sean and then we got right down to business. Because it is such a hideous (to me at least) room, I have been hestitant to share much for the kitchen before now. I have talked about this perpetual thorn in my side for years now, but have lacked the guts to let it all hang out here on the blog. So in it's less than visually appealing entirety here are all the before shots. Please keep in mind that exactly two years ago I had already reached the end of my rope and removed all the upper cabinets on one side, bought a can of paint and devoted exactly one day to painting as much as I possibly could. By the end of that day whatever had yet to be painted was going to have to wait to be ripped out because it wasn't worth any further effort than that. So as it stood until just last week our kitchen had a bad case of multiple personality disorder. But I'll let you see just how bad it was for yourself.


the best possible view, from the dining room entryway.



The eatting area.



The bane of my existance: the random, protruding pantry.



No, that is not a future skylight. It was Sean's exit strategy during a brawl with some insulation during our closet reno.



And here was my hunk just yesterday taking out that offensive cupboard.



There is a long road ahead of us, but already today it feels so much brighter, lighter and more open. I can hardly even visualize how airy and bright it will be with the giant new window!


It is almost surreal to see our dining room from the hallway to the laundry room. I used to have a fabulous view of a tacky old wet bar and yellowed wood cabinets.



I promise to finally unveil the final plans for everything this week so you can see just where we are heading with all this!! No more impromptu vacations for me, I promise.

16 comments:

Courtney @ reckless-glamour.com said...

Looking forward to seeing it all unfold Holly! That wall was so awkward it made me uncomfortable ha ha...and the fridge hiding all by itself it was like the naughty corner...can't wait for the next "chapter"!

French Lover said...

Phew !!! That's intense !!! I can't wait to see how it all turns out :)

Bisous !

Sush said...

Oh I love home demo and reno! My husband worked in construction in many different capacities. He's now a project engineer for a pharmaceutical company, so not much hands on right now. We renovated and pulled and tore down so many times in the two homes we owned and now he is doing it for our adult kids. Lots to look forward to in your reno, I can picture how lovely it will become!
Hugs~

Jocelyn said...

Wow, that must be so exciting! I'm so very jealous...and in desperate need of a full kitchen (actually full 1st level) reno! I'll be living vicariously!

rachel @ Just a Touch of Gray said...

Soooo exciting!! I can't wait to see more progress! Good luck!

The enchanted home said...

In the end its going to be soooo worth any headache or stress!!!!!!
Good luck, look forward to seeing more!

Comeca Jones said...

It will be all you want lookin great so far!

Unknown said...

That pic of your hubby belongs on one of those beefcake calendars...I mean, is there anything hotter than your man during a reno? :D Awesome progress, can't wait to see the result!

The White City Project said...

All due respect...holy heck you had an ugly kitchen! lol I can't believe you could stand such an odd layout for as long as you have. I can't wait to see more progress!

Sixty-Fifth Avenue said...

Looking good already...I love taking out walls! I know what you mean about not showing off the ugly parts...we are having the exterior of the house done and I probably won't show a before pic on my blog until it's all ripped apart.

Amy said...

I have to confess - at first glance I was like "no, way, that's a cute white kitchen!"

Then I saw that diagonal wall, and yellow wood. I totally get where you're coming from :)

What's up with crazy diagonal walls anyway?

InteriorGroupie said...

yay! exciting progress.

amber lynn said...

wow! i can't wait to see how it all turns out!!

Rosa @ Flutter Flutter said...

Progress! Very exciting. The white cabinets definitely helped make your kitchen look better! It's going to look AMAZING when you're done!!

aLena said...

Removing that pantry is probably the smartest move you'll make during ur kitchen reno ... makes the room look completely different .. so much more bright and airy! Can't wait to see more!

Crystal @ Ordinary Days said...

Love your blog and am your newest follower! :)

 
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