Heart of the Home

kitch·en/ˈkiCHən/

Noun:

A room or area where food is prepared and cooked. A set of fixtures, cabinets, and appliances that are sold together and installed in such a room or area.

Ever since moving out of home for college, I found a love for cooking and creating delicious meals.  My love of cooking is something that definitely runs in the family.  I come from a long line of women (and men) who are fabulous cooks!

That being said, I am thrilled to have my very own kitchen.  I can decorate, paint, and set it up however I want!  Our new house had a very 70's style kitchen.  Yellow tile counters with thick brown grout, dark wood cabinets, and outdated linoleum.  

Since we had so many updating projects, we had to pick and choose what our priorities were.  The rock fireplace, master bath, and flooring were the must-do's.  Although the kitchen is extrememly dated, there are things that we can do in order to update it without having to start from scratch.   

Our long-term plan is to do a complete kitchen remodel in the next 5-10 years.  (Broad range, I know... but I figure it's better to think loonnnng term and then have it happen sooner and be pleasantly surprised!)  When I say "complete remodel", I mean, custom cabinets, granite counters, all new appliances, lighting, and a large island.

Here is the kitchen.  Everything is in good, working condition; it's just not our style.  We decided to make some cosmetic changes until we do the full remodel.  

We took the cabinet doors and shelves out.  The inside and outside of all cupboards and shelves will be painted white.  It is going to really freshen and brighten up the whole kitchen.

  The man painting is Mike (one of my Dad's awesome employees).   We were thankful that he was willing to work on a Saturday and lend us his professional painting skills.  He used an oil based paint rather than water-based, which gives an overall nicer look. 

Day one of painting complete.  This is just the primer level.  They will go back over everything with paint later this week.  Doesn't it already feel different and BETTER?!

I had my Dad paint the rim of the light box for us too.  We are waiting to do recessed lighting the kitchen because of the future remodel.  No point in putting new lighting in now when the entire kitchen is going to change.  Even though I don't light that light box, painting it makes it's so much better for the time being!

This is what it looked like before!  The white paint helps it to blend in much better.

Obviously, we have a lot of work left in the kitchen!  Hope you are enjoying see the PROCESS along the way to the final product!

Open is Better!

This is part two of the bathroom demolition!! 

Nick and I like homes that feel open and spacious.  Neither of us like extra walls that close off spaces.  It was a given to both of us to take out the wall between the vanity/closet and the toilet/shower.   

We knew that taking the wall out would help to make the bathroom feel much larger.  It also would allow us to expand the shower.

My husband is a rockstar.  I love watching him "show-off" all his hidden talents.  Not only is he a fabulous, amazing man and husband.... he also knows how to knock down walls, build walls, install anything and everything... and he looks good doing it all!!  Okay, I'll stop before you start blushing for me.  

In this photo, Nick was starting to take out the wall.  We ended up having to leave for the day and we figured we'd come back and finish it in the next couple days........

However, my incredible Dad beat us to it!!  The next day I went to the house to check the mail... and look who I found!!  My Dad.  My other rockstar.  He finished working on a job site and thought he'd come over and find more work at our house.  Mind you, he doesn't get paid at our house.  Best Dad in the world award!!   Talk about actions speaking loudly... he LOVES us a ton!!!!

               I love him so much!!  He does it all with a smile :)  

Now it's time for me to brag on my amazing Mom!  She also came over on a whim and decided to help clean-up after my Dad's demolition project.  I feel so blessed to have parents who are selfless and so generous with their time and energy.  I will never be able to repay them! Ever!

Since everyone else was working on my house, I felt the need to jump in and at least try to contribute. 

Yes, I'm in my work clothes.  Remember, I stopped by to check the mail.  I didn't anticipate working! 

The final product.  Look at how open the bathroom feels!!  Success!

There is a lot more work to be done, but at least the major demolition part is complete!

No More Camp Shower

We have been super busy on the home front!  It feels as though every "extra" minute we have (when not working at our day jobs or sleeping) is spent at the house.  It's a good thing!

Things are progressing nicely and it's starting to get exciting.  We have officially finished getting rid of all the old (carpet, laminate, popcorn ceilings, tile, fans, fixtures, fireplaces, etc).  Everything that is in process right now is going to be in our house when we are living there.  I am glad that we are at that stage!! 

We have a lot of projects going on at once.  Today I'll fill you in on our master bathroom.  I am very excited about this project because it's MY bathroom (well... ours!)  What girl doesn't want a glamorous bathroom that is all new and beautiful?  Well, this girl does.  So much so, that the master bath took priority over the guest bathroom!  Sorry guests!  It's only for the time being.

Here are some pictures of the bathroom before:

            This is what the bathroom looked like when we purchased it. To the right is the walk in closet.  Through the doorway is the shower and toilet. 

This is the bathroom after we removed flooring, wallpaper, and light fixtures.

             As you can see, the shower opening is ridiculously small!  

The inside of the shower is teeny-tiny too.  How in the world would one shave their legs in this size shower?  Maybe I am a little spoiled and just like spacious showers.  This feels like a camp shower to me!  No thanks!  Now you see why this bathroom got my attention!!

 Here is where the adventure begins.  Our friend Seth came over and helped knock out the tile in the shower.  Behind the tile, there was drywall which we removed as well.  I say "we".... as if I had anything to do with the demolition process.  I am very good at using my camera and cheering for the hard-working men.  I'm also good at removing all the debris after it's complete :)

This picture was taken from inside the closet.  Nick was taking down the wall that the shower shared with the closet.  We will be expanding the shower into the closet.

 The finished demolition project (besides the shower pan).  Next step is having our carpenter come in and frame out the new shower.  We also need to start picking out glass and tile!

Fun stuff, right?!  This bathroom is going to be amazing once we are through with it!

What type of shower do you like?  Glass doors, curtains, big tiles, small tiles, rain shower head, or standard shower head.  If you could design your dream shower, what would you make sure to have?  Advice or thoughts?!

Light 'Em Up!

Since buying and remodeling our house, we have felt abundantly blessed.  Between family and friends, we have had an outpouring of support and much needed help.  

My husband, Nick, works at Freeman Collison as an estimator.  He has an incredible boss named Greg Gustafson.  Having a good, solid boss is a blessing in itself!  Greg has mentored Nick in numerous ways and has helped Nick grow as a professional.  Through working together, Nick has grown close to Greg... and they have become friends. 

When we bought the house, Greg offered to help Nick install recessed lighting.  We figured that lighting would be a project down the road because of costs and time.  Greg suggested that we get our lighting done now because of all the paint and extra work it would cause later.  Boy, was he right!!

Greg was kind enough to go with us to Lowe's, help up pick out recessed lighting that would work in our house, and educate us on the whole process.  

This is what recessed lighting actually looks like!  All you see is the bottom of the light bulb.  Installing recessed lighting is quite a job, and it takes a lot of time and knowledge.  Luckily for us, Greg was willing to give us both!!

                                        

This is just a random photo I found online of recessed lighting.  Nick and I like the sleek, modern look that this style lighting provides.

Nick and Greg measuring the hallway for installation of the lights.

                                         
                                           
Today they installed all the switches (so that when you walk into a room you can turn all the lights on and/or dim them).   This is the type of light switch we will be installing throughout the whole house.  I love the option of having a dimmer.  


Tomorrow they will start installing the cans.  Installation of the cans means spending a lot of time in the attic!! 

For now, we will be installing recessed lighting in the master bedroom, hallway, family room, and living room.  

Thank you Greg for your time, energy, and kindness.  We appreciate you more than you know!  (Thanks to Greg's wife, Dana, too... she let us have him all weekend!!!!)