Wednesday, February 4, 2009

While We Were Out

We bought a fifty year old house about seven years ago in what was once a small valley town. The town has grown and so has our house! One of the last projects that needed to be accomplished was the kitchen. So, for the past couple of months we have been working along side our neighbor who also happens to be a good friend and our contractor.
I thought I would share with you some of the before and after pics.
While we were in LA, our contractor put in the floor and the appliances and finished up the painting so that we came home to a kitchen ready to move into.
Moving everything out of my room and back into the kitchen is this weeks job!

The picture above shows the wall into the living room. That wall came partially down.

This is our dining area right off of the kitchen.
This is the view from the other side of the kitchen along the wall that will be open to the living room. The first picture is missing the refrig, in case you are wondering.
A closer view. We had cut out a cabinet to put in a dishwasher but the dishwasher did not fit underneath the counter and we had gaping holes on either side of it. We did have doors on the cabinets...this picture was taken right before destruction time.



So...here is what it looks like now!

We opened up the wall into the living room and put in a bar.
Notice that the dishwasher actually fits into it's spot.
Because we lost that wall we had to reorganize things a bit. The refrig found a new home over in the far corner. And, we are all thrilled that our icemaker and water spout actually work....it really is the simple things in life!
This is the newly remodeled dining area. We put a bench across the back wall to give us more room. The floor is slate...most of the house is either slate or original wood.
The trim still needs to be painted.
Here is the view from the doorway on the other side of the kitchen.
The countertops are concrete and made by our contractor. His wife, who is one of those close friends in my life, helped me pick out the colors and found the glass tile for the backsplash. I never thought I could have had something so fun but the Lord worked out many details for us and helped us find some real bargins. One family even donated the slate for the flooring. Everything came together so well and now the fun begins...organizing the cabinets!

We did a "move that bus" moment when we got home Sunday night. I can't tell you how amazed and overwhelmed I was by how beautiful the kitchen looked. A part of me was sad that Eric was not there to enjoy this moment. But, another part of me was proud of my accomplishment. This was a kitchen that I designed and that I was able to see to completion. There were a lot of decisions to make and a lot of chores I took upon myself to do.
The finished product has been worth the effort.

I will always be grateful to Eric for providing this kitchen for me. I also have a few other people that must be mentioned....Don, my "second" dad who is helping me with my financial stuff. Kendra who took many a night away from her family to paint my cabinets. Dustin and Michelle, my next door neighbors who also happen to be my contractor and close friend...Dustin has done more than what is in the contract and Michelle has been ever so helpful in putting it all together. Thank you just does not seem to be enough. But, they all know that there is a delicious meal awaiting them in the future created in our new kitchen!
~Heather

15 comments:

CristyLynn said...

It looks fabulous!

Anonymous said...

Beautiful!!!! I love the bench, and the shadow of the chandelier looks amazing, you should really consider getting that stenciled on the wall...or I know you have a friend that does fabulous vinyl work, maybe she could replicate that for you, maybe with some scripture like this one: “Matthew 5:14-16 “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.”” … Because you have been a light and a testimony to our Lord and Savior!!!! (Just a thought)

Anonymous said...

Oh, Heather! The transformation is amazing!!! I clicked on all of the new pictures to see everything up close....the counters, the recessed lighting, the built ins around the dining table, that gorgeous tile back splash....it's all beautiful. Well done!!

Crayl said...

A stunning transformation. Nicely done. Praise God for people who step in and share their gifts and time.:)

Melonie said...

Absolutely beautiful. :-)

Rebecca said...

Wowzers!!! I love it. Next time in CA, I am dropping in and eating some delicious creation from that gorgeous kitchen =)

Joy said...

It looks great. :-)

My Mom wants you to know that she (and the rest of us) has been praying for you. :-)

Anonymous said...

Beautiful kitchen for an equally beautiful family.

Erik Wait said...

Way cool!

But wait..... where's the wine cellar?

Fruitful Vine Lady said...

Wow! Gorgeous kitchen! Love it. I also clicked on the photos to get the big picture. I missed so many details in the smaller images! So beautiful. What color paint did you use on the cabinets? I really have been wanting to paint my cabinets, as you know, and I think that color would be perfect for mine. Love that backsplash!
Love you!
Tonya

Anonymous said...

Heather, your new kitchen is magnificent! I'm terribly impressed.
And what a great blessing to you to have such a happy space. I'm so pleased for you.-kathy

godlover said...

What fun, a new kitchen and a beautiful one at that!! Congratulations!!!
God Bless
Marj

Rachel Marie said...

Wow- it looks really great! I'm sure you'll enjoy it.

Martha A. said...

Very beautiful, Heather!

rockin K said...

Love your new kitchen
What a great design job!!!
And Dustin did a great job putting it together.

dad