KITCHEN RENOVATION TRANSFORMATION
If you hear the words Kitchen Renovation what do you do? Do you shudder? Do you cry? Or did you enjoy it? We went through a kitchen renovation, and I’m proud to say, I experienced all of those! A kitchen renovation is a 12 step program.
1. You begin with dreams of the final result. 2. Quickly realize the hate for the kitchen you have now. 3. As the contractor or husband show up for day one, Elation fills your soul with the final plans in hand. 4.You then realize this room was the one place that fed your family and now no one is going to eat for days, possibly months!
5. The point when you hit rock bottom. Cabinets have no doors. 6. The microwave has become your cooking method. 7. And the worst part, trying to make everything fall into place. 8. Countertops need installed before you get the backsplash, but first, you must paint the cabinets after prepping them, and your kids haven’t been in the kitchen in weeks due to hazards. 9. It will never be over. 10. Finally, though, a glimpse of hope. The schedules of installment line up and things start to come together. Steps 11-12. Your dream is playing out, and with the unveiling of the kitchen, it’s stunning. I guess it’s like those newborn baby days, we quickly forget the ugly parts and can’t wait to show off the result!
BEFORE:
Brown, gray, brown gray, with a touch of brown and gray.
When we made the offer on our current house, I prepped the husband that the kitchen would need some work. We were dealing with Formica brown counters, brown cabinets, cream and brown backsplash, brown floors and more brown. I don’t like brown. Dark gray walls mixed with the browns was my breaking point. And the sink, well it was just wrong. A kitchen that makes you depressed upon entry is no place to be.
The first thing we did was to remove the large fluorescent light fixture and replace it with canned lights. We did this together. We do all our home projects together. There was one point though on a Saturday that we were both on ladders, I was holding a metal snake trying to fish the electrical wire to the next spot where my husband was waiting to retrieve it. I looked down and saw the sheetrock dust everywhere, our three kids covered in it, and I questioned our decision to take this on. However, once the canned lights were in, I saw the kitchen brighten and open up. What a difference lighting makes! My husband went on to install under cabinet lighting, over cabinet lighting and a light above the pantry door.
PROGRESS
Our next task was to knock out a built-in desk that had become an unusable mail/paper/clutter collector. I replaced it with an extra pantry tall enough to store my cleaning supplies, mops, brooms, ladder, etc. Much better use of this space! See attached pictures.
We, I mean I, decided the cabinets needed to be white to lighten up space even more. Before we could paint, my husband and I attached shiplap around the island and ends of cabinets to add texture to the room. We then painted the island a different color to break up the white. I decided on light walls with a touch of green/blue color. To compliment my new cabinets, I picked out a white/gray granite. Everything opposite of brown.
The backsplash is my favorite part. I knew I didn’t want trendy because trends fade, plus everyone has the latest trend. My home needs to be unique to us. I decided on a Moroccan style. It’s elegant and complements the rustic touches in the room.
As I saw my kitchen transform, I kept looking at my pantry door and it bored me. It was the typical white pantry door. I needed something that wasn’t standard or expected. A couple of weeks later, I found my new door in an antique shop. My husband refinished it, added some height to it with extra wood and it was ready.
AFTER:
I hear angels singing, don’t you?
My kitchen is the heart of my home. It’s where I prepare meals to fill tummies, have conversations and manage my family’s life here. I needed it to reflect the way I feel about my home and my role in the home. That’s the power of a decorated home. My kitchen keeps me motivated to continue my tasks and serve my family.
About Balance & Harmony 360², Inc.
Owned and operated by Melinda Smith, CPO®, we offer Business Training & Consulting with a Twist! Our sweet spot is working with Entrepreneur’s and their companies to create a productive work environment, happy home, and prosperous you! Our passion is listening to clients goals, thinking through solutions and coming up with creative 360² action plans that address work, home, and you! Learn to Love Going to Work Again! Increase Time with Your Family! Get Things Done! Our process is simple and geared toward the professional. You CAN get your LIFE back in BALANCE!
Audrey Whiteley, CSE®
Audrey works for Balance & Harmony 360², as a Certified Staging Expert in the HOME Division. The home environment affects your health, productivity, and happiness. She works with individuals who need to freshen-up outdated décor, “show” a room’s potential or help homeowners create a lifestyle. Audrey makes the most of your surroundings whether you are staging for a quick sale, building a home, or want to elicit a more rich and peaceful setting in which to live.
Audrey Can Help Create:
Ideas or Design Boards
Room Layouts and Arrangements
Organization Solutions
Home Staging DIY Reports
Pre-Move Prep Strategies and Moving Plans
Purchasing and Hands-On Staging and Decorating
Project Management from Start to Finish
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