Hurry up and wait . . . .

16 years ago

Within a month of the demo, I had a 80% functional kitchen. I thought that I had everything planned for -- I really thought it was just the backsplash that would be the hold-out decision. Wrong.

I am now referring to this kitchen as the "If you give a mouse a cookie" kitchen (those of you with kids 17 or younger will know what I'm talking about). We opened the wall between the kitchen and DR: I thought the DR wallpaper and paint would work with the new kitchen. Wrong. So, that means new paint -- what color? 2 week decision (and I'm still not sure that I like what I put in). New DR area rug. 2 week decision, 3 week wait for it to come. New artwork for DR? still working on that. And then my DH decided that the previous Mission DR set didn't work with new kitchen. Thank goodness for the designer who came to help us with the rug and artwork suggested switching the breakfront with another furniture piece we had, saving us a great deal of $$. And then the crown molding in the DR didn't mesh with the kitchen CM -- which the cabinet maker custom makes, so that was another wait itself.

Finally decided on backsplash, got an installation scheduled for next week, to then find out that Daltile won't be making the 4.5 x 8.5 artic white mat subs until mid July. Really? 30 SF of white subway tiles not in stock? My Sumi-E glass tiles are in (my budget went a wee bit over on this splurge, as I'm using more than I had anticipated), but have to wait for the subs. And then, the hood has been here, but have been waiting for that install until the BS is in. Barstools supposingly will be in on 7/15, but I'm not holding my breath on that one.

I want to clarify, I am not complaining AT ALL. There are those of you who have dealt with having to redo kitchens because of disasters and had no kitchen for far longer than this project -- my experience is nothing like yours. I am so thankful that I am not dependent on a donkey for water, as many families in the world are! Maybe these words are to let people know that even if you've planned wisely, something is bound to pop up that delays the project being 95-100% finished.

So, I am hoping to have finished pictures by end of July. Beginning of August, max. OK, maybe mid August. OK, I head back to work August 20. Definitely by then! Good news is that I love the functionality of my new cooking digs, thanks to you marvelous folk!

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Comments (3)

beekeeperswife
16 years ago
Oh, I know what you mean. I think our project started out with me saying, "we can really update this place with just replacing this hideous laminate counter with granite" "and maybe replace the floor, it is torn"

Then the ball started rolling....painting cabinets, ordering new cabinets, new lighting, moving the fridge, tearing our the old pantry closet for the new fridge...and yes the 1/2 walls to the family room were removed. At this point I knew (not Mr. Bee yet) that the floor would have to be replace in both rooms. I knew that the antique 54" oak round table would not really be fitting into my vision. (Even though when folks would ask about the table and chairs he would say "no, there's no need") I found it best to not share too many details of my vision, this way if he brought it up, I could just agree and then it wasn't moi who was increasing the scope of this project.

So now, I have a renovated kitchen and family room. I think he's starting to think that the living room which is open to the family room might need some "updating". Oh he's so smart, I guess I'll have to get my plans out and show him! And yes, the wheels are already turning about our master bath--in my head--he's not there yet.
e4849
16 years ago
Oh, I can sooo relate.

The kitchen is open to family room, so that got redone, too.

Now, the base tile is not in (it's still in some foreign country) so the tiler could not put the backplash in. As the backsplash isn't in, the stove cannot be finally placed, as there is a complicated niche behind it. Which also means the pot filler can't go in. And I don't want to finalize my decision on the cabinet faux painting until I see the tile. So the cabinet hardware can't go on until the faux painting is finished which can't be done until the tile goes in.

So I have a 7/8 finished kitchen and a family room without furniture. The new FP paint decor is so lovely, my "OK" furniture now doesn't look very OK. I gave away the behemoth heavy old tube TV, and don't want to buy a new one until we finish paying the tiler, the painter, the plumber, etc. etc.

At least I love my granite.

Thanks for allowing me to vent.
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formerlyflorantha
16 years ago
Don't forget the siding, windows, roof, insulation, driveway and sidewalk, landscaping, front stoop, and new bay window in the back bedroom...

Oh, and the new geothermal HVAC system. And electrical and plumbing runs to update the mid-20th century antique systems.

To be honest, every contract worker and company has had to wait for us, not the other way 'round. We have not met any deadline. Yet.