In this thread, you can see more examples of what my kitchen looked like before: https://www.houzz.com/discussions/6200644/kitchen-advice-needed

I was given a lot of helpful advice, some of which I incorporated, some of which I didn't. The main thing I did was work around the granite, instead of getting rid of it. I don't even notice it anymore, so mission accomplished.

The flooring in the new kitchen is the same flooring that I had through the rest of the house and I am glad I decided to extend it instead of going with a ceramic tile because it feels like I knocked down a wall. The space seems so much bigger, even though it isn't. Turning the island around was also a game changer. Now I have a much clearer path to the refrigerator and stove when I am cooking.

Costs for new purchases (rounding up)

• The lighting, backsplash tile, cabinet hardware and paint all came from Lowe's. ($800)
• The flooring, Rocklock Plus' Cumberland, was from a local company. ($1100)
• Under cabinet trash cans from Amazon. ($100)
• Bar stools from Big Lots. ($80)
• OTR microwave ($300)

The labor was $5800.

I am really happy with the final product.