Remodel – Kitchen
Kitchen before
In case you are just happened upon my blog, my family and I are moving into a home that needs a little TLC in Denver that we have rented out since 1998. The home was built in 1911 and was owned by one family before we purchased it in 1997. Sometime in the 1950′s the previous owner thought that the home needed a face lift and added some interesting design touches that were popular back then such as metal cabinets, boxing in the upper cabinets which blocked nearly a 1/3 of the windows and used a very fashionable (at the time) pink color scheme.
Our remodel budget is pretty small and encompasses updating electrical, plumbing, bath and kitchen without breaking the bank. As far as the kitchen and our budget is concerned, we have elected to keep the white metal cabinets – they are pretty cool. Even our contractor said that they were high end for the time and well made. They are Geneva Steel Cabinets similar to the ones in this NY Times article. At one time the cabinets were pink, but at the height of my pink exasperation, I painted them white. In some ways I regret painting the cabinets, and other times I think to myself, “Yeah, they’re cool and retro, but not really my style.” C’est la vie, if you know what I mean.
Kitchen after ripping out boxed in soffit – the unsightly metal vent above the cabinets will be removed as well
One of the things on my list for our contractor to do was to rip out the boxy soffit above the cabinets. Even though it’s not much to look at right now, I’m incredibly pleased with the decision! Pretend that the teal and gold paint isn’t there and it really opens the room up visually. And, having the extra light from the newly revealed full sized windows is incredible!
In addition to removing the soffit above the cabinets we are replacing the sink, faucet, applicances and counter tops with new laminate ones. We have begun shopping for appliances – and are going to go with stainless steel ones. Fitting a fridge into the the current space just isnt’ working for us, so we’re going to move a 30″ slide in range to this area which will make venting the stove easier and will place the fridge where the range and hood used to be. It will just mean removing the upper cabinets at both places – not a big deal. The remainder of the foot print will remain the same. Bonus, there is also a transom window situated above the door to the mud room that I hope to uncover.
Meanwhile, we think we have found renters for our current house – we will know by this evening or tomorrow at latest. The only caveat is that they need to move in by August 15th which is earlier than our contractor thought that he might be finished. Eeeeek – that means that we now have less than 3 weeks to pack everything up (studio included) and move. Needless to say, I don’t anticipate that I will be making any new clay work between now and then. What’s more is that my first day of school is August 19th – where did summer go?
Cynthia
cindy shake
July 27, 2009 at 9:47 am //
The only thing I could think of when I saw your kitchen was what GREAT before and after pictures this was going to make!! Keep your eye out for some remodeling contests at your local home stores where you could submit the images (maybe WIN all new appliances!!). The “before” picture is so good because the kitchen was so clean and in such great “dated” shape -ripe for your creativity.
Cynthia
July 28, 2009 at 7:04 am //
I don’t think it’s going to be that special, Cindy – but you never know. I’d like to think that I have a good eye for seeing past the ugly, but who knows? I do think that since our budget is limited and we’re making do with the layout, cabinets and floor that I can take more creative risks.
Mary T.
July 27, 2009 at 10:57 am //
Well, that is coming up fast! You’ll have to move before you know it. That is always the thing with buying and selling property, the timing! Argh!! You’ll do great though.
Cynthia
July 28, 2009 at 7:06 am //
We might not be moving till the end of the month after all…the folks who seemed to be a shoe in, opted for another place that they could move into sooner.
Linda Starr
July 27, 2009 at 2:47 pm //
Wow, they covered up part of the window for the soffit, what a good decision to rip it all out. And a transom window too, boy that will look nice when it’s all done. Can’t wait to see what happens next. I love kitchens like yours they are so roomy feeling.
Cynthia
July 28, 2009 at 7:09 am //
Weird, huh?? The kitchen is smaller than our current one, but very practical.
ang
July 27, 2009 at 9:41 pm //
whats all the ‘black’ on the walls? the kitch looks kinda groovy as is but may send you into a talespin back to the 50′s? i dunno thats when pink was big here..lots of pink baths with terrazzo floors…mmmm hehe
Cynthia
July 28, 2009 at 7:10 am //
The black is the teal colored paint – it will be gone soon enough!
My tailspin was more about finding stuff to match the pink since it’s not so hot any more….
AnneW
July 28, 2009 at 6:44 am //
I don’t know how you do it all, Cynthia.
Cynthia
July 28, 2009 at 7:11 am //
Sometimes I don’t either, Anne!
jim
July 28, 2009 at 7:33 am //
it’s all very exciting and glad you got a renter but just reading about packing up and moving makes me nauseous. i hate moving, hope you don’t feel as bad about it as me.
Cynthia
July 28, 2009 at 7:47 am //
It sort of makes me nauseous too, Jim – but after I finally agreed to remodel and move, I am just accepting each day as it comes and am not going to let myself stress about it. In some ways, it’s going to be good, we’ve already made several trips to ARC to donate unused things. Very good feeling to purge.
dinahmow
July 28, 2009 at 2:15 pm //
So…a notice stating: “regular posting will resume post-renovation.” Or something along those lines?
It would, I daresay, be more fun if you didn’t have to pack-and-go!
Braddy Clash
August 3, 2009 at 11:15 pm //
Hey ! It’s looks Great….I am also planning to remodel my kitchen..could you give some suggestion on what type of sink should I use..
and Is there is an stylish sinks available in market..