Friday, February 26, 2016

The Kitchen Island Reno Continues

I know it's been a while since I last shared a post of the Reno work going on around my home. It's been a wild and busy time around here. So much as been going on and now a small stand still. Miss Scooter has been over seeing each and every move. I'm not sure she's pleased with all of the activity, as long as she's by my side she's one happy pup.
We left off with
me sharing the finishing of the sheet rock after the doorways had been opened and one closed off. You can catch up on that post HERE.  Since that post I've painted the dining room, hallway, kitchen and laundry room. The crown has been reinstalled, nail holes filled and a coat of polyurethane applied to finish off the wood. There was a lot of ladder climbing, these legs are getting into shape in more ways than one.

A couple of weekends ago the island in the kitchen was tackled. I fondly called it my albatross it was so large and seemed to consume the kitchen. After the demo of the shelf (as seen here) that ran across the length of the room, I renamed the island my yacht. With the weight of the shelf gone the room seemed to grow in height and island seemed to grow as well. The height of the island was too tall and felt more like a bar instead of a kitchen island. I chose to take it down to counter height, eliminate one of the cabinets giving the room a lot more space and to make it visually more appealing to the size of the room.
 After taking the top of the island off, the back of the island had to come off. Man alive was it heavy. When I tiled it 13 to 14 years ago I meant for it to stay. There was no prying that tile off. I had to take out a GA-zillion screws, with help it was taken out the front door. That cute little black thing laying on the white sheet is Miss Scooter, she has to be where I am. As long as she has something to sleep on she's a happy pup.
 Looking in from the library/dining room this is the back of the island. All of the bead board was taken off and taken to the garage. I had to pull another GA-zillion nails out of the bead board so it could be rehung. There's my little photo bomber. You have to admit she's the cutest supervisor a gal could have.
We placed pieces of the old counter top on the remaining counters to judge how far out I want the over hang to be when the new counter tops are installed. I'm sure to some this seems to look like a hot mess, to me it's progress and a lot of it.
After thinking a few things over I knew I had to move the island back from the sink as far as I could, before the working area between the sink and stove was just too tight. When you do a Reno you learn from your first mistakes, I had lived with it that way for almost 17 years. I chose to move the island back 9". That gave me 41" between the stove and sink, plenty of room for the oven door to be open with more room to walk around if necessary. With the elimination of the bookcase on the East end I gained 17.5" of walk way. With the elimination of the cabinet on the West end I gained 21". I'm not sure Miss Scooter approves or not, I do remember this particular morning she was glad there wasn't a lot of activity going on around our home.
The floor man has been here and is trying to come up with a solution for me "not" to have to replace the whole floor. I'm trying to avoid that at all costs. Prayers said and fingers crossed they come up with a solution to fill in the flooring around the island. Last week the new slide in range was ordered and comes the 2nd. On Monday the gal comes to measure for the new counter top. I am so excited to see this dream come full circle. I've dreamed and saved for a long time.
You can see by a few of the pictures some of the decorating process has begun. I've been selective about the items I'm reusing. If I love it a lot it has stayed, if not it's been sold. The items sold have helped off set the cost of my Reno. I've learned so much about myself over these past 2 years. I know I want lighter and brighter in my life. I don't need everything I own out on display like you're walking into a museum. I've talked with my daughter a lot about some of the items and those have been boxed for her and the grands when it comes that time. My focus now is on happy, light, bright and good in myself as well as others.

I must include a big thank you to a customer that has become a dear friend. Each time she's stopped by the shop she's asked how the Reno is coming along and has been anxious to see the progress. She has shown genuine love, concern and happiness for me and my dream. She's brought me lunch and even dinner on a late Saturday afternoon, we've visited for hours. Kim W you know you mean the world to me, thanks for being my rock!!!

From here forward along with updates of the rest of the Reno you'll only read and see happy on my blog, you'll see me doing it my way. Soon I'll share with you how and why the blog began.

Thanks to all of you who have hung in there with me to see my dream come true. Stayed tuned more updates to the Reno are right around the corner.

Fondly ~ Lynne ~
Dishing It & Digging It 

11 comments:

Liz@ HomeandGardeningWithLiz said...

Lynne this is fantastic! I really enjoy seeing the progress. We renovated our home a while back and I know what it's like to live through it all. I loved every minute because it meant progress and in the end it was all worth it! I know a while ago there was a trend to accent the wood floors with a darker wood. I wonder if they could make cuts to create an even pattern all around and do that with the wood so matching it wouldn't be such a challenge. The island is going to be great with the new slide in and countertops. You've really taken on quite a mission and seem to be getting it all pulled together nicely!

Lynne (lynnesgiftsfromtheheart) said...

Thanks so much Liz, your input means the world. I have had a total ball dreaming of it and pulling together not regretting one decision that's been made. I've suggested exactly what you did with the flooring. He was heading back to his shop to see what he could come up with no word from as of yet. I truly love walking into the kitchen from each room and taking a deep breath and smile. Thanks always for your continued support. fondly ~ Lynne ~

Pat said...

Lynne,
FIRST, I love your header, dear friend!
I knew if I didn't say it FIRST, I'd forget!
This Kitchen reno is absolutely amazing!
You are one brave lady to take this on by yourself and to persevere!
I love how the Kitchen Island lines up with your Dining Area!
Stay focused on what lies ahead, forgetting that which lies behind!
I need your confidence as "Mr. Ed" and I are putting a new front porch on our 1970's Ranch Style Home!
Fondly,
Pat
LASTLY, Miss Scooter is adorable, as always!

Marty@A Stroll Thru Life said...

You are making great progress. I love it. Can't wait to see more.

Christine @ Rustic-Refined said...

Wow, loving the work you're doing. And i totally get the lighter and brighter too. I am there myself, so I am waving at ya!

I would love if you would share this at the Dishing It & Digging It Link Party. Your hard work really needs to be shared with the world!

XO,
Christine
www.rustic-refined.com

The Stonybrook House said...

It is looking sooo good! I am loving the new light and bright too! I painted all my kitchen cabinets white and I LOVE it! Now I'm painting the staircase. You are doing a great job! Can't wait to see the finished island! Thanks for sharing at Dishing It & DIgging It!

Linda @ Life and Linda said...

Lynne, your kitchen is looking so awesome. Isn't it exciting? I loved it when we re did ours. You will love the outcome. Thanks for sharing at DI&DI.

Lynne (lynnesgiftsfromtheheart) said...

Thanks so much Pat, most days I'm pretty confident with what I'm doing. Hard to believe it's come this far so quickly. I have positive thoughts for your new front porch. Can't wait to see it. fondly ~ lynne~

Lynne (lynnesgiftsfromtheheart) said...

Thanks Marty, stayed tuned there's more around the corner. fondly ~ Lynne ~

Lynne (lynnesgiftsfromtheheart) said...

Hi Lori, thanks so much! I'm on the edge of painting cabinets or not... Looking forward to seeing your staircase. fondly ~ Lynne ~

Lynne (lynnesgiftsfromtheheart) said...

Thanks so much Linda, I've had a ball working on all the projects around here. Fondly ~ Lynne ~