Step by Step Kitchen Renovation- Part 2

Original Kitchen

And so the kitchen continues to come together!  The prior post left off with the cabinets, counter tops & sink newly installed.  Though there is only one photo depicting this next round of work- it has taken a few months to do all the parts.

1) Installed GE Slate gas range oven
2)  Hardwood floors
3) PVC Wainscoting Backsplash
4)  Installed GE Slate dishwasher

We moved into Redwoodshire in the midst of major renovations.  The contractor had finished raising the upstairs ceilings & installing new staircase.  The Laird took on the HUGE task of renovating the kitchen.  And because being Laird and "kitchen installer" is not his primary job, the work has moved at a slow but steady pace.  Each task took a bit longer than we anticipated.  We moved in, expecting that we'd get the cabinets installed within 2 weeks.  But it was discovered that the outer wall was leaning outward and needed to be leveled.

So we lived at Redwoodshire without a kitchen for... a month.  The apron sink was installed at the end of the first month and the gas range at the end of the second month- let me tell you what it's like to make meals with a microwave and wash dishes in the upstairs bathroom tub for that long!  Call us crazy, but we did managed.  A bit higher class than camping.  At the time Lady genevieve was only 8 months old!  Needless to say, we are more and more grateful for each piece that gets completed.

HARDWOOD FLOORS:  The original floors were a red and white checkered asbestos tile.  In pictures it appeals to some, but in real life it was quite dingy.  We envisioned hardwood floors for our farm kitchen.  We purchased pre-finished Red Oak flooring and moisture proof underlayment from Lumber Liquidators.  Though we would have preferred longer planks, they came various sizes under 4ft.  We chose to do mixed width planks of 3 1/2" and 5", and alternated them in a somewhat structured pattern.  We would have preferred 3 different widths for an old farmhouse look, but that was not available with the wood we purchased.

Slate GE Dishwasher

Slate GE Gas Range

APPLIANCES:  Of note are the new Slate GE oven and dishwasher.  GE is the only company to offer this Slate color.  Originally I had imagined that we'd get a white dishwasher (we weren't planning to replace to oven yet) because I wasn't a big fan of black and felt like stainless steel looked too modern.  But when I went to Home Depot I saw the Slate appliances.  Upon research I found that only GE carries Slate colored appliances.  I fell in love with them and thought they would go so well with our rubbed oil bronze knobs and faucet.  I also felt that a white dishwasher would detract from the apron sink.  After much convincing and a good case of price comparisons, I was able to sway the Laird to go with the Slate appliances.  A cool feature of the slate is that fingerprints do not show up on the surface- which is a common problem with the stainless steel appliances.  GE has rebates running on appliances all the time.  If and when you purchase new appliances and are considering GE, be sure to see the different rebates available and time your purchases right.  Check out current GE Rebates.  We currently have propane heat, and had to convert our oven to take propane.  When we searched how to instal and oven and convert it to propane, we found a YouTube video of a guy converting the exact model oven that we had purchased!  It was so helpful.

BACKSPLASH:  We installed a PVC wainscoting for back splash.  This can be purchased at Home Depot or Lowes.  Easy to install with a nail gun and liquid nails.  It's quite amazing what a difference it makes.  It is also a wonderful solution for those old plaster walls that are difficult to repair.  My hope is to extend the wainscoting the full perimeter of the kitchen at some point.

The Laird installing the new dishwasher

The larger tasks (cabinets, sink, floors, back splash, & appliances) are just about done, however there are quite a few finishing tasks to complete (trim & window sill, finish painting...)  And in time we will get there.... Though it is sad that our makeshift "dishwasher in the box" island has disappeared- we are glad to finally have a working dishwasher.  Though not worn out or broken, the old dishwasher (the Lady of Redwoodshire) is grateful for a a break.   Eventually we want to build a breakfast island for the massive open space in the center of the kitchen. But this is a project for a rainy or snowy day in the future!  Right now it's time to be outside exploring, gardening, playing, and enjoying the arrival of Spring...