The light at the end of the tunnel shines bright!

A few weeks ago we finally started the back splash.  It took me this long to post because the 1970's warped walls had me wanting to rip down the tiles. No matter what we did, the warped wall made the tiles look uneven.  A few times I'd be standing in the kitchen looking at something and Steve knew exactly what I was thinking... and he would assure me it was "fine".  Hmmph.  It took me two years to finally decide on kitchen pulls for the cabinets in AZ... "fine" my ass.

But in the end... I LOVE the way the back splash looks.  We can say we did it ourselves with what we had to work with and we are proud of how it came out.  Below are pictures of our progress and finished product.

    
Our "before" picture.  The walls weren't straight and a bit bowed.  Running your hand over the wall, you could feel all the imperfections.

 

← First row completed
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The picture above shows that entire wall finished on a Saturday.

We waited until the next day to start grouting.


While we waited for the back splash to set (so I could grout), Steve started the process of figuring out how and where to start the floor tile.

I decided to try a piping bag to grout and it actually made less of a mess on the tile and on me, but took a bit longer.  It was the perfect way to not use A LOT of grout while doing this process.

After finding the "X" to mark the spot and Steve taking a few deep breaths (it's stressful) he spread thin set and laid the first tile.  "Whew!"  The rest of the day we spent measuring the overlay for the rows and Steve started doing his cuts.  You don't realize how much measuring, cutting, tiling, cutting, thin setting can take out of you.  I think it was just being bent over (like Steve is to the right) for a few hours that tires you.

"Measure twice, cut once".  That saying kept running through my head.

 Stephen Gooby, you're my hero!

This was the kitchen after Monday night.

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 Around 9:00pm on Monday I heard the wet saw start up and it's very loud.  I went running outside, my eyes bulging asking "WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!?"  I could just see our neighbors calling the cops on us.  I'm sure my cousin Jeanene and Martin could hear the saw from their house.  Needless to say, I asked Steve to call it a night because I didn't want to anger our neighbors.  So the process continued through to Wednesday.

Tuesday saw Steve using the wet saw the most due to so many small cuts needed.  It was a process which ended the night early.  But this big smile on his face??? → → → →

That's the look of a very happy man.  Wednesday night he finished tiling and the next day I started grouting.  I think I had more grout on myself than anywhere else.

Luckily I had read an article stating acetone could take off grout and that's exactly what I used.  two bottles.  just kidding.  Half a bottle worked on my legs, arms, neck (I have no idea) hair and face.

 After all was said and done on the almost week long process, we finished our kitchen.

We love the gray glass back splash.  I'm so glad my cousin talked me into it.  I literally looked at the sample tiles in the morning, early afternoon, late afternoon and evening to make sure I liked it.  Steve was pressuring me to select the tile since my original back splash material wasn't going to work.

When I thought I had made up my mind, Steve excitedly asked "did we make a decision?"... and my expressions said it all "yes.. i don't know... maybe?  Can we just use both?"  Steve thought I lost it.

 other side of our kitchen.

I did do a little cleaning prior to taking this picture.  Yes, that is Steve in the picture bent over.  As with cooking, I'm a messy diy'er.  I had grout and thin set all over the place.  Sunday, our friend Dan came over with his miter saw (I think that's it) and both installed the base boards and other stuff. Steve was very excited he got to use his compressor and nail guns to do the job.  I steered clear just in case he lost control of the nail gun.

Finally... our before and after pictures 

SIGH... I can cook again!

I believe I mentioned in my last post I have been like a kid waiting for Christmas morning, so after my conference call ended this morning I went to the window wondering where George and the group was to finish the install.  I saw two men standing at the curb and I got giddy.  Then George and his side kick drove up with the truck and the tappity tap of my feet started like Alex's double dancing in Flashdance!

It just got real people!  The four men walked through, we shook hands (I was trying to be casual, while inside I was yelling "yippee skippeeeeee!") and they showed what they were doing today.

If you need a reminder on what the old double oven looked like... here you go ↓



It was a 24 inch white double oven.  Only one pan would fit in there at one time.

Now it's a 30 inch GE which is going to be seeing alot of use, starting Friday night!

 Jeremy (HRC), was caulking all around the kitchen, making everything look pretty.

I couldn't help but peek in on the work and seeing the oven go in.  It's not an easy appliance to install, it's a little heavier than it looks and I'm sure that's why they waited until today to install.  They needed more man power!

 ... and with a flick of the switch, a turn of a knob, the oven is installed, working and waiting for the first anything to be made in the oven.  Now it's a matter of deciding what do I want to bake?  Home made dog biscuits? Baked chicken with sweet potatoes?  So many decisions!

It's a digital masterpiece!

All the caulking is completed!  Now to wait for the final inspection and the cleaners to make it sparkle more than it does.

Next up on the "honey do" list:
1.  tiling the floor,
2.  adding the backsplash,
3.  finishing the recessed lighting
4.  moving and arranging our pots and pans into their new cabinets and drawers!

A week of counter tops and appliances!

Steve got a call last week letting us know the counter tops were going to be delayed.  That was a disappointment.  I thought I was going to be doing the happiest of happy dances for a Friday.  Instead, I had to wait until Monday and like a child waiting for Christmas morning, time seemed to be moving "slower than the molasses in January" (Romancing the Stone).  I did make it to Monday and since I didn't know exactly what time the guys would show up, every time my Blink alarm system sent me a notification I was running to the windows!

And then they arrived and boy did I break out into a happy dance!

When we were in the process of purchasing our SD home, Steve and I were back and forth on two houses.  I LOVED the quartz counter top in the other house and when I realized it was available, I wanted it in our place.  It was black with specks of sparkle and if you know me you know I am all about sparkle and shine.

The work started and I couldn't be happier!

There was grinding, cutting, measuring and so much noise.  It was hard to hear while on my conference calls and the dogs were nervous nelly's but thankful I still had Tracye's "peace and calm" essential oils to rub on the dogs ears.  That little bottle was filled with calming magic!!!
 
The guys did a great job making sure everything fit the way it should.

The counter tops look fabulous!  I know black isn't for everyone but I think it really fit the space.  And with my light above the sink... so much sparkle!


 We do have a few issues with drawers which should be fixed before the end of the week.

Tuesday starts and luckily I had to be up early for meetings because the plumber showed up without any warning!  Now I am usually in my pjs and robe until my last meeting (since they are usually back to back) but something nagged me to get dressed first thing in the morning and good thing I did!

Do you know how excited I was to have running water in the kitchen again?  No more washing dishes in the laundry room sink that sprays water everywhere when you turn on the faucet.  Unfortunately, the garbage disposal sounded like a freight train going through our kitchen which made no sense because we purchased one similar to what was originally in place. Why one sounded so much worse than the other still has Steve and I scratching our heads.

I also know that our faucet isn't for everyone either.  But again... I don't care.  As my mom said, "As long as you like it that's all that matters".

The statement piece in the kitchen makes me happy and since I do a lot of cooking and baking, seeing something pretty puts a smile on my face.

By the end of Tuesday, I was sashaying all over the place while singing "Heaven... I'm in heaven, And my heart beats so that I can hardly speak. And I seem to find the happiness I seek. When I see the work completed through the week".  Sway, sway, sway... cheesy smile!

Luckily, come Wednesday, I knew the guys would be showing up at a particular time so I was again dressed and anticipating their arrival!!

They started with the hood (that's right... no microwave there).  I'm surprised they were able to get it in because Steve and I measured the opening and it was smaller than the width of the hood.  But they got it in, it works, the light is bright and the speeds seem to do their job. So YAY!!

 Front photo of the hood.

Can you see it?  The stove top.... also black.  I think it's kind of cool.  It has a couple of power boils and boy do they work.  How do I know?  Because I cooked on it tonight.  I boiled water in my tea kettle and I made Pasta baby!  What a great feeling to be able to cook in your own kitchen.  I see the light at the end of the tunnel

and.... the sparkle on the ceiling...

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Do you see it? 

My kitchen sparkles!  

I love it....  

Tomorrow our double oven is installed and cabinet adjustments.  

Then it's ordering the floor tile and the backsplash!

One week out from our Quartz countertops

It's been a full week of kitchen chaos which had them finishing up the cabinets, pulls and knobs today.  The crescendo of noise seemed to have topped off yesterday and I am very grateful that our friends Tracye and Dan babysat Angus and Bella.  The quietness of their house was a sanctuary compared to my house, the cool air that hit us as we walked in was a far cry from the hellish temperatures in my house (why? because I couldn't have the air on since they had the doors open all week long).

The transformation has been wonderful.  It's been like seeing an outfit come together or seeing a canvas transform from just a sketch to a painting.

The day started with the team organizing the bottom cabinets on the driveway and figuring out what went where.

I was surprised they started with the base cabinets because on HGTV and DIY they ALWAYS start with the upper cabinets.

Another angle showing the start of the installation

Reworking the kitchen sink cabinet to accommodate the farm house kitchen sink.  Not your regular white apron front farmhouse sink.  We went with stainless steel.

The original layout had one opening on the other side of the cabinets by the bar stools.  I'm very excited they were able to provide a lazy susan cabinet! (side note: where did the term "lazy susan" originate?  Was there a lazy woman named Susan that came up with this idea?)

The next day saw cabinet drawers, roll out shelving and the doors go in...

shims, more drawers, I'm so excited!  After cooking in our kitchen in Goodyear (which had two islands), having more drawers in this floor plan is a great improvement.

Upper cabinets, pantry at the end (yes, I know... it's small, but very functional), the double oven cabinet and the fridge!  Wednesday activities had me doing a happy dance!

Well, hello stainless steel farmshouse sink! I can't wait for the faucet to be installed...

One item we did add to the original layout is the cabinet next to the window.  Since we don't have a lot of cabinet space for plates, bowls, WINE GLASSES, tequila shot glasses, etc, we needed something more.

The pulls and knobs were also installed today along with that light above the kitchen sink.  Another happy dance!

Steve was a trooper with the design.  There were many "no's", "not a fan", "NEXT!!" that were uttered, by me, during our meeting with HRC.  When this is your "forever" kitchen you want it done right and you want to be happy with it.

Steve will probably come home every day to different dances moves... Gene Kelly tapping, Travis Wall contemporary moves or just my dorky moves that make me laugh and Steve cackle.

As I walked through the different home improvement stores lighting section this little gem of a light shouted "pick me!  choose me!  love me!!!" and I picked up the box and said "YES! You little sparkle bauble of a light!  I am BUYING you!"

I love the light!  It puts a good amount of light out and look at the sparkles against the wall!  All I need is a tiara while cleaning the dishes and I may just blind Steve!

 I do think I will be removing this old wooden blind.  Still not sure if I will replace with another one or maybe do a roman shade.  Bring a little color to a very black and white kitchen.













The quartz countertop template was done today (Thursday) and will be installed a week from Friday!  Then the rest of the appliances will be installed.  We did put our refrigerator in for the time being since I kept running into it when I walked in the door.

Angus is happy the house will be quiet for a week!

So excited!  So excited!  Shimmy shimmy coco puff!

Weekend Demolition Complete.. kind of.

I love our backyard, the view and breezes we get all day long

After a full Saturday doing demo work in the kitchen, ending the night with some ice cream, we woke up to a brisk, beautiful, foggy morning to start our second day of demolition.  It was hard to get going when you want to just sit and enjoy the scenery.

Since time was ticking, we had to get started so off to Lowes we went in search of super duper heavy duty garbage bags.  Found those AND a light fixture I want to add to the kitchen,,,

Isn't she pretty???

I also decided we are doing shiplap as an accent wall in the kitchen which had Steve saying, "Well, you know what I need to get this project done, right?"  Off to the power tool section we went.  Come hell or high water, he WILL get his nail gun (pew! pew!).

 After we did our Lowes and Ace Hardware (by the way, if you want genuine customer service, go to Ace.  Lowes and HD suck at customer service) we started back on the kitchen floor.  Steve decided to get the grinder out for the linoleum glue removal.  The high pitch whine of the grinder, me coughing and seeing a thin layer of construction dust starting to settle on my new couch, I yelled for him to stop.  I don't THINK so sidekick!  I went and grabbed sheets to cover the couch and then decided to look up the easiest way to take off linoleum glue.  Hot boiling water... well, good thing I have my Keurig because it supplied the boiling water and saved my lungs and house from more dust!

The hot water helped, but still slow work

We were only able to get half the floor done.  We had to give our hands a rest.  Does anyone remember the Friends episode "The one where Joey dates Rachel"?  Sub plot had Phoebe buying Monica and Chandler a Ms Pacman game as a wedding present?  Chandler played it all day and his hand was stuck in a claw?  That's how my hand felt after two days of floor work.

Today the HRC crew was back in doing the electrical.  It was loud, louder and at one point I thought they were coming through the bedroom wall, but the new electrical is in, the recessed lighting is done and our peninsula will have an outlet at the end (WITH a USB port!).

New recessed lighting!

Tomorrow starts the installation of the cabinets!  Can't wait....