...point and COUNTERpoint

Well, here is Pablo and companion installer, fitting in the new countertops. I'm glad they were able to get the side counter all in one piece. They worked quickly and neatly! And this stuff is heavy! The Big Guy also installed the new exhaust fan over the stove. Next on the list is the floor. I've picked out the style and pattern, it's been measured and now we just have to wait until it comes in. Right before the floor is set, however, we have to get the kitchen door, since there will be a variation in height with the new flooring. The hardest part is last, picking out the tile for the backsplashes. Lookin' good!

...in with the new

Well, here's my guy, Bob the Builder, installing the new cupboards. The craftsmanship is awesome. It only took a few hours. They sure went in a lot easier than the old ones came out! I like the storage over the refrigerator, but my favorite part of the new cupboards, is the last two pictures. I wanted glass doors, to open the kitchen up a bit. My original look was a simple 6 pane square look. However, I learned along the way to listen to Bob's suggestions! And we ended up with a unique look, totally ours!

I love my new corner with the added cupboards and counter space!

...window to the world

Apparently, not the neat job I anticipated when installing a window. This is why I am not a contractor! Bob and the big guy worked hard to get it to look like this!

And now we have a view! Window frame in the near future.

...going, going, gone

Here's the latest on what is happening around here. Notice, I have food and utensils all over the place. (Notice, you know who, will not give up his cheese and PB crackers, despite being loaded with salmonella!!!) I can't find my spoons. And sawdust everywhere! What a joy. The Big Guy has been very busy, but needed some help this morning with some heavy cupboard demolition. Thank you Mr. B.

I get to use power tools!

A new VIEW!

...what lies beneath

Here is a sneak peek at our new kitchen light fixture! I think it's called the shabby/chic/make do/austere look! I think it will catch on!

This tells you how long it has been since we've seen the actual original wall! Libby wanted her name on the wall too!

We suspect that this picture was drawn by our four-year-old number one daughter, about 1979. Or else it was a visiting Mayan....perhaps a long lost clue to the universe!

Here is the corner, minus wallpaper and tile.

And here is the same corner; finally primed.

I have no clue how long the stove has been in this position before we moved it; I did not take a picture of the floor! As you can see, the formica on wall is disappearing, slowly but surely. I can't believe people put formica on the walls!! Maybe I'll try something new on the walls....like...paint?

...and heeeeeere's Bob

Well, here is my main man of the hour, Bob the Builder. Bob is doing all the woodworking for my new cupboards. He and I don't always agree, but that's part of the fun! To be honest, however, he knows far more about what he's doing, than I do! And I usually end up compromising some way.













And here is "Pup", Bob's companion and helper. He carries the wood around! He's a chow mix and very, very friendly!

Here's the layout, pretty much to scale as to how the kitchen will be, you see the back of the sink cupboard, which will be under the window; and to the back you see the new cupboards which will be on the corner that never had any built-ins.







Here is the corner cupboard with my BREAD BOARD! I love this pull out feature. I've been using the one I have forever; it comes in so handy. This one is exceedingly heavy and as smooth as glass! There will be pull-out shelves behind the doors.







And here is the counter where the sink will go....somewhere in there. We are moving the sink ten inches to the left, to accommodate the refrigerator to the right. Bob is making all my drawers very deep, 'cause I have so much stuff!





Next....What lies beneath!

...bye bye old kitchen, hello dust!

Just as all good things must come to an end; so too must old kitchens give up their linoleum and formica and make ready for the new! And, I'm talking REALLY old here. Everything in the kitchen is original to the year the house was built, 1958. And we've been stuck in the fifties ever since!

This corner is is being torn out completely and the refrigerator will be there instead. (Can you get enough of that yellow formica?) However, to give it due credit; this formica has withstood unbelievable stress over the years and come out looking like it did in 1958. It has had hot pans and firey pot holders thrown on it, been used as a chopping block and step stool, suffered through years of canning and vegetable prepping and has maintained. I wonder if there is such a durable product like 50s formica anwhere in the world today.

Here, for example is our lovely combination of wall formica (yes, we actually had the SAME formica on the wall), plastic tile, and our ever so lovely linoleum! A lovely combination! The subtle mixes of grays, yellows, golds, reds and whatever else is showing, certainly makes a statement, does it not?

Here is a closer look at the actual flooring. Notice the bright red splotches of color spattered throughout? Sort of reminds you of blood-spatter, doesn't it? Well, actually, there was a time when number one son fell and cut his chin on the "big wheel". Remember those? His aunt Judy was visiting at the time and actually got down on her knees to wipe up the blood, until she discovered it was part of the floor!








Coming next, meet BoB the Builder.