Kitchen Update
I now have the kitchen done, including the majority of the hall from the kitchen to the garage. I’m not sure if my estimation was off or Chuck’s measurements but I ended up two boxes short of my linoleum squares. As I worked, it became apparent I was going to be short therefore; I left the closets uncompleted until I have time to go back to Lowes’.
Here is a picture of my garden window, now painted white. I realize many people like garden windows, at one time I thought I wanted one also, but after having one now for the last five years I want it GONE! I really hate it! It sits back so far that I can’t reach the back of it, not even to open the side windows without a step stool. This area seems to be the first place bugs like to buzz around then die! In addition, the slanted area outside always gets so dirty that I hate looking at it, and to clean it I have to climb a ladder outside! See I like my house clean, but I like the easiest way to keep it clean. It is apparent to me that a garden window is not an area to keep clean easily, therefore it will be gone. In case you haven’t guessed from these comments I also really detest knick-knacks too, I find the dust collectors, and a PITB to clean.
To the left of my garden window / sink area is the area where the stove / oven was originally. We have moved it in preparation of punching through the wall, opening a hallway into the kitchen. With our remodel, this portion of the kitchen will be a true galley style kitchen. I have painted the walls in here the same color as the dining room and the hallway, the color is called Bermuda Sand. I didn’t get a good picture of my lower cabinets, therefore no one can see my beautiful Kitchen Aid dishwasher Chuck bought me when I was visiting friends in Kansas a couple of months ago.
Our wonderful side-by-side refrigerator. I say wonderful very tongue in-cheek. I never wanted a side-by frig, but Chuck thought it would be great to have the ice and water dispenser at the front. The side-by turned out just as I feared when I always looked at them in the past, not enough refrigerator area for me. I’m not sure if there will be a good refrigerator at all for me these days. Looking at new refrigerators I found all of them smaller on the frig portion and larger in the freezer portion. I’ve asked about this at stores, to see if I’m losing the last of my mind / memory, as the frig portion sure seemed bigger in the past. I was told that yes, over the years the frig portion has been reduced and the freezer portion increased in size. The reason is not surprising; as we have become a nation of wanting dinners quickly the frozen food industry has hit it big. With all those quick frozen meals we need the freezer space for them, so more freezer space in the new refrigerators. Alas, though that means we also are buying less fresh produce, the healthy stuff for us! That is the hardest part for me, I love fresh vegetables and fruits, add a few leftovers and condiments and my frig portion of the refrigerator is overflowing! It just means I have to go to the store more than I like to retrieve milk, fruit, and vegetables. Pssst, the other thing I detest doing is SHOPPING! All sorts of shopping, I am not a mall hound either!
Here is where we have moved the store / oven, under the pass-through window. When the real remodel is done, I want this wall reduced to a half wall, with a breakfast bar on the dining side. I also want the cabinets turned around to be on the same side as the stove opposed to the wall they are presently on. I personally like these cabinets, would like to have more made for the completed remodel. These cabinets are obviously handmade, simple pine, and are very basic. These cabinets are very reminiscent of what one would find in older houses, and exactly what I remember my grandfather making.
Here I thought I show the new floor I have been laying in the kitchen and hallway. These are simple linoleum squares sold at Lowes’ with a look of stone. I wouldn’t dare put real stone down in the house, but I like the linoleum squares! This is such very different from the two different type of sheet linoleum that was in here and the hallway.
I didn’t get new pictures of the dining room, but Chuck hung the new light fixture and I put new curtains up! I’m taking the next few days off from house renewal work. I am so sore, aching in joints and muscles I never knew existed, and I am really swollen; I not sure why I am reacting this way, maybe it is just age. I can remember plenty of days working on our houses without the swelling, and aching I have now. I’ll bring it all up to the doctor on my next visit which maybe soon. I have realized I have corporal tunnel in my right hand, at some points it is bad enough the pain radiates down to my elbow. I hate getting old!!!
