Monday, May 2, 2011

My Kitchen Part 2 ~ dreamy windows and doors


Welcome to 'My Own Kitchen" story, Part 2.

Part 1 is HERE.

All installments to date can be found HERE.

Where we left off:


The walls finally came tumbling down and I was left with this amazing open floor plan!

But I've long envisioned one thing and one thing only. Three windows running along the sink wall to bring the outdoors in. I slept and breathed and dreamed that dream. I didn't care how much cupboard space I lost. I'd figure it out. :)

And then...





... my awesome friends made it happen. God is so good!

Welcome to your new home, dream windows! Aren't they the most beautiful creatures on earth? They sure were to me that day. Notice the staging already starting? :)

And then we had to compensate for the loss of the back door.


So this picture window...



became my #2 dream... a set of french doors!

I was totally head over heals in love at this point! Check out that light streaming in!



I love these doors where the blinds are inside the glass. I totally endorse them 100%!


 Things then started to get a little hairy. The team left my kitchen intact for as long as they possibly could while working. But the time finally came when the cupboards really did have to go. With no where to put the stuff. Gulp...

Bear in mind, my ENTIRE house was being worked on at the same time, so there was no place to set up kitchen anywhere else even temporarily. Even the garage was stuffed to the gills with building materials.


 Scary.

I ended up just putting everything in boxes...


 ... and stacked them in the kitchen. You can see them in the foreground. We did alot of dancing around those crazy boxes!

See that wall to the left?


It dwindled daily too. What was left became the new DIY bulletin board. Beat this! :)

My kitchen work triangle was a little out of kilter as well. The stove remained in the kitchen, the fridge was in the main entry downstairs, and the sink....

 

 was in the bathtub. :) Luckily my new tub was in! Yeah, that was all being worked on too.


Also not mentioned was the amazing new picture window that went in. LOVE it! All that crazy patch work above it was due to the removal of the outdated valances.

See if you can't spot my son watching TV. :)  We'd cover up the works while working and shove aside the blankets when we sat.

I won't lie. This stage nearly drove me out of my mind. Knowing it was short term helped me cope. But I also found another way to cope on occasion.

We escaped to the campground the odd weekend if the team wasn't banging away. I called it our dust free sanity break. Take a look at a gorgeous hike I went on alongside my camping buddies.





Slideshow of Harrison Hot Springs, in BC Canada

 But then came the time for full speed ahead.  Once the cabinets were ordered, the deadline to install them loomed. so we had to really pick up the pace getting the drywall up, painting done, and let's throw in a new fireplace redo for good measure because the floors were coming in too!

With all this junk in the way.

How in blazes did we do it?! You'll soon see.:)

28 comments:

  1. Oh girl... that takes me right back to our kitchen renovation ( I now need a drink!).. I look back and wonder how we did it and think perchance I am totally nuts to be thinking about tweaking it a bit again ...eek!

    Maddie

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  2. I dread the day I tackle a kitchen reno. I dream of it but dread it at the same time!

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  3. Why are you doing the entire house at the same time? Availability of workers? It looks great so far...

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  4. I'm torn between feeling blessed that I haven't had to takle a redo like this and a bit envious that I haven't had to tackle a redo like this! It's a battle between practicality and creativity I guess!

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  5. OMG, I can't believe the disarray everything is in, but it totally looks worth it!! Those windows are beautiful, and I just LOVE that french door. Can't wait to see the progression!

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  6. Jill, a group of volunteers offered to help me fix what was broke. We wanted to gitter done as opposed to a long drawn out ordeal, hence the mini Extreme Makeover. Reading my story will help put it all into better perspective. (link was also in part 1)

    http://funkyjunkinteriors.blogspot.com/2010/01/all-about-me-my-story.html

    Donna

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  7. Love all that natural light from the windows and door! The mess, not so much:).
    Fun to see what you're up to!

    Megan

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  8. Cant wait to see the finished product! The mess and construction would have made me nuts too! Great idea taking a hiking break!
    Susan

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  9. I would so gladly put up with the mess to do a reno on this old farmhouse! It so needs some help! I can't wait to see how it progresses though. I would definitely want to get my hands into all that. Especially the demo part! I could use a way to let out some aggression!

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  10. Oh my!! What a mess...but oh so exciting!!!!! And those windows??!!!!! Gotta love them. Then add French Doors...TDF for sure!!!
    Girl you do have light now!!! Everywhere!!
    Can't wait to see more!
    Oh and I spotted your son right off!! LOL! I too am used to messes like this!!
    Hugs
    SueAnn

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  11. Wow all those windows and then the french doors too? That alone makes a perfect kitchen. I know it was all worth it.

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  12. It cracks me up that CAMPING was your dust free escape! Camping has always been pretty dirty every time we've done it! :)

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  13. Looks like stressful, crazy fun...Love the french doors, I've had my eye on those for a replacement of my slider. Can't wait to see the end result, I'm sure it will be fabulous!
    ~Teresa
    ~Toodlefetties

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  14. Donna,
    I love your story and your house!
    Thanks for taking the time to put all this up.
    Cindy

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  15. So love watching your adventures!! Can you come and do my house too???
    Shirley S. New York

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  16. Love your new windows! -Amanda (FancyLittleThings.com)

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  17. Oh my! I have missed alot while absent from Blogland. Your house transformation is looking awesome. It reminds me of our house when we first moved. Hmmm, I may have to look for some pics when I get time and post them :)
    It was great visiting and can't wait to see the final reveal.
    Toodles for now.

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  18. When I think of a kitchen reno I think of your windows!

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  19. I am SO excited for you!!!! This is wonderful! A totally YOU kitchen. Nothin' better than that!
    Congrats!
    Have a pretty day!
    Kristin

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  20. I am loving the transformation! :) it is so hard, I know! If you get the chance come see me vintage french birdcage and read my hilarious confession about myself! Sure to be comedy relief! :)

    Xo, Meme

    BTW, I am having a HUGE giveaway series...Come check it out!

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  21. This all so awesome and I can just FEEL your excitement...even now. The best part of all, to me, are the 3 big, nice windows..:)))

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  22. Donna,
    I am so excited to follow along with your reno!
    This is going to be fabulous!
    I love the windows and french door. You are going to love that light so much.

    I can totally relate to living in a construction zone. It seems I've done it my whole married life! But it is worth it in the end.
    Have fun!
    Traci

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  23. Okay, I feel dumb. I just realized this is a recap of your reno. But I am still excited because I didn't see it the first time! :)

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  24. HOLY COW, Donna! What a trooper you are, girl! But....I think all of us would do anything for more light in our home AND French doors! lol! You are sooo going to love the changes you're making! What a transformation so far! Can hardly wait to see it finished! :)

    xoxo laurie

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  25. Love the picture window! What brand are those?

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  26. The windows and doors are wonderful!! There's nothing better than letting more light in, and those are beautiful choices.

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  27. Everything---is looking FABulous!
    ---will be done before you know it!
    ---will be SOOO worth it!
    ---will be a distant memory of pain!
    Ask my mom---I put her through it too!
    Catherine

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