Ew. Ew, ew, eeeewwwww. We’ve decided to redo the kitchen. Yay! …and YUCK! What we’re finding is gross.
Our original plan was to redo the upstairs (blue) bathroom. However, as we started looking at the kitchen, we realized that it needed our attention first. The bathroom is not my style, but it’s in fine shape. The kitchen, while not horrible looking, was not faring so well.
So… we’ve already ordered (and received) a new fridge and dishwasher. The fridge is in place (we’re not changing the general layout), but the dishwasher is still in its box. We’ve also ordered a new stove, but it hasn’t arrived yet. The cabinets have been ordered (Lidingö from IKEA), and they will be delivered tomorrow.
We have a budget of $10,000. It’s a good amount of money (to us, at least)… but it doesn’t go all that far in a kitchen. So far, we’ve spent…
fridge: $1200
stove: $2000
dishwasher: $800
range hood: $175
cabinets: $2000
paint & supplies: $50
===========
total (so far): $6225
We still need a sink and faucet, countertops (probably laminate), knobs, lighting, window treatments, and any plumbing/electrical work that we can’t do ourselves. I think we’re on track.
The walls are plaster, and I’m nervous about hanging the cabinetry. I don’t want our glasses and plates to come crashing down! I feel like we (Brandon and I) can do this though. I’m handy! I just keep telling myself we can do it!
eric
February 19, 2007 at 1:32 pmwow, that is foul. reminds me of my bathroom. can’t wait to see how you remix it.
Audrey
February 19, 2007 at 1:42 pmI second that Wow..you’re really brave for tackling so much of the work yourself. Just a note: I needed to replace a sink and faucet in a bathroom and had some good luck with Home Depot. They had a wider range of styles (and prices) than I had previously thought. What color will you paint it?
By the way, I like the tassles idea. Are you painting the living room the same purple as in your apartment?
Best of luck!! I love your online store, which is how I found your blog.
Audrey
ronni
February 19, 2007 at 2:42 pmIf you need some inspiration check out our crazy house renovation . . . http://www.lestercat.net/house. We are also part of a larger house renovation community over at houseblogs.net. You will find others that are in the same boat and may be able to offer some how-to advice.
We bought IKEA kitchen cabinets and were able to hang them ourselves, also on plaster walls. Three years later and the cabinets are still “hanging” on.
Good luck with the kitchen. Love the blog and love the PINK!!!!
Michele
February 20, 2007 at 9:48 amwow! congrats on the renovation, looks like fun! now, i have a question for you: Would you please do me a favor and check out the purchases my bf and I just made, described in two recent blog posts of mine… I would appreciate your thoughts. THANKS IN ADVANCE!
One Little Monkey
February 20, 2007 at 4:50 pmI’ll be interested to hear how you like your Ikea cabinets. I was going through the kitchen catalog tonight trying to see how much our teeny kitchen would cost to redo. I’ve never really paid much attention to their kitchen stuff when I go to the stores!
Nicole
February 21, 2007 at 7:15 pmThanks everyone! We’ll be painting the kitchen “bronzed beige” (Benjamin Moore) which looks kinda the way it sounds. A nice ochre/butter/bronzy color, but not too dark.
The living room won’t be the same purple as in the apartment, but it will be purplish. Sort of a pink/purple/taupe – I’m always drawn to those paint colors!
Ronni, I joined the houseblogs.net community! Thanks for th info.
I’ll report on the IKEA cabinets as things progress…
Carrie Sommer
February 21, 2007 at 8:07 pmI don’t know if there’s one near you, but out here we have a Habitat for Humanity sort of warehouse. It’s home furnishings (everything from furniture to cabinets to countertops to sinks) that could not be used in homes.
My husband went and said some stuff was not that great, but there was a lot of very useable, very nice appliances and cabinets. Something to check out maybe?
Good luck! We’ve remodeled two homes ourselves and wouldn’t do it any differently!
sk8ordiehard
February 23, 2007 at 9:19 amAre the floors water damaged? Looks like you’re dealing with floors like ours. Not fun, but very rewarding.
As for the cabinets, we have steel 1950s cabinets up on our plaster walls and they’re fine. Just make sure you have a good stud finder!
casapinka
February 23, 2007 at 11:06 pmOh goody. This is going to be spectacular when finished,