Hi everyone! I want to give a quick update of how the kitchen renovation is coming along.
No, it is not finished, but we are getting so close! This share is a bit of where we are now and how we got here. Later, when the work is completely finished, I will be sure to give you a "reveal" post with all the before and after photos!
WHERE WE ARE TODAY
It feels so good to have the tile up and the painted cabinet doors and drawers back in place. Once we got the hardware installed we returned all the cabinet contents to their rightful homes!
Hale Navy blue, a Benjamin Moore paint color, was the first finish I selected for this project. I always wanted dark blue painted cabinets and I contemplated multiple colors before I finalized the Hale Navy!
From there, I knew I wanted marble-look quartz countertops and was able to get a Pental quartz product called Lattice.
The tile is subway-like in style, measuring 4" x 12". What I love about it is the crackle glaze and wavy lines. It is a little bit modern, and a little bit classic.
I looked at (what seems like hundreds of) chrome drawer pulls before I selected these modern, but not too severe drawer pulls.
WHERE WE BEGAN
This is the kitchen in 2017, basically as it was when we moved here in 2001. As the wood floors and cabinets have been exposed to years of sun and wear, they have yellowed significantly -- not a look I love! We had long ago grown tired of our beige (and drab!) 12" x 12" ceramic tiles and the maintenance of the grout on the horizontal surface of the counters.
HOW WE GOT HERE - THE RENOVATION PROCESS
STEP ONE - DEMO
We first demolished our old tile countertops, then had quartz countertops fabricated and installed by professionals. We waited to demo the day before the countertops would be installed so we could maintain a functional kitchen as long as possible.
STEP TWO - INSTALLATION OF QUARTZ COUNTERTOPS
For countertops, we chose quartz for its easy care and durability. We knew the quartz was something we needed to hire out for, rather than try as a DIY project. Our massive island took a total of six guys to get the slab of quartz placed.
STEP THREE - TILE INSTALLATION
We borrowed a friend's wet tile saw, so we were able to make some good progress and got the tiling done over a weekend.
At the sink area we decided to take the tile all the way up the wall to the ceiling instead of the traditional 18" height. We also removed a 24" wide upper cabinet between the window and wall-oven. What a difference that made - it really opens up the sink area.
STEP FOUR - PREPPING CABINET BOXES, DOORS AND DRAWERS
During this process, we removed all the contents of the cabinets, removed all the doors and drawers, cleaned the cabinets and doors before beginning the sanding, priming and painting process.
We removed all of the hardware (cabinet pulls and the hinges). Helpful reminder/note - label each door and sets of hinges to make the re-installation more streamlined!
Next we cleaned all the cabinet surfaces with a no-residue cabinet cleaner. It is helpful to select a product that does need to be rinsed off the cabinet surfaces so that you don't introduce water and moisture that could raise the grain of the wood. I used a microfiber cloth for this and was amazed at how much grease and grime I wiped off!
Because we were getting new cabinet door and drawer hardware (pulls and knobs), we had to fill the holes in the old locations. The all-purpose wood filler was pretty easy to work with and once it was sanded, primed and painted, you could barely tell where the old holes had once been.
STEP FIVE - SANDING THE CABINET BOXES, DOORS, AND DRAWERS
I sanded all cabinet and door surfaces before the first and second application of primer and before each of the two coat of paint. I moved our cars out of the garage and set up shop there, but it created a huge mess of tiny particles of varnish. After each sanding, I used a compressor to blow off excess dust and then wiped down with a clean microfiber cloth before painting.
ALWAYS USE EAR AND EYE PROTECTION AND WEAR A FACE MASK TO AVOID BREATHING IN THE DUST PARTICLES!
STEP SIX - PAINTING THE CABINETS
I will not kid you and say this painting was easy - it was very challenging to get the paint to my sense of acceptable quality.
It took me at least 80 hours of my labor for the cleaning, sanding, priming, and painting. You can imagine what my hands look like at this point?! Let's just say I am way over-due for a manicure!!
Following this work on prepping and painting, I really respect the work of professional painters. I admit to repainting (and re-repainting) a couple of the cabinet doors for the upper cabinets, since the upper cabinets are at eye-level and flaws or imperfections are much more visible.
WHAT WE NEED TO FINISH
Trim - narrow piece between cabinet and tile
Cut, paint and install window trim/molding
Fabricate and install wood shelves between wall-oven and window
Caulk between tile and countertops, and between tile and ceiling
Have glass panels inserted into 2 cabinet doors; install
Refinish wood flooring (this will be a separate future project)
Add styling and decor to the space
Select and install new shades or window coverings
Paint the existing trim in the rest of the kitchen the new Alabaster white
Paint the kitchen walls - after I choose a color!
WHAT IS NEXT FOR HILL AND VALLEY DESIGN?
Now I am off to consider whether or not I will participate in the Spring One Room Challenge. What do you think? Maybe my office/studio could use some design?! Right now, it resembles a junk room that doubled as a painting room for the cabinet doors and drawers.
Would you do a favor for me? If you know someone who might enjoy my blog, would you share it with them?
I would love to hear from you! Maybe a comment in the comment section or an email: valerie@hillandvalleydesign.com You can also follow my Instagram @hillandvalley.design.
