We're almost at the finish line! The herringbone patterned marble tile is going up; then the iron brackets and marble shelves. The walls still need to be painted; lights installed. I'm filling up my cupboards and trying to regain order in my living and dining rooms. Maybe 2 more weeks?
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Once I made the decision I would renovate my kitchen, I immediately began searching the internet for materials I would use in that renovation. My first purchase was nine 13-inch-by-11-inch iron brackets by Rachiele that will eventually support three 5-foot lengths of statuary marble above my counters. I scored with these brackets that I found on ebay for $30 each. They sell on the Rachiele website for $120 a piece. Unfortunately, the combined weight of the brackets and marble shelving requires that the walls be reinforced. Two of these 36-inch iron pot bars and 4-inch brackets by Enclume will be positioned on the marble-tiled wall next to my range. I purchased them on Amazon. I didn't spend much time looking for my cabinet hardware. When I saw the White Bronze Sierra 6-inch pulls and round knobs by Alno, I immediately knew this is what I would use in my kitchen. I originally saw this hardware locally, but again, ordered off the internet to save about one-third of the cost. One caveat -- start your on-line purchasing early. I had to return the hardware twice because of a defective finish. The first time they arrived the knobs and pulls were the color of antique brass (where was the quality control??). It ended up taking almost three months to get the correct finish; a hassle, but still worth it for what I was able to save. The elongated oval, steel finger-pull in the photo was purchased through Doug Mockett. I ordered two that will be used in sliding glass doors on the one storage cabinet that will reach to the ceiling. A 15-inch magnetic knife strip by MIU. Finding lighting for my kitchen was probably the most challenging for me. There are endless options -- beautiful options! And endless price points. The Restoration Hardware Turner flushmount above was found on ebay, new in the box for about $70 less than retail. The Lilly Spot (left) and the COD (below) were my splurges. Purchased through Circa Antiques in Westport, Connecticut, both lights were made in Belgium. Plans are for the spot to shine on an old slate chalkboard. The COD will be mounted at the back door entrance. Elkay Avado undermount sink with drainboard. This was probably my biggest on-line prize. Listing at $1435, I found it for less than $700 with free shipping! DAY #1 of the kitchen renovation... Day #2... The kitchen remodel has officially started; week one of how many weeks? With the removal of the floor, ceiling, walls and cabinetry, there were many unexpected surprises; the kind of surprises you hope you will not run into. When your home is 82 years-old, however, you will undoubtedly be dealing with something that needs correcting; and that is certainly the case here. But look at that second photo... it's a clean slate! Everything from this point on is moving forward towards my dream kitchen. I just ran into a neighbor and we were talking about my project, and he said, "I can't wait to see what kind of fabulous range you put into that kitchen". Actually, I'm not putting in a new range. My 17 year-old, 30-inch Viking (that I had rebuilt after the oven burnt up about 3 or 4 years ago) is going to be relocated in the kitchen with the addition of a new Viking High Shelf. It does the job, as far as I'm concerned. I don't need everything to be new. Hopefully, this week the windows will arrive and be installed. Once that happens, the cabinet-maker will be able to measure and begin his work. architect: Kathy Olmstead, Laurel Ulland, Inc. builder/contractor: Marty Keller, MAK Builders, Inc. Say good-bye to this kitchen. It's coming out. Finally. There are those who will say, "What is wrong with this kitchen?". Well, many things, and many things you don't notice just by walking through the kitchen -- chipped, scratched, and dinged cabinets, particle board cabinet floors that have turned to dust, old drawer mechanisms that screech so loudly, if you are speaking to someone on the phone, they cannot hear you, bad lighting, electrics that aren't code, a kitchen that hovers around 52 degrees in the winter. You get the picture, don't you? Will I miss having my spices held securely inside the cabinet door with elastic tape? No, I won't. It's been this way since we moved in over 25 years ago. I thought it was just a temporary fix. I will do my best to keep posting, and plan to chronicle the demolition and rebuilding of the kitchen. And, we do need to eat. We won't stop eating! Certainly, there will be a photo or two of something I've created in our temporary kitchen. I am in the process of compiling the often-requested Recipe Index for everything I've posted on Passions to Pastry. This will debut sometime soon and hopefully keep you cooking while I'm not. One thing is for certain. I will be back in my new kitchen by the end of the summer (uh, maybe....) and will probably be cooking and baking non-stop once I return. YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE: |
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