I finally decided to renovate my home to build my dream kitchen. The actual process of renovations is turning out to be quite the nightmare! Dust, damage and destruction everywhere!
I suppose, like most things, it's gonna get a lot worse before it will get better!
Things I've learned so far:
1. You WILL go over your budget!
2. It WILL take longer than you expected.
3. Surviving on take out isn't all that fun.
I miss cooking and I miss eating home cooked food
__________________
"Good communication is just as stimulating as black coffee, and just as hard to sleep after."
"It must be in the basement, I'll go upstairs and get it" - Escher
we renovated our kitchen last year... we got rid of the ghetto wallpaper and replaced with stone tiles on the walls, all new counters and cabinets, new exhaust, new everything. I agree it took longer than anticipated and it was dusty! we did this over the spring/summer though so we could keep the windows open. It's definitely a big job (although we contracted)... but its worth it in the end. It's such a great feeling to cook in the new kitchen!
^ to add to this, it's funny how we are such creatures of habit. As a result of the renovations and new cabinets, we actually ended up with significantly more cabinet space. However, once the job was done and it was time to put the dishes back in their respective places, I ended up putting everything exactly where it use to be - even though it didn't make a lot of sense in our 'new world.' It just felt wrong putting the glasses elsewhere! So once everything was stocked, I realized a few days later how silly it all looked and how impractical it is.... so I shuffled things around and now all is well in the world again!
my parents did their kitchen last year - what a hassle.
Hassle does not even begin to explain the inconvenience and frustrations of doing a kitchen. In my case, I am breaking all the walls in my living room and making the my entire downstairs an open concept living space with the kitchen taking an integral focus. To accomplish this, I have to gut out the entire downstairs, rip up and destroy all the old cabinets, get rid of all appliances (and they're only two years old!!), remove all the hardwood and start from scratch.
The good thing is when I have all that empty space, I am working with a blank canvas. I will have all new appliances integrated into my new cabinets, a huge kitchen island in the centre of the room, beautiful caesarstone countertops, brand new hardwood flooring throughout the room. I can't wait!
This is what it's going to look like (well, sort of. Only nicer)
But, as i said earlier, it's like World War III right now. And it's gonna get a lot worse!! I'm holed up in my study and my bedroom (the two rooms that are thankfully unaffected by the renoas) but all the dust and noise is still driving me crazy.
__________________
"Good communication is just as stimulating as black coffee, and just as hard to sleep after."
"It must be in the basement, I'll go upstairs and get it" - Escher
^^ haha, I dunno about that but I can tell you this: When my kitchen is done, it will make Nigella and Jamie envious!! (or atleast I hope so!) ;)
I don't know....Jamie has that HUGE butchers block counter top and behind him a big bright picturesque window. Makes the kitchen very inviting even though it's not luxurious.
Hassle does not even begin to explain the inconvenience and frustrations of doing a kitchen. In my case, I am breaking all the walls in my living room and making the my entire downstairs an open concept living space with the kitchen taking an integral focus. To accomplish this, I have to gut out the entire downstairs, rip up and destroy all the old cabinets, get rid of all appliances (and they're only two years old!!), remove all the hardwood and start from scratch.
The good thing is when I have all that empty space, I am working with a blank canvas. I will have all new appliances integrated into my new cabinets, a huge kitchen island in the centre of the room, beautiful caesarstone countertops, brand new hardwood flooring throughout the room. I can't wait!
This is what it's going to look like (well, sort of. Only nicer)
But, as i said earlier, it's like World War III right now. And it's gonna get a lot worse!! I'm holed up in my study and my bedroom (the two rooms that are thankfully unaffected by the renoas) but all the dust and noise is still driving me crazy.
why are you getting rid of your appliances? have you tried selling them?
having lived through numerous construction sites and renovations, take it from me, smile as it only gets worse
why are you getting rid of your appliances? have you tried selling them?
having lived through numerous construction sites and renovations, take it from me, smile as it only gets worse
I haven't really got the patience to sell stuff and, more importantly, I don't have the place to store stuff until it sells.
I will try and install my appliances into one of my rental units and dispose off the appliances there or ask the tenant to sell it for me (and offer him 50% of sell price for his trouble) and see if that works.
I would happily move into my condo for the next six to eight weeks but my dog is terrified of condos and elevators. I think he's already quite traumatised with the state my house is in but at least he's in familiar territory (we walk in the same park etc.). He'll just freak out if I take him to the condo so I'm staying put in my house.
Missy, on the other hand, packed her bags and moved in with her dad! Her room is being used as storage and she's not too thrilled about that. She visits me every evening and checks up on the progress on the house.
__________________
"Good communication is just as stimulating as black coffee, and just as hard to sleep after."
"It must be in the basement, I'll go upstairs and get it" - Escher
for some reason last night i caught myself thinking of you throwing out your appliances....mind you it was during a discussion of dumping new appliances, pcs, etc... i wanted to suggest you offer them to a local charitable group, such as a homeless shelter, halfway house and so forth. i am sure many of these places could make good use of the remainder from your reno. 'food for thought,' if i may so myself.
for some reason last night i caught myself thinking of you throwing out your appliances....mind you it was during a discussion of dumping new appliances, pcs, etc... i wanted to suggest you offer them to a local charitable group, such as a homeless shelter, halfway house and so forth. i am sure many of these places could make good use of the remainder from your reno. 'food for thought,' if i may so myself.
Thanks for the suggestion. I will call some local shelters/charities and see if they are interested in doing a pick up.
This week we finished tearing down all the walls and are doing the rewiring etc. for potlights and such. Next week, it's drywalling and preparing for laying new floors.
The week after that we'll start with the new hardwood installation, and then install new appliances and cabinets. I'll then do the switch of my existing appliances to my rental unit.
I'm guessing those appliances will be ready for pick up early to mid march.
__________________
"Good communication is just as stimulating as black coffee, and just as hard to sleep after."
"It must be in the basement, I'll go upstairs and get it" - Escher
Thanks for the suggestion. I will call some local shelters/charities and see if they are interested in doing a pick up.
This week we finished tearing down all the walls and are doing the rewiring etc. for potlights and such. Next week, it's drywalling and preparing for laying new floors.
The week after that we'll start with the new hardwood installation, and then install new appliances and cabinets. I'll then do the switch of my existing appliances to my rental unit.
I'm guessing those appliances will be ready for pick up early to mid march.
First one on this scale. It's unnerving. Last year, I added a master bedroom into my loft and that was incovenient but we had access to the other rooms and living space in the house so it didn't bother me as much. Also, I had a job then so I was away from home for 8-10 hours each day.
This time, the renos are in my living space. I've lost my kitchen and pretty much all of my downstairs. What exacerbates the issue is that I am now working from home and so have to deal with the contractors and the dust and noise all day. I escape for a few hours each day to my local coffee shop (where I am now) and get some work done away from home.
__________________
"Good communication is just as stimulating as black coffee, and just as hard to sleep after."
"It must be in the basement, I'll go upstairs and get it" - Escher
My new kitchen is finally starting to take shape. All the demolition stuff is now done, hardwood has been laid, drywalls set up, cabinets have been assembled and new light fixtures installed. The appliances come in next week and then the granite/countertop installation. Then, all that remains is painting all the walls.
With some luck, I'll be able to start cooking again in two weeks! I miss home cooked food (and although I have been eating a lot at friends' homes it's my OWN cooking that i miss!).
Anyway, so I have a bunch of things to get rid of/give away. At some point, I will get around to adding photos and listing them on Bindi Bargains and Craigslist and all the usual places but thought I would mention it here as well if there is interest.
Some of the things that are available:
1. Tall Ikea Display Cabinet (free)
2. 3 seater couch and 2 seater love seat (free)
3. Electric Stove ($200)
4. Refrigerator (this I might just keep in the garage or give away for $250)
5. Drinks Cart/Trolley (free)
6. Reception table ($50)
7. Solid Pine bookshelf ($50)
8. Assortment of cutlery, glassware, silverware, cookware (free)
If anyone knows of a charity place that will pick these items up from my home can you please post details here or email me at syerah@mybindi.com
Thanks!
S/.
__________________
"Good communication is just as stimulating as black coffee, and just as hard to sleep after."
"It must be in the basement, I'll go upstairs and get it" - Escher
^ what does your reception table look like again? was it marble top or wood? I can't remember.
It's a pine table that you saw as soon as you entered my house. I used to have that bright orange murano glass vase on it.
Right now, everything is covered with thick plastic (because they are preparing to paint) so i can't take any pictures. I should be able to get some by next week.
__________________
"Good communication is just as stimulating as black coffee, and just as hard to sleep after."
"It must be in the basement, I'll go upstairs and get it" - Escher
Dream Kitchen
(or atleast I hope so!) ;)
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