Childbirth, of a Sort

Remodeling is like childbirth - it is painful when you're going through it, but it is worth it in the end. Our foray into the world of remodeling is over, and although we love our revamped home,  we will never be tempted to do this again.

Joana Gaines, I hate you!!

The best part of remodeling is the before and after pictures,

so let's just enjoy some of those.

Kitchen before

     

After

My favorite change was these open shelves. We removed the cabinets on either side of the sink and replaced them with shelves made from plumber's pipe and reclaimed wood.

We did reinforce the wall behind the shelves so that there was a solid backing for attaching the pipes. The wood is reclaimed from an old home and was cut into planks that just sit atop the pipes. My collection of old crockery is front and center, but not just for looks; I use it every day.

Before

After

We had to build a cabinet on the right of the stove as there wasn't one to begin with. It looked so lopsided with out it.  I used white subway tile with gray grout. I also tried to balance my love of old (wood shelves, crockery) with a touch of new (stove hood).

View from kitchen into den

Before

After

Removing upper cabinets and putting tract lighting in their place created a much more open concept. I love the brightness of the lights. That counter top is now so brightly lit that it is the perfect place for projects of all kinds.

Backside of same counter top

Before

After

Let me say a word here about the flooring. We used vinyl plank flooring. It is basically a plank (6" x 48") of PVC installed just like regular wood flooring. It is indestructible and easy to clean with a plain old wet mop, but the selling point for us was that vinyl plank can be laid over any other flooring, except carpet of course. That meant that the ceramic tile in the kitchen and dining, as well as the linoleum in the hall and bathrooms didn't have to be removed. This saved us a pretty penny on labor as well as enabling us to avoid scraping and jackhammering!!

I put it throughout the whole house.  Since we are a gardener and a grease-monkey living in the middle of eight wooded acres, I wanted easy-to-clean flooring in every room. We love it!

Desk in kitchen

Before

After

I have already written a post about the recreation of this desk (see An Authentic Fake), but I had to include it now that it is a functional part of the kitchen. Those are rolling pins in the wine rack.

 Next to the desk is the door to the mud room. We removed the existing door and rebuilt the opening to accommodate an old door from the architectural antique place in Jackson.

More about the cross in a coming post!

The door slides on a rail system mounted in the mud room. The mudroom contained five doors!! Closing one so that another could be opened was a logistical nightmare. Turning this door into a slider cleared up a lot of room as well as uncomplicating things.

Washer/dryer area 

Before

After

The carpenters told me they had never seen a women rip out big cabinets to put in smaller ones, but I love having a hanging rack for clothes as they come out of the dryer or that must hang dry.  I used the same pipe and old wood from the kitchen to tie it all together.

As I planned this remodel, I tried to keep furniture placement in mind. It was a relief when the hall tree fit on this wall by the back door.

The door to the right of the pantry is the half-bath.

Half-bath

Before

(Note fuse box reflected in mirror)

After

Couldn't help myself! I miss my chickens so much and it will probably be another year before fencing, garden, and coop are in place for chicks, so this bathroom will be my solace in the meantime.

 Fuse box is hidden behind this flea market find.

My substitute flock!
(Decals ordered on line.)

A Hobby Lobby touch

And the best part of all........a gift from James, who has the best eye!!

He gave this to me after we first moved into Pine Cone Lane. We had the entire remodel ahead of us and when I unrolled this fabulous piece of hand quilting and embroidery, the idea for the 'chicken bathroom' was hatched.

Now I realize the rooster is crowing because the remodel is over!!!

I feel like crowing too!!

More before and afters to come...

Love ya'll,

Shelli

Any home can be a castle when the king and the queen are in love.

~Author Unknown