Saturday, November 29, 2014

Kitchen Progress

Hey everyone, I hope you're all enjoying your weekend. Things here have ground to a complete halt as I continue working on the kitchen makeover. I'm able to get the bare minimum done on housework, and I think we're still wearing clean clothes, but other than that, the house is pretty much a shambles as I paint and paint and paint! I've not been able to even think about Christmas yet since this huge project looms foremost in my mind.

I've been immersed in the kitchen makeover for so many weeks now ... five and a half weeks to be exact! I hope to get lots done this weekend, and then (hopefully!) things will be finished enough so that I can move all our dishes back into the kitchen. I have to be able to free up my daughter's bedroom by next weekend when she's coming home for a visit.

I'm fortunate that I work from my home, and I've been able to work on this project for about three hours every weekday, and through most of the weekends. I've visited my dad regularly up until today, and then I decided I just have to get this kitchen finished and stayed home to work on it. I can't tell you how sick I am of sanding, painting and cleaning out paint brushes, rollers and paint trays! Here's my progress so far.


All the frames were sanded, primed and painted with two coats of taupe. We bought one can of taupe, and it was far too close to white for my liking, so we opted to buy a second can and we're really happy with the result. Of course, the colour is probably not very accurate in the photos, but we used CIL's "McClendon's Pass". 



Painting these frames took a very long time to finish. I had to paint them all with a brush, and developed quite a cramp in my hand from holding a fat paint brush. I also painted the bottoms and backs of the lower cupboards to brighten things up inside. I put adhesive shelf paper on the upper cabinets for the table dishes. 


Then I moved onto the cupboard doors, and I've been busy with those all this week. Painting the doors has been so much quicker. We used a tiny rubber roller for them, and it worked amazingly well.  I was a bit skeptical of the roller at first as I thought it would leave too much texture on the doors. However, the finish came out far better with the roller than the brush. Once you get the paint rolled on and leave it to dry, the paint slowly relaxes into the wood grain of the door, and there are no roller marks at all ... very smooth! 

The biggest problem with getting the doors completed is finding space to set them while drying. There are 24 doors, and I could only find space to have 12 drying at one time. We hung them from hooks in the basement rafters. We had them resting on counters and tables in the kitchen. We even have the pantry door leaning up in the bathroom. It's been a little crazy around here, let me tell you!


Thankfully, today I was able to start on the second set of 12 doors. They're all drying here, there and everywhere now, and I've had enough of it today. My husband and I went down to the hardware store and picked out the doorknobs, drawer pulls and hinges. The finish on the hardware is "black, oil rubbed bronze". It's a very subtle brushed finish with just a hint of bronze tint, and it looks great against the taupe. I can't wait to get these doors all back together again!


There you have it! I've been trying to get around to everyone's blogs to say hello, but have not been able to reach everyone. I'm just dying to get things organized for Christmas now, but I'm just going to have finish the kitchen first. There are still things I want to make for Christmas, but I'm not sure if that will happen. I really had no idea that the kitchen cupboards would take this long to complete, but at least the push to get them finished by next week is great motivation. I am so looking forward to sitting down to knit as soon as this kitchen is back together!

Thanks for dropping by!

Wendy

19 comments:

  1. Just think Wendy - you will be able to do all of your Christmas prep in a brand new kitchen!!! I am looking forward to seeing it all finished!

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  2. That sure looks like a lot of work! But the doors look great! I can't wait to see the end result, but probably not as much as you do! Good luck! It will be awesome when its done!

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  3. It sure is a lot of work but it will be like a brand new kitchen when you're done! You'll love it and hopefully get the feeling back in your hands! lol Have a good weekend! Hugs, Diane

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  4. woot! Progress!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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  5. You are in the homestretch now!!!

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  6. They look stunning with the bronze hardware Wendy!! You have gotten SO MUCH DONE!!!! I can only imagine how excited you must feel to be close to the finish line! You keep up the hard work pal! Happy weekend to you! Nicole xoxo

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  7. You're that much closer to being done Wendy and the doors look really nice so far. You chose nice hardware to go on them and I'm looking forward to the final reveal.

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  8. I love the color you have chosen and the beautiful oil rubbed bronze hardware. It is going to be really beautiful when you are done! What a big job, but well worth the effort. Can't wait to see the end results! xo Karen

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  9. Great attention to detail. Those knobs are very special. Just imagine the look on your daughter's face when she sees it all.

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  10. I'm glad you are near the end of your kitchen renovations, I'm sure it has been very trying for you at times. Love the hardware for your doors, it looks lovely & traditional. I hope you get a few lovely knitting days soon, take care.

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  11. Just keep on keeping on ... It's going to be amazing!

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  12. Hats off to you for your perseverance! They are going to look really beautiful and sleek once they are all back in place.
    Jane x

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  13. Nearly there Wendy, this is the best bit putting everything back together again and seeing the finished result, it's going to look amazing I can't wait to see the doors all back in place your kitchen will look like new. I'm all set for painting tomorrow, I'm hoping I can get it all done in one day the mess upstairs is horrendous and you should see the stuff I've thrown away! I haven't even thought about Christmas yet. I hope it all gets sorted for you this week. :) xx

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  14. Well done, you will love the kitchen when it is all finished ... just in time for Christmas baking and cooking.

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  15. Wendy, I think you are just amazing doing all this work on your kitchen! I love the knobs! It will be fantastic when you are done! Enjoy your day!

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  16. Oh it looks great Wendy. But so much work. You seem to be over the worst of it though and it will be beautiful when finished. Bee xx

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  17. You'll have a lovely fresh look for the holidays! Love the oil rubbed bronze hardware.

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  18. The doors look fantastic Wendy! They are so perfectly smooth it is amazing and your hard work in the sanding has obviously been very well worth it. I like the new hardware that you have chosen as well. It will be like a totally new kitchen when you are all finished!! xx

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  19. Hello Wendy

    What a mammoth task you are having, but the doors look amazing especially with your new handles.
    It will be beautiful when finished and so worth it.

    luv
    irene
    xxxx

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Thanks so much for leaving a comment, it's nice to know when you've stopped by! :)

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