Finally attacking the kitchen...

...and it's been a challenge.

Remember the "before" kitchen?

There was wallpaper everywhere.  While removing the paper wasn't bad, I had to strip the remaining glue before I could paint.  So, I had bare, rough walls for over a year.  I've spent the better part of the last 3 days stripping the glue, and I can finally say that it's finished!

However...here's my kitchen currently:

Yep, that's my stove in the middle of the kitchen.  Actually, the fridge is in the middle of the room right now too.  Oh, and the old microwave has been removed.  Unfortunately, we had to remove the cabinet above the microwave to remove the microwave...so that part actually looks like this right now:

A new microwave, that matches the stove, refrigerator, and dishwasher is hopefully arriving today.  

Today, I'm planning on patching nail holes, and priming the walls.  The man in the paint department at Menards suggested a primer that neutralizes any remaining wallpaper glue in case I happened to miss any spots. After I get the wall behind the microwave/stove painted, I can put the stove back and install the new microwave.  Phew.  

I'm also thinking about doing a tile backsplash...

  

Now, just so you don't think that life is all work, here's photographic proof that I've also been having a little fun on my vacation...

Jeep hair, don't care. 

We celebrated Independence Day at my sister's house, and had the top down on the Jeep all day.  It was a fun, relaxing afternoon with friends and family!  Now, back to work...

It's better than a hole in my head...

It's a hole in the wall!

Abby was pretty excited that she got to help Tim knock down the wall.  

I cannot begin to express my happiness with the way that this project is taking shape.  I knew that I'd love the opening, but I didn't know how much.  I'm so glad that I bit the bullet and started demolition right away.

This cabinet will be painted the same color as the rest of the kitchen cabinets, and will get the same hardware.  

 And "just because,"  I bought myself flowers.  I saw them at Kroger, and they made me smile.  I figured that was reason enough.

Kitchen Surprise!

I know...two posts in one day!  Shocking!

I came home from work and found this in my kitchen...

Which can only mean one thing...Kitchen renovations are underway!  

This "island" is going to go into the wall between the dining room and kitchen, with an open "window" area to make a pass through.  It will also provide much needed kitchen storage.  I cannot wait to see this project finished! 

Woot!! 

Making progress...

Slowly but surely, I'm making progress in the house.

This weekend, quite a few projects neared completion.  Most noticeably: the living room, dining room and hall were painted.

I still love the grey/blue accent wall!!

I also removed the hardware from my closet, and built something more space efficient.  

Love it, and can't wait to move my clothes in!  Of course it still needs secured to the wall...but I want to make sure that I love the design before doing all of that!

The kitchen has made great improvements as well...New appliances, and a fresh coat of paint on the cabinets.

   

Hopefully the passthrough from the kitchen to dining room will start this week!  Here's the granite countertop for that space: 

And most important of all, Sierra loves having a yard of her own.

Tackling the kitchen...

Work has begun.

Here's the "Before"

Every inch of the kitchen was covered in this nice '70's era wallpaper.  Luckily, the previous owners properly prepped the walls before applying it, because it came off easily.  Are you ready for the "After?"

Yeah.  Such a huge difference.  And it only took an hour or so to remove all of the paper.  

Today's projects:

1. Clean kitchen walls
2. Patch holes/dings
3. Start removing wallpaper from living room. 

The living room wallpaper is the textured grass paper (again, Hello '70s!), so I'm afraid that it's going to be a pain to remove.  I've picked out the color that I'd like to use for the papered wall in the living room, but need to figure out coordinating colors for the rest of the living room and kitchen.  I can do the work, if someone else would just pick out the colors.  I want to paint the kitchen cabinets, but I'll keep the flooring and countertop as is...they're in pretty good shape.

I'm also having someone come out and give me an estimate for taking down the wall between the kitchen and dining room...and building an island for me.  

More pictures tomorrow.

Let's get this party started!

I thought it might be fun to document the changes to my home, as we go along.  There's a lot to be done...Let's start with a few "before" pictures:

Here it is.  It's got great curb appeal.  The interior, however, needs a bit of work:

This basement area will be Matt's Domain.

And the kitchen is going to be high on the remodel priority list.  The floor and countertop is fine...there's just not enough counter space.

Master bath.  

 This is the Master Bedroom.  Love the foil wallpaper...

Abby's room...just needs painted.  Purple. 

Living/Dining room.  More wallpaper to remove.

I'm getting the key this weekend, and am going to start removing wallpaper. I think that the kitchen is the first priority.  More pictures as progress is made!

Be sure to leave a comment, and let me know you stopped by!