Tuesday, March 23, 2010

New Kitchen, Part Two

Almost all of the fixes in the kitchen are done.  The contractor came over today to see how everything turned out and to see what further things need to be corrected.  The electric inspector said things were fine on that end, and someone from the the county assessor's office came to the neighborhood to find out what updates people had done on their homes in the last year.  I was confused at first, because I thought he was one of the inspectors.

At one point, I was pleased with how the grid wall turned out, but as I found more boxes of things, I kept adding more and more to it.  My family agrees with me that I have put too much stuff out, but say that the kitchen is me.  That makes me feel good, I think.  I have still been putting things away in the cupboards, then moving them to other spots.  I'm getting close to figuring out where I want things, though.

The people I ordered the grid and supplies for it were awesome.  After I couldn't find any close by, I found what I was looking for at KC Store Fixtures online.  After putting in an online order, I got a message saying there was no shipping available to my area, and to call them at the store.  I did so the next day, and was told by Dianna, the shipping for the 4 by 4 foot unit I wanted would be too much, and would I be willing to get 2, 2 by 4 foot ones?  She said she'd give me the brackets to hold them together and 2 more wall brackets.  The coolest part was that I had been able to leave a message when I wasn't able to get the order completed.  I mentioned that I had a photo on my blog of someone else's grid wall in a kitchen that made me want to get one.  When Dianna was asking me if I'd take the smaller pieces, she said she'd looked at the picture on my blog and thought that it would work to use the 2 pieces.  I was so tickled that she had looked at my blog.  Then I was amazed that I got the package the day after I ordered it!  I told her I'd post photos of my grid wall when I got it installed.






We're going to put a picture up on the wall next to the window. I plan to use these open shelves for onions, potatoes and other veggies, like tomatoes, that don't need to be refrigerated.  I do have some potatoes in some of the colanders.  






I love the quartz counters, and am glad we used a different color on the south wall.  I think I mentioned they are going to have to replace part of the counter by the sink.  Today, I noticed some light spots on this one.  I couldn't find much information about it on the internet, but did come across a kitchen forum from 2008 where people were discussing pooling of colors.  I think this may be what they were talking about, but the contractor said that's just part of the coloring.  Larry said it doesn't bother him.  I don't mind as long as the life of the counter isn't affected. 



I used some of my magnets to put a few things on the refrigerator, but the front is smooth and pretty, and I haven't felt like I should put anything on it.  There is a deep scratch on each door,  The store came to see them today, and said they'd contact Whirlpool for us to get it taken care of.



If you haven't seen the before photos, and want to see them, click here or on the "kitchen" label in the sidebar.  Most of the before photos are in the last 2, and you have to click on the "older posts" in that section.

As I was putting things away, I put what I didn't know what to do with in boxes.  Today, I went through most of those boxes.  Some things, I put in a "donate" box, and others, in containers to be stored downstairs.  I hope to get it all done in the next couple days so I can garden Friday.  It's supposed to get up to 60ish that day.

Thanks for all the encouraging comments.  I hope to be back in action soon.

Wednesday:  I made a few changes, and may move one of the shelves on the left to the right between the top and second shelf, which would be just scooting it over to the right.  I took a better photo of the south cupboard and shelves, and will go ahead and post it here instead of making a new post.  It's the view from the entry way of the back door.




16 comments:

  1. Sue I do love the look of the quartz. I will be watching to see how it holds us for you. We just went with formica since that cost was built in to the cost of the custom cabinetry and it would have cost us extra to do something different. I think down the road I might like to change it out.

    I would say you are getting your money's worth out of the wall grid!

    I think your kitchen should reflect who you are. My MIL and my daughter keep an almost object free countertop..........not me!
    I keep what I use often right out in plain sight.

    Aren't you enjoying working in the kitchen these days.

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  2. Sue, It looks wonderful. I know that designers say 'Keep counters uncluttered' but they seem cold to me! I am going to notice counters in friend's homes to see what they all do! gail

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  3. Sue - I'm just getting caught up on seeing your kitchen. It turned out great! You have a lot of neat kitchen decor, I like the old colanders and kitchen tools.

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  4. Sue, Love those counters! Congratulations on your new kitchen.
    Pam xx

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  5. charm and character and easy to clean I bet.

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  6. The grid wall is a first for me, I like it and the uncovered cupboards right next to it.

    Everything is where you can see it and get to it! No guessing or messing around trying to find stuff, one can get right to business in this kitchen!!

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  7. It has turned out beautifully. I think if you like the things on the grid wall, then leave it be. Sometimes having all these things makes us most happy. I simply adore the wood floors and also the color of the kitchen. Nice and neutral.

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  8. The grid wall is a first for me also. what a great way to be able to find something at first glance, rather than rummaging through cupboards.

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  9. Glad you like your quartz countertops. We have corian, but I would have preferred granite, although quartz sounds nice. It's not something I was aware of at the time.

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  10. Those countertops are great! You have got to be thrilled with how everything turned out and that it is done.

    Have a wonderful day!

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  11. I agree that the kitchen should be personal for you. The wall grid and open shelves work for me! I think you'll be pleased with the quartz. I've heard good things about it.

    (I have three different countertop materials--granite, butcher block and painted wood. Unusual, but it's me.)

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  12. Oh Sue, it looks great! I love the quartz counter tops. Do they have to be sealed every 6 months like granite? Love the wood floors, and the sweet tulip tablecloth on the window. The grid is fantastic. What a great way to display all your collectibles--and use them too! I really like the way you arranged the shelves. It's all coming together so nicely.

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  13. Hi Sue. Hey girl I knew you would get your added touches into the new kitchen. I love your antique towels and gadgets.I use to have some of the crocheted potholders that I made as a kid. I threw them all away and now they are collectors.Go figure isn't that always the way of things.LOL! You will keep tweaking it until it is all the way you love.

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  14. Thanks for all the comments. We are enjoying the kitchen.

    We chose the quartz because Larry wanted an undermounted sink, and that's one of the materials the counter can be made of for those. I didn't want granite because I can be pretty messy, and didn't want to worry about staining it. The quartz is not porous, so it does not need to be sealed, and is very easy to clean. We need to read the directions again to remember what can and cannot be used. You aren't supposed to use anything abrasive.

    Lona, do you remember how to make the potholders? Maybe you can find some old yarn and make some more.

    Oh, I showed the kitchen to our neighbors in the back yesterday, and Carol said she loves all my old stuff. Her husband had just reminded her that HGTV shows say to reduce the clutter, and she told him they don't live in her house. She likes her stuff, and she wants to keep it around her.

    I want to pay more attention to what people have on their counters, too. It would be fun to take photos of peoples' counters and publish them.

    I have been getting rid of real clutter in other rooms, and it feels good to have a cleanish first floor of the house.

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  15. It's looking good, Sue. I hope you can get out to the garden on Friday. Life is sweet.

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  16. I love a grid wall!!! that's how I would like to have my stuff...all there and easy to get to. Love it!!
    Lucky you.

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I welcome comments and questions from anyone, including those who do it anonymously. Some people find my posts by doing searches, and I like hearing from them. I guess spammers won't even read this message, but I will delete spam as soon as I see it.