Living amid construction

 A few months ago Andrew decided to pull the trigger on a kitchen remodel. Of course I was on board! There were some things I have wanted to change for a while now and I was ready to go.

 We got the name of a wonderful man who refinishes cabinets. ( He also does decorative painting)

He was very reasonable compared to anyone else who had given quotes, and did beautiful work.

 I wasn't quite ready for the mess that would be my life for the next 5 weeks.

Most things went into the office or my bedroom, and eventually in the garage. But things were pretty spread out. On one occasion I had the crock pot cooking dinner in Rigdon's bedroom for dinner. We ate out back for about a week. Then I had Andrew move the table back in even though the floor wasn't done. There were just too many flies outside.

This is the finish that is on most of the cabinets. I was in love immediately!

 Then the demo on the half wall began. I have wanted to cut this off for a few years thinking it would be much more useful. Boy was I right! Even when it wasn't done I used it more than I ever had!

 The cut off island.

 Then Dan(the cabinet guy) suggested wrapping the island in wood and trimming it all out really nice. It sounded good to us and then we decided to paint it black instead of the cream.

My bathroom cabinets were already getting the distressed black finish, so it wasn't a big deal to change the color.

 Rigdon came on the trip to choose the granite. He wasn't allowed in the back, but enjoyed the hat all the same.

 When we came back the black was all painted and WOW!! I really loved it!!

 Next to come out was the flooring. I had forgotten about the old lenoleum under the wood... It was kind of a project to get up.

Jody had come to help Andrew take out the laminate wood, and I gave the kids some money to scrape up the old flooring.

 Hard at work. Some were more diligent than others.

 One thing leads to another and we decided to shorten the half wall between the family room and the dining room.

 After about a week with just the concrete the tile went in!! Yay! I am thrilled I just love flooring the color of dirt.

 Soon after the granite arrived. This was the last big thing and I was anxiously waiting.
Sometimes you just aren't sure if all the pieces are all going to come together but they seemed to be.

  We found a backsplash I liked at Costco, and it worked with the counters, score!

Dan came back to install the corbels on the island. Can you spot my little buddy?

 The island is now large enough to fit all five kids on stools( I am currently waiting their arrival)
It is the perfect place to roll out some cinnamon rolls, and my first batch on it was the best I've ever made.

It's also a great place for homework. I really love it, if you can't tell.

 The after picture.

 And I've decided to decorate for fall, previously Christmaswas really the only holiday I decorated for.

It sometimes seemed like it was never going to be done. Living in the mess was a little frustrating, and once they were done I was on a mission to go through everything and only put back things I really wanted.

It seems a little lame but I sometimes just look at it and think how pretty it is. I feel so blessed and will now have to live here till I die as I will never find another kitchen I love as much. I am so happy it turned out exactly like i imagined it!