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:: August 4, 2006 Kitchen Choices II
The cabinets and lights are installed, wooohoooooo! I will wait till everything is finished before showing you. We had some recessed lights installed and some questionable-at-best wiring throughout the house repaired. We never had proper lights in the kitchen before -- the new lights make all the stainless steel pots gleam and reveal exactly how dirty the appliances are. I am already cooking way more than pre-destruction, even with the temporary countertops and sink. The electrician took a hefty chunk from the budget, which is making me chuck the dream of a solid surface countertop with a super classy integrated sink. But then, I wasn't finding anything that was both affordable and thrilling in the solid surfaces. Sounds like sour grapes, but I am excited by these laminates:
Con: Laminates don't last as long and don't add value to the house. Pro: They are less than half the cost of Corian or Silestone or whatever, which makes some room for (cue angelic chorus):
lights and a mosaic tile backspash in one of these colorways:
I have been thinking about this and wanted to address it: I feel weird about talking fancy kitchen remodeling after I just solicited donations for the stray dogs -- please know that our kitchen budget is coming largely from insurance money and generous inlaws (who also happen to own our house), and never shall the two "accounts" meet! And that calls for a dog update: They are now listed with the local rescue group Lucky Mutts ("good used dogs for lucky people") on their referral dogs page, so maybe we'll get some takers that way. I go back to work for the new school year on Monday (sob), and will certainly pimp them out to my colleagues. I got the pups collars, which make them look even cuter and more legit. We'll be celebrating a month anniversary with them tomorrow - bust out the biscuits and cheese! The button-making and package prep took longer than I wanted it to, but the thank-you packages finally went out today. Again, I am floored by everyone's generosity -- thanks again. posted by in House and Domesticity
Comments hot breakfast! go for the brown laminate, brown cirlces lamp and the first backsplash mosaic! uh, at least thats what i would do... Posted by hannah on August 4, 2006 10:36 PM I vote for the chocolate borwn with microdots and the top mosaic tile backsplash. I love it!! I am jealous of your kitchen! (In a good way, not an evil way) Could you email me the name of your electrician? Posted by Susan on August 7, 2006 8:39 AM love seeing all this come together and hearing about your process... it's always good to be reminded that budget is a huge part of things for most normal folks! we'll need to do our kitchen on of these days, and I'm terrified! Posted by kelly on August 7, 2006 11:31 AM I love the idea of the chocolate brown with mirco-dots BUT have you ever used a kitchen with dark countertops? Hard to see the dirt, for one thing, which on something like a sofa is perfect, but for food prep is... ick. In terms of light/dark, it's also somewhat like painting a room in a dark color - makes everything seem smaller. Possibly the look is more chic, but... Posted by Amber on August 7, 2006 2:54 PM We had a black laminate in our house in the kitchen when we bought, and it was okay. Not our style, but what we noticed was how much brighter/lighter the kitchen was when we replaced the laminate with Mexican tile. Mexican tile is not particularly light in color. I urge caution when considering black. It can really be a light sink. Posted by Neefer on August 7, 2006 7:25 PM I am so excited for you! those choices are fabulous, I especially like the middle laminate and the first lamp/light fixture. Looks like it will all be smashing. I got my buttons yesterday, so sweet and what a great thank you card. hugs to you and yours for being such responible, tender hearted dog lovers. Posted by mims on August 8, 2006 9:00 AM I got my buttons yesterday - thanks! Lots of neat things to choose from for your kitchen - I really like the middle laminate and the first mosaic tile. It looks like a hard decision, though. Posted by Cathy on August 8, 2006 9:17 AM My vote is for brown with microdots!!!!! So adorable; I also vote for the first tile choice and I love both of the lights:) Just WONDERFUL!!!!! Posted by joy on August 11, 2006 1:19 AM i would go with the retro countertop but that could be because it reminds me of the one my grandmother had in her kitchen. very fun! second would be the micro-dots Posted by Sarah on August 14, 2006 11:41 AM i love all these choices.... the formica, the lampshades (gawd!!) and especially the tiles. i've been drooling over these tiles for months trying to figure out how i can afford to cover my house in them. oh and i'm getting excited for my upcoming trip to austin!! hope we can meet up! Posted by traci on August 14, 2006 7:21 PM we love your blog - and good luck with the kitchen! Posted by Aunt Beep on August 20, 2006 8:46 PM |
