The Kitchen AFTER!!!

It's been awhile since I've posted on the blog so I figured it was time to get to it!! I'm quite the perfectionist so I wanted to wait until the kitchen was 100% done but I'm not sure when that is actually going to happen! So, I decided to go ahead with the 90% done pictures of the all the progress we have made. I'm in love with the space and proud of how it turned it out. There is still a lot of detail work left to do but in time it will all get done :-)

Let's start off with a reminder of what the kitchen looked like before...

Here is the inspiration for what I wanted it to look like. These kitchens are totally dreamy and although it didn't turn out quite like this, there are little parts and pieces we tried to incorporate. 

And drumroll please......the AFTER!!!

Probably one of my favorite things. 

DIY

Shane and I have always prided ourselves on the fact that we are "do it yourselfers". I'm extremely lucky in the fact that I also have a handy husband that is not only handsome but can wield a mean hammer and measuring tape!!  So, wouldn't it figure that the one time we hire someone to do something for us, they screw it up. Our cabinet guy subbed out a stone installer for our new countertops. They left scratches, made it so we couldn't get the stove back out and totally missed the mark on the backsplash!!! Note to self: Learn how to install countertops. On a positive note, we start install of the hardwood floors in the kitchen tonight. Yes, we are doing these ourselves! There is still a lot to be done in the kitchen but we are moving along. Our goal is to have it all complete by the end of the month and I can't wait to post the "after" pictures. In conclusion, is it easier to hire someone to do all the work? YES!! Does hiring someone feel as rewarding as stepping back, looking at what you've accomplished and feeling a since of pride knowing YOU put in the sweat and handwork? NO!! 

The Kitchen: BEFORE

Yesterday we started the demolition of the kitchen!! I let Shane and my dad handle the big stuff, while I got to knock off a few tiles. Demo continued into today, Sunday, with the removal of the first layer of flooring. After seeing that there are THREE layers we have made the decision to just remove the top layer and put down new hardwoods. The new cabinets arrive on the 22nd and countertops soon after. Can't wait to show the after photos but in the meantime, here are some before images.

The tool of choice!

Apparently there was a slight grease fire at some point in time. 

Old fire damage. 

Getting rid of the farm animal tile. 

Beginning of floor removal

Temporary pantry

The second layer of flooring, faux brick!!

There were about a 1000 of these tiny little staples that had to be nailed down. My shoulder is going to be sore!!

Where the tile used to be. 

Score, Spray, Scrape and Repeat...

Wallpaper, my Achilles heal, for the past couple of days. Who knew how much work wallpaper removal would be. It's really a mini work out, I found myself with an increased heart rate after scoring a small section. Not to mention the burning shoulders! Thank goodness for my sister and two great friends that offered up their wallpaper removal skills. Without them there is no way I would be as far along as I am. If ever you take on this job I highly recommend the following...

1. Score the heck out of the wallpaper!! They make a great little tool for about $7 at Home Depot.
2. Spray the wall with a good wallpaper remover. I recommend DIF Wallpaper Gel Remover. 
3. Let it sit for 20 minutes, I had to use a timer as I became impatient. Spray the wall with water about 15 minutes in. It helps with keeping the paper saturated and will aide in removal. 
4. Pray to the wallpaper gods, pick a corner and start peeling/scraping!!
5. Last but not least, before you start steps 1-4, line up some good friends to help. It makes the process so much more fun :-) 

Here are some pics of our handy work. Special thanks to my sister Nicole and my dear friends Tanya and Robin. You gals are the best!!!!!!!!! Tanya I forgot to snap a picture of you before you left :-( 

Moving along in the dining room.

The first layer peeled off easily in the kitchen but left behind the thin paper underneath. Scrape, scrape and more scrape.

Discovered this underneath the paper in the breakfast nook. No clue what is it or was.

Robin and I with our tools of choice!

All done!!!!