I am embarrassed to admit that I don't really have any good pics of that final reveal. But for good reason! Here's the lowdown: I told every contractor that this project HAD to be done by May 26th. I was having a huge party at my house and I had scheduled everyone according to that plan. Cabinets were supposed to be done, painting was to be finished, tile dry and walkable, carpet in, etc etc. That's a really big white lie, but I'm sure you all have heard horror stories about contractors and deadlines, and I couldn't afford to join that club. So here's the truth: We had L's birthday party (NOT at my house) on the 28th, and M's baptism on June 2, which was the actual deadline. On the 26th, we had everything done except the final grout around the bottom of the tile, a couple lower cabinet doors, and a few missing glass pieces in the upper cabinets. Everything else was done--framing (obviously), painting, granite, etc etc. There was the one granite piece that is in the pantry that had to go on for the upper cabinets to be put in. The granite was later than I thought they would be (installing on the 25th instead of the 18th), so that put the pantry install on the next week. Good thing I told them a week ahead, huh? : ) We got the pantry in that next week, and my sweet mom helped me put the place back together, working from dawn to midnight that entire week! She ran all my errands, grabbed the last few decorations, painted chairs, painted the sofa back dresser (six times!), ran returns and more errands, and seriously saved my sanity! So the only pics I have of the baptism were taken by my sweet little ones. I'll post a few, then show you what it looks like now, decorated for Christmas!
A corner in the kitchen, next to the cooktop. The jelly bean jar was a hit!
Decor on the sofa back dresser, looking into the family room. The mirrors are out of the front room and back up on the wall, thanks to my awesome painters! I love love love my new curtains--there are a few more pics of them coming up. I also love how we painted this white bowl--it used to be black, and on a weird stand. It was Mom's genius idea to cut the stand off, glue some felt to the bottom, and paint it to match better! I also love the "artichoke lamp" that we found--sorry you don't get a good shot of it here, but it's awesome!
One of my favorite new features (as if there weren't a million!) our own little art gallery, courtesy of my kiddos and their amazing art teacher! This is in the family room, and used to have the black and white pics of my kids above the piano. Piano is now in the front room and the pics are on the stairs.
More fun decor--on the left of the tv. The stripey pot came from Tai Pan and was all black--we taped off stripes in increasing sizes and spray painted it! Also, the little bird was brown and black, and got an update with more spray paint.
Fast-forward a few months, and here we are! This is the new improved office, new shelves, new carpet, painted chairs from a consignment store reupholstered and at the desk. I so love the splash of red from the one chair, accents in the bookshelf, and entry. (I am also madly in love with my chevron rug in the entry! Happy sighs) : )
The front room: red tapestry relocated from the dining room, homemade two-tone curtains...
Other side of the front room--empty bookshelf (has really cool geometrics!), new coffee table, painted the bottom of the sofa and the music storage box darker to match better, discount pillow adding a splash of red (also in the tapestry and other decor that's not here because of Christmas!)
The kitchen complete! Love my frosted glass on the top cupboards, the horizontal pulls, the sink, the cooktop, the functionality of it all!
My orange dining room--did I tell you we painted it orange? : ) I put two of the shelves in here that were on the wall we tore down, got a new tapestry on the wall, you can see the side of the pantry on the right of this picture.
Another view of the dining room--cool curtains again, shelves with Christmas decor, gingerbread houses : )
Looking back across the family room--you can see more awesome curtains, the yellow in the alcove, the seamless transition of the ceiling where we took the wall down, and a cool new shower curtain I got for the main bathroom! (matches the yellow in the alcove) : )
I love love LOVE my new kitchen! It kind of turned into a main-floor remodel, instead of just the kitchen, but that was necessary in order to create a seamless transition between the rooms. I've heard of the "snowball" effect of remodels, and can testify to its truth, but it was SO worth it!! I love the look and feel and color and functionality and hosting ability and the complete transformation of it all!!
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