It's taking shape...

It has been over a month since my last post on the kitchen project.  But don't for a moment think we haven't been working like mad!!  It has actually been rather enjoyable, believe it or not.  The project that was supposed to only add a pantry and take three months, has grown to a 70% demo of the entire kitchen and remodel.  But we are excited to see it finally taking shape.  There is still quite a bit to do so we are extending the completion date of this project till the end of the year...Lord willing, we will make it.

I must say the project has challenged me much more than I ever imagined.  I have learned how to frame a pantry, hang doors, build cabinets, install wood ceiling, install canned lighting (although I have actually done that before); hang beadboard molding and lay tile with accent pieces.  I have laid tile before but not with an accent piece.

Well the last post showed the pantry done and the flooring done.  Now for some more progress pictures... (cue drum roll)

Just to remind you of what we started with here are a couple of before shots.

The old breakfast room.  

Of course, the refrigerator was pushed back all the way.  We pulled it out to begin the demo.  The four doors (two top and two bottom) closest to the camera on this was the pantry...not adequate for a family of 7.
  

The very first cabinet (Thanks to Robert Simon for teaching me in an evening how to build cabinets)

The first two cabinets hung...woohoo and dishes put away. 

After getting a quote on retexturing the ceiling, we decided that was a little out of the budget, so we wooded it instead.  Well, actually it is beadboard but it looks like wood plank ceiling.  (truthfully this is what Lauren wanted to begin with.)  

Another shot of the ceiling.  Need to patch the seams.  

Fast forward a few weeks and voila...all kitchen cabinets are hung.  It went much better than I thought.  Still need to put the stiles on and make the doors, so these are just the boxes and shelves right now.  

The pantry again...finished and stocked...need to paint the doors and trim.  

The new and improving kitchen.  :)  Still a ways to go, though.  

Cabinet that will be over writing desk (still need to build) but I got the brilliant idea to build mail slots as well.  That will be a lifesaver.  

Breakfast area, you can sort of see the beadboard.  Need to finish up the trim on top of the beadboard and the trim pieces in the corners.  

The cabinet around the refigerator...yeah that one was a challenge and I had to work with that one as it didn't quite fit the first time.  But fortunately I was able to fix it without taking it apart.  FYI...nothing in this house is square!!!  :)

You can sort of see the skinny cabinet to the left of the refrigerator.  That is going to house the pots and pans (hanging) that are over the refrigerator in the picture.  We are going to put crown at the top so the gap at the top of the cabinets will be covered.

So we have some work still to do.  We need to finish the cabinets with the stiles and doors and then finish installing baseboards and patch all nail holes and then finally paint!!  We are looking to pain the cabinets, top and bottom as well as the trim a linen white.  The cabinets will then have a tea stain glaze applied to them to give them a little character.  We then need to paint the walls as well...still deciding on a color.  Then Lauren will get to add splashes of color in the decor.  Though the project has become the mammoth evolution...we are having fun.  

Just because I love my kiddos I will close with some pictures of them.  I realized, I need to take more pictures of the boys...I don't have any of just them recently.  I enjoy taking pictures of my littles!!!

Christyana

Cyniya

Caitlyn

Corban, Colin & Cyniya