Kitchen Reno – Progress Update #4
I’m happy to report, the kitchen is really shaping up since my last update! There’s something about drywall that really makes a space feel like a room again. Exposed studs seem so scary and I’m glad to see things are all patched up. Click through for the latest kitchen reno update…
In case you missed the first few updates, find them here: Kitchen Update #1 // Kitchen Update #2 / Kitchen Update #3
Last time I shared, we were smack dab in the middle of running electrical. The electrical is now 95% finished and we have new recessed lights (complete with dimmers, obviously), switches, outlets, and a brand new control panel / hookup. We had to upgrade our home’s electrical service from 60 amp service to 150 amp service since it hadn’t been touched since the 50’s- talk about a fire hazard. Everything is safe, to code, and has passed multiple inspections. The only thing left to finish is installing light fixtures and adding light switch and outlet plates… but those items will be among the ends we tie.
I know electrical work isn’t pretty, but it’s really important. I want our house to be safe, renovated the right way, and completely to code. These little lighting upgrades also make a big difference when it comes to aesthetic and functionality. I designed the lighting plan to highlight specific areas- like the countertop workspace, coffee bar, sink, and cooktop. Everything about our kitchen reno is intentional- right down to the lighting placement.
We also widened two spaces since the last post- one was planned and one was not. We always intended to widen the doorway between the kitchen and living room to make both spaces feel larger. It really made a world of difference and lived up to our expectations. Although we only demoed a couple feet, it feels SO much more spacious. In addition to making the entryway wider, we also added height.
If you’re wondering about the unplanned wall demo- we also decided on a whim to open the hallway entry point. I didn’t take great photos of it this time, but I’ll share once it progresses a bit further. It’s to the right of the wall shown below.
Other items you’re not seeing in the space include finished ductwork for the range hood, and plumbing that is ready to go! As always, Emmett replaced every single piece and it’s now up to code and ready for shiny new appliances and fixtures when the time comes.
I’ve had some questions about this weird hole in the wall (shown above) on Instagram. It’s actually going to be a recessed niche on the backsplash. The range hood will live above it, and our new induction cooktop (more on that later) will live directly below it. The metal cap in the center is where the pot filler will attach.
If you’re wondering why half of the drywall is greenish colored and the other is gray, it’s because the green is water resistant. It’s not necessary in a kitchen (unlike a bathroom), but we always like to play it super safe. We used the water rated material on the walls that include the sink, cooking area, and dishwasher. Isn’t it starting to look like a room again, as we’re patching and taping the drywall?! It has me pretty excited.
On the eat-in dining room side of the space, things are looking consistent. We’ve become close friends with our trusty shop vac once again (who we named Dorothy six years ago upon purchasing, from the movie Twister), and we’re becoming way too comfortable living amongst a thin layer of dust as we sand and smooth drywall.
We’re also growing really tired of carryout, as our appliance delivery has been backordered and pushed out once again. Eating carryout everyday sounds great and easy in theory, but I’m here to tell you- it gets old pretty fast… especially with the new year and health goals. I can only eat so many salads and grilled chicken nuggets from Chick-fil-a. Ha! Emmett and I are so excited to cook again, we’ve already planned our first three meals we’re going to prepare once our kitchen is back in order.
This weekend, we’ll finish sanding the drywall and hopefully move onto priming the walls. After that, I’m giving the entire house a GIANT deep clean (for my own sanity). After that- we wait for tile, cabinetry, and appliances to arrive. Things are getting real, guys! Is there anything specific you’d like to see / know about the kitchen reno? My video camera just arrived in the mail, so look for some process videos soon (if I can learn how to edit, haha).