Kitchen Reno – Progress Update #4

Kitchen Reno – Progress Update #4 - roomfortuesday.comI’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.

Kitchen Reno – Progress Update #4 - roomfortuesday.comI 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.

Kitchen Reno – Progress Update #4 - roomfortuesday.comWe 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.

Kitchen Reno – Progress Update #4 - roomfortuesday.comIf 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.

Kitchen Reno – Progress Update #4 - roomfortuesday.comOther 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.

Kitchen Reno – Progress Update #4 - roomfortuesday.comI’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.

Kitchen Reno – Progress Update #4 - roomfortuesday.comIf 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.

Kitchen Reno – Progress Update #4 - roomfortuesday.comOn 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.

Kitchen Reno – Progress Update #4 - roomfortuesday.comWe’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).

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21 Comments

  1. How exciting! Did you guys install the drywall/cement board yourselves? We have a small laundry room we’ll be finishing and I’m trying to decide if it’s a reasonable DIY project or something we need to hire out.

    1. Thanks, Julie! Yes- we’re doing everything ourselves. It’s pretty time consuming, but definitely doable. We’ve done this before though…. so we do have experience.

      1. Good to know – thanks! :)

  2. Margaret Schwartz says:

    I love following along with your regular updates on the kitchen. Round of applause to you and Emmett for keeping the mess contained to the construction area! When we tackle a big project at home the entire house seems to be a complete mess cluttered with tools and debris. Can’t wait to see the finished space!

    1. Thanks Margaret! Oh trust me- the rest of the house is also a mess. I’ve been forbidden to clean until after drywall sanding wraps up this weekend. Haha!! xox

  3. I love reading about your progress–the room is really shaping up! Can’t wait to hear your thoughts about soapstone countertops (which I *think* I remember you saying were your choice)–I love the look of them and am considering them for my own kitchen renovation. Looking forward to the next update!

    1. Thanks, Erin! Yes- we’re going with soapstone countertops… the slab is just sitting there waiting to be installed. I’m so excited! I’ll be doing a couple different posts on soapstone soon. xox

  4. Would you be willing to share where you guys bought your doors? Looking to start transitioning ours to something more updated. Thanks!

    1. Which doors? Interior doors or cabinet doors? Happy to share all resources- just let me know specifically which ones you’d like to know about :)

      1. Interior! I should have been more specific :)

  5. Your progress updates make me want to go home and start demoing my own kitchen! I’ve already started work on our bathroom and have taken inspiration from your latest bathroom renovation (thank you!).

    You may have covered this before, but at some point during your renovation process, could you do a tutorial or a time lapse video showing how the drywall is installed/patched/finished up? I always feel our patching/seams are noticeable?!

    1. So exciting about your bathroom, Amanda! I actually haven’t covered the drywall process yet, but I can share some insight on my Insta stories ( @sargibs ). I thought about timelapsing it, but was worried about the dust and my camera…. I’m definitely doing videos of the cabinetry installation, tile, etc- so look for those! The secret to the drywall seams is a product called FibaTape- check my insta for more. xox

      1. Thank you! I’m excited to watch the progress. I definitely look to your blog and instagram/stories when designing and planning my own spaces. Keep it up! :)

        1. Thank you so much for following along, Amanda!! xox

  6. Hello! Can I ask when l where your interior doors, knobs and and trim are from? Thanks!

    1. Sure thing, Jen! The interior doors were custom ordered from Home Depot. The door hardware is all from Nostalgic Hardware (more info in this post), and the trim is all from Metrie. xox

  7. My hat’s off to you, Sarah, and your readers on tackling renovation projects. Progress on your kitchen looks great, especially given the attention to detail already.

    LOL, last night I was just congratulating myself for getting that much closer to staged closets and pantry, since our biggest project right now is prepping to sell our current house. Of course, who knows what we will need to do once we find that next home. Cheers, Ardith

    1. Thanks, Ardith! Great job on getting your place organized and in tip top condition for the market. I’m sure it will sell quickly, then onto the next adventure. Exciting!! xox

  8. Studio McGee used your former wallpapered hallway in their Friday Inspiration post on their blog today.
    Love that image!

    1. Yay!!! Thanks so much for letting me know, Becky. I had no idea. I really miss that hallway. Here’s to hoping we can make our new hall looks just as beautiful. Happy Friday! xox

    2. I saw this, too, and was so excited!