I just realized I didn’t blog at all last week! Oh my, the time since I last updated you all has just felt like this big cloud of tile and paint and dust. If we wouldn’t have been working every waking moment I would have loved to update, but with people coming to install things we were on some very tight deadlines that called for late nights and not a moment wasted. Micah and I mostly Micah spent the week tiling the floor and grouting in preparation for the appliances going in on Friday.
Micah and his dad also got the filler pieces up for the crown and I primed the beam for paint. The faucet went in and the countertop guys came back to add in the waterfall edge. Totally dreamy.
At 8am Chris, Ray, and Sal showed up along with a big truck that had all of the appliances. Squeal! Frigidaire was not only kind enough to supply their professional line for this remodel, they also sent out an incredible team of installers all the way from Jersey to make sure they were put in correctly. These guys went above and beyond to make sure everything was just right and were just a joy to be around. When you’re doing so much yourself, it’s nice to sit back and watch some top-level professionals take control. Sal has been installing kitchens exclusively for years and had loads of great tips and tricks for us…next time, Gwen, next time. It’s kind of like having a baby…you can’t even stomach the thought of going through the process again but give me a few months and I’ll forget what eating out for two months has been like. 🙂
I made my first meal on the stove tonight and the gas range is just incredible. Frigidaire’s Professional line is the look and performance of higher-end appliance brands at a fraction of the cost and just a really perfect fit for our family. When things are beautiful AND functional you know I’m all in, and these stainless steel babies are even smudge proof, meaning less fingerprints to clean. I’ll share more about them once the room is complete, but I can’t not show you my favorite thing…
This full fridge/full freezer is mind blowing! No more going to the dingy garage for meat, no more freezer avalanches in an attempt to get out that bag of peas, and A LOT more trips to Costco. I’ll talk more about why this was important to me later, but the way we eat specifically me, and the hosting we like to do and hope to do more of made this top of my list when dreaming up this space.
Saturday was another exciting day because Micah’s uncle made some time for us. The man is a master carpenter, custom building any and all cabinets, doors, stairways in his sleep, and he kindly put the crown in for us. Within a few hours the room went from a t-shirt to a dress shirt with a freshly starched collar.
We pulled another late night last night finishing the rest of the wall tile and painting the beam. Micah is grouting the walls as we speak, then it will be back to finishing the floors. We still have a lot of little details, but we should be done with our tasks by the end of this week!
All that’s left to pick is the backsplash mirror. I know which one I’m leaning towards, would love to hear your thoughts!
Jennifer@The Chronicles of Home says
THAT REFRIGERATOR. Holy sh%*. I’m not sure I even knew they made them that big. It looks glooooorious!
themakerista@gmail.com says
It is glorious. 🙂
Luce says
I kinda’ like the clean plain mirror. The others make me think that the speckles on the glass will compete with the speckles on the countertops and the speckles on the marble floors….
themakerista@gmail.com says
That was definitely a concern and why I’m glad I got samples to bring home!
Pink Camellias says
When I work with my clients on kitchens, I tell them to pick one patterned finish, and have everything else solid so they don’t compete. It’s fun to see your kitchen come together. I am impressed that you are doing it yourself! That’s lots of work! You are in the homestretch right now – exciting!
Allison says
It looks amazing Gwen!!! The cabinet color with those floors is so timeless!! It will be so worth it in the end and you are so close!
Rosie says
I am in awe of how tireless you and Micah are, seriously. I would/could never embark on a project of this scale with my husband. It’s looking absolutely gorgeous. As far as weighing in on the mirror, I’d go with the far right. Talk about wow factor! Can’t wait to see the big reveal!
Rosie says
HA! I take that mirror vote back…I now vote big middle sample! I didn’t realize it was sitting on the countertop until I looked at it again. 😉
themakerista@gmail.com says
Thanks, Rosie! We actually work well together, but it’s definitely been a tiring experience. 😉
Shauna says
LOVE the big fridge/freezer! You are making this kitchen so gorgeous!!
Fiona says
Loving the updates, and so interested in the mirror splashback info you gather as I’m starting a kitchen Reno soon and would love to do a mirror splashback also. Good luck with the final leg of the journey it’s looking fantastic!
Julia@Cuckoo4Design says
Yeah that fridge is amazing. And I’m loving the floor. It’s my all time favorite classic flooring. Truly something that will never go out of style and goes with everything. So so pretty.
Karen says
All I can say is “unbelievable”!!! You two are amazing!
Pamela says
it is gorgeous, as I expected it would be since you designed it. Couple tips, your man should NOT be standing on top of that ladder! Especially with a taller one right there. Be sure to scold him. ? I’ve had 6 kitchens, one w/mirrored backsplash. It reflected everything on the counters and, to me, it felt messy and cluttered. My cleaning gals (I am old and not well) do our stainless appliances w/WD 40. Love cooking on my gas range but not cleaning it. I vacuum the crumbs first to make it easier. Can’t wait to see your final product.
themakerista@gmail.com says
We both are guilty of that. 😉 I certainly understand the concern with the mirrored backsplash and that’s why I didn’t do it in front of the range…because I didn’t want to stare at myself cooking, ha! But I’m kind of a clean freak when it comes to kitchen countertops and other than the canisters and a fruit bowl you won’t find any clutter on them as long as I’m in charge. 🙂 Thanks for the cleaning tips, great to know!
Pamela says
Yes, you are a bit of a minimalist while I am defiantly a mess maker in the kitchen. Believe it or not I just looked out the window to see my guy standing on top of a 6 foot ladder peering into the gutters! Had to laugh ?
themakerista@gmail.com says
Ha, I love that! I think design is so much about recognizing what works for you and your family. I’m a neat freak in the kitchen but a cluttered mess elsewhere. 🙂
Jodi says
I like the middle one best! Everything looks amazing!!
Kira says
My vote is the middle mirror – loving everything else so far! I grew up in an old house with that floor so it’s extra cool for me to see it here 😉
themakerista@gmail.com says
Love hearing that! I think it’s such a classic but it still feels fresh. Thanks, Kira!
Julia | Chris Loves Julia says
Sal!!!! <3 You'll love the appliances even more with time. Love seeing the fridge and freezer side by side. How completely grand!
Linda moore says
The middle one!
Karen says
Love that floor! It’s going to be such a gorgeous, modern yet classic kitchen.
I like the mirror on the bottom right. 😉
angela says
I agree, the middle mirror!
Krystle | HBH says
Oh my gosh it’s looking amazing!!’
Emily Palmier says
I love following along during this project (love your snaps, too!) I have a question, is that a cabinet on the back of your peninsula or is that just a decorative panel you are adding? I was thinking of reversing a cabinet in my blind corner and was excited to see that you might be doing the same. 🙂 Keep up the good work! Oh and bottom right is my favorite!
Catherine says
I love all your choices… the flooring, cabinet colors, subway tile, mirrored backsplash (I vote bottom right by the way). Those appliances are outrageous! Do you just feel like the luckiest girl in the world seeing all of this come together?! Thanks for sharing the process, it’s so fun to watch. Can’t wait to see the final reveal!
themakerista@gmail.com says
Thank you! I do feel crazy lucky (and exhausted, ha!) But I know all of the hard work will be totally worth it!
Nicole M. says
You two are killing it! My husband and I retiled our shower and it took for-e-ver … my perfectionism didn’t help the whole process either, ha. I can’t even imagine tiling that bay window, so, so worth it though 🙂 And love how the floors tie in with the black dining room … and the cabinets, love the color and profile … and the appliances, killer! Seriously, I could go on and on.
And the backsplash, it is hard to tell how it looks in the overall space since it is such a tight shot, but I am leaning towards the middle one. Can’t wait for the finished reveal!
themakerista@gmail.com says
You’re sweet, thanks, Nicole! Me too. 🙂
Haley says
This is looking awesome. I LOVE the painted crown with the tile! Not sure about the tile, I think I like the one on the right the most.
themakerista@gmail.com says
Thanks, Haley!
Dani @ Danielle and Co. says
It looks so amazing! Dramatic but totally livable. I can’t wait to see how it ends up! I can’t imagine having that level of storage in my appliances; that is totally game-changing!
http://danielleandco.com/blog/2016/hiding-cords-sofa-table
themakerista@gmail.com says
It totally is game-changing!
Trish Rodriguez says
what is the color of the cabinets?
themakerista@gmail.com says
It’s Sage by Kraftmaid…the perfect neutral green!
Sandra P says
It’s looking amazing! I’m dying of jealousy over your fridge and freezer,. and those floors!!!! You have to share your source of the mirrored back splash. I’ve been thinking about doing that since we moved in our house (several years) but have no idea where to look (and it’s not been in the budget 😉
themakerista@gmail.com says
Are you local? I’m working with Fountain Glass and they’ve been wonderful thus far!
Lesa Dailey says
So tickled to see my man’s picture in this fabulous post! He is kinda talented in that way…woo, such a good thing! Can’t even wait to see it completed and marvel some more! It will fun to see which mirror is your final pick, it will just add to the perfection…xo
themakerista@gmail.com says
Thanks for letting us borrow him, he sure knows how to hang some crown! 🙂
Eddie Ross says
LOVE a good progress shot. And that fridge is no joke. Guess we know where we’re coming to dinner! Miss you, doll.
x
Eddie + Jaithan
themakerista@gmail.com says
You’re always welcome, and miss you both, too!
Haneen {Haneen's Haven} says
This is blowing my mind! I’d say go with speckled backsplash because it’ll hide more!
Natasha Habermann says
Hi Gwen!
Would you mind sharing the source of your distressed mirror tiles? I’m looking to instal an antique mirror backsplash in a clients house and wasn’t sure if we should DIY it or buy pre-made tiles! Thanks!!
AND
Everything looks fabulous!!
Natasha Habermann says
NM! I see it’s Fountain Glass!
themakerista@gmail.com says
Yep, they’re great, ask for Julie!
Rachel says
The traditional black and white tiling mixed with that beautiful green color in your cabinets has me positively drooling over your kitchen. It already looks gorgeous! The idea of a full fridge/freezer is so tempting, because Costco has become a staple in my life. Thanks for sharing!
themakerista@gmail.com says
Thank you! Yes, it’s those dang Costco trips that cost me hundreds of dollars and lots of storage space. 😉
Kristen Haaksma says
Can you please share your source for your black and white kitchen tile? Love the whole look.
themakerista@gmail.com says
It’s in-stock tile from Lowes! You can find the sources on this post: http://www.themakerista.com/kitchen-renovation/. Thanks for reading!
Jon says
I am LOVING the waterfall edge to your countertops! Think it will ever go out of style?
themakerista@gmail.com says
And I think they will probably will someday, but we put a side on the cabinet itself so we can always change the counters and not lose the look of the cabinets. I love the practicality of it just as much as the look though. That corner probably takes the most wear and tear and the stone is in perfect shape and things just wipes off. I don’t think I could say the same if it was wood.
Jon says
Loving the watefall edge to your countertop!
themakerista@gmail.com says
Thank you, Jon, we love it too!