The kitchen renovation began yesterday and I am so excited. Yes, it’s loud, messy, and very inconvenient, but I am keeping my eye on the finished kitchen, knowing it will all be worth it and all of this is very temporary. Even Marshall, my 16-year-old, said he was really looking forward to having a new kitchen and he doesn’t normally care too much about home-related things. The truth is that this kitchen has never really felt like ours. I said several times to Jeff that it feels like an Airbnb kitchen or a beach house kitchen and it just happens to have my stuff in it.
But, that was one of the things on my wish list – a kitchen that could be entirely gutted and redone just how I want it and now that wish is a reality. Before I get into the happenings of yesterday, let me show you the before pictures I took on Monday. I have some before pictures of the kitchen, but I went around and took pictures being intentional about where I would take after photos. This way, I can have side-by-side photos from the exact same vantage point.
The view into the kitchen from the hall will be drastically different. You’ll no longer look straight into a wall but will see the side of the pantry cabinet and then into the kitchen. More light will come in and it will be much less maze-like. There was a possibility of keeping that pantry door, but that is going to be covered up.
Again, that wall, which currently contains the basement staircase, will be gone, so this view into the kitchen will be much more open. (Jeff and the boys took a hammer to the wall and then put duct tape on it the night before the demo. Just being boys…)
These walls are going to stay, which is why I took so much time washing off the wallpaper glue.
The kitchen footprint will largely be the same, but we are getting a bigger window, so the sink and dishwasher will be shifted.
Since they are not working on the floors, yet, we were able to keep the table and hutch in the kitchen. We have them covered in plastic to protect them from the dust, but when the work was finished and we let the cats back into the space, they thought it was great fun to wrestle in the plastic. It was funny to watch, but the plastic kept getting pulled off the table in the tussle and scurrying.
The peninsula is being replaced, so that will open things up as well.
This view into the kitchen from the dining room will change a lot, too, since the walls on the right are all going to be removed. The cabinets on the left will be gone and all that will remain is a door to the basement. Just look at all of the light those walls are blocking. I think I’m most excited about this kitchen being brighter.
Cabinets will be just to the left of the side door.
Here is the same view but looking from the kitchen into the dining room…
And a few views from the living/family room into the kitchen…
I really love framing a beautiful view through a doorway into another room and this view is tough to work with! A slab door going to the basement is the main feature and how do you decorate that? The new view will be of beautiful green cabinets and a kitchen table in front.
So, demo day one started out with the removal of the upper cabinets as well as all of the cabinets along the basement staircase wall. Even just removing those cabinets opened up the room quite a bit. I kept going in to sneak a peek.
And the dumpster started to fill up…
There were some doodles, notes, and sketches behind the wallpaper above the desk, which was a fun find. We also found sketches from the builder, measurements, and an old business card from a painter.
The notes looked like their plans for an evening watching Christmas movies and singing songs.
I do like that this house has plasterboard walls for a variety of reasons. They are stronger than drywall, more fire-resistant, and sound-proof, but they are a mess when you have to break them into pieces to take them down. The contractor is doing a fantastic job cleaning up as the crew works and sealing off the space to contain the dust as much as possible, but it’s still messy.
While all of the work was going on, I did some work in the studio and then started cutting and installing chair rails in the foyer and hallway. I’m going to work on the picture frame molding today. I think seeing all of the activity makes me want to get into a project.
I had to run to the store this morning to pick up one more piece of chair rail and then I can finish it and start on the other trim.
At the end of demo day one, the dumpster was filling up…
And the space is already looking so much more open! It’s hard to believe losing a little mudroom and a closet can give you so much space.
I mean, look at all of that room! And, by taking down those walls, we’re just losing a small closet and three cabinets. It’s a good trade for sure!
The soffits and more walls are coming out today and I can’t wait to see how that looks.
A few people have asked about our temporary kitchen while the work is happening. Fortunately, we’re able to keep some of the kitchen in action until they are ready to install the floors. But, have a pantry set up in the dining room with a microwave and toaster. The door to the kitchen from the dining room is sealed, so I have to walk around the foyer and back again as I’m making a meal. Toast the bagel in the dining room, cook the egg on the stove in the kitchen, grab the egg, butter, and cheese, and bring them into the dining room to assemble the sandwich… I’m definitely getting more steps in!
I’ll keep you posted as things progress…
This is so much fun!! Thanks for taking us along for the ride. And paying for it. 😬
Ha! It is fun to follow when you don’t have to write the checks. I wrote a post all about how we budgeted and are paying cash for our renovations, so no need to stress. 😉
Wow, so exciting to see! I pored over your photos with great interest. Our previous house was 1950s with those wonderful plasterboard walls. They did, indeed, dampen all noise and now that I live in a 6-year-old house with drywall, I note the dramatic difference. Give me plasterboard any day! Looks like so far they are keeping it neat and tidy for you! Thanks for explaining how you will be living with a makeshift kitchen in the meantime.
That is going to be such a big, open & light-filled kitchen! You are right, such a small trade off in opening up the laundry area to gain that space & light! Things are really spicing up now at the Mustard Seed home!
Oh Marion, thanks so much for all the before photos. Enjoy every moment of the reno. So exciting.
I’m a little confused with the pictures but feel your enthusiasm and think this is going to look fantastic!!! I’m as excited as you are!! How long is this supposed to take? Sooo worth it!!! I love that antique piece too! Hmmm…. With respect to the previous owner, it needed an update. Am so glad you can make it your own. Interesting about plaster. So typical with the way we do things now…..
Yeah, the layout is confusing and it’s not much better if you’re standing in the space. It seriously takes a few days to get your bearings in the kitchen/dining room/foyer loop. The entire kitchen was essentially a U-shape if that helps. The mudroom was on one end of the U and the pantry on the other. The kitchen and eating area were in the “bend” of the U. This probably makes it more confusing! Anyway, it’ll basically be a big rectangle when we’re done.
So exciting! I am in awe at your endless talent and work ethic. How do you find the time and energy to do everything you get done?! And do everything so well?!
I love renos so I’m trying to draw your existing floor plan from your pictures/descriptions but just when I think I’m getting it, I find a picture that contradicts my drawing. Aaargh! So in case you feel like sketching it, I bet a lot of us would love it (hint hint). Here’s hoping you take me up on it. 😉
Oh this IS fun!! I can’t wait to watch the progress and see the finished kitchen !!
This is very exciting. Are you moving the staircase? I remember something about wanting to move the stairs?
Yes, you can read about that in other posts and see an overhead drawing of the new layout. The stairs will be moved so they no longer jut out into the room. We figured it would be way too expensive, but it was actually a very fair price and well worth doing for the space it gives us.
I’m wondering if you are donating or selling the old cabinets. We did when we remodeled the kitchen. Someone could use them.
Good Grief! Marshall is 1 – 6! How the heck did that happen??? No wonder I feel old . . . Lol
So excited for you. . . . . Weeeeeeeee!
So much light! How exciting. Thank you for posting. Looking forward to the progress. When our kitchen was done, I had to do the washing up down in the laundry. Lots of steps happening then !
Yep, I’ll likely wash them in our basement utility sink when we lose the kitchen sink. Oh, the joys! Totally worth it in the end, though.
I know. He even has his driver’s permit. 😂
Let the fun begin! It is exciting and looking pretty good for day one – I also watched your IG story today w the soffits down. I have never understood the purpose of a soffit unless there are HVAC or other “things” that absolutely must be housed there. The space looks fantastic and now with the wall down there is so much light coming in! Thank you for bringing us along on this journey:-)
I think it was a trend in the 70s and 80s. It was a way to join the cabinets with the ceiling and provide more space for displaying things like commemorative plates! I agree that it closes in the kitchen, though, and is a waste of space that could be used for taller cabinets. I was just so glad there weren’t any surprises inside.
I love seeing your temporary pantry. Are you recycling/donating to old cabinets? Like to Habitat for Humanity?
Yep! Someone just stopped by from Facebook Marketplace to pick them up. We’ll donate or give away anything that is still useful or functional.
I loved the pictures of the drawings and notes behind the desk and wallpaper. I got a chuckle out of the daisy flower…the center is a peace sign!!!! So VERY 1970’s !!!! Do you know if the kids of the former owner, that wrote you that precious note about mom’s home, follow your blog? I am guessing they live locally and it would be fun to have them over when it is finished. I think they would know after 50 years, it was time for upgrades and they will love that you are taking kind care of the beloved home.
Keep us posted!!!! Love it!!!
I do know the kids are still around, but I don’t know if they follow my blog. For some people, it could be fun to follow a makeover journey. For others, it could be traumatic to watch something you loved that holds fond memories being torn apart. I mentioned I was a blogger when we looked at homes years ago back in PA and the sellers were very upset at the thought I would be sharing pictures of their home. So, I don’t say anything about it! If they learn about it and want to follow along, that’s fine. When sharing, I always make sure I’m respectful and highlight that we wouldn’t buy the house if we didn’t love it. I hope the previous owners can see that I care about the history of the home, but I want to make it my own.
Yes…..I agree you have always been VERY respectful in your comments as you change things up in your homes. Face it…things wear out and need to be upgraded.
This is exciting!! That really was a different of layout to visualize. Makes you wonder what the architect was thinking – although I could say that for some homes being built today, too. I think you meant that the peninsula IS being replaced?? You’re lucky to find a contractor who is caring about cleanup at the end of the day. Looking forward to Day 2.
Yeah, the kitchen has an odd layout. That is mostly because of the stairs jutting into the middle, but it did create more defined spaces, which was the point, I think. I do think that the home was modified a bit from the original architectural floor plan. For example, I’m guessing there was originally supposed to be a 1/2 bath instead of that large pantry. Anyway, moving the stairs will open up the kitchen and it will make much better use of the space for our family.
🙂
How exciting, thanks for bringing us along.
There is someone out there that would love to have those 2 vintage avocado green 70s light fixtures
Yes, I’ve already had people ask and I will be selling them. They are pretty cute, but I don’t see using them in our kitchen again.
Marion we bought a house very similar to yours and I am looking forward to seeing the transformation. Our basement stairs are also in the kitchen and I would love to move them but my husband doesn’t think it would be worth it. Cant wait to see yours!
We wouldn’t have moved them if they weren’t sticking out in the middle of the kitchen and if it was too expensive. Ours are pretty easy to turn, relatively, so we decided it was worth it.
This is so exciting to watch unfold!! Thank you for letting us walk through it with you!
The original layout is so confusing, did you do the redesign yourself? A simple sketch of the plans would be fun to see – its hard to visualize what’s happening.
I did the redesign working with a general contractor and a kitchen designer on the cabinet configuration. You can see sketches, mock-ups, and an overhead floorplan in this post – https://missmustardseed.com/kitchen-renovation-cabinet-plans/
This is so very exciting! I am having a blast reading about this new-to-you house – one post
after another it is becoming “Marianized!”
Love it. So far your decisions have been great!
I’ll be watching the progress; it looks better already!
I’m wondering about your miter saw stand. Did it come with the saw? What brand is it?
The miter saw stand is separate and it’s made by Bora.
I’m following with such joy…. it’s going to look beautiful. We’re remodeling our 1964 Rambler too. I never even heard of the term rambler before. Thank you for sharing the journey. Kitchens are my favorite spaces to create. In the picture with the ladder there’s an angled wall with tongue and groove… is that a stairway?
Yes, that is the current staircase to the basement.
Well, I’m living vicariously through you right now. We had planned to renovate our kitchen this summer and found that the cost and availability of cabinetry was a bit beyond what we had budgeted. So, we put it on hold and are saving a bit – knowing the costs will climb with time, but we just didn’t want to borrow money. When we have a serviceable space that still works, that seems silly. So, I’m hoping to learn lessons from your posts before we get to that point! I am really surprised at how neatly everything is being kept. I doubt we have contractors that neat around here. Best wishes for smooth sailing!
Marian, don’t be so hard on yourself you are doing a super great job informing us of the progress on your reno. I have been following you since early PA home. And your taste has changed and progressed since those days for the better per my opinion. So thank you for taking the time to take pics and post online and also for answering all our questions really makes a big difference ! Tks again
I am so excited to follow your kitchen journey. My kitchen is a very small, tight ,galley space with custom solid cherry cabinets. Just the color of the cabinets makes the space seem even smaller and darker. I want very badly to do a remodel, but, not sure where to start. So my question to you is- How did you come to a new town, not knowing anyone, and were able to find a kitchen designer and contractor to do the work? I’ve worked with lots of “handyman” builders for small jobs over the years but don’t know where to start when it comes to a big, important project like a full kitchen remodel.
Keep the inspiration coming!!!! Kay
We asked our realtor for referrals and everyone we worked with who we liked, we asked for other referrals. The contractor we’re working with referred us to electricians and a plumber who have both been great. He also referred me to the kitchen design company who paired me with one of their designers. She hasn’t helped me design the space, just the cabinet configuration. If you’re already established in the home (and don’t have a realtor), then I would ask people who have used a contractor recently to see if they have any referrals. I always try to hire through referrals so I know I’m getting someone who does a good job.