When you’re reading this, just imagine my voice a little higher-pitched than usual because I am just bubbling with excitement. The base cabinets have been installed and the measurements for the counters happened this morning. Ahhhh! There are still a couple of construction elements left to tackle, like installing the larger window, but the kitchen is being put together piece by piece. And this is when I’m also letting out a massive sigh of relief because the elements that are in place so far look amazing.
There are always moments for me during projects (and this is my biggest renovation project ever) when I doubt my choices. Did I pick the right flooring, cabinets, counters, and appliances? Will the hardware look good? Is the lighting in the right place? Is the layout going to feel good or did I overlook simple mistakes and impede function or look off? I can’t even imagine designing an entire house from the ground up! It would be fun, but so stressful. So many choices that compound on one another. But, as I’m seeing it all come together, my initial vision is coming to life and I am thrilled with it. There are, naturally, a few little hiccups and adjustments that we’ve needed to make along the way, but there haven’t been any big issues to contend with.
So, much of Monday was spent working on the pool coping. The mason was available that day, so the focus shifted to the pool. I’m looking forward to having a pool, but the kitchen is definitely the priority, so I was feeling a little antsy. But, once the masonry was done in the morning, they brought the base cabinets in and set them in place…
Each day, we close the cats in our room so they don’t escape when a door is open or get in the way of the work and each afternoon when they are released, they have to see what’s new. The cabinets were a nice surprise and Esmé, the tabby, specifically had to inspect each one. She was walking in the drawers, jumping in the sink cabinet, and meowing until we let her out.
She took a bath and sniffed and inspected everything. But, I don’t blame her excitement because I think they look pretty amazing, too.
As a recap, I selected Painted Sage by Waypoint in style number 540F. I looked at cabinets in three different lines – Waypoint, Medallion, and Kraft Made, and when I realized that selecting cabinets in a custom paint color would bust the budget, I picked the brand based on the cabinet color I liked the best. I was actually planning on doing blue cabinets, but when I didn’t see a blue that was just right, I went with green. To me, this green reads as neutral and will compliment my blue and white dishes and decorative elements.
And, they look so great with the floors.
The cabinets sit a little closer to the side door than what was represented in the mock-ups, but it was too late to make any adjustments. If we removed any cabinets, it would throw the balance around the window completely off. It’s still functional, but it just means I can’t have a small piece of furniture to act as a landing place. I think we’ll make coming in through the garage a regular habit, since we have a generously-sized foyer that will be a better place for kicking off shoes and hanging bags, etc. We will put some hooks by the door, but it’s not going to be a great landing zone. That was the downside to removing those walls, but the large, open kitchen is a good trade-off for our family.
I was also concerned, at one point, about the pantry and fridge wall feeling crowded, but it actually feels roomy now that things are in their place! Jeff even asked what we are going to do with all of the extra room. I’m already playing through decorating scenarios in my head!
I am over the moon about the cabinets themselves and they feel like such a luxury after using 1970s cabinets for the past few months. Oh, to have drawers that fit my organizers and a knife block. To have deep drawers for pots and pans. It’s just glorious and I can’t wait to move in. Of course, I’m questioning if I got the configuration right! I’m sure I’ll be able to point out things that could’ve been done differently in hindsight, but I also know these cabinets are more than enough. If I have too much stuff for these cabinets, it’s time for a yard sale.
I ordered a few inserts for the cabinets and drawers, but I waited to order more until we know how we use each drawer and what kind of storage will be most beneficial. It also seemed like we could add a lot of the inserts and customizations ourselves for less. I’ll share the ones we did order, though, once they are installed.
One specialty cabinet I’m very excited about, though, is a spice/oil pull-out cabinet. It’s going to be amazing to have all of the spice jars, vinegar bottles, and oils neatly organized and accessible. Of course, Esmé had to explore that with me, too.
Yesterday, the base cabinets were set and the pool got a good power washing to get ready for etching, plaster, thin-set, and tile. Today, we brought the appliances in, which was a bit of a nail-biter, and the template was made for the counters. The range still needs an electrical hook-up and propane and the fridge needs a waterline and panels, but we’re getting closer to being able to use them…
43 Responses
It is turning out beautifully. I know you are excited. I live in my grandparents house that was built in 1954. I would love to be able to redo my kitchen. Enjoy.
The cabinets look great on your floors! You’ve put great thought and ideas together making a kitchen dreams are made of. So happy and excited for you!
Green was the perfect choice with your floors. Your kitchen is going to be roomy and beautiful. Believe me, I know what you mean about second guessing yourself! We are building a home to be closer to our daughter, son in-love, and brand new granddaughter!!! My head is spinning with the choices and decisions in the entire house! Thankfully, my husband is encouraging and says we can always change things up in the future if we need to. I’m praying a lot! Remodeling and construction always seems to have design challenges mid production, but it always seems to work out. I can hear you squeal with excitement from here! It’s going to be beautiful!
i absolutely love love love the green cabinets. Looking great!
I am so happy you did the green cabinets. I think it gives you better longevity over blue painted ones. The green seems more neutral and better for resale…I am sure you are not thinking that right now! Everything looks AMAZING!!! I am excited for you!!! Can’t wait to see that stove in it’s place.
SQUEAL!!!!
I’ve always loved your eye for decor but you “ hit it out of the park “ as they say. It’s beautiful Marion, just beautiful!
I love your cabinets!!! The color and the door front style are just perfect! The dark green will act as a neutral for sure and it will bring in the outside through your new windows. And the green does look beautiful with your new floors and it will also look fantastic paired with blue decor. Using blue and green together is my (personal) favorite combination! I know you wanted a small piece at the end of the cabinet run by the door for a landing zone; however I think it may be a happy mistake to not be able to fit another piece there. You can still create a landing zone with wall hooks as you mentioned and maybe a pretty bowl or basket on the counter for keys, sunglasses, etc. In the pic the last cabinet appears to be ending in a perfect place once the countertops are installed – it looks intentional and visually I think it will look beautiful and cohesive to have one long line of the same cabinets. Now that the cats have approved the design, I hope the rest of the install will go just as smoothly as it seems to be going so far! Everything is looking so good!
I love joe your kitchen is coming out. Coincidently had my kitchen cabinets repainted last year in SW Dried Thyme. I too considered blue, but didn’t want to replace countertops. After a long search I was inspired by your studio wallpaper, but in the green colorway. I am so happy with the final results! Thank you for being such an inspiration!
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LOVE THE COLOR! Can’t wait to see more!
I am so excited about how beautiful everything looks, Marian!
Love it!
Fulfillment!!!! You should be so proud and thrilled with your beautiful kitchen!!! Know it’s not completed but looks gorgeous.
I am just so happy for you and with you. Bless your heart, you have been dreaming of this for a long time.
Lovely! Maybe, rather than hooks by the side door, put a vintage English style coat stand on that wall, so that you can store stuff you’ll want to have handy by the pool? – sun cream, sun hats, etc
The cabinet color is beautiful!! It’s so nice to see colored cabinets, not just white or wood!
You made wonderful decisions on this kitchen design! I think all of us are waiting for the final journey! May I make a suggestion? When they install the water line for the refrigerator, make sure it’s long enough so you are able to pull it out to dust & clean behind it. Learn from our mistake!
Absolutely great advice.
Ohhh, it’s wonderful! I LOVE your choices!
I will tell you from my experience of building this home from scratch that you probably wouldn’t find it as difficult as you think. Mostly because, once you made your initial decisions for your kitchen cabinets and colors, you would find that you want those decisions to flow through the rest of your home. You may want different colors, but you’ll still want them to compliment each other, so you’d probably choose the same cabinets for the kitchen and baths, the same or similar countertops, and the same or complimentary flooring, the rest is a lot easier.
What you’ve done so far has been very well thought and reasoned out with common sense, your budget in mind, as well as your aesthetic, which is pretty much how I worked with mine. We’ve been in this house for 25 years and while I’m about to change things as it’s been 25 years and they are showing wear that can’t necessarily be “fixed” or have charm, but I am still pleased with my choices and I’m sure you would be too.
In any event, I love the things you are doing with your new home and I applaud your thought process through all of it. I also appreciate you sharing your thought processes, your doubts and your frustrations, as well as your excitement. Too many seem to be far to blasé about these things and I think if you aren’t excited about the things you are doing in your house, to make it your home and your haven, you are missing out on some real magic. So I share your excitement and am enjoying your pleasure in making your new house a beautiful home.
Your kitchen is a dream! Could some of your rooms be white oak and some red oak? That would make a difference. Our oak floors go to maple in the kitchen ( house built in 1927) and I don’t even notice the difference anymore. I wait everyday to hope you do a kitchen update, so fun!
I adore the green color for the cabinets and I agree, it is a neutral. Can’t wait to see your countertops and the kitchen complete. I know it will be gorgeous!!!!
That spice drawer is drool worthy! Love watching your progress. It’s really lovely.
Everything is coming along beautifully!!!
I see you have marked the placement of your island with some masking tape on the floor. I would warn you that it can pull up your brand new finish and then you will need the entire floor refinished. I say this from experience. I would not leave it there and pull it off VERY carefully. It is going to be beautiful!
Yes! This isn’t masking tape, though. It is delicate surface painter’s tape, so it’s very low tack.
I love that floor and the green cabinets are awesome. I remember shopping for a green sofa
in 1991. The sales gal said nobody buys green. haha. Everyone was buying blue then but I
did get my green sofa custom made and always felt ahead of the trend that was coming.
The first time you jump into your first pool is a never forget moment. I know you will enjoy it
all!
Those green cabinets – I swoon!!
Can you hear all of us out here cheering you on?!? The cabinets and drawers look amazing. That pull out showing all the wood is swoon-worthy! Of course, I always love see your fur babies; Max inspected everything in our kitchen as soon as the workers left to ensure it met with his approval! So excited to see the next steps coming together over the next few weeks. Yes, I know the window will not arrive until the end of the month, but I will enjoy the journey until then!
Your Kitchen is looking awesome, can’t wait to see your
kitchen when it is finished.
Your two inspectors are adorable making sure your kitchen
is done correctly.
Your kitchen is so pretty. I love the green cabinets. I have dark cabinets in my kitchen and am thinking about painting them green and removing some to open up the wall space and installing a pantry cabinet like you picked out. I can’t wait to see your finished kitchen to be able to get more ideas for my own kitchen. I think your kitties are adorable.
LOVE the color against your floors. Stunning. Going to be so amazing.
Love love love your choice of green cabinets. You’ll love it at Christmas time. Thank you for sharing your remodeling adventure!
We moved to a tiny house (built in 1959). I picked Kraft Maid with white tops and navy bottoms and really like them. But…..when we were planning these cabinets I said I have to have a pull out trash cabinet. Okay I was happy as I do not like trash cans sitting out where everyone can see them!! I’m also painting our front door pink and our daughter is having a fit!! Love reading about your journey.
I love the cabinet color even more now next to the hardwood floors! The finished kitchen is going to be stunning.
Eeek! Your cabinets are gorgeous! I can’t wait to see it all together for you.
do you have a color match for the cabinet paint color? I already have green kitchen cabinets and I love them, but they need a re-paint and I’m loving your cabinets. Green is a wonderful neutral. I have never regretted my green kitchen. So excited to see it all come together!
I don’t yet, but I will have it matched and will share that color recipe.
Thank you!
Your cabinet color is so lovely! So nice to see something other than white. I too, am a fan of green and blue. I also love the look of wood, especially oak. Your lovely green cabinets and oak floor are a beautiful combination!
Don’t you need electricals for the range hood? When I remodeled our kitchen, I did not want the microwave to be the over the range type with the exhaust fan with it, I wanted a hood, but the electrical for the old microwave was there, so we used that for the hood fan. But I don’t see it on the wall where your range will be – is that what you meant by having electricals done for the range? Sometimes the obvious gets overlooked, and kitchen remodels are in my opionion, one of the most difficult and stressful remodels, mostly because there are so many details, decisions, choices, different tradespeople to deal with, and oh, on top of that you don’t have a working kitchen!! I almost went crazy during ours, but in the end, it was so worth it, and I was very happy. Yours is looking beautiful, and I look forward everyday to see if you have new pictures of the process. I bet your boys are just as excited about the pool. Does your dog know how to swim??
The cabinets are absolutely gorgeous! Love the color!
Really pretty, Marian, and I know you’re excited! I have a similar green on my walls, so we went with white kitchen cabinets. I love how it looks with the black hardware. We have the same spice drawer – REALLY handy!
The contrast between the hardwood floors and the cabinet colour is stunning. The completed kitchen will be beautiful.