Home renovations aren’t always full-steam-ahead, especially if you’re living in the home while doing the work. Sometimes you need to take some time to slow the pace, ponder upcoming projects, readjust the plans, and properly clean the house. With a sick kid at home and feeling a bit under the weather myself, this was a good week to slow things down. So, the past few days have been about rest, plans, and getting a few small things done.
We’ll get to the ever-evolving kitchen plans in a minute, but let’s start with some of the little things.
One of the sort-of-house-related things I’ve been working on is learning how to photograph this house. I’ve been having issues with windows being “blown out” meaning they are so bright they have lost all detail. When I try to edit the photos, they just don’t turn out the way I want. So, I’ve been watching some tutorials, shooting at different times of the day, and trying different things with my editing. I’m not there, yet, but I am heading in the right direction. This is a picture I took yesterday evening (and you can see a preview of our bedroom curtains, which I’ll share more about next week.)
I also took some time to do some good cleaning in a few places. We paid to have the home professionally cleaned before we moved in (we felt like that would help me out a lot with my foot still in a boot and a massive amount of unpacking to do), but sadly, it was a disappointing experience. I had the company come back to do some additional cleaning that was a part of their service (and wasn’t done), but I just couldn’t stomach bringing them back a third time. The disappointment was compounded by the fact that the cleaning service we hired to clean our MN home when we moved out did a phenomenal job.
So, moving forward, I needed to tackle the thorough cleaning myself. Over the past few weeks, I’ve been cleaning windows, trim, and baseboards, and wiping out closets. Something that’s been on my list for a while is to get the steam cleaner out and work on the tile floors. I filled up my steam cleaner and let the water heat up (THIS is the one I use for deep cleaning jobs) and tackled our bathroom floor.
(As a side note, we were planning on renovating the bathrooms within the first few months of living in the house, but the budget for our bathrooms is currently on our roof, so they’ll have to wait a little while.)
The bathroom is split into two sections – a “wet room” with the shower and toilet and a “dressing area” with a couple of closets, a vanity, and a sink. The dressing area is currently carpeted and the wet area is tiled. It’s a small area and a good one to start with to see how the steam cleaner handled it. Oh man…the amount of grime and dirt that came out of the grout was unbelievable. I mean, that just happens in an older home, especially one that hasn’t had a good scrubbing for a while.
It took me about 30 minutes, letting the steam work its magic on each tile and line of grout. And wow, what a difference. I love knowing that it is squeaky clean and sanitized. I can’t wait to work on the other bathroom as well as the foyer tiles.
I’ve also done some thinking and planning on the kitchen. This is our next big project but I keep dragging my feet on meeting with the cabinet company because I want to make sure the big decisions about the layout are settled. I originally thought we would keep the layout the same and just remove the small peninsula/bar and move the fridge over the wall against the basement stairs. But, as I’ve lived in the space, I’ve come to the conclusion that removing the mudroom (for laundry room) walls would accomplish a lot and we would gain more than we lose. We would lose a small closet and a separate “landing” area, but we would gain space and light, two things that are pretty significant gains. It would also open things enough so we could add a freestanding island in the middle of the kitchen, which would be a feature I would really enjoy.
I drew out a floor plan and made some sketches based on the mudroom staying in place, but I think it’s time to make some new sketches.
I’ve reached out to my contractor and asked if we can meet about removing this wall. I am pretty excited about it! Here’s a little peek at my ideas for the stove wall…
Yep, that beautiful centerpiece is a 48″ gas range. I will share more about it soon, but I never dreamed I would have a range like that.
The rest of my sketches need to be redone if that wall can be moved. I also decided I want to protect more counter space, so I’m going to make some adjustments.
Next week, my mom and I are going to work on removing more wallpaper and washing more glue off the walls, I’d like to get some more sewing done, and we are having a new electrical panel installed next Wednesday. It’s not super exciting or fun, but it’s a 50-year-old panel and it needs to be replaced for safety purposes as well as for future renovations. We’ll be adding recessed lights to six rooms and some exterior lighting soon, so updating the panel is the first step of that project.
You can read more about the renovation of our 1970s brick rambler HERE.
It is so fun to watch you work and design. Looking forward to seeing all that you do in this new space.
I am so impressed with how your tile floor cleaned up. Looks brand new! Hope you don’t mind my two cents worth on your kitchen plans. Absolutely love the wall and the storage you’ve planned on either side of that unbelievable stove! Have you considered a wall of windows on the wall over your sink? The light would be incredible in the morning if they face east. Just love everything you have done in your new home and always look forward to these updates.
Because I’ve been shopping for curtain rods, I’m loving yours!
Your kitchen is going to be stunning – and I know a dream come true for you!
Thanks so much for sharing your drawings and floor plans. It helps to have the perspective of the rooms and your design process. I would love to see a whole house floor plan because it’s hard to get a sense of how the whole fits together. I’ve followed you for years and met you at Lucketts.
The floor looks great after your cleaning. Thanks for sharing your progress!!
Are you a fan of DeVol Kitchens? Or any of the British bespoke kitchen designers, for that matter! Your range wall reminds me of them….a tall, wide, backsplash, with a pot rail and is there a shelf above? Can’t quite see the details in your sketch. Also, love the fact that you are using more drawers than doors on your lowers…my kitchen only has drawers so no more down on hands and knees to find something buried way in back!
Well dear enjoying the journey,here from Nantucket Island. I must say I find you fascinating and wonder how you fit it all in. Plus the boys and husband and dog!Please find ME time=Solitude..
I noticed that your steam cleaner can be used for wallpaper removal. Just wondering if you tried it on your first go round of wallpaper removal.
I have a question about your steam cleaner. Do you/have you used this on upholstered furniture? Or do you have recommendations for upholstered furniture?
It looks like a wonderful plan and so much space. I have a pretty small U shaped kitchen but at 75 yrs. old it is really all I need. Of course if I hit lottery, I would enlarge it a bit.
I’m loving your “stove” wall! I’m hoping to be able to have a stove like this … when the time is right. Enjoy your time thinking and planning. And then you can spend your time in the kitchen of your dreams!
Marian thank you for sharing the steamer idea for cleaning tiles and grout. What kind of steamer do you have? Is it a carpet steamer? I, also would love to clean the mud room and laundry room.
Would you trust the steamer on a 1930 tile floor? Too pretty to remove when I redid part of the bathroom. Shark mop steamer and a grout brush not very successful. Afraid to try vinegar and baking soda on old grout.
The kitchen plans look beautiful. Can’t wait to see the stove!
Boy howdy, it’s amazing how well the steam cleaner polished up the bathroom floor. Looks great and it sure must feel great to know it’s clean!
Love seeing the kitchen drawings and yesssss to opening the wall! Now is the perfect time to do it and I feel you will love having the extra space and the extra light and not to mention the free standing island! It will be marvelous w the beautiful Ilve stove! I cannot wait to be along for the ride to see it all evolve!
Yes to opening up the kitchen but design in a “landing” place for shoes, coats, etc.
I second checking out DeVol the British kitchen designer/builders for ideas. We just watched their show on Discovery+ called For The Love of Kitchens. Very inspiring and beautiful, more old world charm vs the typical American Kitchens. ?
What type of steamer did you use on old tile? I have the very same tile in my old 1971 bathroom.
so fun, so stressful, lovely drawings, I’d love to see the whole floor plan
It seems to me a lot of people are getting rid of some of their upper cabinets. Though I understand it if there’s a lot of room for a pantry and a island and lower cabinets, I use all my cabinets. I’m looking forward to seeing how you navigate it all. A friend started over with her kitchen and put all the plugs right under the top cabinets, leaving the backsplash to have beautiful, undisturbed tile. It was really very nicely done.
Marian, thanks for sharing your ideas with us. Your stove wall is going to be so nice. I know you will enjoy your gorgeous new stove. It’s great to be able to follow you with all your kitchen renos. Your kitchen will be so beautiful once it is finished. It’s so much work to renovate a kitchen but it will be so worth it once it’s done. You have done so much to your lovely home! Be sure and take some time for YOU! Hope you and your family have a wonderful weekend. Bless you all!
Add me to the list of people interested in learning more about your steam cleaner. I’d love an in-depth post about all the ways you can use it.
I’m in for a steam cleaner tutorial!
I bought the steam cleaner! Tomorrow is the day I have set aside to clean. There are so many accessories. It Even has one to clean the grill grates!
Hi Marian, I am so excited to see your range drawing because I am looking at one that looks like the one you drew, same size and everything. I’m nervous about maintaining it or future repairs because the reviews are not comforting, but it’s stunning. Still, a beautiful range that is not functioning or can’t be repaired won’t be a good thing. I’m excited to see you are looking at this type of range as well.
I noticed your countertops! They are the exact ones we have in our kitchen, even with the metal channel and the counter material going up the wall as a backsplash. I can’t wait to see what you do with the kitchen because I need ideas on getting rid of my very dated countertops. Stay well and carry on.
Last time about the kitchen French doors, I promise. So I get it they won’t work over the current kitchen sink, but…….! If you’re taking out the mudroom wall/room anyway, could it work in that space? In any reno/decor situation I’ve been in over the years, my first ideas go to light in a room. And I try to direct that maximum effect where a gathering is most likely to happen…like around the table for meals. That current kitchen/dining area seems like a dark, lost cave and best suited for holding storage cabinets. Okay. I rest my case! That before/after tile steam cleaning pic. is awesome.