Design? Check. We’re pretty close (see below).
Budget? Check. We decided it this week.
Cabinet manufacturer? Double check. With a 10% discount we’ll be able to afford the higher quality cabinets for the same price as the lower quality.
Color of the cabinets? That’s the newest problem.
Our floors are going to be a light natural maple color. The woodwork around the kitchen windows, the doors, the baseboard, and all moldings are a mix of colors- courtesy of 70-odd years of natural weathering and use- ranging from a honey color to a chestnut brown.
So- should we choose a middle tone? Should we try to match the woodwork? Or, should we go with a darker matching hue to the woodwork?
The colors we’re trying to decide between are in blue below. The middle color (my personal fav) is an extra 5% because it’s a glaze- which doesn’t rule it out, just adds an additional element to consider.
So what would you choose?
…with a quick picture of my own for Shutter Sisters- my new favorite photography site. Any (and all) of their pictures are something to aspire to- and worthy of hanging in my living room.
We now return you to general ranting about the price of kitchen cabinets- already in progress.
Most of this weekend was spent looking at cabinets, and counter-tops, and then cabinets again, and then alternate counter-top options, and then once more? Just for fun? Cabinets!
Who knew there were so many choices? In so many colors?
Ok. I did.
And honestly, our budget helped narrow the field considerably. I quickly realized that, although the skies would part to reveal brilliant sunshine, the angels would sing hymns of praise and small woodland animals would congregate at my feet in joy every day if we bought the beautiful cherry Mission style cabinets I fell in love with, our bank account would need life support and we would have to be ok with only eating bread and water for every meal until my children have children.
The name of the game now is compromise. Something that might just brighten my mood when I saw it and still leave money for my daily caffeine habit groceries.
The cabinets attached are the front runners from American Woodmark. We both like the color and feel the style is pretty close in keeping with the style of our house- but some of the reviews I’ve been reading about the company is pretty negative…So? What’s a girl to do? Keep looking? Expand the budget? Hope for a miracle?
It’s a balmy 33 degrees today- so naturally we’re hoping some of the ice melts before we get our next winter storm on Monday…
It’s crazy how a wide variety of options pop up when you look at the links ON YOUR OWN BLOG…
Ahem. (insert sheepish grin here)
…by far is picking out the material/colors/style right before starting a new project.
But maybe that’s obvious by all the pictures of what I’d like to do to our house…
Anyway, while we still are working on getting the insulation installed upstairs, I got to indulge a bit this past weekend when M and I took a real look at materials for the kitchen.
After I left a pool of drool in front of the most expensive kitchens in two (count ‘em TWO) home improvement stores, we actually started settling into a more realistic budget realm for the kitchen.
The problem now? While I love choosing the various parts of the project…I’m also a bit indecisive.
So, what would you choose?
Soapstone?
Or the more common Corian?
Or maybe concrete?
Or something I haven’t even thought of?
Too many choices- but a fun position to be in.
I realized doors could be pricey, and maybe I’m a bit cheap…but wow.
$2500 for a door? NOT including installation?!?! Is it plated in gold? Will it open itself for me if my arms are full of groceries? Will it let out a warning siren if someone breaks into it?
Granted, it was very pretty/sparkly/solid in an imposing type of way…Wrought iron played heavily in the design…but I can’t justify spending more on the front door of my house than what I spent on my first car.
(So yeah. My first car was cheap…whatever. I looked cool in that convertible…though it’s not too hard to look cool in -10 degree weather with only a tarp as a roof…)
Ahem.
But, after two different retail locations, M and I decided on two that we liked- one for the front and one for the back. We now just need to figure out timing, installation, which kidney we’d like to sell off for payment, stuff like that.
And while I’d love to post a picture here of the new door- you’ll just have to make due with the link. (It’s the Prairie Bevel 3/4 lite on page 18- and perfect for the Prairie stained glass in the living room).
PS- Some have asked, and the Prairie Bevel door we chose did NOT come to $2500- much less. My frugal side won that battle!
this and this and this for the house- a little sanding of the frames, and we’d be set…I’m trying to figure out a way to incorporate any (all?) into the upcoming attic (or kitchen) renovation…it’s just too bad that the last one is off by 30 blocks or so.
All are from Island Girl Salvage- a neat architectural salvage company owned and operated by some women in Illinois. Very cool idea.
If it wouldn’t be such a tough commute, I’d apply for a part-time job so I could have first shot at the great items they salvage. Any chance they have an employee discount?
M and I have been married only a little over a year- so you’d expect Valentine’s to be all roses and chocolates, right? Maybe a romantic get-away this weekend? A five-course dinner and dancing all night?
Um. Not quite. No rest for the renovating weary, I guess.
For starters, it’s the first time where we’ll both be at home in quite a few weekends- so while we’ll get a good dinner out on the town, and the chance to sleep in this weekend, the agenda also included getting quotes on new doors!
Well, I’m excited about it.
Yes, it’s a bit sad, but I’m totally ok that we’re becoming an “old” married couple. The couple that goes to Home Depot on the weekends, and works together to get the attic properly insulated (another thing I hope to check off the list this weekend).
We were the “young newlyweds” last weekend- and we’re both still feeling it. This upcoming weekend will be a nice change of pace.
So, whichever stage you’re in- or even if you’re in both stages like the two of us- enjoy your Valentine’s Day!
Yeah, I know most of it is fake.
I mean, a castle? In the desert?
A Venice canal? In the desert?
The Eiffel Tower?
Yup. In the desert.
But I was surprised at the craftsmanship and, believe it or not- I found inspiration for my little bungalow in of some of the casinos in Vegas.
