Tuesday 8 April 2014

Kitchen Bliss......






I inherited our old kitchen when we moved into our house 12 years ago. The cupboards were sound and ok, so a little makeover was done just to make it more 'us'. Cupboards were painted, new worktop was put in. Tiles we hated were replaced by tongue and groove we loved more. It worked well. It wasn't ALL us, but we didn't have the money to re-fit a whole kitchen, even if it was a small one. I managed to make it work for several years and be content with what changes were made. Every so often, the cupboards would get a sand down and a re-paint to freshen them up and make it look a bit more presentable again.




The last couple of years though saw our little kitchen start to struggle. One by one the drawers started to become stiff and not move. One by one the door hinges started to droop, become loose and, eventually become unfixable. Even a lick of paint couldn't disguise how tired my little kitchen had become.

In truth, it had become a daily battle. One which frustrated me. This was a place that, although small, needed to be hardworking. With the three Bears CONSTANTLY in the kitchen opening cupboards and fridges searching for food, it needed to work better.......and I was desperate to be able to get into a drawer without my arm almost falling off.




I didn't want fancy, I just wanted the basics. It was a small galley kitchen, all we were going to do was replace units like for like. Appliances were still sound so they could stay. It was going to be quick.....and easy. 

So, the thought was a good one. It was really not a whole kitchen re-furbishment, really just replacing units and keeping everything else.




Well, things never quite pan out the way you want them too, do they? Quite soon we realised that the units I had were made in old style kitchen measurements. The units I wanted had a whole different set of measurements which meant the whole 'easy peasy' like for like just wasn't going to work. It became the flowers on the window sill scenario. Bit by bit, all the things we were planning on keeping we had to change also.

We were working on a set budget too, trying to keep costs down to a minimum, so most of the work was done by myself and family members. That took the length of this kitchen re-fit to a few months.




It has been a long few months. I have had a house in a complete mess for such a long time, it's been a real struggle to keep on top of things, both physically and mentally. Whilst not being a neat freak, I just found staring at piles and piles of stuff week in week out completely draining. Tripping over everything too. Add to that the messy Bears and you get the picture right? Paying people to have the kitchen done in a few days, was certainly the easiest option, but I have to say, the sense of satisfaction of completing it (almost) is really rather nice. I still hate grouting. Actually I hate it with a passion. My fingers are still a little numb and sore, and my nails look very battered and sorry for themselves.




After 8 weeks of complete chaos, things started to get better, and I could see the light at the end of the tunnel.




It's still not completely finished. I'd say it's 95% done. But all the little bits can be done as and when. I'm happy to take my time on the little things. I still have some excess worktop to chop up and make some butchers blocks with and a shelf. But I have a workable kitchen, and the rest of the house is slowly getting back to normal.




After 12 years of living with part of someone else's kitchen dream, I can walk into a room that is more me. It's nice.....no...it's lovely. It's not grand, it's quirky with its non professional fitting, but I like that. Uneven walls and floors make for tricky work.




Trouble is.....it now shows me just how tired the rest of the house is! I'm not in any hurry to start up another project. I'll love the lived in battered look for now!




xxx




54 comments:

  1. Congratulations on getting there Vanessa. You may hate grouting but those tiles look fabulous and expertly done. Well done you, enjoy your new kitchen and perhaps treat your poor hands to a lovely manicure? Enjoy the rest of your week.
    Jane x

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    1. Oh yes, i think i may just deserve a manicure! ha ha! x

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  2. Oh how lovely, you have got a pretty, clean and fresh new kitchen! That is such a joy after all your hard work! I love your beautiful photos today, Vanessa.....such gorgeous colours and pretty arrangements! Enjoy your pretty new space....I am sure you will!
    Happy week!
    Helen xox

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  3. That looks lovely. The tiling in particular looks really stylish. Enjoy! x

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  4. Awe Jooles it's horrid isn't it when you are right in the middle of it. Just keep thinking of the end result! It'll look gorgeous, and you'll have so much fun putting all your bits back in it! I still have bits to do, but it's workable and looks sort of finished now so i'm at the relieved stage! It was a long hard slog, but it was worth it! Just breathe slowly and let the chaos ride over you as much as you can! xxx

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  5. It's lovely Vanessa, everything has a lovely shine and twinkle about it. The kitchen is without a doubt the most used room in the house, and doesn't this just become so apparent when it's out of action ?
    Looks like it was all well worth it though.
    Enjoy it all,
    Kate x

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    1. I keep telling the Bears they have to get permission to go in it! They think i'm bonkers!!!!!

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  6. What I can see of it is lovely! So clean and bright, and your pretty things look so nice on the counters. I got a bunch of succulents and pretty pots to plant yesterday. Thanks for giving me something else to obsess about as well! Ha-ha. I love them!

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    1. Laughing! You are welcome, and i'll bet it'll be an obsession that grows! x

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  7. Congrats on getting your amazingly pretty kitchen! 8weeks in chaos does not sound like fun, but the result is looking fabulous! Such cute details too!

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    1. It has been a long 8 weeks. i don't want to do any more DIY for ages now!

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  8. Hooray for new kitchens!! :) Your pictures always make me smile.

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  9. oh' my beauty overload ....serious case of the wanties...its bloooming lovely Vanessa!!!!!!!!!!! xxxxx

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  10. A new kitchen is worth all the mess you have had to put up with. It is beautiful.
    meredith

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    1. You don't realise just how important it is until it is out of action for a while! x

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  11. Hi Vanessa - your kitchen looks wonderful, and I'm sure you will have years of fun and satisfaction, living in and using it. We did major renovation work last year, with a new kitchen, very similar to yours, and know you will have as much pleasure with yours as I do mine. I love the metro tiles and bright colours - so cheery! Hugs x

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    1. Even putting all the dishes away is pleasurable at the moment! I wonder how long that will last! ha ha! x

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  12. Looking beautiful - light, bright and with all those pretty touches - love it! Maria x

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  13. It looks absolutely lovely, and how satisfying to have done a lot of it yourselves. You should be very proud of what you have achieved. I'm glad you're able to get everything back to normal now! Enjoy your cooking.

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    1. I've promised the Bears lots of baking this Easter holiday as we haven't been able to do any for such a long time! x

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  14. Oh Vanessa, it looks wonderful and so you!! You and your family have worked so hard and it was well worth it!
    Love all your very pretty finishing touches!
    Rachel x

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    1. Thank you Rachel, it's so good to practically have it all finished now. It was doing my head in!!!!!!! x

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  15. wow what a beautiful kitchen you have Vanessa!!

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  16. I haven't been on the computer much lately and just spent some lovely time catching up on your blog. Such a nice place to have a visit. Your kitchen is looking great!

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  17. I love your photos! I've enjoyed my kitchen redo some years ago too, a bit dificult to go through but results well worth it, I agree with you.
    I've been visiting your blog for some time -yes, in silence because of my poor English haha- and I like it a lot, I love your style.
    Besos from Argentina!
    Silvina

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    1. Thank you for commenting today Silvina, it's kind of you to take the time. Your English is fab! x

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  18. a very cosy kitchen!!!!! lovely!!!!!
    xxxxxx Ale

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  19. it's true, one thing reflects on another! enjoy the new kitchen and the peace and order back in the house. The little glimpses look lovely, Heather x

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    1. Thank you Heather. It's really nice to be able to get some order back into the house! x

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  20. It's beautiful Vanessa! Enjoy!! S xo

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  21. Very, very pretty and so fresh! Makes me a teeny bit envious. Enjoy
    :-)
    Kim

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    1. Ah don't be too envious, give it a few weeks and the Bears will have demolished it!!!!!!!

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  22. Well done you. Your perseverance has paid off and you now have a beautiful kitchen that is very much you. Rest and enjoy! Philippa xx

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  23. We have just got our kitchen redone so I feel your pain! Your kitchen looks amazing and has given me inspiration for new accessories in mine! xx

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    1. You don't realise just how much you use it when it's out of action for a while! x

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  24. Looking bright & beeeeautiful x

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  25. Oh Vanessa ~ truly lovely. I love the white tile against the wood counter. Beautiful!! It has been a long time since I have seen your pink coffee maker, she is a beauty and I have missed her. (-: I look forward to seeing more of your kitchen reveal and also lots more "pretty dishes". You have done a beautiful job. Love it ALL!
    xxKaren

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  26. Looks like a beautiful cheery kitchen... and that tiling is just marvellous!

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  27. It looks gorgeous!! Well done to you and yours. Love the tiles and all your beautiful bits and piece. Bliss indeed!

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  28. Things are never as simple as you they seem before you start but it looks like your hard work has paid off and you have a beautiful kitchen to show for it. Let the rest of the house wait till you've recovered from this project! ;)

    S x

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  29. please please please please can you show us some wider shots of your kitchen? we too have a teeny tiny galley kitchen and i would love to see how yours looks and feels as the close-ups look amazing. What sort of sink do you have? What fridge? Would love to see, I am in desperate need of inspiration......xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

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  30. oooh Vanessa I think I want to go on holiday in your kitchen!! What a relaxing space I love daydreaming over your pictures! congrats on this project it must feel sooo good!

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  31. I adore your style...and on a random note...your UK outlets are so cute compared to our US ones :)

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