I’m kicking off 2018 in a big way by jumping into a makeover project that’s a long time in the making – the renovation of our kitchen! You guys I have dreamed of renovating a kitchen to make it my own since the day that we moved into our very first home almost 20 years ago. Our “kitchen history” isn’t the shortest of stories but I’d love to share it with you along with taking you on a “before” tour, sharing some of the things about my current kitchen that I’ll be improving upon in the newly remodeled one!

Our first house was a semi-custom home located way out in no-man’s-land where it was inexpensive to build and while we were lucky enough to be able to choose many of the finishes, we were house poor so our decisions were based solely on the answer to our question, “Which one is the cheapest?” So cheap cabinets and laminate countertops it was! And honestly we were so thrilled to own our own home that we were totally ok with that. Our second house was bit of a fixer upper – the kitchen was fairly small with cabinets that were pretty beat up (they look much better in this pic than in person!) and green laminate countertops (I dug up this pic from when we toured the house prior to buying it):

We did several small kitchen upgrades during the years we lived there (including knocking down the wall that the oven is on – that was a game-changer!) while saving money for a complete kitchen renovation. Fast forward seven years and we had finally saved enough money and were moving ahead with that major renovation but within weeks of getting our design plans drawn up, we were unexpectedly transferred to Connecticut with my husband’s job. We didn’t really want to make the move in the first place and the fact that I was that close to getting to renovate our kitchen before getting transferred didn’t help. After moving, we kept and rented our old house for two years hoping we would move back to it but that plan went by the wayside so after our renters were out, we did a quick budget renovation with cabinet refacing, new stainless appliances, and inexpensive granite countertops prior to selling it so that it was 100% move in ready. The changes actually made such a huge difference to the appearance of the kitchen and the overall feel of our home and we ended up in a multiple offer situation twice (the first time after only a few days on the market and a second time after the first contract fell through!):

You can see more pics and details of our budget kitchen renovation {here}. And that brings us to our current home that we moved into 4 1/2 years ago – we originally thought that we’d only be here 2-3 years and while I’ve never felt like the kitchen was very “me”, it was fine and we had no plans to renovate it in the short time we planned to be in this house. We did do some small fixes to make our kitchen work better with our lifestyle including replacing the tile countertop with butcher block in this one little area of our kitchen and creating a coffee station that you can see more pics of {here}. 

Scroll and click/tap to shop this space:

We also reworked our kitchen island to accommodate our microwave and get it off the countertop, a project that you can see more about {here}.

But once again, our plans changed (our family has gotten pretty good at rolling with the punches over the years!), and it turns out that we’ll be staying in Connecticut for several more years. So it was at that point that I started cooking up plans for a kitchen renovation yet again. Fast forward through several months of dreaming, researching, and planning and I’ve currently got some preliminary kitchen plans for a makeover that we’re going to start in late winter/early spring. I’m so excited to be moving forward with the renovation and also so excited to be sharing it with you! Since I haven’t shared a whole lot about my current kitchen on the blog, I thought it would be fun to take you on a little “before” tour, sharing a few of the things about my current kitchen that I’ll be improving upon in the newly remodeled one:

My Small Sink With a View of… A Wall

My current sink is pretty small (only about 20″ wide) with cabinetry above it that’s too low to accommodate a typical high arc faucet, neither of which is ideal but neither of which is a huge deal either. The bigger issue is that I have an exciting view while doing dishes of… a wall. 

Kind of silly to have such a pathetic view when there’s such a beautiful one out the front picture window that’s going unused! The problem? The fireplace. With the fireplace in its original location there was no way to add more cabinetry or change the location of the sink to the front wall. Our fireplace was (yes, was!) a gorgeous, unique feature of our kitchen that I truly loved but after months of going back and forth, we decided to remove it to allow for the kitchen design we’ve been dreaming of. We only used our fireplace a couple of times a year (we use our living room fireplace instead) and it was in need of some fairly expensive chimney repairs due to leaking but it was still a super tough decision. It was actually removed several weeks ago (because of our winters, my contractor wanted to get any outside work done before it got too cold) and you guys, I hardly slept the night before they were scheduled to do the demo work with indecision about my plan to remove it. But down it went…

And while part of me still feels bad about removing it, that’s all it is – guilt. I have no regrets at all. After being able to put together some exciting kitchen plans that wouldn’t have been possible with the fireplace left as is, I’m certain it was the right call for our family. My contractor also had to remove a little jog in the front wall so that it went straight across (which is why the front of our house was totally torn up for a few days) and now that both of those things have been checked off the list, we’re living like this for a few months until we’re ready to pick back up with the bulk of the renovation:

Misfit Appliances 

We have no consistency in our appliances with all four of them being different brands which is kinda strange but doable. The problem is that they’re all old and on their last legs.

Our wall oven’s motherboard needs to be replaced (it does crazy things from time to time and we have to throw the breaker off and back on to reset it), our refrigerator is narrow and small because we have very limited space for one (again, due to the fireplace) and it’s dying a slow death with the ice maker being broken and the door handle currently being held on with a hairband. The dishwasher doesn’t dry dishes well and clogs on every tenth or so cycle (and it’s a disgusting 45 minute process to unclog the filter). And our cooktop actually functions just fine but there’s a big chunk out of the top of it (which was cleverly disguised by a spoon holder that the previous owner placed on the edge when we toured the house). Plans for our new kitchen include a larger refrigerator with better storage features, a gas range with double ovens (I have a specific one in mind that is gorgeous!), and a dishwasher that actually works and can accommodate some of the taller items that I currently hand wash because of the layout of our current one. And I’m pretty sure I’m going for a microwave drawer in the island (for those of you who have one, do you love it??). 

My No-Space-To-Sit Island

I miss the bar seating that we had in our old kitchen sooo much! While we still sat at the table for dinner, it was so nice and easy to feed the girls breakfast and lunch there. With the fireplace gone, it’s going to free up more wall space and allow us to move the pantry from this location (on the right in this pic) to the other side of the room, freeing up enough space to extend the island countertop on that side and add bar seating. SO excited about this!

Lack of Accessible Storage 

Our current kitchen has a decent amount of storage space but most of it is really hard to access. I swear our island cabinetry is a black hole that things completely disappear into! We’re planning to integrate some space-saving organizational features into our cabinetry that allows us to make good use of every bit of cabinet space that we’ll have. And even our cabinetry that’s accessible has its issues – our upper cabinet doors have these wood support bars on the back so when you close the cabinets it will knock things over that are too close to the front and it prevents us from stacking plates any higher than this or the door won’t close:

My It-Never-Shows-The-Mess Countertops

This is the first house that we lived in where we had granite countertops and it’s been a really nice upgrade from the laminate in our previous homes. But in addition to the color of our current granite just not being my thing, it’s masterful at hiding messes.

That’s should be a good thing right?! Well, sometimes it is but when you’re constantly bending down to get an eye-level view of the countertops to see if there are any messes you missed or you have a habit of putting a paper down on the counter in a wet spot that you couldn’t see, it isn’t so great. I know, total first world problem. It’s one that I would have definitely lived with if we didn’t have other reasons to renovate our kitchen but I’ll be glad to see the granite go and bring in something more my style. And my contractor’s son is thrilled because he actually has the perfect use for the granite we’re taking off the island, making it a win-win.

And if you’re wondering about the other end of our kitchen where we have our DIY eat-in banquette, that baby’s here to stay – no way would I be getting rid of that after all of the work put into it!

We’re currently working on the final layout for the kitchen and hope to get it nailed down by next week so that we can get the cabinets ordered and then move on from there with appliances, countertops, and all of the smaller decisions like a sink, lighting, bar stools etc. I’ll be sharing each step of the planning and renovation process on the blog which I’m hoping will be helpful for those of you who are planning a future kitchen renovation or just dreaming of one like I was for years down the road! And I always get so much value from your input that I’m selfishly excited to show you my many options along the way and get your thoughts. I already got so much helpful info from your comments on {this post} about kitchen must-haves! 

Now that I’ve shared the “before” and some of my kitchen renovation plans, later this month I’ll be sharing more specifics about the cabinets, appliances, countertops, etc. that are going in – I can’t wait to see what you think! Enjoy the rest of your weekend and I’ll see you back on the blog in the middle of the week with the first “My Five Favorites” of the year that’s all about getting your organization game on!

XOXO,

Source

http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/515582252/0/drivenbydecor~Kicking-Off-With-a-Big-IveBeenWaitingForeverForThis-Project-Our-Kitchen-Renovation/

Source

http://qctimes.com/ads/sale/home/tool/preferred-home-improvement—ad-from/pdfdisplayad_ac5aafd2-df06-5acc-ab1b-3edf8acdd35f.html

Source

http://thetowntalk.com/story/news/2018/01/05/alexandria-man-accused-home-improvement-fraud/1008506001/

PAINT OR WALLPAPER – BETTER OPTION FOR YOUR WALLS.

We all have a dream to make our dream home in to reality. There are a lot of passionate people who decorate every available space in their house to have a mind-blowing look. We have old age and new age interiors adorning the houses.

Looking for an option to decorate your walls and are stuck up between to go with wallpapers or paint then , to decide on a wall treatment is not an easy job, there are end number of options available today and all might be confused with the two popular options – Paint or Wallpaper.

While both of them have their own advantages and limitations, and the right option will depend on your type of requirement customer have. To decide on your choice easier, paint and wallpaper has been covered under six essential elements.

1. Variety

Variety in colours and finishes can help you out to create a unique look.

Paint is available in every colour what we have – can mix and match. When applied in combination with the hundreds of texturing methods in use today, paint can create a stunning look to the place and there are options to choose from a variety of finishes such as satin, matte, semi-gloss & glossy. Wallpaper is also available in a huge variety of colours & patterns ranging from elegant traditional touch to a peppy contemporary look. Wallpapers also come in many different finishes like vinyl, fabric; foil printed, sued embossed textures.

2. Ease of application

Between this two option, paint is the easier and less fussy option for the wall. A day or two will suffice for a paint job for a standard size room. Painted walls are also very accommodating, newer coats of paint of the same hue. In most cases, if the surface is not too worn out, a new coat of paint can be applied on to the older one. Wallpaper application is an expertise job. The process is elaborate & demands a lot of time & patience. The same holds true for stripping the wallpaper too. A new layer of wallpaper cannot be applied on top of the present one.

3. Durability

Reader Allison normally cooks from scratch, but she’s in the midst of a kitchen renovation.

(Oh, the horror! At least for right now. In the end it will be fabulous.)

She’s getting by with a microwave, an InstantPot and a grill, and she asked for some help, especially in getting non-mushy veggies on the table.

So, I asked my readers on Facebook for suggestions, and I’m rounding them up here.

Get a grilling basket for veggies.

Or thread them on skewers. Most vegetables do great on the grill if you brush them with oil, sprinkle them with salt and pepper, and grill them until they’re crisp-tender.

No mushiness in sight!

Readers suggested making foil packets of veggies on the grill as well.

Use a slow-cooker.

Soups and slow-cooked meats are both good meal options that work in a crock-pot!

Buy a toaster oven.

You can make a LOT of things in a toaster oven, and this would give you a quasi-oven experience.

You can even make quick breads in a toaster oven, actually. Not large batches, but it’d at least be something.

Readers also suggested cooking veggies in the toaster oven.  Yay for dry heat!

Buy a hot plate.

A single burner can help you out significantly, and all you need is a working outlet.

Use an electric skillet.

Again, all you need is an outlet, and you suddenly have a cooking surface for browning meats, making stir-fries…a lot of the things you’d do on a stove.

In a similar vein, you could get an electric griddle, and then pancakes, bacon, sausage, and French Toast would suddenly be on the menu again (and if you have a large crew to feed, a big griddle is a lifesaver for making pancakes and French toast! So, that could be useful even post-renovation.)

___________

One last thought: you could try asking around (friends? family? freecycle? church?) to see if anyone has an appliance listed here that you could borrow.  That way you wouldn’t have to spend money, and you wouldn’t have to store the item once your kitchen is up and running!

___________

Readers, if you have some more ideas for Allison (recipes? cooking methods? appliances?), leave them in the comments.

This post contains affiliate links.

Source

http://www.thefrugalgirl.com/2018/01/how-to-cook-during-a-kitchen-renovation/

It’s that time of the year! People are working towards losing weight and getting fit, but what about home improvement resolutions?

Here are a few suggestions to help you get your home into great shape in 2018:

1. Declutter

Okay, 2017 was the year of decluttering, but this year we’re moving from the Marie Kondo craze to ‘death cleaning’. Yes, you read that correctly.

The term popped up in a new book, The Gentle Art of Swedish Death Cleaning by Margareta Magnusson, and the concept is simple – declutter your home so that your loved ones don’t have to rifle through your rubbish after you die.

It’s a bit morbid, but it’s a good reminder that no one can take stuff into the afterlife.

Regardless of the clutter-clearing terminology, it comes down to getting rid of dust-collecting items and making space in your home. Who knows, after a few good decluttering sessions you might find that you could turn a messy space into a lovely guest room and rent it out to holidaymakers.

2. Fill gaps with greenery

Once you’ve decluttered, you may not like minimalism as much as you thought.

So, what’s the perfect solution?

Plants. They do more than help fill a stark, cold and empty-looking space, they add life (literally), help make it feel homely and purify the air. This is also something to bear in mind if you move into a larger home and don’t have quite enough furniture (or the budget) to fill it.

3. Dress the walls

If you’re a minimalist and love your walls blank, keep calm and carry on. However, if you’re not opposed to using the vertical space in your home to add interest, create depth or make a room feel bigger, then this tip is for you.

Make 2018 the year to sort through framed photos, artworks and mirrors and decide what should go up on the walls and what could come down.

Do you really want a gallery wall or would one large piece of artwork be better? Is that mirror in the living room positioned in the best spot to bounce natural light? And, if you moved it, could you reflect a view of the garden back inside? Would it help you to add floating shelves in certain areas of your home?

These are few questions you could ask yourself when considering how you dress the walls.

4. Start a garden

When you think of your garden as a living landscape painting, framed by the glass doors and windows of your home, it makes sense to invest some time in it.

With the right plants and a little time and effort, you could create a calming view while shielding your home from nosy and noisy neighbours.

5. Create a retreat

Whether it’s a she-shed, man cave, spa-inspired bathroom, crafts room or hammock on a stoep, create a space in your home where you can chill out.

We would all benefit from having a little space at home where we can slip into our comfy pants, tune out the noise of the world and relax.

For you, this could be a shared space like a comfy family living room, or a private space like a do-not-disturb reading nook in your master bedroom. Decide what you need more of this year – whether it’s family time or me-time – and make it a goal to create an inviting space that helps you get more of what you need.

Happy home improving!

Source

https://www.all4women.co.za/1340883/home-garden/home-decor-ideas/5-home-improvement-resolutions-2018