One of our major goals this year is to remodel the kitchen. The cabinet layout is a bit quirky and dated and the dark blue walls don’t really give off the light and airy, cool and calm vibe we’re after and so we’ve got plans to do something about that.
And even though we won’t be installing any new cabinets or countertops for a few more months, there’s still a lot of prep work to be done in the mean time.
Things like removing the old cabinets, patching the walls, having the floors refinished, getting the electrician out here to do his bit, choosing some new light fixtures and hardware and of course painting {one of my favorite things to do on the planet earth!}.
And well, it’s winter here in Maine {it snowed again last night} and there’s nothing else to do, so hey…. why not tear up the kitchen?
What a difference 30 years of sunshine and wear and tear makes on a floor!
Would you believe I couldn’t find any evidence of another layer of paint under that awful dark blue color? 30 years of dark blue! I was shocked.
Removing the island was pretty easy, but taking out the old pantry was a bit of a chore.
The HH was able to get all the shelving out and the doors off, but couldn’t get the pantry to budge after that.
Luckily our old neighbor Kiln Guy showed up just in time and we were able to figure out that the pantry was nailed to the wall {about a million times} and the HH was able to use the SawZall {which we actually use for pruning trees} to cut the nails that were between the wall and the pantry.
It took a while to find them all, and to get the pantry out… but we did it {and Kiln Guy went home with a new to him pantry}.
Now we have a giant hole in the kitchen… and there’s no going back.
And I couldn’t be more excited. π
~Mavis
Lesley says
Mavis, please say more about the mystery of the kitchen island headed down the steps toward the water! Is it being taken away on a boat?
Linda says
Yes. Please explain…
Katie C says
I was wondering the same thing, haha!
Mavis Butterfield says
They moved the kitchen island to the basement so I could use it as a shipping table for now. π Getting that thing on a boat would have been pretty exciting though. π
OregonGuest says
Clearly I’m off my rocker today, because the photo reminded me of those old 1960s robber cartoons and I thought, well maybe Mavis is going to chuck it off the dock…but it is broad daylight, and the cabinet would float, and eventually we’d have to bail you out of jail, etc., etc., haha!
Linda says
Well that blew the image everyone had of the dreaded island floating out to sea.
Kari says
Those Sawzalls can be pretty handy. When doorknobs are the last thing on your remodel list, it is 3:00 am on move-in day, youβve just installed a faulty doorknob on a spring-loaded door to the garage and your car is stuck in the garage, a crow bar and a sawzall are the perfect fix.
Mavis Butterfield says
Good to know!
laura says
i can hardly wait to see the next step in the transformation!!
Jamie says
I like the dark aged look of the wood floor vs the shiny yellow!
Mavis Butterfield says
I like the darker color too.
Ashley Bananas says
Exciting! The kitchen layout was definitely funky. I would skip the full length pantry and do uppers and lowers for more counter space.
Elle says
Silly me thought you’d keep that ‘island’ floating as a workspace until the install of the new began.
I am so jealous of those amazing floors. π And while I’m talking jealousy, I am also jealous of your love for all things paint.
Happy Tuesday and happy planning!
Margo says
Those floors are fantastic! A little refinishing and they will. Be good for many years to come. Iβm sure youβre remodeled space will be great. And like some of the comments, where were you taking the island? Looks like it would make a nice crafting cabinet. Have fun!
Jackie says
Following this avidly! Our dishwasher died last week and the replacement motor is discontinued. Either way, to fix or buy new, requires the ceramic floor tiles removed. Dishwasher went in before the floor. Solution? Kitchen needs a reno, so we are thinking about it.
Diana says
I’m excited for you! I love doing demo and getting ready for the new stuff!
So, how about letting us know the new layout? Just a little graph of what’s going where so we can keep up with the progress!
The island cabinet going down the stairs sure was a question mark, lol. I’m assuming Kiln Guy also got that?
Laura Z says
Beautiful floors! Totally off topic, but I just noticed that Tinder Hearth Bakery was mentioned in this list!
https://www.foodandwine.com/travel/restaurants/best-bread-every-state
Mavis Butterfield says
How cool is that! π
Heidi P says
Wow! I can’t believe how much bigger your kitchen already looks. So much fun.
That view is awesome. Have you thought about putting in a bigger window?
Whatever you do will be spectacular. You have great taste.
Mavis Butterfield says
Yes, thought about a bigger window but it wouldn’t look right if you were standing in front of the house.
sandyf says
You are a brave & trusting soul to leave your favorite mug in the sink so close to tools and men…gave me a chuckle.
Mavis Butterfield says
Oh that’s funny.
Amy says
OK, as a 30 year veteran of marriage I want to thank you for the photo of your man standing on the chair to get the job done!! Everytime I yank out a kitchen chair, mine has a fit that goes something like ” get a ladder before you break your neck…” snicker…snicker
Cindy Miller says
Wow! I can sense excitement just looking through pictures.
Stacy says
How exciting! Can’t wait to see the transformation!