Kitchen Done!

I haven't been blogging much lately, but that doesn't mean stuff wasn't happening with the house... quite the opposite actually. :)
The biggest accomplishment with the house has been getting the kitchen renovated. The things we did were:
1. Install a skylight
2. Rip out all the old cabinets and appliances
3. Fix up drywall holes
4. Run a gas line for the stove
5. Fix the water damaged subfloor
6. Install porcelain tiles
7. Install new cabinets and create a peninsula for extra counter space
8. Install granite countertops
9. Install recessed lighting
10. Paint the walls and ceiling
11. Buy a new gas convection range
12. Buy and install a microwave range hood
13. Buy some cute dishes and silverware for the new and improved kitchen :)

Here are some pics showing the transformation:

1. The kitchen in its "before" state. There wasn't much counter space and it felt very dark and oppressive because there wasn't much light in there.

2. This is the beginning of the destruction. This was the mess created by the skylight installation.
3. Half the cabinets removed and a giant hole in the wall created.
4. After all the cabinets were removed, and the water damage was discovered under the fridge area.
5. The recessed lights went in first.

6. Cement backerboard put down as a base for the tiles to go on top of.
7. Tiles going down. We picked a tile available from Home Depot but I can't remember the name now. The nice thing about this earthy, stone-like tile is that it matched well with a dark grout so it shouldn't look discoloured in some areas versus others.
8. The cabinets finally being installed. Note the old heavy cabinets being replaced by glass door cabinets above the sink.
9. The granite countertop being installed. Got my Shalimar Gold in the end!



10. The day the range arrived was very exciting! That huge truck was full of fridges and other big appliances.


11. Unfortunately we had to get our kitchen painted last instead of in the middle because the kitchen contractor couldn't take a day off in the middle of the job. But we got a couple of careful painters who did a good job.

12. Ta-Da! The kitchen finally done!


Sorry this is a dark photo but it's actually really bright in real life...was too lazy to brighten it up in photoshop. :) We put the fridge back in the corner after all because it's annoying going back and forth to the living room or garage for stuff, but we'll eventually get a stainless steel one to match the other appliances.