Major Remodel Ahead

I have lived in this house since 1979. I was 10 years old when my mom and her husband bought it. When we were married, my husband and I began renting it from my mom. Finally, in 1999, we bought it from her. So, I have lived in this house for 30 years and 3 months!

This house was built in 1964 (or it may be '65) and still has the original kitchen. That means a 1960's cooktop; a 1960's oven; 1960's cabinets; etc. In other words, it's ugly and it doesn't function very well anymore. Not to mention, I'm tired of it having lived here since before microwaves and VCRs were commonplace!

My time has come! I am finally, officially remodeling this place! And, I couldn't be more excited!

Problem: I am challenged in the design department. Solution: I am working with an awesome designer!

I had my third meeting with her this morning at which time she showed me three different plans she has conceived for my space. Now, this is not going to simply be a kitchen remodel. In fact, the entire front of my house-living room, dining room, office space and kitchen-will be gutted. Walls we be demolished. New walls will be built. A double oven will be installed. Bookcases will be built in. My house is 1482 sq. feet in total and this remodel will completely changed 700 of those square feet. So, I'm not exaggerating when I say this is a major remodel!

While my designer and I sat at my dining room table, we took her three proposed plans and took elements from two of them to create an amazing space! She has listened to every word I've said and she has captured my style and my function better than I could have imagined. She is now finalizing our ideas, creating a shopping list for appliances and contacting my contractors (who are also great, BTW) with the draft!

Before it all begins, I thought I'd share the "befores" and give a sneak peak into how things will be transformed.

See this wall? Gone! It will no longer exist!

This is where a new sofa will go. And, you can see the "popcorn" ceiling. All gone, baby! :-) The piece you see to the right of the sofa as you face it is a cedar chest passed onto me from my great-grandmother. It will be refinished and find a new home in the entry way.

The fireplace...it will receive a major transformation! The windows on either side will be eliminated and floor to ceiling built in bookcases will take their place! There will also be a custom mantle and surround created. A new flat screen TV will go above. A nice seating area with two sofas and two chairs will set the stage for a nice conversation area around the fireplace.

The window next to the fireplace will become a bookcase as I mentioned before. I'm contemplating replacing the slider with French doors.

The window here will be taken out and a new picture window placed horizontally. Under that window will be a bench seat with storage underneath sitting up to a nice, square dining table. The wall where you see the framed photo hanging will be demolished and the refrigerator will go there.

Gross mid 60's kitchen! The walls you see before you will be gone! As you look to the left, that will be counter space with cabinets above and the cooktop will be where the sink is currently. The window above the sink, of course, will be eliminated. To the right, it will all be opened up to the living area and an island will appear.

This view will become my new pantry! The laundry will be moved to the exact opposite side of the wall which is the garage. There will be a door to the garage right where you see the washer and dryer right now.

You will be able to see my new island from this view! The double oven will go where you currently see the fridge.

This will be part of my new office space.

This wall is going! This will be where the island goes and will look out over the fireplace. This is the other side of the wall where you currently saw the TV.

This will be office space. I'll have a nice desk here.

More office space. The current bookcase will be removed and the whole corner will be built in bookcases/storage.

Isn't it exciting? I can't wait for the finished project! I'm not looking forward to living through construction but I am looking forward to a modern, functional living space.

Until the next installment...