We've bought new appliances, but those are the only big improvements thus far. The previous appliances (does that word still count if they don't work? Hunk-o-junk is more accurate) were disgusting. I wish I could show the face I first had when I walked in after closing. These things were covered in grease, dust, dirt, and probably hadn't been cleaned in 10 years. I found a fake press-on fingernail in the fridge.
Yeah, that's pretty close.
A 20-minute trip to Bransmart USA helped ease the discomfort of knowing food would be prepared within 100 feet of where the fingernail used to be. I bought a new dishwasher, a new gas stove, and a stainless steel fridge. The new fridge is the particular favorite of Scott's, considering that the old fridge (once thoroughly de-fingernailed, bleached and scrubbed) could be moved into the garage to store his craft beer "collection".
We also spent several days de-greasing the counter, cleaning the cabinets, painting the pantry, and mopping the floor. It's an improvement, but certainly nowhere near the kitchen of my dreams.
Sigh. If only.
Once our flooring project makes its way into the kitchen, it will be time to pick a paint color for the cabinets. I know that white would completely change the look in here, but I'm not sold on pure white. Especially when colorful cabinets look just as chic.
Hmm. What colors would look great in here? Ivory? Yellow? Gray? This is the fun part, before I have to sand and prime.
Hardware for the cabinets will also be on the menu (pun intended), as well as adding an island to the center of the room for additional food preparation space. A pub table and chairs would look really nice along the empty wall, and of course, we're going to have to get rid of that awful yellowed wallpaper. New countertops, new lighting, and window treatments are also needed, which means that this to-do list is going to haunt me for quite some time!
As I see it, the kitchen improvements are the next step after we are finished with the new floor. While every room won't be finished the way I'd like it to be, the kitchen's remodeling project will mark the end of what I consider "Phase One" and allow Scott and I to finally have a housewarming party. I think. There's always something else on my mind when I say that. Like our backyard, our bathrooms, the dining room...
Home improvement truly never ends!