Extreme Makeover, Home Edition: Episode 4

The Kitchen

This one's my favorite, so I've saved if for the Grand Finale of the West Jordan House.

This is how the kitchen started out in 2006. It was a mess. Ugly. Gross looking built in stove and even grosser range hood. The cupboards were filthy, so after a thorough scrubbing they looked this good (they started out a dingy dark color). My fabulous Mom is cleaning the stove.

The first change we made was in May 2007.

We took off the range hood, moved up the cabinet, and installed an over the range microwave (which included adding wiring for it). I'm so glad I married a handyman!

The next change was taking out the built in stove. We bought a flat top convection oven ($1200 model for $450, I love finding great deals!) that is free standing. In order to fit it in, we had to cut the counter top back to the wall and widen the space. You can see all about this update here.

Aaaah, much better.

Then I got this crazy idea to refinish the cabinets to be a dark mahogany/cherry color. Michael didn't want to undertake this project, so I tackled it in October of last year. Honestly it didn't take that long to sand down all the doors, drawers, and casings. Especially considering we all had Swine flu at the time.

Then I stained them Bombay Mahogany with a polyurethane finish, 3 coats. Then we updated all of the hinges from ugly brass/really dirty gold, to brushed nickel. We hung all the doors back on, turned on the light, and noticed that 2 out of the 10 top doors were dull, and the rest were glossy. Go figure. After we moved out I went back and sanded all the doors again and did one more coat all at once. Puuuuurrrrrfect.

Also, the really cheap wood paneling that they put on the backsides of cabinets is completely worthless and unstainable. But, I had an idea for the perfect solution, one that would also keep our house from looking too dark and woody with the new wood floors. White bead board. Love love love it.

I'm kindof sad that I missed taking a picture of the countertop before, but I got one with it ripped off...

We also replaced the ugly white tile with new sandstone-colored tile. Gorgeous!

Last but definitely not least, AFTER we moved out we finally replaced the counter top that I wanted to replace the entire time we lived there. And it only cost $600. Should have done that 3 years ago. Just look what it did for the kitchen!!

The old stainless steel sink reinstalled... if we had stayed here, I probably would have gotten a new one, but really it was in great shape. We did get a new faucet though.

Some time in between the new stove and the last of the remodel we also replaced the light fixtures. They used to be ugly white balls, one attached to the ceiling, the other on a cord hanging down. Oooh, I just love brushed nickel!

So, I want to hear your feedback. This was my first attempt at interior design and remodeling. The second house is still in the works, but pictures will be coming soon!