We’re ready to declare a moratorium on home improvement projects for the time being. The weather is warming up, the sun is shining, and it’s time for golf (for Gerry) and gardening (for me). Gerry has joked more than once that since we retired it feels like every day is a Saturday because we’re always working on something and have made more than our fair share of treks to Home Depot.
The kitchen update has been in the forefront most recently and the finishing touches are just about done. We put a bit of sweat equity into this project as, after the countertops were installed, Gerry and our son Michael spent a busy weekend installing the tile for the kitchen back splash and a few days later I–brave woman that I am–applied the grout.
There were moments when I was laying across the countertop to reach those pesky under-counter areas, and others where I was sitting in the sink applying grout to the window sill. Thankfully there are no photos of those contortions to share with you. I will say that the evening after the grouting was done I was one sore and tired retiree.
Anyway, thought I’d show you the changes. Here’s what the kitchen looked like a couple of days after we moved in:
And here’s a photo taken this morning:
I love the new countertops! They look like granite, yes? They’re actually Formica FX made to look like granite. We raised the level of the one countertop that was, we’ve since found out, built that way to accommodate the short-statured woman who lived here when the house was originally built.
We have a new, much larger refrigerator that I adore; it’s almost the same as the one we had in WA that we originally intended to bring back to Canada with us. Gerry and Michael had to alter the cupboards so the new one would fit. The older, smaller, one that was here when we moved in has found a good home at our kid’s place at the lake. We also put in a new, more efficient dishwasher. I decided to keep the smooth top stove and, though I’m lamenting the loss of my gas range, I’m happy with this one.
Gerry had to talk me into this natural granite composite kitchen sink. I’m so glad he succeeded in winning me over.
Check out the marble back splash that our son and Gerry installed, and take special note of the fantabulous grout applied by yours truly. The windowsill also has the marble tiles and has a cute little ledge fashioned by my talented tile-installing son. That ledge with my pot of herbs, an orchid, and my little Red Rose Tea animal, Bobby, who has watched over every kitchen I’ve had and who I’ve written about here before, make me smile every time I stand at the sink.
One of the things I appreciated about my WA kitchen was that I could look out into our backyard while I was standing at the counter working. Today, the view is different, but I can still stand at the counter working and look out over a spectacular view (the hills are green just now, but they’ll soon be turning brown as the hot Kamloops summer settles in).
So that’s it, the kitchen where I’m spending a lot of time these days trying new recipes and enjoying my home. Inhabiting it, thankful that the dream I had a few years ago has come true at last.
Beautiful and what a spectacular view, Linda. You’ve definitely earned some garden-time. Enjoy!
The view is one of the things I appreciate most about our new location. Looking out over the valley can’t help but bring me to a place of peace and gratitude.
Your new kitchen changes are beautiful. I thought I was the only one with a black granite sink. My husband talked me into it and I love it! And you are so blessed to be able to look out your kitchen window to a panorama of nature. Enjoy!
Thank you, Kas. The sink is actually a dark brown colour and I love it! It’s deeper than the stainless steel sink that was here previously and I think it just adds such a special touch to the room. Sounds like your husband is as wise as mine. 🙂
Very nice, Linda. The stove and French-style fridge (Samsung though) look like mine; otherwise I have a very different color scheme. We all thought you had granite countertops, but now you spilled the beans – ha!
I’m amazed that you could remember to link this post to one you wrote over 2 years ago – but I guess I can do that too (usually I have to do a “search” on my own website, ugh!)
Love the gorgeous view too–you are blessed.
Thank you, Marian! Our fridge is a Samsung too. I can’t say enough about how happy I am with this fridge (and the Samsung we had in WA for a couple of years). Yes, I was amused at the assumptions that the countertop was granite!
And yes, I agree, I am truly blessed.
That is so beautiful! I love the countertops, tile, etc. Just wonderful. And I love a big window in the kitchen!I don’t have windows in the kitchen, per se, but my living/kitchen is open design…so I can see out while in the kitchen. It must feel good to have accomplished that.
Thank you, Karen. Yes, and open design is such a great design feature that houses have these days. I remember our kitchen when I was a child that was a completely separate, and closed off, room. I feel sorry for my mom when I think of her being sequestered in there for so much of her time.
Dear Linda, this posting of yours just makes me happy. I read your postings for the year that preceded your retirement and I remember your dreams and your dreads and all the effort you put into making the days dovetail into the dream. And also the times when you let go and “went with the flow.”
And so it’s so gratifying to see that life has blessed you . . . that all your effort and planning have brought you great contentment and joy. That’s lovely and I thank you for sharing it with us. Peace.