Thanks winter for that last snowstorm. Not. It feels like the deep of winter all over again. It was only in the low 20s today and really windy. Certainly not like spring is on the way.
However, tomorrow is supposed to hit 37 and then low 40s on Saturday!
So on to the title of the post! The counters are finished. Okay, one last little thing, which is putting polyurethane on the wood strip, but, the look is finished. John helped me get that long wooden piece back on, which was harder than one would think. He also put up with my super perfectionist musings about getting it just right.
Here is a reminder of what they looked like before:
And today:
I am super, super pleased with how this came out.
So, there was some blood – more than I would have liked, a little sweat and no tears in this project. All in all, this was not that hard a project and I wish we had done it a long time ago. We didn’t realize it wasn’t that hard to do or that expensive. It cost a little over $300 to do this and it was money well spent. I took me fairly out of my comfort zone of home improvement knowledge, but that is how we grow, right? Now that I have learned how to laminate a countertop, would I do it again? If you had asked me Saturday morning when I was in the midst of the frustrating time with the router and then cutting myself, I would have said no way. However, once I got the router figured out – it was fairly easy. If I had to do it again, I would. Only in a flip house, though. Our new house (if we ever close!!) will be getting butcher block.
Counter in use:
.
For a real throwback Thursday, here was the kitchen when we first moved in 8 years ago.
Today:
.
Today:
The only things left in this kitchen are the sink, lower cabinets and the windows. It’s a little sad because this is really the last project we will do in this house. Anything else before we move is going to be maintenance stuff like paint touch-ups.
WOW!
Thanks!
The whole redo is awesome!! Nice job on the counter and backsplash!! Sorry that there was blood – amazing that there were no tears!!! You are a DIY goddess!!
I don’t usually cry when I get injured. I cry when I am frustrated. Even though I had frustrations over the weekend, I didn’t let it get to me. Maybe I am growing up LOL!
How wonderful. What I think is amazing is the vision you have to be able to see the end result. I have trouble with that, even in my quilting!
I don’t know if I have vision so much as buying a bunch of stuff I like and making it fit together somehow.
It looks so good Lori! You never fail to amaze me with your talents. I could never do something like that.
You could do it, Tami. There’s just a learning curve, but it’s like that for anything!
The counters look fabulous! I like the backsplash. How do you know how far up to do the backsplash? I ask because we have to do ours (eventually).
Generally backsplashes are 4 inches. You can also think about taking the backsplash all the way to the bottom of the cupboards, which is a cool look as well.
We had 12 x 12 inch mosaic tile sheets and just cut them into the 4 inch strips, which was nice because with the mesh backer on the tiles, the spacing stayed the same.
Looks nice. Really like the backsplash especially. Wow, you’ve certainly improved that kitchen since you moved in.
Well, there was nowhere to go but up with that kitchen LOL! I disliked everything about it from the fake vinyl wood flooring to the oven that would make the smoke alarm go off 😀
That was $300 well spent. I’ll miss seeing pics of this kitchen, but am looking forward to the projects in the new Casa Radiance.
I actually have always liked the kitchen once we put the cupboards, floors and painted (oh, and the new appliances). It’s very light and bright and there is a lot of cupboard space now.
Ok, I think I was convinced about the backsplash until I saw that you have to do grouting. Oh boy. Maybe I can get my local friend who has done stuff like this many times to come help me.
Everything came out so beautiful! Lucky new owners whomever they are.
I hope you get some melting. If it makes you feel any better, though we didn’t get that snow, we did get the extreme cold. Below zero windchills all day yesterday and today it’s just regular cold. May we all get a warm up this weekend!
Okay Helen, I am going to have to come out and do your tile for you…
That looks so good! You did a great job and the kitchen feels so much warmer and nicer now. And that first throwback picture?? I can’t believe they didn’t have upper cabinets in that kitchen!
I know. I have no idea what the people did with their dishes before. For a few months, we had crates on the counter with our dishes in them and I hated it LOL!
The counter looks super-good, I love the color and the tiling. I started surfing for laminate tops in Finnish…
I think the counters would’ve looked even better with Pixie posing on top! 🙂
It turned out amazing! I’ve said it before, but I wish I had your skillz! My husband is the handy one in our relationship! 😀
Great job! You’ve really improved your kitchen since moving in! I love the look of no upper cabinets, but unless I had a HUGE pantry to store all of that stuff, I’d never be able to live without them.
Its so beautiful, Lori. Good job!!!
OMG Lori – beautiful!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! You are amazing!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
It looks fantastic, you have done a great job Lori. Overall I would say, your kitchen is really pretty and cool now compared to what it was.