All I Wanted Was a Dishwasher

This is what it looks like when you tear out a wall oven that’s been there for decades

Our house is about fifty, sixty years old. Solid bones, but lots of outdated areas. We’ve done a lot in the four years we’ve lived here but there is still plenty to do. The kitchen is a galley, with an L shape that wraps around to an eat-in area. There was nowhere in this kitchen to put a dishwasher. So, we had to reconfigure the existing cabinets. The first contractor who was here said it could not be done.

Never listen to people who say it can’t be done.

The second contractor said the first contractor probably was trying to sell us a whole new kitchen. But I didn’t want a whole new kitchen. We have really great solid cabinets. No need to replace them (though I would like to refinish them and add new hardware, maybe next year).

Like most renovation projects it is adding up to more than we expected. We needed to cut the counter top and cabinets, so we of course would replace the old severely outdated counter tops. But the new counter tops we chose do not go with our current back splash. So we either had to rip out the existing tile/drywall and start over, or paint the current tiles. I chose paint. It’s a cheap alternative to a $1500 new drywall overhall. I’m having fun with it. Chocolate back splash. Cappuccino walls. And green accent. The color scheme will be something like this, but with the beige being the walls and the chocolate being the smaller backsplash.

My back splash looks like a giant Hershey bar. And the walls will look like a cup of coffee (with cream) next to it. And the counter tops will be a light, brownish granite. I hope it all works.

Reconfiguring the cabinets allows us to fit a dishwasher, and also mount the microwave on the wall. So I am somehow ending up with more counter space than I had. We previously had a wall oven and a separate cook top, which took up a lot of counter space. My galley now has more room to move in since I can get rid of the stand I had the microwave on which jutted out a few inches into the galley. The kitchen already feels more spacious. 

The counters have been cut. The dishwasher is in, but not mounted to anything yet so we can’t use it. Our house is a total wreck. All of the kitchen stuff is displaced into the dining room. I’m in the middle of painting the tile. It will be a couple of weeks before the counter tops are here. It’s a little unnerving to have everything everywhere for such an extended period of time. But soon, this phase of kitchen renovation will be done.

Bye-bye salmon counter tops with the metalic piping. I’m sure in your day, you were mighty purty. Bye-bye butane lighter needed for igniting the gas burner on our cook top stove. Bye-bye old tile. You’re chocolate now.

Change is good.

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11 Responses to All I Wanted Was a Dishwasher

  1. -e- says:

    looking forward to an “after” photo!

  2. That sounds so exciting — and beautiful! I can’t wait to see the after photos. I’m cracking up at the “salmon counter tops with metallic piping” — wild and wtf?

  3. Elizabeth, I’m amazed we even bought this house with this kitchen. We were in a hurry and looking to get Riley in the right school district so she could be in a specific program. I took salmon and metal, for the love of my child. LOL.

  4. kario says:

    YAY! Too much fun! I remember the chaos that has ensued in the house before with painting, etc., and I know the end result will be fabulous, too. The colors sound gorgeous! Can’t wait to see the ‘after’ photos.

  5. Me says:

    Ooooh! Fun! Imagine me excited and doing that *clap, clap, clap* thing under my chin. I can’t wait to see the after! I’m so excited for you!

  6. mom says:

    Exciting to redo. Brings new life, new thoughts. The finished kitchen sounds like a relaxing place to be. Can’t wait to see the final pictures.

  7. Meg says:

    Mmmmm, painting the tile. Color me “fascinated” – I want to hear how one does such a thing. Very excited to see the “after”. See what a 40 days can do for you?

  8. Carrie Link says:

    Can’t go wrong with chocolate and coffee, but are you cooking soap for dinner?

  9. Amanda says:

    Colours look great – and obviously can’t wait to see the fruits of your labours

  10. Dad and Mums says:

    We know what a mess it can be during the remodeling process, but it is so wonderful once it is all complete. The colors look great! Can’t wait to see the finished job…

    Love,
    Mums

  11. Dee Ready says:

    Dear Michelle,
    This is exciting and painting the backsplash seems really innovative. I look forward to viewing the “After” photographs.

    Peace.

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