An Update...Backsplash is in!

While Robin and I relaxed in Scottsdale and explored the Grand Canyon last week, our backsplash was finally installed! We had a delay when the tile that I chose (after numerous trips to check out tile) was on backorder. We decided to wait it out and I'm so glad! It turned out exactly as I hoped.

After a lot of back and forth, we ultimately decided on Contempo White Marble from Daltile laid in a subway pattern with grout to match the white in the tile. With a plain white subway tile, it's common to choose a slight grey-toned grout to bring out the subway pattern but with the marble, we had veining that allows the subway pattern to be noticeable. We didn't want to pull more grey out of the tile, so we stuck with white.

Getting the backsplash installed also helped us finally select a paint color. I had previously narrowed it down to 4 different Benjamin Moore whites. This was harder than it sounds: they have over 150 different whites! Once we were able to hold it up to the backsplash, countertop, wall color, and existing trim color, the right white for us was obvious.



We are going to have our cabinets painted Benjamin Moore Chantilly Lace.

Still to do:

- Choose and install new switchplates.

- Install molding on upper cabinets and trim that was removed to install countertops.

- Paint the cabinets!

- Install pulls and knobs (still have to finalize these and order)

- Install pendants above the island (will be done in the fall because Houston attics are just too hot right now)

It's been a while...

Well, it's been almost 2 months since I've updated this thing. The kitchen remodel was put on hold for a while because the backsplash tile I chose was out of stock and took for.e.ver. to come back in. I opted to just wait it out. I had a terrible time choosing backsplash tile and didn't want to repeat it, plus, why not wait for what I really wanted? Our kitchen is fully functional so we've been fine. Love, love, loving the under- and over-cabinet lighting!

Of course, since I've had extra time to ruminate over choices, our cabinet color choice is now Cloud White, a slightly-warmer-yet-still-not-cream white from Benjamin Moore rather than the somewhat-too-stark Simply White. I've also found new pendants for the kitchen. We'll be going with these gorgeous pendants:

Photo courtesy of www.laylagrayce.com, an online store with ridiculously gorgeous things

I really wanted something that a) did not have a clear glass shade because the pendants are right above the sink and b) had some interest to them. I am also slightly obsessed with capiz and love how they tie into the marble backsplash tile.

I know Robin is ready to be done with the remodel, mostly because the longer it drags out, the more that gets added to the to-do list. We've also decided to have the painters go ahead and paint the Master Bathroom while they are here because parts of it are too hard for me to reach. Because of that, we also had to go ahead and get new bathroom lights for our bathroom. Nothing terribly exciting, just some nicely priced lights from Lowe's that coordinate with our faucets and other fixtures:

I know, sort of a dull update but there ya' have it.



Countertops, Check!

Almost a week ago, our new countertops were installed!!!
We chose Black Pearl granite for our countertops. We like that it's black but not just flat black. It's almost a bit dark grey. Grey Pearl was a frontrunner but seemed TOO grey...this one is perfect!

The bad news is that when my dad went to remove the backsplash, he discovered that the builder had installed it directly to the drywall in such a way that required him to cut out the drywall to remove the backsplash. So, we have had open walls in the kitchen! It actually worked out okay because we decided to add lower and upper cabinet lighting so the open walls made hardwiring the lights much simpler.

Without further ado, here it is!

Please excuse the mess you can see around the edges. We are still living in a construction zone and to top it off, we just had a new kitchen table and chairs delivered. The dining room is the current staging area and I decided to purge rather than just shove everything back in the cabinets so it's still covered in kitchen items.

A better view of the granite color and a peak of the backsplash tile:

At my dad's recommendation, we had the corners of the bar area cut at a 45 degree angle. I'm normally pretty good at envisioning things but I wasn't sure. We decided to go with it. Afterall, he's seen way more of these things than I have. Robin and I agree that we are really glad we went with his recommendation. It helps distinguish the bar top a bit and makes it easier to walk around. I would had to be running into a corner all of the time.

I think this might be Robin's favorite thing in the kitchen: our new sink and faucet!



What do you think? Any recommendations for me?

Thanks for stopping by!

The Plan

Friends at work look at me like I'm crazy when I talk about the upcoming changes for our kitchen. I'm still a little shocked that my husband is going for it!

Our to-do list for the kitchen:

- Paint the cabinets white. I haven't selected a color yet (I need to get on that!). White is HARD to choose!

- Granite countertops installed. I selected Black Pearl granite. Robin got stuck in a meeting at work so my dad and I selected the countertop granite (don't worry, Robin and I had narrowed it down to a few already). I chose an eased edge.

Image courtesy of www.glamourflooring.com

- Undermount sink. Our new sink is much deeper than our old, shallow sink.

Image courtesy of Home Depot

- New faucet. After MUCH research, we selected the Delta Leland faucet. We really wanted a 1-hole faucet with a pull-out spray but didn't want to a) spend a fortune and b) deal with a spray that wouldn't retract fully, which seems to be an issue after a few months for many faucets of this design. The Delta Leland features Magnatite Docking, which is just Delta's fancy way to say that there is a magnet where the spray connects with the faucet neck to keep it in place. The spray can toggle between 2 different spray types and the handle is integrated into the faucet. I can't wait to start using it! We got it for a great price from http://www.faucetdirect.com/.

Image courtesy of Faucet Direct

- New Backsplash. I actually like our old backsplash but the way our countertops were installed means that the current backsplash will be damaged when removing the countertops. Undaunted, I forged ahead into the world of tile (hehe!). After much deliberations (have you SEEN how much tile is out there!?!), I chose a gorgeous (and shockingly affordable) Contempo White Marble Subway tile from Dal Tile.

Image courtesy www.fastfloors.com

- Under- and over-cabinet lighting. We'll be using Xenon lighting.

- 2 3/8" crown molding at the top of the cabinets.

- Knobs and Pulls! Both are from the Revitalize Collection by Amerock. We're going with satin nickel to match our faucet and doorknobs. All of our lighting is Oil Rubbed Bronze; however, I feel like it is too much of a contrast with white cabinets, so things you pull will be satin nickel and things the give off light are Oil Rubbed Bronze.

Images courtesy http://www.pullsdirect.com/

- New pendants above the bar area on the sink side of the island. I think we are going to do 3 pendants but I will make the final decision after everything else is complete.

Image courtesy www.csnlighting.com

- Speaking of the bar area, we will be extended the current bar by 6 inches on the side that faces the living room so that it's actually useable space. Currently, the 12 inches of depth don't really allow for anything to be placed on the bar for serving.

Phew! As you can see, there are many changes in store for our kitchen.

What do you think? Any hints or tips?

The Kitchen...now

Well, at the moment, the kitchen is a bit of a mess. Nothing terrible (thank you, Robin, for doing the dishes) but every vase I own is currently sitting on the counter (that will soon be leaving us!).

On Tuesday, my dad will show up to begin prepping our kitchen for the first phase of the remodel. To be honest, when Robin FINALLY agreed to do something about our kitchen, I was thinking of just a small shot of botox. It has turned into a full-on face lift. Oops!

Here is what our kitchen looks like right now:









Functionally, there is nothing really too wrong with our kitchen. Sure, a deeper sink and a faucet with higher clearance would be nice, but it is fully functional with plenty of cabinet space. Still, it doesn't "fit" with the rest of our house and the oak cabinets looked outdated even when they were put in. Stay tuned for the to-do list with plenty of pictures!