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You are here: Home / Lifestyle / Designing Your Existing Home and Surviving the Kitchen Renovation!

Designing Your Existing Home and Surviving the Kitchen Renovation!

November 8, 2020 By Donna Biroczky Leave a Comment

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We’ve been planning our current kitchen renovation for several years. We had a vision of what we wanted but we had little knowledge on exactly how to get there. Remodeling your kitchen sounds like a dream, but it can be an incredibly stressful process. Most of us don’t have a secondary place to stay during it all, so I’m sharing some tips on how to survive a kitchen renovation while still living in your home!

First tip: buy wine. If you like wine. If not, buy whatever beverage you like. If that’s milk, buy the milk, because you’ll need something that makes you relax. Trust me on this.

Our kitchen is a decent-sized room but it’s got only two windows on one wall that faces north…right into the two-story home next door. Here’s the before picture.

  • kitchen renovation before

It doesn’t provide enough light to brighten up the whole space, so that was task #1: design a kitchen that felt airy and spacious and was a pretty room to be in.

Task #2: this was easier — design a kitchen that was fully functional.

Task #3: put together a kitchen renovation plan that is within budget.

It adjoins what I call ‘my room,’ which is actually a family room where we’ve also place a counter-height dining table. (We turned the room that was intended to be the dining room..which is down a carpeted hall and around a corner…into the game room.) It has a fireplace and almost the entire east wall is windows, looking into our backyard. It had no overhead lighting and because we have a patio cover out back, it wasn’t as bright as needed either. I called it my cave.

Overall, the space is large and was pretty functional for us but we knew we could do better. We had a list of wants:

  • make it a comfortable space for seating while entertaining, without crowding stools around the table.
  • make it functional for large dinners, with space to plug in slow cookers, arrange cocktail bars or set up buffets.
  • have it double as a cozy area for me to snuggle on a sofa with the dog in front of a Christmas movie, with a space to set my laptop, charge my phone, or place my cider other than the floor.
  • give us plenty of room to bake and decorate cupcakes, prepare dinner as a family and let’s be honest, take pretty photos while we go.
  • provide storage for my zillions of baking pans, wine glasses, holiday kitchenware and our bar supplies, both the bottles and the barware.
  • be an organized display for my cookbooks.

So far, so good. We kept our existing cabinet shape, a large-U, which includes our appliances, but we extended the north-facing wall. We added plans for a bench seat in front of a weirdly low window, which provides additional casual seating while giving more cookbook storage space. (I have a lot of cookbooks and my collection will probably continue.) It’s also getting a new center island, which will store all my cupcake and cake baking pans, pizza-making gear, and a whole lot of other baking equipment…which is all currently under my patio cover out back.

Here’s the after. We’ve still got some things to do, like a blind for that large window to the right, but what a difference, right?

kitchen renovation

To further customize the adjoining room, we added what’s called a Butler’s Pantry. In short, it’s a wall full of custom cabinets and a full-length counter. Designed to hold serving ware, cloth napkins, etc., we also designed ours to enclose our white wine refrigerator and the red wine refrigerator (which is more of a climate-controlled space than a refrigerator). With two glass-walled cabinets to display some of our favorite items, I can also store my holiday salt and pepper shaker sets, cloth napkins/rings, food photo props and more. I absolutely love the design!

kitchen renovation
The Butler’s Pantry — ignore that old dining chair. It’s here until the new set arrives.

That same room will also hold an overstuffed loveseat (stuck somewhere between the warehouse and my house currently) and a new dining set. We are keeping the furniture to a minimum to reduce clutter and enlarge the feel of the space. Only our mantel will hold display items, and the whole fireplace is getting a tile face lift with a mantel that matches the island and bench wood stain. SO MANY DETAILS.

Our new floors are in, and the installer has been fantastic. The store we purchased all our supplies at, for the installer, has been less than fantastic. We spent extra money on high-end Pergo so we could have a good warranty while getting waterproof, not just water-resistant flooring. They really need to get a project manager in place because the communication between all their various staffers has resulted in delays for us and we currently don’t have baseboards. (They miraculously ‘were just delivered!’ when I called the manager after a week of unanswered emails as to where they were.) That should be corrected within the next couple of days!

So when doing a kitchen renovation, pick your theme. Your style. Then try to find a similar model you can look at in person. In fact, look at ALL your design elements in person. What looks great on paper, and sounds great, like ‘steel-colored cabinetry’ may turn out to be ‘barely even silver colored.’ Buy a tile, a swatch of flooring, a cast-off of the counter top, everything, and take it home. Put it together in the lighting you have now as well as the lighting you will have. Lay down the flooring in areas of streaming sunlight and dark corners. Once you get it installed, there’s no going back, so this extra time spent is so worth it.

Research your materials. Will your counter top sustain itself through years of cooking and baking and kids? Will your flooring tolerate doggy nails and puddles? What kind of maintenance is required? Can you purchase any replacement parts?

I didn’t do enough research on our quartz, so I was unaware that red wine is its enemy. We drink red wine. Now we know — before any accidents happened — to wipe up any spills immediately….and to keep Soft Scrub with bleach on hand. I also was unaware of how easily a stainless steel sink can scratch, but Barkeeper’s Friend is now my friend, too.

Plan for clutter, too, and find places where you can store things until they’re ready….like this beautiful unpainted baseboard in what’s going to be our game room. I dust it daily, along with those two random items that don’t belong there either. (That TV’s going out on our back patio this week; we’ve got a wall mount so we can have music or movie nights around the table or fire pit.)

If you are doing all the work yourself, kudos to you! Cabinetry and counter top installation can be tedious and difficult, so know your limits. We’re happy we hired someone to do it, but we did have to go through the work daily and point things out. (That’s not a bash on the installers, because sometimes cabinetry arrives with dings and scratches, and the installers are not always the cabinet crafters themselves.) List and photograph any issues immediately; show the installers/creators right away as well.

The wax crayon or paint-filler pen may not be 100% your cabinet color. We learned this the hard way, when we found a tiny ding, tried to color it in as directed and it stood out. The cabinet door already had a knob on it and the cabinet person wouldn’t take it back. Doors can be purchased individually at least!

To go one step further, be sure to learn the paint number of your cabinets. You may find you need to repaint something later, or you’ll be left with a naked wood piece that ends up showing and it’s your job to paint.

There are a zillion tiny details to consider that you may not be aware of. Our flooring people wanted to put in one type of molding around the base of the cabinets, while the cabinet people offered another. One matches the cabinets, the other matches the floor. Personal preference but be prepared to insist on what you want…for this step and all steps. Some companies will tell you what they think works, and as the person paying for it all, you want to end up with what you want because they’ll soon forget it while you’re staring at it daily.

When designing your kitchen, think big. What would you want in your dream kitchen? One of our wants was the two wine fridges, which required customized cabinetry to frame it properly and still allow us adequate storage above the taller fridge. Another want was one of those racks where you hang wine glasses. That one isn’t hard but it does shorten a cabinet and the glasses can extend 2-3″ into your counter top overhead. Measure several times to be sure you can fit wine bottles, slow cookers or whatever equipment onto the shelf. You really do need to walk around holding your tallest cookbook or biggest bottle of bourbon to be sure they will fit where you intend for them to go.

Think big in your color scheme, too. There are so many beautiful options, but what color speaks to you? There are a lot of design trends out there, one of which turned out to be grey cabinets, but our backsplash is both extremely colorful and reflective…and we could not be happier. We never saw ourselves as lovers of modern designs but our kitchen is a happy mix of modern shaker grey with bright pops of color and retro….which we’ve found perfectly suits us.

We officially started our kitchen renovation a month ago yesterday. It’s not been seamless. There are issues to still be fixed but I’m excited to have the deep farmhouse sink I’ve always wanted. Taking photos of food is going to be so much fun! I’m over trying to go to the patio or garage to find a pan but I know in the end, we’re going to be so happy.

Our dining set is now scheduled to be delivered at the end of the month and on December 13. I’m not thrilled that either are delayed but it could be worse. We spent $4000 on a new bedroom set, which is all available in two weeks…except for the bed rails, unavailable until January 16. We were told November. Things happen, but we can’t take delivery of the bedroom set without the rails, because the new set has under-mattress drawers, so we don’t have room for them to just sit somewhere and still have our mattress set up…and a Sleep Number bed won’t work on the floor, so we’ve got to get that worked out still.

So, plan for delays. It’s almost guaranteed you’ll run into some issues with either installations, equipment, deliveries or multiple problems. I’ve had a few days where I’m so disappointed, and days where I see the light at the end of the tunnel. I’ve learned I need to get out of the house more, which can be hard as I need to ensure the puppy’s settled, but I also need to deal with contractors who sometimes need to come more often than was initially planned. And plan for some overwhelm from lack of privacy. I’ve put more miles on my car, just parking it in the street the last few months than I have in really going anywhere. People come and go and we’re tired of takeout, but other than a few more days of flooring things, and hopefully just one last day to fix something in the kitchen, and we can get back to cooking as normal.

Remind me in a few weeks that I missed cooking nightly. It got old during COVID, so it’s funny the things that you miss!

As you plan your kitchen renovation — or any home renovation — carve yourself out a space that’s away from the noise where you can take calls. You’ll need that. Maintain a log, too. I keep a running list of any/all interactions with contractors, suppliers and installers. I jot down updates for each day, who I talked with, when, what happened, and photos as necessary. This helps if the husband and I have to tag-team on issues or pass off a problem to the other. It also helps should there be problems we need to handle. (Legal counsel gave me some tips early on and I laughed a little because I couldn’t imagine needing it and I am organized by nature, so I had already planned on documenting everything anyway.)

Communication will also help with any renovation. Communicate with those doing the work, and each other. Make sure you’re on the same page with priorities. Remember, even though you’re writing the checks, you need to be nice to everyone involved; on the flip side, require those you work with to be decent with you as well. It’s your house, so hold people to contracts and expectations and the quality work you pay for…and don’t assume it will just happen. You may have to push a little and come out of your comfort zone, but it gets easier once you start…and again, you have to live with the results so don’t settle if you’re unhappy with materials or quality.

COVID has indeed gotten in the way of a lot of things right now, like the furniture delivery I mentioned. It’s also used as an excuse by some places, so discern the difference if possible. Keep the hand sanitizer available and don’t be afraid to talk about masks if need be.

  • kitchen renovation before
  • kitchen renovation tips

Above all, keep your eye on the prize. My prize is that major difference above. Enjoy small victories. Clean up erroneous piles when you can so you can not feel like you’re always in the middle of construction. Not necessarily easy but it does wonders for the state of mind. And get out of the house when you can. Trust me, you will need it, even if it’s just a Starbucks run.

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I’m Donna, and I’m not a mommy blogger.
I’m a Marvel geek and creator of Dangerous Cupcake, a Southern California lifestyle blog dedicated to life after the kids grow up. As my four kids enter different stages of their lives, I get to do the same, having fun, loving Disney, watching Marvel, and not letting my age define anything. Phase 2 of life is pretty amazing. Join me in changing focus ands enjoying life during our next adventure, without totally starting over. However you do it, life is short, live a little dangerously.
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Brunch at The Benediction in Rowland Heights. Am Brunch at The Benediction in Rowland Heights. 

Amazing array of Eggs Benedict. Wide variety of specialty mimosas. This is the Lobster Benedict and Pear-Thyme 16 oz mimosa. Both were delicious. Side of fried green tomatoes, best I’ve had since Paula Deen’s restaurant in Savannah. 

Reservations suggested but not required. We waited maybe 10 minutes on a standby list. Masks required to get in. Temps checked. Tables distanced. Fabulous service. 

@thebenediction.la #rowlandheights #thebenedictionbytoast #thebenediction #breakfast #eggsbenedict #brunch #weekendbrunch #mimosas #mimosa #weekendfood #sundaybrunch #saturdaybrunch #brunching #mimosabrunch #lobster #friedgreentomatoes
Headed to Frank and Son early this morning. In lin Headed to Frank and Son early this morning. In line at 8:15am, doors opened at 9:00 and we walked right in (with a few hundred others). Masks on, socially distanced, one-way aisles, surrounded by fellow nerds. My new favorite place. (Disney, I love you, but you’re closed.) Found this amazing scepter that happens to light up. Loki gear is too hard to find, but now I have this sharp Asgardian weapon in my foyer...and while I just want to go around tapping peoples’ chests to see if their eyes turn black and they become my minions, I am also secure with this sharp weapon that just might really hurt someone. 

Kneel!

Thanks to @frankandsonshow in Rowland Heights for a wonderful morning! We found a bunch of @originalfunko Pops to fill gaps in our Avenger movie collection and a couple other surprises. I can’t wait to go back. 

Tips: go early. It had a line waiting outside when we left at 11:40am. Take cash, because a lot of places give a discount. If you see something you like, ask questions. Many vendors will hold it for you until you’re done if you pay for it. I saw negotiations happen. And have fun. It’s a bit overwhelming, as there is so much to look at. 

And now I am ready for the new Loki Disney Plus show in June!!

#loki #scepter #lokiscepter #godofmischief #marvel @marvel @marvelstudios @disneyplus #disneyplus #asgard #asgardian #idowhatiwant #ifitwaseasyeveryonewoulddoit #lokicosplay #lokisarmy #lokigodofmischief #lokiofjotunheim #lokifriggason #lokiofasgard #mindstone #infinitystones #infinitystone #marvelnerd #marvelavengers #avengers #kneel #kneelbeforeme
In 2020, we started our home renovation. We knew i In 2020, we started our home renovation. We knew it could be a challenge during the pandemic, but we’d been waiting and were ready. 

We started with new lighting throughout, adding additional outlets and power along the way, outside and in. What a difference it made! Then we moved on to the kitchen and its adjoining family/dining space, making it perfect for the family to eat in on the daily and for holiday meals and perfect for me to watch TV while prepping food or writing late at night. So many plans!

To really change it up, we decided to add a Butler’s Pantry to one wall, where there originally was nothing permanent. The design needed to incorporate our two wine fridges (one white, one red), our booze bottles, all our crystal and dishwater, and our bar equipment. I wanted two glass doors to display the pretty stuff and a hanging wine glass area...and a countertop to serve as a beverage area while entertaining. Easy, right?

The main kitchen layout stayed the same, but we gutted it entirely, removing all the aged oak cabinets and dark marble counters. Swinging the sledge that first time felt amazing! We chose Shaker-style cabinets in a slate grey, a stainless farmhouse double-sink and white quartz with grey marbling. To really maximize space, we turned a pony wall into a cookbook shelf with a matching counter, had a custom island built to stow my gear and provide more food prep area, and had a copper pot rack replated. I can’t forget the bench seat by the weird window that is extra storage and a great place to sit, with its new purple cushion. 

Then came a new dining set, a loveseat to complete the relaxing hangout nook, and a refaced fireplace. The blues of the backsplashes brighten up a once dark space, purple pops of color bring it all together, and we LOVE it in here!  Thanks to my son, the contractor, we have a unique area to entertain and spend time together. Stay tuned, more reno posts coming, as we’re doing the entire house!

#renovation #homerenovation #renovate #remodel #homeremodel #homedesign #homeredesign #kitchendesign #kitchenrenovation @Lowes #designyourhome #kitchenredesign #farmhousesink #shakerstyle #laminateflooring #newfloors
Did you watch Tom and Jerry as a kid? I did, and I Did you watch Tom and Jerry as a kid? I did, and I loved it! Who didn’t, right? I always rooted for Jerry the Mouse! It was a popular cartoon then and now, the infamous duo is back in a new movie hitting the big screen, and HBOMax, on February 26!

A fun hybrid of live-action and animation, the new Tom and Jerry has a stellar cast, including Chloe Grace Moritz, Michael Pena, Colin Jost, Bobby Cannavale, Jordan Bolger and more! Based in New York City, now we get to see something we never thought we’d see: Tom and Jerry have to WORK TOGETHER.

In preparation for the movie, Warner Bros. sent us this awesome box of goodies, including this smash cake, full of treats and surprises. We’re going to have movie night this weekend, where we’ll play the game and laugh together, but I’m most excited to introduce my granddaughter, Charlotte, to another cartoon I grew up with. I’m sure she’s going to love Tom and Jerry just as much as I do!

I’ll have a blog post up soon with a downloadable activity pack and links to some games to prep for the movie — or just to stay occupied on another weekend safe-at-home! I’ll also include some photos of what’s inside this massive cake! (And let me just say, the CAUTION tape on the outside of the box had the delivery man doing a double-take. “Should I just put this right here?” ...as he set it down OH so carefully!)

Thanks, Warner Bros.! Can’t wait to watch the movie and have fun with the goodies!

#TomandJerryMovie @TomandJerry #TomandJerry @hbomax @warnerbrosentertainment #warnerbros #familyfun #familymovie #movienight #familygamenight #gamenight #tomandjerrygame #cartoon #animation #hbomax #liveaction @wbpictures #liveactionmovie @boutiquepublicity
Since lockdown started, we realized just how much Since lockdown started, we realized just how much money we spend on takeout and restaurant food. I'll be honest -- I miss restaurants but at least this past year has pushed me back towards one of my favorite activities: making food for those I love. I may not be able to entertain like we used to (yet), but now that our kitchen renovation is complete, I have the space to experiment and get ready with some new recipes. I also can throw together simple food and healthier options, like this caprese salad. It's just about the easiest thing to make that can be a side dish or a meal in itself. 

I made this one using three different kinds of heirloom tomatoes from Melissa's Produce, fresh pre-sliced mozzarella and fresh basil, both picked up at our local grocer for just a few dollars, making this meal also inexpensive. Slice the tomatoes, layer them with the cheese and basil, and drizzle with your favorite type of balsamic vinegar. I used Bertolli balsamic glaze, which adds just a little tang to the salad. 

I used to order Caprese salads a lot when we'd got out. The crisp of the tomato, the creaminess of the cheese and the savory taste of the basil -- I may have made a smaller serving just for myself the next day. Healthier options don't have to be fancy, expensive or time-consuming. They also don't have to be super low-cal or small portions. Life is short, so eat good food, get some exercise and make new things.

#MelissasPartner @melissasproduce #salad #food #recipe #capresesalad #basil #freshtomatoes #heirloomtomatoes #tomatoes #freshproduce #freshbasil #saladrecipe #kitchenremodel #renovation #kitchendesign #instafoodie #foodiepics #foodie #foodphotos #foodpics #balsamicvinegar #balsamic #eathealthy #healthyfood #healthyfoodies #healthyfoodie
During lockdown, it’s been so important to have During lockdown, it’s been so important to have a safe space to spend our time. I’ve never enjoyed having a garden more than this past year. Early on, it provided vegetables and throughout, it has been a haven. We put up a tv, spruced up the furniture and still, sitting under this tree has been a favorite. Even Shuri gravitates toward its shade, and these oranges have contributed to many breakfasts, brunches and mimosas. Here’s to another Sunday being happy at home!

#oranges #orangetree #orangetrees #sundayfunday #sundaymornings #sundayvibes #sunphoto #sundayphotography #garden #backyardgarden #backyarddesign #backyardgardening #backyardgoals #backyardoasis #backyardfun #backyardphotography #naturephotographer #growyourown #growyourownfood #growyourownfruit
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