We started our Kitchen Renovation in July 2011 and were completely finished in October 2011.
PROJECT INFORMATION:
- Kitchen is a "U" shaped kitchen that is approximately 13' x 12'
- We had a new dishwasher given to us from our Home Purchase Electrical Inspection (Budd Electric) when one of the workers accidently blew out the old dishwasher. They are a company in Corpus Christi of high integrity; thank you Budd Electric- you all are top rate!
- We also had a fairly new refrigerator , so we didn't need to replace that either.
- We did however, purchase a new double oven/stove with a matching mounted microwave (which is included in our budget). The oven/stove is in the "before" photos because the previous home owners took their old oven.
- We took the room down to studs so we could add proper R-13 insulation.
- All outdated electrical and plumbing was updated.
- Wood Laminate Floors~ Lumber Liquidators
- Solid Maple Cabinets~ Kitchenpro.com (RTA, dove tailed, anti slam drawer feature, euro hinges, raised panel)
- Granite Counter Tops~ Corpus Christi Solid Surfaces
- Tumbled Travertine Backsplash~ DIY by Teri
BUDGET= $10,000.
ACTUAL= $10,037. (OVER by just $37.)
Our "sweat equity" value on this project had we hired everything out ... ??? We can only guess!
Since we have so many photos of this project,
I selected some of the highlights in this video.
The monster hearth has to go! With our furniture in place, it's a tight squeeze to get through this walk way space.
Demo time!!! Joe loves to help demo!
As we took the fireplace out, our original intentions were to drop the existing firebox to the floor. As we took the fireplace apart, we discovered that the existing firebox was cracked in three places with a small hole on the back side.
The hole on the backside of the firebox created a burn mark (hot spot) on the drywall behind it. SCARY for the previous owners and for us with the high risk of a fire starting; we hadn't built a fire since we'd moved in, so we are thankful nothing bad happened. 
After considering our options, we decided to get rid of the "real" fireplace. We covered the hole and damaged ceiling with a reinforcement piece of plywood with the plan to create a new unit that would serve as much needed entertainment storage, a "faux" fireplace, more lighting, a focal point for the room and a backdrop for our flat screen TV. 
I (Teri) designed the plan and built the framing while everyone was at school and work. Notice the duck tape? Since I was working the framing project by myself, DUCK TAPE was my extra pair of hands. In the photo above, the tape is holding the 2 x 4 so I can screw my other corner piece to complete the soffit.
What a beautiful frame job! Kirk did the electrical on this job, adding another circuit to the breaker to accommodate the extra lights (in the soffit) and additional outlets. 
We installed the dry wall together, I did the mud and texturing, and Kirk did the painting... WHAT A TEAM we are!!!
No longer a "fire place", I have created a "candle place". No more "monster hearth"... you can see how far it had come out (where the wood floor shows) compared to where we have it now. Also included, an electrical outlet inside the "candle place" to plug in a string of lights during holidays or when ever.
I love to tile!!! Kirk and I had a hard time agreeing on how we wanted to finish our fireplace. We ended up deciding on slate- a natural stone that will add balance to the room and be a smaller scale tile than what was previously there. (I'll post AFTER pictures later!)
Three light switches by the front door; one goes to the front porch light, one goes to the dining room light, and the middle was a "mysterious" switch that we could not determine what it went to (it had live wires going to it). Notice the OLD wiring that is frayed out in places?
And God said, "Let there be light".
Two soffit lights on each side around the "candle place"... they are on a dimmer switch that make it real nice for the times when we're watching TV and don't want bright lights, but have them on as mood lights.
This wall had no insulation. I pulled down dry wall and everyother board to fit in R13 Insulation. As we do each room of our fixer upper, adding insulation has been a priority. 
...time to replace? YEP!
Hummmm? why is that tape there?
I continue to be amazed at what a new coat of fresh paint can do!
Close up pictures of the blue easter egg looking sink with the fixture all corroded and the nasty old caulking against the bold yellow wall.
The previous owners has lots of bathroom throw rugs on the floor...
... we discovered the throw rugs were hiding crusty linoleum that was breaking away!
Yes... a leaking shower, getting the sub floor all wet under the crusty linoleum!
As each layer of sub floor was peeled off, more water was discovered.
Let's get rid of this vanity! First- I must disconnect the plumbing.
A very small shower stall we will be replacing with a larger all tiled shower.
Steel wool is stuffed around the opening in the drywall to keep "critters" (like mice) out of the shower.
With any major renovation, comes major garbage! Thankfully we live in the country with no neighbors... otherwise we would have some neighbor complaints about our garbage I'm thinking. This pile took two trips to the dump (in the back of Kirk's truck) to clean up!
