the one... with the pegged holder

While putting together the mood board for the almost completed kitchen I came this DIY project on the 7th House on the Left blog and thought how cute it would look in my kitchen!

I popped over and read Ashley's instructions and headed out to pick up the pegs.  I managed to pick up a packet of 80 pegs at The Reject Shop for only $2.

First things first was to separate the pegs into three pieces being careful not to over stretch the mechanism.

I thought I had some stainer in the garage but that wasn't the case so I borrowed some from Dad - you really don't need much to do this little project so I didn't see the point in buying one.

Once the pieces were separated it was on to the stain.  I used gloves and an old cloth to rub stain over the pegs and then waited for them to dry before putting the pieces back together.

This is when this little project came to a complete stop!

Why you ask... because I didn't like the look of the pegs once they were stained.

I don't know if it was the stain or the reaction of the stain on the pegs but either way I wasn't happy and there was no way they were going in my new kitchen.

Have you ever started a relatively easy DIY project that just didn't go to plan?

Lisa xo

the one... with the kitchen before and after

It's finished!

Yep the kitchen renovation is now complete and I couldn't be happier with the end result.

Of course when something comes to an end you find yourself looking back and that's just what I found myself doing - going back through the 'before' photos to see where it all started.  Care to join me....

I did love the old kitchen.  The room had a nice feel to it and I loved that I could spread myself out with all of that bench space but it was very old.

The plans for the new kitchen went back and forth between keeping it in the existing room or moving it to another.  I played around with the Ikea kitchen planner and I even posted about the floor plan ideas here.

To move the kitchen into a different room would have it's pros and cons as well.

But I'm happy to say moving it into the centre room was the right move.

The excitement really started when the cabinets started to go in.  I can remember getting a phone call from the cabinet people saying they had started a day early and had managed to get all the cupboards in.  They would only need another day to fit all of the doors and handles.  I quickly phoned Mum to let her know and we met outside my place and ran (yes we did) inside to see them.  I'm not lying.

 

The new location sits nicely between the lounge, dining and the veranda - you couldn't get closer if you tried and that's not just because the cottage is small!

Next were the appliances to go in including a dishwasher and a gas cooktop.

When the day finally came and there were no more tradies was a dream come true.

Then everything stopped....  and it wasn't finished.  There was still a lot of big jobs that needed to be done, including:

• Deciding on the splash back.
• Removing part of the old kitchen wall.
• Installing a new wall between the new kitchen and the 'now' spare bedroom.
• Moving the fridge out of the spare bedroom and into the new kitchen.
• Putting back the trim down the side of the back window/door.
• Installing the final two cupboard pieces: the cupboard above the fridge and the panel that runs beside the fridge.

Then, I went on my holiday.  You wont hear any complaints from me on that!


A few weeks after returning things got back on track.  

 

 

The wall was installed DONE and the final two pieces were installed DONE.

The trim was put back DONE.

The best part was making a decision and finally starting on the splash back DONE.

OK I think I've kept you waiting long enough... here is the kitchen FINISHED!

A little peek to the lounge room in the corner

Yep there's my reminder to do my tax before the end of October

I'm in the process of writing about tiling the splashback and sharing all the things I learnt along the way (and there was a lot).

Lisa xo

the one... with the kitchen 99% finished

I can't tell you how excited as I head towards the finish line with the new kitchen.

Yes I can, I'M EXCITED! 

I'm not quite ready for the big reveal - soon, I promise - but I can tell you the tiling is now fully complete.  There was a couple of fiddly tiles that needed to be cut to size and for that job I borrowed an electric grinder to get that really close cut.  I also had to drill new screw holes for 2 of the 3 powerpoints because the electrician had installed them crooked.  This wasn't noticable before the tiles but after it was in your face crooked.  I took my time with this job considering I was drilling right next to electricity.

As you can see from the photo above the grouting is underway.  A relatively easy job made harder in the Queensland heat.  I learnt the hard way that you shouldn't grout in 30deg heat because the grout will dry in the bucket before you've even had a chance to get it on the trowel, let alone on the tiles.

I did manage to get half of the wall done before I gave in.  The last of the grouting was then scheduled for an evening project - hence the photo with shadows above - sorry no natural light at 8pm.

I thought I would share with you (and to help me to remember when it comes time to the bathroom reno) the supplies and tools used in projects - every little bit of info helps right!

Supplies and tools used:

• Grout
• Bucket for grout
• Bucket with water
• Trowel
• Sponges
• Grout Mixer - attach to your drill

Sources:

• Grout: Top Tile
• Trowel, Sponges, Buckets, Grout Mixer: Bunnings

The BIG reveal is up very soon, I promise.

Lisa xo

the one... where I put back the trim

Can you see the grey stripe in the above photo?  Of course you can, it sticks out like a sore thumb.

That is where the window trim was before I had to remove it so the kitchen could be installed.  The trim has been sitting in the garage waiting to be resized and put back into place.

With the kitchen renovation coming to an end it was time for the trim to go back where it belongs so I could install the tiles.

All I did was remove the nails that were still sticking out of the trim and reuse them.  I measured from the top of the window trim to the top of the bench top and transferred that measurement to the trim.  Using a saw I cut the trim and nailed it back into position.

Not a bad job I think.

I just need to fill the nail holes and repaint plus add a little sealant along the bottom.  Afterwards, you'll never know that it had been removed (hopefully).

Lisa xo

the one... with the tile cutter

There's a new tool in the shed.

Tiling the kitchen splash back is my first tiling job and of course I needed to pick up some new tools and this baby, a tile cutter, I picked up on a recent trip to Bunnings.

The tile cutter allows me to score and snap tiles - great for creating the half tiles.

All you need to do is place the tile under the cutter closest to the top, then using the handle position the scoring wheel at the bottom of the tile where you want the score made.  Push the handle up to the top until it stops - don't worry you'll know when this happens.  Then position the clamp (that's the piece that sits on top of the tile, looks like feet) and pull the handle down to snap the tile - can you see from the photo above that there is a little ridge right in the middle of the cutter?  That's what forces the tile to split when there is pressure from the top.

It is very easy to use even though it feels very light and not very sturdy but it has been doing the job so I can't complain.

Cost of this new tool was only $22.48 so it didn't break the budget!

Have you bought any new tools lately?

Lisa xo

the one... with the kitchen moodboard

With the kitchen almost finished I figured it was time to start thinking about decorating the space.

I want to have a few pops of colour on the bench but I don't want them to take up too much space - I do like to have plenty of room when cooking.

I'm happy to say that I have most things like the print, salt and pepper grinders, butcher's block and the mortar and pestle but I just love the kettle (hint, hint family) and the peg holder is a cute little DIY project I stumbled across on the 7th House on the Left blog.

• Artwork is by Miranda Lyn
• White subway tiles with grey grout
• Nougat Caesar stone bench top
• Tap from Builders Discount Warehouse
• Peg holder from 7th House on the Left
• Kettle from Kitchen Style
• Salt and Pepper Grinders
• APTITLIG Butcher's Black from Ikea
• Mortar and Pestle was a gift

It is very hard to believe that I am finally at this stage in the kitchen renovation, that I am able to start putting the finishing touches to the room.

I'm getting so excited - oh who am I kidding, I AM EXCITED!

Lisa xo

the one... with a sneak peek at the tiles

I had written another post for today which I will share with you soon because I just couldn't wait to share photos of the kitchen splash back.

Just to take you back a wee bit, I had shared with you where the kitchen progress was at and how it has been that way for a few months now.  You see I kept going back and forth between tile option 1 and tile option 2.  After F I N A L L Y making a decision to go with the white subway tiles I headed out to do some shopping and found another decision was needed when it came to selecting the 'right' grey grout - I didn't realise there would be so many options.

I now have the tiles and the grout is on order - just waiting for the call so I can go and pick it up.

Now the fun can begin and I do mean fun!  I'm having a ball.

Placing that first tile on the wall was very exciting.  I have never tiled before but knew I could tackle the diy job myself - why the hell not!

I'm about halfway across the wall.

The only downside is that I can't/won't use the stove until after I grout.  I don't want any splatter marks on the new tiles.

OK I should get back to the job.  I'll be back soon with full diy details and the big kitchen reveal.

Lisa xo

the one... with some grout

After lots of indecision, lots of back and forth between the geometric and subway tile for the kitchen splash back I have finally made the decision AND I've even bought the tiles.

I hit the shops on a Saturday morning and after visiting only three shops I found the one.  Well I thought it was the one but it looked yellow in the shop so the guy at Top Tiles gave me one to take home along with a sample pack of grout to select the right grey.

I honestly didn't realise there were so many grey grouts to choose from.  The grey I've ordered is Smoke Grey.

I've gone with the subway tile which was the first style I liked over on Pinterest when I started the kitchen pin board.

The budget so far:

Tiles $19.95 m2 = $59.85
Glue $47.50
Crosses $8.14
Grout $40.70
Trowel $10.25
Notch $1.08

Sub Total $167.52

The tiles are sitting in their boxes waiting patiently for me to get started.  I've never tiled before but I'm actually excited to get started.

I'm hoping to get started this week and I can't wait to share the final pictures with you.

Lisa xo

the one... with a new wall

I would say that I am back into renovating now!

You may remember that the kitchen was installed into the centre room of the house which now leaves the old kitchen as the spare room - so excited to have a spare room!

For this to happen the doorway into the new spare room has to be moved, actually a new doorway has to be installed.

That means a trip to Bunnings and this time with Dad.

We headed to Bunnings on a Friday night to check out what was needed and to book a trailer for the next morning.  It was actually fun going up and down the aisle with Dad and getting lots of tips.  Who knew learning about nails could actually be interesting.

With the trailer booked for the next morning we headed back and picked up what we needed quick and easy.  A sliding door cavity, ply for the new walls and nails.

You might think that ply is a bit strange.... well I couldn't use the plasterboard because it's far too wide for my old walls that are only 6mm thick.

Yep Charlie made his way into yet another photo.

I'm lucky to have a handy Dad and Mum who like diy and love to help out.  I honestly couldn't do most of the things I do without their help and advice.

Dad gave up his weekend to install the cavity door which was made trickier when the walls aren't square so he had a bit of work cut out for him.

My work started after Dad was finished.  First things first was to give the wall a good sand - the wall will be behind the fridge but it still needs to be right.  After sanding I gave the wall a wipe down and vacuumed the floor.  Then I gave the wall two coats of undercoat before one top coat.

Now that the wall is in and painted I can now make the call to the cabinet maker to come back and install the final two pieces of the kitchen.

I can't believe the kitchen is almost finished - almost!

Lisa xo

the one... with some shelves

I've had these two photos tucked away in my folder for a while now.

I love the idea of shelves in the kitchen but I'll be honest I hate the idea of the extra work they create.  In an old Queensland cottage with timber floors dust is always an issue.

The idea I'm sitting with is a little shelf above the sink to place a couple of pots of herbs.

So I'll sit with this idea for while, along with the tiles because I really want to get this right.

Lisa xo

the one... with a trip back

Well the new kitchen is well and truly in and getting a lot of use.  I honestly couldn't be happier with it but then look above to see what I was working with before - there is just no comparison.

As you know from my many posts about selecting the right tile - which I still haven't done yet.  I just can't decide.

Back to the old kitchen which will be turned into a spare room slash craft/sewing/printing room which I am soooo excited about.

As you can see from the photo below I am part way through painting the window ready for installation of the plantation shutter.  I got the frame painted in time and the guy turned up on a very hot day so Charlie and I retreated to my bedroom which is the only room in the cottage with air conditioning.

After a while I hear a crash and then a hushed 'hello'.  It turns out the guy dropped a section of the shutter and knocked over the can of white paint on the floor!

He made some pathetic attempt to clean it up but gave up and came to find me.

The spill wasn't bad and I managed to clean it all up BUT he broke the shutter so he would have to take it away and have a new one ordered which would take another 8-9 weeks.

And I'm still waiting...