Sunday, May 31, 2009

Preliminary Kitchen Sketches.

Before I go on to be really boring about the changes to my kitchen, I just want to thank everyone for your kind words on the death of my brother. It meant and means a lot to me. Despite the fact that 19 years of non-communication had made him almost non-existent in my life in some ways, he still hovered around the edges and in my dreams. Everything about him makes me sad and angry... and confused. Some of it sounds petty when I try to explain it, but it isn't and wasn't. But anyway, thank you for your kind thoughts. Special thanks to Dianne for her post sending others to me. And to everyone for your kind thoughts, for the poems and wise thoughts and cyber hugs. They are much appreciated.

**********

Now... I have to warn you that I'm going to be an awful bore on the subject of the amazing changes that will be happening to my house over the course of the summer. My excitement about my new and improved disabled friendly kitchen is building. It's going to be more beautiful than I could have possibly imagined. It is going to be so much more than it even occurred to me to hope for. I am stunned and grateful beyond measure.

The man who will do the work came last Wednesday and looked and measured and talked to me. He has sent me some preliminary sketches which I have paired with photos I took with my old camera quite some time back. (The kitchen is too messy at the moment to take new ones that would better align with the drawings, so these will have to do.) They still give an pretty good idea of how different and wonderful the revised kitchen will be from its current condition. The sketches are just to give an idea. The new flooring will be linoleum, not wood which is probably good and easier for me to maintain and more budget friendly. I don't think they are changing the lights or ceiling either. But I didn't expect them to do the floor, so who knows. Anyway, here are the pictures...


Yippeee!!!


This is my very favorite part of the change. I just love the way
it looks. In real life (as opposed to the look of the mock-up) the
counters will be low, not even with the height of the stove. Of
course there won't be wood floors and my ceiling fan will be
back and it won't be nearly this clean, but still... isn't it just
awesome? Those deeply curious can click on these images
to see them larger.



Part of how this whole process got started was because I was
hoping (originally) that they could (maybe) move the dish
washer against the wall and give me a small area of lower counter
that I could use sitting down and maybe a lower sink. The big
cardboard box currently in the gap next to the dishwasher is to
keep Angel from eating the fiberglass because there's no cover
on the side of the machine. The other part of my motivation
for asking them about help in the kitchen was because I wanted
to get rid of that stupid box. Amazing how miracles can grow from
tiny ambitions. Just look at all the incredible new low storage...
as well as cabinets I'll be able to reach. Yeee haa!



The area below will have my dishwasher (under the counter),
washing machine and (someday) dryer. I'll be able to put my
microwave on the counter above the dishwasher so I can just pop
things out of the freezer and turn around and pop them in the
microwave. How cool is that? I am so excited about seeing this
flooring go. To say I hate it is kind of an understatement. They
won't put wood in, I don't think. It never occurred to me that they
would give me new flooring with the new sink and cabinets. I feel
like I am living an enchanted life. Right now the short blank wall in
this photo has some shelves that are falling down. It will be left
empty and across from it they are building in the pantry (see the
first drawing) and more low and pull-out easy access cabinets.


Here are some other views and a few samples of linoleum tiles I
like. I especially like the first one. The other two aren't very fairly
represented because the pictures I had were TINY. These may be
too expensive and too dark, but I can dream... I'm hoping the kitchen
guy will give me some suggestions. The dryer that goes with the
washing machine is imaginary at the moment but they are making
a space for one. At the moment it will be filled with the low tech
folding rack and the washing machine is in a part of the house I
can't get to physically or agoraphobically.


That's it for now. Thanks for listening.

14 comments:

SouthLakesMom said...

Just thought I'd check in before heading to bed and wow -- bubbles of excitement! I'm happy for you that they seem to be really listening to your needs and wants!

On another note, do you have freecycle where you are? I regularly see people giving away dryers. If you could prevail upon the kindness of some of your friends to do a pick-up, you might be able to swing a dryer more cheaply than you think...e-mail me at the friends address for more intel. Blessings!

Melli said...

LOL! There is absolutely NOTHING boring about remodeling! That's about as EXCITING as it get as far as things to share on a blog go! ROFL! This is just sooooooo wonderful! It's going to be all brand new and shiny! I'm not kidding Raven - NOTHING gets me excited like remodeling or redecorating! It's gonna be ALL GOOD!

Oh! I just read Southlakes comment! My son and his girlfriend got a washer from Freecycle when they had their first apartment! THAT is a GREAT idea!!! Look into that!

Carletta said...

Hi Raven,
I'm finally back home and trying to begin posting again and visiting. My heart is still miles away. :)

I was so sorry to hear about your brother's passing. I just finished reading your post - well done under the circumstances. I hope you'll remember the good times and like others said, I hope he finds his peace. Many hugs for you my friend. I'm sorry I wasn't around.

Now, your new kitchen - awesome looks here. I know you are excited and I'm excited for you. It looks like a great plan. When does the work start?

quilly said...

This is just too cool! A kitchen that is pretty and functional will go a long way in improving the quality of your life -- and that's without mentioning all the other great renovations. I am sure I'm going to love reading about and seeing every step of the process!

Raven said...

SouthLakesMom - that's a great idea about FreeCycle. I have a friend a couple of hours from here who has used them a lot. I will check it out.

melli - I actually thought about you when I was posting this as one person who would enjoy reading about it.

carletta - Welcome back! I've missed you. Your new (and your pre-existing) grandchild are awesome cute. I don't know for sure when they start. He said it takes 3 weeks for the cabinets to arrive so I'm hoping that means in three weeks. I'm looking forward to having the bathroom done too.

quilly - This really will be profoundly life changing. When I do any kind of prep or dishing of things it's on a VERY tiny VERY low tray table and you probably can't tell from the photos but the current cabinets, besides being ugly are virtually out of reach for me. The only counter space is at the height of the dishwasher, also not managable. My only storage is the little rolling things I bought which means lots of stuff just sits on the counters. I can't believe this is happening but I'm rejoicing in it.

Akelamalu said...

I'm so excited for you getting your new kitchen Raven, I was exactly the same four years ago when I got mine - I'd waited 26 years for it and I got exactly what I wanted! I can't wait to see your photos of the finished kitchen. :)

Chubby Chieque said...

That's really a big change and lots of work, I guess. But who cares when you see the nice outcome of your work.

Lovely kitchen now and hope your spending more time their experimenting all sorts menu!

Cheers...

Felisol said...

Dear Raven,
I'm all exited about your new kitchen.
With all these good things happening I wouldn't be surprised if a dryer pops up too.
You sure need one, having to dry all your washing indoors.
All the best from Felisol

Dianne said...

this is all so exciting!!
I love how you'll be so much more comfy

I like the top tile the best :)

Melli said...

Thanks for the GOOGLE Raven! I've been meaning to do that ever since I posted it... but I've been busy. But that 2nd bit - that is IT! We were Soldiers for Christ and the little slap was to remind us to be willing to suffer for him! That is IT! I'm glad to hear they've changed it! I hope they've ADDED in writing a testimony and choosing a Bible verse! (the Bible verse MIGHT have been there - but I don't remember it...) ;)

Jim said...

I am glad you are getting your kitchen remodeled. That will be so nice for you, being able to reach things easier and to be more comfortable while you do kitchen work.
Did you ask for lots of windows stategically placed for taking pictures? :-)

I am sorry about your brother. I didn't know. You will miss him a lot. Thank you for sharing. I'll pray for you and your family. God helps us through things like this.
..

gabrielle said...

Hurray!!! A new kitchen!!! The plans look stunning. And the best part is that you will be able to enjoy it with more ease.
Waiting to watch it unfold...

Nessa said...

Oh, it's going to be beautiful.

Quiet Paths said...

That kitchen of yours truly will be a joy! I love it. We have lots of light in ours and a big picture window looking onto the mountains but the cabinets need to be revarnished or something! This looks great. My condolences on the passing of your brother. I can only imagine how much processing that is going to need and it just takes time. Hugs to you and blessings abound.