Saturday, April 19, 2008

From Disaster, to Dynamic!











FROM THIS................................................................................................................TO THIS!! TA DA!!

So, after almost ten days of having non-stop tradesmen in the house, things are almost back to normal.

I love, love, love my new kitchen, timber flooring & my gorgeous new carpet. Everything goes beautifully together.

But what a nightmare. Girls, if you are thinking of renovating, I reckon you should just buy a new house (lol). Even though we had no choice in the matter, I would definately leave home next time & just leave 'em to it!

We've built a couple of times, but actually living in it & having most of your possessions piled up in one room all the time (almost 2-1/2 months) is not recommended.

Now anyone who has been through it knows that nothing ever goes right, eh.

The tradies didn't turn up on time, which is in the rules, I know.

The kitchen removal people banged on the wall so hard, that things on the bathroom wall (behind the kitchen) started jumping off into the bath. Luckily nothing broke.


The new cooktop, when unpacked, had a huge ding in it. New one delivered next day, after much yelling from me down the phone. Not like me at all really (hee hee).

The kitchen cabinet manufacturers forgot 2 doors (oops, we forgot to count them).

The flooring man arrived with the wrong colour timber - red oak! Can you imagine that with Raspberry coloured benchtops. ERK!!! So, more yelling down the phone (I'm getting good at this by now) & another express delivery, from the boss this time. I must be getting REALLY good at it. So, Pale Oak arrives & it's right.

At least the carpet was the right colour (lol).

Anyhoo, I'm pretty sure it's over, all the rubbish has been taken away & I've unpacked lots of my pretties, but still a way to go. Maybe I've got too much stuff? Nah, no way (giggle).





























My shelving above the fridge, not finished decorating it yet, still needs more stuff (lol) & lovely timber flooring.




My dining area, don't ya just loooove the carpet.
No more concrete, oh happy day. My poor old arthritic knees are very thankful.
So, I hope you all like it. I know Raspberry coloured benchtops aren't for everyone, but they look gorgeous with all the white. And did you notice the Raspberry Roses on the cabinet handles, what more could a girl want.
Happy Weekend Everyone.
Hugs, Coll :-}

29 comments:

Bek said...

Your Kitchen looks great, so glad it all worked out in the end:)

Don't forget to show us when you have finished decorating.

Anonymous said...

Well hello Coll,

I love love love your new kitchen and dining room. The pink countertops are amazing. I am so glad you are finally done, it must be so nice to have your kitchen back. She's a beauty!!

Hugs,
LeAnn :)

Alison Gibbs said...

The kitchen looks sweet.
How happy you must be that it is all finally complete
Alison

cherub*wishes said...

Yay!!! It all looks so bright and cheery ;o) Love it Coll :o)
Hope you have a fabulous weekend too11
Hugs,
Dionne

Colleen - the AmAzINg Mrs. B said...

I love it, I love it, I love it! Makes me want to come to tea. I know what you are talking about with the renovations - we've done our share as well. Hubby does most of it himself and every time, I learn a whole new batch of "bad" words - lol! You should be very proud - and it you're like me, now you don't want to do anything to mess it up - including cooking!
Enjoy all your patience and hard work - it really does look lovely.
Colleen

Gail McCormack said...

Oh bliss!! Looks fantastic Coll, I can smell that new carpet from here. You must be a very happy lady, I would be. Renovating, nah, never again for me, we usually get half way through then sell the house!
p.s. I wouldn't be cooking in the kitchen, you might get it dirty

Unknown said...

Hi Coll,

I love you whole new kitchen. I think the counters look great with the white cabinets. Aren't you so happy it's all done now?

Jules of Whimsicalnotions blog said...

Its all jiust too scrumptious coll congratulations,see its an ill flood that brings no gorgeous outcome like yours lol

A Romantic Porch said...

OH MY WORD Coll! Your kitchen looks so beautiful. I'm glad you got it finished. Thanks for sharing photos of it! Love,Rachel

Ele at abitofpinkheaven said...

Your kitchen looks so fresh and lovely. Look at the wonderful results! Sorry about all your mishaps, but now you can pour a cup of tea and savor the beauty!

PurpleFlowerFairy said...

hi coll,

yeah! whoo hoo! i'm doing a big ol' HAPPY DANCE for you =) oooh, what a relief to have it all done. i'm with you, been there, done that. it is NO fun at all remodeling when you're living in the mess. and why in the heck can't all of those men get it together and bring the right materials, be on time, etc. i'm tellin' you, if there were women in charge, things would go a lot more smoothly, efficiently and be done right THE FIRST TIME - lol! enjoy your beautiful new rooms!!! hugs, debbie =)

Ruth Welter said...

Coll, your kitchen looks fabulous..you must be so happy. Enjoy it!!!

Fete et Fleur said...

WOW! It was well worth the wait. So sorry it was such a trial but it is lovely now!

Take care of those knees!

xxNancy

Southern Lady's Vintage said...

Your new kitchen looks super pinkilicious!! I love it!! And I love your new blog banner too!!
Hugs,
Barbara

Pearl said...

Hi Coll... So glad you came by~thanks for your sweet words. I love how your kitchen turned out and I'm really lovin' those raspberry counter tops... yummies!

Your blog is so pretty... I have marked you so I can come back to finish reading. Please come back to visit, again, soon... I love meeting people and making new friends!

~smiles~ Pearl

Unknown said...

Yay!! Finally Col, it looks so fresh and new! The carpet is down just in time for winter, and so which room is next??
I love yours and Shannon's banners, so pretty!
Sue

Rue said...

Hi Coll :)

Thank you so much for stopping by! I love your kitchen remodel. It turned out beautiful! I hope if/when we get the farmhouse it will look as lovely ;)

Have a beautiful day,
rue

Tracie~MyPetiteMaison said...

Coll,
It looks beautiful! And you can never have too much stuff, but you already know that!

I think the counter tops are very cheery and crisp with the white - great looking.

Maybe your new kitchen will inspire me to clean my house (again...) doesn't take long to get so messy, especially with teens around.

Take it easy on those knees sweetie, they deserve a rest and so do you!
xo~Tracie

Wanda said...

I love the before and after shots.

What a beautiful home..... :)

Alicia ~ Time Worn Style said...

Hiya coll, I am just so glad I have been able to add to your teapot collection so you will be able to fill up the shelving above the fridge. I know you are in desperate need of more stuff ;0)) and am happy to help. should arrive soon!!
Alicia ~ time worn style

a Pocket Angel said...

Oh what a beautiful kitchen. I just love it! It's perfect...
I'm sure it was a huge mess to deal with but it is now well worth it.
Enjoy! ~Mary~ :-}

Country Wishes said...

Im with you on the renos, I would never do it again either!!..lol

Love the pink benches Coll!! Everything looks divine...
XCherrie

Fete et Fleur said...

I sure do love those pink counters! I love nasturtiums too.

xx Nancy

Unknown said...

COLL, it is just beautiful!!!!! I love the white with the countertops and I love wood floors! It is fabulous and I am sure you are really enjoying it after all you have been through!

Love ya,
Amy

NeereAnDear said...

I have been there ... it is definitely a nightmare.... but the result is wonderful as is your kitchen!! LOVELY

HUGS

JO

Colleen - the AmAzINg Mrs. B said...

So, what have you been cooking up since this last post? We love hearing from you and seeing the progress...how's it been?
Take care!
Colleen

Rebecca Ramsey said...

Your new kitchen is precious! I'd be happy to wash dishes in a kitchen like that!
Becky

joyh82 said...

Congrats on your new kitchen.
Love how you have the plates displayed on top of the cabinets.
I have cookie jars up there.
The only bad thing is cleaning them..Your dining area looks very nice too!

Colleen - the AmAzINg Mrs. B said...

Hey girl! Miss seeing your posts. Hope all is well. Happy Mother's Day to you if we don;t "talk" before then!
the "other" Colleen