Thursday, December 8, 2011

Out with the old

In January this year Paul and I embarked on some pretty major renos for our lovely old house. 

Ceilings were pulled down......

nb. hubby's arms are really not that brown, there was 110 years of dust that came down not to mention an old, dead, squashed rat among other things....eeew!






Bats were laid, Gyprock was installed...

Note to self: never do this again, it was just plain stressful getting these massive sheets above your head and onto the ceiling without snapping them. We did hire a great hoisting device and the help of our friendly neighbour but at times I wished we had got the professionals in. Having said that, we are really happy with the end result. 


L.E.D down lights were installed. 


By July this year we found a kitchen designer who I won't name because I would not use them again but that's a whole other story.

 We were thrilled with the design and it was time to start the demolition and get the floors ready. Secretly I think this was Paul's favourite part. For weeks he nagged me to let him take the sink away, but I feared being without one for too long so I kept saying "just a bit longer, just a bit longer"


 As the old fire place was knocked out I couldn't help but think of all the meals that were created here back in the early 1900's. We had taken the old pot belly stove out years ago to make room for shelving but the big brick chimney was still there. See the charred wall in the background.


The old floor was ripped up and sold on ebay for a grand price of $50.


The old back door was bricked in not once but twice by Mr perfectionist Paul. The first one had a slight bow effect, not good when you need to line cupboards up against it. 



Then a door way was cut into the old window.




At this point new floors had been laid by professionals. We used spotted gum and I'm so happy with it.



The long awaited kitchen goes in.



 I won't sugar coat it and I wont pretend it was easy washing up in the bath tub for 3 months. We had more problems than you would ever believe...seriously! all of which were from the kitchen company and suppliers. 

BUT.............. the outcome has been well worth the sweat, occaisonal tears and way too much swearing. 

In with the new.........






Needless to say I am one very lucky and very happy chappy.


ps. Now i'm hoping it will make me a better cook.

11 comments:

  1. Good on you guys! The finished product looks well worth the sweat and tears.

    Happy cooking!

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  2. Karlyn what an amazing transformation...it looks like a completely different space and is so streamlined now. All the blood, sweat and tears have certainly paid off it's gorgeous!

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  3. It looks awesome. I love it. Perfect timing for Christmas too. Have fun cookin in your new kitchin Karlyn, hopefully I'll be doing a post like this same time next year x

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  4. that looks amazing Karlyn and what a handy hubby you have! enjoy your BEAUTIFUL marble island bench x

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  5. I didn't realise how big renovation project you guys were undertaking! It's all amazing Karlyn. I know that feeling of excitement over a new kitchen - I washed our dishes in the laundry sink for weeks (thankfully we didn't have the girls then). Your floors look beautiful, a gorgeous shade and your kitchen is so fresh and light. Your milk glass and pyrex bowls look perfect displayed on your new benchtops. I really like the look of the outside of your home too from that pathway shot. Would love to see more photos of your home :) Happy weekend x

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  6. Crikey Karlyn! It's bloody fabulous!!!!!

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  7. Wow, that is one BIG project. Now I understand why you hadn't posted about your natural white paint progress. Your kitchen looks beautiful. Love all that white and is that a marble bench? Gorgeous, enjoy every minute in there. melx

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  8. It looks amazing Karlyn so worth all of the effort that you went to. These old houses are just beautiful, so full of character but boy when you need to do things it can be a lot of work. I bet you just love cooking in that new kitchen. x

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  9. What a beautiful transformation you have made. It looks so sleek and bright.It's a huge effort and I have that ahead of me but not for a few more years yet.

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  10. If only I could swear with WOW that looks amazing so different from what it was, what a beautiful photographic story, I wondered if Paul was smiling under the first shot with his mask on, and if he wasnt bet he is now ! Im sure you will whip up a fab Christmas in that fab kitchen. Thinking I might call you to arrange a pop around cuppa to road test in real life xx

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  11. Wow great job! Love the plates on the wall!

    bxx

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