Zoo View Home

Before and After: Kitchen

2016-04-24T20:59:00.003-04:00

The kitchen has easily been the most expensive renovation in the house, but it desperately needed an upgrade.

BEFORE:

This is the view looking into the kitchen before the opening was shifted and expanded, to create a more open floorplan.

AFTER:

BEFORE:

These cabinets are the cheapest available at the big box store, and the countertops were installed haphazardly by a previous homeowner. This whole area wasn't functioning well.

AFTER:

With the opening shifted over, a row of cabinets could fit along the north wall. This allowed us to put in a beverage fridge. The new counter depth refrigerator is in a more functional location and the new tall pantry utilizes the space efficiently. The exterior door will be replaced in the future.

BEFORE:

The dishwasher broke 4 months after we moved in, and was replaced before we began renovating the kitchen. The range is the same, and will be replaced eventually. The floorplan for this section didn't change, because it functions fine. Notice the "lava" tile.

AFTER:

I like the free standing hood, and extra tall cabinets. We did install a single-basin extra-deep sink, and it might be the best little decision we made with this renovation. After a lot of searching, we found the exact same flooring in the living room to install in the kitchen and office.

BEFORE:

The lonely large refrigerator. This was such an awkward location.

AFTER:

The wall is gone, the large refrigerator turned into a view of the living room. With the new opening, we got to utilize the large sq footage of the kitchen, and install a large island.

OVERALL:
This was a complex renovation, but was totally worth it. It completely changed how we work and function in the house.

Before and After: Living Room

2016-04-10T18:39:00.001-04:00

The next couple of months I will be working on Before and After series on the work done on the house do far, since many rooms are nearly completed. I am starting with the living room; the first room you see when you walk into the house.

BEFORE:

AFTER:

This is what you see when you walk in the door. Wide curtains make the small window look bigger, especially in person. The walls were painted Behr Wheat Bread, and the coffered ceiling was painted bright white.

BEFORE:

AFTER:

The small archway and built-in bookcases between the living room and kitchen were removed, and a large 10 foot opening went in its place. This created a more open floorplan, and brighter living spaces.

BEFORE:

AFTER:

An overhead light was added to the dining nook.

BEFORE:

AFTER:

These views aren't identical, but pretty gives you an idea of the changes. Curtains have been added to the window alcove.

Most of the major renovations have been completed in the living room. I am most happy that we opened up the living room to the kitchen, and painted the coffered ceiling. Both changes make the room look much bigger, and modern. The room no longer feels isolated, dark, and dated. The house was built in the 50s, but the multiple renovations really only expanded the house. It seems that affordable cosmetic touches were completed in the late 90s/early 2000s. The house needed to be modernized with an open floor plan, new electrical considerations, and crisp, neutral paint colors.

MORE ROOMS TO BE ADDED

It's been awhile!

2015-08-22T21:09:00.001-04:00

I have updated the house tour, check it out here. here's a peek of some things around the house.

I also updated out AFI top 100 list. We watched several more in the last couple of months.

Visitors are coming!

2015-01-26T16:36:00.000-05:00

I have been keeping some things a secret around here because my parents are coming into town, to surprise them. I am willing to share some things we worked on for our guests.

I guest room got a little redo:

I also worked on my office/Packer room;

Very excited for my parents to come visit. Updates after they leave on the great things we did.

2015 Resolutions

2015-01-01T13:33:00.001-05:00

Happy New Year!

A review of 2014 resolutions

2014 Resolutions:

Finances:-~~Start a Roth IRA~~ ~~-Increase savings again~~-Get life insurance

Relationship:-Go on a vacation-~~Continue watching AFI's Top 100~~-Try 2-3 new recipes/restaurants per month

Home:-~~Renovate Kitchen~~-Hem curtains-Clean up backyard

I left my job in July, so some things were more difficult with tighter finances. This is also why we will have some changes to our 2015 resolutions.
We did continue to watch AFI movies, but slowed down considerably. We hope to watch more this year, than 2014.
We did renovate the kitchen. We are about 90% complete. We need some assistance with some things, and will get help the end of January with that. Nick did work on the backyard, but more is needed to finish it.

2015 Resolutions:

Finances:
-Increase savings account
-Start and maintain reasonable budget

Relationship:
-Continue watching AFI's Top 100
-Try at least 1 new recipes/restaurants per month

Home:
-Finish kitchen renovation
-Paint living room
-Clean up backyard

This year is about limiting spending, and maintaining a budget. Should be a fun year.

X-mas List

2014-11-27T12:13:00.000-05:00

Someone has asked us for our Xmas lists, so Nick and I spent a lot of time creating this list.

Backsplash Tile

2014-11-24T15:05:00.001-05:00

We finally finished the backsplash!

Close up, it looks a little funky. The walls are not perfect, but from far away you can't notice.

We are almost done with the kitchen.

Pantry Doors

2014-11-16T11:31:00.002-05:00

While I was reviewing options for the kitchen renovation, I knew the pantry had to stay, but I hated the bi-fold doors. They never closed all the way, and sometimes got off the track. I found this tutorial from 2 Little Superheroes that turned bi-fold doors into french doors. I was in love instantly. I would be able to reuse the old doors, and get to use the back of the doors to hang aprons, and potholders. Win-Win!

Here is what it looked like before; with doors removed:

Here it is now:

I originally painted the doors Fedora by Behr, but the color was too greenish brown, and not nearly dark enough. I repainted it Black Suede by Behr. The color is so much better, and from a distance looks like the black-brown color of the cabinets.

I put the hinges about equidistant from each other, but if I would do this again, I would put the hinges farther apart from each other. It's a minor issue, and a lesson learned.

We are nearly done with the kitchen. More pictures next week. We have purchased the pendant light for above the island, but those won't be installed until I have help, because of some unusual electrical work in the house.

Kitchen view

2014-11-09T14:13:00.002-05:00

When we decided to redo the kitchen, I wanted a more open living space. The wall separating the kitchen from the living room need to be expanded.

Here is the view from the front door looking into the living room (2011). The kitchen is through the archway.

Here is the view now from the front door. No more built-in bookcase.

The kitchen isn't separated from the living room. It feels more cohesive, and brighter. It is exactly what this house needed to modernize it.

I have worked on the pantry doors, but need to repaint them. More on that next week.

Vince is in the House!

2014-10-19T13:20:00.001-04:00

Weeks ago, while shopping at Walgreens, I got a coupon, for a free 11x14 photo "poster". I had taken a picture of the Vince Lombardi Statue outside of Lambeau Field many years ago. I have always loved that picture, and I used the coupon as an opportunity to get it printed for free.

I was delighted when I picked up the print. It looked great. I picked up a classic black frame from Target for $20.

So for only $20, Vince is in the house! I really want to put it in the bathroom, but I think that might be a little creepy.

We are still working on the finishing details of the kitchen. Nick started the back splash behind the range, and I finished all the trimwork. I will be working on caulking that trim this week.

Kitchen Reno: What's Left?

2014-10-05T12:14:00.000-04:00

We have been slowly working on the kitchen. The little details are slow going, and not noticeable unless pointed out. Here's what we have left:

So as you can see what we have left is a couple small projects (pantry doors and backsplash) and lots of caulking and touch up painting. It's slow going, but we will eventually get to the finish line.

Closet Redesign

2014-09-28T13:08:00.002-04:00

I have had a jewelry armoire for a few years now. It held all of my jewelry, most of which I never wore. I decided to get real, a piece of furniture to hold items that I rarely or never wear, is a waste. I converted part of my section of the closet to be a useful jewelry section.

*sorry the lighting is poor, the closet light is all I had.*

I donated all the jewelry I didn't wear or want, and my friend wanted the old armoire. I know she will put it to good use!

I removed 2 shelves, one to add the drawer, and one to be hang jewelry on the sides. This part of the closet was a shallow PAX wardrobe, so I went to Ikea and found the drawer and hooks for my size PAX.

I like this because I get to see all the jewelry I actually wear. The drawer hides other jewelry (bulky, or sentimental) and jewelry care supplies.

I hope to add a mirror along the back wall someday.

The Zoo in Zoo View Home

2014-09-21T13:02:00.003-04:00

Yes, I've been gone for awhile. Sorry.

For the first time since living at the Zoo View Home, I went to the zoo.

Home posts coming soon!

Recent doings

2014-06-15T10:43:00.000-04:00

We have been busy doing projects throughout the past couple of weeks.

We got the hood installed.

I did some summer planting. I added 2 new potted plants to the front porch, and two plants to front landscaping.

Nick worked on the backsplash this weekend. It looks fantastic.

I'm also working on painting trim for the doorways.

AFI Top 100 Update: We watched #3 Casablanca, #22 Some Like it Hot, #31 The Maltese Falcon, and #71 Saving Private Ryan over the past couple of weekends. 27 down, 73 to go!

Bar Area

2014-05-18T14:26:00.001-04:00

We added a shelf above the bar this weekend, and Nick styled the shelf.

Progress is slow, but I love how it look so far.

Countertops are in!!

2014-05-11T13:14:00.000-04:00

It took longer than I expected, but the granite countertops are in. I am delighted. They look exactly as I was expecting.

These pictures show the counters a little darker than in reality. But you can see the great little dots of black and red garnets.

We started working on the bar area, and installing the sink.

We have lots of little details to work on, but it functions as a real kitchen now.

Trim is installed

2014-04-27T13:30:00.001-04:00

This weekend, Nick and I installed trim in his office.

This week will be caulking the trim. As you can expect, I am not looking forward to this.

Hope your weekend went well!

Trim Painting

2014-04-20T16:40:00.000-04:00

So, this weekend I worked painting all of the trim for Nick's office.

Nick's office has temporarily turned into trim painting area. During this week, we will attempt to get trim around doorways.

I hope to show you pictures next weekend of the office's progress.

Pinning and Pining: April 2014

2014-04-15T18:35:00.000-04:00

Since we are in full kitchen reno mode, I thought a kitchen inspired Pinning and Pining would be appropriate.

Pinning:

These Gorgonzola truffles look delicious. I love all the ingredients, so how can I not love them. When the kitchen is done, I plan on making these.

I found a hack for a microwave built into Ikea's cabinets. We had to get another microwave to fit it right, but I'm okay with that.

Pining:

Now, I need some cool things for our new kitchen.

Crate and Barrel


Crate and Barrel

Amazon

A simple utensil holder, oil mister, and a turquoise immersion blender will all go nicely in the new kitchen.

Kitchen Renovation

2014-04-13T16:29:00.001-04:00

I have been missing for several weeks now. It has been very busy around here. Let me show you what I mean.

Flooring removed:

Wall Opened Up:

Repair and Install Floor:

Cabinets Installed:

Drywall Repair:

Adding Doors, Drawers, Side Panels, and Pulls:

Yes, we've been busy!
I am so lucky that my dad and mom were able to come down and help. Without them, I'm not sure this project would have happened. Since my dad is a carpenter, and experienced with renovations, I knew there was nothing this house/renovation could throw at him, that he couldn't handle. It was mesmerizing watching him figure out the wall opening. A couple softball-sized holes, and he was able to get the doorway prepped for location and demo. I promised both of my parents next time they visit, there will be no big projects.

We still need the countertop installed (we've got a quote coming this week for this), install the sink/plumbing, attach trim and moldings to cabinets, and add trim to floors/doorways. It feels like we're in the homestretch though.

I will try to keep you updated in the coming weeks better than I have. Working on a Pinning and Pining for April too.

Demo has Begun!

2014-03-16T15:55:00.000-04:00

We have ripped out cabinets, and flooring! It's back breaking work, but we are trying to get as much done before my parents arrive to help.

Can't wait to be done with this reno.

PS. No Pinning and Pining this month because of the big reno! March is a busy month for us. Hopefully it will be back in April.

Removing Trim

2014-03-02T16:17:00.001-05:00

This weekend, I cleaned up some of the landscaping. It has been neglected for some time now. I looks much better, but still needs another weekend of work.

I also worked on ripping out some trim for the kitchen reno. It needs to be done, but I hate it. The flippers that sold us the house added texture to the wall, and just taped around the trim, flooring and cabinets. It was not done well either. I can see in every room, where the texture is on the trim. This along with, what appears to be 10 layers of paint and 2 layers of caulk, makes ripping out trip back breaking. I was able to get the little hallway off the kitchen done Sunday afternoon.

I hope to get more trim removed throughout the week.

PS. Sorry, no post next week. Nick and I will be in San Antonio, for his sister's wedding.

Kitchen Lighting

2014-02-23T11:20:00.002-05:00

Last summer, I laid out the plan for the kitchen lighting. After months of researching costs, and options, I finally found the best option. A track lighting system, by Hampton Bay from Home Depot. It wasn't my first choice, but it was the best in our price range. I just had to wait for a sale. A couple weeks ago, the 12 light heads went on sale, and we save $85.
This weekend, I installed the long perimeter lights. The shorter island lights will have to be installed when the island is in place.

These are two 12 foot suspended tracks connected together, with 10 lights attached. The other light (seen in the last photo) will be the power supply to the island.

The kitchen is a lot brighter now. I can't wait until all the lights are up.

In the coming weeks, I will be removing trim, and painting the walls.

New TV

2014-02-16T14:13:00.001-05:00

Before the Superbowl we bought a new TV for Nick's office. He had a small LCD, and we always knew we would upgrade it eventually.

This is a 50in Sharp. It's on an extending swivel wall mount so it can be adjusted for perfect viewing depending on where you are in the room.

I went to look at some granite this week. Fell in love with so many slabs. I know most won't work in our kitchen, but they were beautiful.

Pinning and Pining: February 2014, Valentine's Edition

2014-02-11T19:19:00.004-05:00

This month is a simple Pinning and Pining.

Pinning:

I love Salmon, and this Honey Salmon sounds great. This will definitely be part of the Valentines menu.

Pining:

NHL

I have gotten back into hockey after too many years away. Go Avs! Nick and I will really enjoy this mutual gift to each other.

Zoo View Home

Before and After: Kitchen

Before and After: Living Room

It's been awhile!

Visitors are coming!

2015 Resolutions

X-mas List

Lisa:

Nick:

Both:

Backsplash Tile

Pantry Doors

Kitchen view

Vince is in the House!

Kitchen Reno: What's Left?

Closet Redesign

The Zoo in Zoo View Home

Recent doings

Bar Area

Countertops are in!!

Trim is installed

Trim Painting

Pinning and Pining: April 2014

Pinning:

Pining:

Kitchen Renovation

Flooring removed:

Wall Opened Up:

Repair and Install Floor:

Cabinets Installed:

Drywall Repair:

Adding Doors, Drawers, Side Panels, and Pulls:

Demo has Begun!

Removing Trim

Kitchen Lighting

New TV

Pinning and Pining: February 2014, Valentine's Edition

Pinning:

Pining: