Sunday, July 7, 2013

Kitchen Chronicles Week 3

Despite the holiday (Happy Birthday, America!) and the fact that things look pretty much the same as last week, there was a lot of progress on the kitchen this past week.  And along with the progress, there was also some stress.  Let's find out more!

In terms of progress, the cabinets are pretty much done!  All the doors are on and the drawers are in.  There is one cabinet missing because it was damaged, but that should be arriving in a few days so let's not worry about it.  I love the tall pantry with pull-out drawers and the window seat!






I originally wanted cabinets to run along the wall under the window, but the window is too low to allow for that.  So this window seat (with two drawers of storage) was the Plan B.  I think it will be cute!  I am having a window seat cushion made online and have narrowed down the fabric options.  It will definitely be one of these three.  What do you think?



Once the cabinets were done, the flooring people came and put down the tile backer boards.  They would have installed the tile too, but SOMEONE (me) ordered the tile too late and it hasn't arrived yet.

The countertop templates were also completed.  So in about two weeks, we will have countertops!  

In terms of stress, I have been having SLEEPLESS NIGHTS over this kitchen.  For real?  Yes!  I am stressing out!  This is an expensive undertaking, and I don't want to make a mistake or have regrets.  Here are my two biggest stress points:

First, the pulls for the doors.  It's stressing me out because once they drill the holes, that's it.  You can't really change your mind.  I think I have narrowed down a style, but there are so many size and finish options.  For example, on a large drawer, do you want two small pulls or one large pull?  If you want a nickel finish, do you want it to be polished or brushed?  You would think that at least the finish would be an easy decision but I'm having trouble with it.  While my faucet and lamp pendant finishes are polished metal, the handles of the appliances are brushed metal.  So... which finish should I pick for the pulls?




Ok, that is a dumb thing to stress about.  

My real anxiety, however, is being caused by the tile floor.  Right now I have on order many boxes of the tile I picked, Emser Strands Olive in a 12x12 square.  Although I love the tile, it raises many questions:

1.  Should it be installed in a straight grid pattern or a diamonds (on point) pattern?




2.  The tiles have definite lines on them.  Should the lines run all the same way, alternate ways, or random ways?

3.  Wait -- why am I getting squares?  Would it look better to get 12x24 tiles?  If so, what direction should those be installed -- running sideways or up and down?  

Etc etc etc for infinity.

Also - I have learned that NO ONE ELSE CARES!  So understandable, yet so cruel.  

Until next week!