Dr. Dharma (Not Berman) - In the Kitchen

So.....remember that list? Yeah, that one. The one that was a mile long and wrapped up at about $2500 for the kitchen cosmetic redux? I have dragged My husband and I cheerily have wandered into a kitchen design centre, done a bit of online sleuthing and brought home countertop samples. Our quote will take place this Friday complete with installation measurements to be taken and the addition of a new undermount sink to be spec'd out.

Has anyone had more options put before them in their life than when they are shopping for countertops? Corian, Silestone, marble OH MY! Originally I said to myself "Self, you deserve stone." then that same chic said loudly "Not at $60-80 a square foot you do not!" So on this teensy budget what is a girl to do? This girl went to Pinterest and typed in laminate counters and found..... wait for it......

FORMICA 180FX

When did formica get sexy? It's like when that kid Neville Longbottom from the Harry Potter movies got sexy. You're all "Wha????". Trouble is there is only one supplier of this product in my 200 km vicinity. I tracked down their 1-800 number and found a local supplier/ installer. Price for this magic? $26 a liner foot. Hello....lover!

WARNING to this local company - I will be reviewing your business, this product and your installer. Send the best looking one you got. LOL

For an extra cost they can even install an undermount sink (with a stone ring to make it last), further install the delta Touch H2O tapset I won last year and do a slab finish to further trick the eyeballs. I have chosen this stainless 18 gauge deeper sink by Wilsonart.

For the counters I originally thought the Calacatta marble knock off but the hubs is convinced it would make our kitchen look like a public restroom off the I-95...lol. So after bringing all our samples home we've settled on this:

Soapstone Sequoia

Backsplash.... I just want a strip to meet the wall where the counter slabs end. I do not want coving or any part of the counters on the wall. I think that will give the Formica away as quick as you can look at it. So off to Home Depot to check out options. I first liked the Fasade panels, they looked easy to install and a dude at the check out swore by them. I have a coworker who has used them and she is a happy camper. But then I saw the peel n' stick stainless Aspect tiles. They come in individual tiles sold in a pack or longer sheets by the foot. I say GROOVY! Check out the finished look, like I said I don't plan on these many tiles....but it is awesome :)

Now to find out Friday how much all this "extra" means in extra dollars....I'll keep you posted.

It's time to get serious!

Obs I am not talking about blogging. I've been more absent than a 16 year old stoner in English Lit lately....but I am getting serious about a total refresh of the Mermaid Cave. Our home is now going on 11 years old and you can tell precisely by looking at the finishes done last by the builder when the owner ran out of $$$. So I have made a list, checked it 467,893 times and I am starting with a $5000 budget.

WOW! $5000 you say! Doesn't that sound like a lot of money? Nope. Try refreshing and fixing over 8 years of living-in-ness by a family of men in a total of 10 rooms (not counting what Mister has planned to overhaul the basement) on a measly $5000. It will be a challenge for sure and I had best wring out my shopping Keds and get cracking at Craigslist/ Kijiji and the Habitat store soon.

First up - the kitchen. You may remember I painted our counters. YES? Well, although they turned out pretty great, they have not stood up to my chef's expectations. Yes, I married a cook. Hate me.

Here is a listing of what is planned for the hub O ma home!!

KITCHEN


Remove drapery/rod over kitchen sink, paint Touch up paint/ mud
Replace with drapes from TVroom
Replace pendant light

Swap fridge door left to right
Apply film to Door Window & Pad doorknob
NEW garbage/ recycling containers
Replace vent cover
Install Screen door
Replace counters
Backsplash behind stove
Install OTR Microwave
Replace kitchen sink
Install tapset
Swap Kitchen Table & Chairs with Mom
Recover kitchen and bar chairs
SELL Kitchen Table & Leaf
Donate water cooler

TOTAL = $2,560.00 EST

Considering over 1/2 of my budget is already spent in the kitchen, you know I am going to be swapping, bartering, buying second hand and thrifting garage sales like a maniac this spring. I know some people spend $5000 on a sofa but I don't have that kind of scratch and I would be tearing anything more of a budget out of my husband's cold dead fingers :)   Wish me luck, here is that before shot.....stay tuned yo!!