Renovated Kitchen - the Thrifty Way

     Although the kitchen was redone two years ago, it still feels new every time I walk in the door. After the oven was replaced because the doors wouldn't close properly anymore and the new floor was laid, I decided it was time for the cabinets to get a facelift. With a limited budget, paint was the obvious choice for the pine cabinets, which were original to the fifty year old house, but in very good shape. It was daunting to begin such a project while working full time so I compromised on a time frame: every week I removed a  set of doors or a drawer to the basement, where it was sanded and painted with three coats of white semi-gloss enamal latex. Thus the paint project took nearly a whole season but the kitchen was never out of commission entirely. At that point, since I was having trouble deciding on the color and compostion of a replacement counter, I was in no hurry to continue, which turned out to be a lucky move.  During a chance inspection, the old stovetop was declared by the local gas company to be unsafe and therefore unusable (two days before I was to host a large Easter brunch) so a quick decision had to be made. The time was opportune to place a new counter along with a new stovetop.

      At first, I missed the lovely stainless steel appliances which were classic and easy to clean, but the white is proving equally easy to maintain and is so bright and cheerful. And the original ceramic wall tiles, in a pleasing terra cotta color that I have always loved, are popular again hence they will remain indefinetly. The laminate countertop with its rolled edge, is simulated blue granite which adds a tone of sophistication. My kitchen is not large but with the soaring cathedral ceiling, the big beautiful window over the sink, and now the gleaming white cabinets and appliances, this hard-working room is a delightful place to indulge in cooking, baking, eating and even clean-up!