Mini Kitchen Renovation -

NORTH Carolina is a great place to live. 

We've called it 'home' since 1977.

This house, 'the cottage', has been our home for 35 years.

Needless to say, a house always requires attention. Repairs and

renovations often rear their ugly heads. Things must be attended to 

in order to keep up one's property, especially as it ages. . . . just like

 its occupants!

My kitchen is OK, but having spent much of this pandemic year in

 said kitchen, cooking non-stop, I've noticed things in need of updating . . 

 . . . . and deep cleaning!!!

 

The words 'kitchen renovation' bring thoughts of a huge upheaval in the home.

 A total mess for weeks sometimes months, eating most meals out (we used

to be able to do that!), and an expense which could add up to

 thousands of dollars if replacing cabinets, appliances, flooring etc.

Yes, perhaps a beautiful new kitchen of your dreams . . . . . . eventually,

however it comes with a lot of work, disruption, and at a huge cost!

There are however smaller renovations which can be done . . . . . . and I've just

done one so small that most people, might not even notice it!  For me though

it's helping me enjoy my 35 year old kitchen a bit more!

Old Cabinet Pulls

For several years I've wanted a white kitchen - yes, paint all that

 oak woodwork - which was never going to happen as Bob loves "his wood."

Then I tried to cajole him into grey after he actually liked a kitchen 

we viewed at an IKEA store. With that not happening due to a mixed bag

 of reasons, I then fell in love with the amazing deVol English kitchen ads. . . . 

. . . . . beautiful spaces in dark blue, deep green, charcoal etc. Estimates

 to turn my kitchen into one of those requires winning the lottery, or

 inheriting a legacy, neither of which are in the cards!

Three awesome kitchens above all by deVol (UK)

New Cabinet Pulls

Looking at my cabinets I realized they were still in pretty good shape for 

their age, and apparently natural woods are becoming popular again, much

to Bob's joy.

What I really disliked the most were the door and and drawer 

pulls - old fashioned with their curlicues (see first photo), and losing their

 clean antiqued brass finish after being handled for so many years.

So, off I went to search for new hardware and, after looking at so many,
 I decided to try this one, bronze with just a smidgen of antiquing on the edges.

As the hinges are still pretty good looking - after a deep cleaning - and because 

removing and replacing over 50 hinges was beyond me, they are staying.

I bought one pull home to try and really liked it - went back the next day and

bought 25 more.

Together Bob and I removed all the old pulls, and I spent a long time cleaning

and touching up all the woodwork. The 26 new pulls for the doors and drawers

we put on together also.

Really pleased with the outcome which I think updates the kitchen a

little. As I said, this has to be the smallest 'kitchen reno' ever, but it

was easy, fast, caused no mess and upheaval, and cost under $150.00!

Kitchens get such a lot of heavy use, especially these days when we are

 cooking more than ever. Ours is not big by any means but it's comfortable

 to work in, has good light from the large windows, and the view to the back

 garden is lovely.

Speaking of views, my window above the kitchen sink faces the house

 next door across our adjoining driveways. Yes, the house I've recently

 featured which has been for sale. 

I'll have an update on that property very soon!

Any news from your kitchen?

What's cooking today?

I'm roasting veggies and making two Autumn soups.

I just have to add here that I'm overwhelmed by all the generous 

wishes you sent via comments and emails for my birthday on Monday.

Thank you everyone - you are such great friends.