Step 6: Paint, Counters, and Backsplash
Look for ideas online and in magazines.
Before our builder started installing cabinets I painted the ceiling and all the walls. I must say, that was brilliant! If you've ever painted around trim, you know how tedious it can be. It was SO easy to paint without concern for edges. Since our new cabinets were going all the way to the ceiling, I only had to cut in the trim in a few areas around the doors and the window. I knew there would be some nicks on the new paint, but it was easier to touch up than to start painting after construction. We chose a basic white flat for the ceiling, and a semi-gloss for the walls called "Heavy Cream." I like paints with interesting names! This particular color matched our backsplash tiles perfectly.
The new cabinets are a medium honey-brown wood and the granite counter is called "Baltic Brown," a mottled stone pattern of brown, black, gray, and slate blue. We used a local installer who does quality work. He did a great job. (The counter matches the ceramic tile floor that we put in almost 20 years ago. It is lovely and didn't need to be changed!)
I've always wanted a large butcher block to work on. We bought a butcher block counter top from Ikea for the section next to the refrigerator. I've been rolling out bread dough and biscuits on this for 2 months now and I really like having the huge wooden surface.
We didn't want any pattern on the backsplash. We chose a simple cream-colored ceramic subway tile. Our old kitchen was all white. Since the new cabinets and counters were dark, I thought we needed some brightness and light on the walls. I was right!
Step 7: Appliances and...
Compare Prices and Wait for Sales.
We spent a couple of months looking for stainless steel appliances and the other items we needed to purchase. Since we were shopping in November we snagged some great Black Friday deals. We bought a Kenmore 28 cu. ft. French door refrigerator and Fridigaire double convection wall ovens from Sears. I'm really happy with both of these appliances so far.
We wanted to see professional cooktops and range hoods before buying anything. The only store near us that sells this level of appliance is over an hour away, and they don't ever go on sale. We made a day of it and drove to Pittsburgh. It was impressive to see all the beautiful professional appliances under one roof. We liked the Jenn-Air 6-burner gas cooktop the best. We got a hood and a blower that matched the specs our builder recommended. Our Maytag dishwasher is only a couple of years old and works wonderfully, so it stayed. We got a 9-inch deep Hahn sink from Costco online, and a Moen pull-down faucet from Lowe's.
We purchased these way before construction began, so I timed the delivery dates to coincide with my builder's schedule. Aside from the Sears delivery man's snafu with our new fridge, everything worked out well. He broke the plug on the new fridge when trying to straighten out the prongs! We had to have another one delivered and were forced to use a small dorm fridge for a couple of weeks. I'm not happy with Sears' service, nor with the manager who wouldn't come out of his office to speak to Tony about this issue! But as my son would say, "First world problems, mom!"
Step 8: Construction!!
The construction took just over 3 weeks. Our builder was very thorough and thought through many important details I wouldn't have foreseen. We are very thankful for that. Here are some photos of the progress.
Oven Side
Door and Window Wall
Refrigerator Side
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