When we first moved into our house, the kitchen floor was covered in dingy, gray ceramic tiles that weren’t laid very level, and had different-sized/badly-stained (because they were never sealed) grout lines running between them…
So right after we moved in, we quickly covered it up with an inexpensive, dark-colored, laminate flooring we purchased on eBay…
It only cost about $250 to cover the whole room, and it’s been great for the past three years, but now that we’ve finally finished re-doing the original hardwood flooring in the rest of the house, we’re ready to rock the kitchen floor with something that matches it. (PS- Our neighbors re-used the laminate we ripped out in a building they recently built in their backyard.)
At one point, I thought it might be cool to have a brick kitchen floor, but Kev was never 100% sold on the idea aesthetically, and I was never sure about it comfort-wise, so we decided to just go ahead and match the hardwood in the rest of our house. We invited a couple of folks from Carol’s Carpet to come out and take a look at our existing floors to see if they could match it, and sure enough, they found the right stuff (2-1/4″ oak) and they’re coming over to install a kitchen full of it next week! (We’re going to seal it and trim it out ourselves to save some dough.)
Kevin has been dying to get the tile out of there for quite a while now…
…especially since we’ve had to walk over a row of broken-up concrete for, like, the last six months (don’t ask)…
…but he’s just getting over a bad case of pleurisy, so we hired a friend of his (Jason) to come over today and help him chip it all out before the hardwood folks get here next week.
He’s a hard worker, that Jason…
I’m not sure if he knew anything about removing ceramic tile before, but sure is a pro at it now!
Here’s a short video of the two of them talkin’ tile removal:
So, breaking up the edges of the tile with a hammer first seems to be the way to go.
I’ll post pics of the new kitchen floor when we’re done sealing it next week, and in the meantime, I’m going to call around and get some estimates on the next big redo we’d like to save up for and tackle- a wall of windows! Sort of like this…
Here’s a virtual drawing I created in Photoshop a while back to kind of show you what that might look like…
Right now we’ve just got the one teeny-tiny little window in there (above the sink), so we’re anxious to bring in a little more natural light, and take better advantage of the view of the woods behind our house.
Of course we’ll have to move our dishes to the other side of the kitchen when we install windows across that wall, but that’s okay. I’ve got big plans for that side of the room, too…
PS- For more info about our kitchen, visit the OUR HOUSE tab in the menu bar at the top of our blog!
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whislerpotpie
I don’t often comment on your blog – but I wanted to let you know I read every post and enjoy it very much. Thanks for terrific inspiration! Have a great week.
Layla
Why, thank you, Erika! 😀
I sure do appreciate you stopping by and commenting today…and hope you have a great week too! 😀
Jen (Balancing Beauty and Bedlam)
How fun to watch you tackle project after project. ANd the wall of windows? Love that! When we were deciding on cabinets vs windows, I went with more storage, but seeing those windows really makes me rethink it. 🙂 12 years later, I do not know what I would do with all the kitchen “stuff.” More cabinets = more stuff = more clutter. 🙂
Layla
Hey Jen!
Thanks for commenting today- it’s always fun to hear from you! 🙂
Kev and I aren’t really into cooking, so we don’t have that much “cooking stuff”, but that wall across from where we want to put the windows is just dying for a bunch of cabinetry/shelves. I can’t wait to load it up with storage…and who knows, maybe even more cooking stuff- LOL! 😀
Charlie
Ugh! What a laborious job! I did that to our kitchen floors by hand! It may or may not have taken me 3 straight weeks, and I probably have arthritis now. ha!
Can’t wait to see your floors!
Aloha,
Charlie
Layla
Oh my goodness, I can’t believe you had to do that by hand, Charlie! :-O
I bet it looks fabulous now though!
😀
Kristine
Are those Tolix dining chairs I spy in the corner of one of your pics? I just bought some for myself last week! I don’t recall seeing them on your blog before.
Cindy
Layla and Kevin: First, I do hope that Kevin is feeling much better. A few years back we ripped out all the original flooring on the first floor and ran h/w floors…love it! I clean the floors with Bona and their mop; the floors still look new. I think h/w in the kitchen is the perfect flooring. Enjoy yours! Cindy
Sharon
What a great idea, a wall of windows it will look wonderful. I would love to have that in my kitchen/family room area. I enjoyed seeing how Kevin removed the ceramic tile in the kitchen, that is what mine looks like now and I have been trying to figure out how to do it. Enjoy your site, you have given me lots of ideas.
Tanya @ Sunday Baker
I can’t wait to see your new floors. We are in the same boat, except we have a much worse looking floor in our kitchen than you do right now…researching vinyl planking-have you ever heard anything about it?
Layla
Hi Tanya!
Yes! We’ve used vinyl planks before and they’re great! Just make sure the surface you’re laying them on top of is dry and smooth!
Brittny Hemphill
I grew up with brick flooring and loved it! Now I’m living in the house I grew up in for a year (long story nobody cares to hear) and feel completely different about it. I have bad feet (such a lovely thing to say) and so I’m more sensitive to the kind of flooring I live with. I never realized how much brick flooring hurts when you walk around barefoot all day! Wood flooring isn’t much better, but at least it’s smooth. Can’t wait to see how it all turns out!!
Layla
Hi Brittny!
Good to know about the brick!
😀
Lauri McIntosh
Hi Layla, I continue to be inspired by you, and you’ve been so great about answering questions. Here’s another one for you…what program do you use to show your ideas like the wall of windows? If I could see things like that beforehand, I could sure save myself alot of time buying and returning to the store! Looking forward to seeing your kitchen floors after you’re done!
Layla
Thank you Lauri! I use Photoshop! 😀
chandel
You two are just too dang cute and creative for words! I love to see what you guys will do. And i’m glad you guys ‘caved’ with Kit Kat…although i think we could all see that coming (ever since the video of him kneeding in your lap) 🙂
Tiff
Glad to hear Kevin is getting better – pleurisy is a nasty, hurty way to be sick.
Layla, you are so gifted. I have a kitchen/living area and master bed/walk-thru robe/ensuite area I need to redo and it stumps me every time I begin to think about it! Each time I try to figure something out I think “WWLD?”!! But I need your brain here because it just doesn’t work 🙁
Thanks for being so inspirational. Without your ideas I’d be more lost than I already am!
Layla
Hi Tiff!
Thank you and I hope you can figure out what to do with those tricky interior areas. Where do you live? 😉
Tiff
All the way Down Under. Need an Aussie “work-ation”? 😉
Jess
Sooooooooo, I am curious if you are ripping out the concrete backer board as well or do you have something else down there as the backer? I want to rip out our tile floors in the kitchen and dining rooms and when we replace the carpet in the living room, go all out and replace those floors at the same time. It’s open concept and those 3 rooms are really just 1 BIG room, so I think h/w on all of it would be much nicer. HOWEVER, the hubs installed the tile and knows that there is concrete backer board with screws every 2 inches holding it to the underlayment and is not pleased with the thought of ripping it out. Just curious if that fancy little machine takes care of that, too….:) Or how much trouble I’m going to be in if I decide to “surprise” him and do it myself….
Layla
Hey Jess!
There’s actually a concrete foundation under the tile we’re ripping out, so the folks at Carol’s Carpet are going to use a glue-down hardwood floor next week. I can’t wait to see it all going down! 😀
Urban Cottage
Love the plan for the windows. Black mullions would look hot.
Andrea
Love your ideas Layla! I’m also loving your hubby’s NPR shirt!
Danielle
Can’t wait to see the floor. I love your blog and have been so inspired by you! The wall of windows will looks so nice when you do them and will also bath the kitchen in light. Lovely.
Bethany
Hi Layla! Wow can’t wait to see the finished product! We have ugly tile in our guest bath and wanted to add laminate until we could afford a bathroom redo, was it very hard? How would you add it around the toilet??? Thanks!
Layla
Hi Bethany!
You’ll have to remove the toilet if you want it to look all nice and neat! It’s kind of a pain the booty, but it’s worth it in the end!
Heidi @ Decor & More
Yes, you absolutely need to do a wall of windows! Like the kitchen in “It’s Complicated”– tons of natural light! I would soooo do that if I could. Can’t wait to see how the floors turn out; it’s refreshing to know that even savvy and dedicated DIYers like y’all walk across some concrete for a few months mid-project. 😉
Tonya
I admit it…I have kitchen envy. I ♥ your kitchen. I would take the bad tile any day compared to what I have been living with for 11 years. Although we are planning our remodel in January. I love hardwood floors. They provide such a feeling of warmth.
Layla
Aw…thanks Tonya! 😀 But trust me when I tell you, you would not have dug the nastiness going on with our tile floor. Truly disgusting….so glad it’s finally gone! 😀
Sue B.
Layla! I love, love the window wall! I modified our bldg plans 20 yrs ago to include the same until Hubs vetoed it by reminding me it was to face the drive, side street, and prying eyes! I’m envious of the forested view you will have. I’d give up cabinet space anytime for light and such a view! Continued good luck with the flooring project!
laura
holy guacamole layla what a job!!!! your kevin is one stellar guy {as is his friend! what a gem!} to take on such a project! big job = big payoff though i’m sure. can’t wait to see it!
Kim
Love the update! Can’t wait to see all the wood floor wonderfulness! Hope you guys are doing well. Seems like the last few months have been a whirlwind for you both.
Amy Johnson
Layla, check at Lowe’s in the clearance department. I got all new windows for our house by checking in the back at the builder-return area. I took my measurements and over the course of a month or two accumulated enough windows to re-do ours for about $50 per double-paned double-hung window. And since you can be a little flexible on size, you can probably do the same. Good luck with the window-wall! Love the idea!
Linda
I can’t wait to see the new floor….I know its a big job because we are starting a bathroom redo! Best of luck!
jenn aka the picky girl
I don’t have a handy dandy husband to take out the tile. Actually…I don’t have a hubby at all. BUT I am so anxious to get rid of the tile in my kitchen and am PETRIFIED of doing it myself. But I’ve heard it’s super expensive to have done.
I’m going to attempt to do my teeny tiny laundry room myself. Maybe if that goes ok, I’ll be doing something similar. Can’t wait to see the new floors!
Sunny
I am so happy to see an update on the house!! Like the commenter above I have read every post just to get up to date and love your blog so much!! Keep up the good work!
{hooked on hickory]
i’m so glad you guys decided to do the hardwood! it will look fabulous! excited for the both of you!
ashley over @
{hookedonhickory}
Sandra
Layla,
I can’t wait to see the end result. I know it will be fabuloso, like everything you and Kevin do! 🙂 Keep us posted on the progress.
Tisha
I love the windows. I have several in my house and never tire of the natural light. I would recommend plain panes rather than mutton bars. I would prefer an unobstructed view…. just food for thought.
Life with Kaishon
How exciting for you : )
Congratulations!
Lari
Just picked up both the magazines yall are in this month! Love all your decorating ideas! I’m here in P’ville too but about to move down to Northwest Florida in December. Moving into a 1966 ranch style home that has not been updated since it was built! It is a family home and we are in love with it! Want to take a road trip (only 2 1/2 hrs) and help me decorate? My mother in law has 3 sheds of antiques that I am going to raid 🙂
kero
so amazed by the transformation already! you guys are such an inspiration. i’m so happy to have found your awesome blog!
Jennifer
It look so beautiful! Wish i have a house like this sometimes!
jennifer
I LOVE the inspiration kitchen!!! HOLY COW!! What a lot of work you guys have signed up for, but it’s going to be amazing…like everything else you guys do!! Best of luck, can’t wait to see!!
Mardi
We’re going to be doing something similar soon, so thanks for the great post. Oh & hope Kevin feels better. I’ve just had a 9 pound baby drug free & I still say pleurisy was more painful!
jennibell
Wow! LOVE the wall of windows idea!! I pinned your inspiration picture. . .that is such a *perfect* space 🙂
Bethanie
Hi Layla,
First of all, I picked up my BHG’s Christmas Ideas magazine this weekend…Love it. So cool to see you guys in there!! Love the idea of all the windows in your kitchen…if you have lots of cabinet space on the other side, I’d go for it in a heart beat! You’re a talented pair!! Hope Kevin feels better, I had pleurisy (sp?) a few years ago, I thought I was dying!! :0)
Gaela
Praying that Kevin feels better soon. My husband had pleurisy back in January and it was awful. We’ll be praying for y’all! 🙂
Bernie
I love your vision! About the only thing we left to professionals was tile removal. The tile was not the problem, (easy) scraping the thinset off the floor/base was labor intensive AND dusty!
Bernie
PS. I’ve had pleurisy twice. Painful! Hope Kev is feeling better.
Liz VanKirk
I couldn’t believe it when I saw the photo – the older photo of the kitchen with all the windows! I have that same photo & used it to do the same thing in our kitchen. We now have 5 windows across the back of the kitchen with our range & sink below them. Love them!!! It was the best decision we ever made in our kitchen.
Liz (from Michigan)
Lyss
Love love love the wall of windows! This house we are renting could use a lot more windows…and some lighter wall colors!
Anywho cant wait to see what you guys do!
Ps I was wanting to order that galvanized cake stand for my son’s bday party…is it big enough for a round cake?? I notice you just have some decor on it?
Thanks,
Lyss
Shaunna
Lookin’ good, friends!!! I CANNOT wait to see it!! Here’s to demo.
😉
shaunna
Michelle
Love the windows!
Connie@Connie Nikiforoff Designs
I may have to stop reading your blog. I’m constantly drooling onto my computer keyboard! Haha!
I love your kitchen the way it is now….and of course with the hardwood flooring it’ll be even nicer. But I too think that wall of windows will be extraordinary!
We put an offer on a home that really had “everything” to be done for the kitchen. We didn’t get the home, but that didn’t stop me from “planning” out a virtual kitchen design in my head 🙂 The fun part was, there wouldn’t have been any demo…just start from square one, since there were no cabinets/cupboards at all…just a few free standing shelves! Alas…the house got a different buyer..But maybe someday….{dream..sigh}
Linda B
Love the hardwood flooring, it will look sooo nice.
The wall of windows is also a dream of mine and has been for two houses. I would love to see you do that.
I also have the magazines you are in, and the spreads are amazing. You are quite an inspiration!
hello haha narf
you are truly an inspiration!
Stephanie
I absolutely love the wall of windows. I have 2 windows over my sink & am thankful for those but the more windows the better, in my opinion!!
Barbara
I love the black diamond pattern on the floor! It’s so bold! I think I’d be scared to do it, but it seems that nothing scares you two and it always works out beautifully. I love reading your blog and really enjoy your tips. Good luck with the kitchen redo. Can’t wait to see it!
traci
Layla,
That kitchen is going to be gorgeous! We are both doing kitchen renovations right now. 🙂
I want to do larger windows above my sink, but we can’t because of where the windows are located on the front of the house. Poo-ey!
I’ll live vicariously through you.
Love ya!
Traci
Liz VanKirk
By the way – when we did put our wall of windows in we did casement with grids (love the look) inside the glass. We had the windows open different ways so we could choose which one to open when just the ride breeze was coming in. We also just had the builder put the windows in and finish the outside part. He did it in 1 day. My husband did the electrical & wired 2 sconces (upside down nickel bathroom ones from H.D.) in between the windows (2nd & 4th). I painted everything and we really get lots of compliments from the AMOUNT of light it brings into our kitchen.