There’s a dryer in the kitchen…
…and food on the piano.
The word “dusty” doesn’t even begin to describe every. single. surface east of the plastic drop cloth that separates the kitchen from the rest of the house.
Aw, heck. Who am I kidding. The whole place needed dusting before we even started this big reno.
These two don’t seem to mind all the commotion though…
Now these two on the other hand…
I think they’re ready for a couple of days off.
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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Good luck with all the mess. Just keep reminding yourself of all the wonderfulness that’s coming!
Thanks, Kelly! I’ve been calling it the “storm before the calm” phase. 🙂
Oh, what beauty you’ll be creating! But things have to get messy first, don’t they?
I’m guessing there’s a good bit of sneezing going on at your house, so here’s a big “Bless you!” for all of you!!
ACHOO! 😀
Wow! An exciting project. I can’t wait to see more.
It’s going to look GREAT! I’m insanely jealous…you know I’m always looking for a project…let me know if you need help 🙂
Thanks Rachel!
😀
I love this part of your story, cause you know after you are to pooped to “pawty”, the high comes over you to make pretty the new room you are left with. All the dust, fuss and muss will be far behind you. So excited for you and Kevin.
Hugs. Geri.
Hi Geri! 😀
Pooped is definitely how Kev is feeling right now. I keep reminding him how awesome it’s going to look when it’s all done!
Good luck!! It will look fantastic when finished and I can’t wait to see it and be inspired, as I always am by everything you two do!
Thanks Diana! I’m hoping it all turns out they way I see it in my mind…ya never know til it all goes in! 😀
Yay, leaving a comment finally worked for me! 🙂
Wow, that looks like like a lot of hard work. I know you will love it when it is done. And your faithful readers will too!
It sure is a lot of work, Kim! But I’m sure it will be worth it. Just gotta keep telling Kevin that! 😀
I think it’s kind of funny that people, so interested in their homes (myself included) love things to be so neat, pretty and organized but also have such a good tolerance for putting up with renovation mess!
Good luck with the renovation!
True dat! 😀 And thanks for the good luck wishes- we appreciate them!
Grueling work, but I’m sure the payoff will be outstanding. Can’t wait to see the final results.
Thanks, Mike! We’ll definitely post pics as soon as it’s all done!
well, i would offer to come by and help out seeing as how i’ll be in prattville tomorrow (for a haircut) but since it looks like it’s almost done i don’t guess you’ll need my help (LOL)!
judy
LOL! Yeah…they’ve got it under control. 🙂 Can’t wait to have the hardwood in there so we don’t have to tiptoe on dusty concrete anymore!
I know you two can’t wait for it to be done! I am lovin’ the colors of the trees in your yard 🙂 Wish I had that in my back yard.
Can’t wait, indeed! 😀
I’m really enjoying the Fall colors this year, Sandra. Aren’t they glorious? I just wish they stuck around a little longer than they do! Fall moves through pretty quick here in central Alabama.
Just keep reminding yourself the finished look. It makes it easier to handle all that mess!
Your fury babies look so comfortable, dont care whatsoever with what is going on 🙂 When we do reno, our dog finds himself a comfortable place and does not come out until he needs to inspect the finished work.
You dog sounds like our dog, Ilke! Maybe we need to teach them how to swing a hammer so they can get their paws a little dirty with us! 😀
Seriously, they need to earn their daily food, right? 🙂
Yeah! ;-D
Ah, Layla. I visit your website pretty much every day and all your renovations/changes just make me feel GOOD! Thank you so much for sharing the process with us. 🙂
Thanks Paulette! We’re having fun with the house, and I love documenting our days here on the blog so we can look back and laugh at all our crazy reno adventures someday!
Right now, however, there seems to be more sneezing and sweating than laughing- LOL! 😀
Chee. . . it looks so warm there. (Sorry. This comment has sweet zip to do with removing ceramic tile, an experience I’m trying to block from my memory) We have snow and it was -12C (about 10.4F) here last night. I’m wearing flannels – not t-shirts – and the Great Toque and Mitten Hunt has begun! That picture makes me feel lonesome for summer.
Have fun guys! Can’t wait to see the finished floor 😉
Oh my! -12C sounds chilly! :-O
We’re enjoying Fall here in Alabama…but I grew up in Minnesota, so I know all about cold weather! Brrrr! 😀
Minnesota is pretty close – I’m in Calgary, Alberta. One of the reasons I watch your blog so devotedly is because up here in winter it’s dark by 4 p.m. I know there are plenty of folks who paint the inside of their homes dark ‘cozy’ colours and like the ambience but when it’s already dark outside and I still have half-a-day to go, I want the lightness to come in – I need it to feel like I’m not some sort of burrowing rodent eight months out of the year. The light, white interiors that are so much a staple of TLC’s style also translates very well to our nordic environment – that ethereal whiteness, the soft look of fresh snow, the beautiful intricate detail and delicate airy feeling coupled with hits of vibrant colours – that’s what I live in (when it’s sunny). There’s no place more beautiful than the True North when the sun is out 🙂 Add the little touches of whimsey and humour and I’m sold! Keep up the good work – looking forward to more 🙂
keep those guys in cool water and lots of protein! Or beer and hot wings. lol. Reno is hard work! I grew up in a house under constant renovation (built in the 1700s) and the dust is something I never got used to. But, I do know with dry wall and tile dust: never “wipe it” off the furniture! You’ll get teeny scratches in the finish. 🙁
Kev says beer and chicken sounds awesome…and wants to know if 10:40am is to early to start on that? 😉
The clean up is always the worst part! Just keep telling Kevin that he’s almost there!!!!! p.s. can’t wait to see it
No kidding, right?! 😀
Off to go tell Kev what you said….
😉
Love your house and the way its decorated. We only see the one side of your kitchen. Do you have photos of the other side?
Yep! Although I’ve never really “finished” that side of the room. Here’s an old post that has some pics of it pre-reno: https://theletteredcottage.net/butcher-block-counter-top-swap/
Thanks for the pics. I’m really thinking of doing the bead board in my kitchen. It really looks good. Loved your Ikea blog you two had me laughing. Thanks again.
Sure thing Michelle!
We’ve actually removed the beadboard since that post…and I have something else up my sleeve for that wall…stay tuned! 😉
That being said, I still LOVE beadboard and think it looks GREAT in cottage/traditional kitchens! 😀
Can’t wait to see whats up that sleeve of yours. I think I’ll hold off on the bead board till I see what you guys are doing. Have a nice day.
Once it’s all done will be a great time to indulge and hire a cleaning service to come in and do all the dusting, vaccuming, etc. We did that after a major reno and it wasn’t that expensive at all and made the whole house feel brand new!
Now THAT sounds like a good idea!!! 😀
Oh my! You should see the dust in our house! I’m right there with you! All of the food from our pantry is covering Eli and Adam’s dresser! I am hoping to get things a little in order before the holidays. Fingers crossed!
But we will both be so happy when it is all finished! 🙂
Traci
I saw the AUsome sticker on the truck, and I just want to say a big WAR EAGLE!
I’m up here in Birmingham trying to nest in my house, and I just love what y’all have done! It’s nice to see fellow Alabamian bloggers!
Wow! Great effort at pounding through the ceramic tiles. It will all be worth it in the end when you have your lovely new floor. And, I am so happy to see Kit Kat looking adorable snuggling on his pillow. He has a special place in my heart. So glad you are looking out for him. Has he found a new home yet?
Your pictures remind me of my summer… Dust, dust, dust… but bliss afterwards! Can’t wait to see your kitchen floor done.
War Eagle! 🙂
Oh goodness, I so empathize, it’s gonna be fabulous in the end.. That last photo says it all though doesn’t it? They look like two very spent people.. bless their pea picken hearts. 🙂
My husband and I are planning on installing hardwood floors (right now we have carpet and ceramic tile). Our kitchen has ceramic, and I want to have the hw floors in the kitchen also. He would rather just leave the kitchen with tile because we would have to temporarily remove the cabinets in order to get the entire kitchen floor done. Did you not have to do that? Whatever you can say to help convince him to do the hw floors in the kitchen would be greatly appreciated!!!
Ooh, Can you show a bigger picture of the rug kitty is sleeping on? Source? It looks like all the right colors for my living room. Thanks!
I’m avidly following your tile removal! 🙂 Our kitchen has ceramic tile and its coming up sooner rather than later. Not looking forward to the mess but am looking forward to getting rid of it.