the things you learn while renovating your kitchen!

Posted on 5,184 Comments on the things you learn while renovating your kitchen!

It is 2AM and I am standing in the middle of my kitchen as I grab my phone to make a note. A note that now undecidedly turned into my long awaited blog post!
My kitchen is done!  Well almost done, in fact, I might just make some changes to the new kitchen… Yip! I said it! There are a few elements I might consider changing, but for now I cannot explain to you, with it’s imperfections and all, no matter how I look at it, it sparks JOY!
My kitchen right now is my happy place!
Yes I cannot wait to jump into the next project!
Yes I have definitely learned some valuable lessons.
Yes I will absolutely share them with you.

There are so many showstopping elements in the kitchen, things that sparks joy, but for me, the most important, is the fact that I can cook here now.
If you’ve followed my journey via Instagram, you might have seen the previous state this kitchen was in and also those vrot counter tops…it had to go, Koebaai!
When we viewed the property for the first time, my head ran away, soos in weg weg weg! I had so many ideas and I just could not wait to move in, to kickstart (the first of many new-home projects) the kitchen.
I immediately knew I would want to remodel the space and turn things around to allow more floor space and definitely add more counter space.
When I first mentioned to Kevin, “…I think we should close up this wall, and open up this side…” he gave me the eyebrow… Fastforward 6 months later and he thanked me and actually admitted that my plan was the best!

Now, the research starts and costing and crying and meltdowns.
Yes meltdowns, I had many of those.
Before, during and after.
I mean, this is a big thing and big decisions we will have to make.
Before we started, I prayed so hard that we would find the right people to assist us with the reno.
I am not a plumber nor an electrician, so I was not going to take any chances with those two very important elements of our new home.
Bear with me, this was our very first complete renovation ever and we really wanted to share this journey with you, because you might learn a thing or two, so here goes…

1. Research! Research! Research! Check reviews, check specials, check grades, check alles! This will help you decide on imported factors like budgeting, oh man!
Costing, quotes and budgeting can take you from hero to zero!

2. You can totally design your own kitchen!  You have to love the space, so jump in and make the space yours.

3. You don’t have to tile all the way, but if you prefer to, go for it.  I wanted the wall space for some paint to allow colour and I am also planning on turning the one wall info a feature wall with mixed media and decor elements.

4. Drawers! Drawers! Drawers! The more the merrier! They save space and you can see everything inside the draw.
5. Your plan will need order, the order will be determined by the key players.  You can’t mos paint if you still need the electrician to chase cables into the walls.
6. Plan and buy items before the reno. We managed to get the gas top, oven and fan on last years Black Friday deals, and saved quite a bit.
7. Mense tiles are expensive! Don’t decide immediately, shop around until you find something. Also, if you want quality, you gotta pay!
8. Be prepared to eat dust! Literally! Cause no matter how much you sweep and clean up every 2minutes, until the project is done, you will eat dust!
9. Know your limits! I really wanted to be involved in this reno because as much as I’d be learning, I definitely appreciate the space so much more because I did the work.
10. Be patient! As the cliche goes, Roman wasn’t built in a day.
11. Be flexible! Things might not go according to plan, and you might need a new plan. I mean loadshedding is a thing in South Africa!

I think that’s it for now…But please come back because I have a feeling I might just have more learning points to recap.

PS. my head is already running away with ideas for the next project but I think I’ll be much more prepared for the next renovation!

Special thanks to our COLTimbers family as well as our Franke family.

Love & Laughter
Rae xx

 

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