TBT: 2003 The Kitchen and How It Was

When we were starting with the renovation in 2003 we had a new refrigerator, a temporary island that had the new cooktop and two of our first Ikea white drawer units. There was a pot rack over that island and what a joy it was to finally cook with real heat on five burners!  As much as I like the new kitchen and all my counter space, this was a very workable kitchen and is still one of my favorite floor plans.

Wordless Wednesday: September 10, 2014

kitchen pre renovation

Windows on the World

We get new windows today! the whole front of the house is getting new ones, actual thermally sound windows! The ones downstairs are the original ones and I think 100 years is enough. The upstairs ones are children that are only about 60 years old!I can't wait to have windows that open and stay open, windows that don't have major drafts, windows that block some sound etc etc

During our earlier renovation we waffled about changing the front door to the side of the house and adding a side porch. We knew we'd never sit out there though, and after living with the house post renovation, there really is no point. So it was finally time to get the front windows done, deal with the aging shake siding, and get a new front door. Sadly the shakes didn't dry looking very good after being washed , too hard imho but ... So it was paint time.


The front door has been chosen but the color is still up in the air. I want to see the windows and the final look of the repainted shakes to make up my mind. With the front garden cleared and the tree trimmed it's looking like a new(er) house.

And the money flows

We just signed a contract for new, insulated windows to replace some of our 100 year old beauties. Ah they have character, but boy are they energy inefficient! We waffled for about 5 years as to whether we would do a major change to the entrance, and of course all I could think of was $$$ beams. Right now I think that the slight addition we have considered is not to be unless we find that it can be done for a reasonable cost. Just not this year. However the windows and refinishing of the front are another step in the renovation of our house.

It's a good thing that we got this yesterday...



This is our first tax refund in 9 years of marriage. We went wild with excitement!!!