The Search for Hardware

I searched all over for the perfect cabinet hardware for our renovated kitchen. I went to my usual suspects like Van Dykes Hardware (love their vintage products), Restoration Hardware and even places like Lowes, Home Depot and Ace. I finally found the perfect fit on Overstock.com of all places. Since we are "Club O" members, and we made a major purchase on Overstock earlier in the year we had a Club O credit that let us get our kitchen faucet and hardware for almost free! I Love a great deal.

Lighter Colors of Granite

The granite came in about a week after we had the cabinets done. We went out on a limb this time and gave ours business to a one man shop since we try to support small local vendors whenever possible. In this case, we wished we hadn't. We had much better luck on former projects with Stone World which is a larger fabricator in Nashville. Next time (if there is a next time) we need granite, we will go back to Stone World again.

Fast Forward

I have gone WAY too long without a blog update, so here is a fast forward update....

Though we weren't happy with the cabinet people, we were happy with the finished result. Here are the cabinets before the counter and backsplash:

They Messed Up My Mojo

Well, it has been a LONG time since I have done a blog update, so I have a lot of catching up to do. This is what I would call the storm before the calm. The kitchen cabinets are all torn apart for refinishing, and primed ready to go. This was a couple of steps before the "last laugh" for laminate post below. I don't miss having the kitchen torn apart, or the dust, and dirt.

Sadly, we would not use the company that did our refinishing again. Too much mess--at least as much as replacement cabinets. The only real benefit was cost.

Issue 1: They brought their 10 year old daughter AND her friend to our house with them. This creates a liability issue for us. We have a 12 foot deep pond at our house and rescue horses. We can't be responsible for someones child that is just hanging around while they are working. Joel likes to have on Sports Center during the day. The unexpected guest child wanted to watch Disney--Disney it was.

Issue 2: LOUD LOUD, did I say LOUD preachers. I work for a company that owns a radio station in Mississippi that makes a living off of Southern Gospel Preachers, but I don't want to walk in the house to hear that blaring, and scaring the dogs. It makes it worse when it is not turned down when you get home, and they just EXPECT you to be ok with it.

Issue 3: Not done on schedule. Before our final trim was done they had to go on vacation. Then, since our last few pieces were small a bunch of other jobs got in the way. 2 months later we finally got our last cabinet door and trim back, but not before things got awful in email.

Issue 4: Quality of work. We had to fix several things that should have been done during the job. The Lazy Susan ended up out of balance, a pull out drawer was out of track. Primer ended up places it shouldn't be--like on my new appliances and our newly refinished hardwood floors.

So, if that is not enough, I'm sure there were more issues. Thankfully the kitchen looks good now, but MojoFaux really messed up my Mojo.

Last Laugh For Laminate

The oak edged Laminate countertops are having their final hurrah. Moments after the taking of this photo they met their new nemesis--crowbar and circular saw, and were removed from their life of leisure in the kitchen. They have now been replaced with gleaming granite. (Photos coming soon!)

Light always follows the path of the beautiful.

The track lighting in the kitchen is gone! Track one has been re-fished to allow the install of these two gorgeous pendants. Track 2 and 3 will be revealed on Memorial Day. (They aren't done yet...)

Mojo Faux

Ande from Mojo Faux just left, and we have picked out our cabinet finishes. We should have our quote tomorrow. This is the photo for what I will call our "inspiration room".

It would be nice if our kitchen was actually this big, but we can at least go for the basics of the look. It will be really nice when it is done.