Kitchen is done!

Well, after nearly three months, our minor kitchen remodel is finished! I think it fits nicely with the period of the home (1921) yet feels modern and updated. Thanks to a very handy husband, lots of elbow grease, smart shopping and a small budget of $2,500, here's what we got:

• repainted cabinets,
• new hardware, (found them on sale for 1/2 off!)
• new wiring (not in the original scope, but needed),
• new Formica countertops, (nightmare experience, but easy once we got them!)
• new tile back splash,
• new sink and faucet, and
• new lighting.

Luckily, we did not need new appliances, although a stainless stove/oven would finish off the room perfectly! (maybe in a few more months) The only thing we hired out was the tile work, but we were able to find white subway tile at Loew's for a great deal, making it worth it to hire a professional installer.

It's not my dream kitchen, but it's new, fresh and updated; making it much more inviting and fun to be in. By keeping the cabinets, we were able to save thousands of dollars and a fresh coat of paint really does make them feel new again. We also saved a ton of money by going with a cheap countertop. We contemplated higher end countertops, but knowing that the cabinets will need to be replaced some day, we decided it didn't make sense in the long-term to spend the extra money. (and, waste the materials) Besides, the Formica is very durable and will last a long time.

Stay tuned for more pictures, as my camera wasn't working well when I took the pictures above. If you have any questions on how you might be able to freshen up your kitchen space, don't hesitate to send me an email!

Great Deals at the Seattle Design Center

The Seattle Design Center's Annual Sample Sale on Feb. 7Th couldn't have happened at a better time!! What a great opportunity to get fabulous pieces at fantastic prices. (who doesn't want a good deal now-a-days?!) The sale used to be so popular that they charged an entry fee and you had to wait in line for hours! This year, like last year, there's no fee, but they do ask for a food donation. Some of my favorite showrooms you might want to check out are: L. Greenberg & Associates, Kravet/Lee Jofa, Terris Draheim, Inc and Trammell-Gagne.

Here are just a few tips to ensure you have a successful shopping spree:

1. Bring fabric swatches for matching -- if you are looking for the perfect accent chair to go with a sofa, bring a swatch from the sofa to ensure the perfect match.


2. Measure the space and bring a measuring tape -- Since all sales are final, make sure you know the size of the space you are looking to fill so you don't buy something that's too big, or too small.


3. Look over the item very carefully. It is a sample sale, so most of the pieces have been sat on, bumped, etc. numerous times. Occasionally, they may even give you a little less (if you ask) for obvious flaws.


4. It's OK to splurge on a high quality sofa or chair -- it is the Design Center after all. It's easy to find a sofa there that retails for $10,000, but now is on sale for $3,000. While that may seem high, the workmanship of the things you find at the Design Center is so high that a good quality sofa should easily last 10-15 years.


5. Be inspired -- don't have anything specific in mind? It's fun to go and see what they have to offer. It's also a great time to pick up a few high end, yet deeply discounted, accessories to help spruce a room.

For more details, check out their website here: http://www.seattledesigncenter.com/