I'm always interested in renovation plans and improvements. I like to hear about people's plans for their spaces and their dreams for their home. I think this was part of who I was even prior to working for Lowe's. (Being in a retail environment where everyday I get to help people bring dreams to reality is pretty cool and somewhat fuels my obsession. But it also fuels my ideas and drains my bank account!)
When it comes to renovations, I'm not very good at them. I consistently feel that my project ideas are inexpensive and easy. Usually the opposite is the case. I'm all gung-ho at the beginning of a project, but my enthusiasm usually fizzles out which leaves my husband to finish the ending details.
Now that our basement rec room is done and the downstairs bathroom repainted my efforts and attention have been focused towards the kitchen and living room space. I'm not very good with knowing what things will cost, I'm usually good at ballpark-ing only what I "hope" they will cost. So I thought it would be an interesting experiment to blog about our renovation, our ballpark costs and actual costs.
Lowe's has designed me a kitchen which I think I will enjoy very much. Knowing we will be here for probably 5 years or so, I haven't chosen the high end finishes that one might want in their "forever" home. But It will be fabulous none the less.
Our cabinet choice is Diamond Cabinet's "Hadley" (pictured below) but in painted "Pearl".
We'll be removing a wall and installing an island.While walking through our seasonal department, I came across a really neat looking electric fireplace that I thought would look awesome in the island (on the side that butts up to the living room.) I got in on clearance, and then got another discount when it went even further on clearance the following week.
The laminate floor I purchased and installed when I bought the house 3 years ago is now discontinued, but I was able to find a few remaining boxes at End of the Roll in Hamilton in order to bring it through the entire space and finish the kitchen with the same flooring. It's a great German floor that I adore. I got it for $1/sq foot then what I paid originally too!
The sink I purchased at our Grand Opening when it was on sale for $100 less than original price. My mom got one too! I think it's a great find and am likely to take it with us if we ever move! It's a Delta Ashton Touch faucet. It's a one-hole system so I won't have to cut up the new granite top too much!
Originally I thought about going with just a high-end laminate counter top (as I don't like the "tink tink tink" sound of glassware, plates and everything else that hits the counter). But then I found this beautiful quartz counter that I adored. The price...didn't adore that so much. With a bit more research, Scott chose a granite counter, for just over $1000 more than we can get laminate for! It's a black with auburn and silver flecks in it which I think will go well with our floors.
Our walls are a cool tone shade of green currently. I love the colour, but it will need a refresher, so we'll be repainting everything in a slightly lighter version of Valspar's "Sag Harbour". (This screen shot doesn't do it justice as it has more green to it.)
Here's my estimated budget so far! I'll let you know how our progress goes and will try to scan and upload the design as soon as possible!
| Materials |
Estimated |
Actual |
Comments |
| Laminate
Floor |
$450 |
$430 |
|
| Sink |
$300 |
$0 |
Free with purchase of
granite |
| Hardware |
$150 |
|
|
| Faucet |
$300 |
$300 |
|
| Microwave |
$400 |
|
|
| Counter |
$2000 |
|
|
| Backsplash |
$1000 |
$0 |
None since we upgraded the counter |
| Paint |
$150 |
$150 |
|
| Cabinets |
$4500 |
|
|
| Fireplace |
$200 |
$160 |
|
| Stair Railing |
$150 |
|
|
| Lighting |
$1000 |
|
|
| TOTAL |
$10,600 |
$1,040 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Labour |
Estimated |
Actual |
Comments |
| Demolition |
$500 |
$0 |
Weekend DIY |
| Painting |
$1,200 |
|
|
| Plumbing |
$250 |
|
|
| Electrical |
$2,000 |
|
|
| Flooring |
$500 |
$0 |
Weekend DIY |
| Ceiling
repair |
$2000 |
|
|
| Cabinetry |
$5000 |
|
|
| TOTAL |
$11,450 |
$0 |
|
