Sunday 15 November 2009

My Everlasting Kitchen Progress

Photos copyright: Maggie May


Most of you know that I have been having my kitchen altered in varying degrees since last February.
The menfolk in our house have done major work on it. Originally to get rid of rodents (of the largest variety), who were nesting and causing havoc in a tiny roof space where we were completely unable to get to them.
After constructing a new roof, of an entirely different design, the problem was solved. However, I have been living out of boxes for ages as the men had other things to do and my kitchen was in a state of limbo for months.


While I was in hospital recently, my carpenter son, Sam, decided to try to finish off the interior decorations. A mammoth task but I knew it was his way of coping with the uncertainty of my biopsy and everything.

Although three sides of the kitchen have now been revamped, the rest has been put on hold because Sam has another run of work and I also decided to go back to work last week and I couldn't face having no access to a kitchen when I wasn't home all day. If I work I need to organise meals and things at set times, otherwise I cannot cope with any of it as it is all too tiring.


I am still living out of boxes because the one side of the wall that hasn't yet been attacked by Sam, has to have the wall cabinets remade. So everything is on hold again.
You will see by the above photos that he has made an excellent job of everything and I am so grateful to him.
Not long ago the kitchen looked like the picture at the bottom.
So we are making progress slowly but surely.






39 comments:

Akelamalu said...

It's hard work living out of boxes. I only had to do it for just over a week when I had my new kitchen installed and it drove me batty! It will be worth it though once you have your new kitchen. Hang in there! :)

Suburbia said...

It looks lovely Maggie.I hope Sam gets time to finish the last units soon :)

Word verification reads 'boximal'!

St Jude said...

When we moved three years ago, I spent eighteen months living out of boxes, it was frustrating and I can understand how you feel. I hope that it will be finished soon so that you can enjoy it.

Jinksy said...

I have no living from boxes excuse, but your next to last photo made me smile, as I can produce a result that looks like that in one creative cooking session in my kitchen! Think whirlwind in charge of a gas stove...

Thumbelina said...

We're decorating the bedroom. The kitchen is also high on the priority list. Can I borrow the Sam man? He made some lovely panels for you. I could do with a Sam.

Must be good getting some order out of the chaos!

Formerly known as Frau said...

Lived in our house prego and remodeling no kitchen but a microwave it's really tough. Good luck and I hope its done soon.

Nessa said...

It's looking good.

Sunny Sunday #6 - Color Me Sunny

Anonymous said...

Slow but sure,Maggie. And when it is finished you won't know yourself. What has been done looks great, and we all have at least one space...drawer or cupboard that looks like that last but one picture.

Rosaria Williams said...

Oh my, I feel for you. It's a difficult thing not to have access to a well-laid- out kitchen. You have good men folks, though.

aims said...

I'm afraid that mine is going to look like that soon too Maggie.

It will be the last major reno in this huge barn.

We will live out of another room I imagine while we do the work ourselves and tear apart and rebuild the kitchen.

I'm not looking forward to any of it.

Marguerite said...

Looks like a lot of good progress has been made and Sam has done a great job. You are lucky to have such a talented son. Hang in there1

Working Mum said...

Hmm, living out of boxes, slow progress - I can identify with this post!! The kitchen is looking great, though, Sam is doing a good job.

PS Just caught up on your last four posts and read the news - still praying for you. WM x

Jackie said...

Maggie...I'm going to be in the same boat with jinksy on this post!
I can produce a look like that, too...and have no excuse as to redoing or rearranging. At least jinksy cooks...and can use that one...but Jackie...alas...I cook as little as I can get away with.
Bless Sam's heart. Give him a GREAT big hug for me and tell him what a magnificent son he is. I know you already do that....but find out if he would like to become Rent-A-Sam. :))
Smiles to you my friend,
Jackie

Mimi said...

Maggie, you're on my wavelength! Just a couple of hours ago, I was thinking about our renovations which ended about a year ago, and how it's only now that we're beginning to get our lives back together! Now, other stuff did happen in the meantime, but I feel it takes a full year to find a place for everything and to get rid of surplus stuff.
Anyway, that's a longwinded way of saying that maybe if you concentrate on the finished 3 sides, which look lovely, it'll be easier to live with waiting for the other one.
I hope Sam gets to it soon, I'm sure he'll do it as soon as he can, so you can enjoy the fully completed kitchen!
Word verif bashi... but I don't think I'd do that!

Chic Mama said...

I hope you are not waiting for too much longer.
Nothing more chaotic than not having your kitchen in order.
The finished part looks lovely though.

Dimple said...

I agree with focus on what is done, rather than what isn't. Only turn that direction if you have no other choice! The completed part looks lovely!

Eddie Bluelights said...

Great improvement Maggie to the kitchen and well done to Sam.
The open roof with the two Velux windows will revolutionise the entire kitchen.
Great news and goodbye for ever th those rodents!!
Love
Eddie

Suburbia said...

There's an award for you at mine :)

Won't be offended if you never get time to pass it on tho'

Sx

SandyCarlson said...

That's great they are keeping the project going. Some real talent in your family!

Mickle in NZ said...

Its looking really good. I especially like the tile work - so clean and fresh looking. And high shelves to display your special pieces is a great idea, you get the pleasure of seeing them while you're reassured that they are safe from little fingers.

Sam is doing a top class job there.

Huggles, Michelle and the purrball

Clippy Mat said...

you have my sympathy. hopefully it will be sorted soon and you can restore calm and serenity to the kitchen.
:-)

Wendy said...

My goodness, you're back at work already! I can quite understand the need for an organized kitchen under those circumstances. I think Sam has done quite a good job! Your kitchen will be lovely when it's all completed. I like the look of wood. And I noticed you have the same terracotta utensil holder (in your first pic), as I do!

Hang in there Maggie. It will all fall into place (soon, I hope).
Hugs

Hilary said...

It's looking very good, Maggie. I just love those colourful tiles.. they look so cheery. It's rough living out of boxes but no doubt you'll have it all behind you soon.

Watch that Thumbelina woman.. she tries to lure all the renovators over to her place. Last week she was working on nabbing Frank. ;)

Sandi McBride said...

Maggie Darlin', I know that your kitchen will be back in one apple pie order sooner than you hope for!!! It's going to look beautiful when they get it all completed...I've lived out of boxes many times...it is NO FUN!
hugs
Sandi

♥ Braja said...

I like renovation posts :) Found you thru Gaelikaa's entry on begging in India; her and I know each other thru blogging as we both are expats living in India and today I posted an entry on begging also, not knowing about hers. Interesting coincidence :)....and nice to meet you :)

Bernie said...

The completed part of your kitchen is really nice, will be so nice for you when it is all finished.....can't get over that you are back to work so soon, you are one amazing lady with a wonderful family....:-) Hugs

Maria said...

Isn't it awful living out of boxes? very stressful...

Saz said...

Its looking great Maggie....you will be all set for christmas and it will be marvelllous..

sorry but my last comments on your last two posts havent shown up....there must be a glitch going on...I am thinking of you and didnt want you to think l havent been reading...

Jeni said...

I can empathize completely with you on the frustrations of trying to work in a kitchen that is being worked on -and all your needed materials are scattered hither, thither and yon in boxes! Did that 20 years ago when my kitchen was redone and then again in 1991, after my son caught the house on fire -although that didn't affect the kitchen. However, after the fire, the kids and I had to live in 1 room in a motel for almost 4 months while the bedrooms, living room and bathroom were being repaired. Shall we say it does make live a tad interesting? One can see by your pictures of what has been completed though how great this area of your home is going to be so keep on being as patient as you can be until it all gets completed.

Babaloo said...

I love your new look kitchen! Especially the mosaic tiles, they're so colourful and look great against the white walls! I can see it's going to look fantastic once everything is finished (and let's hope that's going to be soon).

Rose said...

Living out of boxes gets so tiring after awhile. I think I would use this as an excuse to quit cooking altogether:) I do hope Sam has time to finish it soon; I know you'll be happy with the results.

Anonymous said...

You probably remember me having my kitchen done in April last year (not sure if I knew you then) and I remember how inconvenient everything was. But it's worth it in the end!

CJ xx

cheshire wife said...

The kitchen is looking good and will be worth all the living out of boxes!

Suldog said...

I just wanted to thank you for the kind words over at my place. They are much appreciated.

Jeff B said...

Before long you'll be able to say, "Remember when..."

What About The Girl? said...

I want that black teapot! :-)
Or perhaps one day, we can share a cup of yellow gold tea buds!
Hugs!

Anonymous said...

I do hope the kitchen does come to a glorious finish!

Irene said...

Living out of boxes is the pits. If you're an especially organized person it is pure hell. I don't know how you've managed all this time. Your kitchen shows real progress though and it looks like Sam is doing a great job. I hope it soon will be all done. Good luck.

Alyson | New England Living said...

Looking good! Hope it'll be finished soon. I know how frustrating that can be.

Hope you are feeling well! xx