Our kitchen project is done (for now!)!
If you remember, we started with this:
And now, we have this!
The builder who took the cabinets and tiles down called back to say he didn't really want to do anything else with our kitchen (he said it much nicer, but that was the gist) so thankfully we already have a plumber lined up to install the dishwasher on the 17th of July. Then I can really do an after photo... because this whole project existed for the installation of a dishwasher.
I am really enjoying having a full-size fridge again. It's much nicer than an under counter fridge, and bigger. We still have a second freezer in the garage, and I am hoping someone will come buy our under-counter fridge soon (otherwise it's getting donated on the 17th).
We also need to buy a dishwasher now - what a minefield! Why are they all wifi connected? Why are they all £600? I had thought they would be under £400 and that for £500 I could get something from a UK/German/American Brand. This is not the case.
The total cost so far has been £400, plus £30 beer payment to andy for all his painting work. We'll see what the dishwasher install comes in at, but this is still the cheapest of all the options we looked at and the quickest, and I'm so looking forward to never washing a dish by hand again (kidding/not kidding?)
What was your last big or small home improvement project? Are dishwashers very expensive or am I very behind in the times?
The corner looks very good! I see that the fridge door is open in from left to right. Did you think about changing the direction so it opens towards the door rather than towards the kitchen? (Hope it makes sense) II think you can do this with all fridges nowadays. I made the same mistake and it annoyed me so much, because the door became a hurdle when taking things out of the fridge.
ReplyDeleteWhen I bought my dishwasher a few years ago, I looked for the one with least number of options (everyone uses normal wash or pots&pans, in reality) and without digital controls. It was cheaper too. Digital controls or not, it’s the same dishwasher. I paired more attention to how you put the dishes. Some dishwashers have weird layout inside.
Thanks! Andy will switch the door someday (probably for more beer allowance haha) but I figured I wouldn't bother him to do it right away as he had done an epic job of painting. I know in theory I could probably figure out how to switch the door... but I would rather wait.
DeleteI'm going to have a look and see if I can get a dishwasher without all the digital features. They all look so complicated. It's definitely more important to have an inside layout that works for us. Thanks for the tips!
Progress is progress! Ugh on wifi connected dishwashers.
ReplyDeleteI hate renovations. Hate them. We swore we wouldn't buy a house that needed renovations and yet we ended up buying a house we have been near-constantly renovating for the last 6 years (long story). We finished major exterior structural renovations last year, this year we're finally tackling some landscaping.
ReplyDeleteIn terms of a dishwasher, we bought a house from the 1970s and it still has a super old dishwasher that looks like something from Noah's Ark and I LOVE it. It works so well and could be 30+ years old. They do not make things like they used to. I'm dreading the day it finally breaks because it is so simple (obviously no Wifi or any digital features whatsoever being so old).
You will love a dishwasher. It is life changing.
Ugh! We bought a dishwasher in 2017 and it was just over 500 USD. We had to have it installed which was another 1200 USD. We just got a standard 24" front control Maytag and it is definitely NOT a smart appliance. I think A LOT of things have changed in the appliance market in the last five years, though. I could not imagine my life without the dishwasher, though, I'll say that. It's definitely a quality of life improvement.
ReplyDeleteI am so excited! When the plumber came to look at installing I did realize that the cost of installation might be half or more the cost of the dishwasher. At least if you ever have to replace your 2017 washer it hopefully shouldn't cost 1200 again to install!
DeleteYou know, I think it looks great. You're working with the space that you have. Obviously is not going to be a HUGE monumental change, but you're making the space work for you!
ReplyDeleteI really like how it came out! The first picture: lots going on, the after photo- nice and sleek. Well done!
ReplyDeleteThanks! It was definitely a cluttered corner before!
DeleteAwesome!!! The best project we have done so far (beaides replacing the water heater, which was necessary but boring as ot lives outside the house) was to replace a small but too big forthe bathroom vanity with a pedestal sink last year. Much more room for maneouvering around our 1 bathroom
ReplyDelete