a slight change in plans..

*photos by Elaine A. Russell

Re-modeling is always an interesting thing...

My contractor placed the order for the kitchen cabinets back in the the end of September/ beginning of October.. and they just now came in. Today the guys started hanging them....and they are the wrong color.

Not a bad color... but the wrong color.

My husband reminded me of when we had a new roof installed 2yrs ago... and they put on the wrong color of tile. We decided to keep it; rather than change it... and it was a good decision. I actually like the "wrong" color roofing better than what I had orginally chosen.

So... we are sticking with the "wrong" cabinets.

Now, the challenge is whether or not the countertops that we had ordered will match the cabinets...but I think it will all work out.

photos are from a couple of months ago. I was near the college here in ABQ... and right by Winning Coffee Co is a fabulous little bungalow home that is now the place of business for a clothing/eclectic shop; and a psychic. I stopped in and had a chat with her.... I suppose I should have asked her about the remodel....

renovations

photo by Elaine A. Russell

Renovations are seriously underway. Like fall.. we are beginning to see some real changes here.

• Instead of barely functioning sliding doors to the backyard, we now have working french doors with locks.
• Instead of a front door that hangs lopsided, so that the locks hardly work... we now have a brand new steel door and accenting side windows.
• Instead of outdoor brass & glass 80's lighting that was hung in the dining area and hallways... we now have beautiful frosted glass globes that hug the ceiling.
• several holes have been patched, the area around the fireplace has been demolished, finished and textured, and the doorway to the garage has been moved over to accomodate a kitchen re-vamp coming in the next few weeks.

There have been a couple of "oops"....like.. today the doorknob was put on backwards to the garage.. and I didn't notice until the crew had left. Ah well. But all in all.... fabulous work so far.

Freecycle, framing, and Flying Star

photos by Elaine A. Russell

One of the blessings of having remodel work done, is that it is sort of an adventure.

Right now, we have one working sink (kitchen) .. one working shower (hall bathroom)... and lots of plasterboard dust all around (framing walls). With 4 people in the house... it's going to be a testament of patience.

And right now.... we are doing well.

Another benefit is that I am slowly going thru things again. Because the workers are putting in a different doorway to the garage, we had to move all my craft/ jewelry making stuff and tables, as well as a heavy duty work bench and alot of tools. Today I hope to go thru alot of it and potentially get rid of some stuff.
Yesterday I was able to give away some buildings supplies ( lumber, cinder block , etc )...gotta love Freecycle (http://www.freecycle.org/). I have been a member for several yrs, the last 2 of which I have donated an item or more for every day of the year. I think it's an awesome program, and seems to help alot of people who are both looking to get rid of/ or get ... good used stuff.

A final benefit, is that we are getting to sample some of the great food places ABQ has to offer. The hubby and I have always enjoyed eating out and exploring ... so this is a real treat. The other day we went to Flying Star up on Coors and Alameda (http://www.flyingstarcafe.com/), and last night we went to Nothing but Noodles (http://www.nothingbutnoodles.com/). Great food.

*Pictures are from that Flying Star location.