Continuing our story of the kitchen re-do…

After the holidays I started to work with a general contractor to figure out what our “new” kitchen would look like, in particular fixing the damaged ceiling. After several weeks of meetings and discussions that continued through the winter, the contractor presented his bid for the whole project.

Unfortunately I felt his bid was too high, especially since I planned to do several of the finishing parts myself…painting, wallpapering, floor and wall tile. So I said “sorry” and we parted our ways.

I will admit I was a bit upset but instead of looking for another company to handle the kitchen re-do I decided to become my own “general contractor” and find professionals who can do the parts David and I can’t. I have the plumbing and electrical covered…and a potential drywaller. Home Depot is handling the cabinets and countertop.

One of the things that seemed daunting even to the original general contractor was the removal of the old built-in wood kitchen cabinets. To vent my frustration over the high bid, I found some tools in our stash (a hammer and bee-hive tool) and started to pry away the overhead cabinets. To my surprise and elation, I was able to break away the cabinets from the wall!!

One of the things I want most is to have the feeling of a bigger kitchen. I can’t expand the square footage without tearing out and moving walls so removing the upper cabinets is my way to achieve a more spacious feeling. I will not be replacing the upper cabinets.

Instead the wall above the counter area will be tiled in a gorgeous “mother-of-pearl” mosaic tile…from the new counter to the new ceiling. On the refrigerator side of the kitchen will be a beautiful and colorful wallpaper. All new lighting will be added…three wall sconces, a pendent light over the sink, and a ceiling track light fixture. Did I tell you…it will be all GLAM!! I have ALL the new decorative details worked out.

I’m working with Home Depot for the lower cabinets and counter. I have ordered these components and the cabinets are expected to be delivered directly to our home in early August. The counter will come later after the cabinets are installed. Here is the computer generated layout of the main wall of the new kitchen that Home Depot created for me. I have penciled in some additional details.

I will keep you posted as things progress with our kitchen re-do!

Before last Christmas I discovered that the kitchen ceiling was starting to change shape…starting to sag and break open!

First I called my insurance agent who then told me to promptly call in a plumber. Once I settled on a plumber to come see the situation (I had called three plumbing companies but one in particular became my choice), they were there quickly enough.

They proceeded to open up the ceiling to determine the cause of the ceiling change. The problem was a slow leak from one of the hot/cold water lines from the upstairs bathroom which is over the kitchen.

The house was built in 1942 and still had all of its original plumbing. The old iron pipes, in this case the water lines, were on the brink of total breakdown at any time! As the plumbers worked at taking out the old pipes, the pipes were crumbling in their hands.

The day the plumbers came to start their work of replacing ALL the water lines throughout the house was a messy day to say the least. The ceiling had to be opened all the way to the walls to access the plumbing.

When the work was completed we were left with a very altered kitchen. David and I decided that maybe this was a “good” time to make some changes to the kitchen so I contacted a general contractor to explore the possibilities. But Christmas was approaching and I did not want any more kitchen demolition during the holidays…so things were put on hold until after the holidays.

Since we were going to put off any further work to the kitchen until after the holidays, I decided to take off the doors of the upper kitchen cabinets and fill them with Christmas to take my mind off the wrecked ceiling and walls. It was a fun and lovely distraction which I totally enjoyed! It was especially pretty at night with the battery lit candles.

The kitchen story will be continued….!

I decided to leave my lighted white Christmas tree up…maybe all year…and change its decor to compliment the current holiday and/or season! We enjoy its ambient glow in the evening and it adds a festive feeling to our home.

For its Valentine decor I draped soft pink feathered boas all round and hung white crocheted 6-inch heart doilies trimmed with a dark pink satin ribbon bow. I ordered the heart doilies on Amazon. When I received the doilies I placed them flat on a plastic cover and spray starched each one so they would hang more stiffly on the tree instead of flopping over. Little white ceramic cherub ornaments, each holding a musical instrument, fill in between the heart doilies. I found the cherubs through various vendors on eBay. The tree is topped with pink ostrich plumes.

The fireplace also is decked out in Valentine decor! Ruby red sherbet glasses bring a sparkle to the mantle as well as the tiered glass candle holders. A long white crocheted runner softens the mantle shelf and adds texture. Red, pink and white crocheted hearts of various sizes are sprinkled in between the candle holders and sherbet glasses. The red and white square quilt covers the fireplace door providing a festive backdrop to the other decorative items in front of it.

Do you see Soapy? As I am taking pictures, I am holding him in one hand and the camera in another. He compliments the picture with his red sweater!

David and I recently visited a farmer’s market in Meridian Twp (Wednesday, September 30)…in the pouring rain. At one of the vendors I spied a very unusual food item. My very first impression was that it looked like a “fairy house”! Before we left the farmer’s market, I decided this thing would be coming home with me.

I really did not know what I had purchased. I had posted on my Facebook page about my find at the farmer’s market. I called it a “pumpkin-gourd”. A knowledgeable Facebook Friend very graciously replied with its true name…Turk’s Cap Squash.

A Google search provided the following interesting info on my Turk’s Cap Squash…

“As a member of the Cucurbita family, Turk‘s Turban is related to pumpkins, squash and gourds. So, it’s no wonder pumpkin growers call it a pumpkin, gourd lovers consider it an ornamental gourd, and squash growers commonly refer to it as a winter squash.”

“Also known as ‘French Turban’, ‘Turk’s Cap’ or ‘Turk’s Head’, this old heirloom squash has now become a very popular variety for decoration because of its uniquely shaped and beautifully colorful fruit. It resembles a butternut-type but has a cream-colored acorn or “turban” that is colorfully striped with green, yellow, orange, and red.”

“The top is generally beige with streaks of reddish orange and dark green. Fruits grow to about 12 inches in diameter and average about 5 pounds. You can use Turk’s Turban in any of your favorite squash recipes. It is good roasted, baked, steamed, in soups, or on the grill. Find Squash recipes.”

“According to Turk’s Turban squash info, this plant needs up to 120 days to maturity, 10 to 20 days for seeds to sprout. Get seeds started early indoors, especially if you have a short growing season. When seeds have a few leaves and all danger of frost is over, plant them into hills a few feet apart in a sunny area.”

“Turks Turban is a big decorative squash that is also very good to eat. You can roast it or steam it just like butternut, and you can use it in recipes in just about any way you use butternut, acorn, or other winter squash. Here are a few ideas: • Recipe: Pasta with Butternut Squash, Sage, and Pine Nuts.”

“Classified as a winter squash because it’s harvested when the rind is hard, not soft like summer squash, turban squash (Cucurbita maxima) is noted for its deep red, orange, white and green stripes.”

It’s “fairy house” appearance inspired me to put together a little Halloween fairy vignette with items already on hand…a black pedestal serving platter, tatted orange pumpkin doily, vintage Halloween candle figurines, and miniature resin pumpkins.

When completed, I placed the ensemble near my fall decorated three-tiered tray along with other fall decor items. I am most pleased with the finished results!