Kitchen Renovation: Mini Series Part 5

This is the last installment of my kitchen reno mini series.  Overall, this took way longer than I could adequately write about three years later, but the eleven months we worked on it were completely worth the effort.  After spending the past week filling it with holiday baking and cooking, I still feel like this is the perfect kitchen for us and for the house.  

There were a lot of decisions we made over time to get this kitchen just right.  Every detail was touched in some way, with only the walls and the kitchen faucet staying from the previous kitchen (and the faucet we added before we moved in).  I already wrote about how the salvaged materials shaped the kitchen, but I didn't write about many of the other details that tie it all together.

To catch up on the whole series, check out previous posts here: Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4

We changed just about everything in this back entry and kitchen while we worked on it, so there were a lot of decisions that had to be made.  One wall had an entry system with really nice proportions for its paneled wainscoting, so we decided to extend its dimensions throughout the upstairs, and use those proportions for wainscoting in the basement too.  While I'll likely make adjustments to that storage area, I love how it influences the dimensions elsewhere.  Really, that means we decided to end the tile and wainscoting at 68" above the floor, or level with the existing wall.  I love it!  It's just enough white, and gives us the opportunity for a little wall color too.  I used a semi-gloss easily cleanable paint (SW Pure White 7005) on the wainscoting, and kept the flat green (SW Bonsai Tint 6436) on the upper portion of the walls. 

By painting some sections of the walls, I was really able to save on tile costs and sourcing.  Since the tile was something I already had on hand, I didn't have the luxury of tiling the whole kitchen, and it probably would have made me a little nuts to do it all at once.  Someday, I may tile the rest, but for now I'm really happy with how the wall finishes ended - especially in contrast with the out of place faux-brick that was here when we started.

Some of the finishes aren't necessarily period or fancy, but I still stand by them!  We used Mohawk sheet vinyl that we could order from Home Depot.  Since it was designed for light commercial use, I figured it could probably hold up to my kids!  It's pretty trendy pattern in a more period color scheme.  It fits our house well, coordinates with the white and gray bathroom floors, and is both durable and easy to clean.  By running them under the cabinets and up the walls in the low spots, we also eliminated any streams of water going into the basement anytime we had a spill.  I really hoped there would be some kind of salvageable original flooring, but I knew it was a long shot with the addition that went in during the 1950s. This felt like a reasonable and suitable alternative.

We made a similar decision with the countertops.  I grew up living with and dropping things on laminate counters, so these were definitely a budget-friendly and practical decision.  With the white-flecked pattern that Ikea offered, we were able to get something that worked really well for us! 

The big addition we made was for the pot filler.  I was really on the fence about adding one, since the sink is so close.  What sung me to adding it was three things: I knew I could add the plumbing myself through the same stud cavity as the oven electrical, the cost would not be prohibitive, and the flow rate is more than double a kitchen faucet... and eight-fold faster than a refrigerator water dispenser.  So, we went for it!  It only cost around $250 for supplies, and a bit of guts to add the pipes.  

The Budget!

With all the things we were able to do ourselves, from the design to cabinet-making, we were able to keep the costs pretty low overall!  (I wasn't keeping costs down to the cent back then, so I hope these estimates work!)  I don't think with the major increases in price that have happened in the last few years that I could ever replicate this kind of savings, but I'm so happy with how much we were able to do.  

New back door and storm door with dog door: $1200
New properly-installed awning window over the sink: $2000
Appliances: $5000 (less the dishwasher, which came later for $400)
Hardware including knobs, pulls, and hinges: $200
Lumber for ceiling, cabinets, trim, and wainscoting: $1250 (no way it would be this low now!)
Flooring: $500
Electrical including new line for the stove and a few miscellaneous outlet changes: $200
Plumbing for the pot filler: $250
Counters: $120
Salvaged sink: $100
Cost Total: $10,820

Appliances

I am a pretty devoted GE user for my appliances, and a huge part of that is their reliability and reparability.  We didn't go with the extra-fancy Café line, but if we ever decide to upgrade, that may be where we go next.  I am really happy with all our GE Profile line of appliances.  

Microwave/Convection Oven
I elected to keep range hood microwave, and upgraded to one that is also a small convection oven.  This one is amazing!  I use it far more than my big oven, because it is much more efficient, preheats so quickly, and is really easy to use.  I ordered a second rack for it, and use it every day.  

Induction Range
This is another item I have -and love- that has been discontinued.  GE made several upgrades to the range that I have including adding a no-preheat air fry capability in its replacement.  I'm not sure if they kept the internal oven probe for getting meats to just the right internal temp (please, GE!), but they did add a sous vide probe to use on the stove top!
Induction is my favorite way of cooking: check out more info on that here.

Dishwasher
Our dishwasher was a late addition to the kitchen, and we installed it almost two years ago.  I don't know exactly which model I have, because I went to the local appliance dealer and browsed the scratch-and-dent section.  Our refrigerator was already pretty marred by the time we were finished renovating, and with kids and dogs, I knew it would only be a matter time before that happened with the dishwasher in an even more high-traffic area.  I do love our pre-dented dishwasher, and the savings that came from buying it.

Refrigerator
This is where I wish we had stuck with GE!  We wound up going with a Samsung, knowing the stainless is nearly identical and it would save us $500.  Little did we know it would blow outlets, constantly trip breakers, and have consistent power supply and compressor issues that I need to regularly repair.  Next time, we'll get a GE like this one, or in the Café upgraded line.

Sources and Notes

Flooring: We used Mohawk sheet vinyl in this discontinued pattern 

​Ikea Saljan Countertop: We used the white speckle-y one.

Cabinet Hardware: The original square knobs and matching cup pulls were made by Miseno.  Neither of these are currently manufactured, but Build.com has a similar knob available in their in-house essentials brand.  One thing I loved about using Build.com on this project was the ability to order different types of hardware in the same finish by shopping by manufacturer and color while changing the specific shape and product. 

Amerock Full Inset Cabinet Hinges: I honestly can't remember if I ordered these in the oil-rubbed bronze or the matte black.

Tuscany Pot Filler

Tuscany One-Handle Pull-Down Faucet: This is similar to the one that I purchased when we first bought our house. Our kitchen plumbing froze in the winter before we closed, and all the kitchen plumbing practically exploded when we had the water turned on.  The faucet we installed in 2016 is one of the only things that remained when we renovated. The exact model I have is discontinued, but this is close!

Backsplash Tile: I actually have had this tile stocked up longer than I have had the house.  I had more than enough to do the main floor bathroom and this kitchen backsplash.  Daltile makes a great product, and I was drawn to their arctic white for it's slightly warmer tone than their bright white.  It a little closer to historic tile white without going overboard.