When I was cruising for new homes, I was in a very surreal and fragile state. It was about 3 weeks after the breakup of my marriage and I was just in a state of utter and absolute shock. However, after it was determined that neither me or my ex would stay in our old home and we would put it on the market to sell, I needed to explore my options.
One of the things I didn't want was a COMPLETE fixer-upper because in the spring of 2009, the housing market sure was a buyer's market, and I knew if I explored enough, I'd find something modest, but yet had minor updates to make it "livable" for me. Let's face it, I didn't have the financial or DIY resources to do a major kitchen renovation! (Nor do I have the handy dad who can whittle a kitchen out of a single piece of wood!)
The MLS photos for my home showed these two pictures of the kitchen and I immediately booked an appointment to see this house! I went once with just my realtor, then that afternoon, begged my mom to come back with me and the realtor for a second viewing. By the end of the next day, the offer was in and on my 29th birthday, I had a Purchase & Sale for a new home!
MLS Photos:
I couldn't believe it! I had 2 more months in my "old" married home, a home that had meant so much to me, with a kitchen that we bought all new professional grade appliances for, installed new lighting, and redid the countertops with quartz! I looooooved my old kitchen and now I had to leave....but now, I had a new place that everyday, I walk in to my kitchen in yet another home that means so much to me, and I think, "I love my kitchen!"
So, here's the tour...
The cabinets are creamy white with a light almond glaze over them. They are solid wood and the drawers have the soft touch closure. Ah!! This trumps old kitchen for sure! I love white kitchens! Also, the countertops sort of
look like they are granite! It's actually a shiny laminate countertop that looks like stone. Fooled me in the MLS pics, but in real life, it actually looks very nice. I think granite would actually be "over improving" for my neighborhood of modest ranches and cape style homes.
I love the corner cabinet with a window. I added little touches of yellow and white dishes, salt & pepper shakers, and vases to coordinate with the yellow walls. Sometimes, some red dishes peak out too, but apparently, not today when I shot this photo! I keep the kitties' fresh water fountain over here in the corner alongside of my Kitchen Aid mixer (which I must confess, I've only used 3 times in 2 years.....I don't bake too much!) Um, also, do you notice the uber storage!!! I use the top two sets of cabinet to the right of the window unit for utilities. The one of the left contains tools and other household tools. The set on the right are office supplies.
Next to the fridge is a sliding built-in spice cabinet! LOOOOOVE this!! This trumps old kitchen bigtime!
To the left of the fridge is another slim cabinet for cookie sheets, pans, drying racks, and other large size cooking items.
The angled cabinet is where I keep the animals' food. In fact, you can see Wilson is pointing out his food for me, "feed me, please, mom...." My kitty cat can open this cabinet. He opens it and meows at me as if to say, "mom, here's the food, I'll get it started, you do the rest. MOM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"
I also love the sliding drawers inside the bottom cabinets:
Last but not least, I love this corner unit that leads into the rest of the house. I store medicine here. It makes Advil, cold meds, and more very accessible! This also TRUMPS old kitchen!
While I loved my old kitchen, I think I love this one more! Hmmm, maybe I'll feel that way about a man someday too! I loved my ex-husband, but I think I may love someone new more someday!
PS, whenever I entertain or have people over, they always compliment my kitchen! They love it too!!! Ah, the love!
-TEM
