Bringing it all Together

Updating the kitchen has been a long process for me, my followers have been very patient as I very slowly make progress and I thank you!!!  I am happy to say that I have finally reached what I would say is 98% completion.  With only one small wall to paint and shelve, I am relieved to report that the main part of the kitchen is FINISHED!!!  

The two big projects seem so small now, in retrospect.  The wall shelves and window trim and sill.  But deciding on wood, hardware, style and budgeting for it seemed to drag on.

The back-splash is also done!  I decided on simple 3.5 inch pine for the window trim and 4 inch for the sill.  I still need to insert inner trim around the edges.

I think it all came together rather nicely - but mostly how I wanted it.  Here is a before and after view.

before

after

 In the future I would like to replace the large appliances for size appropriate ones.

It's finally got a "finished" look!  I wold say that the total cost for paint, shelves, hardware, and curtains was under $200.

It's a wonderful feeling when you complete something all on your own.  Pride of ownership, pride of workmanship.

You're not seeing the left side of the kitchen just yet as that is the last small wall to paint and shelve.  But just to the left of the cabinet in the picture above, is a counter and wall space - I'm eager to get this done!

So now the "look" is complete.  What do you think?
You can click on any of the images and scroll through them for a larger view.

Dining Room Makeover

In early Fall I took on a small project in the dining room.  For years I had been looking looking at half a cabinet, and an unfinished counter - left from the previous owner.  I would sit and contemplate how I would remedy this while eating my meals.  Since it is just me and a limited budget, the built in buffet would have to stay a dream.  But with a little elbow grease and some paint I could at least make it look better.

This is the "before" shot.  Not bad actually, but I did a good job of hiding the imperfections.

I actually did little damage to the wall getting the cabinet out!  These old mobiles are put together with some kind of space-age like glue and staples, so sometimes removal isn't even possible. 

I next removed the counter.  It is about eight feet long and weighs a ton, so you can imagine my small self pulling this baby out - and not dropping it on my toes!

I patched the holes and did two coats of primer.  I also painted the little cabinet there to the right.  It's two shelving units from WalMart - dreadful fake wood look.  Later I paint it  and put on vintage handles.

This is the finished paint, sorry, kind of a dark photo.  I went with a butter cream to lighten things up.

And, back to the finished wall.  Notice the stunning red cabinet with vintage handles.  Perfect added storage.

You're probably wondering why the split color on that back wall (to the right).  Well, the darker color is actually on drywall that was installed before I moved here.  Nice texture and I had already painted it, so I left it.  That color stretches around the room to the right.

I just happened to have that long shelf from another room and it fits perfect on the wall above the log shelf. 

All I need to do now is add the ceiling trim - and paint that hideous orange floor!


  

Girl Conquers Kitchen!

I started this project two years ago!  One woman, few power tools, small budget and a lot of determination.

The finished result was a demolition of a detaching cabinet unit, into basic shelves.  This is the final result, with an additional shelf unit to the left on the narrow wall.

This is what I started with.  Making the best of a semi removed cabinet.
However the real work lay ahead as I needed to remove this whole unit as it was detaching from the ceiling - and I could just imagine one more earthquake loosening the remaining two ceiling screws!

First I detached the monster range hood cover.  Then, with my handy reciprocating saw  and cordless drill (I call it a screw gun), I was able to detach the remaining unit - albeit not in one piece however, so scraps were flying everywhere.

 Success!  How about that retro era wall paper?  Maybe another time.  This was behind the drywall.

My most affordable option was to texture and paint this.  All the while I am trying to decide if I will reattach the range hood, or get a vent-less one, or opt out all together.

Finding no solution for the monster exhaust pipe, I removed it (hole still in ceiling!), but I can easily address it with a patch of thin painted wood.
Here are the very simple shelves, hardware and boards are easily available at most hardware stores.  The white boards have a smooth washable surface, perfect for a kitchen.  With this kind of hardware I can easily add shelving later, or move them around when I get bored.
Note: the paint is really a lovely soft yellow, but terribly difficult to photograph.

Included here is the small narrow wall to the left.  I removed the large bulky shelf from here, and painted the wall.

Now for the fun part!  Placing items on the shelf.  All you large family folks take note I live alone and have limited dishes, so it's a bit minimalist.  I was delighted by the touch of color these few items added!
I decided to opt out of the range hood / exhaust fan all together as I'm not a fried food person anyway.  But the electrical access is still available for the next tenant.

This shelf unit for the narrow wall was a complete kit in a box, perfect for this spot of only 24 inch width.  I installed it high enough to be able to place things easily on the counter underneath, but low enough for me to reach the top shelf (I'm short).

Wooden cup holders are always useful in the kitchen.  One was already here, and the other I picked up at a thrift store, painted them the accent color.  Additionally I hung my digitally painted photograph titled "Girasole" on one wall, which really added color!

So there you have it!  A DIY functional kitchen make over for under $200 in a 1972 single wide mobile home, that one woman can do on her own.

Phase II Privacy Deck

 After two years the lovely privacy deck needed some TLC, a little sanding, new stain and hmm, maybe a make over.
I decided to install a 4 foot bamboo privacy screen - recycled from another part of the yard, originally a 6 foot screen.

The next task was inspired by a library book on landscape design.  I took the original deck apart and reassembled it in two pieces, one slightly higher than the other and away from the house wall.

I filled in the gap with rocks, a choice piece of driftwood or two, and a Buddha.  Eventually I will fill in the area to the right with more beach rocks.

I found the perfect old window frame at a building recycle place to fill in that blank wall space.  I just happen to have two old rusty pieces of chain with hooks on either end for hanging it too.

The space is usable again now, but I am still sanding the decks and staining them.  Just in time for the Memorial Day weekend hide out!

More Before and Afters

Another fun project I did about two years ago was to create an outdoor privacy space. 
Now, for the most part my place is pretty private, but when the weather warms, the local summer homes and camp lots fill up and get noisy.  I wanted a place to retreat to. 
I decided to clean up a spot behind the house, but it was going to need a lot of work!  

Holy cow!  Yes, so it needed to be cleared out, cleaned up, leveled and painted.  I had a small, easy to build platform deck in mind.  I worked on it as time permitted, eventually finished it, and was able to enjoy it that summer!  

Another iced tea for me please....