Kitchen Progress Week 3 & 4// One Room Challenge

 

 

We are four weeks into the One Room Challenge and our Kitchen makeover. The last week was the busiest and most exciting week in terms of updates. Lets run through them. 

• Countertops & backsplash removed 
• Bar top flattened to counter height
• Countertops installed 
• New sink & faucet installed 
• Backsplash samples ordered

Countertops

Before pictures*

Here is a quick run down of how our countertop process went for anyone who might be curious about the process. We picked our slabs a couple weeks ago and scheduled our install.  Then this week on Monday they came and removed the current backsplash, the current countertops, leveled the bar top and did their template. At this point they also removed the sink, so we were without a sink, dishwasher or counters for four days. But it was not too bad we made due with a makeshift kitchen prep area in our dining room, using paper plates when we could and doing dishes in the bathroom.

 

The leveling of the bartop was a quick project but did require a little extra work on the back end to re-route a plumbing pipe and the electrical. However I would do it again in a heartbeat because it makes the biggest difference. Our team then came back on Thursday to install the slabs. They arrived with the pieces pre-cut, wheeled them in then dry fit them into place. Then they fully installed them and drilled the holes for the sink faucet. 

Then the plumber to came re-install the sink and hook the dishwasher back up. Once that was done we had a functional kitchen once again 👏👏

Bar top leveled

As I mentioned above we had our bar top leveled during the tear out phase of the work! Below is a picture of the bar top before, as you can see it was just a small strip of countertop. It actually served no purpose at all, it was not enough of an overhang for stools so it tended to just collect junk. By leveling it we added functionality of a much bigger counter space that is also open to the dining area but we also opened up the sight-lines into the kitchen. The kitchen looks so much more open now from both directions and it makes the sink/faucet a visible show-piece as you enter the kitchen. I also think the large peninsula countertop will be a perfect serving area for food when we have guests, especially since it is directly next to the dining table. 

New Sink & Faucet 

If you are going to update your sink and/or faucet in your kitchen, while you are getting countertops is the best time to do it. Most countertop fabricators will even include a sink in the price of install, however the one ours was offering was not what I was hoping for so I ordered my own. Since they have to cut the sink hole, as well as the faucet holes in the countertop it is best to do it at this time. So we opted for single bowl workstation sink, and we are obsessed. A workstation sink comes with a lip to house sink accessories such as a cutting board, colander and drying rack.  Here is a look at ours now that it has been installed.

For the faucet I knew I wanted something that was like jewelry for the kitchen. I knew we wanted brass hardware so I opted for a brass faucet as well. I found this Kingston Brass faucet and knew it was the one because it combined the old world bridge look with a modern pull down sprayer. I paired it with the vintage style soap dispenser from the same brand, both pieces are in "brushed brass"

Backsplash Samples  

I am still not really sure what I plan to do for the backsplash. We are waiting to see if the remnants of our countertops would be enough to use at least behind the stove. Otherwise I am considering a zeilge or handcrafted style tile either in a subway or square size. I ordered 7 samples from Tile Bar that should be here in a couple days. I am excited to see them up against the counters and see how they look. I may pick up a couple other options as well to compare. 

Our Kitchen Sources: 

Countertops- Della Terra Quartz in Silver Stallion 

Our Workstation sink- https://rstyle.me/+p9NNNPtmUbWVNmo_Jb0rkQ

Our Facuet (brushed brass) -https://rstyle.me/+L4kBmAvyFG9olIOW5KPIMw

Matching sink soap dispenser (brushed brass)- https://rstyle.me/+fLawBhwpcmwi2VKJ0sEp3g