We are almost there.
Things have progressed well over the last few weeks, and we finally have some surfaces, some appliances, and even a few lights.
For the counter tops, we decided to use Carrara marble. The marble was cheaper than granite and many of the quartz composites, and we just love the look and feel of it. The only drawback is that marble is not very durable. It scratches more easily than granite and some foods stain or etch it. In the end, though, we thought of all that marble that we had seen in Italy, some of it hundreds of years old. Yes, it wears down and discolors, but that patina is part of its beauty.
That's what the romantic in me says anyway.
The more practical side of me worries that we will obsess over it, but I am going to try very hard to let the romantic win. Check back with my kiddies in a few months and they'll let you know how I'm doing.
Once the countertops were in, they finished the floors, and, once the floors were finished, the appliances went in. Yesterday, the carpenter installed the cabinet panel onto the front of the dishwasher and the toe kick onto the bottom of the stove Both are now in working order. The refrigerator is humming, too.
There have been a couple of glitches with the appliances. The microwave we bought is too big for the space meant to house it, and somehow we ended up with an additional ice maker even though our refrigerator already has one. Our kitchen designer said she would buy the microwave from us and we are hoping that we can return the ice maker. As bumps go, then, they haven't been too bad.
For the top of the island, we had originally thought we would use butcher block. But my sister and her husband were planning to have some tables made for the Black Ankle tasting room, and Gabe and I went along to meet the craftsman, Keith Schoonover at Wood Eye Wood. It just so happened that he had a piece of black walnut almost the exact size of our island. We couldn't resist.
We left the live edge on it and we are loving the organic softness that it adds to the room. Again, Gabe and I will have to let go a bit and recognize that it will not stay perfect. I figure that after the kids go off to college, we'll sand it down and refinish it if we want to return it to its original luster.
There are still lots of details to be finished, like adding trim, additional painting, installation of the backsplash. We also have have had a tough time finding stools that we like that are not incredibly pricey. These tractor stools are gorgeous, but shockingly expensive.
Box by box, we have been bringing things up from the basement and stocking our new kitchen. It will take us a while to fully feel like we're back into the groove. Olivia said the other night that the kitchen doesn't feel like our house, and it does have that feeling of staying in a rental on vacation.
We are on the road back to a normal cooking routine now. Last night we even made a list of meals to cook for the week, and Gabe shopped. We're planning to cook every night. In fact, we may never eat out again.
I love your walnut island!!
Posted by: Sharon Hammond | January 31, 2012 at 07:40 AM
Wow. Can't wait to see it in person. And eat from it too! Congratulations and good luck with the remaining bits!
Posted by: Monica | January 31, 2012 at 07:57 AM
The kitchen looks beautiful and your island is gorgeous! Congrats and cheers on the home stretch!
Posted by: Ali | January 31, 2012 at 08:13 AM
Beautiful! I LOVE the island. Looking for someone to build us a dining room table. I think we'll call your island guy.
Posted by: Katherine Schroder | January 31, 2012 at 08:15 AM
Congratulations...the kitchen is coming out gorgeous!!! I love the marble counter tops and the walnut island
table. Very european...simple and sylish. Enjoy it!!!
Posted by: Maggie Siervo | January 31, 2012 at 08:21 AM
holy smokes that island is ah-mazing!!!! gorgeous, just gorgeous!
Posted by: chronicles of momnia | January 31, 2012 at 09:14 AM
I am sooo happy for you and the family!!
It looks so beautiful, and yes yes yes to that walnut island and the Carrera marble top, great choices!!
I love your humor about not eating out anymore!!
Mucho love and congrats!
Posted by: eva | January 31, 2012 at 09:50 AM
Absolutely stunning! Congratulations and here's to many home cooked meals in your new kitchen!
Posted by: Leticia- Tech Savvy Mama | January 31, 2012 at 10:01 AM
Mazel Tov! It is gorgeous.
Love,
Patti
Posted by: Patti | January 31, 2012 at 02:23 PM
Hooray! And it all looks gorgeous. We're planning on refinishing our table when the kids turn 18, so we'll let you know how the whole sanding down thing goes!
Posted by: Andrea | February 01, 2012 at 05:00 AM