Sunday, September 2, 2012

A Labor of Love for Labor Day...

Well for those of you that have patiently waited and watched through this and this wait no longer...we have arrived so come on in...


POP THE CORK, IT'S THE KITCHEN REVEAL!
Oh and by the way, fair warning...this may be a bit picture heavy but you'll just have to suffer through it so pour yourself a glass of champagne and come sit a spell :O) Also I think I may have to post in phases because in the end there's a lot to see in this sweet little kitchen...well maybe not, I'm so excited to show you this it may just be one big long post :O)
First of all I'll get the text out of the way and let's just say this was a labor of love and as always it took a lot longer than we ever thought it would. But during the remodel we lived out of here for almost the entire time because of the kind of stuff going on you see in the picture below! 
This picture was taken during month six when the painting was happening and let me tell you, it was AWFUL...DID I SAY AWFUL? WELL I MEAN IT, IT WAS THE WORST PART OF THE ENTIRE PROCESS...stinky and messy all at the same time for 3 long weeks!


One of the main reasons the remodel took so long was because Mr.La Bella Vie did 99% of the labor...and yes he does work-full time folks at a "real job" but like my grand kids always say, he's "IRON MAN PAPA" and seems to be able to juggle things really well! 
He can build an island, rip out walls, climb mountains on 100 mile epic bicycle rides and yet still be willing to do a major kitchen remodel! So enough said, let's get on with the show!

But before we do, one more peek of what our 20 year old kitchen looked like prior to...7 months ago...
And what a beautiful new kitchen it is today taken from pretty much the same exact spot. 
Notice where the wasted, unusable space is under the counter on the island, well we changed that up by making it a bookshelf with lights to house all my prized collectible cookbooks and enclosed the end with the glassware, which you can see in the photo below. This not only allowed us to gain storage but by moving the bar stools to that end, we're able to open the refrigerator without knocking guests' off their chairs! 

(Click any picture to enlarge and toggle through for a better view)


 





Below is the view you see when you first enter the kitchen from the front door. Out the back window of the nook we have a great view Oregon's state tree, the Douglas Fir...

So keeping that in mind...


We chose a beautiful hand-made scenic tile coupled with ivory Subway tile from Pratt and Larsen for behind the Wolf cook range that would reflect our surroundings. It may be difficult to see the color of this tile but its sort of a Taupe/grey...


Below is another view from the other side of the kitchen. The first shot, again that ugly 20 year old kitchen. Oh and may I point out the "terrible awful" behind the stove...the only reason all the junk is sitting behind it was because it was sheet-rock and grease splatters wreaked havoc on it! 
Also, note the oven/microwave area in the left of the picture. That big hole was where the Ginormous old microwave used to live but died many years ago, so the Hubs enclosed it to better accommodate the new, smaller SS microwave that you see in the picture below.


and today...


The picture above and below is looking from the family room toward the kitchen. The hubs and I designed all that you see here and sketched it up on Visio a design program, the hood, the cabinets...everything. 
Which also includes the pendant light platform above the island. It used to be that when we turned on the over-head lights ALL 9 can lights came on which was like being in a suntan bed!

So we had to come up with a way to have only the island lights come on with a separate switch without having to rip out the entire ceiling and this was our solution...rewire but cover it up!
To the left of the fridge is the new beverage bar which used to look like this...kinda blurry but I was in a hurry to start ripping out walls!
 

and below once again the way it was meant to look all along...

The new beverage bar is a great place for this...my favorite Chardonnay!

So just as the title said, this truly has been a labor of love!
I hope you've enjoyed it and I'd love to hear what you think! 
Oh and there's lots more where this came from but that's for another day!

Linking up with my favorite blogs:





Sources: 
Cabinet paint color: "Vintage Ivory Cream" commercial source
Island paint color: "Galvanized" by Ralph Lauren
Cabinets and doors: Beaudry Custom Cabinetry, Newberg Oregon
Custom Tile: Pratt and Larson, Portland Oregon
Granite: "Portofino", Precision Granite Counters, Wilsonville Oregon
Hardware: Rejuvenation, Portland Oregon
Lighting:  Rejuvenation, Portland Oregon
SS Appliances: Basco Commercial Appliances, Portland Oregon 
Wolf Cook Range, Fisher-Paykel, Liebherr, Electrolux Icon, 
 

Kitchen designers and Labor: Mr. and Mrs. La Bella Vie
Sweat Equity: Mr. and Mrs. La Bella Vie
Staging and clean up crew: Mrs. La Bella Vie
assistants to Mr. and Mrs. La Bella Vie, Pearl and Emmy


Disclaimer: I purchased Visual Watermark but the site didn't recognized it right away so some photos may have a little teeny-tiny annoying little watermark of their own on it...just disregard it, because its useless information but I told you anyway...

50 comments:

  1. Terry, I have a major case of kitchen envy. Your hubby is amazing! I know you are having a blast cooking in this gourmet kitchen! I love the hardware and the island with all the lit storage/shelving. Great idea including a wine cooler! I love the surround over the Wolf range, so classy and elegant. You'll never tire of it...it's beautiful! Well done! Have you had a party, yet...to show off that great space? I think it's time for a holiday party soon! :)

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    1. Oh Susan,
      You are a doll and I thank you for all you words of encouragement through this process my friend!
      Terry
      PS see you on BNOTP!

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  2. I second that holiday party idea ! We all want to see this in person. Terry, you and Mark have done an amazing job with this project. And, you're still married ! :) It's a beautiful thing. You should be so proud of yourselves and patting each other on the back. It's lovely, beautiful and oh so pretty! Good job ! I love everything about it. You've thought of every last detail .. and, you know I'm a detail gal ;-) .... Thank you for sharing your labor of love. Can't wait to see it ! Marilyn.

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    1. Awe Marilyn thank you!...You and Mark are on the official party list! We want to have a Holiday party to welcome everyone to the "new place" and raise a glass to toast a kitchen that's done and a marriage that's still intact!
      Hugs,
      M&T

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  3. Well, Holy Flip! That is just gorgeous!! Terry, what an amazing job!! Thank you for sharing. Visiting from BNOTP. Would love it if you would share this post at my Make it Pretty Monday party at The Dedicated House. http://thededicatedhouse.blogspot.com The party goes live on Monday mornings. Hope to see you at the bash! Toodles, Kathryn @TheDedicatedHouse

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  4. OH SWEET MAMA!!!!!! THAT IS GORGEOUS AND YES... I AM USING ALL CAPS!!!!!! Terry, you guys have OUTDONE yourselves. It is absolutely stunning!!!! I just don't have words. I am so proud of you guys! I know it was hard, but absolutely worth it. Can I come to the holiday party??? :-) Wow..wow..wow... gorgeous!!!!! Yeah!!!! I am so happy for you guys!!!!

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  5. OK now you have me giggling Kathryn and I can't thank you enough for your kind wprds! And by all means yes, yes, yes you are always welcome here, holiday or not, come on over, my grandsons would love Jemma since they are the same age and I think you and I could have many long hours of conversation!

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  6. "words"not "wprds" jeepers I'm done for the day! :O)

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  7. Terry, Your kitchen is fabulous and I LOVE the red knobs, If I ever get the opportunity to remodel a Wolf range will be in my kitchen. Love everything your husband did a great job.
    Karen

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  8. Wow, what a wonderful makeover! Every detail looks perfect. Love the bar stools and dining furniture too! That sounds like an incredibly long time to go through the process but it was obviously well worth it!

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    1. Liz, thank you so much for the nice compliments! Yes it was a long time but well worth the wait when in the end its just so pretty to look at and cook in everyday!
      Terry

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  9. Terry! Fabulous ... absolutely stunning!!! I'm certain you cannot wait to get back in there and start cooking/baking up a storm. We are almost finished with our kitchen reno and it is a long process. Hugs to you..C. (HHL)

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  10. WOW! This is one of the prettiest kitchens I've ever seen. I love the color, the finishes, the lighting, all the details! Your hubby did an amazing job! The island is spectacular. Very, very pretty!

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  11. Well worth the wait wasn't it? For your followers as well, myself included. Beautiful job, but of course I didn't expect anything less from you two.
    NV Bonus Mom

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  12. Oh NV Bonus Mom! I am so glad to see this...you of all people know just how much this kitchen remodel has taken its toll on us, but as you said, well worth it in the end! :O)
    Love you!

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  13. I love everything about it! The cabinets, the colors, the pendants, the granite, the backsplash. So well done!

    When we lived in Portland, my husband did the same thing--built an entirely new kitchen while working full time. He thought it'd take 3 months. He finished in 6, which was still ok. When we sold the house, the kitchen was a huge reason why.

    Enjoy!!
    Pam

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  14. Oh drool! This is stunning! I'm loving EVERY bit of it. (And you just made my husband a very miserable man now that he sees what he's up against :). High fives for the two of you!

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  15. I love your new kitchen. I just finished my kitchen make over too - we have a few similar features - grays, creams, subway tile.
    I know you are going to love it and decorating for fall and Christmas is going to be lots of fun!
    Rhonda

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  16. Terry, it is AMAZING! I figured you were remodeling bc I have followed your PINS!! (: It turned out great and yes, I am very familiar with a labor of love..I am still having that labor with my kitchen! I just can't seem to get some of the details worked out and want it all done before I do a final post! Great minds think alike...we have some similar features in the new spaces! My favorite? Your bead board!!! I LOVE it...oh, and the BAR! Great idea! I feel like that is exactly what I NEED after all the remodeling..why didn't I think of that?! Christie at Three Pixie Lane

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    1. Thank you Christie! I knew you could relate, I've been watching the process on Three Pixie Lane too...isn't it just an amazing process to go through! Keep in mind though, it really is all worth it in the end...this room is now my favorite room in the house, truly the heart of our home!

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  17. Oh my goodness, your kitchen is beautiful!! You must be so thrilled. I have to say, I love the tile work behind the cooktop. It's really stunning!

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  18. Mama Mia! That's one beautiful kitchen! Oh, every single detail is perfect and I know you're just loving it. You do know you're making all of us really jealous, don't you? :)
    Be a sweetie,
    Shelia ;)

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  19. Hopped over from BNOP and WOW! What a great kitchen and a great man! I enjoyed the after shots and love the white cabinets. I hope you're a cook, because that is a fabulous place to cook up a storm!

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  20. Wow - puts our little kitchen refresh we're in the middle of to shame. ;-) It looks fabulous, Terry! I'm so glad you left a comment on my blog so I could find you - a kindred PNW soul!

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  21. OH.MY.GOSH!! I have been waiting and waiting for the big reveal, and it's even better than I expected! Oh girlfriend, it is just gawwwgeous! I love every single thing about it. You and your hubby have awesome taste. One of these days I'm going to head up that way and have a nice glass of that chardonnay with you. :0) Hugs from Texas and again, just wonderful!

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  22. Carolyn, thank you very much! And just know you are welcome anytime, your wine is chilled!

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  23. Oh my goodness~
    What a transformation! What a vision you had and brought to fruition!
    I am in love with your glorious bright and fabulous new kitchen!

    Every little detail The surfaces, the doors, the island, the stove top surround... loving every single inch. Bravo!!!

    Just turned out fantastic.
    Thanks so very much for sharing it with us at The Favorites on the First.
    So nice to have you stop by!

    xoxox
    Alison
    Your newest follower.

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  24. Lovely kitchen. Wonderful tile behind the stove. My DH is in the basement, building our kitchen cabinets. What kind of lights are used in the glass front cabinet above your bar? Marcia

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    1. Hi Marcia,
      They are Xenon puck style lights purchased online, energy efficient and low heat output.
      Thank you for the nice compliment, it truly was a labor of love and I hope to see your kitchen once its all done!

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  25. How amazing and gorgeous your kitchen came out. I love the subway tiles, the pretty scenic tile in the back of the great range. Everything is terrific! Your kitty girls are so cute too. Thanks for sharing. I just dropped by from MM at Susan's.
    FABBY

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  26. WOW!!!! Your kitchen is beautiful!!! Actually, I thought your "old" kitchen was beautiful....I am so anxious to see it in person. Won't be long now. Love Ya...Aunt Patty

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    1. Thank you Patty can't wait for you to see it in person@!
      Terry

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  27. Terry, I just wanted to add that I love your assistants! ;) They keep us sane when we're in the middle of a renovation.

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    1. Thank you Susan, they are such good little helpers! Just sent you an email...

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  28. It's truly stunning! Love the island color, it's perfect against the bright white! All of your details throughout bring it together perfectly!

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  29. WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!! I want your kitchen!! AMAZING!! Love the design above your stove top! WOW!

    Thanks so much for sharing this at The DIY Dreamer.. From Dream To Reality!

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  30. I GASPED when I saw the new kitchen. Girlfriend you are one blessed woman to get a kitchen like that!! Beautiful, just beautiful!!!!

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  31. Hi Terry,

    STUNNING! Your new kitchen is timeless and I hope it brings you many years of enjoyment. I know how stressful it can be to remodel. Glad to see you went with stainless steel appliances. Now it is time to enjoy a drink :-)

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  32. That is one amazing transformation! I love your updated kitchen!!!

    Dee

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  33. Oh my gosh Terry! You and Mark have done an absolutely stunning job on your kitchen remodel. Having always loved your previous kitchen, I couldn't imagine how you could improve upon it so drastically. It is so amazingly beautiful and I can't wait for the opportunity to cook side by side with you again. Now that Mark's finished with that project, do you suppose we could borrow him for the next 6 months to work on some projects for us? :) I love you Terry!

    Nancy

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    1. Oh Nancy...I've been waiting to hear from you girlie-girl!
      I am so ready for you to be here and cook together! As for Markie ever doing this again...I doubt I could even get him on a plane knowing another kitchen remodel was waiting for him :O)

      I love you!
      Terry
      PS I love your profile picture!!!

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    2. Well, if the thought of another kitchen remodel is a deterrent, he could always start with the bathrooms, the bedrooms, french doors off the dining area, bay windows, skylight, etc. He could take his pick of projects, since the whole house needs a facelift. Heck, so do I for that matter, but as wonderful and talented as Mark is, I wouldn't expect him to perform miracles. :)

      I love you my sweet sister!!!
      Nancy

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    3. Well let me ask you this Nancy, do any of those projects include a bicycle saddle?If so you're in luck he just may be up for it!
      I love you too little sister!
      Me ;o)

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    4. I would include a variety of bicycle saddles or any other accessories that Mark would like, and keep in mind that Lake Tahoe is just a short drive from here, and is a beautiful place to ride. Hmmm... what do you think? :)

      Love,
      Nancy

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  34. 7 months was well worth the wait. Fabulous transformation! I am featuring tomorrow on my weekly wow's.

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