T.A.N.K.

The Amazing New Kitchen.

It was a long time in the planning and even longer in the wanting but now I have it, I enjoy every second I spend in it.  Carmel, queen of the kitchen and happy to be so.

My house is not new and glamorous and has been in need of a TANK for many years. It's a 1970s house and, until recently, sported the original kitchen. 2011 was to be the Year of the House but it wasn't until I began working part time that I could give kitchen planning the attention it needed. In February 2012, it all started to happen. House renovations are not fun but now there's The Amazing New Kitchen and I'm so proud and happy with it.




Preparations for a party.

 
My old kitchen was functional and very loyally lasted the distance but it was poorly designed and very small AND had no dishwasher.  For a long time I told myself I didn't need a dishwasher.  I was perfectly capable of washing dishes properly.  It wasn't such a bad job.  It was very satisfying to see clean dishes after washing them.  You know, the usual garbage when you're trying to convince yourself of something.  But now I admit the error of my ways and say unashamedly that I love my new kitchen.

However, getting a new kitchen is not without it's pains.  Deciding what will look good and suit the available space is so difficult.  Especially if you dare stop and think you'll be stuck with any mistakes for a very long time.  What appliances? What colours?  What kinds of cupboards, drawers, doorhandles?  Hadn't thought of that but I did have one very important part of my new kitchen.  My beloved Turkish tile and everything else had to fit.  Having made the big choices of who would make it, what would go in it etc. etc., I settled back and waited for the rest to be easy. 

First the old kitchen had to be demolished.  Well that didn't take long.  Then a few alterations.  Only another couple of days.  I can live in dust and plaster powder for a few days.  Not a problem.  Then waiting for the kitchen manufacturers to install and organise for the plumber and electrician and gas man to come at the same time.  This won't take long.  It's all very quick nowdays you know and what's a little more dust. It will all be worth it in the end. 

In the meantime, cooking and washing dishes is becoming quite a back breaking chore.  And one can't be without fresh coffee can one?  So my tiny bathroom becomes the hub of the house.

 



Looking good!  Nearly finished; cupboards and drawers are in, appliances are in and working, bechtops are ......... they have to be measured by laser beams and then take two weeks (at least) to come.  Be patient Carmel IT WILL BE WORTH IT IN THE END!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  So my beautiful benchtops arrive and all is forgiven .... well almost, the splash backs can't be measured until the benchtops go in and then it takes another two weeks for them to arrive.  And they do and they are great.

Little did I know the biggest holdup was about to come into play - me.  Finding a floor I was happy with took forever, endless patience from the salesman and many samples.  I had, initiall,y waltzed into the show room and proudly announced what brand of floor coverings I wanted but would like to try a couple of different coloured samples.  Sure enough they came but they were gross.  So I tried some more and some more and the more I saw the less I liked vinyl tiles.  How depressing.  Then one day when returning the latest samples, I surprised the long suffering salesman by asking to see bamboo.  I liked it and had it installed within couple of weeks.  Then there was the blind.  Got it in no time and the kitchen was completed by July. No more internet searches, no more tradesmen and salesmen, no more thinking and no more dust.  It's just beautiful and I rejoice in it each day.  And it was worth it in the end, The Amazing New Kitchen.




Kitchen warming party July '12