It sounded terrible, by sunset we noticed that the storm appeared to not have been so bad for us. We had no way of checking what the rest of the county/state had been up too. I knew that my family in Germany would be very worried about us. Our phone, email and cellphone didn't work.
Our power finally came back on at 6:00 p.m. last night and it was devastating to watch the local news and see how much worse it had been for other people who lived so close to us.
My father in Germany had been frantic not knowing how we were and he was so glad to hear we were ok. His friends drove him crazy watching the news in Europe, calling him and asking him if we were ok.
What a vacation for my mom. She hasn't been at our house in 2 years and now this. She is so glad it didn't happen when she is supposed to fly home next week.
My heart goes out to everybody that wasn't as lucky as us and I pray for them.
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After all this, I'm so glad that I can share and continue my last post with you.
I'm so blessed to have nothing else to complain about then my kitchen.
So here it is:
I have been wanting new counter tops for ever. I hate the fake 80s marble laminate.
So now, how much should we invest in this house? If it would be THAT PERFECT DREAM house I would splurge on white marble counter tops. I love that classic look! But since I want to do this on a budget, I'm considering DIY concrete counters and have been reading up about them.
Everything I do in our house, I must count in flights! Flights to Germany. My sofa splurge last year was 2 flights home during prime travel season. Marble or granite would be 5 flights home during prime season...so not an option. Sigh!
Another problem is the way our kitchen was built. The person who planned the electrical outlets must have been retarded. Seriously! An outlet right next to the sink??? What on earth would you want to plug in there?
I'd love to chop the wall in half and have somebody relocate the outlets, so we can have one large open counter.
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| Can you relocate them somewhere? |
And how about the stupid cabinets that the builder didn't want to run all the way to the top? Hate it!
I tried to camouflage it by putting a milk glass and ceramic collection on top, to make it look like it was supposed to be like this.
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| And yes, stainless steel appliances would look better, I know. |
What do you think? To chop or not to chop?
What counter tops do you want or have?
Do tell!
Happy Halloween und guten Tag.
Hey Julia -- we've been remodeling for almost 13 years. Just got our kitchen almost done (we had a rig up one in our basement for 10 years). So I know about DIY. We went with a thinner granite slab (I think it's 2cm)with a thicker edge. It's great and we have a lot of it. It was about $1500 here in Southern Oregon. I know you live in a more populated area so you could probably find it even less expensive there. We thought about the concrete, too. My husband spent two summers making concrete retaining walls for our back yard (we live on a hill...terraces were originally piles of sliding river rock)...so, we did have some experience with it. A friend tried to do it at their cabin (they are off the grid) and it crumbled...think it wasn't the right recipe. Good thing, though, it's inexpensive to "try." There's a local company here in "Green" Oregon who recycles all sorts of glass and stuff that he adds to the cement/resin mix...it's amazing...more expensive than marble to buy, though. Take Care.
ReplyDeleteHi Kimberly and thanks for all the info. I looked into the thinner overlay granite with a thicker edge. It's not recommended for us because of my corner sink. At least that's what they told us.
DeleteThe concrete counter tops sound like a lot of aggravation.
Hi Julia, I am so glad you and your family made it safely though the storm! Second, I have never understand the american builders, and how they decide to come up with all those stupid ideas..I live in an older house and I have the same problem..outlet next to the sink, cabinets end a feet from the celling? I mean that arhitect or whoever planned it, does he steps back and looks at it for a second? And why do they have an outlet every 6 feets? Whats up with that? Do they think I will have 50 appliances pluged in? Unfortunetlly quantity over quality runs the show in the construction business..Anyway, I have seen concrete counter tops, and I was pleasantly surprise how well it looked..and I am sure they wont cost nearly as many flights as the granite..
ReplyDeleteHi, you are right the standard American Builders are strange. What are you going to do with your kitchen and outlets ;)
DeleteAnd I do like the look of concrete countertops. What to do, what to do????
Hey Julia! I'm thinking CHOP! With quartz countertops and a waterfall side. yeah yeah! : ) Glad you and yours are ok and past the storm! : )
ReplyDeleteSmiles!
Sammy ~ Renew Redo
Thanks Sammy! I'm thinking chop as well!
DeleteI guess I am the only one that thinks your kitchen is beautiful. I would not do a thing to it. Well, the outlets by the sink is strange, but if you don't use them, cover them up with a plain faceplate. Me, I am taking out a really awful, flimsy, dropped ceiling to get back to the original vaulted (just slightly vaulted)ceiling. And now my cabinets are short.... and Shaymus Kitty has decided the cabinet tops are his very own mancave! lol
ReplyDeleteAww thanks Sheryll. My kitties love to jump up there too. Cats are silly ;)
DeleteJulia! First... so happy you and the family are safe! In the past.. our area had a horrible storm like this and it is sad to see the havoc it causes. Next.. I am sure whatever route you take with the kitchen would look fab because you have great taste! I sold plumbing, lighting, appliances for 10 years then worked for a builder for 7 until I was recently laid off. I say... for sure take the cabinets to the ceiling. The short ones... yuck! On the counter.. I love the marble look too but some have said they stain.. plus cost..ugh! I like the idea of concrete too but if you are going to resale in the near future quartz might be a better idea. Quartz can get expensive too but probably worth the investment. I like the idea you have for an island too! Can't wait to see!! I am sure what you do will be beautiful. What I have seen so far is beautiful! Take care!! Michele M
ReplyDeleteThank you Michele. I think the cabinets can and will have to wait. Most people will notice the counters before the cabinets. I almost renewed the counter last year and then my one cat got sick and I spend all the money on her. Why do the pet emergency rooms have to be so expensive. Seriously!
DeleteNo decision....CHOP!!! Glad you're all safe. Hx
ReplyDelete:) yes, I think it has to be chop too
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