Be careful what you wish for!!!!!

Happy New Week.

You know how excited I was for the permits to finally get released and the contractor could get his crews going on the garage build and basement renovation.

Well I guess I should be careful for what I wish for.

This is what I am looking at!!!!

When the crew started to tear out the old black top area in the back of the house where the new drive and garage will be built they found layers of years of different drive ways and floors from the old garage.  Ugh.....

 They had saws and equipment trying to penetrate the many layers.  This home was built in 1950 so there was the original drive and then several other layers of driveways through the years.  

One layer beneath the blacktop had deep rooted rebar.  What a mess.  So they had to quit for the day and bring back heavy duty equipment that will do a better job of getting through all the layers of blacktop and cement.  Ugh... Another delay.  Meanwhile the back area is a hot mess.

At the end of this mess where the pavers are piled up will be where the new garage will begin and will sit back further in the yard.
The area to the left of blacktop will be dug out and new grass put in.  The bushes to the right will be moved to new areas in the backyard.

Just hope they can get all the layers of concrete and blacktop out so they can begin to lay the new driveway and garage floor.  


Meanwhile inside my kitchen they had to cut a hole in the wall to replace all the galvanized pipes to copper piping.  So glad I did not finish painting that wall yet.  The drywall guy will be fixing that hole and then I can repaint that wall.

The new sink arrived.  If you remember the old cast iron sink was cracked and chipped. It was leaking so we had to order a new sink.  Of course the size of this sink was not an in stock item so we had to special order this one!  I do like the sweet scroll apron pattern.

Terry installed the new garbage disposal since the house never had one.  See that little button on the sink by the main faucet.  That is how you make the garbage disposal work.  I think this is really clever and you do not have to hook it up on one of the wall switches.  You install it in one of the empty holes in the sink.


Remember that issue with the freezer door not opening all the way and hitting the wall.
In order to move the refrigerator down we had to remove the 18 inch upper and lower cabinet next the to stove.  

We then added these two new upper and lower cabinets.  They are 12 inch cabinets that worked perfectly to fill in the space where the larger cabinets were removed.  I still have two cabinets for storage and now the refrigerator doors can open up correctly in this tiny kitchen.  So that solved a big problem.

After moving the refrigerator down this left a 6 inch space between the refrigerator and the kitchen wall.  Terry is going to build me a custom door for this space.  I can then use this as a utility closet for a broom, dustpan, my floor swifter and he will add some shelves to store cleaning supplies.  Hope to finish that soon and show you.

I lost the 18 inch upper and lower cabinets but these 12 inch cabinets will still work for spices and storage.

I am learning that living in a tiny house you have to be creative and utilize every inch of space you can.

I cannot wait to get my kitchen open shelves and decor out of storage and moved into this new kitchen.

I really am promising a full reveal of the rooms after we are all moved in and I can decorate.  For now all I can show you is DIY projects.
Remember the two wallpaper samples for this wall in the living room?  Well.....


Here is the wallpaper I chose.  It is the yellow cottage pattern.  It is bringing in some texture and color to the cottage living room.


It looks pretty and soft on the one wall and brings some interest to the room.


I cannot wait to mix my chippy white decor in with this splash of color for the cottage living room.


While I got this ugly going on in the backyard!  I have....


Pretty going on in the front of the house.  The flowers are doing so great.  They are growing so well that you hardly see the window boxes below them anymore.


Next year I hope to fill in the beds around the hosta's with some flowers to bring in more color.



Have a great start to the new week.

Hugs,
Kris

53 comments

  1. Kris, that concrete mess will be gone before you know it! You'll have pictures to remember this but you'll have a wonderful new space too. I wish I had the constant vision for my house that you have. It's so easy for me to become distracted by so many pretty pictures these days. :)

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  2. Hi Kris, so many exciting changes happening. I love, love, love your new sink. And I would have gone with the same wallpaper! And I'm totally jealous of your garden. I have never been a green thumb. Good luck with everything. It all seems to be coming together nicely. Enjoy your week. Julie

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  3. Oh my gosh so much has happened since you last updated! I gasped with delight on the wallpaper - beautiful! Those kitchen cabinets area perfect solution to the dilemma there (I have a similar skinny cabinet and use it for cookie sheets and cutting boards. In the bathroom, I have one too and we have a Rev-A-Shelf insert - maybe check that website for other ideas for kitchen storage and Terry can build for you probably). Cute sink! And the outdoor flowers - fantastic! I bet the neighbors are happy you're there, regardless of the construction. That's going to be a godsend for solving space and storage issues, and STILL have a yard. I love it, Kris. I really do. Maybe we could just take off the 2nd story of our home and live here forever......
    Have a good week. Looks like it'll be highly productive.

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  4. What has been done is so pretty! Hey why don't you get Terry to build you a pull-out pantry for that spot next to the fridge - like this https://www.pinterest.com/pin/325736985523657623/ It might be a bit more useful than a super skinny utility closet. You know me, can never leave well enough alone! Have a great day!!

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  5. Oh wow, I do understand the mess, my backyard looks about the same with all the stuff going on. No worries, it will be cleaned up in no time and will be fabulous. Love the wallpaper and the kitchen is coming along beautifully. That sink is wonderful.

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  6. Just remind yourself that it has to look worse before it gets better! I'm in love with the new sink and the cupboard fix. I was delighted to see the yellow wallpaper; it's perfect! Hang in there, Kris.

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  7. You should have a TV show! Love the new sink. Love the new wallpaper! Who could have guessed at the driveway mess!? Best of luck with that. You have done some clever things in the kitchen. I would live a little broom closet like the one you have planned. The front of your house looks sweet.

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  8. The front of your house is so beautiful!! I would love to have window boxes like those - how did you mount them? My exterior sills are concrete and the walls are concrete stone veneer and I've been hesitant to drill into them. Your back yard will be lovely too - just wondering if you'll have to move those overhead wires where the new garage will sit!

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  9. Good morning, Sweet Friend!,
    So many lovely things going on.. Your kitchen sink is soo pretty and your new wallpaper is very charming with it's flourishing swirls of vines and flowers. I'm sure that's frustrating to have your backyard looking like a mess. Your work crew will have that taken care of in no time and you will be able to start working your magic. Your front beds look so nice. How hard you've been working! I hope you can find a little time to rest and cool off in this summer heat. Have a wonderful week! Hugs and blessings... Tamara

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  10. That is a mess! But it will be lovely once they get the new driveway and garage in. The front of your house looks beautiful. I love the wallpaper you chose.

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  11. A lot has been going on at your house. The changes inside are terrific....exciting!

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  12. We live in a rambler home that from 1955. I have the small gally kitchen and am looking forward to seeing your kitchen reveal so I can "copy" some of your ideas. Mine is open on both sides, so I have no wall in my kitchen. I LOVE all you have done! The wallpaper is so cottage! Love your sink. We don't have a disposal. I may have to get a new sink and finally have one! LOL!!!
    deb

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  13. Kris,
    Every time we take on a project at our house, it looks like your driveway!! LOL! Always takes more time and $$$ than originally planned. One time we removed ugly panels from our living room wall expecting to just paint. Turns out the wall had 4 windows so instead of just painting we had some major work to do....on the positive side look how much you have accomplished already? the front of your new home is beautiful....the kitchen is coming along (love the sink and neat dishwasher switch) and the wallpaper looks gorgeous on the walls. Take your time and do your magic! xo
    Linda

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    Replies
    1. Yep we are kind of finding the same thing. Lots of hidden issues and going over budget!!! Have a great summer day.
      Hugs,
      Kris

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  14. I love, love the new sink! The wallpaper is adorable
    Hugs Alessandra

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  15. Exciting times!!! I am giggling at the creative solutions one must come up with for living in a small storage challenged home. My daily challenge ☺ Pretty soon the hot mess in the back will be sorted and you will have it all looking amazing my friend!
    Things are coming together.
    I am putting things back in our open cabinet today after the counter top install over the weekend. What am mess that was, but well worth it!
    Hugs, Gee

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  16. Love the wallpaper you chose.......nice touch!!!

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  17. The wallpaper looks fantastic! Although I thought you'd decided against it for now. A woman has the right to change her mind! Yes, living smaller means living more practically and always thinking of storage. Terry is so clever!
    Brenda

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  18. Forgot to say I love that sink!
    Brenda

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  19. Looking great, Kris. The rain here hasn't hurt anything for sure. Some plants are just doing gang busters. I bet your hosts will be double in size next year. Grins, on the kitchen. You really have to live in a space in order to really find his it's quirks. New refrigerators are simply huge. I'm glad you could make this one work, Sandi

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  20. Always gets worse before it gets better. Love the wallpaper you chose. So bright and cheery.

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  21. It's great to see all your changes. I love the wallpaper, I didn't think so when you showed a closeup of the roll the other day, but seeing it on your wall changed my mind!

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  22. Rather than focusing on the hot mess out back, I'll focus on how I'm in LOVE with your sink. The button for the insinkerator is genius I tell ya! I so didn't guess the right wallpaper...I really thought you'd chosen the black. But I love the yellow so much I painted our dining room that color!

    xo,
    RJ

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  23. Kris, Oh what a pile ...but you know it will all work out and be nice when your new drive and garage is built. I love how your Terry thinks...making that skinny space by the wall into a broom closet. I love that sink !! You know those paper samples just don't really make me see the final picture. I love how the wall turned out. Just enough pattern for interest without over powering. Way to go . Blessings, xoxo, Susie
    p.s. Kris I am still smiling about us meeting. :)

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  24. You two have such wonderful ideas for your home...I know your projects will all be beautiful. And I can't wait to see them!

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  25. I love your new sink. The scrollwork is lovely. You're really making your new house look adorable. We just moved into a new home and I'm hoping to start making some changes to make it feel like my own. The front of your house is so charming. The concrete mess will be gone before you know it.

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  26. So sorry that you are having problems, but at least you have started your building and have your permits. Kitchen looks good and the front yard is beautiful. You have worked your magic again - beautiful.

    Have a great productive week.

    Hus,
    Mary

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  27. I am smiling EAR TO EAR just watching you and Terry be creative. This is what it takes to make an extraordinary home, an extraordinary life. I'm finding out myself that a LACK of resources is challenging me to focus on higher level skills in my photography. Our homes are also a reflection of these fun and life-changing challenges.

    The kitchen is looking SO GOOD. The outside of the house I'm sure, is making the neighbors SWOON.

    WAY TO GO, you two!!!

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  28. The back will soon (hopefully!!) be sorted and construction on the garage will be under way. That was a lot of history to uncover. Your kitchen is shaping up nicely. Love the sink! I'm sure you and Terry will noodle out a good solution for the space by the refrigerator. I think I saw that slide out storage on Pinterest. A craftsman like your hubs would have no problem making it. Love the wallpaper...definitely adds to the cottage feel of the room. The front of the house is just gorgeous with all the plantings. Think how pretty the backyard will be when the garage is complete and you can work your landscaping magic! xoxo

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  29. Fabulous. I do not like living with things that are torn up. I just have to try and forget they are there. I love the new sink. Adorable. The new cabinet wall in the kitchen is amazing. You and Terry are such good DIYers. Have a wonderful day!

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  30. Opening up older homes for remodeling always uncovers something no one expects! Too bad about all the layers where the garage used to be and the old driveway surfaces. It's good that you are addressing the pipes now and still under construction/remodeling. The sink is the cutest! I definitely love the wallpaper- so glad you chose the soft yellow! The front of the house looks so cute now- love the window boxes!

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  31. I was clapping my hands when I saw your post on Instagram with your wallpaper choice. Its so soft and pretty and will pair so beautifully with your white chippy decor. Hang in there during that noisy concrete removal.

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  32. Good Morning Kris
    Ahhh too bad they ran into so much stuff to get through in the back. Hopefully it will be cleared up very soon. I love the wallpaper you chose. It was my favorite and it just looks so pretty in your new home. I love it. That sink in the kitchen, oh my is it gorgeous. I have never seen a sink like that. Love the detail on it. You are really doing a lot so far. I can't wait to see it completely done but so far its just beautiful and already looks like a Home**
    enjoy the rest of your week also Kris
    deezie

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  33. Super progress and what a mess. Love the wallpaper. Front garden doing well. Still taking a break

    Cindy

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  34. Your kitchen looks great, Kris! The sink is so pretty and worth waiting for. I thought you'd go for the yellow wallpaper. :) It will go very well with your chippy white furniture and decor pieces.
    Have a great week!
    xo Julia

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  35. Wow! So much going on in your life. You guys accomplish so much in such short period of time. I'm in love with the wall paper and I think that all of your darling decor will really show up around it.
    Have a great week!
    xoxo Jo

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  36. Kris, everything is starting to happen! It will be a mess in the back for awhile but when done you will have all you want. That is a very pretty back yard BTW and I can almost imagine it when you get all your usual beautiful plantings around. The front is looking gorgeous. Love the soft color in the wallpaper.. Such a sweet and pretty cottage..Have a great week..xxoJudy

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  37. Oh, my goodness, Kris, your sink is so pretty. And how clever to have a push button for the garbage disposal. Great solution to the fridge door swing. I once had a narrow lower cabinet like your 12" and I used it to store cookie sheets and cooling racks vertically. It was so handy. I also used the upper cabinet for spices, which you said you plan to do. You're right about using every inch of space in a small home, and you'll become very efficient at it. And maybe you'll even find, like I have, that you don't need all the things you thought you did. I really don't need 4 different size dessert dishes. LOL So sorry your garage project has become more than you anticipated, but once it's done the pain will be over and you'll be glad you did it. Absolutely love, love, love the wallpaper. So charming. Your cottage is going to be ultra sweet. Hugs.

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  38. Oh Kris.. it all looks wonderful and fun! (well I'm sure not fun for you!). I love love love that pale yellow wallpaper in the living room... just so pretty and a little different for you and think it'll be amazing with your chippy things. Your garage area will one day be just perfect... just dream about it for awhile! Love the sweet kitchen and the improvements you are making. Yes.. a small house needs to use every INCH of space. An extra two inches can sometimes make a huge difference! Your front flower beds are gorgeous.. you must have two green thumbs! thanks for the updates.. I always look forward to them! Marilyn xoxoxo

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  39. I do not know how people survive construction, especially big jobs like yours! I hope in the end it all turns out as you imagine.

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  40. Wow, Kris, lots going on, but all good stuff. The place looks amazing and I love the wallpaper!! That sink is just fabulous. Do you mind if I ask where you purchased it? We need a new one and I love yours!!

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  41. Perfect, perfect, perfect! The sink is so pretty and different, the wallpaper is soft, feminine and so you, and wow, your front yard is gorgeous!, whatever it is you're doing for those flowers, just keep doing it. You have the Midas touch :).

    xxx

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  42. It is looking great and coming along well! The front of the house looks so pretty.

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  43. LOVE the wall paper.
    It is happening. :-)
    Carla

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  44. Looks like you making progress even though the garage is off. If anyone can relate to a project not going as planned and way over budget I can. Still not over...Hopefully it will all work out well for you both..and you'll be moving in soon.

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  45. The garage project is a mess, but you'll be happy when it's done. The new sink has charming detais. The wallpaper you chose is perfect for your living-room.

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  46. It's really looking great! You are really good at utilizing every inch of space. I try to do that too. No sense in wasting space, as far as I'm concerned. That's too bad about the garage driveway(s) but it'll get fixed up soon enough. Just think how nice it will all be in time for fall and all the winter holidays. I can't wait for more pics. xoxo

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  47. Ha!! I knew you were going to go with the yellow!! You make me want to start from scratch with my house, Kris! I can't wait to someday have a white kitchen....I've always loved them! Looking good, I bet your neighbors love all the beautiful flowers you've planted!

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  48. Oh the surprises we find in renovating! Who knew there'd be so many layers of concrete, etc? One day, it will all be a bad memory and in its place, a beautiful new garage and yard!
    Love the yellow wallpaper!And the front beds are looking lush and growing! Yay for progress in the house and beyond. Hang in there. It's so going to be worth it all. :)
    (Playing catch up after a week at the farm. It will be nice to have working internet up there someday!)

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  49. WOW- Kris, you've been busy! Loving all the new changes. You must be chomping at the bit - it is soooo difficult to find the patience through renovations. Just be glad you aren't living there while it is going on, right?

    Keep up the good work! So sorry I have been MIA - but I did post about my sweet little only granddaughter's first birthday over the weekend. I can't even believe she is a year old already. Where does time fly off to?

    Hugs. ♥

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  50. I am surprised at all the progress you have made. We live in a house built in 1949. There's always a surprise behind walls or under concrete. Love the front of your house so welcoming.

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  51. I love this everything looks like it is falling into to place (LOL). anyway I sure enjoy it when you come to my inbox thank you for sharing!

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