Friday, June 12, 2009

Clean Sweep, the Not-Born-to-Run Kitchen Edition, Part One

Yes, it's time to come clean, so to speak. You've seen bits and pieces of the NBTR headquarters over the years. Well, here it is, in all its glory, I present, my kitchen:

Yes, the floor is missing a few pieces.

Not enough cabinets resulted in this delicate solution of baskets and a metal shelving unit.

About oh, 8 months ago, Number One Daughter started stripping the wallpaper, step one in our "oh-we-surely-can-remodel-this-ourselves" phase. There was no step two.



So, a while ago, the top drawer sort of fell apart. It's amazing what you can get used to.





There you have it: 75 square feet of what has to win the prize for the "kitchen in most need of repair."

And I'm sure I would have lived with this depressing miserable workplace for a long time to come if I didn't have a crazy goal to rent my place out and move into the city. And if Number One Daughter's imminent departure weren't so...imminent.

I started saving and squirreling away every spare penny, and talking to contractors (fun! Not!). It's not like I was looking for a dream kitchen here. I had no interest in over-improving the place (a good thing, given my budget and the free-falling condo market). ALL I needed was 7 in-stock Home Depot cabinets, a new floor, new light fixture, and new countertop. And I didn't want to spend more than $5,000.

IS THAT TOO MUCH TO ASK?

After MONTHS of looking, I finally settled on this firm, which works primarily on Capitol Hill, but which agreed to come out to the hinterlands of Bethesda to do this job.

Wait 'til you see what happened next. You WILL NOT BELIEVE IT.

Stay tuned....

15 comments:

Runner Susan said...

I am demanding instant pictures. You cannot leave me hanging like this.

Susan said...

This Architect CAN NOT WAIT to see!!!

Judi said...

damn, cannot wait to see this makeover! dominic would have charged about 800 for that floor, and new cabinets would have cost about 500 for him to install. he is so good. :) and fair with prices. i hope that firm doesn't rip you off jeanne.

LBTEPA said...

Oh no...I'm scared now....you shouldn't put me under stress like this, I haven't been well

Jade Lady said...

Oh, i can't wait to see the after pics!

David said...

When did you decide to move into the city and where is NOD going? and why did I not know these things?

Petraruns said...

THE TENSION IS KILLING ME!

Anne said...

Yes! Yes! Don't leave us in suspense.

Thomas said...

You've got me hooked ...

Petraruns said...

Ok I keep hitting refresh. C'mon - make our Sunday a good one!

Kelly said...

Oooo that's so exciting. Not that you didn't already know this... but your kitchen is in NEED, hun!

Constance Burris said...

1. I was contemplating renting my house out and moving downtown but I changed my mind. atleast for now.. I think you might inspire me to rethink that decision. we only live once right?
2. My kitchen looks like that! I am hanging my head in shame
3. I'm waiting to see the after pics!

21stCenturyMom said...

Still waiting!!!

Nancy Toby said...

We're waiting.....

Nancy Toby said...

.... STILL WAITING....