Countdown to Kitchen!

It looks like we may be able to cook a meal in our new kitchen within two weeks!  Carter and I spent last Thursday and Friday evenings and Saturday morning painting to prep for cabinet installation.  While we waited for paint to dry, we picked went over to the granite shop and picked out a slab--Cafe Imperial--with just a little of the sparkle I like.  In the afternoon, Carl and Ian came over and were a big help in installing the upper cabinets while I tried to focus on schoolwork.  I only was able to snap one action shot (below) before I was told it wasn't a good time.

Throughout the week, Carter installed the base cabinets (with a little help from me) and the kitchen really took shape!  We have at least twice the storage of our old kitchen and an island, which I love!  Over the weekend, we purchased and began to install vinyl floor tile.  We've put in 100 of the 175 square feet so we're well on our way.  I hope to finish laying the tile this week to be ready for grout next weekend.  Carter designed the wainscoting for the living/dining area and we went to my parents' house to use the table saw to rip down a few boards to the appropriate size.  We also purchased cabinets for a built-in under the TV and small dry bar.  We'll have the kitchen and dry bar measured for granite this week and hope to have it installed next week.  They're really busy right now, but we have our fingers crossed it will get done sooner rather than later.  The last bit of progress we made was installing a few of the new light fixtures in the kitchen.  Carter showed me how it all worked and it was pretty easy.  Electrical is definitely something I could handle again!

Kitchen - corner view with spaces for microwave and oven

Kitchen with new pendant lights over bar top -
sink will go in the large base cabinet with dishwasher next to it

Kitchen (view from living room) - island counter
will have a smaller overhang than the plywood pictured

Kitchen (view from living room) - dry bar cabinet on right

After the granite is in, our kitchen will be functional but not yet finished.  We'll still need to choose and install a backsplash and, I am sure, countless other small things I can't remember at the moment... but, we'll be able to use it!  I can't wait to cook again!