My very, very, brave Mom gave me permission to post pictures of her home just before we begin the big remodel.
I am so proud of my Mom. She's a wonderful woman who loves us so much. She has spent many years doing for her kid's and other's before she has done for herself and sacrificing. She is finally taking that step to make her home beautiful just for her. I am so happy that I am able to help her with it and that she trusts me to not mess up her house. :)
Her style is very different from mine, While I am very Modern Vintage Cottage, she is very Traditional European and she also loves English influences. But that's okay, it's fun to get to work on a space that stretches me a bit and look at things a bit differently.
Jason (from Klaske Construction just outside of Dekalb, who did my kitchen.), is also going to also be doing hers, so I know things will roll right along and it will be fabulous.
She and my Dad had their house custom built in 1983, when that heavily grained oak was in style (as you can see). While they are solid wood cabinets, I think they are going to do much better in their next life garage storage. After 29 years, we are going for a much lighter wood with a grey tone and she want's her cabinets staggered at the top. We are also looking at granite counter tops. We have a running joke about the current counter tops because the laminate that is on there now, at one time in my teen years was the same ones that McDonald's had. ..McDonald's changed theirs like 15 years ago.
The flooring is going to be a darker wood. I know she is so excited to finally get wood floors after all of these years! I know she and my Dad had talked about it before he passed away and I am so excited for her that it is finally going to happen! I'll post updates as we go along.
See that half wall and dark paneling? After this week they are GONE! Finally after 29 years! The mantel is being changed; and the furniture is going to charity. We had considered painting the paneling, but I think my Mom just wanted a fresh start. We are also going to be getting rid of the fireplace cover and open it up. I am trying to talk her into lightening up the brick, but ultimately, it's her home and should be what she loves.
Isn't it funny how this picture looks like it was taken with an old camera? We are actually pushing the kitchen 3 feet into the family room. It's such a long room, it can lose a bit and still feel cozy and not cramped.
The cabinets still need to be ordered so we are on the 4-6 week plan right now, gathering our inspiration and ideas, and picking out all of the bits and pieces. My Mom has been such a good sport; my brother's and I have given her constant ribbing about the dark paneling, counter tops, and cabinets like any good, sarcastic children would for years and she's really rolled with it pretty well. I am going to be so happy for her when it is finally a space she loves.
Jen
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