Wednesday, February 23, 2011

~~~~~~OUT WITH THE OLD STUFF~~~~~~~ Kitchen Remodel Begins

 ~WINDOW SEAT~
Built in 1992

In 1992 my Mr. AGPMan and I purchased our La Chaumière de Briarwood.  Back then our children were ten and seven and I was (for the most part) a stay-at-home Momma.  With only one income supporting us many of the things my hubby and longed to do with our home were put on hold.
~BREAKFAST ROOM~

One of the very first things we opted to do was to build a window seat under the bay windows in our breakfast room.  Back then the table and chairs were bumped up close to the windows giving the entire room an unbalanced look and feel.  The window seat provided extra seating (especially at Christmas) and also gave the entire room some sweet ambiance and charm.
 ~TIME TO GO~

Over the years the cushions and pillows changed drastically with my decor.  I removed the latest ones (soft cream twill with ruched sides and tiny ruffles in place of cording) a few days ago as we prepared to removed the window seat I've truly grown to love over the years....
~FRESH CHANGES~

Honestly...a big part of my heart is sad to see her go.  I remembered when my hubby built it (I have a picture somewhere I'm trying to find!) and how thrilled I was with how she turned out...

But...things and needs change.
~FRENCH DOORS COMING SOON~

As we've planned the remodel of our truly humble kitchen (we are talking a tiny galley kitchen here!) we've opted to remove the window seat that has served us well over the years and in her place install gorgeous French Doors with stationary side windows.
~ORIGINAL WALL PAINT~
(Gasp!)

The original backdoor in the photo below (which is just off our den) is being walled up and the new back entry will be where the windows are now.
 ~BACKDOOR IS GOING~

This is going to give us lots more space for meandering around the breakfast room table as we prepare the actual remodel for our kitchen.  Look at the photo above...we only had two small tile-wide spaces in which to walk.  Pretty window seat...but the room was cramped and we grew tired of it!  Hardwood floors (where you currently see tile) will eventually be installed (caching!) throughout the entire den, breakfast area and kitchen. 
 ~CLOSE-UP of SPACE~

One of the biggest challenges for my hubby (and the kind of stuff that makes him nuts!) are things like the vent you see above.  It has to be moved and that means the cutting out of concrete, etc.  Can't have a vent in front of a door!
~BREAKFAST ROOM~

I'm going to miss the pretty plantation shutters, but I'm truly excited about the new doors and windows.  The original windows are in desperate need of being replaced anyway and so the new French Doors fit nicely into our budget!

I'll be showing you more once the fresh changes are made.  In the meantime I'll try and hunt down the original pictures of the window seat being installed almost 20 years ago...  They are absolutely precious as my guy looks so very young.  They also remind me of how happy I was about buying the home I still deeply love.

Hope your day is awesome!

Love to you...

21 comments:

Victorian1885 said...

Good morning Rebecca
Your kitchen is going to be lovely. You are so lucky your Sweetie can do this kind of work! We can't wait to see your after photos. Have a wonderful day my talented friend!
Hugs,
Wanda

Debra@CommonGround said...

This looks great, Rebecca, I'm watching your progress, aaaaahhhh, french doors sound wonderful!
xoxo,
Debra

Linda said...

Rebecca...how wonderful that your hubby is handy like that and can do the remodeling himself!

That will be so much fun to have a new look and a new French door to the back. But I know at the same time you will miss the window seat.

I know what you mean about loving your home. It is such a blessing to have a home that we love. I feel so bad for those who are losing their homes in this economy. It just breaks my heart for them.

Of course someone like you with all of your talents could make anywhere feel like home. You are so good at decorating and making things feel cozy.

Loved the pictures and will look forward to more of them as the project progresses.

Love, Linda

Deanna said...

Looking forward to how this turns out!

Anonymous said...

Don't you just love to be able to make changes in your home ever so often??!! I think your new kitchen/
breakfast room is going to be sooo
beautiful...I love French doors! They are a southern tradition and I have always wanted a pair or two in place of doors!!
I will be following you as y'all go forward with this new redo and I hope you post many photos and explanations of color, design, etc.
along the way.....I know YOU will be having fun, busy planning every-
thing...MrAGPMan has a lot of work ahead of him!! He will make it turn
out to be a "dream-make-over", I am sure!!!!!
Love, Francy

Anonymous said...

How exciting! I think french doors are perfect for that space. I can't wait to see the transformation. One day we hope to have french doors here as well.
Have a great day!

Mary Ann said...

Oh wow, this will be exciting to watch unfold. Your hubby does have some wonderful talent, doesn't he!! I know it will be wonderful when you get done. Best wishes friend.

Denise@alloverroses said...

I was ready to cry when I saw you were removing your window seat since that has always been on my wish list! But, when you said you were replacing it with french doors I felt a lot better! :) I know it will look amazing as does everything in your gorgeous home! Can't wait to see the finished room! How excited you must be!
xoxo
Denise

stefanie said...

how exciting, and sad!! there is alot of memories probably around the table, but there will be lots more to come!!! and you are soooo lucky to a talented husband!!!

Mari said...

HELLO REBECCA~YOUR KITCHEN IS GOING TO LOOK AMAZING WHEN YOUR DONE INSTALLING YOUR FRENCH DOORS :) CAN'T WAIT TO SEE IT WHEN ITS ALL DONE :)

XO~MARI

mariondee-designs said...

At first I thought you might just be a little crazy getting rid of that window seat and gorgeous shutters.. but then when I read you were going to replace them with french doors I thought ... yes, it will be just beautiful. I can picture it already. You must be so excited and it will look so open and bright! Looking forward to seeing the progress.. take care, Maryann

Jeannie B. said...

French doors sound like a wonderful addition. I can't wait to see you progress. And I don't have to live though it like you do!!

NanaDiana said...

Oh- I can't wait to see your changes...and I am sure it must be a bit heartbreaking to lose that which you once loved so much. You will repurpose those shutters-that I know! I hope this doesn't take as long as your bathroom did!!!! Hugs to my girlfriend- xxoo Diana

Rita said...

I think it is wonderful that you still love your home and are willing to make the changes to make it even better. As time passes, so does our taste. I know that things that I used to just love, no longer appeal to me. So when I get to change things, it is such an enthusiastic endeavor. I'm eagerly waiting to see all the changes that you are going through. Have fun remodeling!

Theresa said...

WOW, could I borrow Mr. AGP man for a few projects at my house? I am super impressed! Can't wait to see it when it is all finished!

Enjoy your evening my friend! HUGS!

Tanza said...

Hi Sweet friend,
WoW !!! Another project !! Can't wait to see this finished !! I LoVe the way it was !! I KNOW it's going to be over the top to the moon BEAUTIFUL !! Everything you two tackle together turns to AMAZINGLY GORGEOUS !! You are quite the team, and I KNOW, just KNOW YoU my friend are the Supervisor, and tell Mr. Steve just exactly what to do ... HAHAHA .. Does he EvEr send you off the job site ?! Hahaha .. How FuN, maybe someday when our last one is out, we will find the time and money to do a bunch .. Did you know I live vivaciously through you .. Sooo FuN .. :):) You always inspire me my friend .. Honest, YoU DO !! Happy restful evening to you both ~
Huggers ~TeA~ xo

Sue @ Not the Good Scissors! said...

How blessed are we that we can day dream about our homes and put those dreams into action.

I cannot wait to see the progress! xoxo
P.S. Your AGPMan is one in a million!

Anonymous said...

Rebecca how fun to be able to give your kitchen a face lift!! I am so wishing we were able to do the same with ours but....someday...

I know it is going to be fabulous and look forward to all the play by plays while you work on it!

bee blessed
mary

Mariette said...

Dearest Rebecca,

You both are like Pieter and me. You encourage me to show also our transformation of our Rose Suite where there was nothing before...
You for sure will love the new Easter-time kitchen. It will be ready by that time I guess!
Go for the dust till than; a necessary evil but the best down payment one can make.
Give that great handy man of yours a big hug.

Lots of love,

Mariette

PS My last blog was with mixed emotions... Carlitos, the boy on the left in all pictures, has had brain surgery to have a cancerous tumor removed. We hope and pray he will be fine after all the chemo and radiation. Life is tough! To some the blog might not look interesting; aside from the adventure, but to me it is something very precious and may God grant them more time. Poor guy got married July of 2009...

Happy To Be/ Gl♥ria said...

Oh girl this is going to be awesome lookin..and the way you can decorate..I can't wait to see it all..Hugs and smiles Gloria

Lisa & Gerald said...

How beautiful.....Love the way things grow and love...Can't wait to see it all done.....You guys never sit still....Hugs....

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