Thursday Tidbits: Kitchen remodeling, anyone?

My husband and I are preparing to remodel our kitchen. Our appliances are showing their age, the cabinets put in by our builder are less than great (read cheap) and an updated kitchen is supposed to add more value to a house than anything else.

So far we’ve applied for a home equity loan, attended a presentation at a kitchen remodeler’s store, gotten starry-eyed over their gorgeous displays and had their designer out to our house. She looked over the layout, suggested changes we hadn’t even thought of, and shocked us with her price estimate. Who would have thought new cabinets, granite countertops, and moving an itty-bity wall would add up to so much? Since we’re far from rich, some shopping around is in order.

A week or so ago we also visited a couple appliance stores. Oh my, so much shiny stainless steel! It almost blinded me. Hubby is determined to go stainless, me not so much. I can see myself constantly wiping off fingerprints. Yes, I know you can get it in a platinum finish that isn’t supposed to show prints, but that’s only on refrigerators, not on dishwashers and ranges, we were told. That information doesn’t exactly thrill me. The helpful salesman didn’t make a sale.

Anyway, we’re in the looking stage, not ready to buy. No, un-uh, can’t talk me into it. Well, unless I absolutely fall in love with one of those sparkling beauties. I’m also a sucker for a bright red or yellow sale tag. Is it a good price? I dunno, but it screams SALE!

And then there’s all the other stuff: floor tiles, plumbing fixtures, tiled backsplash (hubby’s keen on that) and new lighting so I can see what I’m doing and not cut off any fingertips. A sink big enough to wash a roasting pan in without doing contortions and splashing soapy water all over myself, the countertop and floor would also be nice. I hate the dinky double sinks we have now! Give me an old-fashioned country style sink any day.

Have I covered everything, all the choices we’ll have to make? Probably not. I foresee months of shopping, getting quotes, “discussing” how much to spend, and living without a functioning kitchen once the demolition begins. Eek! No microwave? How can I go on without one? And where will we put all the dishes, pots and pans, cereal boxes, etc., etc., etc?

Honey, we’d better start collecting storage boxes!