Hi friends. I was out of town the past few days with my girls working on a project that I’m excited to update you on soon. But because we all seem to have the kitchen remodel on our minds (judging by how many messages I’ve received this week, hahah!), let’s talk about the kitchen! I truly hoped to return from my trip last night to find it finally completed. I even planned to be taking our reveal photos TODAY. But, alas.
There has been yet another mishap while I was gone that caused ANOTHER delay. Those of you who have experienced a delay in a remodel project especially due to someone else’s mistake will relate. It’s frustrating, but it is what it is. For the rest of you who might wonder what in the world could go wrong, let me give a little behind-the-scenes look into what it really looks like to remodel a house. It’s not always like a TV show, let’s just put it that way.
Let me try to explain the latest fiasco. Right now, our drama centers around the final important piece in the project: the round window above our sink. It’s supposed to be one of the focal points of our kitchen, so we’ve waited quite some time to see it completed!
The couple photos you see in this post were taken throughout the last couple weeks. Hopefully this will give you a little preview of where we’re at and give us all hope that the end is near. I can’t wait to show you the entire kitchen once this one piece is complete.
One of the things that is difficult as a blogger is trying to juggle the real life timelines and to graciously relay mishaps that happen in a project due to someone else’s negligence. I do try my very best to keep you all up to date with the progress and to stay on track with a reveal, but that is easier said than done. In real life some projects and mistakes just aren’t able to be corrected, completed or explained away as fast as celebrities can in a 60 minute TV segment.
Potential delays are something to keep in mind and even plan for if you are embarking on a remodel. If you’re lucky, your project might stay on schedule or even get ahead of schedule, but IF something, anything, goes amiss at any point (i.e. a schedule gets delayed, something is broken, someone gets sick, has a stroke, or breaks an arm, a piece doesn’t fit, something unexpected happens or was incorrectly ordered, etc), the whole project can get WAY off schedule (and budget) quickly. In case you are wondering, every single one of those things I listed and more has happened throughout my kitchen remodel. :) And thank goodness, the contractors are FINE now! Projects are never as important as people.
In our last project, it turns out that creating and installing round trim work is not the norm for the subcontractor who was hired for this project and it required a bit more skill to execute that he had. Round shapes have to be, well, perfectly round. The difficulty began to be apparent as failed attempts delayed our project week after week until we are now at least a month behind schedule. Finally, we are going to another contractor to complete the work.
Since the top progress shot was taken several weeks ago, they’ve completed more caulking, installed outlet covers, and finished trim work and paint touch ups around the kitchen so we are actually even better shape than the photo shows. Those final details are so important!
The good news (?) is that missing round trim piece is the last element we needed to install so it didn’t delay other projects as can happen in some cases. But still. It is frustrating. That one round piece of trim is the reason why I can’t do the reveal quite yet! I really cannot wait to answer all of your questions and show you every single detail in the room.
So just know that I’m not holding out on you and we aren’t up to something sneaky here. It’s just reality. Not reality TV even, it’s just the real life drama of a project.
Thanks again for hanging in there with your excitement to see the finished project. I guess we’ll just have an even bigger celebration when we can finally call it done!
See our design board post here for a list of some of the sources you see in these photos (or scroll through above to shop!). We will have a comprehensive list of sources ASAP :)
I will be praying for you as you wait. I have done remodels and you are correct in your assessment….they are not fun.
Have you finished the basement? I don’t remember seeing those pictures.
No, we had other types of delays down there but soon I can show you the floors at least! :-D
Aw, how frustrating for you! From the photos above, tho, it appears we are in for a real treat when you can do the final reveal. Your patience will be rewarded, I’m sure. Blessings, Melissa! ❤?
I’m so happy with everything that is complete so far so I’m sure this is just a blip in the road. Blessings back to you, Jo Jo.
Looking beautiful so far. Anxious yes, but it’s always nice to have something to look forward to! I know we won’t be disappointed!
What a tease :) I LOVE what I see so far :) looking fantastic!!!!
Melissa, The preview is stunning! I have been through many frustrating times with old houses,but never the major one that you have undertaken. I’m sure you will look back with laughter at some point. Love all you choices.
So funny looking at the list of delays. We just finished a major kitchen remodel and all but the broken arm were on our list too. We finished in 5 months vs 2-3 months. You are so correct real life is NOT HGTV. ? However we are now enjoying the new kitchen and it was so worth the wait! Hang in there.
Thank you, Annette! If only we had the whole HGTV crew to make things happen, right? :)
Sorry for the delays. Just keep telling yourself it will be all worth the wait.
Now, hurry and tell me where, OH, WHERE, can I purchase that lovely towel bar in your pic with the black and white buffalo towel?
Thank you, in the post there is a scrolling bar with some sources you can look through and a link to a design board post that should have it as well.
We built our home in 1986 and have completed 3 remodels since then. The last one required us to move everything out of the house except for our bed, dresser and enough clothes for 2 weeks which we had in our basement. We lived in it for 10 weeks while touching every room on the main level (we have a ranch). Fortunately for us, it went pretty well; we added an elevator, storage room and master bathroom as well as put in hardwood in the entire house and painted all the rooms and trim. We had the broken arm with our first remodel which was adding on a sun room. We’ve been blessed and very fortunate to not have too many delays once we got started on the projects. I’m hoping for one more where we redo the basement and remove carpeting from that level too and repaint and have some storage built in. Seems like there is always something to do with a house.
I lived through 8 months of renovation when I bought my home – I was never so happy to see the back end of anyone as I was when the guys were finally done and out of my house!! PS – drooling over those crystal cabinet knobs, love them to bits!!
Thank you Debbie! It is a wonderful feeling to have your house to yourself again!!
I feel for you it is so frustrating having work people in your house for so long with all the work taking longer than it should,soon you will have a beautiful kitchen and will quickly forget the snags.
Wow, your kitchen looks quite lovely from this sneak peak. I LOVE the faucet set.
I’ve never endured a full reno, but I know how it is during small ones, the end always seems so far away. Hopefully things will go smoothly from now on.
Thank you so much, Sharon! It won’t be long now. :-D
I feel your pain, Melissa, and know only too well how delays happen. When I budget money and time I allow 20% more of each. I use to budget 10% more, but I find there are fewer and fewer contractors that take as much pride in their work and work ethics as they did in the past. Sad but true and it is easier to be truthful and accept it all, than to fight it and be miserable.. It sounds like you have been a champ at going with the flow, but I can feel your frustration about your beautiful round window frame. It is all so great looking, I know you just want to be done.
That’s a wise buffer, Kathysue. Yes, it sure helps to expect it to take longer! :-)
Gorgeous!
I can’t even imagine how frustrating it would get watching someone else mess up! I get frustrated with my own mishaps, but then I can only blame myself and (normally) my lack of patience. That said, I don’t think I could ever cut a perfect circle, and judging from your updates, there has been a lot of effort! It will look great in the end. It will be worth it, it looks amazing already!
Thanks so much, Andi! I couldn’t cut a perfect circle, either. :)
Oh and also, I LOVE your sconces!
I am so so sorry for ALL your delays. Seriously, I don’t think you could make that kind of stuff up, Melissa. The finish for you and the reveal for all of us will be all the more special… including your one-of-a-kind round window. XO
Thank you, Diane! It’s just how things go in real life, you just have to go with the flow, right? xo
Everything is fabulous
Thank you, Ivory! :)
So exciting! I hope your new kitchen will be everything you imagine and hope for. And that cute round window is going to be perfection!
Be still my heart Melissa, finished or not, it is stunning!
I can relate! After years of restoring a storm damaged house, I learned the difference between a contractor and a fine carpenter.
Absolutely, there is a difference!
Just the post I was (kinda) hoping to see..winks. I am like a little kid, so excited to see your kitchen reveal. When you added people have contacted you this week about your reveal , well that just made me realize I am not the only one going nuts over here lol.. Hang in there, looks beautiful so far and I hope the ill and injured contractors will be ok soon. God Bless!
Yes, I was worried about the contractors, too, but they seem to be fine now. I’m glad you are anticipating the reveal like I am, I’m glad I am able to at least give you a little glimpse today. :)
It’s going to be so great to see the final reveal!! Love that round window and the trim will really give it the final touch :-) patience is key!
Thank you, Anne. It is worth the wait to have it done right!
Wow. I’m sorry someone having a *stroke* disrupted your kitchen remodel. How absolutely terrible for you.
Oh of course my own inconvenience is not my point at all, my point is to help readers understand that the delays are for legitimate reason beyond my control. I care more about people and if my project has to wait, so be it. I understand the humanity and reality involved in remodeling.
Love you, Melissa! And I totally knew what you meant. ❤
Also, it would be amazing if the makers of round windows also sold several compatible trim options. I wonder if they do? Too late for you I guess but in case I ever steal your awesome idea. :)
Yes, delays are inevitable. The question isn’t if, or even when, but what is it this time and how long will it take?
Good luck! The bits you’ve shown look fantastic.
I am in LOVE with the round window above the sink!!! I also know exactly what you are talking about when it comes to delays with home projects. (when doing trim that is not square – it really throws the trim man for a loop) they really made a huge mess of our round window and we had to have it redone 3 times. Anyway, thanks for the update and I cant wait to see it complete!
Three years ago we tore down a one hubdred year old summer cottage that my parents had bought in the 50s. We had fun recreating the same style on the same footprint while enlarging it enough to meet our needs. We had the best contractor, but we learned that patience is indeed a virtue. Luckily we had a deadline since our daughter was being married and some events were taking place at the house. Your window is stunning. Does it open?
As Marvin the Martian used to say, “Delays, delays.” You have my sympathy! But, like you said, it will just be that much more fun when it’s done! Hang in there, friend!
Loving the sneak peek. I have a feeling your patience will be rewarded in the end. On the plus side it gives you more time to shop for all those beautiful accessories.
We pretty much do all out work ourselves, so it’s usually us to blame for delays….you know when it’s just too pretty a day to work, so we go on a hike instead. As much as I love your round window from an aesthetic point of view, I would have to have one that is operable. Except for times of the year when we have the a/c running, I want to have a breeze in my face while my hands are in hot water doing the dishes. I’ts a personal thing, but I’d love to have one elsewhere in the house. Question…..why wouldnt a round window come with a trim piece??
I love the progress, everything looks so beautiful! I can’t wait to see you add more of your personality and style into it!? PS. All this talk of HGTV makes me wish there were a blogger project show! How fun would that be? ?
Ah, Melissa, like others here, I have felt your remodel pain. We too had a contractor who had worked on other projects but then ran into issues with another, installing a front door in our case. In essence he damaged the frame, and the door, in the process. After many days he finally confessed his lack of related skills, then simply walked away from the project all together…leaving us with additional costs and delays.
From your photo, it’s easy to imagine how gorgeous the rest of your kitchen must be. High five on your tenacity in seeing it finished the right way. Cheers, Ardith
Thank you so much, Ardith! It has definitely been a lot of work, but it’s always worth it in the end. :)
Hi Melissa, I’m sorry for frustration . . . I hope the window frame turns out even nicer than what you’ve imagined it to be, in the end. But, it is exciting to get a glimpse of your kitchen! It’s just as beautiful AS I IMAGINED it would be! What I love about your blogging, is that it is all so real! You can share your frustrations and real life experiences and we can always seem to relate to you on some level. I am truly looking forward to your whole reveal! :)
I’m so grateful for your support and encouragement, Maria. What a thoughtful comment, thank you!
Anyone who’s ever had to hire a contractor for any reason ought to understand. I’ve been through that trying ordeal. Expect delays. And unexpected expenses! Apparently round is a little tricky. I found that out when a local photographer accidentally broke the glass out of a round frame that was part of a pair. He had difficulty finding someone willing to cut a new piece. He sent it out for repair, but the new piece wasn’t non-glare (as its mate). Nevertheless, I had to wait so long just to get it back that I accepted it. I’m glad you gave us a sneak peek of your kitchen! As they say, a picture is worth a thousand words. I’m waiting to see the other side of the kitchen with the spectacular view! Grin!
I’m so excited to share the rest, thank you Rebecca!
Hang in there girl!!!! The end isn’t far off now. I know it’s maddening when things are delayed—our bathroom tile was delayed for 4 months because no one bothered to tell us it was coming on a boat from Italy!!!! And it’s equally maddening when the contractor says he can do a job even though he has never tried it before. Hopefully your new guy will be successful! So far looking good though-can’t wait to see the finished project!
Thanks so much, Eileen! :)
How will you “warm” up the space?
There will be lots of warmth through wood accessories, functional elements, textures, rugs, plants and natural views out large windows.
So pretty! I can’t wait to see the rest. That window is everything!
I think I’m really going to like the round window. i was skeptical when you first mentioned it, but with that trim, it looks really nice. Someone actually had a stroke? Wow. Glad he is ok.
Looking forward to the reveal! Seeing the light at the end of the tunnel after a major remodel (and the accompanying chaos) is always such a relief…
I feel you. A big part of why I left my design career was the frustration of working with the trades. My personal favorite was when a different person every week on a job had either a court appearance or needed to be bailed out of jail. Good times.