The Kitchen Project

My parents, over the years, have spent time and money redecorating/modeling their home. This is the home I spent my whole childhood in, so it's been around a while and has seen many different designs.

Some rooms are seriously outdated and neglected where as others are quite beautiful and hip. In 1970 something or the early 80's they tore down a wall that semi separated the kitchen from the living room. I always thought this was a great move. It gave the inside a much bigger area to live in.

A hand full of years ago they bought new couches and stones to rework the hearth. They bought new light fixtures and fans too. All in the style of Frank Lloyd Wright. It looks great.

The kitchen however was redone in the early 90's I think and hasn't been touched since. The cabinets are white, but the doors are light blue. They finally got a new oven and dishwasher that have a modern black and white look, but never replaced the counter top or fridge. They are both still Harvest Gold, circa 1975. Mom has the standard chicken and duck country kitchen crap hanging in a few places, and some fake plants here and there. They hate it, but their bedroom needs just as much love, and Mom wants to do that first.

So they're working on the bedroom for now and probably won't even think about getting to the kitchen for at least 3 years. This is where I come in. And my sister.

My folks are going on vacation to Italy for their 35th wedding anniversary next summer, '06. I talked to my sister about maybe trying to get them on a TLC show to get their kitchen redone. After much discussion, and not wanting to chance being picked, we decided to do it ourselves. I've been fishing information out of Mom about what she might like "when they get to it" and she's been quite unaware of my intentions and full of great information. It's easy to talk about right now too, since she's in home makeover mode for the bedroom.

Sister and I know she already likes Tuscan/Mediterranean style. She' s made plenty of comments in the past about "wishing I had a kitchen like that." We figure Dad is just along for the ride, and won't be opposed to the style either, so we're just gonna go for it.

We've discussed colors and what we need to do. I think the only thing we won't be able to upgrade is the cabinetry, and I know Mom really wants new cabinets. But I think once we're done with the makeover, she'll be good to go with what she has. New hardware, paint and fancy finish should be sufficient. But considering they'll be getting a new fridge, counter top and mosaic backsplash I don't think she'll complain.

Sister and I had already discussed putting up a mosaic as a backsplash. But while I was fishing info from Mom the other day, she said "I'd love to mosaic the backsplash." :p We were dead on.

We're also looking into getting new dishes as well. I even bought a new painting for one of the walls and a new utensil jar to go next to the stove. We'll be picking up trivets and putting in a cute wrought iron mosaic table and wrought iron chairs.

This all sounds so very involved and expensive, but guess what? We're doing it over the next year and a half. We should be able to buy most of the bits before we're ready to put it all together, and we'll try and get a credit card at Lowe's or Home Depot for the fridge and counter. I know we can do this. We WILL do this. My parents deserve this, and it will be a wonderful 35th wedding anniversary present for them to come home to.

From Italy itself to their brand new made over Tuscan style kitchen!

Oh, and my Brother is a certified pipe fitter. He won't have any problem removing the sink and replacing it so the counter can be installed. ;)

And another PS! While fishing info from Mom, I found out they want to be gone on this vacation 2 to 3 weeks!! That will give us plenty of time to do it. :D