7/17/09

Create Family Unity - Rip out your Kitchen!


For 4 years, we've entertained in a very small, dilapidated kitchen.

We've had problems with our oven, our stove at one time had only one workable burner, the original 30+ cabinets were starting to fall a part, the vinyl floor was peeling, and the list goes on and on.



Our plan was to remodel right away, but ... like many people, it took us 4 years to get started.

With the help of friends, my husband and family doing the demolition, and my Dad drawing up the plans - it's finally coming together.

Summertime has been perfect - because the kids are a part of the project.

I love to see my daughter at work (soon after, she did wear a hard hat and glasses!)



And my sons working together.



It may take us time to complete what we started, but we'll get there.

It's not going to stop us from entertaining, like when 35 people came for 4th of July, and Balcony Girls summer fun is up and coming, and the high school youth group comes next month. Plus I'm sure we'll have numerous dinner parties, where our friends will all contribute and we just make it work!

What I really love about a family project is that unity, and that we can all take ownership of what's accomplished. Even in a mess ...

Oh, but it doesn't come naturally for teens to get in there and help.  Yes, our kids are a HUGE help, but it takes many talks, family meetings, and direction pulling the family together to tell them the plan, vision, and what their jobs are to be! (Like this picture of Paul talking to the kids ... )



Do you have a MESSY project going on in your home, where the whole family is working together?

(Top photo: early stages of gutting - it looks a LOT different now!)

39 comments:

Runner Mom said...

Hey, Sandy! Love the project togetherness with your family!! I did't se Ty Pennington in the photos, though!!! Can't wait to see the results.

I'm hosting a Taste and See Friday today on my blog. Stop by if you get a minute! Would love to have one of your yummy (and easy!!) recipes!!

Hugs,
Susan

Lynne in NC said...

Oh Sandy!
This post is awesome. Thanks for sharing the photos, too.
We went through a Master Bath updo about 4 years ago -- no photos -- but the kids were so helpful.
Please share more when you can.
Peace.

Jackie said...

Hi Sandy,
I really enjoy your blog and it has been so encouraging to me. This post is great to see your project but also to realize that you continue on entertaining right in the middle of a remodel. We have recently relocated and with all things "new" (area, people) it has been hard for me to feel comfortable having people over while I am trying to make this house into my "home"...thanks for the encouragement!
Blessings.....Jackie

linda t said...

Wow, what an undertaking! So excited for you and your family Sandy. You are so deserving of a wonderful, functional entertaining kitchen.
I can hardly wait to see the final reveal!
Keep posting each step of the transformation.

Shell in your Pocket said...

looks like quite a job..how neat that everyone is involved!
sandy toe

Melanie said...

'Looking forward to the "after" pictures. We redid our kitchen about 3 years ago. Mostly my husband and a neighbor did the work.
Melanie@Bella~Mella

Jen - Balancing Beauty and Bedlam said...

I can't wait to see the finished product!!

Robin said...

Sandy,
Boy did I need to read this today!! I also love to entertain but if things are messy because of a project I just feel all out of whack. We just finished putting hardwood floors down in our family room(the house was a wreck for about a week) and now we are extending our screened in porch so ther will be more mess and construction! I am going to try and not let it hold me back from enjoying time with friends and family!! This is a hard one for me.

Blessings,
Robin

Candice said...

That's so great! I love that you aren't letting the mess stop you from entertaining. Great example to me; I think I'd tend to use that as an excuse not to have people over.

Chele said...

We don't have any projects going on right now but I never thought of the family unity in a project! What an awesome vision that has come to my mind for our family to do something like this together! Thanks!

Anonymous said...

If anyone deserves a great kitchen, it's you! Good luck with the project.

Rhoda @ Southern Hospitality said...

Sandy, I'm excited about your new kitchen & can't wait to see it. Have a great weekend, friend! Hope that foot is feeling better too.

Christian - Modobject@Home said...

Oh yes, my kitchen looks like yours right now! In fact, I'm washing dishes in the bathroom these days. We're doing the work ourselves so it's taking time, but I know it will look great when it's finished. For us, with young children, working together means that my husband does the actual renovating and the boys and I work real hard to stay out of his way. Hah! Our little guys are so eager to "help" that it's a full time job for me to keep them otherwise occupied.

Christian - Modobject@Home said...

P.S. See my July 3 posting for a photo of our kitchen mess...

Abbie said...

Wow, I am so interested to see what you are doing to your kitchen space!! My children are 3 yrs and 18mos...and the last painting project I did, they did participate. My 18 mo old had paint on the top of her little pointy pony-tail, kind of like a paint brush, and my 3 yr old got a slimy hand-full of latex paint, and was just about to smear it on his shirt...before I caught him and hauled him off the bathroom. Only during nap time....or when they are teens. I love your demo pics! Abbie

ellen b. said...

:0) Wow it's going to be fun to see the finished remodel!!
We always have projects going in our house in Seattle. The basement is the current one. In August we're gutting our sons former room...
The fun just never stops and the entertaining doesn't stop during the fun...

Anonymous said...

We have pretty much gutted our entire first floor of our house this summer and are in the process of remodeling. (Here's one of many pics http://mommyiamhome.blogspot.com/2009/07/work-in-progressaka-lights-no-floors.html.) We only have one child at home and she's only 8 so we haven't been able to entrust her with a hammer just yet. In fact, I'm thinking she might stage a mutiny this week -- one where we stop destroying her house!

Danielle said...

I can't wait to see the finished product. I must say, I came across your blog last year and can't wait to read each new post. I am so excited to entertain and am thankful that I found your blog.
In Christ, Danielle

Carolyn said...

When I was about 12 years old, my family did a kitchen remodel almost entirely on our own. (I think we have a picture of me just like that one of your daughter!) You're right, it does build unity--and it teaches some valuable home improvement skills that your kids will appreciate later in life! Can't wait to see it finished!

Gina said...

What a project! Looks like fun...

my kids are a bit too young for such a big project, but they do help with the chores around the house.

Kim said...

I've been waiting for you to post about this!! How exciting!!!

Love seeing the progress and how fun for your entire family!

Kirstin said...

I can't wait to see the finished product. I'm sure it'll be amazing. Well seeing as we just built a house I'd say we had lots of together time slaving away. We also did a remodel on our old house before we sold it.

I really need to do a post on our building project. Soany fun memories!!

Donnetta said...

Another benefit to doing it during the summer... can be and cook outside more! :-)

So excited to see the final outcome!

Miss G said...

Looks like fun! Who knows what projects lie ahead of us. We're still apt. living right now so cleaning up the kitchen after dinner is about as exciting as it gets. I remember as a child my grandpa letting us help paint the back of the garage. :) We loved it! Kelly

Pamela said...

Fun, Fun, Fun for the whole family!!! How great is a new kitchen redo?!!??

Unknown said...

just clicking around this morning,
and wanted to say how much joy I felt seeing the picture of your husband talking to the teens.
It just felt so right, must be good vibes you give off as I scanned through a bit.
I have 5 kids , ages 11- 20, and getting them in on a project is not easy.
There is just something about it though...

Smelling Coffee said...

I'm so happy for you to have your kitchen redone! Congratulations! Can't wait to see the finished project - and I love that it's not stopping you from entertaining.

The Blushing Hostess said...

I am prevent by local authorities from attempting any further "improvement projects" because I am rather a helpful menace:) But I am glad to see you all are up to it! Great good luck!

Ginny said...

Wanna come and re-do my ugly 70's kitchen?? Problem is, I don't have the family help to take on this kind of project..sigh:(
Cannot wait to see the end results!

GrammaGrits said...

This is so exciting for you and your family, and no one is more deserving! Thanks for sharing the process with us, especially the pictures!

Charity Grace said...

This is so encouraging. We bought an older home that's been in various stages of remodeling since we moved in...With no end in sight. For awhile we didn't have anyone over. Now we have started having company anyway. They don't care! Remodeling a slow process, but it's nice to be able to share our home without everything being perfect.

Myra Campbell Phillips said...

I have a dream of buying an old farmhouse and restoring it together as a family. This looks like hard work but fun too. It will make a memory that you will talk about for years to come! Can't wait to see it finished!!!!!

Melissa @ The Inspired Room said...

Sounds like a fun family activity and what a blessing that new kitchen will be to you, friends and guests in the future!

Can't wait to see the progress!

Blessings,
Melissa

Suzann said...

I'm always living with a mess like that. We always seem to be remodeling - wherever we live.

La Tea Dah said...

Awww, yes, I can so relate! Our kitchen project is nearly done. After a year of cardtables and laundry bins to store dishes, we are finally back to just about normal. The island countertop was defective and had to be taken out --- so we are waiting for another one. Then --- done! Whew!

You will love your new kitchen! It looks like everyone is having fun!

julia said...

Hi, Sandy,
It warms my heart to see families working together on the heart of the home. We have three boys and have built two homes ourselves and I know what you mean by meny family talks.

GiBee said...

Yay!~ I know you've been wanting this for a long time... I can't wait to see the finished project!!!

~j~ said...

so excited for you Sandy, I am just thrilled to picture you in your new kitchen and all the joy it will bring you and so many others...Cant' wait for an online tour!
j

Old Centennial Farmhouse said...

Hi Sandy! I don't know HOW I found your blog, but we started a kitchen remodel, too right around the same time, ours won't be bigger, just all new and we're done with our part and now are waiting for the countertop guy to come...and that has taken longer than the whole remodel! The only other thing we hired out was a man to do a knockdown (texture) on the ceiling so we didn't have to rip the plaster ceiling down. And it's so funny, because we have a makeshift kitchen in our garage, too! I am excited to watch your kitchen come together!
XOXO
Joni
http://oldcentennialfarmhouse.blogspot.com/search/label/Home%20And%20Garden.%20Kitchen%20Remodel