Photographs and Text by Corey Amaro
This kitchen thing has taught me a few things,
1.) I can live with dust, paper plates, and plastic forks. 2.) A microwave is not a bad thing. (We kidnapped my daughter Chelsea's microwave, and , 3.) I might have to buy one.) 4.) Cooking outside was a good plan, until it started to rain, and I mean rain! 5.) Doing a kitchen, even a simple one like ours, goes better with an architect, I wish my brother Matt and my friend Ellen lived closer, 6.) When remodeling someone needs to be the "Go-Getter" it is an active, un-respected job.
The kitchen is gutted. The plaster, water proof, board is up. 7.) I never realized how much water I used in a day, until the kitchen sink went away. 8.) Dust is a fact of life. Why dust today, when there will be dust for days to come?
The tools of the trade. I don't know about you, but I have code names to describe people, a bad habit really. My new circle of friends include: Richardson's Sink lady, Lourmarin Faucet Guy, Granite man, The Stone Cutter, Ikea People…
We are using IKEA Tidaholm cabinets, the doors are solid oak, the interiors are not. We bought five cabinets and they cost 1200 euro. Not as expensive as hand made cabinets, but not a giveaway either.
Note: The interior frame of IKEA cabinets. I can hear my brother Matt, my friend Ellen and many of you crying a river…"Why, why, why, did Corey put up IKEA? That charming, old kitchen reduced to a few, pressed-board boxes! What is she thinking???"
This is what I am thinking: If I had seen a similar, old kitchen in your home, or on your blog, I would have rooted for you NOT TO KNOCK IT OUT!! I would have been the biggest cheerleader to keep it; guards its character, work around it. As you know I am a fan of old and peeling, falling apart things. BUT, after having had an old kitchen, and cooking a million meals in it for years… this is my NEW way of thinking: A kitchen is a tool, and for me I want it to be simple to use, practical and easy to maintain. Charming is last on my list. I will miss charming, but not as much as I will embrace cabinets that open and close, and a counter to work on.
French Husband and I are not good at building, even though IKEA is like LEGOS: easy to assemble, with well thought out step by step designs. We hired help. 9.) Remy is the one who did our bathroom, now he is doing our kitchen. He puts Peter Mayle's workers in; "A Year in Provence" to shame.
10.) When remodeling if you do not have a garage to work in, and if it is raining outside, the construction will happen in your home. Expect dust, and debris. Welcome them with open arms, embrace the beast, knowing that beauty will come, and have a bottle of wine on hand.
P.S. Please send food.
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