"Kitchen Update: Where's the Chaos?"

A general lack of chaos and some darned interesting characters.

That's how I'd describe our kitchen remodel so far.

I just haven't felt the stress everyone predicted. So that's good, right?

And to the credit of the company running the show Partners 4, Design.

Here's how it's looking so far.

Actually this...

...isn't the kitchen. It's the family room next to the kitchen. Part of the project was to make a few changes here while we were at it. It was the darkest room in the house. New hardwood floors and new lighting will brighten it up a lot.

In the kitchen, the lower cabinets have been installed. Can you find the refrigerator? I know. Camouflaged, right? But where will we put all our magnets now?

The tile...

...behind our old stove is in now.

It reminds me of the old mosaics I saw in Italy or Israel.

I love it.


The new microwave and ....

...a second full sized oven are in. I used to have a small second oven. The massive amounts of baking I do just got easier.

I mentioned to my daughter that the project the project was going more smoothly--I hope I didn't just jinx it--is going awfully smoothly.

That's because all the guys are so professional, my daughter said.

She has a point.

But just because they're professional doesn't mean that they're not colorful.

Just wait until you meet some of them.

I'll introduce you to them soon.

Including...

Santa, who worked on our fireplace.

And I'm not even kidding.

"Roger's in the Kitchen"

Meet Roger Zierman. He's designing our kitchen.

Why would I need someone to design my kitchen, you ask.

Good question.

Answer: I have no vision. I can walk into a beautiful kitchen and love it. I cannot walk into a not so beautiful kitchen and turn it into something I love.

You may have vision.

But I do not.

Roger has vision.

And he is good.

Very good.

Look at the beautiful tile he picked out for the the 'cooking grotto.' I think that's a fancy way of saying that part of the wall behind the stove.

I hadn't planned on hiring a designer.

I was walking around the International Design Center in downtown Minneapolis, which has some very cool kitchen showrooms and architect and design offices. And in the first place I hit, called Partners 4, Design, up steps...confidently, I might add, Roger.

And in all the design firms and showrooms I visited that day no one showed quite as much enthusiasm as Roger.

And they had some awfully nice cabinets.

Well, it just so happens that Roger had just recently...

won this first place design award for this gorgeous red kitchen in a fancy downtown condo.

I am the type who is impressed by awards.

And you know how I feel about red.

My husband said no to a red kitchen.

But he said yes to Roger.

So...

Roger is helping us pick more conventional materials. Like marble for counter tops.

And when Roger picks materials he doesn't just take a glance...

...he really looks.


Partners 4, Design is also serving as the contractor.

They've hired some great subs...

...like the super conscientious cabinet installer.

And the careful...

...and cheerful electrician who sends me off each morning with a friendly: "Have a great day!"

The other thing about Roger is that he's strict.

When ever I make some suggestion like...couldn't we put down a nicer wood floor? Or...couldn't we just knock out part of that wall in the family room to let in more light? He'll just calmly say, no, it's not really in the budget. Say no to me?

My husband thinks...

Roger should get an award for that, too.

***Coming this week: A Surviving the Construction Giveway. Watch for It!