Project gloat!

[dale]

You lost your microwave!

I also share the opinion that the lighter colors brighten things up. However, we've had whitewashed cabinets and furniture for 11 years now, and LOML is starting to swing back towards the darker colors. I hope she doesn't swing too far!

[drumpriest]

Great looking job, one to be proud about (and gloat).

[Salty]

You lost your microwave!

Naw, we have a nicer one on the counter on the other side of the kitchen. The one in the picture is old and noisy. The shelf that it was on was not too sturdy and since there was no range hood, all the cooking steam and grease went into that area. It wasn't good. Also, those old doors are hollow plastic, very dark color. In fact, it is very difficult to tell that there is a woodgrain pattern.
I like the rich look of the solid wood doors and it makes the whole kitchen brighter looking.
This weekend we will put up the 2 large upper units on the other side. Then things will grind to a halt since I need to deal with the countertop. Seems they were quite generous with the construction adhesive when they installed the counter and I am not yet sure what to do.
I am going to get prices on 3 possibilities.
1: take out the entire countertop and have cultured marble made with integrited sink.
2: have new countertops built using new particleboard bases.
3: have new laminate put over what is there and not disturb the countertops.
The costs of these will determine the course of action. However, I do not want to harm the lower cabinets since I have all the stuff to reface them and I know I can make them look good. Getting the old tops off without destroying the cabinets may be a problem.
Also, I need to do some reinforcing work on the sink base since the back has sagged over the years. This is because they installed a sink base with no backing and very little support across the back for the countertop. Typical sloppy(read cheap) construction for the 1970s. I can say that because I was in the construction trades during those years and I know what some of the proceedures were at that time.

And....

Come-on spring....I'm cold and I'm tired of the snow! Give me a lawn to mow each week and I'll quit complaining! :-)