{New House} More Renovation Progress

Friends!! It’s been another busy and productive week of renovations at the new house, and I’m absolutely awestruck watching the transformation take place. So far, everything looks better than I could have imagined, or even hoped. And other than the ‘pantry snafu,’ there have been no more mishaps.

Today we’re neck-deep in the BHG photo shoot…imagine more flowers than a wedding, and half the contents of Home Goods…that’s my house right now. #itsadream But I wanted to pop in and show you the Kitchen updates since last week. Remember these aren’t pretty pics by blog standards, but pretty darn fun to see!

Hi Sugarplum | Kitchen Reno Progress

Can you even believe it’s the same room (see the Before shots here)?! And this is just with primer on the cabinets, and naked walls. They removed the old cabinets over the stovetop, and built this phenomenal frame box around the existing vent hood. It’s literally built of thin plywood, and finished with trim…but makes such a huge statement. The room finally has a focal point!

Hi Sugarplum | Kitchen Reno Progress

They finished installing the make-me-drool backsplash, and we went higher on this wall to make a bigger impact. I love being able to see more of the pattern repeat.

Hi Sugarplum | Kitchen Reno Progress

Hi Sugarplum | Kitchen Reno Progress

The windows looked like puny afterthoughts, so we added a chunky marble ledge, and will trim them with a wood frame to give them more prominence and intent.

Hi Sugarplum | Kitchen Reno Progress

The lovely green wallpaper was removed, only to discover an even lovelier burgundy border underneath. So all the walls in the Kitchen and Breakfast Room had to be refloated. But just like the primed cabinets, they are already so much cleaner and brighter! You know it’s going to be good when primer is an improvement.

The new drawer fronts had to be ordered, so those will be the last things installed…along with the hardware.

Hi Sugarplum | Kitchen Reno Progress

The corner cabinet was a lazy susan, which is basically a black hole for anything you attempt to store there, so they are making it a hinged door that opens to stationary shelves. The cabinet on the right will be pull-out trash and recycle.

Hi Sugarplum | Kitchen Reno Progress

Hi Sugarplum | Kitchen Reno Progress

The Butlers Pantry was tiled and primed, and one of the cabinets cut out to accommodate a drink/wine fridge. I mean, who am I that I have a Butlers Pantry?!?! With a drink fridge for crying out loud!!?? You’re all invited over for cold drinks when we’re done. There won’t be a butler, but I’ll get the kids to serve you.

Hi Sugarplum | Kitchen Reno Progress

You know you have a top-notch rockstar contractor when they even float the wall hidden behind the fridge.

Hi Sugarplum | Kitchen Reno Progress

They removed the recessed light over the sink, and wired for the new pendants that will hang over the breakfast bar. Thank goodness for math-savvy friends who help you figure out exactly where they should be placed! (Instead of splitting the bar in half, and hanging one light centered in each half, we split the bar in thirds and hung them at those dividers. The first way had them too close together.)

Hi Sugarplum | Kitchen Reno Progress

Mr. Rockstar Contractor….my favorite person in the world right now!

Hi Sugarplum | Kitchen Reno Progress

The Breakfast Room lost the wallpaper and a dated light fixture, and gained an old fridge and a light bulb. Still an improvement if you ask me.

Hi Sugarplum | Kitchen Reno Progress

Progress is beautiful!

Hi Sugarplum | Kitchen Reno Progress

I took these pics Tuesday after work, and as usual, yesterday was big….so another round of updates coming soon! Don’t forget you can follow daily progress on my InstaGram and Facebook. I’m also posting behind-the-scenes of the magazine shoot. I know, my life is so totally obnoxious right now.  But don’t worry, things will be back to a snails pace around here soon enough.




Playing Catch Up? Start here:

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48 Comments

  1. I can barely stand all the excitement!!! BHG photoshoot and an amazing kitchen makeover?!?! Squeal! Love that you went higher for a bigger impact. Love it so much

    Posted 1.29.15 Reply
  2. WOW! WOW – WOW – WOW!!! Amazing, just amazing. I'm dying over the backsplash!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    Posted 1.29.15 Reply
  3. CASSIE! SUCH a good idea to have the backsplash go up higher! And the hood? OMG! Everything looks great! And I'm still lol'ing over here about "there won't be a butler, but I'll get the kids to serve you". šŸ™‚

    Posted 1.29.15 Reply
  4. April Hoff wrote:

    Not gonna lie. I'm usually not a "busy back splash" kind of girl…but I ADORE that back splash. It is GORGEOUS! So fun to see the progress!

    Posted 1.29.15 Reply
  5. Oh my GOSH, Cassie – it is so much better already. That backsplash is so totally gorgeous and the vent hood really makes the windows stand out and look like so much more of a feature than they did before. I can't wait to see it finished!

    Posted 1.29.15 Reply
  6. You are multi-tasking like crazy, I love it. The kitchen looks amazing!!!

    Posted 1.29.15 Reply
  7. Sallie wrote:

    Love your backsplash!! and yes, your contractor is amazing!!

    Posted 1.29.15 Reply
  8. Pretty sure I would be bouncing around, clapping my hands, and squealing any time I would walk into that kitchen šŸ˜€ The pendants are going to look awesome. Can't wait to see more. Your house has become my design drug. I neeeeeed more!!! Enjoy your amazing day with BH&G!!!!!

    Posted 1.29.15 Reply
  9. Obnoxious? No! Ridiculously amazing?…Yes! Yes! Yes! Thrilled for you, Cassie.

    Posted 1.29.15 Reply
  10. everything looks absolutely amazing especially that gorgeous tile backsplash! Congratulations on EVERYTHING!

    Posted 1.29.15 Reply
  11. Jillian wrote:

    i have major kitchen envy! it's so BIG!! šŸ™‚ love it. and cant wait to see your BH&G photos!! xo jillian – cornflake dreams

    Posted 1.29.15 Reply
  12. Looking great! Yes, one day while eating lunch I rethought our kitchen plans for when we need a redo. I HATE lazy susan's. I had decided I would rather have one bank of drawers than the lazy susan. It sits to the left of our stove and I thought the perfect place for a utensil drawer and then spices in the drawers below! Love the tile and great idea to beef up the narrow windows. The height with the hood and windows is great.

    Posted 1.29.15 Reply
  13. Liz wrote:

    The patterned tile is so fun! You will create wonderful dishes and memories in that space!
    http://www.lovelylifeofliz.blogspot.com

    Posted 1.29.15 Reply
  14. Lori wrote:

    I was so excited to open your blog post today after your tease of a kitchen update yesterday. It kind of felt a little like Christmas. ha! It's fabulous! I sooo wish I had a rockstar contractor. You are definitely the super multi tasker. Congrats on BHG and your new home!

    Posted 1.29.15 Reply
  15. Cassie, when I hit the full room shot it took my breath away! It's SO beautiful already, I can't imagine when it's finished! So happy for you!

    Posted 1.29.15 Reply
  16. Gorgeous already! So exciting!! Our friends have a butler's pantry with refrigerated drink drawers and they are about the best thing ever!

    Posted 1.29.15 Reply
  17. All I can say is WOW!

    Posted 1.29.15 Reply
  18. Anonymous wrote:

    Hi Cassie…between you and Jen, I'm in kitchen remodel heaven without any impact on my wallet! I am not normally a big pattern person but that backsplash is to die for. I cannot wait to see everything when it's done. Thanks for taking us a long for the ride!

    Peggy (long time reader, first time poster…LOL!)

    Posted 1.29.15 Reply
  19. Deanna wrote:

    Love the tile!

    And hold the phone…you mean they are painting your cabinets without removing the doors?! Is that possible? Because I need to paint all my cabinets and this could be huge!

    Posted 1.29.15 Reply
  20. Man oh man my husband may be using your name in vain soon if I start throwing out suggestions of redoing things in my kitchen!! Ha! And so darn true about floating behind the fridge….we seriously PAID someone to remove wallpaper, texture and paint our bathrooms. I was cleaning my kids bathroom one day when I looked over and realized he didn't even bother to remove the toilet and cover the wallpaper behind it. Steam out the ears I tell ya!

    Posted 1.29.15 Reply
  21. OH my goodness! The changes are incredible! Thanks so much for sharing the step by step updates with us. I'm so excited for you and your new home! You are going to LOVE it!

    Posted 1.29.15 Reply
  22. Ninny wrote:

    what a transformation! awesome!!

    Posted 1.29.15 Reply
  23. sara wrote:

    Looking good!! I am loving that tile backsplash!

    Posted 1.29.15 Reply
  24. Mrs. Semel wrote:

    I'm dying! I am so excited to follow the transformation, the perfect break in my work day! Thank you! Looks awesome!

    Posted 1.29.15 Reply
  25. SO good. I wake up each day hoping for more updates. Your kitchen is going to be WAY too good!!

    Posted 1.29.15 Reply
  26. OMG! That tile is incredible! I love that you are layering in black, white, and grey throughout the house. It is going to look stunning!

    http://www.designbyrobinsnest.blogspot.com

    Posted 1.29.15 Reply
  27. Mel Heth wrote:

    I'm so in love with your backsplash. We just remodeled our kitchen and now I'm like "Gah! I should have done something like that instead!"

    Posted 1.29.15 Reply
  28. That tile is super ballsy. And I love it.

    Posted 1.29.15 Reply
  29. So so good. Ha, Chelsea's comment cracked me up. I love seeing the whole room. So exciting, girl.

    Posted 1.29.15 Reply
  30. Leah wrote:

    I just started following your blog recently and love the kitchen updates! We're doing a big kitchen and first floor remodel in a dated home right now as well – so fun, stressful and exciting all at the same time!

    Posted 1.29.15 Reply
  31. Oh my goodness! Everything looks amazing! I love, love, love it! Sheaffer and I are coming over ASAP to see it in person!

    Posted 1.29.15 Reply
  32. Simply LKJ wrote:

    It is going to be AMAZE BALLS!!! Love all of your choices.

    Posted 1.29.15 Reply
  33. shut the front door. #idbetterbeinvitedtothehousewarming

    Posted 1.29.15 Reply
  34. Julie wrote:

    This is absolutely phenomenal! Honestly, I gasped when I saw the first picture of the new backsplash in place! So so so good!

    Posted 1.29.15 Reply
  35. Jenny G wrote:

    It already looks amazing! Do you know if Mr. Rock Star Contractor prepped the cabinets with anything other than primer? Like liquid sander or anything like that? My cabinets look almost identical to those and I'm stalling. I really want to paint them (and all the moldings in my house, sigh) but I'm so hesitant to start. Your priming looks fabulous. That paint won't go anywhere once it's applied, I can't wait to see!

    Posted 1.29.15 Reply
  36. Moja wrote:

    Omg this is just too exciting for words!!!! Love watching all of this unfold-it really is crazy but in the best way possible all around! Can't wait to see more.
    http://fourandknowmore.blogspot.com

    Posted 1.29.15 Reply
  37. Looking good! Love that tile. I'm so excited to see the rest of the spaces take shape!

    Posted 1.29.15 Reply
  38. Tara G. wrote:

    The trim and marble sill will make the windows look fantastic- but even now they seem to have more presence than before! I love the length!

    Posted 1.30.15 Reply
  39. Beautiful update! I get excited with every sneak peak of an update on the progress šŸ™‚

    Have you ever considered putting glass front cabinbets on top of your top cabs, taking them to the ceiling? You could probably never reach them without a ladder…but how grandiose!

    Great, great job! Can't wait to see more!

    Posted 1.30.15 Reply
  40. Your idea for more bright in the kitchen and in the living room is great, I like the white spaces too! Can`t wait to see the final pictures from you!
    Regards, Lydia

    Hourly Cleaning Rates Fulham

    Posted 1.30.15 Reply
  41. mwimp wrote:

    omword that backsplash…..no.words. I'm totally rethinking my idea of white subway tile. I played it safe with a barely off white white on my cabinets and wish now it was bright white. I know I'm playing it safe with the white subway tile – I'm gonna look at some fabu tile

    Posted 1.30.15 Reply
  42. hnousun wrote:

    I love your kitchen! I can't wait to see it finished!

    Posted 1.30.15 Reply
  43. Kelli Fox wrote:

    All i can say is: GURRRLLL!! and YAASSS! so frickin exciting

    Posted 1.30.15 Reply
  44. Unknown wrote:

    Gorgeous!! Love the kitchen updates!

    Posted 1.31.15 Reply
  45. Sarah wrote:

    That hood is beyond beautiful! I love the tapering!

    Posted 1.31.15 Reply
  46. It's amazing what paint and manpower can do! Looking so great!

    Posted 2.2.15 Reply
  47. Oh my word! I love love love the backsplash!!!! I want more!

    Posted 2.3.15 Reply
  48. Me encanta como esta quedando su cocina. En mi pared nel lugar de azulejos lo hizo con un vinilo y en realidad queda igual de bonito pero si que es muy facil de limpiar. Les dejo aqui la web vinilos decorativos de pared

    Posted 2.7.15 Reply