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My dream kitchen: “The demolition is the best part.”

Tammy McGee | • Published August 31, 2009

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I guess that would be true if one was wielding a sledgehammer, and looking at a room full of sheet rock. Unfortunately, I was looking at a strip of 4-inch backsplash about 25 feet long. Hardly enough “demolition” involved to consider it therapy for a broken fingernail.

What it did do, however, was give me that first feeling of really digging into this project with a little apprehension, but a load of enthusiasm.

I bought the paint, and when I looked at it, I got scared. It matched my color card perfectly, but it looks so much brighter as actual paint than it did on the card. It’s ok though, it’s going to be great! That’s what I told my husband when he got that look in his eye when he knows I’m about to change my mind on something that I’ve already put money out for.

I also bought the tile – and a tile saw. I bought enough tiles so I can practice cutting, and allow for breakage (and possibly throwing). I also bought this little sander, so I can take the texture off the walls where I’m going to tile. And just in case you didn’t know this: Some tiles are pricey, some are not so pricey. But what is pricey is the dang grout and all the stuff you buy to DO the job.

The backsplash that I pulled off is horribly dated, and it shows in its yellowed and dulled surface. The house is approximately 30-35 years old, and I don’t think the countertops and backsplashes have ever been changed. The problem with this for me is that I’m not doing the countertops yet. At least, I’m not planning to do the countertops yet. My husband and I were looking at the area, and both of us have realized that as soon as I finish everything I’m doing, we’re going to want to replace the countertops, as well.

I chose a white brick-shaped ceramic tile for the backsplash areas, and we’ve already decided to do granite tiles on the countertops. I decided on granite tiles because, A) I can do it myself, and B) It’s going to be about half the cost of having the countertops done by someone else. I’m eventually going to have to replace the cabinets, but that’s not an expense I can handle right now, which is why we decided to do granite tiles. When I replace the cabinets, then I’ll have the countertops done at the same time in granite. That’s a few years down the road.

The color I’ve chosen for the kitchen is a darker mint green, so it’s not overly bright, but it’s definitely not a dark green, either. The fact that the kitchen is very small and mostly cabinet, however, made it obvious that the green was definitely going to take over. That’s why I chose to go with a very clean white ceiling and walls, and the white brick, to accent it – another reason those countertops may not be able to wait. I chose antique copper with white handles for the hardware for all the cabinets and drawers, and a stainless steel backsplash behind the stove.

I’ve been washing cabinets and walls for two days. I begin the sanding today. I originally had thought I would knock this project off on an up-coming four-day weekend, but I’m glad I didn’t wait. I’m not feeling pressured, I can take my time, and I can make sure it’s done to my own satisfaction.