The Before
Most of you are familiar with my kitchen- my pretty pink and red painted cupboards and all the goodness that comes from my cooking experiments in this wee little space. And wee it is. My kitchen, as you will notice from the above photos was actually really the hallway that lead from my front door to the rest of my place. How I ever managed to have 7+ people cooking in here is a wonder beyond my ability.
With waiting lists on my Spring classes, I decided it was time to take the plunge and renovate. Oye ya yoy. Me and my big ideas.
The idea was to keep my classes affordable and just welcome more people through my door and into my kitchen. I went from having a sweet and simple little kitchen to, what I hope, will be my current idea of a dream cooking school kitchen, complete with two fully equipped cooking stations. Yes, that means two stoves. Two stoves!
I am also doing my best to adhere to my own personal enviro values. I am reusing most of what was already there, have sold what I can sell (including my awesome 1940′s drafting table/kitchen table which found a happy new home), buying as used furniture to refinish, using non-toxic paints, hiring friends wherever I can and doing as much on my own (with the help of my momma) as possible.
Now, as much as I love cooking and creating, I am not so into construction. The contractor hat is fitting a little snug on my head and most of the time gives me a headache. I am a big fan of staying in my area of brilliance and construction is not it. Can you blame me though? I went from the above photos to the below in ten short hours.
Demolition Day
Brian and Stephen, my new best friends, get to work taking down the cabinets.
My mom peeking in to the used china cabinet I bought, trying to decide if we paint the inside. My vote was no. 
The stairway up to my former meditation space is now down, cupboards and cabinets are gone and the shelves on the right are coming down.
End of day 1. Is it too late to change my mind?
And those would be all my belongings.
I will be sure to keep you posted on how things are going. Wish me well.
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I know construction can be a pain! But in the end it will be all well worth it! Trust me! Good luck with everything…just have some patience!=)
Hi Meghan,
Thanks so much for stopping by my blog and posting your comment! I really enjoyed visiting your blog as well and I love the name of it! When I first was considering a name for my blog, I was thinking maybe Love of Cooking…
Anyway, your remodeling is inspiring! We recently painted as well and it is a pain, but so worth it when you’re through!
I will visit again because I feel we share very similar interests and values when it comes to cooking and food!
Sarahv
CRAZY!!! It’ll look so great in the end, though…
Oh honey. Now would not be the time to relinquish that fab meditation nook you had…
I trust you are staying with Mom while this little project is happening.
Excited to see the end result!
So I guess you’re staying with your parents for awhile?
wow!! I am so happy for you. My boyfriend and I were just talking about our dream kitchen this morning. I know you will do a great job with the space.
Are you not going to have a meditation space anymore?
Good luck with it! I know it will be amazing once it’s done. Your place is just too cool!
Good luck with your reno project, and if you need any help, let me know. I’m local and I love to paint (and I love your blog).
That’s so exciting! I know it’s a pain to have everything thrown out of order, but I’m sure the kitchen will be amazing in the end. Can’t wait to see more pictures.
I am sitting in 34 degree heat, thinking of you staying with your folks, and that swimming pool just outside… is it hot there????
oooh, can’t wait to see how it turns out… you’ll be happy in the long run!!
Would love to do another 3-day green smoothie cleanse — you plan on doing it again? It’s always fun to do with other people
oh by the way I thought you would love this:
http://www.eatmorekale.com
They have some pretty awesome tshirts
that I could totally see you sporting. Its already on my bday list. hehe
OH BIG SIGH
brings back memories. We completely renovated a house last year.
don’t want to do THAT anytime soon…esp with a baby!
the end result is gonna be great though and can’t wait to see!
[...] post: My Kitchen Renovation: Day 1 « Making Love In The Kitchen Tags: cooking, cooking-experiments, goodness, Kitchen, painted-cupboards, pretty-pink, [...]
Oh, my! I can’t wait to see what it looks like when it is done!
I found your Superhero’s Balls recipe on Kris’s website, and I make them all the time now! They are sooo good! I add sesame seeds (the light colored ones) as well. Thanks for sharing that recipe! It is making it easier for me to get my school work done…(I’m having more than just one per day….).
Jennifer
Hi Meghan,
Me again – sorry – I meant Kris Carr – your ‘balls’ were the recipe of the week a while back. I am so glad they have come into my life!!! ;D
Oh my goodness, Meghan, what a project! I’ll be watching with much anticipation! Good luck!!
(I love the raspberry-rhubarb colour!)
I have to ask – if it’s not too personal – whereabouts in Toronto do you live? I love your tiny loft-like space and it’s exactly the sort of thing I’d like to own some day. Any insight you can offer is much appreciated.
Hello Meghan,
Thank you for the positive feedback. It is very much appreciated
I suppose now would be a perfect time to practice that little thing we call patience.
I hope so!
We have spent three days painting furniture. I should have put a call out sooner for help! I would have given you nutritional counselling while we painted.
Nope. Monsoon like rains here. We got your weather.
Yes. Yes I am. Towards the end of the summer/early follow which will be followed up by a brand new challenge
It’s a surprise for now.
Maria- I am at Queen and Dufferin. Great area!
Your appliances are much appreciated!