Countertop Refresh

Our kitchen update is almost complete.
We featured our sink install and renovated butcher block island projects 
in the last few weeks.
The big change would come with the addition of new countertops.

This is the material that was on the counters when we bought the house.
It was some hideous kind of Formica, laminated substance
that did absolutely nothing for our decor.
What made matters worse, was that the "backsplash" was made of the same thing.
We shared here what it took to remove the material 
when installing the butcher block on the island.
What an ordeal!

The first step to new surfaces was for the installation company
to measure the space.
Big K took this picture, 
which shows the gizmo used to get accurate measurements.

Because we were putting in an apron sink,
it had to be installed before the measuring could take place.
Big K took care of that little inconvenience.

The dark blue was a harsh contrast against the white cabinets
and it was something we both agreed had to change.

The two gentlemen who would be doing the installation
came on a Saturday about a month after the counters were measured
and began the tedious chore of removing the old surfaces.

Using pry bars and a lot of muscle,
they were able to rid us of the cobalt catastrophe.

The new countertops were on the truck,
pre-cut at the warehouse
and ready to settle into their new home.
The surface we selected is non-porous and low maintenance,
so they should last a good, long time.

We chose recycled glass countertops and we are so glad we did.
In order to fit into our budget, we decided against quartz,
although that would have been our first choice.
Everyone does granite these days,
and we've never been one to follow trends.

These are Curava countertops, made sustainably.
From their website:
"100% of the glass used in Curava is recycled. 
The glass is collected from landfills and other resources 
from post-consumer and post-industrial waste 
that includes discarded glass bottles and window and windshield glass."

This practice fits right in with our beliefs to create less waste
and we feel good about supporting a company that is ecologically responsible.
 

The difference is striking.  
The kitchen looks so much cleaner and crisper.
Although we had to wait two years to make this change,
it was well worth it.
In fact,with this charming cucina,
I might be inspired to whip up some new grub!

Next week,
we'll show you the new backsplash installed.

Island Facelift

Our 2019 Project List is moving right along!
Each year, Big K and I make a list of changes we want to make in the house.
A few of the things from last year's list never got done,
so we added them to this year's.
Our big project for the year is to tweak the kitchen.

The countertops in this kitchen are not our cup of tea.

They bother Big K even more than me.

The formica-type surface is just cheap-looking,

and the color is all wrong for our home.

We resolved to tackle replacing the island countertop ourselves.

Although all the counter surfaces are the same material,

we decided to go with butcher block on the island.

I love the farm-inspired look and the simplicity of the wood grain.

Our first task was to remove the horrendous current countertop.

It wasn't going to be easy.

Most countertops are installed by screwing from underneath,

inside the cabinets.

Not this one.

It took some figuring,

but we finally realized that these counters were screwed on from the top,

and then the formica was laid over the wood.

Yeah, I kid you not.

After trying several tools and methods, 

including wedging in the chisel between the gaps on the sides,

we figured out how best to get this job done.

A hair dryer was used to loosen the glue underneath the formica.

Then we were able to pry off the brittle material to get to the screws.

It was a team effort, with all of us taking on a section of the task.

I held the dryer, while C and Big K pried it loose,

and then C took the screws out with the drill.

I was so proud of how our boy chipped in to help!

We were hoping to be able to donate the countertop to the ReStore,

or maybe a daycare so that it could be reused,

but there was no way to save the formica top.

Instead, we will flip it and it will become the new top on my outdoor workbench.

Once all the screws were loose, it still took some persuading

to get the whole piece of wood off the top.

The deconstruction alone took us over 3 hours.

What a feeling of victory to have that thing gone!

We used the remaining framework and simply laid our butcher block on top.

A sweet neighbor of ours is a woodworker,

and he was kind enough to cut the wood to the dimensions we wanted,

as well as rounding the corners and routering the sides.

The surface was sealed with a food-safe mineral oil/beeswax product
that we got at our local big box store,
the same place where we bought the countertop.
I put on four good coats on all of the sides
and let it dry well.

What a difference just this one change has made.
I almost don't want to use it, it's so gorgeous!
We will be adding beadboard to the sides of the cabinet
and adding a couple of bar stools to the newly-fashioned eating spot.

We will continue with the kitchen makeover by next changing out the sink,
faucet, lighting and replacing the rest of this God-awful formica with another material.
Hopefully, we'll be getting that underway in the next two weeks.
 Then I will take some 
drool-worthy 
before and after shots.

Just a few changes really update a room.
I may actually get to liking cooking again!

Completed Home Projects:
New Front Door and Porch Light
Desk Top 
Beadboard 
Fan-tastic 
Closets 
A Fresh Look 
HOMEmade