At this point in the home renovation, any upgrade or change makes me happy whether it's major or minor. I've definitely learned how to appreciate the small things in life.
After BF installed the pantry shelves, he added this little hook to one of the brackets.
We eat bananas every day. I previously stored bananas on a metal wire shelf so air could easily circulate. Who wants to eat a mushy brown banana? Yuck.
I prefer to keep as few items on the countertop for a clean look. I begrudgingly planned to buy a banana hanger and leave it on the counter. Problem solved! Who knew this little metal hook could make me so happy?
Call it good timing or fortuitous, but BF worked his magic in securing granite countertops for our new kitchen.
One of BF's customers offered items leftover from a huge home renovation. Can you believe BF received this beautiful granite for FREE? Oh how the other half live.
We wondered if there would be enough granite to cover all the base cabinets. We worried how expensive it would be to cut and install the granite. Would it be cheaper to order brand new countertops or use the salvaged granite?
While unassumingly eavesdropping on a conversation, BF discovered one of his customers flips homes. He inquired about a countertop contractor.
A few days later, the contractor arrived at the house. Turns out using the salvaged granite was vastly cheaper than ordering new countertops. The next day, the granite was whisked away.
When ordering our kitchen cabinets, BF picked two different sizes. The kitchen features 9-foot ceilings except for the area underneath a soffit. 30-inch cabinets were ordered to fit underneath the soffit. 36-inch cabinets were ordered for the rest of the kitchen.
I'll admit, I am lazy. I didn't want to paint the entire kitchen. My logic told me only a small portion of the wall would be visible. The rest would be covered by the refrigerator, wall cabinets and backsplash.
BF realized the bottoms of the 30-inch and 36-inch cabinets needed level with each other after he hung all of them.
Again, my original logic told me the 36-inch cabinets would be hung as high on the wall as possible, flush with the ceiling. I didn't want any empty space between the top of the cabinet and the ceiling.
As BF rehung the 36-inch cabinets, I realized my lazy mistake. Doh! There's no hiding it.
When BF started the home renovations, he converted the small kitchen pantry into his tool storage closet. The pantry morphed into the catch-all for all random renovation supplies. Because of how quickly renovations began after we purchased the house, the pantry was never thoroughly cleaned.
As I mentioned before, the previous tenants weren't the cleanest people. Not to be outdone by the laundry closet, the pantry's shelves were furrier (sp?) with dirt, dust, ash and other gross particles. Despite being cost conscious, there was no way I was cleaning and using these shelves.
I wanted to throw up when I discovered this little gem. Unfortunately this "insect trap and monitor" was hiding in a corner before I could remove it months ago.
Since they're next to each other, I wanted to coordinate the pantry's walls with the laundry closet. I selected the medium shade of yellowish green featured in the laundry closet's chevron stripes.
BF is anti-wire shelf. He hates them so much he references Faye Dunaway's performance as Joan Crawford in "Mommy Dearest."
We went for a more stream-lined look with melamine shelves. As BF installed the new shelves, we were again reassured at how nothing in an older house is level. Some shelves installed very easily, while others required the use of a mallet.
Despite the furry shelves, insect trap, excessive bleach use and unlevel walls, I am very happy with the pantry. Bailey wishes he were taller so he can reach his doggie treats.
