Saturday 7 February 2009

Time for a Change

My modern kitchen isn't so modern any more!

The kitchen was originally installed in the late 1960s, replacing cupboards that probably dated from the 1930s, and which now grace the walls in my workshop at the back of the garage. The kitchen must have been ultra stylish and trendy when it was new. It had all the modern appliances.... in Avocado Green! MMMm lovely. Thankfully, they've all been replaced with white since then.

And the backsplash tiles are a charming 60's avocado green and harvest gold.

Very retro.

Time for a replacement methinks.

So this week I've been measuring cupboards and checking out replacement counter tops. The current counter top is white... well, it used to be white, but it's looking very tired after 40 years... WOW, has it really lasted FORTY years? And to top it all off, this morning I put a hot pan on the counter and left a burn mark. Self sabotage.

I went to Home Depot with my kitchen plan and they are going to send someone to measure up next week, and give me an estimate.

Of course, once I get new facing and doors on the cupboards, and a new counter, I'll need a new sink, new taps, new window treatment, and don't forget all new appliances, and then I'll need to paint the ceiling, and the walls..... This could get expensive!
But I'll be able to claim a 15% tax credit on renovation costs up to a maximum $10,000 for any home improvements completed up to next February, thanks to the Government of Canada's latest budget.

So this is definitely the year to get it done!

20 comments:

  1. i'm jealous! i LOVED designing my kitchen in the condo i just sold. one of the reasons why i loved it so much was that i didn't want it to look like a kitchen. i mean, it did--i.e., look like a kitchen cuz of the appliances and the cool sink and faucet and the built-in pantry--but not so much. it was absolutely perfect for one old bat who loves to cook but doesn't much any more.....i eschewed a granite countertop lest it give off radon, but i wish i had made one of those very cool concrete countertops. sigh. what fun you have ahead!! maybe i should buy a house. hmmm.

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  2. Those 60s harvest colors are coming back in! Good luck with your renovations. It's great to change up the way things look and have a "new" place again.

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  3. Tis the perfect time for renovations. Be sure to take lots of before and after shots, eh?

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  4. I'd better not tell you how much our kitchen renovation cost then.

    Why would you you get a tax break on home improvements? Is it an incentive to spend money to help the economy along?

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  5. That's quite a renovation you'll be doing! Have fun and looking forward to seeing the new kitchen.

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  6. Yes, those colors are coming back. You might want to work around that backsplash?

    Your design looks very professional. I hope you get everything you want. You'll have lots to post about, no doubt!

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  7. What fun! There are so many great products to choose from nowdays. I know it'll be beautiful:)

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  8. I am jealous as well.....from Home Depot in my town....20 thousand for a minimal lift of our kitchen. No USA tax credits. We are saving.

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  9. I have so much to do....amazing how it creeps up on one!!! Can't wait to see your new stuff...and you are right...must've been very stylish for the time period...think how cool we thought the "Brady Bunches" kitchen used to be ...in BRIGHT , heart stopping ORANGE..
    (and yes I thought Taylor was a boys name as well...but it seems no name is safe from both sexes now!!!)

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  10. That is a BIG BIG stressful job....! I don't envy you the mess that will take place...lol...BUT The End result will no doubt be WONDERFUL!

    BTW: You HAVE been officially invited to CQ's Party...That is why I put it on my blog---Just Spreading the word tp one and all....! SO....Do Plan on attending, my dear!

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  11. Lucky you to get a tax break for improvments. YOu will love having a re-do. I wish we had done ours before we did everything to move. Now the new homeowners are enjoying the fruits of our labor.
    Please take lots of pictures..

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  12. We bought a brand new house in 1979and paid extra for tiles similar to that to be installed instead of the builders plain white ones. We only lived there 4 years and I've often wondered if they are still there!
    Home Depot did our kitchen 4 years ago, but no tax breaks then.
    Make sure to take before and after photos, for nosey folks like me..!

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  13. I'm really impressed that you can get a tax break for doing up your kitchen.

    I remember those tiles, but I can't remember where from. I also remember avocado green ceramics, but haven't seen any for the longest time.

    Have fun.

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  14. Sounds very expensive to me...but hey! You're worth it. ;-)

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  15. With a perfect plan like this, why do they have to send someone over?

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  16. How exciting - and you get to choose what YOU want!!!! Hurry up and get it finished so we can see the end result - I have no patience, you see!!

    Sue x

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  17. You. will. not. even. believe this! You know our synchronistic lives? We're remodeling the cabin this year, too. Not the kitchen yet, but other major home improvements. As long as Jimmy can keep a job.

    Those 30s cabinets would have probably been super trendy now, you know how all things old are chic? I guess just not 60s or 70s old. that's not old enough. Phew, makes me feel better since I'm 1968 vintage. LOL.

    Well, it's a lot of work, but it's kinda fun, too, isn't it? We're enjoying gathering ideas. please post your before photos.

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  18. What fun! A brand-new kitchen! Good for you. Mine badly needs doing. Some day.......

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  19. (gasp!) My comment disappeared. I simply wanted to let the record show that I happen to think it would be cool to retro-furnish a kitchen-- even with lime green. But that's me. :-)

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  20. I hope you'll be sharing every detail on this blog-- as I sit in my "old farmhouse run down beat up" looking kitchen I can live through your experience since I can't get a new one myself.

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