Friday, January 02, 2015

With A Swish Of My Wand

Kitchen Befores And Afters


I hope you're all resting a little after the holidays. I wish you a blessed and serene New Year.

J'espère que vous vous remettez doucement de toutes ces fêtes. Je vous souhaite une belle et sereine nouvelle année.


2015 is going to be a very busy and difficult year for Cottage. I'll tell you more as I know more. Everything is still in its planning state!

2015 ne va pas être facile pour Cottage. Je vous en dirai plus quand je serai un peu plus fixée... pour l'instant, je n'en suis qu'au stade "projet".


Sometimes, it's tiring and discouraging to think that, again, I'll have to live with dust and half of my small rooms in a complete mess. That's when I find my bathroom is not so cold after all... And can I really feel that draft in the extra bedroom or have I just dreamed it? Maybe I could stop the renovation.

C'est parfois décourageant de penser qu'encore une fois, je vais être en travaux, vivre dans le bazar et la poussière. Quand j'y réfléchis, je me dis que ma salle de bain n'est pas si froide et que j'ai peut-être juste imaginé ce courant d'air dans la deuxième chambre... Peut-être que je pourrais m'arrêter là dans la rénovation.


Do you know what put me back in full renovating mode then? Looking at old pictures of my kitchen and comparing them to my kitchen today... It was really worth the effort...

Qu'est-ce qui me remotive dans ces moments de découragement? Regarder les vieilles photos de ma cuisine et les comparer à celles d'aujourd'hui... 


On the pictures, it looks like it was done with a swish of a wand. But the kitchen renovation took me four years: from insulating the floor and walls to getting the cabinets in place - and it included spending a whole afternoon with my arms stretched to the ceiling to remove all the screws that attached the previous owners' drywall ceiling to the original beams... 

The wall between the kitchen and next room has been open - more dust...
 
Sur les photos, cela a l'air de s'être fait d'un coup de baguette magique, mais en fait, cela m'a pris quatre ans. Tout y a été transformé depuis l'isolation du sol et des murs jusqu'aux éléments en passant par le plafond qui a nécessité une après-midi les bras en l'air pour enlever les centaines de vis qui retenaient un faux-plafond en placo sur les poutres...

One more shot of the "lost" wall...
Creating the before/after pictures wasn't easy because I didn't take that many pictures of the kitchen when I bought Cottage as I didn't like it and didn't have a blog then. I also lost some of my last year pictures when my computer died during the spring...


Créer les avant/après n'a pas été si facile car lorsque j'ai aménagé, je n'ai pas pris tant que ça de photos de la cuisine, puisque je savais que j'allais la transformer et n'ayant pas de blog à l'époque, je n'avais pas pensé que cela intéresserait quelqu'un!


In the above pictures, you can see my old plate rack that I have now reused on the other side of the kitchen.

Dans la photo ci-dessus, vous pouvez voir ma vieille étagère à assiettes que j'ai réutilisé sur l'autre mur de la nouvelle cuisine.


And yes, I did cook for four years with that tiny oven and that even tinier electrical stove.

Et oui, j'ai cuisiné pendant quatre ans dans ce petit four et sur ces deux plaques électriques.


The next project I'll share with you is how I transformed the room I took those next pictures from and that has now become my dining nook.

Le prochain projet que je partagerai avec vous est la transformation de la pièce d'où ont été prises les photos suivantes et qui est devenu ma salle-à-manger.


See you soon for the next adventures happening at Cottage!

A bientôt pour les nouvelles aventures de Cottage!



I'm sharing my before and after pictures with:

Photobucket         You're Invited to Party Here!                      Pieced Pastimes

http://www.remodelaholic.com/2015/01/inspiring-before-afters/          Dwellings-the Heart of You Home   The Dedicated House


Photobucket


http://betweennapsontheporch.net/tour-the-marthas-vineyard-hgtv-dream-home-2015/#

                                      




57 comments:

  1. Magali, Happy New Year and a successful restoration of your room!
    Congratulations, new kitchen looks great. I understand a lot of things you were doing the same, you have to be proud of. Good job!
    For me, it could use a few things renovation, I have to go about it
    best wishes

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  2. Wow, there are some before and during shots I have never seen before. It is a great idea to review the before pictures to get inspired once again, I think I need to review mine, I feel totally uninspired to do anything in our house right now and so many things need to be done.
    The dogs and I wish you a happy and healthy new year.
    Traci

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    1. Maybe winter isn't the best time to be inspired about renovation when all we need is to snuggle on a dust free sofa!
      I wish you a happy new year!

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  3. Dear Magali,
    Happy New Year! It does not matter anymore, how long it took to renovate your kitchen, when you look at the marvellous result- it simply could not be better! What a wonderful post, that shows just what has been achieved with love, patience, and effort (hard work and some hard earned money, not to mention being quite distinct about your visions and wishes when facing craftsmen...).
    I am so looking forward to your next projects.
    Hugs from Sarah

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  4. Your kitchen renovations are just beautiful, Magali! Happy New Year to you!

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  5. Happy New Year Magali! Your kitchen looks incredible. You should be very proud of the transformation and all your hard work.

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  6. Whan I first met your blog you were in the last two photos stage! I am glad I have seen all the changes and good luck with the new ones!Happy New Year! AriadnefromGreece!

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  7. C'est miraculeux.....wow. J'adore regarder les transformations d'une maison, et la vôtre est une merveille! BRAVO! J'ai hâte de voir les autres pièces maintenant!!! Anita

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  8. Happy New Year my friend. Looking forward to a new adventure with you! I would like to borrow that magic wand when you are done ;)

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  9. Quand on voit tes "avant" "après", cela doit te donner du courage pour la suite, le résultat est tout de même spectaculaire !... Mais bien sûr, cela promet encore des coups de stress... alors courage !

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  10. That was a beautiful transformation. I know you are loving it. I love the plate rack by the range hood.

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  11. It is all worth it but so very difficult when you are living through it. You have done such a wonderful job, Magali. Your kitchen is just beautiful! I do think the kitchen is probably the most difficult to renovate so maybe the rest won't be as bad - hopefully, right? I'm looking forward to many visits with you and Cottage in the new year!

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  12. Oh I know... so many plans, so much work, hard to get back in the mode. It is SO worth it in the end though. Just keep at it and you'll be happy you did! Here's hoping our 2015 renos are smooth and seamless (and quick!!).

    xox

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  13. "MEILLEURS VOEUX" pour l'Année 2015 & surtout la santé pour mener à bien tous tes projets. Cottage a bien de la chance d'avoir été pris en main par quelqu'un d'aussi passionné.
    Caresses aux poilus griffus.
    Plein de bisous ainsi qu'à Mary. Babette

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  14. it does look like magic, a swish of the wand! But, we all know it's not true! Haveing watched your sweet cottage kitchen go through transformation and seeing the end result I'm pretty sure you are on a roll. You certainly have the design talen it takes to do this. I look forward to watching your next project! Enjoyed the before and afters.........

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  15. Can't wait to see what adventures await this year. We are contemplating a kitchen reno this year....not sure yet though! I just hope mine turns out as pretty as yours! I too dread the dust and the tools everywhere, and the mess, but it is worth it in the end! Hope you have a fabulous Friday! Do you return to work Monday? I do...and the students return Wednesday. I' should be ready, but I'm not. :)

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  16. -clapping hands- Oh how delightful! Wonderful Before and After pictures!

    And _what_ After pics! Beautiful, homey, I want to pop right in and see it, myself. :-))))

    And more to come. ,-)

    A cottage... Renovating it, to the way you want it to be... Oh I am so glad I came upon your blog!!!!

    Happy renovating in the New Year!
    Tessa~

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  17. There are just not enough creative and original ways to praise you and Cottage that haven't already been written. Your blog is a delight and for many a fantasy. The road this far has been long and winding but the destination is becoming clear! I'm glad your readers will be privy to more of your lovely design direction! Blessings!

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  18. I know how you feel, four years and still at it. The results and quality it adds to everyday living, I'm certain, is a very big decision factor. Unfortunately the expense is another issue, but it should add value to the house in the end. I am hopeful we can continue with the 2nd part of our reno which will be the not heated or insulated old addition. I hope it goes well for you with few surprises - I look so forward to see the changes and improvements. xo Patty

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  19. You've done an amazing job with your renovations and it was well worth the wait and effort. Happy New Year to you!!

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  20. Such a lot of work!.....but the results are indisputably worth it all! Happ New Year!

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  21. Happy 2015 New Year to you, kitties & cottage! Such a sweet cozy cottage kitchen. I'm so happy you used the wooden shelves. Perfect! Looking forward to your next adventure in Reno land. Meanwhile cuddle with the kitties in your cottage to restore your energy you'll need to teach in the New Year. Kathleen in Az, USA

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  22. Oh, I love the before and after pictures. You have come a long way lady and I love everything you did! Everything is perfect and I know you are enjoy your cottage with your kitties.
    Wishing you, cottage and kitties a wonderful 2015 year.
    Mary

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  23. Cottage and you share quite a history together, Magali ! A transformation to be truly proud of ! I am cruising the Flanders' countryside, hoping to find a sweet little cottage to do up... Could it be a virus you are spreading here :-) ?? Marcy

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    1. I'm so sorry if you caught the virus here... I plead guilty all the way! I do hope you'll send me pictures when you find your dream Cottage!

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  24. I admire your how you stuck with it! The end result is just beautiful!

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  25. Oh, wow, you are one brave DIYer taking on another project so soon. I am still in love with your kitchen. Yes, I called Chucks downstairs to look at it again.

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  26. Love it, you should be proud to enjoy your kitchen!

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  27. It must give you such a wonderful sense of accomplishment, Dear Magali! Everything turned out so beautiful. I love all the loving details. I sympathize - we lived in our house while we built it! It was awful! It will all be worth it in the end! xo Karen

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    1. Thank you! I'm very happy this project is done, it makes life so much easier to have countertops! Now I'd like the roof to be insulated: the bedrooms and the bathroom are right under the roof in that old house and it can get really cold up there... like this morning!

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  28. Tres magnifique! Absolutely beautiful and inspiring.
    ~Tanya

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  29. Bonne année à vous aussi ! Tous mes voeux pour la réussite de vos projets avec Cottage !
    Flopsy

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  30. Everything you have accomplished in your sweet cottage has been amazing and beautiful! Can't wait to read about your next project. Happy New Year!

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  31. When you look at photos it does make the progress quick and simple, yet I know they are not! But, when it's done it was so worth it! I can't wait to see the new changes going on at the cottage. Messes clean up and time fades but you know it will be worth it!

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  32. Your kitchen is so beautiful! I love it and cannot wait to see your next project.

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  33. Hi Magali! I have to say-I'm jealous! There! It's out in the open. My Little Shack has been 'in the process' for over 7 years now and it is about to drive me nuts! I am so tired of half finished projects and rooms. I'm afraid I believed my husband when he said, as we stood looking at the Shack before buying it-"We could fix this up really nice for $10,000". Yeah, right. $10,000 was a long time ago and it is still to nearly done. I also believed him when he said he was up for the job. NOT! My husband has turned out to be a procrastinator. It sucks, but what am I to do? I stay sane writing about things on my blog. And living vicariously though blogs like yours. Thanks!

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    1. Sue,
      Before you get too jealous, let me tell you that there's a naughty draft of cold air in the bathroom, right above the bathtub, from a crack between the wall and the ceiling, that the second bedroom I wanted to turn in a home office is so cold and dark in winter that it is used as a storage room for now and that I'm not allowed to use the overhead lighting in my bedroom because the wiring is too dangerous... There's still a long way to go! But the kitchen is my happy place for now!
      Magali

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  34. Renovation projects are time consuming and sometimes frustrating, but you'll always have your faithful blogging friends with shoulders to cry on and lots of encouraging words to cheer you on. And, of course, you can always walk into that lovely kitchen and know that you, Magali, are strong to the finish! Hugs, Nancy

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  35. Your kitchen really has come so far. I'm excited to see what you've got planned for the next year! I've had to go back to work in the office and so things might slow down considerably at the Hearth. Oh well. Life happens.

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  36. Love your little kitchen!! You should submit it to Better After if you haven't yet!

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  37. It's been fun seeing your kitchen transformation and it turned out beautifully! I agree, wouldn't it be wonderful if a wand could be waved and things be done in a "poof"! :)
    Thanks so much for sharing at AMAZE ME MONDAY.
    Blessings,
    Cindy

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  38. Your kitchen really turned out beautifully! I just love it! Thanks for joining HSH!

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  39. You should be so proud of what you've achieved, your kitchen is gorgeous and every time I step into mine I think about how I wish it looked like yours. Seriously, I know I've said it before but I'm going to definitely start on the kitchen after the hall, stairs and landing are done.
    Thank you for inspiring me x

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  40. Wonderful transformation. What a beautiful kitchen.

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  41. Magali, you have done such an amazing job in your kitchen! Thank you for sharing. You are one of the fan favorites at the Sunday Showcase from the Make it Pretty Monday party at The Dedicated House. Here is the link so you can check out your feature. http://www.thededicatedhouse.com/2015/01/the-sunday-showcase-from-make-it-pretty.html Have a happy week. Toodles, Kathryn @TheDedicatedHouse

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  42. Hello!! This is my first visit here and I LOVE your "new" Kitchen!! So pretty!! I can see that you too live in a small house like I do.... Love what you did in your Kitchen!!

    Huts,
    Deb

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  43. Magali, I just saw this featured on Amaze Me Mondays and yes, it has amazed me! What a wonderful transformation, so many awesome details, especially exposing the ceiling beams (the time you spent pulling nails makes my neck hut just thinking about it!). Count me as your newest follower, and I look forward to seeing more of your home and countryside. Je Suis Charlie - I am one of many, with you in solidarity.
    Rita C at Panoply

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    1. Thank you Rita, both for your kind words about my kitchen and for your solidarity...There are lots of thoughts in my mind following those events, but one thing I'm not is alone, thanks to the amazing people around us, like you.
      Magali
      PS: I'm unable to comment on your blog as I'm not on Google +... But I'm a flapper girl... or used to be: I danced the Charsleston for a performance when I was... a lot younger!

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  44. What a darling little house. I am your newest follower! Come visit me and my 1939 cape cod style house, when you have time...

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  45. I still can't get over the difference! :)

    -andi

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  46. Morning! Here I am again. Sorry, I'm a bit obsessed with your beautiful transformations, being so similar to the work we need to do. So, you just created cabinets to hide away the ugly water heater and such, right? How did the pipes of the water heater get hidden away? (I feel like my English is failing me). Our water is heater is huge, so not sure how I'm going to hide it. But the electrical stuff (who knows what it's called) is over in the corner of the living room. Thought I'd create a white wood cabinet with a door and shelves for other things) attached to a bench under the window where we could store shoes.
    In any case, thank you for all this lovely inspiration!

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  47. Yes, two false cabinet were designed to hide the boiler and the electrical panel. Most pipes were hidden under the drywall when the walls got insulated. Some pipes are still visible under the boiler as well as all the gas pipes (it's forbidden to cover those for security reasons): I painted them all the same colour as the kitchen walls so they are less visible.

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