Sunday, April 13, 2025

Proud Debby keeps on Rolling....


 We were able to put the appliances back today. The second coat of paint worked better. The first coat was pretty spotty, but the second coat finished it off nicely. I will admit to a moment of vanity. I dragged my canisters and my picture out. We will call it 'staging'. It sounds a lot better than showing off. 

Are we done? We are not. The water needs to be hooked up, but Tim does not want to do that until the township replaces the electronics in the sewage 'turtle'. (If the water can't drain out, we don't need it coming in.) We need to put the black kickplate around the cupboards. We need to put up the black trim at the top of the tile and up the sides where the stove is. We've got the shelves to do. The switchplates. 

I will also admit something pretty embarrassing. I have become one of 'those people'. (No no not MAGA. My god. I'm haven't lost my mind). No. I'm talking about the sort of people who say things like this: "The ceramic knobs are beige, and I need them to be white or black to match the tile." I'm not sure how that has come about. The beige knobs are perfectly functional, and there is not reason to replace them other than aesthetics. 

Yet...here I am... 

I think part of it is that I've had 'make do' kitchens for 27 years, and this kitchen is mine. And it is new! And it has a dishwasher! And it's new! And I designed it! And it's new! And...well...I guess it has made me prideful. But it's new!


Pretty sure I'll get over myself. 

78 comments:

  1. It looks much better with things in position, staged if you like. Your floor really did turn out so well.

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    1. It's really a gorgeous floor. Everyone comments on that as soon as they walk in.

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  2. It is fabulous!!!! And I have become one of those people too. I think you saw that when I was ordering supplies to remodel my bathroom and debated over whether I should order a Carrera marble sink. I wasn't sure I could make do with a regular marble or man-made marble. And this coming from someone who was replacing a 40 year old formica/plastic sink. And. . . embarrassingly enough - I did order the Carrera marble. It is my first and last time I am remodeling this bathroom and by gosh, I am living the high life in bathroom fixtures!

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    1. You won't be sorry about that. We went with porcelain. Lowe's offers a lot of sinks, but man, we are not pleased with the way the one in our bathroom held up. Whatever is on top of the (I think) fiberglass has bubbled and chipped away. We got a porcelain sink this time.

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  3. Go for the black or white knobs. You've worked really hard on this, get what you want. The kitchen is beautiful. You did such a nice job on all of it. That floor..!

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    1. You know, going through these comments, it occurred to me to look around. I found ones that I can live with. They are not the ones I originally wanted but they match the kitchen, and that is okay.

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  4. It looks nice and so does the floor! Do not berate yourself over knobs. I hope you enjoy this for a long time.

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  5. Nah, don't get over yourself, change the knobs, little details make all the difference! Aesthetics are important. The kitchen is beautiful. That floor turned out so well! Well done to you both.

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    1. We've about broken our arms patting ourselves on the back. It did turn out nice.

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  6. It looks beautiful and you can replace the knobs if you want to, it's your kitchen, it's your house. I love those cabinets. I always wanted white cabinets and now I have them. My husband gets his dirty hands all over them, drips coffee on them, and generally irritates me with what he does to my white cabinets. That wood is much prettier.

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    1. I know that I can. The question was always, "Do I really need to be fussing about that right now?" and my heart kept whispering, "But...but...they DON'T maaaaaatch!"

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  7. It is beautiful. You deserve to have just what you want. You and Tim are quite the team, in spite of occasional bumps along the way.

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    1. It's one of those things that had I known how difficult it was going to be, I'd have thought twice. However...turns out that I'm not prescient, fortunately. Now that we look back, we both agree that if we had not started it two years ago, we surely wouldn't have dared start it in these uncertain times.

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  8. I think in a brand new do-it-yourself build, you are allowed to have the knobs that you want. No double entendre intended there. 🤓

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    1. I kind of think so too...but they certainly did not need to become top priority.

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  9. Looking good! Green IS my favourite colour. Well done JennyP

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  10. Your kitchen is beautiful and I bet that you can't wait to cook in it. Stainless handles would look good on those cupboards ...I'm just saying...

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    1. We looked at them. I went with some plain green ceramic knobs.

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  11. You deserve to finally have a kitchen you really want. I'm with Claudia; consider silver/stainless steel knobs? But black or white ones will be dandy too. Linda in Kansas

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    1. I considered it, and looked at some. They had some nice ones that looked like branches that were tempting. That would have involved filling and redrilling holes. We decided against those, and went with plain green ceramic knobs. They can always be replaced down the road and they won't make me irritated because they don't match~

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  12. Yes, new and lovely. I like the green you have used. I don't blame you for not settling for plain beige knobs either! Take a bow for kitchen design success :)

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    1. That's funny. Tim and I stood back to take a look yesterday, and it just looked so nice. We congratulated each other and he did take a bow. Made me laugh.

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  13. WOW. That kitchen looks amazing! Well done to you both. No wonder you are feeling a little prideful :). Deservedly so.
    Changing subject though, how are the "kittens"? Are they getting tamer yet?

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    1. Oh yes. I can't hold them, but they all allow themselves to be petted and come when I call. Min has disappeared. I haven't seen him in over a month.

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  14. Your knobs should fit in, other wise you will forever seeing them as wrong. I love your kitchen, the natural colours all work well together. I take it a dish washer is a new appliance for you.

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    1. It is. There were just a lot of other more important things that needed my attention.

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  15. It looks fab. Big it up all you want!

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    1. "Big It Up". I will have to remember that one!

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  16. That looks great..and go for the knobs you want..you deserve them! The others will find a home eventually!!

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  17. It's looking really spiffing, and you really should have the knobs you want. The 'wrong' ones will only irritate you.

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    1. As embarrassed as I am to admit that, yes. You are right. They are the first thing that I saw, and that is just silly. Such a nice kitchen, and I'm going to get all tangled up in perfectly functional knobs.

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  18. You should be proud Debby, you have built a beautiful kitchen. In the picture the nobs look fine but you should look for the ones you really like. I have the same colour wood cabinets, and my nobs are the same wood with stainless on the edges, but they are longer and I would think easier to use than little nobs. Keep looking Debby, the handles are the jewelry that finishes it all off and you should have what you really like. I think those are too small. Gigi

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    1. Do you really think so. I didn't consider size when I purchased the replacements. Eek. But they can always be replaced. At least these ones match.

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  19. Your forever home should be exactly what you want.

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    1. It is exactly what I want, and I'm really quite excited about it.

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  20. This looks SO good! You should be proud of all that you and Tim have accomplished. I know what you mean about the knobs because the ones I wanted were considered "so yesterday" but I liked them and I was not flipping this house so we just chose what we liked and have been happy here for five years. I am thinking of the phrase "you do you" (!).

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    1. That was me (Jackie)

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    2. I did me! That's is the cool thing about this house, about choosing things because we like them, not with future tenants, or to appeal to buyers. That has been great fun.

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  21. I believe you should treat yourself to whatever sort of knobs you want. They do make beautiful ones both ceramic and glass and I can just imagine something like that in green and white. They are not so expensive. Something like this? https://www.wayfair.com/home-improvement/pdp/trinca-ferro-herne-oversized-2-diameter-mushroom-knob-multipack-tnfo1086.html

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    1. I did like those quite a lot. Bright and cheerful. In the end, I compromised. I got a set of green ceramic knobs that will match, and I can always change them out and get fancy down the road.

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  22. The kitchen is lovely, the green paint and wood just right. As for knobs do what you want with them. Saying I wished I changed those knobs over the years will get pretty boring.

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    1. Aw...I would have changed them out at some point down the road, but I surely did not need to do it right this very minute. (but...I did it right this very minute).

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  23. I've become that way a bit with my forever apartment they are building for me. When you can choose...why not! ;)

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    1. I could not think of a single reason not to choose, Rita. The thing that kept me stuck was the fact that it wasn't important. It did not have to be done right this very minute.

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  24. There's nothing wrong with having things the way you like them. When they "hurt my eyes," I don't think I'm being silly. Colour clashes and clutter and mess and whatnot can affect my state of mind, so when possible I fix them to suit myself. Why not have our "nests" as pleasing to ourselves as we can make them!

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    1. A real game changer for me is having the pantry right next to the kitchen. I'll have a place for all the counter clutter and excess stuff. Right now, I have too much stuff and storage is limited.

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  25. Omg, don't ever think you need to get over yourself!! Not having new, and having to make do takes it out of you, it really does. If you can afford to make things like you want, then by God, rejoice!

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    1. I never minded. There were always more pressing things. I will admit to some amount of envy doing kitchen after kitchen after kitchen...FOR OTHER PEOPLE!!!! Flips and renters, but not for me. I waited patiently.

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  26. Nothing to add ... I agree with everyone else! Your kitchen, your choice!

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    1. Tim and I generally come to agreement on things. Especially since this is an open concept thing. The kitchen, livingroom and entrance are one big room.

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  27. Well, at least knobs are a relatively minor demand in the grand scheme of things! I think the kitchen is looking great.

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    1. Still...I was surprised at how much they cost. I think that I found the ones that I'm going to get though. I'll run it by the man, just as a formality.

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  28. Go for the new kitchen cabinet knobs! There are lots of cute ones out there.

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    1. You know, you set me off to looking. I think I found the ones I'm going to get. Pictures tomorrow.

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  29. Big difference in proud and prideful. You are the former and have every right to be. Congratulations!

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    1. That actually helps, Bob. I was feeling pretty bougie. Thanks. Hope all is well at your house.

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  30. I definitely agree with Bob! It is a pleasure to be surrounded by things which bring you joy on a daily basis. Congratulations, Joan

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    1. I feel happy every time that I walk in there. It just looks nice to my eye.

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  31. never get over yourself, Debby - its part of the charm of being a you! Get the knobs, else you will have kitchen regret every time you go into the room, and that room needs a choir - maybe a doo whop group - singing to you whenever you go in!!! In the immortal words of Mary Coustas from Acropolis Now "how excitement". (I was hoping that it was Debbie from Tim and Debbie "Australia You're Standing In It but alas not - this is them https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wsBJeFirre0)

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    1. Oh, it's something that I know I will do...eventually. I'm just trying to convince myself that it is not a 'need'. It certainly isn't something that I have to do right away. Sadly it is something that I want to do right away, and I'm not sure why I'm so set on it.

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    2. Wouldn't that be an amazing thing? It might still happen if the economy doesn't tank.

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  32. That looks really beautiful. If you don't go with your heart you will regret it every time you look at the 'making do' knobs and think "I should have got the other ones."

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    1. The knobs came with the cupboards. Replacing them is not a priority. In my mind, I know this. But...I just want to replace them, and I know that it is a ridiculous thing.

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    2. It is NOT a ridiculous thing. You are pouring tons of effort into this kitchen; this is your final home. It's not like you're going to bust to budget getting the knobs you want. For heavens' sake, you've worked so hard on this house already, you've earned them 10x over just in sweat equity! It's really okay to make yourself happy.

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    3. It's not ridiculous to want to replace them. But what IS ridiculous is feeling that it must be done right away. But...I worked out a compromise that makes me happy AND does not make me feel guilty. Winner winner, chicken dinner!

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  33. How strange. I know I commented here, but don't see it. Anyway, I love your kitchen! You will have such fun learning how to work in it once all is settled in.

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I'm glad you're here!

Yet another customer service adventure.

We have the grinder pump ready to go. Tim has to pick up 50 feet of 3-12 wire...or is it 12-3 wire? Once that's hooked up to the breaker...