Today was costly.
We dropped Smallsteps off to her grandparent's for the afternoon and then headed to IKEA, which isn't normally the most expensive places, but after 3 hours of sitting in front of a screen, we ordered most of our kitchen. We are getting the cupboards and fridge and freezer from there, but all the other machines (microwave, stovetop, oven, dishwasher) are coming from somewhere else - as well as the worktop, sink and fittings. They had nearly everything, except for the freezer (which should arrive at the end of the month), so we will be able to keep our schedules with the tradespeople on August.
While cheaper than a lot of the specialized kitchen places, buying a kitchen is always going to leave a dent in the finances, and there is still more to come. Once the builders, electrician, dishwasher, sink, tap and incidentals are covered, it is going to be less a dent, more of a crash.
What we are likely also going to do is sell our old kitchen. It is pretty good to sell old stuff in Finland, which I prefer, as it means that it doesn't end up in as landfill. The kitchen is twenty years old, so I don't think we would get much for it and even if we give it away, it will mean someone will come and pick it up from us. We also have a passable oven unit and a relatively new fridge that can be included in the package, or sold separately. Even if it pays for a couple hours work for the electrician, it would be a win.
I like this kind of renovation work, as it really makes a difference to the way we live, as the kitchen is the heart of a home. A well appointed space doesn't only make it practical and encourage home cooking, it also becomes the gathering point for friends and family when they visit. At the moment, ours is not the kind of place anyone wants to spend any extra time in. This kind of design is what I enjoy, because it changes behaviors and the entire flow of the family shifts with it.
Yet, the space we have to work with while large, is not the easiest due to the positioning of the doorways and the height of the window - which is about 20 centimeters too low. This means there have been some large compromises made in the design, but hopefully it will still fit our needs and add value to the home, at least for the next ten years before it start to date again.
However, one of the benefits of buying from IKEA is that as long as the structural bones are in good order and well planned, updating is quite easy, even if not using IKEA. There are companies that build doors, drawers and extra by using the IKEA frames, which makes a "new" kitchen, simple and relatively cheap with minimal effort. However, this is more to consider if we are ever looking to sell this place - which we aren't.
The next challenge we face for this project, are the countertops, as there is a long lead time on them and unfortunately the excuse now is "they are made in Ukraine". It is amazing how much of everything we consume is made there these days! I call bullshit on it - but that is the way it goes. It is very likely that we are going to be "counterless" for several weeks after the kitchen is installed - so that means sinkless and stoveless too. Not the end of the world, just annoying.
We are planning on wood benches for the warmth, but the selection isn't great at the moment on these things, as apparently, people are moving away from solid wood and into either stone or laminate. With the growing cost of materials, laminate is by far the cheapest option, but stone is over twice that of wood, plus it requires specialized measurements, cuts and installation - adding even more price. At one place today, the cost of stone (composite stone material) was starting from 1200€ (ugly) per square meter and over a thousand for installation, which means adding north of 5000€ to the total - which is outside of our budget.
But, it is getting there slowly and after a year with very little renovation work after I had a stroke, it is nice to get back into the groove a bit. In the living area, there is only the kitchen and the office left to do and it will be nice to see what "daily life" looks like - at least aesthetically. Of course, once these are complete, the next projects become the garden and basement, but they will definitely not be this year, nor probably next.
These larger projects take a little while to recover from financially, so as much as I would like to say "It is done", it is going to take years to get it all complete and by that stage - it is time to start it all again.
Taraz
[ Gen1: Hive ]
You seem to have planned your kitchen remodeling project very carefully. People always want to give a new atmosphere to their kitchen. Because that's where the source of warmth in a house comes from.
I totally agree with you to call the kitchen the "central point" of a home. The sound and smell of kitchen spices when cooking is an invitation to gather for all residents. The sound of the clinking of spoons on plates is the most beautiful music that accompanies the chorus and the laughter of those who gather there.
People don't think about renovating their bedrooms because their eyes are closed, although it's nice to bring a plate of snacks there every now and then. Renovating the kitchen is a top choice of any remodeling plan and when you bring IKEA into your plans, it makes your kitchen even more perfect for a bit more warmth.
Have a nice day & hopefully your kitchen will be more fun.
They say, the way to a man's heart is through his stomach, and that food has to be cooked somewhere! :D
People don't think about decorating their bedroom? I do! However, that is already mostly done, though the entire house needs a bit of art to bring in some style :)
Their saying that "the way to a man's heart is through his stomach" has made women fall in love with men time and time again.
It's one of the most honest reasons to fall in love, even though some men have to repeatedly lie for their women by saying "food cooked with the spice of love is much better than a five-star restaurant"
Turns out you have a great sense of humour, Mr @tarazkp. Even though almost all of your reviews that I always follow are serious reviews.
Basement, give littlesteps a couple more years, then she will love it, well as a kid I liked playing in the basement, I think most kids do when they are close to ten years old. A quiet place away from adults for friends to play and watch TV or listen to music.
I was hoping that it would be a place for me to get away!! ;D
There is a double garage (one spot in front of the other - not side by side) down and I will eventually convert part of it into a work room. There is also a laundry to come and a sauna. There will perhaps still be space for children--- somewhere :)
It is hard to have your own hidey hole, everyone else wants it too. Now a sauna would be great, I've always wanted one, but now with my low blood pressure I was told real hot long showers and sauna's were things I should not do.
We have the sauna already - but the last owners renovated it poorly, making it "not great" - it needs a full redo to make it worthwhile to even go there. We haven't used it in a year....
Will the blood pressure improve?
The meds are helping some, I get in the 90's over 60's about three times a week now. I still hit the 74/54 range to often though and it causes some blurry vision and light headed feelings. Lucky so far no passing out.
shopping can be expensive as I'm also thinking of buying an oven for baking pizza etc
Pizza ovens are really popular at the moment - I have also heard they make pretty good pizza :)
Yeah but baking is a art in itself also making pizza dough is not easy as well
make sure you try the "throw it up in the air" thing - at least once!
I tried 😃 got all messed up I wasn't able to catch it properly 😃
Always make double the dough!
That is investment advice ^ :D :D
Ok
Selling old items can be quite lucrative and surprisingly easy - and definitely helps the budget.
We use it quite a lot for buying too. lamps, old tables and random things that suit our house. It is nice to have old pieces that have a story, even if the story isn't known.
The most important thing is that the issue have been resolved financially and what is been needed is achieved which is part of making financially means for stuffs like this
At least, none of this is being bought on credit :)
Absolutely true
Yes ,kitchen is called the heart of home. I personally think that kitchen is was the most important room for everyone because our food served from that place and it's necessary to keep it clean.
Besides in my opinion the decoration of kitchen should need to be attractive. I always try to focus in the decoration of kitchen every time whenever i shift to another place.
I think there is also a cultural element. In Finland it is changing - but earlier, the kitchen was a place to avoid. Perhaps that explains the taste of Finnish food :)
Last weekend I asked a carpenter how much a kitchen costs, he said it is much more than 1000 Euros and then I was shocked.
1000?
With all the work on top, it is likely to be around 20K here.
Right now I am tempted to power down and buy a summoner. Renting is not reliable because card's owner can stop renting at any time.
Summoners are worth owning - but at least at the lower levels, there are many available for now. More on the way too :)