Farmhouse Kitchen // How We’re Phasing Construction To Minimize the Disruption of a Live-in Remodel

THE FARMHOUSE

Our live-in kitchen remodel is underway (!) and I can’t tell you how excited we are. But no matter our excitement level, remodeling a kitchen while you live in the house is seriously disruptive. Especially with 3 young kids at home. We’re currently in the no-sink-or-dishwasher phase of this remodel, and I thought it would be a good time to explain how we’re phasing this project in order to minimize the disruption. And by ‘disruption’ I mean minimize the length of time we can’t use the kitchen.

Before we get to the phasing, here’s a little progress report. Last week, we pulled the countertops off, removed the upper cabinets and fridge (we’re using our new fridge in the dining room), took off the cabinet doors and drawers for painting, and took apart the island. The range that’s sitting in the middle of the kitchen is still functioning, at least for a few more days, but we’re trying to use it as little as possible. In fact, we’re moving our cooking operation outside to the bbq. And thankfully we have a beautiful garden to eat in. Summer is definitely the time to do a kitchen remodel in the PNW!

One note about last week’s post…we’re still thinking through those upper cabinets. One comment from my friend Ashley set me in a whole new direction involving pushing the existing cabinets to the ceiling and adding a shelf or plate rack below. I think it could be lovely and inexpensive…but we’ll see. I’ll let the idea stew for awhile and share more later..

Phasing

We’re currently in a big push to get the cabinets painted, countertops on, sink installed, and new faucet functioning. We’re calling it ‘phase 1’ of the project. And we’re in a giant rush to get it done. Because once those tasks are accomplished, this kitchen will be back up and running. Well kinda. We’re going to lose the range for a week or two while our new gas service is brought to the property. And our fridge will still be in the dining room. But honestly those are small potatoes compared to how disruptive it is not having a sink, faucet, and cabinets. In a live-in kitchen remodel it’s not about what’s ideal, it’s about what you can make-do with.

“In a live-in kitchen remodel it’s not about what’s ideal, it’s about what you can make-do with.”

After ‘phase 1’ is complete and the new gas line and range are installed, here’s whats left: installing wall paneling, lighting, sky lights (?), butcher block, flooring, upper cabinets, and building the new pantry and island. Okay that’s a pretty substantial list. Hopefully we’ll be done by Fall!

A fun find

One of my favorite parts about renovating old homes is finding unexpected things. I didn’t really expect to find anything fun in this reno, since we’re not gutting it and the kitchen isn’t original to the house. But when we removed the old countertops we found this cutting board. It’s a super fun custom detail that feels a century old. And yes, we’ll be keeping it!

how we’re surviving without the kitchen

While we are in the no-sink-or-dishwasher phase, we’ve been working out of the dining room for food prep and the main floor bathroom for a sink and dishwashing spot. This is temporary and rather inconvenient, but it works. And sometimes ‘works’ is as good as it gets. The key to surviving this phase of the kitchen remodel is doing as little indoor cooking and mess-making as possible!

“The key to surviving this phase of the kitchen remodel is doing as little indoor cooking and mess-making as possible!”

Here’s a peek at our bathroom-sink-turned-dishwasing-station setup in the main floor bathroom.

Any tips for surviving a live-in kitchen remodel? Drop them in the comments below for us (pretty please!).