Kitchen Pass Through Window

If you've ever lived through a remodel, you know that things don't always go as planned.

In my last post, I shared some of the changes that turned out better than expected like the planked ceiling, the painted woodwork and the new hardwood floors.

Well, lest you think it's been all smooth sailing, let me tell you about our window.


In the photo below, you can see our large sliding glass door which leads out to the deck. We never used the door, so we decided to remove it. The plan was to put in a pass through window with cabinets underneath it.

We selected a Marvin french casement window that would push open to the outside. I was really looking forward to install day, and I snapped this pic as I headed out in the morning...

When I returned home that afternoon, the new window was in place. And, guess what? I hated it.

It looked so much higher up and smaller than I expected it to be. I felt like I was looking out of a prison cell window. And, it definitely was not at a comfortable level for passing food from the countertop.

I was sick about it.

All throughout the remodel, I had a tendency to obsess over every detail and decision. Except for the window. Aside from selecting the type of window, I left the measurements to our contractor and window supplier. Somehow the window ended up being shortened by 11 inches from the original one we had planned on.


Thankfully, our contractor was great and covered the cost to replace it with a larger window. And the best thing is that I was able to make changes to the new window. I decided to go without grills or screens, and to do a wood window instead of vinyl. So, what seemed like a total nightmare actually worked out better in the end.

Or, at least, I hope it will.

The new window arrives next week. Crossing my fingers...

The Latest from the Kitchen (and Family Room) Remodel

We are in week 7 of our kitchen remodel, and I have so much to fill you in on! There have been highs and lows, moments of self-doubt, minor panic attacks and dust. Oh my word, the dust! A few times I have vacuumed and washed the floors, only to have them coated with dust again the next day. I finally learned to embrace it. Really. What better excuse is there not to clean?

I should let the remodeling continue indefinitely. I won't be able to ever cook or clean again :)

Hopefully, you've been following me on Instagram or Facebook so you could see some of the progress, like the new planked ceiling...

It might just be my favorite thing ever. In fact, no ceiling will ever be safe from planking again. Clients, you've been warned!

While we are on the topic of things I love, I have to let you in on a little secret. While I was planning the kitchen remodel, I decided to do something that I've contemplated for the past 8 years. I decided I would paint the dark wood paneled walls in the family room. I didn't blog about it, because I know painting wood is a touchy subject. And, it took me so long to build up the courage to do it. I didn't want anyone to talk me out of it! :)

We had to move out of the house for a few days because of the paint fumes.

We came home to this…

I was so pleased with how it turned out. Why didn't I do it sooner??

When the dark floors were installed throughout the kitchen and the family room, the white really popped…

The rest of the walls were painted my beloved SW "Sea Salt" to break up the sea of white. And, I started moving furniture back into the room (including a new coffee table!)

Still not done, but this is how it's looking from where I'm sitting right now…

I've got so much more to share about the kitchen, including some things that didn't go exactly as planned. Stay tuned...



Sharing at Wow Us Wednesdays