I want to publicly thank the Lord Jesus and all of you dear readers out there– I AM SO STOKED!!! God is providing everything for this kitchen, I tell ya. This morning, within a 4 hour span, I earned all my drywall. That’s $500!!!! That came from some terrific ventures in paid blogging!! I cannot tell you how ecstatic I am to have one of my *big* ticket items covered. What a relief to me. I must thank you guys for reading my blog– it is a popular blog, and gets the attention of advertisers, who want me to mention them. So just by you reading and commenting and clicking a few advertiser links means the WORLD to me. Well, at least the KITCHEN to me. It’s all very symbiotic. 
I am paying for this kitchen redo in cash as much as possible. So far, I have been able to do it. All I have left to purchase is cabinets and countertops, flooring, insulation, and plumber’s fees for the gas lines for our new heaters (more on that later). I originally intended to make the budget under $3000 for the kitchen, but then the dining room got thrown into the mix, and then we decided that we really should redo the plumbing before we close up those walls. That more than doubled my original estimate. I’m really, really hoping to land a sponsorship with Kraftmaid cabinets… it’s not moving along like it should and I really do need to order something soon. But I’m praying something happens. I figure cabinets will cost me about $2500.
So that’s some really great news. 
I also thought you’d like to see my stash of stuff that I’ve got stocked up here. Feel free to add your opinions or comments.
This is my sink. I love it.
I researched sinks for quite a long time before finally choosing a cast iron (which was my first choice, to begin with). I’ve had stainless steel here, and I find it very utilitarian and ugly. I looked into granite composite, but I am pretty rough on my sink– if I drained boiling hot pasta water in it and then accidentally ran the cold tap, the thing would crack. I finally opted for cast iron. This is a Kohler. It was SO HARD to find a sink with only three faucet holes! I spent hours searching. I love the scalloped design of the sink. It will look beautiful with my new Delta Touch H20 Technology faucet. The amazingly cool folks at Delta gave me this faucet for the kitchen renovation, in exchange for a review. I cannot wait to do a review on it!
This is the dishwasher I picked out. It’s a barebones, simple Hotpoint model. I do not like the dishwashers with all those buttons, doodads, electric panels, and such. All I want to do is wash my dishes, not bathe them in luxurious splendor. And I ain’t paying more than $300 to do it, either. In this case, I got a good deal on the Hotpoint: $200.
These are my lights. After hashing it over and over about what lights to get, I finally opted for chandeliers. I have two of the chandeliers (the kitchen is 12 x 23, and I like a lot of light), and a matching pendant light to go over my whopping 48-inch by 60-inch window. *sigh* I cannot wait to have it all done!
The paint scheme is difficult. I can’t make up my mind. This week, I’m liking the tan wall color (Dapper Tan, mind you) with burgundy and green trim. I know, I know, the red and green are SO 1990s….. but I LIKE them! Got any opinions?
My house is a Greek Revival, very elegant with pediments over the doors and windows, and fluted trim. I have sage and gold striped wallpaper with acanthus leaves in the front entry… and my dining room will be red with white trim, and acanthus leaves for decor…. I wanted to go with a red kitchen, but my daughters vetoed it. So I think I’ll go with a neutral wall color, and “do up” the accents.
So that’s what I have so far. Well, I also have a huge box filled with electrical boxes and wire nuts, and screws, and crow bars… but I figured I’d skip that this time. 
Thanks again to all you who visit me and especially those of you who leave comments and encourage me. I think this thing MAY actually REALLY happen! After 13 years!!!!
2. June 2010 at 9:27 pm
I love everything you have shown us here! The sink, the faucet, the lighting fixtures… even the barebones dishwasher (we barely use ours. It mainly functions as an oversized drying rack for our dishes). And I think the paint choices are perfect, considering how the other rooms are done/ being done.
Thanks for letting us share your renovation! We have the fun of watching, while you’re doing all the work!
2. June 2010 at 9:48 pm
I love the tan color! I have about the same in my kitchen. I searched high and low for a micro blind in the same color. I found one too!!
I have the same sink, in black, and it is American Standard, americast. One word of advice. Mine rusted at the counter seal, and was warranty replaced because of some really good pictures I took. Make sure you install it with a really good caulk, and take photos, and keep them, just in case. I read where a lot of others had the same issue, but did not get a replacement. The camera doesn’t lie!! Oh, you have my sympathy during your remodel, I did a lot of work in my house too, nothing that compares with your job, though
3. June 2010 at 10:24 am
It all looks great! I especially like that sink. You made an excellent choice there. Delta faucets are the best. I find them particularly easy to maintain.
3. June 2010 at 1:22 pm
That is so exciting that you made that money to help pay for the kitchen. I love all your choices. This is going to be such a great kitchen. So keep up the work. We want to see the finished product. But do take a little time off every once in a while.
Give Livvy a hug or a purr which ever works.
3. June 2010 at 10:37 pm
Wow I LOVE all the things you picked out, your kitchen is going to be AMAZING when you are done! And what is WRONG with those people at Kraftmaid?? They should be beating your door down to have the opportunity for one of your great reviews in exchange for a break on some cabinets!
Also, I love the idea of tan for the walls – we have tan walls and it’s so nice because you have such a wide choice of colors to accessorize it with – everything goes with tan. 
You go girl!
4. June 2010 at 9:01 pm
Neat! So cool that you choose Portfolio lighting!
5. June 2010 at 7:58 pm
Have you approached any local cabinet makers? You could really play it up with a press release and all and be in their portfolio.