New Kitchen by Tonio
The question of redoing the kitchen has been in the balance for 4+ years. Since we don’t own our apartment, it’s only reasonable to wonder if it’s worth the investment.
Well, my dad’s visit in September 2022 was a catalyst in getting the ball rolling. I’m so thankful for his encouragement and for Tonio’s hours and hours of time spent making us a kitchen that is SO MUCH BETTER!!!
Join me in the journey.
But first, BEFORE and AFTER! Isn’t that amazing?!!!
Here’s the BEFORE picture. You’ll notice it’s only the sink/oven side that will be changing. Tonio already installed the great table and shelves on the other side a couple years ago. Notice how it doesn’t feel very open with that oven right there just after the fridge. And the wood color keeps it a bit dull.
Tonio removed the oven, the hot plates, the upper cupboards and lower cupboard.
Here’s a wide angle photo to get a better perspective.
Wide angle from the other side.
Notice the wallpaper that stops behind the fridge and the tiles that are removed. Tonio saved the tiles he removed to be later used.
And drum roll please… the oven and the dishwasher that have been in the garage for 4 years. Finally!!!
Wide angle with the new (to us) oven and dishwasher.
Wide angle from the other side.
Notice the order : oven, dishwasher then washing machine. This will change.
Tonio removed the other upper cupboards. And did you notice the new tile organization? It’s like Tetris.
It’s cool how Tonio was able to use the tiles he had and work it to hide the rest of the ugly wall.
I think I was gone with kids all day this day. He installed all the upper cupboards and the hood. It’s getting exciting!!!
Bye bye old sink and old cupboard underneath. Hello new cupboard frame. And as you can imagine, he had to take a lot of stuff to the dump.
So, where did that new (to us) oven go that’s been in the garage for 4 years? Well, glad you asked. The kitchen was wired for a separate oven and burners. When we tried the oven unit, it kept tripping the breakers. New solution. Buy a new oven and new burners.
Look at that beautiful countertop!!! And those are our induction burners. So chic.
Can you see the microwave? It’s so conveniantly located at head level. For 4 years it’s been above our really tall refrigerator, so I could only use it on tippy toes and could never actually see inside it. Haha! The simplest changes can be so thrilling.
Can you see where else Tonio added tiles? So resourceful. You can see the sink being fit.
I think plumbing is everyone’s most UN-favorite thing. Tonio always does such a great job with it, even though he’s not a fan.
This is the stage where I was brainstorming where I wanted to put everything.
Sink works!
We got the oven! And the cupboard shelves went in. Let the organizing begin.
Cupboard doors makes everything look so finished and clean.
You may have noticed that we put the dishwasher closer to the sink. Makes for easier loading.
Tonio’s favorite part of our new kitchen is that beautiful knife rack in the middle. We used to have it hanging vertically, but now horizontal is the best!
A wide angle of the finished product. The last piece we are waiting on is the backsplash to the burners. The white cupboards brighten the kitchen in such a lovely way.
And once again, BEFORE and AFTER. I’m so thankful to my handy and hardworking husband for this gift. It makes being in the kitchen so much more pleasant. And who knew a dishwasher could be so life-changing, like seriously, I’m in heaven!!!
We thank the Lord for our little apartment. It has been and is currently such a blessing for our family. The view is not too shabby either. If you’ve ever visited us, you know =). Thanks to my Tonio for all this work!
Love Linz