the feel-good post

this is a feel-good post for many reasons:

1. renovations are FINALLY over!!! 2 months of mess, inconvenience, running around buying related paraphenalia, packed lunches ... of strange men taking over my home and my life, sometimes esp when they fail to turn up as promised and you wait for a call, a roar of the engine while putting your life on hold.

2. the home is in order again and i am happiest that way. i had to rein in the control freak in me during these two months cos things didn't always work out. like cutting the granite too big for the sink though you had warned them before. or messing up your designs cos of miscommunication.

3. managed to go away to hanoi amidst the renovations. good break too. material for another post if i am so inclined. one day.

4. also made a trip to penang with MJ kakis a few weeks ago  and had a great time. didn't think we would end up spending so much time with the folks back home so it was a real bonus. might just post about the unbridled joy of seeing my healthy parents... 

5. passed the five year mark since i was first diagnosed with endrometrium cancer!! while i hesitate popping the champagne cos i know there's no letting my guard down, i am still thankful and count my blessings for passing this crucial point.

6. really grateful for an indulgent husband who gave me my dream kitchen. 

one with plenty of storage space, free of clutter, good ovens and an island!!!

and here are the pictures:-

                                                                          BEFORE

                                                                              AFTER

yes! the island is the hub of the kitchen now.

the bosch wine cooler (taller of the two) and fisher & paykel fridge

two bar stools from ikea

opted for a bosch double heater induction hob. fast, clean and space-saving.

                                                now you see them.....

                                                now you don't.

a steam oven and a built-in oven from bosch

and a stainless steel sink from franke

the pillar next to this hidden larder prevented drawers from being installed. so had to settle for shelves and got the contractor to put in LED lights so that the dark corners can be accessed easily.

a push button mechanism instead of a handle hides the larder.

plenty of storage space on the other side of the kitchen

pull out drawers make this pantry very user-friendly and spacious.

left the last compartment for the vacuum cleaner and bottles of cleaning agents

the toilet next to the kitchen was also razed and a new shower area incorporated. 

opted for a wall hung WC this time and a table-top wash basin atop a granite surface.

other changes around the house:-

removed the wooden railings and installed new wrought iron ones. 

gave a new lease of life to grandfather's SINGER machine.

 we have had this antique wash basin stand for more than ten years but not knowing what to do with it because of its fragility, had it relegated to a corner. almost wanted to ditch it but couldn't bring myself to do it so it had a new lease of life, too.

decided to give two walls a brighter look and no regrets here. cos it really transformed the whole living space and gave it a somewhat mediterranean feel, esp when coupled with the wrought iron stairs.