The kitchen is nearly ready for the new oak cabinetry (which is slated for installation sometime next week). A little joint compound , moving a couple electrical outlets and changing th lovation of the duct vent are all that's left... I am very excited that this project is so near completion, and even more excited that the custom built cabinets are of much higher quality than the comparably-priced cabinetry at our local building supply and design warehouses.
While the project is still quite costly, both in terms of dollars and in time, the increased space and overall layout improvements the new cabinets will afford are excellent. The addition of a dishwasher will be very welcome, and the extra storage space will get items out of the pantry/linen closet and back into the kitchen where they can be used.
The floor and a new window still need to be factored into the final part of this remodel, but the cabinetry and dishwasher were more important at this point. The flooring will most likely be a floating wood floor or real hardwood, and the 40 inch wide window will eventually be replaced by one nearly twice that width. The timing of those updates is dependent on on funds (as always), but we anticipate living in this house for quite a while, and the investment is worth it.
Resale value aside, since we've moved into this house, we've really made it into our home, not just another house for us to live in. Adding personal touches like custom paint colors, updates to the landscaping, updated trim and moulding, and, of course the kitchen cabinets, are just ways to make the house more attractive and functional, but it feels good to come home to a house that's "ours" and not just another place to hang the proverbial hat.
There will always be something more to do, whether planned updates or unplanned repairs, but I'm truly glad we chose this house when we moved. The neighborhood is wonderful, folks care about their neighbors, as well as their homes. It may not be Mister Roger's neighborhood, but I'm glad my kids will grow up here.