Building your own kitchen – RUC style
Last year I moved an old house to the farm. It was once a Rugby Union Club, hence I aptly named it the RUC (because I couldn’t think of another name I’m so creative). The RUC is over 100 years old and because it had been vacant for about 8 years (apart from squatters who must have played with guns because they left some lovely bullet holes around the place) it required a lot of work.
I’ve put a few pictures below of the kitchen in case any of you are thinking of building your own (yes – I know you want to, it’s so much work fun!). It still needs a final coat of paint and the skirting boards but it’s very functional.
I bought the flat-pack draws, cupboards, bench tops, paint, sink, fixings, wood and flooring from Bunnings (they smile every time I walk into the place).
I put tongue and groove wood on the walls and ceiling and used an old hutch for my pantry.
I found the hutch at the buy-back shop at the local dump. I didn’t get a before picture of it (give myself a stiff uppercut) so you’ll have to use your imagination – it’s was just untreated pine. I removed the glass and replaced it with the same glass that is in my windows. I painted it antique white. In the back of the shed under a load of dust and mud I found some old blue tiles (I’ve always wanted to be an archaeologist) so I cleaned them and grouted them onto the top and back and put one each in the doors.
Because this place used to be an old club it still has the original bar. This bar is set above my work bench so I actually have two work benches together (space man!)
It was a lot of work – but well worth the blood, sweat and tears.
If you’re ever thinking of building your own kitchen I have a load of tips to make things a little easier.
Wow….it looks stunning!! Great job. 🙂
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It’s been a job and a half – but worth every minute of it. I’m not normally a ‘kitchen’ person (cooking etc.) but this gives me inspiration!
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Beautiful. You guys are doing a wonderful job on the place.
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Thanks so much, Theo. It’s probably the hardest room in the house to build (I think the bathroom comes second) – but it shouldn’t need any more work for about 20 years! 😉
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Oh my goodness, I’m in love with that kitchen! I always love looking at homes, both new ones and those that have been renovated. You’ve done wonders with it. And that hutch is fantastic. So creative to use the blue tiles. So, when can I move in? 😉
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YAY – I’d love you to move in, Carrie! I’m building your bedroom as we speak 😉
This kitchen is an absolute pleasure to use. I love the ‘galley’ style because everything is in arms reach and I’ve never had so much bench space. I was stunned with the success of the hutch – it’s amazing the difference a bit of paint and a few tiles can make.
I’m also obsessed with floors because every house I’ve ever lived in has had a crappy floor. The floor in this place is so beautiful that I’ve decided to invest on one of those robot vacuum cleaners (or maybe I just hate sweeping) 😉
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A robot vacuum cleaner? I’d love to hear about how well those work. Sounds like a future blog post for you. 🙂
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I’d love to cook in that kitchen. Love the continuous counterspace! So nice to see an update! I’ve been wondering. 😀 (As for the robot vacuums, I have a friend with 3 cats who swears by them – she has one on each level of her home.)
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My photos don’t really do this justice, Suzan (I needed you here to take the pics) 😉
The bench space is amazing – I could probably plate up about 20 dinners at once (not that I’d want to) LOL
I’m sold on the robot vacuum. My friend has two small, hairy dogs and she puts hers on in the morning when she goes to work. No sweeping – YAY! 😀
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That is gorgeous! And love what you did with the hutch. I can see the green in the window in the 2nd photo ~ just a hint at the bottom right of the shot.
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I just love recycling old things, Nancy. I figure ‘why buy something when I’ve already got something similar’? I also thought it suited the federation style of the house (didn’t know that when I bought it because that was pre-RUC years). It was just sitting in the shed looking a bit old and worn for a long time 😉
The green glass is beautiful but the light was all wrong when I took the shot (and I’m not known for my savvy photography skills!) 😀
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It’s absolutely gorgeous Dianne! 🙂
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So glad you like it 😉 I thought for a while it really wasn’t worth it but decided to soldier on! 😉
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I can imagine it was a lot of work but wow – well done 🙂
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I tried to send you that tape, but it’s too big for gmail. I’ll find out the lady’s name and get that to you 😉
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thanks sweet one 🙂
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Wow! Lovely kitchen 🙂
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Thank you! 😀
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You’re hired! haha! Now come do my house! You’ve done fantastic work! Love the kitchen and hutch. 🙂
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LOL – I don’t know if I’d ever want to do it again 😉
The great thing about doing it yourself is that you can change plans as you go along 😉 I made many changes as I saw it coming together 😀
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It looks fantastic – well done! I love the tiles on the hutch – great idea.
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I didn’t know if they’d be okay to use when I found them, Ruth – but they cleaned up very nicely 😉
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The RUC must love its reincarnation back to a private home. It’s lovely to see what you have done. I love white kitchens, and the idea of having a bar to relax at for a drink appeals to me – a familiar environment some would say 😉
Good job on the hutch – I have space-need for a pantry/kitchen cupboad/armoire, and you’ve given me yet another idea – I know the right one will turn up.
I also love the glimpse of your view and that the interior is very much open to it.
Great timing for the post – I was drowning in Excel spreadsheets – just the respite I needed 🙂
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The last place I was living in had a huge pantry and I could never find anything 😦 I liked the idea of a smaller pantry so I can see everything when I open it (plus it has the cupboards underneath for the big things like oil and potatoes etc) 😉
White is a good colour to go with because it matches everything (the walls are actually Spanish Cream but they are very light) and the draws are all antique white as is the hutch.
I LOVED sitting at the bar last night – reminded me of my younger days LOL.
I hope you’re not too drowned in Excel spreadsheets – yuck. Sending you virtual hugs xxxxx
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Wonderful. What a happy and bright kitchen! I can imagine it being very satisfying, having done most (if not all) the work yourselves. Happy indulging!
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We did do all the work ourselves (apart from the plumbing) and it was very satisfying indeed, Hazy! At the end of a big work day we could sit at the bar and have a wine or beer and take a good look at the work. Hubby is an electrician so that saved a fair bit of money 😉
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I feel a post coming on from the handy woman Dianne Gray.. “How to have fun building a kitchen”…
Hows the book going or is it published already?
My first draft is finished but the editing is not going well… I keep rewriting sections and then the very next day rewriting them again… aaaargh… hate it…
The RUC is really looking good… and I love your kitchen… as for the hutch I’m impressed beyond words… would loved to have seen the before picture (should you have remembered to take one) but then we know you’re busy so all is forgiven… just love the result though…
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I’m so glad you like it! You know I love to impress you 😉
The books are in hiatus at the moment (I’ve got three on the go) because I’ve been working on the house (will this renovation never end?)
Editing is one of the hardest things to do and I hate it. When I first started writing I would spend months (years) editing, but at some point I realised that there comes a time when you just have to ‘let it go’ or you’ll be editing forever. Are you going to self publish – or do you have a publisher? (I’m only asking this because a publisher will always get you to edit again and this is one of the main reasons why I self publish).
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I’m going to self publish.
My problem is that as it is a book of my growing up years and experiences with the wilds of Africa, it contains a lot of respect for those that taught me the bush craft (my Dad and a Black friend) it is also full of humour, which is where I’m having the problem, its funny to me but will it be funny to others?? and that is what is causing the rewrites… Linda sits and laughs out loud, but she knows all those in the book, I need to source an outsider that can be brutally honest and make suggestions… an old school mate is in the languages game and has said he will do it for me, he needs to make suggestions for rewrites etc… I’m going to have to finish up and send it to him… the only trouble is he’s a Pom (British) and you know they can’t play cricket or rugby and have no sense of humour… but I’m stuck so it will be heading off to him soon.
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Haaaaa! I’m sure your pommy friend will do very well. They have a similar sense of humour to the aussies and SA’s – very dry 😀
Best of luck with it all and above everything – it’s your story with your humour and memories. I really believe it will be great!
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Thanks Dianne
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This is wonderful Dianne, so much work but so satisfying. It’s looks terrific. Enjoy that kitchen!
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Thank you so much, Jenny – it was all worth it in the end 😀
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It’s hard to believe that it’s the same space. It looks so different and well worth all the effort you’ve put in. Isn’t it fun to have a beautiful new kitchen…will your next post be all about the amazing meals you’ve been preparing in there?
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I’ll have to become a ‘foodie’ after I’ve finished my novels! 😀
So glad you like the kitchen – it was just a stinking mess when we first got the house, there was even a resident snake in the kitchen (long gone now, thank goodness!) 😀
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You have really brought that old RUC back to life, Diane. The kitchen looks great and I love the hutch! One man’s junk is truly another man’s treasure. 🙂
This may be a stupid question, but how cold does it get there?
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Thanks so much, Maggie. I’m glad you like it 😉
We have fairly uniform temperatures throughout the year. Typical daytime min/max temperature ranges are 23C/31C (73F/87F) in mid-summer and 18C/26C (64F/78F) in mid-winter. It’s a lovely climate – the only downside is we can get cyclones which aren’t pleasant at all…
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Sitting way up here in the cold north, that sounds divine… except for the cyclones, of course 😉
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A really beautiful kitchen Dianne, you are the Queen of hardcore up-cycling – taking something used and abused and turning it into something fit for, well, a Queen:-) The way you describe it, though it was obviously a lot of work, I can feel the fun you had making color choices, glass choices, transforming something into so unrecognizable a new state – you’d never know, each room and item in it has a story – hope you’re really enjoying the fruits of all your hard work now. Hugs, Harula xxx
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Awww – thank you so much, Harula. You know I love bringing old things back to life (I also dislike throwing things away because I’m sure they’ll have a use some day) 😉
Hugs to you my darling xxx
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WOW, Dianne! Just wow. You have totally transformed this place! It’s really looking so gorgeous now.
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Transformation is my middle name 😉 (good grief, just as I wrote those words my light globe blew!) that was weird, made me jump LOL 🙂
I never imagined the kitchen would look that nice – even I’m surprised by the transformation because it’s been so long since I looked at the ‘before’ pic! 😀
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Haha! Oh boy, I hate when household things give me a scare. I used to swear this apartment was possessed. The long list of things that have gone wrong here would make anyone cry.
& P.S. I like the green windows. You can see the glow from them on the countertop. It looks really pretty. 😀
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Dianne it looks divine, Oh I can dream…..
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Hey Kath – wonderful to see you here 😀 I thought I was following you and just went to check to see that WP has clicked me off. I took a break from blogging last year and now find that a lot of the people I follow I’m not following anymore (if you know what I mean) 😉
I can’t remember the last time I had a nice kitchen (maybe when I was a child – my mother’s kitchen was lovely) so it’s great to have that much working space, particularly for a messer like me 😉
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The kitchen is divine I live in a pokey old farm house with no bench space. Love a big kitchen Dianne, love your house too.
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Awww – thank you my dear 😀
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Dianne, that looks absolutely gorgeous. You did such amazing work. Definitely look for a career in home renovation and remodeling! And I absolutely love those blue tiles; they’re so pretty!
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Thank you, Zen! I thought the blue tiles may have been too much at first, but they seemed to fit in very well without being overbearing 😉
My mother-in-law says that if I ever went into home renovation no one could afford me! LOL – I don’t know if this is a compliment or an insult 😉
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This is absolutely beautiful! I love everything. The green windows are a great idea and I am a sucker for blue tiles. This is lovely. Thank you for sharing this.
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I’m so glad you like it 😀 I like the colour of the tiles – they’re a really nice blue (you’ll know what I mean by that) 😉 I didn’t think they would go with the green windows at first, but the two compliment each other (thank goodness!) 😉
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All your efforts have been so worthwhile, Dianne. Love your kitchen, and that hutch is such a charming feature with the pretty blue tiles. I’m sure you’re really enjoying your house, now that you’ve got it just as you want it. Well done to you and hubby. Thanks for sharing the pics. 🙂
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Thanks so much, Sylvia 😀 You’ll understand how disruptive renovations can be, but once they’re done it is well worth the effort! 😀
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Absolutely beautiful, Dianne! Now that’s a kitchen that would make me want to learn to cook! Enjoy!
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Me too, Jill – I’m not renowned for my finesse in the kitchen 😀 I’m getting better now because it’s a pleasure just to be in here 😀
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Gorgeous, and I adore what you did to the hutch! BTW, where is your stove? Currently, we are at the gutted stage for our kitchen up at the Mountain Farmlet and planning the reconstruction.
Did you mention helpful tips, Dianne? 😉
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You’re the only one who has noticed the stove is missing, Lynda 😉 It’s still downstairs. It’s a lovely gas stovetop with electric oven and it will sit in the space next to the hutch. I’m just waiting for ten strong men to carry it upstairs (LOL)
Best of luck with your renovation and if you need any help I’m always here. The best thing to know is that when you do it yourself you can make changes as you go along. I had so many plans but it’s not until you start filling in the spaces that you realise what works and what doesn’t. I did the floor first, much to hubby’s disgust. If I were to do it again I would do the floor last because it kept getting scratched while we were moving things in and around – but we live and learn 😀
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I love the view from the bar in that last one. Your hutch looks like an antique now. That’s so great that you rescued it and the RUC! The writer’s nook is perfect too. I hope you’re enjoying spending lots of time there.
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I’m sitting there right now, Sheila! 😀
The views are fantastic from most spots in the house and it’s very breezy (which is great in the tropics)
So glad you like it 😀
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What a throughly rewarding result. I am most impressed, Dianne. Only the one glass of champers?
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LOL – um, okay maybe a bottle 😉
So glad you like it – it was well worth the effort 😀
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That is amazing. I can only imagine how much work it was–probably a lot more than you detailed. We need a kitchen redo, but will probably skip it. I want to move to the Final House so why spend all the time you did on a remodel?
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So true, Jackie. This is the Final House, hence the extra effort. I’m hoping I don’t have to touch that kitchen again for about twenty years (and by that stage I’ll pay someone to redo).
You’re right about the work – SO many hours went into it that no one else would notice (it took me at least three days to do the floors and I discovered muscles in my glutes I never knew existed!) LOL 😀
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Oh my goodness! look at what you’ve achieved. Stunning Diane, if I was living close by I would invite myself for a cup of tea:-)
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I could make you a lovely cup of tea in this kitchen! We could sit out on the writer’s nook and sip at our tea all day long 😀
I’m so glad you like it 😉
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That is beautiful! And that hutch is amazing! I love what you found on your archeological digs 🙂
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I’ve found a few very nice things – some lovely old jars and biscuit tins and stones in old tobacco tins (which reminds me, I must find out what those stones are!) 😉
So glad you like it 😀
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ooooh, you found someones treasures!! How cool is that!?
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Dianne, the place is looking great! So much work you’ve done to make it so bright and inviting. I love the melding of modern and old-time country elements. And I love the writing nook, of course. What a paradise in which to create.
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I’ve always wanted a nice kitchen and I guess this is it! The great thing about doing things from scratch is that you can bring dreams to life 😉 The writers nook also doubles as a casual dinner table and it’s not too far to carry the food 😀
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Gorgeous! You guys did an awesome job, Dianne. You are talented to bring life back from trash. Good job.
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Thanks so much, Char! I think I could write a novel just about the kitchen with all the ups and downs we had. I’m so glad you like it and it’s wonderful to just sit here now and enjoy it 😀
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It looks great! I love the way the windows open up to the outside creating such an airy feel. And I love the paneled ceiling as well. Great job, Dianne!
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Thanks, Letizia 😀 I’m so glad you noticed the ceiling because it wasn’t an easy task building that with the tongue and groove wood. The walls were a lot easier (but my arms got very tired and very strong during the ceiling part!)
Before we started there was only one small window, but I love big windows so I just had to fix some old ones that were lying around in the shed and put them there – it really opens the whole place up 😉
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How great that you were able to repurpose the windows. I love repurposing objects especially in a house renovation – your new home is really a testament to that.
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WOW! Awesome kitchen! Pictures show so much – before and after: structural work looked A-1; the cabinets bright and beautifully designed… My kind of kitchen… Is my envy showing? 🙂
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Showing envy is the highest compliment, Billy Ray. Thank you so much! Hubby will be chuffed because he’s obsessed with structure and strength! We have a bit of a joke around here called ‘ten elephants’ – when hubby builds something I always say ‘okay, stop now – it’s strong enough for ten elephants’! 😀
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Wow, stunning. Well done !
xxx Huge Hugs xxx
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Thanks, David! 😀
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Great to see so much progress since those previous shots Dianne. Your RUC is the inspiration behind my present WIP.
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Oh – I’m so excited! Do tell me more 😀
The next pics will show the outside of the house – I changed my mind on the handrail and I think it may be a bit of a surprise 😀
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Nice job! Very nice.
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Thanks so much, Tim 😀
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I definitely have work space envy! Very nicely done!
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Thanks so much, Allen – it was a big job, but worth it all in the end 😀
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Doing a remodel yourself is the best way to ensure that you receive the work space that you want. I would have liked to have seen more before pictures.
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How lovely. I can actually see the reflection of the green windows in your countertops (or, at least I think I can!). I can tell how much work you have put in — but obviously worth the trouble. So beautiful.
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Yes – that is the refection of the green windows. The light was all wrong when I took the shot (I’m not known for my brilliant photography) 😉
I’m so glad you like it 😀
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Wow, what a difference! That kitchen looks fantastic, and your writing nook looks so inviting—which every work space should be. 🙂 Lots of blood, sweat, and tears to be sure, but the feeling of accomplishment must be wonderful!
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It’s just fabulous, JM 😀 The writing nook is an absolute pleasure (I’m sitting here now and the sun has just set) 😀
There’s nothing better than working hard on something to see that it all pays off – phew, what a job! 😀
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What a lovely transformation. Can I call you when we want to remodel the kitchen in our RV?
Cheers,
Peter
A retired photographer looks at life from behind an RV steering wheel.
Life Unscripted
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I think you’ve done your fair share of remodeling, Peter. I hope the RV is going well and life is good for you 😀
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You Betcha!
We’re still up here in OR, will prolly be for the next 6 months at least and then who knows what or where.
p
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Omg this is a different place. It is absolutely stunning! You must be so proud and feel so much love. Just beautiful.
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Thanks so much, Rebecca! Lovely to see you here. It was a huge job, but well worth the effort 😀
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Wow, it’s looking fabulous! 🙂 No dark and dismal corners now. One day you’ll be able to put your feet up and gloat.
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That’s the plan – put my feet up and gloat! 😀 I just love it, it’s so bright and airy and functional – a pleasure to cook in (now I just have to learn how to cook) 😉
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It does look fabulous!!! Way to go!!!
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YAY! Thank you my dear! 😀
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No kidding it was well worth it – everything looks amazing !!! What a wonderful job you did Dianne – congratulations! 😀
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Thank you so much, Amb. I’m sitting on the writer’s nook at the moment looking at it (I never thought anything would take me away from the view from the veranda, but the kitchen certainly is!) 😉
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The RUC proves that transformational change is possible for us all, Diane. So beautiful. So unique. The only problem I see is that I would never get to the writing nook. I would spend all my time at that bar and in the beautifully lit kitchen. 🙂
{{{hugs]}} Kozo
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I drag my feet the the writer’s nook sometimes, Kozo (I’m there now) 😀
I love seeing the transformation take place and I don’t realise how much it has transformed until I look at the old pictures and think ‘WOW – it was really bad back then and there was so much work to do!’. But it’s all worth it 😀
{{{hugs}}} to you, my friend xxx
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Awesome transformation! I absolutely love what you did with the hutch, with the tiles and the painting. It fits perfectly in the little nook there. Thanks for sharing photos and letting us in on your renovation journey! (Have I mentioned that it’s good to have you back online? 🙂 )
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Awww – Janna it’s so lovely to be back 😀
I’m so glad you like the transformation. The hutch is really the showstopper and when people come into the kitchen it just blows them away. It’s amazing how something can change so much with a little paint and some tiles! 😉
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Wow,what fun to see the transformation! Congratulations. My wife and I redid our kitchen a few years back. She was the brains, I the brawn. There is a peculiar satisfaction in this sort of project, at least for us. What’s next?
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This week we’re doing the exterior cladding. It should have been relatively easy, but the clowns we paid to rebuild one of the exterior walls must have been cross-eyed because it’s all over the place and we need to fix it before the cladding goes on 😦
Having said that – it’s a great project and it’s good to have the brains and the brawn working in unison! 😀
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I absolutely love your place. It looks magnificent. That is truly, truly a place to call home.
I admire you. I really don’t believe I’d be able to do this. Now you sit back & enjoy it 🙂
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I never thought I would be able to do it either, but it’s amazing how far a bit of determination can take us! 😀
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I wouldn’t have a clue where to start! My dad was a carpenter by trade but only ever let me sweep up the sawdust in his shed ( he wasn’t a chauvinist, just probably concerned that I might chop my hand off or something on his machines). Magnificent job 🙂
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That’s so true – I’m not to use the sawing equipment because hubby is worried I’ll lose a finger (or worse). I’m actually very clumsy so he’s probably right. I’m also banned from getting up ladders (okay – so I’ve lost my balance a few times – meh!) and getting up ladders with power tools is also a big no no! LOL. There is certainly an big element of safety involved so I completely understand where your dad was coming from 😀
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You’ve done an amazing job Dianne, it’s absolutely beautiful 🙂
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Thank you so much! I just love cooking in there (which says a lot because I usually hate cooking) 😉
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Wow the transformation has been amazing! I can only imagine all the work that went into it but you guys have built a home you can truly be proud of. Thank you for allowing us to be a part of the journey. May you guys have an abundance of health and peace in your new home!
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Thanks so much, Tiffany. These are absolutely beautiful words 😀
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Wow! It is lovely! Youve done a fabulous job!
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Thank you so much! 😀
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I am in awe. To have the creative imaginative foresight to turn something old like this RUC into an absolutely stunning kitchen with windows and views to match, blows me away. I’m so impressed. More photos sometime, please!
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More photos on the way soon 😉 We’re just battening down in case this cyclone hits us in the next few days. Once the weather decides to behave itself I’ll be right back into taking pics and writing more blogs 😀
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Wow – the RUC is amazing – I can’t believe the transformation!! I know you must be so thrilled to see the finished results from your intensive labors!!
On another note, I am mystified that I no longer get an emali alert when you post? I have followed your blog for over a year?
Is there somethin WordPress has done that I’m not aware of??
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This has happened to me as well. Sometime people just drop off the face of the blogosphere and then I realise I’m not getting the alerts. It’s a mystery 😉
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Absolutely fantastic Dianne, love the colour scheme, so fresh, what with the reno and the books I wonder that you have time to keep in touch with us all. Do you ever sleep??? I can see you applying for the next Block series….
Good old Bunnings what would we do with out them. Another BIG hardware place called Masters has just opened up on the GC not been to it yet but friends tell me it is going to be a rival for Bunnings and it is air-conditioned and our Bunnings aren’t….
Hope that cyclone stays well away from you
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I have bought some things at Masters – mainly the appliances (fridge, stove, microwave,etc), they are very good indeed 😀
Sleep – what’s that? LOL. I’m sure I won’t be sleeping well if this cyclone hits later in the week. YIKES! 😦
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I’ll be watching the weather forecast and thinking of my friends up north
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Thank you so much – I’m keeping a close eye on BOM 😉
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Your kitchen looks absolutely amazing Dianne. How clever of you to bring the old hutch back to life.
So much more rewarding when you have put time and effort into doing it yourself 🙂
Well done!
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Thanks so much, Marianne! It was a huge effort but well worth it in the end 😀
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Gorgeous! You really have to have vision to be able to put together a space like that–the hutch, for example! Great job, great post!
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Thank you so much, Naomi. I’ve never thought of myself as having vision before, but this house really lends itself to creativity. I just love it! 😀
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Wowza…awesome, job! I feel like I’ve been along for the journey from start to finish, with less blood, sweat, and tears of course!
That hutch is so neat. We love snagging vintage furniture, but have never refurbished anything ourselves, though Mr. H has a talent for such things. Tough to do crafty projects like that when you’re in a teeny apartment.
So happy for you…the RUC looks great!
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Thank you so much, Britt! With Mr. H’s birthday coming up soon maybe a trip to a vintage furniture shop is in order 😉
The RUC journey deserves a novel in it’s own right – the ups and downs are far stranger than any fictional story I could think of – so glad you’re here for the journey. It’s certainly not over yet 😎
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Dianne, You have done a fantastic job. I can’t imagine being that talented. It looks gorgeous and inviting. I bet you enjoy just being there. You do need to do a story about it. Great idea! 🙂
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Thanks so much, Marsha 😀 It was a load of work, but worth every second of it! I just love it 😀
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You actually completed it quickly. I’m sure it doesn’t seem that way to you, but I’m SO impressed. We completely redid a much smaller home, and there are still little spots that are not done, 13 years later. Now we need to start over in some areas. 🙂 When you first showed us your project, my heart about burst thinking of all the work you had ahead of you, but look at it now! It’s gorgeous. Everything you saw in your mind. 🙂
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That is beautiful – I love looking round your RUC. The kitchen is gorgeous, but here in the UK we would call that a dresser. A hutch is something a rabbit lives in – I spent a good 5 minutes staring at your picture and trying to work out where the rabbit lived! 🙂
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LOL! I love that comment, Piper! You’re right – a rabbit lives in a hutch 😉
From this day forth, my ‘hutch’ will be known as a ‘dresser’ 😀
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