This weekend was all about the kitchen cabinet handles. Long, oversized European Bar Handles that totally scared the crap out of me. Will we drill a hole in the wrong place? Will they be even? Will they be level? Will they line up with each other? Will we kill each other installing them? So many questions…. but all said and done…. We “handled” it well!!!!

I know these pictures are getting B-O-R-I-N-G week after week… but little changes keep happening each weekend and I can’t resist taking more pictures. (I took these pictures this morning with only the natural light and my flash wouldn’t go off so they’re a little dark.)

The handles took us a day and a half and we really took our time and tried to keep our wits about us. It was a big job for such a little kitchen. I decided it was really important that we make a jig for the handles, as I didn’t want to risk getting off anywhere. So I drew up the design and gave Richie the dimensions and he cut two pieces of wood and nailed them together for me. I marked off the height from the top and the center of the jig, marking the centers and holes for each size handle. We made two jigs. One for the island doors, which were smaller, and one for the sink cabinet because it had larger drawers. It was a lifesaver and I think they came out quite good. I only screamed a few times and Richie only had one heart attack during the process. Of course his heart attack was probably from my screaming, but who knows! (laughing)

The jigs shown here.

Now that the handles are on, I was able to move a few things back into the kitchen so we can actually use it. It feels weird and wonderful. I keep trying to go to the boxes to get things and then stop myself and remember “oh yeah, I have a kitchen now”. It’s was a good weekend.

My Bertoia chairs arrived last week and I’m not really happy with them, so they’re going back. First, they are entirely too high for a counter..even though they are considered a “counter stool”. I also think they are very uncomfortable. I’ve been lucky enough to sit in several different Harry Bertoia chairs and for the most part all of them were really comfortable. The counter stool…not so much.
So I’ve decided to go with a tried and true favorite, one chair that you can never go wrong with that we know we love…. and that’s the Emeco Navy Counter stool. So they are on the way and I have no doubt they’ll be great. We have 4 vintage Emeco chairs and they are on our list of favorites.

I’m almost finished with the cabinet on the left. I have to install the handles on the doors and putty some nail holes. I’ll get the microwave back in this week and do a little fun decorating. I’ll also start to work on the cabinet over the refrigerator. It’s my last cabinet to do and then it’s about touching up and doing the little things. Again, my goal to be done by Thanksgiving is still in place. And that will be something to be THANKFUL for.