The Joy of Kitchen Renovations! aka It's Finally Quiet Enough to Write Again - Annie West

Starting from scratch - after the kitchen was ripped out.

Well, we survived! Better than I expected, actually. If the words kitchen renovations fill you with fear, then you'll know what I mean. We've renovated before, but never a kitchen. We did easy rooms, where no plumbing was involved, and where, despite the mess around the place we could still end the day with a home cooked meal. But here - not so easy, as you'll see from this photo. 

Weeks without a kitchen bench, with doing the washing up in the laundry, with having a bare minimum of work space on a fold up table in the back room. Actually, it wasn't nearly as bad as I'd anticipated, maybe because it's summer and it was easy to live off salads and barbecues. Plus the experts who did the hard work were so good to work with (and not a single blaring radio in the place). I can put up with hammering and drilling and still manage to do some work, but loud radios mean an end to my word count. In this case, I admit I tended to take myself out on the really busy days.

During the process - minus benchtops and doors.

One of the best things about the new design is its accessibility. No more blind corner cupboards to dig into. You'll see from the photo above the two corner contraptions that pull right out into the room so you can get to the things you've packed away. Plus lots of drawers and, sigh, a walk in pantry. Heaven! Is it any wonder I walk into this room and smile? And, best of all - the bench height. For the first time in my adult life I have a bench that is the right height for me. It's marvellous to spend time working here and not get that niggle of pain from bending all the time. My skyscraper son would have been happy with an even taller bench but he can get his own!

The transformation took longer than expected, with some public holiday delays but we think it was worth waiting for. I'm still filling cupboards (and culling) and still have a table covered in bits and pieces waiting for their new home, but it's rather fun taking time to decide just where everything goes.

How about you? Have you done renovations? Were they a huge success or do you want to run, screaming to the hills at the mention of the word 'renovation'? Are you dreaming of a makeover and haven't yet attempted it? I'd be interested to hear your story!