We have big plans for the kitchen that don’t require spending the tens of thousands of dollars that a typical remodel might require. The simplest (and cheapest!) thing we’re doing is painting the light green walls a nice blue color. I’m sure there’s a better term than “blue”, but I’m a guy and only know primary colors.

On Monday a company called Miracle Method is coming out to refinish our laminate countertops. We thought about replacing them, but that’s pretty expensive and seems wasteful when the main thing we want to change is the color. Miracle Method has a special painting process that will magically change our butcher-block countertops to a more modern black with flecks of white.

This part seemed pretty straightforward a week ago. Then we learned that MM couldn’t remove the built-in cutting board that was over the dishwasher, so we would have to do it ourselves. The trouble was that under the cutting board was a gaping hole rather than wood, so we had to buy a small section of laminate countertop, have Jenny’s dad cut it to fit, and install it in the space. Unfortunately, this required removing the dishwasher, which didn’t want to come out. Then when we disconnected the dishwasher’s water line, after (we thought) shutting off the water to the house, we were horrified to see/hear/feel high-pressure water spraying from the open pipe until I figured out how to shut it off! I don’t know how long it actually sprayed, but it felt like twice as long. Finally we got the plug installed in the countertop and put the dishwasher back in place.

The third major component of our plan is refacing the countertops. Jenny’s dad works for a company that makes cabinet doors, so he is helping us get new doors and veneers for our cabinets. The original honey oak cabinets will soon be gleaming white with hidden hinges and brushed nickel pulls. On Saturday after the countertop plug mini-project, we pulled off all the cabinet doors and molding. I’ll try to post some pictures soon.