Plain walls come to life in the Kitchen

                 The kitchen is still in progress.  Check back for updates to see the final room when it's done. 
                                      Scroll to the bottom to see more latest photos August 2008.

Cost:
         $45.00 for three rolls of permacel tape
         $13.00 for a Stanley Deluxe Miter Box With Saw
         $6.00 for stain in pecan shade.
         $30.00 for the crown molding   
         $500.00 new dishwasher
         $500.00 new stove
         $1,700.00 for new wood floors (kitchen and bathroom)   
         $50.00 new knobs
         $60.00 new lights        

Tools:
         Utility knife
          Laser Level
          Drill      

Action plan:
         Create stripes using tape
         New appliances
         New flooring (marble tile)
         New counters (granite)
         Reface cabinets and add crown molding to top of cabinets
         Replace the light fixture and fan

Still To Do:
         Granite or Quartz Counters & Reface Cabinets
         Put in recessed lights 
         New kitchen sink and faucet
         New Range Hood       

Inspiration:
         My inspiration for this room came from a picture of a house that was for sale in my neighborhood.  
         I liked how they had striped walls but I didn't want to paint the stripes on nor did I want to use wallpaper.
         To make it easier when I decide to redo the walls I won't have to strip wall paper or sand painted stripes.
         I decided I would try using tape, so I went in search for the perfect tape.  I found permacel tape (which is
         used on movie sets and in photography), this tape worked out well, it has a slight sheen to it, it's cloth, and
         it doesn't pull the paint off your walls if you decide to take it off. 

Process:
        I used my laser level to achieve straight lines and I used a small piece of tape to use as a spacer between the
        stripes to keep the lines consistent.  It took me a few weekends to finish this (I ran out of tape and had to order two
        more rolls) the most difficult part was standing on the counters to do above the cabinets.  I changed the light fixture
        by the sink I still need to take out the fan and put in recessed lighting.

        I purchased some rope detailed crown molding from HD and a miter saw box kit.  I bought two different stain colors and
        stained the crown molding to match the cabinets using two coats of pecan and one coat of natural.  I measured the lengths
        and cut them, used finishing nails to put it up.  The cabinet fronts extend by 1/8th of an inch beyond the side of the cabinets
        so I used some lattice type of wood I had handy in the house (just my luck it fit perfectly!) I cut those and installed those
        behind the crown molding on the sides of the cabinets. 

Updates:

        I purchased a Stanley Deluxe Miter Box with Saw  and some rope detailed crown molding.  I stained all the wood and
        once dry I cut all the pieces, did a dry fit and from there attached all the pieces to the cabinets.  Cost was under 50.00 to
        do it all including the stain and the miter box!  The staining process.  I purchased a stain in a pecan color however it was a
        tad too red so after I did two coats of pecan I followed up with one coat of natural which has a yellow tint in it.  This gave
        me the perfect color match to my cabinets!

        I will be ordering new cabinet doors and a veneer to reface my cabinets eventually. 
       Crown molding is done!  I removed the ceiling fan and installed a new light.  It matches the light near the sink.  
       Stay tuned to see the new cabinet facing as well as the flooring, granite tile counters, new sink and faucet and 
       appliances! 

        The new hardwood floors were put in this week!  I was lucky and found the same flooring that I already had in the
        living room, dining room & office.  I had the new wood flooring put in the kitchen and downstairs bathroom.  All that's
        left is the new sink, faucet, counters and cabinets!