We are in the middle of the renovation of what's probably the most important room in the house: the kitchen. After this work is done, we will have finished the renovations for every room in the house! Here's some progress photos...

Last fall we began by removing the unnecessary side door and demolishing the exterior wood stairs. This part of the kitchen is a converted mudroom. There is no real foundation, just steel lally columns. The whole thing is settling badly and cool air seeps in from below.

This is the view from the inside. Closing up this corner will allow us to tuck the fridge back there, freeing up valuable space in the center of the room. The ugly and water-stained wallpaper was removed next. You can also see the patched holes where we blew in the cellulose insulation. Best of all, the hideous ACT ceiling and deadening fluorescent light was finally removed! (that's Acoustical Ceiling Tile for you non-architects)

Demolition is the best part of any renovation job! That niche which I am revealing was hidden behind the old fridge location. It will soon become a built-in unit with shelves for cookbooks and cubbies for wine bottles. (you like the wallpaper?)

I was very excited to finally use duct tape for it's intended purpose! I modified the vent duct from the stove to raise it up and get it above the new ceiling we will be installing.

Old waste water lines from the bathroom above, hot and cold supply water lines, electrical cable, new wood framing, and recessed lighting fixtures all fight for the same space.

All the wiring that we've installed over the past two years runs through the kitchen ceiling, on its way from the basement up to the 2nd floor. It will soon all be covered up.