The final before and after photos

A bit late

Here it is -- just after Thanksgiving. And I'm finally updating this blog.

Such is what happens when you teach. But the bottom line is that the kitchen is done.

In September, the contact paper for the soffits went up with some difficulty. But it was easier than removing the wallpaper, repairing the walls, and then painting. The goal was to complete the kitchen efficiently as well as economically.

The metal tiles took longer than expected -- but they were done in a day. Metal tiles are so much easier to cut than ceramic. One doesn't need a tile saw! Or nippers!

The problem was the metal tile instructions said to use the included double-sided tape. In the last paragraph of the instructions, they talked about using ceramic mastic. I wish I had started out using the mastic. The tiles kept popping off. The double-sided tape did not hold that well.

In October, I used mastic to fix the tiles that came off. And all are now sticking.

The kitchen is finally done. It cost less than $2000 for the lighting ceiling, flooring, counter tops, and backsplash. And it held up well under the rigors of Thanksgiving.