Savoring the Renovation: Culinary and Dining Haven

The next phase of our renovation journey led us to the heart of our home – the dining room and kitchen. Accessible through the living room, this space underwent a huge transformation. Fred, the Belgian Guy, drove across the country from Colorado to Virginia with a kitchen in tow - in the middle of the winter.  We’ll be forever grateful to him for this.

Beginning with a fresh canvas, we applied a fresh coat of paint to the walls and window trim. I wanted a traditional, elegant vibe so we added two new sconces and a new chandelier to illuminate the space. In the dining room, the decision to remove the load-bearing wall created a seamless connection to the kitchen. The centerpiece of these combined rooms was an oversized island with two pendant lights. Andres built a beam wrap that covered both the load-bearing beam and the plumbing from the bathrooms upstairs.

For the beam wrap, we used a oak wood, which we stained with our favorite Mini-Wax Special Walnut stain. Andres purchased eight 1X4 and two 1X2 pine boards to cover the 12-inch width required to wrap both the beam and the plumbing.

Here are the steps Andres took in making the beam wrap:

·         Align all the pieces in a random pattern, then glue and clamp them together.

·         Next, drill holes along the length of the beam cover to affix each of the side pieces securely. Once attached, glue and screw in the side pieces.

·         Once the glue dries, sand the exterior of the beam cover to ensure a smooth surface. After cleaning off any debris, began the staining process. Stain a small section and wipe off excess stain. The longer you let the stain stay on the wood, the darker it will be.

·         After allowing the stain to dry thoroughly, apply polyurethane with a foam roller for a durable finish.

Now moving to the island. We had cabinetry and storage on both sides of the island with white quartz countertops. Also on the island, had a double-bowl, undermount sink, brass faucet, and aerator, accompanied by practical features such as a pull-out trash bin and a dishwasher.

The countertops we purchased through Home Depot, however, they outsourced the work to a local company. I uploaded my measurements on the website and they sent a team to the house and make the final measurements once the cabinets were installed. Before the installation, I went to the warehouse to select the stone slab. Honestly, out of the entire renovation they were the best contractors we had worked with. Home Depot did a good job of finding quality local companies to work with and I would use this service again.

Custom-made cabinetry found its place in the kitchen, alongside the marble herringbone backsplash installed by both Andres and I. A brass pot filler above the range added a touch of luxury to the space, complementing the suite of black stainless steel Samsung appliances, including a discreetly placed microwave nestled within the lower cabinets - Felipe quickly learned how to heat his milk!