Can y’all keep a secret? There’s one part of my new kitchen that has really been bugging me. That pantry. You remember the one I built, then re-built. It’s a nice big pantry. But it’s completely full – all the time – with overflow. I built the largest pantry I could within the confines of the “new kitchen” during the kitchen remodel but over the last year of using the new kitchen, I have found that I am just not satisfied with the pantry situation.
Lately I’ve been secretly trying to figure out how to make it better. And, as per usual, I wandered into what most would consider “outside the box” land. My plan would involve demolishing some of the hard work I previously put into this house — and then some. I hate undoing work I’ve already done. But, I’m taking this house and completely reconfiguring and remodeling pretty much every square inch, so I might as well go ALL IN.
When I mention that I’ve been keeping these thoughts a secret, I’m keeping them from Wes. He’s been feeling good about the main living area of the house, including the kitchen, being done or nearing completion so there was NO WAY IN HELL I was going to involve him in any discussion about what I was thinking! You see, Wes is not a fan of living in a construction zone. It stresses him out. Talking about it stresses him out. Thinking about it stresses him out. Thinking about talking about it stresses him out.
Whenever possible, I do the really messy things when he is out of town so he doesn’t have to know it is happening. If the project is done and cleaned up when he gets home he barely even notices. 😉 So I just kept all my pantry thoughts to myself, plotting and scheming and waiting for a work trip that would keep Wes out of town for a full week. He planned one for March! Lucky me!!!
I let Madison in on the plan under threat of violence that she not breath a word of it to Wes. SHE, after all, would have to help and HE could know nothing about it!
5 full days to tear up the place and put it back together — better.
It’s probably an impossible mission but we’re going to give it everything we’ve got!
To be continued…
Charlotte Wood says
Don’t do it!
Sandra says
Why? 🙂
Kris says
Your first paragraph “I built the largest ‘panty’ I could” hehehe thanks for the giggle this morning!
Sandra says
Ha. Dang it! I tried to proof read this one really well!! LOL Thanks for telling me.
Leigh says
Ha! You’re so funny! But I have to say I do the same. My husband also hates the chaos of renovation and travels a lot for work so I take advantage of that time and bang out the messy stuff while he’s gone. Right now I’m de-popcorning the ceilings one room at a time. What gets me is when part of his week gets cancelled and he comes home early! Thankfully, my kids don’t mind the mess! I’m excited to see what you’re going to do with the pantry situation, good luck!
Sandra says
Hubs coming home early is definitely a killer! Wes did that one time — and it was only by a few hours but it was still a big, “Oh, hi honey. You’re home?!!?” kinda thing.
Julianne says
i have a corner pantry. I think all you need to do is build the wall out a bit to be able to put a door on the angle. I can’t wait to see what you have planned.
Sarah says
And would reading blog posts about him thinking about talking about it stress him out? 🙂 I’m assuming he won’t see this one…
I hope whatever you do that you love, love, love it!
Sandra says
It definitely would! BUT, he won’t be able to read it until after it’s already too late so we’re not worried about him right now. LOL
Warm Fuzzy Home says
Hahaha. This is too great. My hubs really wants to be into renovation, but it totally stresses him out. Maybe if you install some sliding trays??? I’m excited to see your solution, and GOOD LUCK! *cue mission impossible music*
Abbey says
I’m thinking that some baskets and organization ans you have way more than enough space in your pantry. It probably only bugs you because it’s open and cluttered. I
have two pantries but all my kitchen appliances are in one and even with the doors shut you have to organize it often to keep access to everything you need.
Val says
LOL, sounds familiar :))) I surprised my partner a couple of times – opened a boxed fireplace, and demolished a wall. Both times he admitted it looks better my way.
I am intrigued about your new pantry, can’t wait to see what you are going to do.
onecraftyprofessor says
This is outstanding!!!!
Janet says
I was waiting to see what you were going to do with these doors because it might fit my situation. Can you briefly explain what you were going to do with the doors under this plan? I’m pretty handy so I don’t need a lengthy explanation. I understand building lingo and how things are made so a few sentences of what your idea was would be appreciated.
AC says
Just curious as I am about to start on a pantry and walk-in closet project as a DIYer. I am most likely going to use a birch or Pine plywood and one I am going to paint and the other I am going to do a stain on. Would you paint/stain before actually installing or get all of the pieces installed and then paint/stain after?