Kitchen

Refrigerator/Range Wall Build Complete (Plus Details On My Recessed Refrigerator Enclosure)

Last Updated on December 24, 2015 by Kristi Linauer

*My stove is sitting on a furniture dolly.  That’s why it’s so high.  I’ll keep it on there until I’m ready to put it into place permanently after the countertops and painting are finished.  (Just thought I’d get that out of the way right off the bat this morning.)  😀

Anyway, I only got the refrigerator/range wall finished this weekend.  My work progress came to a screeching halt when I got to the crown moulding on this wall.  Crown moulding and I do not get along.  But more on that in a second.

When I left you on Friday, my refrigerator/range wall looked like this…

fridge range wall 3

And now that the refrigerator enclosure and all of the trim is finished, it looks like this…

fridge range wall - build finished

I still need to switch the door swing on the fridge, and when I do, I’ll lower the leveling feet on the front so that it sits straight.  Right now, it leans back too much.

Another thing that slowed my progress this weekend was the fact that I ended up having to remove all of these cabinets and start over again because I had failed to leave enough room for the refrigerator enclosure.  So lesson learned.  When installing cabinets on a wall like this, start at the corner and work out from there.

I’ve already shown you how I add the trim to the top and the decorative feet to the bottom.  So here are the details on the refrigerator enclosure.

If you’ll remember, I had cut out a stud on this wall (non-load-bearing wall) so that the refrigerator could be pushed back a few inches more.  I reframed and drywalled the area above where the refrigerator would sit, only leaving the bumped back section the size of the refrigerator plus a few inches for wiggle room and circulation.  (My fridge is 30 inches wide, and the opening is 35 inches wide.

fridge range wall 2

I started building the enclosure by attaching a 1 x 4 piece of lumber to the right side of the bumped back section, with about 1/2 of the 1 x 4 on the stud, and the other half sticking out from the wall.  I screwed the 1 x 4 to the stud, and then placed a piece of plywood on the lip created by the half of the 1 x 4 that was sticking out, and nailed the plywood to that board.

Here’s a view from the inside of the enclosure.  I highlighted the 1 x 4 board with a red outline.  You can see that 1/2 of the board is attached to the stud, with the other half sticking out, and the plywood is attached to the part that is sticking out from the wall.

refrigerator enclosure - 1

Here’s how this looked from the other side.  I installed the lower cabinet on the other side of the plywood to be sure everything was squared up before moving on.

refrigerator enclosure - 2

Then I added a 1 x 3 trim piece to the edge of the plywood.  I cut the trim piece so that the top stopped at the same height as the top of the upper cabinets.

refrigerator enclosure - 3

Next I worked on the other side of the enclosure.  I measured out from the corner 25 inches (the same width as the plywood on the right side of the enclosure) and placed a 1 x 2 screwed into the wall vertically.  Then I pushed the refrigerator into the enclosure and tested the trim piece on that side just to be sure everything would fit.  You can see the 1 x 2 attached to the wall to the left of the fridge in this picture…

refrigerator enclosure - 4

While the refrigerator was still in there, I also marked the height for the shelf above.

I moved the refrigerator out, attached the left 1 x 3 trim piece to the front of the 1 x 2 that’s attached to the wall, and then added some bracing (1 x 2’s) for the shelf above the refrigerator, which I cut out of 1/2-inch plywood.

refrigerator enclosure - 5

And of course, there’s a brace on each side for the shelf.

refrigerator enclosure - 6

You’ll notice that I left a gap at the back of the shelf for circulation.  That gap can’t be seen once the refrigerator is pushed into the enclosure.

To finish the shelf, I added a 1 x 2 trim piece to the front edge of the plywood.  Then I pushed the refrigerator back into place to be sure everything fit right.

refrigerator enclosure - 7

To finish off the enclosure, I added two more braces (one to the wall and one to the plywood on the right side) and added another piece of plywood on top of those.  That piece of plywood went all the way to the back wall.  And then I added a 1 x 10 to the front, sitting on the 1 x 3 trim pieces.  I added another 1 x 2 horizontally just under the 1 x 10, but evidently failed to get a picture of that before I added trim.  But you can see it in the picture following this one — the one taken after I added trim.

refrigerator enclosure - 8

With those things in place, the basic build was complete and ready for finishing trim.

However, the next day (yesterday) I was inspecting my work, and realized that I didn’t like those side braces that support the top inside piece showing like that.

refrigerator enclosure - 9

It didn’t have a finished, polished look to it.  It looked very “novice DIYer” to me.  So I removed those (using my Dremel Multi Max since they were glued and nailed to the sides and to the top plywood piece) and cut full pieces of plywood for the sides.  They just slipped right under the top plywood piece to support it.

refrigerator enclosure - 10

That gave it a much more finished and professional look.

I had originally planned on putting a cabinet up there, but after looking at various over-the-refrigerator storage options, I opted for an open shelf.  It’s the perfect place for cookbooks.

Now about that crown moulding.  Ugh.  I hate installing crown moulding.  It just doesn’t make any sense to me.  I watched videos, read articles, and it still didn’t click in my brain.

I needed a total of four pieces cut for this wall.  Those four pieces probably took me three hours, plus another trip to Home Depot for more crown moulding to replace the pieces I butchered in my attempts to cut four pieces.

Here’s the aftermath…

crown moulding attempts

All of that from my attempts at cutting four pieces.

And I never could get it right.  If you look closely, you’ll see that the one long piece above the stove is actually made of three individual pieces.

crown moulding above stove

Cutting one continuous piece that included an inside corner and an outside corner, with those cuts on the correct ends of the piece of crown, and that was all cut to exactly the right length, proved to be a much greater challenge than my brain could handle.  So I have three individual pieces.  Oh well.  That’s nothing that a little wood filler and sandpaper can’t fix.  🙂

So if you’re disappointed with my progress (or lack thereof) this weekend, blame the crown moulding.  🙂

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  • Reply To This Comment ↓
    Darlene @BlogBoldly
    June 9, 2014 at 9:30 am

    Absolutely gorgeous! I love, love, love the high, double crown effect. Truly beautiful.

    I have to ask you something because I’m amazed on the amount of work you’re doing.

    Are you doing this yourself to save money and/or is it personal satisfaction of doing on your own?

    I ask because you’ve undertaken huge tasks (in my opinion) worthy of experienced sub-contractors.. and yet, here you are! 🙂

    ~darlene

    • Reply To This Comment ↓
      Kristi Linauer
      June 9, 2014 at 12:48 pm

      Oh wow. I feel like it would take me an entire blog post to answer that question adequately, but bottom like is that I love doing it. I thrive on making things, building things, creating things, figuring things out. And for me, there’s nothing that compares to the satisfaction of looking at a completely job well done and knowing that it was accomplished by my own two hands.

  • Reply To This Comment ↓
    Heather
    June 9, 2014 at 9:32 am

    How could I be disappointed? You’re practically the only blogger I know who posts so consistently Monday through Friday! I’m happy to see whatever you’ve done.

    • Reply To This Comment ↓
      Susan B
      June 9, 2014 at 11:23 am

      Yes! Kristi is great about posting, that’s why I love this blog!

      • Reply To This Comment ↓
        Lisa Broussard Januska
        June 9, 2014 at 3:07 pm

        I look forward to Mondays, to see what all you’ve done! Your absolutely amazing girl!!!

  • Reply To This Comment ↓
    Sheila F
    June 9, 2014 at 9:34 am

    I have the same problem with crown molding. It is hard for me to picture the cuts before they are made. When I was helping a friend with some. He made me a cheat board. with the cuts marked out for right and left. I wish I had a picture of it. I do not know how he calculated the cuts (and it was for his measured walls) but I just manned the saw and he nailed up the molding. Every piece fit! I have to say that I LOVE the little bit of trim on the bottom of the upper cabinets. I do not know that I would have noticed such a thing prior to reading your blog, but my eye went right to them. The wall of cabinets is lovely and especially around the fridge. Wonderful job!
    Sheila

  • Reply To This Comment ↓
    Vivian
    June 9, 2014 at 9:36 am

    It looks fantastic! But, why is your stove so high? LOL …. JUST KIDDING!

  • Reply To This Comment ↓
    Andrea
    June 9, 2014 at 9:40 am

    Ermegherd Batman! On having to move everything over!!! $#%@!!!! But great job otherwise!

  • Reply To This Comment ↓
    Mark Tisdale
    June 9, 2014 at 9:40 am

    Ha – loved that you shared the crown molding misery. Anyone who has cut it has been there! You’ve got two different angles – both the angle from leaning out from the wall and the angle to meet the other piece. There’s a reason that they have those blocks for corners at Home Depot, etc. – they wouldn’t look right here and they frankly always have a shortcut look to them, but everyone who has tried to cut the same corner over and over probably went back and bought them. Well, everyone but you. 😉

    The finished product looks fab! I could not picture what you were doing with the cabinets on that side before this, but wow, that looks fantastic. Very impressed by how custom you’ve made a bank of ready made cabinets! Wow! Inspirational.

  • Reply To This Comment ↓
    Dee
    June 9, 2014 at 9:49 am

    To all of us who were worried because you stuck that fridge over in the corner….see she DID leave enough room for the door to swing open!

    • Reply To This Comment ↓
      Kristi Linauer
      June 9, 2014 at 10:17 am

      Yep, and it’s much more room than the fridge at the condo had. That fridge was sitting right up against the wall. It was such a tight fit that I tried to move the fridge out once for some reason, and it wouldn’t even budge. So this fridge has a very roomy, spacious look to it compared to my last one. I think there’s a whole three inches on that side! 😀

  • Reply To This Comment ↓
    Mary
    June 9, 2014 at 9:50 am

    I think you did great for the weekend!!! You should have a little down to rest a little!!! I love the way it is turning out. I need a kitchen remodel but am afraid to tackle it and have to pay a contractor to come finish my mess. Won’t be long now and you’ll be done!!

  • Reply To This Comment ↓
    Sherry
    June 9, 2014 at 9:50 am

    Disappointed? Are you kidding me? I check for any updates several times a day. Even if I’ve checked at 11:00pm I’ll check again at 1:00am if I’m up and then again at 7:00am to see if anything new was posted. I’m addicted.
    You amaze me. Simple as that. You are amazing.

  • Reply To This Comment ↓
    Mary Ann Davis
    June 9, 2014 at 9:52 am

    You inspire me so. I have wanted to do something crazy to my kitchen. I never have because it’s not typical, but after seeing the great work you are doing, I think I am going to do it. Thanks for the inspiration. I love what you are doing and I really love your fridge. Where did you get it?

    • Reply To This Comment ↓
      Kristi Linauer
      June 9, 2014 at 9:56 am

      I got it at Home Depot. The fridge, range, and dishwasher (which I haven’t bought yet, but will very soon) are the GE Artistry line that came out last fall. Kind of retro/vintage inspired with some modern touches. 🙂 It only comes in black and white, although they’re considering making interchangeable covers for the refrigerators in lots of bright and crazy colors, similar to the colors you see on Big Chill and Smeg fridges.

  • Reply To This Comment ↓
    Alta
    June 9, 2014 at 9:53 am

    I’m not the least bit disappointed! The fridge/range wall looks soooooo good! Your attention to detail (the plywood inside the opening above the fridge) is what makes your work look so professional. I’m just sitting here shaking my head at how much you get done, even having to do over. It’s so much fun to see your posts every day. One question; are you going to add the support corbels, as one picture showed?

    GREAT work, Kristi!

    • Reply To This Comment ↓
      Kristi Linauer
      June 9, 2014 at 10:15 am

      I’ll still add those, but they’ll go on after I install the backsplash. And I’m still undecided on what I want for a backsplash.

  • Reply To This Comment ↓
    Phoebe
    June 9, 2014 at 9:54 am

    It looks amazing, way better than I imagined, but is there enough space for air to circulate in order for the fridge to function properly?

    Also, so very happy to see the amazing floor uncovered!

    • Reply To This Comment ↓
      Kristi Linauer
      June 9, 2014 at 10:14 am

      Yes, I checked the owners manual before building the enclosure to check the clearances requires on all sides for proper circulation. I have more than enough. 🙂

  • Reply To This Comment ↓
    Loxie
    June 9, 2014 at 10:03 am

    Love, Love, Love:) I’m amazed at how you redo things to make them perfect – you never settle for “good enough.” The details really do make a difference – great job:)

  • Reply To This Comment ↓
    Ruth
    June 9, 2014 at 10:12 am

    Amazing! wish I were as talented as you.

  • Reply To This Comment ↓
    Liz
    June 9, 2014 at 10:18 am

    It is looking great! I am constantly amazed.

  • Reply To This Comment ↓
    Becca
    June 9, 2014 at 10:37 am

    Love it all! The crown molding, the feet, the floor!! This looks awemazing! Great work, can’t wait to see more! I’m thinking when you are finished you’ll have to stand in the middle of your kitchen and take a video as you slowly do a 360. Then we can see it all together. Sometimes it’s difficult to get a good feel from pics.

  • Reply To This Comment ↓
    Jennifer
    June 9, 2014 at 10:38 am

    Thanks for sharing the updates! It is so interesting to see the progress reports. I am in awe!

  • Reply To This Comment ↓
    Deb
    June 9, 2014 at 10:41 am

    Love it! It’s amazing what you’ve accomplished. If you switch the swing on the fridge doors, won’t the handles on the fridge bang into the wall? (speaking from experience)

    • Reply To This Comment ↓
      Kristi Linauer
      June 9, 2014 at 12:52 pm

      They probably will. My last one did if I opened it too hard, so I just learned to be a bit careful with how forcefully I open the door.

  • Reply To This Comment ↓
    Marie Claire
    June 9, 2014 at 10:42 am

    That is gorgeous. Looks very functional, too.

  • Reply To This Comment ↓
    GinaE
    June 9, 2014 at 11:00 am

    Are you wearing the superwoman logo yet? You are seriously pretty amazing, girl!!

  • Reply To This Comment ↓
    Brenda Pawloski
    June 9, 2014 at 11:08 am

    You have made your fridge look just like my counter depth fridge but you will have more capacity and i paid more for less capacity! And the enclosure dresses it up nicely! You are proving to be right about the placement of that fridge.

    • Reply To This Comment ↓
      Kristi Linauer
      June 9, 2014 at 12:58 pm

      I had to laugh at your comment because just this last weekend, during one of my many trips to Home Depot, I was in the appliance department looking at something, and a man and woman were near me looking at counter depth refrigerators. I heard one of them say, “So you pay more money for less space?!” 😀 I wanted so badly to say, “Or you can just cut a hole in your wall and shove the fridge back a big,” but I didn’t want to interfere. Plus, it’s probably hard to visualize without seeing pictures.

      • Reply To This Comment ↓
        Susan B
        June 9, 2014 at 8:56 pm

        I always talk to people at Home Depot. I have shared knowledge and learned things.

  • Reply To This Comment ↓
    Casey
    June 9, 2014 at 11:13 am

    I’m always so excited to read your posts! I’m never disappointed at all. You are so amazing and inspiring! I bet the previous owners of your house wouldn’t recognize it with all you’ve done. You have really made super progress in transforming your house. Love how you do things RIGHT but always with a budget in mind. Lots of folks could do nice work with an outrageous budget, but you make an outrageously beautiful room that is affordable. Great work, Kristi!

  • Reply To This Comment ↓
    designdreamer
    June 9, 2014 at 11:16 am

    It’s looking fantastic!!!
    I know your cabinets are going to be green, but are you going to paint or stain them? The ones in the “inspiration” picture look stained, but if you did that, I’m interested in how you take into consideration all the different wood grains, and absence of any grain.

    PS I checked back here several times over the weekend looking for updates, I am so excited about your remodel, lol! And that was in addition to my oldest dd selling her house, making an offer on another one, and her backing into her hubby’s truck – yup two vehicles damaged!!! Yikes!

    • Reply To This Comment ↓
      Kristi Linauer
      June 9, 2014 at 1:00 pm

      Oh gosh, I’ve gone back and forth…paint, stain, lacquer. I think I’ll end up going with latex paint (probably Benjamin Moore’s cabinet paint) and then doing some sort of wash over the top to get that depth of look like the cabinets in that green kitchen that inspired mine. I really don’t think stain would work in my situation because of the different types of wood, some of which has some seriously busy wood grain.

  • Reply To This Comment ↓
    Peggy
    June 9, 2014 at 11:19 am

    I feel for you on that crown molding- it’s a bear! This tutorial helped me a lot: http://www.thisoldhouse.com/toh/how-to/step/0,,1016651,00.html

    I have my fridge in the same position against the wall, and it’s really no problem at all with a few extra inches for the door to swing open.
    One concern I have is with the 1/2″ plywood for the floor of your shelf. I used 3/4″ for mine, and I can put a ton of stuff up there with no worries about the weight. I’d be a little concerned the 1/2″ won’t hold much weight.
    Everything’s coming together beautifully!

    • Reply To This Comment ↓
      Kristi Linauer
      June 9, 2014 at 1:05 pm

      1/2 inch plywood doesn’t hold much on its own, but once you glue and nail the trim to the front edge, the strength increases dramatically. Having that trim piece on the edge keeps it straight and strong. On the built-ins that I made at the condo, I actually used 1/2-inch MDF for the shelves. The MDF all by itself wouldn’t even sit straight. It’s own weight caused it to bow slightly in the middle. But once I attached the 1 x 3’s to the front edges, those things were super strong. I put an incredible amount of weight on them, and they held strong. I would put books from one end to the other without hesitation.

      But you’re right…1/2-inch plywood (and especially MDF) on it’s own, without that front reinforcement, wouldn’t be strong enough for a shelf.

      • Reply To This Comment ↓
        LynW
        June 9, 2014 at 6:43 pm

        Looks wonderful!

        Since you’ve left the back of your cookbook shelf open for the refrigerator circulation, I was wondering if you were going to put some sort of barrier along the back of the shelf so small cookbooks (like the little glossy ones they sell at the supermarket checkout stand) don’t slip back and fall behind the refrigerator. A 2-4″ strip running across the base of the shelf at/near the back edge would do the trick without messing up the airflow. Unless you’ve already thought of something else – knowing you, you probably have!

  • Reply To This Comment ↓
    Lisa E
    June 9, 2014 at 11:22 am

    Wow Kristi. Wow. So many of us would have given up immediately after realizing you had to move all of that cabinetry, let alone tackle crown molding. You go girl. That’s one project I’d never tackle, crown molding. I don’t do even miters well (measuring wise) so that would be too much for me with my lack of impatience. I don’t know how well it works, or if you have heard of it, but for future if you are interested, Kreg Jig makes a crown molding tool. Like anything, some hate it, most love it.

    • Reply To This Comment ↓
      Kristi Linauer
      June 9, 2014 at 1:21 pm

      I’ve seen that Kreg Jig for crown moulding, and I want one!! I almost stopped my disastrous attempts yesterday and headed to Lowe’s to get one, but I kept telling myself, “You’ve only got three more cuts! You can do this!” Two hours later, I was still trying. I should have just gone and purchased the jig. 😀

      • Reply To This Comment ↓
        Lisa E
        June 9, 2014 at 1:45 pm

        Next time. You have lots more rooms to tackle. 😉

      • Reply To This Comment ↓
        Connie
        June 9, 2014 at 4:43 pm

        Have you ever figured out the dollar value of your time, per hour? Since you know you are going to be doing more crown molding, consider purchasing the jig you need before you start the next project requiring crown molding.
        But seriously, I you use the same scale for custom work that the pros use, you may find that picking up a new tool or gadget isn’t as expensive as it seems compared to the ‘loss of time’ cost. I would love to know what dollar figure you you end up with per hour.

  • Reply To This Comment ↓
    L.Briscoe
    June 9, 2014 at 11:29 am

    I’m sure you have the fridge door thing figured out, lol. Our fridge opens toward a glass door and yes, it has bumped up against it a few times, but no disasters yet. My space for the fridge is much like yours (we live in an older house too), and honestly, until I saw it mentioned here, had just never thought about it much. We learn to work with what we’ve got and I couldn’t be happier!

  • Reply To This Comment ↓
    Colleen
    June 9, 2014 at 11:38 am

    Kristi, I had such a good laugh when I saw the pile of moulding you had chopped up – been there, done that – 🙂

    How/where did you learn to do woodwork? Are you completely self taught and NOT afraid of power tools.

    • Reply To This Comment ↓
      Kristi Linauer
      June 9, 2014 at 1:19 pm

      I’ve been around it all my life, but I don’t really ever remember anyone teaching me. I think it’s just something I picked up along the way. But now, power tools don’t scare me at all. As long as you’re careful and pay attention to what you’re doing (e.g., don’t get your fingers in the way of blades), they’ll treat you right. 🙂

  • Reply To This Comment ↓
    Lynne
    June 9, 2014 at 11:44 am

    Disappointed at your progress? Hardly! You are nothing short of amazing to me! I really like the refrigerator enclosure and the fact that you left an open shelf above it. As for the crown molding I know that’s a super tricky thing to do because the cuts are counter intuitive and complex. I have watched my husband cut crown molding and I have a real appreciation for what you did. Use some caulk and all will be well. I am sooooo looking forward to the final reveal and you astound me daily.

  • Reply To This Comment ↓
    Susan DeYoung
    June 9, 2014 at 11:51 am

    Can I just tell you that everyday I check my email and I see an update from you I get excited! I feel like I am going through this whole process with you. THANK YOU FOR BRIGHTENING EACH DAY WITH YOUR INCREDIBLE HARD WORK!! You must have patience that extends far beyond the average human being. You will have one of the most stunning kitchens ever when it is all said and done. BRAVO!!!!!!

  • Reply To This Comment ↓
    C.B. McDuff
    June 9, 2014 at 11:51 am

    Can I just tell you how PROUD I am of you!!! I mean REALLY — LOOK AT THIS KITCHEN!!!! Done by a GIRL!!!

    And you are going to pour your own counters too!!! I’m just AMAZED at your progress and steadfast movement – I have never been so impressed by ANY Blogger E.V.E.R.

    It is just stunning – like I said, I am so proud of you!

    😀

  • Reply To This Comment ↓
    Juliette
    June 9, 2014 at 11:52 am

    Disappointed with your progress???????? ARE YOU KIDDING!!! I am so blown away!!! So impressed with this wall. You need to take your weekends off….. Every one else does! You EARNED IT!
    Thanks for sharing.

  • Reply To This Comment ↓
    Lindia
    June 9, 2014 at 12:03 pm

    Disappointed in your progress? Having to move and reinstall cabinets plus the crown moulding debacle would have left a lesser person crumpled in a heap on the floor. You go, Girl! 🙂

    • Reply To This Comment ↓
      Kristi Linauer
      June 9, 2014 at 1:12 pm

      That’s usually me when something like that happens — sitting on the floor crying in my sawdust. 😀 I was so proud of myself that I made it through the whole day, 150 wrong cuts, and hours wasted on four pieces of crown moulding, and yet not one tear shed and not one temper tantrum thrown. 😀

  • Reply To This Comment ↓
    Mary Anne Looby
    June 9, 2014 at 12:17 pm

    Hi Kristi, I think you did quite well this week end. Crown molding is one of those things that seems to be a problem for anyone who is not a master carpenter and is used to making those cuts every day. I know my husband has a terrible time and he is brilliant. He majored in math and physics in college so one would think that this type of thing would be a breeze for him. He can run numbers in his head faster than anything I have ever seen. He certainly knows all his angles. It is just one of those confusing, confounding things that is difficult to wrap your brain around. The funny part is that no one ever notices the little mistakes. However when you walk into a room I bet your eye goes right to it! I know my husbands does. Don’t know if your a drinker but the space above the fridge would make a great spot for a wine rack. You can usually buy them, home depot probably has one in the same stock cabinet line that you are using. I have shelves in the side of my island for cookbooks, although, I don’t keep them there anymore. I now have a display of small white ware. Just odds and ends pieces that I like. I decided about two years ago that I had so many cook books, and I used very few recipes from each of them so I copied the recipes that I did use from each book, then I donated the books. I printed the recipes and as I have been going along, I am placing them in binders with laminated pages. I am making 5. One for me and one for each of my kids. I hope to finished by this next Christmas. It’s a long process, since it is also family recipes and favorites that I have collected over the years. I am putting the into catagories with extra pages to add more as time goes on. This way, I will only have one physical book, plus my online recipe file from all the great recipes that come my way over the internet. Anyway totally off track from your kitchen. My kitchen looks like it was sent for and couldn’t get ready (one of my Father’s favorite sayings when we looked a mess), I was making food for a baby shower all week end and my microwave died, then the egg whites would not whip for the icing for the coconut cake, had to crack eight more eggs, then the butter cream would not stick to the cake because it was too cold….a real disaster and then I got lost,,,I was an hour late but fortunately they had not started to eat yet. It was a beautiful shower for my dear friends daughter who is pregnant with her first child. This will be my girlfriends 6th grandchild in just over 2 years and there are 2 more on the way! She has nine children and has had multiple weddings over the past six years. She is so fortunate. I don’t have any. Oh well…

  • Reply To This Comment ↓
    Jaybird
    June 9, 2014 at 12:49 pm

    NEVER disappointed….with anything that you do!!!
    Crown molding is the pits!!! Sometimes it takes two of us to figure out ANY angle :^)
    The cabinets just keep getting better and better….
    Blessings,
    J

  • Reply To This Comment ↓
    Dorth
    June 9, 2014 at 1:02 pm

    Love it. But why cookbooks. You don’t cook!

    • Reply To This Comment ↓
      Kristi Linauer
      June 9, 2014 at 1:06 pm

      Haha! I KNEW someone would say that!! 😀

      I went through a cookbook phase and managed to acquire quite a few of them. The pictures are so pretty that I don’t dare get rid of them. And perhaps I’ll be inspired to cook in my new kitchen. 🙂

  • Reply To This Comment ↓
    Guerrina
    June 9, 2014 at 1:21 pm

    My first thought after “Great job, Kristi!, was “Why would she put the cookbooks so high?” … immediately followed by, “Oh. That’s right. She doesn’t like to cook.” lol

  • Reply To This Comment ↓
    Allen H.
    June 9, 2014 at 1:41 pm

    Kristi, you are absolutely amazing. I look for your updates often throughout the day. I can’t wait to see what you do for each new update. It all looks great and you make it look so easy to accomplish. I love the way to plan everything out, but at the same time you are completely open to making changes as you go according to what you want and not what would seem to be the easiest most popular way of doing things. You are truly a gifted, talented, inspirational force and My wife and I are continually in awe of your work. Thank you for sharing through this whole process of remodeling your home. I have not seen a single thing that I’ve not been impressed with, and my wife and I both look forward to each new update. Keep them coming. I don’t know how you would ever find the time to do them, but I would really like to see more of your work on you tube or in some type of video format.

  • Reply To This Comment ↓
    Janet
    June 9, 2014 at 2:28 pm

    I believe you are making great progress,and oh how I love those floors!(and I liked the other floor design also) but this new design is divine!

  • Reply To This Comment ↓
    Lee
    June 9, 2014 at 2:33 pm

    Chop, chop! Lets get going! I am also finding myself checking for updates. I simply can’t wait for the countertop job and the painting of the cabinets.
    I am going to do the recessed fridge on our next move. I always look at these expensive kitchens and see the fridge out further than the counters and instantly dislike the kitchen.
    Just kidding about the chop, chop. No pun on the molding;)

  • Reply To This Comment ↓
    Gayle
    June 9, 2014 at 3:23 pm

    Again looking great! How do you get so much accomplished each day?
    I so enjoy your blog- you have no idea how much this has helped me in my everyday life!
    Everytime I get down, I think about your trials and how you over come them then I get inspired to not give up.

    So glad I stumbled on to your blog!……………………..Gayle

  • Reply To This Comment ↓
    Rose L
    June 9, 2014 at 4:46 pm

    Kristi, I am gobsmacked! That frig enclosure is really something else. I don’t have one in my homemade 1950’s kitchen and have never really looked at one up close to see how they are put together but yours looks so good! I am learning so much from you!! I really appreciate your taking the time to document all the fine details of your work for all of us. One question…are there plug sockets behind/inside those cabinets for the under counter lighting? I noticed you didn’t use any panels between any of the upper cabinets like you did on the other wall. Or will you use a different type of lighting there?

  • Reply To This Comment ↓
    Elisabeth
    June 9, 2014 at 5:17 pm

    Oh Kristi! Having to undo and redo!! UGH!! But you’ve done it and it’s just fantastic! Well done.

    This is such an inspiring and amazing journey. It’s also interesting seeing how things are done, what products are used in America. I’m in Australia, and almost all houses have plaster cornice at the junction of ceiling and wall. This is the equivalent of your crown moulding, but lightweight, easy to cut, and cheap. You can get a huge range of profiles from basic clean lines, to very detailed and ornate profiles. I’ve never seen wood used here for that. Only now are we starting to see people having no cornice at all. We would also have done that whole bulkhead above your cabinets, in plaster. As I say, it really is very interesting.

    Thanks so much Kristi for sharing your work.
    🙂

  • Reply To This Comment ↓
    Susan E
    June 9, 2014 at 5:29 pm

    The kitchen is looking great, you can tell a lot of hard work and love are going into it. Can’t wait to see it finished!

  • Reply To This Comment ↓
    Ana Gancheva
    June 9, 2014 at 7:31 pm

    As a graphic designer and a new DIY fanatic, I love your blog! I really appreciate the amount of detail and pictures you provide. I myself am not sure whether I can ever do a project like yours, but I sure love following your progress.

    I have a question, and please bare with me, if you are putting everything together – stove/fridge/cabinets – when and how will you paint the walls? Will you be applying primer or any other type of coating before that? And what about the cabinets? I am getting very excited about your kitchen and really like the inspiration you found 🙂

    Best,
    Ana

  • Reply To This Comment ↓
    Genelle McDaniel
    June 9, 2014 at 8:27 pm

    I am seriously even more impressed by this wall than the wall of cabinets. I don’t believe a single professional builder in this area would have thought to finish that shelf above your fridge they way you did. They would have left the supports showing. Yours is so polished looking. There’s more than enough room for your refrigerator. Plus this wall looks so efficient.

    And the crown molding? LOL. My husband and I had that very same pile of molding pieces. We were so good at simple mitering, but when we tried compound mitering, we missed it every time. Finally, we were so frustrated that we just sat down and laughed and laughed at ourselves. It relieved the frustration better than crying. We won’t try that again unless we get someone to cut us a cheat board the way on reader did.

    I love what you are doing, and especially the decorative feet for the cabinets. And all those questions about cleaning? Good grief, using the nozzle end of the vacuum cleaner will pick anything right up when it gets bad enough that you have to. LOL.

    While you do have to lower the front of the refrigerator some, do not make it level. It’s supposed to slightly higher at the front so the doors will close easier. At least that’s what the delivery man told me. It does work.

  • Reply To This Comment ↓
    Sharon
    June 9, 2014 at 9:06 pm

    Looks great Kristi!

  • Reply To This Comment ↓
    DeAndrea
    June 9, 2014 at 9:19 pm

    You are inspiring me!! And I CANNOT wait to see the lovely green paint go up! I love color as well. It will be fantastic!

  • Reply To This Comment ↓
    Bluvelvet
    June 9, 2014 at 9:44 pm

    Great job! I really enjoy following your progress especially since hubby and I are doing a complete renovation of our kitchen and it is taking the two of us twice the time! We must take longer breaks or something. You are amazing!

  • Reply To This Comment ↓
    Ruth
    June 10, 2014 at 6:58 am

    Kristi you are truly the most talented woman I have ever seen. My late husband was a remodeling contractor and when he died I had several projects around here half done, I had his tools and watched him countless hours. I figured, I can finish up this stuff. He made it look easy and so do you. I butchered more trim, etc. than not. When you say this is all I got done, you are not giving yourself enough credit. Anyone that has hired contractors to do things in their home knows how slow things go. But of course they come around nine, leave for lunch for an hour or so, and clean up and are gone by four. They don’t get up at the crack of dawn and work til midnight 7 days a week the way you do. You are doing a wonderful job. 🙂

  • Reply To This Comment ↓
    Laura
    June 10, 2014 at 7:03 am

    You crack me up! Disappointed? Girl, you’d work circles around me! Literally – I’d never even attempt most of this stuff, yet you make it look as easy as baking a cake! You are doing a beautiful job! Cannot wait to see the finished product!!

  • Reply To This Comment ↓
    Annette
    June 10, 2014 at 7:44 am

    You are an inspiration! I LOVE reading your blog because you do it all and you explain it all. I am always amazed. Thanks for having this blog!

  • Reply To This Comment ↓
    Richella Parham
    June 10, 2014 at 8:19 am

    Wow. That’s about all I can get out right now. Just wow.

    On second thought, I will say a few things, starting with the fact that I’ve just spent the better part of an hour clicking through your blog, looking at one project after another. And that leads me to the next thing: you’re amazing! And so inspiring.

    I tend to be a rather timid DIYer. I used to be fairly intrepid, but these days I’ve adopted something of an “I might mess that up” sort of mentality. I’ll be honest–yesterday I agonized over whether I might be able to re-cover a lampshade. A lampshade, for crying out loud! Reading about your adventured in DIY and decorating have given me a good wake-up call. A kick in the pants. A helping hand. Whatever you call it, I’m grateful for it. Thanks for being so inspiring!

    Okay, now I’m to the point of gushing, so I’ll stop. But I do thank you, very much.

  • Reply To This Comment ↓
    Krikit
    June 10, 2014 at 12:05 pm

    *You* are AMAZEBALLS! 😀

  • Reply To This Comment ↓
    Megan
    June 10, 2014 at 1:27 pm

    I love all the details you post here–so helpful! On that note, I saw a mention of converting hardwired sconces into plug-in fixtures, and I have been debating doing just that but have no clue how to do it safely. Would you be able to post how you do yours? Thanks!

  • Reply To This Comment ↓
    Julie
    June 10, 2014 at 2:39 pm

    I just looked at your home page where the photo of the first day’s progress on this was right next to the photo for this article. The extra touches you’ve added (enclosure, cabinet tops, crown, feet) make such a HUGE difference. Even as a reader, it’s so exciting to see your vision come to life. I can’t begin to imagine how exciting it must be for you as the creator. I can’t wait to see more! Oh, and I know it’s been said by others, but it bears repeating that you’re amazing!

  • Reply To This Comment ↓
    Rachel
    June 11, 2014 at 9:01 am

    Your posts weren’t showing up in my reader! I just popped over here to see if you had anything new, and WOW! Have you been busy! Everything looks wonderful and I love the floors. Can’t wait for the green!

  • Reply To This Comment ↓
    Gilmer Gal
    June 11, 2014 at 9:22 am

    Wow! I went on a one week vacation in the cool Smokies and get back to a tremendous amount of work on your kitchen. I’m squealing now at the transformation and progress you have made. I’m having so much fun with this, even to the point that I think maybe even I can install cabinets! This is just great, Kristi. Thanks for showing us how to do things, even if they’re not in the “right order.” HA

  • Reply To This Comment ↓
    Why I DIY (And Love Every Minute Of It)
    June 11, 2014 at 10:05 am

    […] after reading Darlene’s comment on Monday’s post where she […]

  • Reply To This Comment ↓
    Suesan
    June 11, 2014 at 12:09 pm

    It’s looking great, Kristi. Have you ever tried the Kreg Crown Pro Jig? It’s also a little confusing, because that’s just the nature of crown molding, but I find it much MUCH easier to cut crown molding with it than without it.

  • Reply To This Comment ↓
    JP
    June 11, 2014 at 8:46 pm

    So relieved to see that you are going to reverse the doors on the fridge. You had me worried there for a second when I saw the picture. 🙂

  • Reply To This Comment ↓
    Sheri
    June 14, 2014 at 2:42 pm

    Hi, just an FYI – I was looking at Kreg accessories and discovered that they have a jig to help cut crown molding.

  • Reply To This Comment ↓
    Lynda
    June 16, 2014 at 10:49 am

    You are amazing Kristi!!

  • Reply To This Comment ↓
    Sue
    June 16, 2014 at 1:47 pm

    I’m trying to catch up with your blog as I’ve been offline for over a week. Anyway, I love the crown moulding trim and that sweet little shelf above the refrig. Very nice and you continue to amaze me with the amount of work you complete in such a short time.

  • Reply To This Comment ↓
    Hilary
    June 24, 2014 at 7:03 am

    Hi Kristi,
    To assemble the frig surround, did you use a nail gun, hammer & nails or screws?

  • Reply To This Comment ↓
    Elizabeth Sagarminaga
    July 21, 2014 at 1:51 am

    Hi Kristi,
    It is looking enormous. Everything looks wonderful and I love the floors. You are an inspiration! I LOVE reading your blog. Kristi you are truly the most talented woman I have ever seen. You are doing a wonderful job Thanks for having this blog!