DAY 29....

What a day!!!

Well lots got done today. I can almost see the light at the end of the tunnel! Almost!

First thing this morning the guy called to give me the price of the worktop which was actually less than I expected, although still alot of money! He also told me that it wouldn't be ready until Wednesday!!! Poop!

Then Salvatore realised that the fridge wasn't the one that we ordered!! Yesterday when it all arrived I was so busy looking at everything else that I didn't even notice! So after a small arguement on the phone, Raimondo (kitchen guy) agreed to change it. There is a cost involved and he's not sure when the new fridge will arrive. Double poop!!

After I went to pick up the wood and mdf that I ordered last week to make the washing machine cupboard frame and doors, guess what?! Not ready! Not even started! It was on their to-do-list for NEXT week! I really had to restrain myself from exploding in anger and frustration. Triple poop!!!

So even though I'm having a really poopy day things did progress here in my little flat. Alessandro finished all the electrical stuff - my blinds go up and down at the push of a button - the downlights are in and look great - and all the light switches and plugs are working. Stefano touched up the paint work in kitchen and bathroom, fixed the skirting boards, attached the shelf/ledge under the window in the bathroom, sealed the sink, loo and bidet with silicone and finished off a few other odd jobs.

Then just after lunch I got a call from the worktop guy - Worktops arriving tomorrow morning!! I have no idea what made him change his mind, I'm just really glad he did! Yeah!

Next a call from Raimondo - fridge and dishwasher arriving tomorrow morning too! Double yeah!!

To make things even better the man I nearly assaulted in the wood shop calls to tell me he personally has cut all my wood and mdf ! Triple yeah!!!

At this point I felt like dancing, all seemed to be working out well, then Alessandro called me into bathroom to show me that my gorgeous super shower enclosure didn't fit properly on the shower tray and that it is taller than the height of the tiles! Quick call to Sandro (bathroom shop guy) who assured me that it should definately fit. And yes, it DOES fit, they were putting it on wrong!! I wish they hadn't scared me like that! But the problem of the height remains! The only solution is add another row of tiles above the shower. I don't particulary like this solution but I think it's my only option! Compromises!

Sorry about this long boring post. I'll make up for it tomorrow with a whole lot of pics of my hopefully (almost) finished kitchen and bathroom!!!

DAY 24....

New day, new problem, well actually 2....

First problem - we couldn't find the drain for the sink! It was meant to be delivered the other week together with all the other stuff. And it's on the list that the delivery guy gave me which I also signed!! I should have checked all the stuff better.... So once again I had to go and visit Sandro at the bathroom showroom. Just as I arrive, a delivery guy walks into the shop and says to someone that there's a special delivery for Peta! Perfect timing!! My long awaited for taps (sink and bidet) have arrived!! Sandro also sneaked another sink drain into the bag with the taps. Sshh. Problem 1 solved!

Second problem - my lovely sink is attached to the wall and I don't really like the way you can see the supports. Originally I thought that they could be set right under the shelf parts of the sink but it wasn't possible. From above it's okay as you can't see them, but from far away or low down (eg. when you're in the bath or sitting on the loo) you can see them. Problem 2 NOT solved.

See the pics below....

Taken standing.

Taken sitting on the loo (on the closed seat that is!).

See what I mean? It's meant to be a floating sink. Do you think it's a problem, is it worth worrying about? Or is it fine as is? Here's another pic taken standing back.

In the kitchen walls have been sanded and given the first coat of white! The tiles have been brought up from the garage and tomorrow Stefano is going to start putting them up!

I still haven't decided about those pendant lights. I'm going to have a look on ebay....

p.s. 5 more sleeps (until kitchen arrives!)

DAY 22....

Seven more sleeps until the kitchen arrives!!

Today I bought the downlights from Leroy Merlin as the dropped ceiling is up and ready! I just have to decide exactly where I want them as tomorrow morning Stefano will install them.

I was also looking for the small pendant lights but with not much luck! I didn't see any that i liked at Leroy Merlin or Ikea. I then went to a "snobby light shop" to get some ideas but they were waaay too expensive (very lovely but unjustifiably expensive!!). Then in a "normal light shop" I saw some very similar to these ones in the pic below, maybe they were even smaller (7cm diametre) which is good, but... they're not that cheap either and I'd have to order them - 15 days! Actually I don't really know how much to expect to pay for proper lights as I've always had cheap Ikea ones!


Here's a sneak preview of the loo! I had to warn the kids not to use it as it's just resting there!!

KITCHEN LIGHTING IDEAS....

Alessandro has gone to buy the materials needed for the dropped ceiling. I have to decide where I want the lights....

I've seen loads of pics of lovely BIG kitchens with lovely lighting. I just have to see if it would work with my tiny kitchen. Here's a reminder of how skinny the kitchen is.


There will be 3 under cabinet lights plus the light on the range. I was thinking of having a row of recessed spots running length ways and then 2 small pendant lights hanging down on the other side over the worktop / "breakfast bar" whatever it's called. Just did a quick "photoshop" to show you where it will be....

Here's some examples of the combination lighting (spots and pendants) in huge kitchens that I found at Trends.

This one above just has the spots but I love it!

Then to fill in the gap above the overhead cabinets I'd like this kind of lighting...

I'm sure all of this is way too much for a small kitchen.