Kitchen renovations,microwave over stove

The kitchen is still in flux. We are in a constant state of redesign, even when we think we are done. Every time it seems we are close to achieving what we would like, we see a bargain or come into a few dollars and we decide to make a change. This change is a really good one. Mr has installed an over the stove microwave. We are used to living with one of these helpful appliances, but we have lived without it for the past few years since moving to this old house. We had a counter top model, but they do not substitute for a strong wall hung model that has a high power base and can majorly effect the way we cook something. The counter top model does not fit all casserole dishes, or lasagna dishes, so it hinders our ability to cook the way we would want to. The wall hung microwave makes cooking easier and faster so we are grateful that we again have one in our home.

The installation of this appliance did present many problems. We had a span of cabinets already installed in that space, and this microwave would not just drop into that space. Mr had to remove all upper cabinets. He then had to cut one of the cabinets (he dismantled the whole cabinet first)  to change it's width so that the microwave would fit between the cabinets. This was a time consuming proposition, but he did it! The other problem involved making the cabinet over the stove usable, and reachable after the microwave is installed. We opted for raising the cabinet, which happens to be very "in style" right now. It added a modern vibe to the old kitchen and I like it. You can see the new raised top line in the cabinets, in the photo.

before microwave

raised cabinet after microwave

In addition to the microwave we changed out the white stove which was pretty worn out...it had stretched out door springs....for a new black one which we like a lot. I like the look of the black stove and microwave matching each other and breaking up the kitchen with some black spaces, because the kitchen was just too darn white. We still have to deal with whitening up the dark sides on the cabinet that was raised. These are the cabinets that were renovated to redo the kitchen. On the other refinished cabinets I installed white beadboard to the sides to give a historical look, but a modern touch to the redone kitchen cabinets.  I think I will do the same to this cabinet.

More on this kitchen reno:

http://shoresidefarmhouse.blogspot.com/2011/09/renovation-of-kitchen-doorway-floor.html

http://shoresidefarmhouse.blogspot.com/2012/02/cabinet-renovation-tips-cabinet.html

http://shoresidefarmhouse.blogspot.com/2012/03/kitchen-layout-kitchen-reno-cabinet.html

http://shoresidefarmhouse.blogspot.com/2012/02/window-redo-improved-interior.html

http://shoresidefarmhouse.blogspot.com/2012/03/kitchen-project-finishes-up.html