Cross “Install Granite Countertop” Off the List
Things got back to order at our house. Yep, after a day of tweaking, Martin did it. He managed to correct our crooked countertop by shaving off a piece of this cabinet in the front:

It was sad to let that extra space go. We’d custom built it to hold some of our plates that are now homeless and looking for a place to go. But that’s how life is sometimes, right?
So no more sadness. We’re back to doing dishes in the kitchen with our brand new sink instead of in the bathroom. And the half-size washing machine is back to its original position of not being a food prep counter. Things really are looking up. (Even if we can’t stop looking DOWN at that beautiful countertop.) Here’s a peek taken from between the table saw and the plastic curtain dividing our living room:

Perfect, huh? We picked out this granite countertop from the mom and pop shop down the street who sold us our oven/microwave combo. We really wanted to get a recycled glass countertop or other recycled material, but we never managed to find anything in Germany. I think you can get fined for not recycling, so we were pretty disappointed with our find in such an environmentally focused country. (Great business startup idea anyone??)
The only reason we could afford a granite countertop was because our kitchen was insanely small. Plus the kitchen shop knocked 10% off the price for installing it ourselves.
So things are coming along. We started sketching out some bathroom plans and hunting for environmentally friendly varnish. And while we’ve got you on the topic, any countertop materials that you favor? Do tell while I go wipe sawdust off of our new kitchen addition…








January 17th, 2009 at 5:18 am
Love the new countertops, just beautiful!
We are about to do a remodel, of sorts, in our kitchen, I’m still not sure what kind of countertops I’d like. It has to be very budget friendly, that’s the main criteria so far lol
January 17th, 2009 at 6:49 am
Looks great so far. I am curious about a couple of things. Or maybe three. I take it that is a two burner stove top you have there. I guess when it is mostly the two of you, that will not be too limiting. Plus you do have the microwave.
The silver under the counter. At first I thought that was a dishwasher, now I am not sure.
The knob or whatever on the wall above the sink. I am not sure what those are supposed to be. Can you enlighten us?
I bet the whole thing will look awesome when you are all finished!
January 17th, 2009 at 7:25 am
It looks beautiful, Katie!! I really like granite countertops even though I’ve never had them. Martin did a great job!
January 17th, 2009 at 8:23 am
Great questions, Linnea. I was thinking of addressing all of those this week… but how about a sneak peak? You’re right about the silver under the counter; it is a dishwasher. And the oven is actually our microwave, too. I wrote about our decision to get the microwave/oven combo unit here if you’re interested in checking it out. It’s a really cool way to save space… just takes a little getting used to at first!
More answers to come! Thank you for asking about these weird details we’ve got in Germany.
Katie
January 17th, 2009 at 8:38 am
Hi Katie -
I found your blog through a few others that I read… Great job on the kitchen! The finish on the cabinets is really cool, and the granite countertops are great!
We’re just beginning plans for our own kitchen renovation and I would love to hear more about recycled glass countertops… (or anything else you know about countertop materials, for that matter).
Jen
January 17th, 2009 at 9:31 am
That looks GREAT!! We have granite and when I was reading up on what to clean it with, I read to not use any chemicals on it. Just soap and warm water. I do use Weiman (you could use any brand really) granite polish to shine it up a bit before we have company! So far so good!
January 17th, 2009 at 11:15 am
It looks beautiful! I love the striations and gorgeous veins and colors in the granite you picked. You guys have made such smart use of the space. Having a small kitchen myself, I’ve realized that small is actually pretty functional. Everything’s within arm’s reach, plus it’s so much easier to clean!
January 17th, 2009 at 6:41 pm
I’m so glad you stopped in for a visit and for your sweet comment on the collage projects. The counter top looks great!!! I think that is going to be one darling little kitchen when you get done!
January 17th, 2009 at 7:53 pm
Katie…it looks very very nice…the kitchen is coming great..
January 23rd, 2009 at 12:35 am
It looks so nice! How great that you & your husband are so handy & can do it yourselves. :)
January 27th, 2009 at 7:33 am
I love the finishes you’ve chosen – I think your kitchen is gorgeous. We’d like to have granite, but can’t upgrade anytime soon, so we make do with our formica and it works just fine for us! :)
January 28th, 2009 at 8:17 am
You guys ended up with a smaller version of our kitchen lol
The wood on your cabinets is nearly the same color…and the granite is exactly the same. Paradiso Bash :) I just love it.
The kitchen looks great! You guys have done a fantastic job!