Even though it’s been a full year since you were finally completed, we still appreciate you just as much as we did on day one — yes, even after those four challenging months of living on fast food. A few thank-yous are in order.
Thank you for being the centerpiece of our home. You’re beautiful — and while we might be biased, the way you draw people into this space makes the whole house feel more polished. You raised the bar and motivated us to bring the rest of the rooms up to the same standard.
Thank you for creating flow throughout the home. You might boast about having the widest doorways, but really it’s about how you make moving through the house effortless. You let us hear each other from room to room and allow small comforts — like watching TV from the stove — that make everyday life more connected and enjoyable.
Thank you for putting up with my cooking experiments. For the most part, your layout and extra prep space help those attempts go better, and the abundant storage keeps our pans and gadgets organized. And when a recipe goes sideways, the dishwasher and easy-clean surfaces make cleanup far less mortifying.
Thank you for turning us into storytellers. You were worth sharing, and because of you we started documenting and posting our progress. That decision connected us to readers who enjoyed watching the space come together — and inspired Young House Love to spotlight parts of the project. You gave us something to share.
Most of all, thank you for being finished. Designing you and watching you come together was fun, educational and rewarding — but also incredibly tiring. The relief of finally being able to use the space without dust, contractors and constant decisions is priceless.
When we hear about friends and family starting their own kitchen remodels, we’re excited for them — but we can’t say we envy the chaos that comes with construction. We’ll happily admire their finished spaces from a comfortable distance and accept any leftovers they’re willing to share.
So dear kitchen, thank you. You’ve made everyday routines smoother, hosted celebrations and quiet mornings, and given us a room that functions beautifully while looking great. Here’s to a delicious second year together.
Love, John & Sherry