We’re back with a quick kitchen update since we promised to share every step of the process, just like we did more than four years ago with our first kitchen makeover. The electricians arrived this week, and because electrical work in an older house can be risky, we hired a two-person team recommended by friends to take care of several important changes for our new layout. Here’s what they handled:
- Located the mystery wire above the pantry — it turned out to be the dedicated fridge circuit that had been routed oddly through the wall and grounded.
- Rerouted that wire back into the wall and converted it into the outlet for the built-in microwave that will sit next to the pantry.
- Converted the hardwired connection behind the cooktop into a standard plug for the new range.
- Terminated the hardwired connection that served the old wall oven.
- Added a dedicated circuit and outlet for the fridge’s new location across the room so we no longer needed an extension cord.
The main takeaway: the room often has to get worse before it gets better. Below is how the kitchen looked after we shuffled the fridge and pantry for the new layout — you can see the fridge and stove staged while other elements were still missing:
We also had the new counter-depth fridge and the range in place where the old cooktop and cabinet had been, plus some missing granite counters. The photos below show those staging moments:
And here’s how it looked while the electricians were working:
It looked chaotic while they opened the wall, but once the wiring was fixed and the openings were sealed, everything went back in place. The towels came off the appliances, the oven and stove worked, the microwave now has a dedicated outlet so we can start the build-in, there are no more exposed wires above the pantry, the old wall-oven wiring is safely terminated, and the fridge runs without an extension cord. Hooray!
We think the cost was worth it: roughly $80 an hour for two electricians (first hour $87, subsequent hours $70). For local readers curious who we used, it was S.J. Ryan Electric — reliable, fair, and they did solid work. They don’t know we’re bloggers, so this isn’t a sponsored shout-out — just a recommendation for good work.
The kitchen still looks like a mess, but that’s temporary. Once the fridge is built in with white side panels, the exposed paneling and trim are painted, the lighting is updated, cabinets are painted, and the floors, countertops, backsplash, and peninsula are installed, the room will start to come together.
We were lucky that previous owners updated most of the kitchen’s electrical recently, so GFCI protection and other basics were already in place. Living in a single-story ranch also helped because the electricians could access the attic easily to run and reroute wiring. The mystery wire above the old fridge was tricky because that attic area was hard to reach due to the roof pitch, which is why the wall above the pantry had to be opened.
Next up on the ongoing kitchen to-do list (subject to change):
- Build in the fridge
- Build in the microwave
- Demo the old backsplash
- Install the new dishwasher and sell the old one
- Build the new stove to sit flush with cabinets
- Create the peninsula with built or purchased cabinetry
- Remove remaining old counters and install new ones
- Add an 8′ opening between the kitchen and dining room with a contractor’s help
- Buy and build a vent hood over the stove
- Remove upper cabinets on the accent wall and extend the counter to the ceiling backsplash
- Install floating shelves on the accent wall after tiling for cleaner results
- Buy or build matching doors for new cabinetry to blend with existing units
- Install new hinges and hardware
- Redo lighting: remove fluorescent fixtures and fan, add recessed lights in work areas and pendants over the peninsula
- Install cork floors
- Add crown molding to the top of cabinets
- Prime and paint cabinets
- Create a cozy seating nook by the fireplace (chair, rug, side table or ottoman, and built-in shelves)
Breaking a major renovation down into smaller tasks keeps it manageable. It can feel overwhelming — typing that list made our heads spin — but tackling one small project at a time lets you course-correct and avoid rushed decisions. Step by step we’ll get to a finished room we can enjoy for years.
What about you — any weekend projects or electrical updates? Anyone else juggling a never-ending to-do list or tearing a room apart right before the holidays? For whatever reason, we always seem to start big projects at this time of year. Over the years we’ve gutted a kitchen, refinished hardwoods, remodeled a bathroom, and even moved house around the holidays. Maybe renovation dust feels a little like snow — seasonally appropriate in a strange way.
P.S. We were invited to speak at a big DIY and blogging conference this June and are excited (and nervous). Fingers crossed we get to meet some of you there!