Phase one of the long-awaited kitchen project has begun. What was a full bath on the first floor (only the sink was working properly when I bought the place) and the tiny pantry behind it have been torn out, and are framed. The larger of the two rooms (the former bath) will be a pantry (above), with a door leading into both the kitchen and the dining room. On the backside will be a tiny powder room, with just enough room for a small sink, a toilet and a litter box (that last is for the cat, just to be clear).

My electrician has added a few outlets and installed temporary lights. Now I just need my plumber to fit me into his schedule. In the meantime, I have to patch the floor in the pantry before sanding and refinishing. Then there’s drywall to hang and finish (walls and ceilings – ugh), trim to make and install where the original is missing, a tile floor to install in the powder room, and a big floor-to-ceiling cupboard to build.

I’m not starting on the kitchen proper until the pantry is done. Unlike during my last kitchen renovation, that will afford me some counter space and storage space to work with while the kitchen is out of commission, instead of cramming the entire kitchen contents and appliances into my dining room and living room. (This time I’ll get away with just most of the kitchen contents and appliances crammed into the dining room and living room.)