Having survived a four-month long master bathroom renovation at the beginning of 2019, I was dragging my feet when it came time to dismantle our kitchen. While it looked nice enough, it struggled to keep up with our family. The appliances appeared to enjoy malfunctioning, the cabinets and drawers were worn and uneven and the overall look did not reflect our style. Yet, it was hard to give the green-light because I knew ‘4 weeks’ in contractor-speak really meant ‘4-ever’. I attempted at first, to add to my renovation denial thinking we could reface the cabinets we already had.
Mad Dog had other ideas.
He wanted a full tear-out. I agreed that a tear-out was certain but it would only consist of all my hair.
He kept pushing.
He researched and found a highly-lauded cabinet designer. Within a few short weeks the date of doom was set. Goodbye old kitchen and hello weeks of construction chaos.
Within that first week our ‘4-week’ project quickly went off the rails. Underneath our sink, pipes had been leaking causing rotted wood. The pony wall connecting to this area was rotted out as well and the surrounding flooring needed to be tore-up, reinforced and replaced.
It was an ugly time for all.
As the weeks dragged on and the hiccups continued, I started to see this process as a life metaphor. If we hadn’t taken the time to deconstruct the entirety of the kitchen, we never would have known the rotted wood existed. Sometimes in life we have to go deep beyond the surface to clear away what no longer serves us. This is harder than a simple resurface, but it opens us up to living more aligned with our truth and our values.
As the finish line drew near, I had another paradigm-shifting insight thanks to our kitchen counters. My design choice is unique to say the least. In a world of white subway tile and trending white countertops, my bold, sea-glass themed recycled glass-tops are unexpected to put it mildly. It took courage and a ton of encouragement from Mad Dog, but I went with what my heart wanted.
At the end of the day I know it will not be loved by all, but it most likely will inspire a reaction. Isn’t that kind of the point of innovative design? To make you feel something? And isn’t it kind of the point to follow your heart even if what you love defies the norms of larger society.
But for me, the ultimate kicker is that Mad Dog championed my choice a thousand percent from start to finish. He could care less what anyone else thinks because all that matters to him is what I think.
Every time I sit at my turquoise-speckled counter enjoying a cup of my favorite tea, I not only immerse myself in ocean-minded daydreams, I am reminded how loved I am.
These are the most beautiful countertops in the whole world.
Writes for all Mommies 