apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

The best thing I did was finally finish the painting in our kitchen. We've been painting the entire apartment since moving in mid-August and the kitchen was really drawn out (lots of trim, weird corners, etc.). We finished the window and hung pictures and aside from three switchplate covers that I'll grab at the hardware store Friday, it's finally finished. And beautiful. And ready for a really good deep scrub. That was my "special project" and I'm so happy it's been checked off the list! Much more "homey" now :)

That's awesome! We'd love to see photos!

I did get some stuff done this weekend though I am far from "caught up." We cleaned out the fridge and I cleaned the stove and vent hood pretty thoroughly. I also cleared everything off of the peninsula (which tends to become a dumping ground) cleaned them and only put back the stuff that belongs there. I can't find a good way to arrange these things without it looking cluttered, though. Oh well. Next step, tackling cabinets above and below the peninsula.

Sure thing! I'll upload them Friday...I am traveling this week but would love to share!

Had a mega day of cleaning on Saturday, the room is sparkling now and I love it.

We added a much-needed shelf to our cupboard of appliances, hinges to an under-oven cubby door, and fixed nails to the inside of a cupboard for our measuring cups which were previously tied together in that very annoying 'use one and they all jangle around getting dirty' way. However, one rebel cup now makes an alarming bid for the floor every time the door is opened... a little tweaking required...

Celebrated with a cracking dinner of bangers and mash.

I pulled out the fridge and stove so I could clean the sides of the appliances and the floors underneath. Then I scoured the under-side of the microwave vent and the filters to get rid of cooking grease and splatters. After that, I gave the stainless steel appliance fronts a good scrub with a stainless steel cleaner (can't believe how much better it works than soap and water - duh). Finally, I got out an old toothbrush and scrubbed all the little crevices on and around the sink, spigot, water aerator, soap dispenser, tile grout, etc. Finally, I gave the window above the sink a good cleaning and added a vase of flowers.

I just have one question: somehow I managed to get cooked-on drips in BETWEEN the two panes of glass on my oven window. How on earth do I clean that out? Do we have to take apart the whole door? argh.

Besides that minor annoyance, the kitchen absolutely sparkles now. Ahhhh. Time for a cup of tea!

I got underneath the oven hood and that was icky. I need to get into the oven. I'm not excited about that at all, but it needs to be done.

I haven't cleaned out one of my everything drawers yet either. It haunts me as well.