The Plan

Before finding a contractor, we needed to figure out what we wanted. After 10 years of thinking, dreaming, and discussing, we pretty much had that down. We prioritized our wish list as follows:

The number one goal is to lighten and brighten. With one small window and a screened porch shading the sliding door in the adjacent eating area, natural light is at a premium. It needs plenty of artificial help, and the current lighting system is feeble at best. Removing the soffits will give the perception of higher ceilings and more space, and improving the lighting will add much-needed illumination.

Goal number two is to upgrade and update. The range and dishwasher are original equipment—22 years old! New appliances are a given. The cabinets are decent builders' grade with solid wood doors, but have plywood carcasses covered in cheap veneer that's not even as good as vinyl shelf paper. It's peeling in several places. New and better cabinets and hardwood floor throughout will complete the upgrade.

Goal number three is to improve storage, workability and traffic flow. To that end, the peninsula will be replaced by an island. That will not only open up the kitchen to the eating area, but free up an entire corner of currently unused space.

With these goals in hand, we went in search of the perfect, trustworthy remodeling contractor. Oh, and we decided on a budget, too. Just picked a number out of the air, really, but it was a start.