01 June 2009

Learning to compromise: part I

Not too soon after we got home that night - well, dinner, clean-up, a quick run to Home Depot to satisfy my cabinet curiosities there - we started planning. By we, I mean me. Sitting on the bed, Ikea software on the computer. The BF playing video games. You know how it works out.

I start planning the ideal remodel: cabinets, a pantry, roll-front cabinet. And then I look at the total. And BF says, "Is it really worth doing the remodel?" BOOM! CRASH! BURN!!! There go my hopes of gorgeous blue glass cabinets, the nice corner sink, the extra cabinet space...

I would like to tell you that I said, "No problem, honey. We can just leave the cabinets as is and everything will be fine." But the reality of the matter is that I was upset. After all the thought and research, planning and longing that went into getting the kitchen planned, it's hard to change gears to a downgrade that fast. I mean, seriously - from "here, plan your ideal kitchen and we'll talk about it" to "Does it even make sense to do this?" - it's kind of emotional torture! So I pouted. I did. Not proud to admit it, but it was better than bursting into tears (which, admittedly, I was also inclined to do).

Luckily, a little sleep does a world of good. After some careful consideration overnight, I came to terms with the idea of merely painting the existing cabinet doors and adding a few narrow cabinets for some extra room. It will be a lot less expensive, and possibly more fun! I'll save my true ideal kitchen for when we have a real house. Only a few more years...:-)