A Great Start to the New Year?

Happy new year everyone! After a rough, long night of watching my alma mater lose, I'm diving in to my first major project of the new year. Well maybe I should say I'm continuing to dive into my last big project of 2014. As you all know, I was working on my dining room at the end of the year. Although it's almost finished, there is still something I don't quite like (which is why I haven't shared photos with all of you yet). I thought it was the windows. And actually, the windows were a large part of it. I remedied that by adding window grids. Oh! That reminds me... I completely forgot to tell all of you that Remodelaholic is featuring my window grids! Y'all know I love me some Remodelaholic! Check it out here and give them some love for sharing!

Ok... but back to my project (that darn ADD of mine). After doing the window grids and liking the overall look but still not loving something I thought maybe, just maybe it is the bar/kitchen. Since the two rooms share space the design of one really affects the design of the other. Also, I've been wanting to get rid of my counters since moving in. They are nice and, I've been told, very expensive, but they just weren't me. I've actually had granite companies refuse to remove them because they are "so expensive and nice. Why would you get rid of these?" Because I don't like them, that's why. Doesn't it drive you crazy when people tell you you are crazy for your vision. But I digress. I called my girlfriend Erica and asked if she wanted them. She's commented before that she loves them and I'd much rather give them to someone I adore than to sell them. When she said she would take them, I got to work. Note: My "real" camera died so I was forced to use my iphone. I apologize for the terrible pics but I thought they would at least give you an idea.

The enormous bar became a daily space for collecting junk. I would love to say this was just because it's the holidays, but really, it's because it's so easy to just sit stuff there.

After cleaning the bar I began demoing it. I took the backsplash off first and was I surprised at what I saw.

There were random pieces of studs and wood holding our electrical boxes by a thread. After discovering this, I was nervous to see what else I would find. I got to work demoing out the bar and back of the island and found this:

There were wires EVERYWHERE, along with more random pieces of wood, busted up sheetrock (I didn't make that hole by the dishwasher) and just a mess. I persevered and did the other side. When all was said and done, I was left with this:

That's where it was at the end of 2014. Then, on January 1st, my friend Erica called and said she was ready to get the granite so the hubs and I demoed it all. I would love to show all of you a picture, but I accidentally deleted it last night (one of the bad things about using your phone) and there is a ton of stuff sitting on them temporary cabinets right now (aka, plywood).

For now, I'm off to finish the backside of the bar. If this weather clears up, I can knock out the projects, but until the rain goes away I'm stuck doing only a few things inside. So there you have it! Have you started any projects this year?