Last Updated on October 25, 2019 by Kristi Linauer
Yesterday morning, I declared that I was going to be accountable and share updates with y’all every single day on my pantry progress until it’s completely finished. Well, are you ready to see how much I got done yesterday?
Here’s the list I made before I got started. I’m one of those people who prefers an actual handwritten list over anything kept on my phone or computer. I like to be able to hold it in my hands, take a pen and mark things off, and see it at a glance.
When I rewrote my list, I ended up with 20 items, and yesterday I was able to cross off five items! It was a pretty productive day! Here’s a video showing what I got done…
(Having trouble viewing that video? Click here to watch on YouTube.)
I started off with the easiest items on the list — installing the stiles on the upper cabinets…
And I followed up with the next easiest thing on the list — finishing the ceiling paint around the edges. I figured if I could get some really easy items done and see some checkmarks on my list, I’d be motivated to keep on working. And I was!
After doing a few really easy items, I decided to tackle a project I’ve been dreading — installing the outlet at the back of the shelf where the microwave will go. That ended up being way more time-consuming that I had anticipated. It actually required rewiring two existing outlets while also installing the new one. I explain more about that in the video above. As frustrating as it was, I was so glad that I was doing that rewriting work while the studs are still accessible from the studio/half bathroom side.
Then I decided to finish up my work day by finishing up the building of the new drawer fronts…
I can get those primed and sanded today, and then I’ll be ready to paint the four cabinet doors and three drawer fronts.
Five things done, fifteen to to. I’m feeling quite encouraged! 🙂
Update:
My pantry is finished! Want to see the entire project from start to finish? You can find every single post about the pantry build right here…
Or you can skip to the end and see how it turned out. Here’s a peek of the finished pantry…
You can see more pictures on the before and after post right here…
Addicted 2 Decorating is where I share my DIY and decorating journey as I remodel and decorate the 1948 fixer upper that my husband, Matt, and I bought in 2013. Matt has M.S. and is unable to do physical work, so I do the majority of the work on the house by myself. You can learn more about me here.
I hope you’ll join me on my DIY and decorating journey! If you want to follow my projects and progress, you can subscribe below and have each new post delivered to your email inbox. That way you’ll never miss a thing!
50 Comments
Sheila F.
December 15, 2018 at 8:37 amGO KRISTY! GO KRISTY! GO KRISTY!
Sheila F.
BobsGal
December 15, 2018 at 8:43 amDITTO….DITTO….DITTO….👏🏻
Deanna
December 15, 2018 at 11:02 amYay!!! I say this all the time, and brag about you to my husband all the time, but you are my inspiration! Keep up the awesome work! I love watching everything you do!
Micki Carter
December 15, 2018 at 8:38 amYou are making me motivated but I am still sitting here.
Caroline-ND
December 15, 2018 at 8:42 amEverything is so lovely!
You must hurry! My sad kitchen is waiting for the magical assistance of your northern-tier tour!
Pamela
December 15, 2018 at 8:43 amYOU GO GIRL!
Cate
December 15, 2018 at 8:52 am5 things on your first day!
You give me hope that my (never-ending) reno may actually complete someday.
You totally got this!
Kate S
December 15, 2018 at 9:09 amExcellent way to begin!!!! Thanks for the Saturday morning update 😀
Cathy In WV
December 15, 2018 at 9:10 amWow! You’re a quarter of the way there! And you even did (what I would consider) the hardest things first. You’ve got this!!!
Just a quick question. Is there a reason you didn’t build the drawer fronts on your large drawers (fake drawers?) to match the other doors? They look more like a shaker style as opposed to traditional.
Kristi
December 15, 2018 at 9:16 amJust a style choice. I wanted to try a mix of two styles. 🙂
Andrea
December 15, 2018 at 9:11 amGreat job. It is coming along. Keep at it!
Jo Ann
December 15, 2018 at 9:15 amKeep up the good work! You’re doing great! It’s looking really pretty!
Eileen
December 15, 2018 at 9:18 amSuper progress! Isn’t a list wonderful? I love checking off the finished items.
Carol E
December 15, 2018 at 9:24 amAlways enjoy your videos! Thank you for preparing it after a long reno day. I stand in awe of your accomplishments. A job well done!!!!
Hope
December 15, 2018 at 9:33 amI got one do not doubt that you WILL get this done! Finished! Complete! Finito!
I need this for my own punch list and lack of interest at this point to get it done. I do not want to see my master bath again till this time next year.
I feel your pain!
Carol F
December 15, 2018 at 9:37 amI’m so excited for you! Love the counter tops!!!
Phyllis
December 15, 2018 at 9:39 amYes!!
Carole Prisk
December 15, 2018 at 9:42 amKeep that surge going. You will be finishing that pantry in no time!
Donna T
December 15, 2018 at 9:49 amEat right and get your rest. An injury or illness would not be good.
Pauline
December 15, 2018 at 10:05 amI love your Aussie twang, you sound just like my Australian cousin. Been following you a long time now and I can’t wait to see your home finished. It’s amazing. You get there girl. Keep telling yourself ‘your getting a break then your done 😀👍
Jason
December 15, 2018 at 2:02 pmI might be wrong but i don’t think Kristi is an Aussie or has an Aussie twang.Xx
Linda
December 15, 2018 at 2:40 pmYep, it’s just a southern thing 😋😋
PAULINE
December 18, 2018 at 1:02 pmHi Jason & Linda, You picked me up wrong. I wasn’t saying Kristi was Australian. I think she did write that Matt and her lived a while in Aussie land, could be wrong! Anyway, may it be Aussie, Texan or Southern thing, I love it. -))
Ishtar
December 15, 2018 at 10:29 amOnce you get going, you’re unstoppable.
And not to add to your to-do, but are you planning on doing shelves in the upper cabinets? Or are you storing tall stuff up there?
Janine Johnson
December 15, 2018 at 10:32 amYou make everything beautiful! And, your handwriting is also gorgeous! 😀
Tammy (Pa)
December 15, 2018 at 10:32 amWOW JUST WOW….five things already…!!! You go Kristi..!! My suggestion to you would be to use a highlighter to mark each item off. Visually that would make it easier to see what you accomplished.!!!!
Way to go…!!! Gosh I was telling my guy about you yesterday and how you get on yourself for not completing what you have set out to complete and here I tried putting up a darn sticker quote in our kitchen and it took me forever just to get it placed right…!!!! Then your all about re-wiring electrical and everything….I WANT TO BE YOU….!!!!
YOU GOT THIS…!!!! You will be finished before your completion date…!!! LOVE IT…!!!!
Gertrude Gaehring
December 15, 2018 at 10:36 amYou never cease to amaze me!!
Alice
December 15, 2018 at 10:43 amYou are going to have the best pantry in the world and I’m not kidding and it’s beautiful!!
cyd
December 15, 2018 at 10:44 amThis is so great to see. You inspire me!
Lynn
December 15, 2018 at 11:00 amAwesome, awesome, awesome!
Gweb
December 15, 2018 at 11:01 amYou go, Girl! What a great way to wrap
up the year. This space is too wonderful to be called simply a “pantry.”
Arli
December 15, 2018 at 11:13 amYay Kristi! You go girl!
Bev
December 15, 2018 at 11:34 amMan, what a great day you had. Keep it going and you will have the best Christmas present EVER!
Jeannie
December 15, 2018 at 12:12 pmI have “Pantry envy”!!! SO pretty.
Jana Leigh
December 15, 2018 at 12:25 pmGirl, you are a MACHINE. I so wish I had your skill -and your confidence!
chiflipper
December 15, 2018 at 12:33 pmI’m clapping, way to go!
Leah
December 15, 2018 at 1:29 pmAwesome to get the little things done. I myself have sooo much little stuff yet to do that sometimes it seems insurmountable.
As I was looking at your outlet I have to make one suggestion, one that I, myself, wish I could redo; install a recessed outlet (you know the kind that actually sits inside the wall cavity). I have a countertop microwave positioned in a nook and not readily visible. When i spec’d out its depth everything looked kosher. Until I plugged it in. The end of the cord pushed it forward another 2″. Unfortunately, I had already tiled around the outlet before I knew this! Redoing was not an option, but it bothers me every time I use the microwave. SIGH. Your situation is a bit different (pantry–not the kitchen itself, cabinet may be deep enough so won’t notice, paint the outlet to match cabinet color, etc), but maybe someone else will see this and learn from my mistake.
Congrats on moving down the list.
Jason
December 15, 2018 at 1:57 pmI love your work, and love seeing your progress, but my lord girl you are a messy worker….you always get there in the end. Its going to be amazing you can do it. Now just because you got 5 things checked off don’t mean you can slack off!!! LOL I hope you have a wonderful productive sunday. Did you ever see that email of the Christmas baubles i sent? Xx
Kristi
December 15, 2018 at 1:58 pmI did see them! I could have sworn I responded, but it’s very likely I got sidetracked. 😂 They were awesome!
Jason
December 15, 2018 at 2:12 pmI knew you’d love them. Xx
Linda
December 15, 2018 at 2:43 pmYAY!!!that’s all I can say!! Great job!!
Melody
December 15, 2018 at 3:44 pmYay!! Keep it up! It looks great!
Marianne in Mo.
December 15, 2018 at 4:22 pmOkay, you got 5 things done, but I’m holding to your request that we crack the whip to keep you accountable—-get back to work young lady!!! LOL!
AinOakPark
December 15, 2018 at 4:24 pmI’m exhausted just reading about it. I’d better go sit down!
Actually, Christmas guests arrive on Friday right after work, so I am down to the wire with my own list: wrapping, buying last minute things, menu planning, cleaning, bed making, etc. We all have our lists.
That being said, I envy yours since mine will be gone (eaten, opened, used up) soon and YOU will be able to go in the pantry and sigh with pleasure for such a long time!
Just Fab!
Janis Hill
December 15, 2018 at 7:25 pmWAY TO GO, Kristi!
I’m like you. Being able to hold a to do list in my hand makes all the difference. I try to keep it in my line of vision as i go. Seeing those check marks motivates me all the more and it looks like those small marks motivate you as well.
Just think: in a few days it’s gonna be over
I can’t wait to see what you check off tomorrow!
Julie Flanders
December 15, 2018 at 8:40 pmIt’s looking so pretty Kristi. How did you install the stiles?
Kristi
December 15, 2018 at 9:20 pmWood glue and pocket screws. My Kreg pocket hole jig is one of the best tools I own. 🙂
Joyce Casey
December 15, 2018 at 9:21 pmYou got this in the bag! The toughest thing you have left is building the additional pullouts! From there it is easy peasy, you will be done in 3 more full days is my projection!
Sakly
December 16, 2018 at 6:57 amPlease do not be discouraged! I know you are at the 10 percent “left” stage, where everything seems to take forever, but just keep your eyes on the prize, which is the beautiful and beautifully functional pantry you have designed and worked so hard for. Because of the aforementioned beauty and function, I think you should start calling this the Butler’s pantry. You have the wooden countertops and the same sort of storage, so claim it!
Tirsa
December 16, 2018 at 5:27 pmYou’re doing it, Kristi! Thumbs up! 🙂