It all started about three and a half years ago when perusing Renovations Manitoba, Jennifer Swanston noticed Dynasty Bath and Kitchen Centre advertising tubsurround. Knowing something had to be done about the second story bathroom tub area in their home of 35 years, Jennifer made the call, had the job done and was impressed by the professionalism, expertise, speed and cleanliness of the job. Having had such a positive experience, they decided to install a bathroom in the basement where one had not existed before. Well, you read about that herculean effort in our Spring 2002 issue, and found that Jennifer and husband Ken Swanston felt as good about their second foray into the
world of renovation, as they did about the first.

     Well, the reno bug has bitten again! This time it was the kitchen. Back in the 60's, dark brown was the colour of the day and plain was the name of the game. Plain slab-style cupboards and entry doors, minimal counter, cupboard and drawer space, a carpeted floor and a less-than-efficient back hall closet. The eating area had a faux brick wall and didn't really beckon you to come sit and chat. Armed with a very good idea of what they wanted in their new kitchen - light, bright and oak, lots of it - the Swanstons again contacted Dynasty in May of 2002 to start the ball rolling. Rob Syrenne (Sales) was familiar with the Swanstons and their home by this third go-'round, and in Jennifer's opinion, "is a really good ideas man, and Ted Kennedy (Dynasty's installer) can do everything and does everything well." So they really meant it when they said "no Ted, no kitchen!" After a few visits to nail down the design and the materials, the plans were drawn up and a time line was struck so that no day would be wasted. The job began on September 3 and in exactly three weeks and two days the kitchen was finished - just in time for company!

By simply installing the sink on an angle in the corner, he freed up more counter space than the Swanstons had even hoped for.

     The kitchen was gutted right down to the drywall, which had to be replaced, and to the subfloor. To save the cost of removal, the new drywall went right over the old and the original cupboards were salvaged so Jennifer could pass them on to cottage friends.

     Barry Gesell of Visions Kitchens who designs and builds all the cabinets for Dynasty recognized that the working space needed to be capitalized. By simply installing the sink on an angle in the corner, he freed up more counter space than the Swanstons had even hoped for. The work area of the kitchen was now softened to a U-shape making the area look larger and allowing for the installation of beautiful, glass-front upper corner cabinets. The dishwasher was installed in the corner on the other side.

     Ceiling-high, 4-shelf, light oak cabinets allowed for more storage space than the old 3-shelf cabinets and crown molding finished the top with style. An oak valence over the window, oak trim on the front of the counters (now 2" higher than the standard because the Swanstons are tall people), a white tile backsplash all around with a light sprinkling of fruit-motif embossed tiles, lots of drawers, some with cutlery dividers, clean-looking pot lights in the ceiling and task lighting under the upper cabinets, all came together to give the Swanstons the kitchen of their dreams! The appliances, all new, all white and purchased from Midland Appliances on Portage Avenue, brought the kitchen into the 21st century. A GE Profile bottom-freezer refrigerator takes the strain out of finding something way at the back, the new GE Profile slide-in style range means there is no raised back panel leaving room to install a GE over-the-range microwave (specially constructed with a fan built in to the bottom to take the place of a vent hood) freeing up even more counter space. A Maytag dishwasher, an in-sink garburator and an oversized Grohe pull-out faucet complete the conveniences.

The kitchen of their dreams, completed on time,
within budget and just in time for company!

     With the faux brick wall removed and new drywall installed in the eating area, two colors of paint, white and blue, were separated by oak wainscotting to carry through the oak theme. The Swanstons treated themselves to a new oak dinette set and a new lighting fixture and the scene was set for many memory-making meals. The entry doors to the kitchen were removed with the exception of the back hall door leading to the basement and outdoors. A bright new French door was installed to capitalize the light. Door frames, non-existent before, were added to the entryways for a finished look and the old back hall closet became a fully functional 2-section pantry with 2-tiered shelving for canned/boxed goods on one side and taller shelving on the other for kitchen-counter appliances.

Any regrets we asked? "Only that we don't have anymore
kitchens or bathrooms to renovate."

     The kitchen of their dreams, completed on time, within budget and just in time for company! Any regrets we asked? "Only that we don't have anymore kitchens or bathrooms to renovate," Jennifer says with a laugh! Be sure to check our next issue - maybe she'll come up with something!