Kitchen Demo : Good-bye Dark 70's Kitchen

So, we moved into this new (old) house a few months ago. It is a solid, clean, well built home. But, it was built in the 70's so needs a liiittle updating. It is dark. I'm talking chocolate brown walls, layers and layers of wallpaper, dark stained trim, tiny rooms, heavily tree covered. In the middle of a beautiful sunny summer day we have all the lights on, kind-of-dark. We love love love the location - Love the property and the setting - We just need to brighten things up a bit! I wish it were as easy as clicking and dragging, but let's get real. It will be a process...We're starting with skylights, then a total overhaul of the kitchen. Tearing it down to the studs! This is what demo looks like for us...  This is what it looked like before we took out that "L" shaped wall in the kitchen. Notice how dark the room behind it is. That is our dining room. And the room you see with the windows in the background, on the right side, that is the great room. This is after I had painted the walls. I could only live with the dark brown walls for a matter of days before depression started setting in... Sorry, if you like brown walls. I just can not handle life in a dark environment ;P   Here we go! No turning back now!    Talk about home education ;)  These kids are learning things that you just can't find in a text book.      And I have no words... this is my real life people!  I so look forward to the day where I don't have to do dishes in my bathroom. Don't tell anybody, but I may or may not have showered with the dishes during their pre-wash cycle. ;)    I love that while life is so crazy, and we're living in a work zone, he still takes the time to be Daddy. Capturing tender moments like these remind me to keep it all in perspective <3 TO BE CONTINUED...