Blog Series: Kitchen Remodel in Mexico – Introduction to the Project

Remember that lovely condo I showed you a few weeks ago? The one we loooooove. Well, we didn’t love the kitchen, and we can never leave “just okay” alone. So, we are doing a kitchen remodel {gulp} in Mexico. Let’s see, we don’t know any contractors here, AND we don’t speak the language. What could possibly go wrong?!

Brad and I have done five major remodeling projects in our 17-year marriage. The hardest one by FAR was the kitchen. Some might say we’re old pros at this. The truth is, we know better, but we’re doing it anyway!

Scope of the Remodel

We are completely gutting the kitchen and starting over. It is a good-sized area, but the original G-shaped layout creates wasted space. The key tasks of the project include:

• Removing the existing drywall ceiling (including the cupola feature); replacing it with a ceiling approximately 18 inches higher than the original.
• Replacing the 20-year-old cabinets and granite.
• Changing the layout from G-shape to an L-Shape + island
• Updating all appliances and kitchen amenities (e.g., garbage disposal, UV light water purification system, etc.). 
• In conjunction with the kitchen remodel, we are replacing the air-conditioning throughout the condo. 

Here is the inspiration photo:

Our Approach to a Successful Remodel in Mexico (Fingers Crossed)

Since retiring in Mexico, we have really embraced the “mañana culture” of putting off tasks until tomorrow. Okay, maybe comfortably-tolerate is a better description. Side note: mañana literally translates to tomorrow, but in practice, mañana just means “it ain’t happening today.” To that end, we know how miserable it is to live through a kitchen remodel, so we will do everything humanly possible to get it done quickly. 

Kristi’s Role

In my former life, I led extremely complex software implementation projects. So, while managing this project is a lot of work, it is certainly a familiar job that I enjoy. The project plan is already in Asana. I’m documenting everything in the world and sending out status reports that NO ONE cares about (except me). Ah, yes, unread status reports… feels like home!

Brad’s Role

An attorney and former Senior Executive Officer for Choctaw Nation (one of the largest Native American Tribes in the US), Brad is a big-picture guy who is always 10 steps ahead. He has an eye for detail like no one I know and has already prevented several errors. We would surely be heading toward disappointment if he wasn’t on-site to oversee the work.

Living in our Condo During the Remodel

Few things are more nerve-wracking than living in a home while destroying the kitchen (aka the hub of the house). But, as they say in Oklahoma, this ain’t our first rodeo!

Why Are We Living Inside a Construction Zone?

Several things justify staying here, but the primary reason is that to keep the project moving, one of us must be here every minute work is performed. The project planning phase was rushed, so the finer details are being worked out on the fly. We currently have one bedroom that is not disrupted by the project, so we are comfortable.

Camping With a View

If living in a construction zone is like camping, this is the best campsite in Mexico! We have a small outdoor bar area on the terrace with a tiny bar sink and dorm fridge. Now, where we come from, it is not entirely uncommon for folks to have indoor furniture sitting outside on their front porch. So, I didn’t bat an eye when I put a dish drying mat, microwave, blender, and my Ninja Foodi air fryer/grill outside. Redneck instincts prevail once again!  

We have our Green Protein Smoothies for breakfast, a sandwich, or random unhealthy frozen junk food cooked in the air fryer for lunch. Then, we usually go out to one of our favorite restaurants for dinner.

P.S. I forgot how delicious Bagel Bites are!

Recap – Kitchen Remodel in Mexico (Intro Post)

Here we are, “…at the very beginning, a very good place to start”. Follow along on our journey to see the progress, hear the war stories, and probably even have a laugh or two at our expense as we remodel our kitchen in Mexico.

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