[ The crowd calls for photos and the ring leader complies ]

I've sifted through all my before/after shots and settled on this view as I find it to be the most dramatic change. Here we have the island - pre-renovation. Note the dated white and green tile, the white appliances, and that awful dove grey tile floor. If you notice nothing else, notice that awful floor. We labored over it for weeks. Good riddance to every blasted piece of it.

Now ... the after renovation view. Black and maple cabinets, brushed nickel pulls, Black Amazon granite, my six burner Electrolux Icon gas cooktop, and, my pride and joy, those lovingly restored heart pine floors. If your eyes are good enough to spy the wall color in the back, ignore it. We haven't changed that yet.

I don't want this "sneak peek" to be like a new grandmother showing off baby photos ... so I'll provide only one more view. My artsy shot of the bar. I think it gives you a better view of the granite and the black/maple cabinet combo.

So? Worth the wait? Coming to see it in person when I throw the soiree in December?