It's a bummer when you build something so well, and use the best

11 years ago

...when it comes time to take it out. Second day of demo on the kitchen I so diligently remodeled some 26 years ago, and I can say I built it to last forever. I'm guessing most people move on to different homes, and never think about the old kitchen or the one who may remodel it in the future. I really never gave a thought to someday remodeling the very hard work I put into this kitchen, but I have had two long days of tearing out things that I took so much care in building, is emotionally heart wrenching not to mention physically difficult. And then there is tossing the appliances that function almost as well as the day I installed them! Has anyone else lived in a house long enough to go through two kitchen remods? Just venting, it's been a long day, I know when it's all said and done, our new kitchen will be wonderful :)

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Comments (8)

CEFreeman
11 years ago
I haven't, but my STBX used to say that he just hated when he had to take apart something he built in the first place. He built it to last.

Of course, you couldn't prove that by my good-enough-for-now house, but it made sense. :)

Good luck with your beautiful new kitchen!
Tmnca
11 years ago
I hope you are not really "tossing" working appliances, rather than finding them new homes? Since you used quality materials, you can have almost everything from cabinets to appliances taken to a re-use center like Habitat for Humanity Restore or a local re-use center.

Have fun with your new design!
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firstmmo
11 years ago
I just built a house two years ago with everything new. We sold it a few months ago and all my old neighbors are calling me telling me saying that the new owners just entirely dug up the yard both front and back and ripped out everything, including all the newly poured concrete, the slate patio, etc. I figured it was their house, they can do what they want--everyone has different ideas. But it is a shame that there is so much waste! Even the brand new carpet in bedroom got thrown out when they decided to hardwood the bedrooms. The carpet is two years old!
angie_diy
11 years ago
Kudos to you for building so well. I must admit that I am surprised that, after 26 years, you aren't fully ready to get rid of the old. I guess you did a good job the first time around!!

No, I haven't lived through two remodels, and I guess I won't now. I MIGHT HAVE if I had remodeled my kitchen 15 years ago when I moved in, like I planned to!! ;-)
cookncarpenter
Original Author
11 years ago
Yes, tinan, the appliances are going to good homes, maybe south of the border, but someone will be happy to have the best there was in '86... (just might be better than the best there is in '13?)
breezygirl
11 years ago
This is, and will be, my one and only reno. But I will say it hurt my heart to see our 40 year old site-built cabs being ripped out by DH who could have cared less to try to salvage as much as possible. Those cabs were in fabulous shape, despite my white paint and aged glazing technique from 1999. They had a lot of life left in them before demo, but they were laid out badly and the kitchen was too small.

DH and his friend did salvage a drawer stack, doored lower, and the small floor to ceiling pantry cab. The pantry cab was picked up by the Restore guys, and I still smile every time I see the two lower cabs in the friend's kitchen as a makeshift island.

I'm impressed by your DIY skills. It's a testament to them that the kitchen was still in such good condition these years later. Here's to not having a third reno! :)
User
11 years ago
So, gotta ask, if everything is in such good shape, why replace? Why not reface? New doors and drawer fronts and new counters will make everything look new again.
cookncarpenter
Original Author
11 years ago
live wire , I am saving the cabinets, with the exception of some minor modifications to accommodate new appliance sizes and configurations. I was tearing out ceramic tile counters and backsplash yesterday, that I mud set with wire lath not thinking I would ever be removing it...

It's a bummer when you build something so well, and use the best

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It's a bummer when you build something so well, and use the best

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CEFreeman

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