SHOP PRODUCTS
Houzz Logo Print
glad_gw

Mid-Remodel People Check In Here; How's it Going??

glad
16 years ago

I know several of us are on similar schedules - buehl, buffetgirl, petra, flatcoat to name a few. Thought it would be nice to see how everyone is doing in one place!Brag, complain, whatever!

My cabinets went in Mon/Tues and granite comes Friday. I got extremely lucky on that. When I called yesterday for a templating appt., it turned out they had a very small window before getting very busy. It helps that I have a small kitchen and live closeby.

Here's my mid-remodel pic

{{gwi:1666906}}

Comments (150)

  • minu
    16 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    flatcoat: Love ALL the paint colors you have going in your house. Could you please list them: we're going crazy picking colors after zillion samples

    Thanks!

  • jf595
    16 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    Our kitchen remodel is almost coming to a close. This week the backsplash should go in and some painting touch up and we are done! Just in time for our new baby girl that should arrive in a couple of weeks!

  • Related Discussions

    hosta peoples check in........

    Q

    Comments (11)
    Been there Char and Micke. I know that 'my happy pills' have really helped since I started taking them for panic attacks a couple of years ago. (One in five of us suffer from some form of mental illness from mild to extreme,depression being part of it.) They take the edge off my being able to deal with problems that are out of my control. I would recommend that you see your doctor and try to set up counceling with your hubby if he is willing to do that, other wise go for yourself. We have done that too and it helped us. Check out your local mental health system and you may be able do it under your health insurance. Only you know if you want to continue with your marriage but take care of the depression first then things might look better. If not then do what you have to do for the betterment of you and your children. Connie
    ...See More

    Mid-Remodel People: What do you plan on cooking?

    Q

    Comments (12)
    It's funny, I, too, really want to bake. And that will be the one thing I will most unlikely be able to do as our ovens, which were promised to arrive in November '07, are evidently not even going into production until the last week of February '08. I'm not sure how funny I think this is. Right now, not very. But I love to bake. Love it! We're vegan and since our kitchen was gutted this has been my version of porn: Vegan Cupcakes Take Over The World. I want to make cupcakes! I'd love to make pizza. I'd love to make sugar cookies with my three year-old (he loves using cookie cutters and colored sugars) and Nanaimo Bars just for me (I'll share, begrudgingly). I'd love to stop eating so much processed food. But on the bright side, I've lost weight since the remodel started (really hate processed food!), and if I start making my above list, you can bet every pound will find its way back to me! It's so fun to read others cooking dreams -- I'm looking forward to reading how everyone's forays are. polly -- I've been thinking about you!
    ...See More

    Finished Remodel People Check In Here; How's it Going??

    Q

    Comments (59)
    Wait, kk, you thought I was southern? Nope! I live about 45 min north (give or take) from Manhattan. My parents and now my sister's family, too live in NC, so I guess I could be southern by association! You are dead-on about the taxes i-chic. Ours have gone up about $3K-$4K since we're in our house (a little over 9 yrs). Ouch! All just one of the joys of living in a suburb of the big city! FYI, people in NJ call where we live upstate (and my village is right over the border from NJ!), but upstate would really be Rochester, Buffalo, Syracuse....
    ...See More

    Here we go!! Kitchen remodel has started!

    Q

    Comments (61)
    @island: Thanks for the comments on the granite, we love it...so far it has been very durable...the fabricator said it was extremely hard and a very heavy stone. I would say the base color would be gray, with white and green accents. The white areas are not bright white, but each slab was a bit different. The cabinets are a color called 'designer white'. The finish is Sherwin Williams, but I don't know if the color is actually called designer white....it is a very stark, bright white. Yes, we have picked a backsplash, it should be coming in this week. It is a light gray 4x4, in a flat finish, and will be installed on the diagonal. We didn't want the backsplash to compete with the granite....it just needs to be a background and compliment the granite....hopefully it comes out how we are envisioning it. @dashmag: We are extremely happy with our cabinets....this is the second kitchen we have done with our custom cabinet maker. The cabinet maker is located in West Bridgewater, not sure how far they will deliver. There name is Mediterranean Custom Cabinets (http://medcustomcabinets.com/) if you call ask for Cathy, she is the KD. They are full custom, and can do whatever you want, and their pricing is VERY good compared to other kitchen places. Good Luck! Here is a link that might be useful: Mediterranean Custom Cabinets
    ...See More
  • saskatchewan_girl
    16 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    On the 6th it will be 6 months since the dw flood. I think we are past the half way point now! For the basement the rug is down, we just need the final coat of paint and baseboards. Then organizing.
    As for the kitchen the cabinets are in, the plumber came today to complete, the new appliances are in and ALL working great and the countertop was installed on Friday. I am doing the tile floor myself, and let me add NEVER again. I so appreciate and admire anyone who does this for a living. My hands and knees have never been this sore in my life.........and I'm still not done!!
    The GC needs to finish painting the kitchen and put on the baseboards and it should all be good.
    DH and I have to finish the pantry, install new lighting and put up new window casings. Hopefully before spring.
    Once this is all done I plan to paint the living room LOL. Can't believe I'm even considering it but I can't afford to hire it out : )
    Finally light at the end of that looooong tunnel.

  • paul_ma
    16 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    I just heard that they will be able to install my granite this Thursday. (Templating was last Friday.) I'm really excited now, that means I will soon have a working kitchen.

  • flatcoat2004
    16 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    Yep I am still going. Very ... very .... slowly.

    Minu, sorry I didn't see your message until just now. I'll list my paint colours and let me know if you want to specifically see any of them. The trim is not painted yet though, so will be a little while before it's finished. All are Ben Moore, most are Aura.

    Kitchen - Safari
    Dining room - Refined and Deep In Thought
    Entryway - Elemental
    Living room - Honeymoon with Barrista mantel
    Master bedroom - Hush
    Powder room - Sterling (not an Aura colour)with Frostine ceiling
    Bathroom - Flora with Frostine ceiling
    2nd Bedroom - Subtle

    All other ceilings in Mascarpone.

    FYI, never ever take my advice on exterior paint colours :-) It's been a rough couple weeks on that front.

    State of play at Chez Flatcoat - kitchen cabs are in, countertop templating scheduled for Friday.




    Kind of unhappy that the CD fridge sticks out as far as it does ... not sure if it's pushed all the way in.

  • pbrisjar
    16 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    flatcoat that is a wonderful range. I'm drooling.

    Pendant lights are half-installed (have to patch a hole first for the other), backsplash tiles are in (mostly), design probably chosen, hardwood flooring ordered. Materials on hand for drawer rebuilds. Still have to decide on slides.

    Still to do:
    strip and even out floors
    get rest of backsplash materials and install
    install and finish new wood floors
    some patching and painting
    decide what we want to do about doors / srawer fronts and do it
    move fridge and oven back into kitchen
    get granite place to fix the botched sealer job
    install plug mold and undercabinet lights
    install trim pieces
    and a bunch of little stuff like sand, oil and trim out the pullout cutting board

  • cpang74
    16 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    It looks beautiful! The french doors are so nice! The arches are just georgous! How exciting!

  • sarschlos_remodeler
    16 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    Okay since I've got my plan (yay ikea planner!) and I've removed the water heater, removed the ugly mirrors and bashed a hole in my fireplace, I've decided that I'm officially "mid remodel." He he. I expect to be here for many years to come. :-)

    flatcoat, is that range the GE cafe or something pricier? Your house is just so yummy.

  • luvnola
    16 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    We have been on a slow boat to China for 2 weeks now. Not much progress. Cabinets are begining to be assembled. Floor is in. They are scheduled to paint on Friday. Hopefully, next week will see more movement. At this point I'm kinda wondering what I'm paying them for. They show up, they fiddle, they talk, but not much changes. I did get a bit cranky today and had them give me a clearer time line. We'll see how long that lasts:(

  • flatcoat2004
    16 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    LOL, the range is just a JennAir slide-in that I bought on sale at Sears before discovering the Appliances forum :-( It doesn't get great reviews there, but at least it looks cool !

    I love my French doors too. I struggled so hard with the decision to buy Andersens, but I am glad I did, they are *sturdy*.

    sarschlos, I understand. You don't want to know how long ago it was that I declared "enough of this hovel !" and bashed holes in various walls and ceilings. But it seems to be working out.

  • rgillman
    16 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    Flatcoat- your place looks great! Uh - I have the same fridge,so thanks for the heads-up. Looks like it is not pushed in all the way because you shouldn't see the black part.


    I'm in week 5 and while there have been a few bumps, my contractor is so wonderful that I know it will be fine. All the cabinets are in except for the file cabinet ones, which had come in wrong. They will go in tomorrow, as will the piece of soapstone for the top and for the vanity in the powder room.

    The soapstone guys are coming back to do this tomorrow, as well as to smooth out a few spots and to fill in a small chip that nobody can see but me because it is against the backsplash. The soapstone is gorgeous; I could have been happier with the installation, but it will work out okay.

    Two of the pantry doors need to be reordered because somebody put the hinges on the wrong side and the beautiful part is inside. Duh. There are a few very minor dings and scratches that the cabinet people will refinish, so that's fine, too.

    The biggest glitch is the range top. My Caldera 30" gas cooktop is sitting here and can't be installed. WHY? Because when I asked Al, the owner of Caldera, how much clearance I needed between the top and the oven, he gave me an incorrect number. And then the cabinet guy didn't check the specs, and then....blah blah blah..whatever. Bottom line, when you put the range top in, it sits smack on the oven and there is about 1/4" of space between the cooktop and the counter. When/if you buy a Caldera cooktop, do not put it over your oven.

    My contractor's initial response was "go get another brand of cooktop." And I said NO. I want the Caldera with 5 burners in a 30" top. So, he came up with an idea to get a stainless steel fabricator to buld a frame in which we will sit the cooktop so it will fit. Don't ask me - I flunked the spacial relations part of the intelligence test. But I found a local fabricator and we are getting one made. I LOVE my contractor!!!! He can do anything.

    The electrician is on my case to pick tile so he can put in the outlets on the backsplash. I have been to every tile place in a 5 billion mile radius - and it is difficult, if not impossible, to pick a backsplash that a) is not a light color, and 2) does not cost my firstborn child. I am working on it.


    The IKEA nearby is out of the handles we picked in the size we need the most of and they were most unhelpful. I have to go to one further away, which has 106 of them but who knows how many they will have by the time I get there?
    The ice maker, hood, oven, and faucets are in but nothing works because we are waiting for the electrician to come on Monday. I HOPE his guys will show up to do the rest of the wiring while he measures for under cabinet lights.

    So, I guess next to what some people have gone through, this is pretty good so far. We'll see what else is in store for us. I hope the kitchen is useable by the end of the month because I have a houseguest from England coming.

  • fnzzy
    16 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    actually flatcoat, mine sticks out pretty much the same and it is pushed in all the way. Your Honeymoon color is one that mnhockeymom has in her kitchen and the one I copied pretty much on mine too! So, naturually I love it. LOL.

  • rmkitchen
    16 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    Wow -- flatcoat's arches ....

    luvnola -- we're on that same boat to China. Hope it goes through the Three Gorges Dam!

    We started the (whole) project in December and our kitchen remains beautiful cabinet carcasses. After they'd installed the cabinetry, they waited ten days to put the crown up atop the cabinets. Not sure why, as nothing and no one was in their way. (luckily progress continued in the rest of the house, so I didn't go crazy[-ier])



    Our countertops / backsplash will be templated Friday (hallelujah!). One they're installed, then our perfectionist cabinetmaker should be willing to install the doors / drawer fronts. (As I wrote earlier, he doesn't want to install them until the floors are done [which will be the v. last thing done in our house, except us moving back in and touch-up paint to the baseboard], but my GC and I are adamant he do it before.)

    Our (miracle) ovens were finally delivered last Thursday. After ordering them (and paying in full, the part which gets me) last October and being given the run-around since November, I'm still not quite believing that they're really sitting in our garage. Now I'm also wondering if they're going to be the fly in my ointment. (They're the first of their model so I'm just hoping it took so long to go into production so all the kinks could be worked out. Pollyanna.)

    The painters came today and started their prep work. They anticipate about a week to prep the house (we had crown, base, chair and panel mouldings and casework installed throughout a large house) and then however many days to paint. ??? I don't know.

    So, it's looking as if mid-April we may (may, not holding breath) be done with the project.

    That's why we're (I'm) now in the midst of planning Phases 2 and 3! Honestly, I don't want to, but last year when we found out how expensive our front yard relandscape would be we decided to push the backyard back until this year. Well, planting time will be upon us shortly! (So a total relandscape of the backyard is Phase 2.) Only three rooms remained untouched by the current remodel: main floor laundry, main floor bath and the master bed and bath. Looking at our bedroom makes me feel like I'm a college student -- boxes everywhere, no bedskirt or headboard (we bought a new king size bed last autumn and I didn't want to get a filler -- I wanted to wait for the right thing: these are the right things

    ). Like mysterymachine's post about having a redone kitchen making you see the rest of your house in a new light, well, I don't have to wait for the redone kitchen to see I don't want to live this way too much longer. I'm having beautiful bedding / upholstery done for my children's rooms (and they're 3 and 1!) and I think we deserve as much. So either (much) later this year or early next we'll attack our bed and bath (hello Bathrooms Forum!) for Phase 3. Of course, I have to figure out how to rob a bank between now and then. Any tips?

    All I really want is a nap, though ... and cupcakes.

  • fran1523
    16 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    Whoopee. I finally picked out backsplash tile and ordered it online. It arrived yesterday and will be installed on Friday. Monday it will be grouted and I can have the electrician finish up and be done with this. Look for pictures.

  • boxiebabe
    16 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    I guess we're "mid-remodel" now - or close to it. Demo, framing, closing the spaces where the slider & door to garage, 2 new doors installed, electrician is finally done with "rough electrical", plumber has done his rough stuff, and the sheetrock/texture guy comes tomorrow. I'm thinking that it will start to resemble a kitchen when he's done. He will be here Thursday, Friday - and part of Saturday if need be.

    Monday the painter comes - then Wednesday - the cabinets are installed. THAT is the part I am eager for.

    We started March 3, and I am thinking if everything goes according to plan (Ha!) we should be done by mid April.

    Here's a link to my pics since I can't figure out yet how to post pics on here.

    Here is a link that might be useful: Before, during, and my selections

  • katmandu_2008
    16 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    rmkitchen, me again, past-Tokyo dweller Katmandu. So sorry things aren't quite going as planned - but I can't wait to see your kitcen! Looks like good bones.

  • pbrisjar
    16 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    Whenever I get discouraged about the list of things to come, I step back and think of all the things that have happened so far.

    Today hubby got the first big piece of crown moulding up. It looks fantastic! Second pendant light should go in tomorrow night. We'll also probably go look at cabinet doors, etc. Whoopee!

  • rmkitchen
    16 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    Konbanwa katmandu! You are so sweet.

    I just love that you used to live in Tokyo. I (and later, we) lived in Nishi-Shinjuku, which was ideal because I worked at Monbushou and then did my PhD at Todai. I was there '95-'99. Ii na -- natsukashii desu.

    Thank you for your kind wishes about my kitchen. I really appreciate it! In all fairness, I think I'm just incredibly envious of the speed at which some of the kitchen remodels are going. Ours, glacial pace. I was chatting with my angel-on-earth (the manager of my GC's office) and she said she's rethinking recommending our cabinetmaker because of his slow-pokeyness. His craftsmanship is sine pari and I think in 2010 when our kitchen is done (ha ha, I hope!) it'll hold us in good stead.

    But you know -- you have little children, too: doing without a kitchen is harder with and on them. How old are your children? I've two sons whose birthdays are in June (so they'll be four and two): my three year-old is already madly planning his birthday party (green monsters which turn into transformer robots which turn into octopuses -- that's what he wants for a jumpy house and a cake -- he is going to totally test my creative abilities!). But that's akin to how I feel about the kitchen / whole house: I'm so excited about it I want it now. Plus it will be easier on them, esp. my younger.

    How are you doing with your kitchen planning? Yours is a space I am going to really enjoy following!

  • amy2202
    16 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    Flooring going in as we speak, walls painted, electric mostly done . Waiting on cabinets and appliances. House is a total wreck, dust is everywhere and tired of takeout.It should pay off someday ( I hope).

  • glad
    Original Author
    16 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    flatcoat and rayna- great progress -- best of luck going the final miles. :)

  • mary_in_nc
    16 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    So if we have gutted the kitchen and started the floors does that mean I can graduate to the "Mid Remodel Thread"??! Yippee! We have started!!

  • makeitsew
    16 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    My kitchen and bath cabinets & counters were finished last week - sort of. The fabricators broke 1 of 3 bathroom sinks while templating. Since I got them online, the replacement won't arrive until next week. Some of the cherry cabinet drawers/doors need replacing.

    Waiting for a bid on luxury vinyl tile for kitchen floor, porcelain tile for backsplash and sheet vinyl for laundry & bathrooms.

    It's wonderful having full use of my kitchen & baths again after 2 weeks with only a laundry sink.

  • katmandu_2008
    16 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    rmkitchen: So desu ne? (to your natsukashii desu comment.) But hey, I never mastered the language as much as I would have liked. It's now limited to saying "oishii" when I go for sushi. I worked in Shinjuku and in, oh, can't remember the area, down by the capital, near Tokyo station I think, there goes my memory - it kills me I can't remember my subway stop there!), and lived in Nakano-ku and later Ueno-no-chikaku.(?) 1990, sooo long ago. Such an incredible time in my life... Two boys now 6 and 8 so a bit further along than you. Wow, Ph.D. in what? Impressive.

    Just getting started on the process, overwhelmed by so many decisions but plugging along. Trying to figure out who to use to do this stuff - independent contractor and sub out stuff myself, an all-in-one kitchen shop, a GC I know with great work who'd handle everything and I know would do good work but I think would run high on $$, etc. Trying to get bids from all now and figure out best value. Get good quality without being taken to the cleaners - I assume everyone is trying to do that too and all take different routes. Neh?

    Love that I found GW, not sure if it's bad form to blather on with personal stuff like this?? I am certainly not mid-remodel but wanted to see what I am in for. : )

    Looking forward to hearing of your progress and seeing photos.

  • ainsley
    16 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    We're in week 7, probably 5 (I hope!!) to go. I was doing ok until last night when it all hit me. We're having the kitchen/dining room/laundry room/small both/ and parts of the family room and another room done. 99% of our focus has been directed at the kitchen (follow the money). Yesterday I realized some decisions had been made in the laundry room that aren't ideal and are too late to change. I feel depressed out of all proportion to the problem. I think I just want everthing to be perfect. We've waited so long to do this project, the inconvenience is barely tolerable, and it costs so much. Realistically, I know that nothing is perfect and it all is going to be so much better and more functional than what we had before. Yet it seems like it's my responsibility to track it all and I can't help but feel I fell down on the job.

    That's my whine for today and I'm so grateful to have a place to share it. A

  • flatcoat2004
    16 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    rmkitchen, your cabs look *lovely*, doors or no doors ! Are they custom ? They finished the insides too ? Nice ! Purty ovens, I am sure that they will indeed be miracles !

    Funny you say you lived in Noe, I am just across Mission from Noe. Great 'hood.

    ainsley, I recognise that feeling well. Whine away. This is HARD. I manage projects for a living, and get intensely frustrated by the way things have been communicated (or not) throughout my remodel, both in terms of timing and the actual work itself. Plus there's a vague and unpleasant feeling of being out of control. It will get better though.

  • flatcoat2004
    16 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    OK so it's not *technically* kitchen-related, but there is actual real progress on the bathrooms (all 1.5 of them !). Floors repaired and prepped for a mud job, and the poor carpenter spent today wrestling with my rather challenging demands for turning some RTA unfinished oak kitchen cabinets into a "built-in" style vanity. You know how you picture something in your mind and then are mildly disappointed when it doesn't *quite* turn out like you thought ? Well, just occasionally I think, it works out. I'm delighted with how it's looking. I have to squeeze every spare inch out of this little bathroom, and was nervous about how imposing the sink would be. I am surprise at how "in-scale" it looks in real life ...

    The dog had no idea what these funny cabinet things were doing in the bathroom last night, I came in to find him exploring ...

    Bummer for the day is that soapstone templating got delayed a week :-( Boo hoo !

  • pbrisjar
    16 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    Awwwww, cute puppy pic!

    On the positive side the crown moulding is almost completely up and looks wonderful. Hubby has also agreed to a pot filler (and I think I've found a cheap source for one!) and a few more bits of decorative trim. Our oak flooring is in and we pick it up tomorrow.

    On the downside we just discovered that two of the boxes of Botticino tiles are Turkish - not Italian. They're obviously of different quality so back to the tile store we go. We also have not yet agreed on the accent tile. I'm rooting again for the cool glass tile (thanks to support from MM).

  • flatcoat2004
    16 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    Again with the non-kitchen stuff :-) I swear the kitchen will get done at some point. Not helping that they overbooked soapstone templating last Friday and I got bumped to this Friday :-(

    I came home today to find the new powder room looking MUCH more finished than I expected ... yay ! Still some ways to go but now it's starting to look like an actual house, rather than something between a cave and a dungeon !

    I had always been worried about how tiny a 4'x4.5' room would be, but it actually seems quite roomy so far. We'll see if I still think that when the door is on :-)

  • Buehl
    16 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    Flatcoat, our PR is 4.5'x4.5'....it's small but seems big enough for a powder room. I sometimes have PR-envy (that's Powder Room envy people!) when I visit friends whose PRs are as big as our upstairs hall bath!

    But hey, I just keep telling myself that our house is big enough for the 4 of us...we don't need a McMansion! (Besides, they must be a lot of work to keep clean, even if you do have a maid service!)


    Actually, I was checking in to say that I'm officially back in the mid-remodel group again (it was lonely out there in the land of stalled projects!)

    The framing for our "bumped-in" 6" wall went up today...the only negative is that b/c of the drain vent for the prep sink the wall is actually going to be 7-1/4" deep...which means that I will only have 32.5" or 33" b/w the end of the peninsula and the refrigerator! One of the owners of the contracting company is coming out tomorrow morning to see if there's anything he can do. The downside is that this guy has no imagination...he's one of the ones who told us there was no way to vent outside so we have to recirculate... We ARE venting outside, BTW. It just took some creative thinking to find a way!

    I think the electrician is coming out tomorrow since I had to finalize my mirror & light for our powder room this evening. It was mentioned late this afternoon that he would be out if he's available...haven't heard for certain yet.

  • flatcoat2004
    16 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    Wonderful to hear that there is activity in the buehl house once more !

  • pbrisjar
    16 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    Yay for progress!

    Flatcoat I just love the wall color iin your powder room.

    500 sqft (that's 27 bundles) are now sitting in one of our "guest rooms" awaiting floor prep. We've discovered there's a thin layer of particle board that must be removed. We're deciding on a stain. Of course I love the one that Hubby hates and I don't really like the one he likes.

    Tile place is giving us the runaround so we're back to square one on the backsplash.

    Light panels are up for our hideous fluorescent fixture that Hubby won't change.

    Materials are bought to rebuild the cabinet doors.

    Granite folks come back tomorrow to address some issues.

  • mls99
    16 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    Ooh, can I join? Our remodel started Monday. The kitchen is gutted, plumbers are sorting out the heat today, electrician coming this afternoon, GC building IKEA boxes in the basement. It's always fun at the beginning of the project when things move so quickly, but I know it'll slow down in terms of visible progress...

  • boxiebabe
    16 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    I'm doing the happy dance!
    Our cabinets are unboxed and the lowers are laid out as they will be installed. I am so happy with them I can hardly contain myself. All the work and pre-planning, planning, re-planning, etc has paid off. Had a little oopsie though. After recounting how many cabinet pulls I'll need, I am short by some. Re-order! The guys will start actually putting the cabinets IN today, raising the toe-kick by 2 inches so my counters will be higher, just for lil ol me! Whoopie!

  • raehelen
    16 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    WEll...

    Like many of you who are stalled, waiting for the kitchen to be toute fini, we are beginning to tackle other areas. I've painted casings, returns and trim for the LR bow window- got the trim up for the sliding glass doors in the kitchen/DR eating area, can anyone else relate to how happy I am to not see edges of drywall anymore- (or that frikken red TUCK tape)?

    WAS so happy with carpenter (good schmoozer) after our Feb 14 meeting when he assured me it would take 2 weeks to get everything finished...well...today's March 20, it's been a little more than 2 weeks... and other than having some drawers and pullout shelves delivered, and then taken away the next day (were supposed to be solid maple sides, dovetailed joints, and were maple plywood stapled joints)...arghhh....Haven't heard from him. Spent the day yesterday in vain trying to get ahold of him. This morning his foreman said my parts are STILL at the stainers- where they've been for weeks, he promised me he'd phone back within the hour, and maybe I'll get my cupboards today (HAH!!), or even tomorrow. I said it'd be nice to have them for the long weekend so hubby could get everything including crown molding installed.

    So, if no kitchen progress this weekend, looks like we'll be demoing the first of three baths to be redone.

    1st trim done, only 30 or so more to go!!!

  • flatcoat2004
    16 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    OMG, when I got home today I noticed that they had unwrapped the faucet on the bathroom sink, so I flipped the lever, not expecting anything to happen. But WATER CAME OUT !!!!!

    INDOOR PLUMBING ! Flatcoat joins the 20th century at last ! (tee hee !)

    Photographic evidence had to be collected ...

  • pbrisjar
    16 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    I LOVE that faucet flatcoat.

    Congrats on the running water.

  • Buehl
    16 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    We have water on the first floor!!!! We haven't had water on the first floor for the past 9 weeks! They installed a temporary sink over our new PR vanity...plywood countertop. They even hooked up the side spray! (No, it's not our sink or faucet...it's the contractor's)

    Raehelen...I love your door trim...do you have more pictures....around inside doors & windows? I'm considering showing them to my DH for "future" DIY projects if not too difficult to DIY for an "advance beginner".

  • rgillman
    16 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    I am LOVING following everyone's progress!

    Flatcoat - your place is so charming that I can't even imagine it otherwise. I simply love what you have done to it. Re: the sticking out fridge problem - my cabinet guy says it happens 1 in 10 times. Combination of the water line taking up space coming off the back of the fridge and the plug in the wall sticking out (and what he didn't say was - uh - the fridge panels should have been slightly deeper). He is ordering a 3/4" strip for the front of the fridge panels which should do the trick.

    Buehl - running water is the best, isn't it! We finally have it, too, thank goodness. And except for the cooktop, all the appliances are in. I haven't tried the oven yet - but the fridge, ice maker, dw, and the microwave part, at least, of the Advantium, work fine.

    Still waiting for 2 mismatched doors to be replaced and 3 drawer fronts that were the wrong size. Crown molding and light rail not up yet and the major thing is refinishing the floor on the entire first floor, which I am dreading. Oh, and the backsplash, which I still haven't picked. The walls won't be painted till everything is done. Making progress and so happy to see you all are, too. My hats off to all of you who are DIY!

  • tracyc
    16 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    After months (maybe years?) of buying every kitchen mag on display and playing with kitchen software I finally qualify - YAY!

    We are DIYing some things and acting as GC for others (granite, cabinets and flooring). This week we finally started by putting up a new wall (making a small pantry, moving a pair of french doors and expanding the main entry into the kitchen (by removing a pocket door which was constantly breaking).

    So happy to be started :) Still need to adjust the height of a half wall and then the cabinet people can come measure!

  • pbrisjar
    16 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    I am seeing the light at the end of the tunnel. Three big projects left to go and then it's just final polish and we'll be done with this stage of our remodel!

    Had an NWFA inspector out today to have a look at our flooring situation and give us some advice. The really, really good news is that we don't have to install a plastic underlayment in our crawl space. We don't have to add more plywood, either. Subfloor needs a little leveling but other than that we're ready to go.

    Backsplash is progressing as well. Have a few details to fine-tune but nothing major.

    Doors and drawers still need to be rebuilt and finished but that will come with time.

    I'm so excited. All the big (and most of the small) decisions have been made. I may even have a functional stove soon!

  • flatcoat2004
    16 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    I can't believe I'm still going :-( Builder had a death in the family last week, which is terrible for him. But I'd like to know when work will start again, wish he'd return my calls !

    But my pretty new lights went up !

    Shame they don't actually WORK yet. My fluorescent can trims also went in, and I gotta say I am less than impressed. Ick. I'm considering switching to a lensed trim to hide the fluorescent bulb. Gotta love Title 24 !

  • tartanhabit
    16 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    Fascinating thread. It's so nice to see what everyone's up to, even if it is not all rosy! I'm sure we'll all get there in the end.

    We're doing a kitchen and bathroom remodel and we are into week 3. So far, we've had demo and lots of new plumbing put in place. Old galvanized pipes are gone, new copper in.

    We seem to have had a bit of a hiatus since yesterday when my contractor called at 8am and said he wouldn't be able to come because of a doctors appointment he'd forgotten to tell me about - er what the whole crew are going with you?? I asked him if he was working on another job and he admitted he was 'finishing up something' but that he'd be on my job most of the time. He said he'd pop round that afternoon, that was yesterday and haven't seen or heard since and they are no show today so far. I don't think he liked that I called him on his outright lie of doctors appointment. I thought things were going well, but I don't like this new development!

    We're mostly functioning ok with microwave and some kitchen basics in the dining room but I am getting a little tired of microwaved dinner which feels like I'm eating airplane food and take outs.

    Anyone have good advice about how/what to eat when you have no kitchen?

  • mary_in_nc
    16 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    Tartanhabit- Gotta grill? We have been grilling alot. The grill has a sideburner and we have been using it like a stovetop. I'm getting real tired though of washing dishes in my bathroom sink! BUT...in 48 hours the cabinets come!! I'm bouncing off the walls with excitement!

    cabsarecomingcabsarecomingcabsarecomingcabsarecomingcabsarecomingcabsarecomingcabsarecoming

  • pbrisjar
    16 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    I grill almost every night for dinner. Have been since Januaryish (we're in CA so that's possible).

    Hubby had his firs major accident / injury today. He was using the floor nailer, the mallet slipped and he wound up with a gash in his finger. Some antiseptic, some bandaging, an ice pack and some ibuprofen and he's back at work. He's been getting a bit lax with the safety equipment as the project wears on.

    In good news the floor is more than half-way nailed in now. It's looking beautiful.

  • cate1337
    16 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    So nice to have all of you here. I've been reading quietly and enjoying the progress. And seeing the pictures!

    Here are a couple of our latest pix. The first is taken from the foyer, with the skinny cab on the left for the oven, the the refrigerator cabinet, bar and island on the right, sink and dishwasher on the far wall.

    The second is a close-up of the island, facing the cooktop and bar, with the fireplace just peeking over the top of the bar.

    The extension kit for the vent hood finally came in yesterday, after 6 weeks' delay. Once the vent hood is up, the cooktop can go in. Further delays with the counter for the sink and dishwasher; but I'm rooting for next week for those. Soooo many delays here towards the end. I really could start putting some dishes away but refuse to do any of that until I can sanitize them in the DW. DS (will be 4 in June) walked around the kitchen with me today, asking what will go in each drawer and behind each drawer. That was really neat and fulfilling for both of us. I got to give a tour of my hard-won space, and he got to bang some things open and closed. :)

    Here is a link that might be useful: Progress Pictures

  • cate1337
    16 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    oh blast it! Sorry about the pictures - they're just fine on photobucket!

  • ricklish
    16 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    I haven't updated since Feb 25, since then alot has happened! The floors are in and have one coat of poly (the second coat will be last thing done). The cabinets bases are installed - except one lower and one upper that have to be re-made :( The brick wall has been mortared - still needs to be cleaned. We templated for soapstone two days ago - I can't even tell you how excited I am for that install day!!

    Before
    {{gwi:1666968}}

    8 and a half weeks later!
    {{gwi:1666969}}

    And today ... big Hooray! Our range is in!! I actually cooked spinach linguine and sauce with meatballs for dinner this evening!!! What a treat! The microwave will be live tomorrow and hopefully the DW and refrig/freezer units, too.

    {{gwi:1666970}}
    If all goes as planned, the replacement cabs will be ready next Tuesday, soapstone on Wednesday, the rest of the upper cabs, crown and doors on Thurs and floors on Fri! Then we'll be all done but the touch-ups! Wish us luck!!

  • mary_in_nc
    16 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    Ricklish , your kitchen is going to be beautiful! What an amazing transformation! I love the brick behind your stove!

  • Buehl
    16 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    We have cabinets! They should be done hanging our cabinets by Friday. My KD is checking on granite now. We have to go pick out our slabs (she thinks we'll need 2)

    Here're 2 pics...more on my "Yahoo!!!" thread!

    Here is a link that might be useful: Thread: Yahoo!!! We Have Cabinets!!!!!!!!!!! :-D

  • pbrisjar
    16 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    cate1337 I LOVE the green in your pics. Is that staying?

    In home news, the floors are sanded and Hubby is almost finished with the first coat of stain. They've looked more and more beautiful with each step! Unfortunately sanding took longer than expected so he won't be done before we have to head out to Oregon. Oh well, it will happen and we'll all be just fine.