Palm Springs Meiselman Reborn

Kitchen

(click images to enlarge)

The most dramatic changes sine the last update have been in the kitchen. We have all of the cabinets and appliances in place and we're just waiting for the countertops and a few backordered door fronts.

IKEA cabinets are ingeniously designed. While you do have to assemble them yourself (they arrive in flat boxes), actually hanging them is a breeze. The upper cabinets come with a metal channel that attaches to the wall behind the cabinets. Level the channel and screw it into the studs. Each cabinet has 2 square blots on the back that slide into the metal channel. Bada bing bada boom. Done. No ledger boards, no futzing, it really couldn't be easier.

The microwave on the other hand was a bit more of a challenge. There is a metal mounting plate that affixes to the wall behind the micro and then a series of bolts screw into the top of the mirco through the upper cabinet. The template that comes with the microwave for drilling and cutting the holes in the cabinet needs to be TRIMMED to fit tight against the wall. Nowhere in the instructions does it mention this. Trust me, after being totally PO'd by mis-drilling the holes, I searched and searched. It doesn't mention cutting the template. Also, mounting the microwave is definitely a two-person job.

Also installed a new skylight in the kitchen. The old skylight was the original from 1959 I believe. At least it was identical to the one we have in our own home and others that I've seen. It had been painted over at least 5 times and had 40 years of crud on it. And much like the rest of this place was only attached with one screw. Hard to get a good picture of the new one with the light shining through but trust me, it's gorgeous and a vast improvement.