Kitchen
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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.
Kitchen Prep
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As of right now, all the prep work is finished and everything has been primed and painted except for the two bathrooms (waiting for the tile to be installed), the kitchen (primed) and the master bedroom. I should have the kitchen finished today and the master tomorrow. We ordered a new replacement skylight for the kitchen (this should have been done weeks ago actually) which will arrive in 2 weeks. the old skylight has no energy efficiency and has been painted over a million times - ugly.
This week we buy appliances and next week we head to IKEA and pick out our kitchen cabinets. Yay!
Kitchen Drywall
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It's starting to look like a house! Drywall is up and taped. This is the first (of 3) layers of mud.
We'll order appliances this week, then order cabinets once the floors have gone in.
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The back door exterior has been patched and looks great! (yeah - that's me)
Kitchen Framing
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I installed the new header for the kitchen entry. The header (that giant beam) was a pretty big deal for me. I'd never done anything like it before so I asked my contractor buddy to come by and confirm that I was doing everything correctly and to code. And I did - I felt mighty proud after that installation.
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I also framed in the recess for the refrigerator and installed a new back door for the kitchen. This would be the scene of the Great Stuff crime below.
Wall be gone!
Now that the plumbers are gone it was time to get back inside and finish the rest of the interior demo. I was looking forward to this job. Nothing more satisfying than tearing out walls! We did this in our current house and by getting rid of the small pocket door it totally opens up the small galley kitchen and integrates the kitchen with the rest of the living space.
BEFORE
AFTER
Electrical and Plumbing
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All of the electrical work is complete and waiting for inspection. Plumbers should be out of there by the end of the week. The billy-jim-bob hot water line as been replaced. We had a nasty surprise a while back when we discovered we had a gas leak under the slab which means they are running a new gas line for us too.
Electrical Upgrade
This week we also started the kitchen electrical upgrade. Just a little demo... The plaster walls had deteriorated to the point where trying to cut a hole, the whole thing fell apart. Looks like we're going to have to demo the walls and hang new sheet rock in the kitchen, which is just as well, it's the right way to do it and it will look better in the end.
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And here's one for the boys (or girls, depends on what floats yer boat). This is our good friend and rough & ready electrician. Even I can agree that that's a fine lookin' butt!
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Kitchen Demo
Let me start by saying...
I HATE BLACK WIDOWS!
I found this big bad momma when I went to pull the garbage disposal. She was (yes, was - she's dead dead dead now - better her than me!) probably the biggest I'd ever seen. Her abdomen was about 1/2 inch around... "Honey?!?! Get me the ShopVac™ will ya?!?"
Kitchen demo is done - now we wait for plumbing. These pics show a more accurate view of the filth and grime that existed here. Also, when we pulled the last of the cabinets, we discovered some, how should I put this... Creative wiring...
Kitchen Demo
Started pulling cabinets etc. After some creative temporary plumbing solutions, I was able to disconnect and pull the washer and dishwasher. We're getting quotes today on fixing the hot water feed. It's a bit beyond my capabilities...
Kitchen
I'll just say a few things. First, these photos are way too flattering. Everything looks much cleaner that it really is. The walls are not intentionally yellow, that's 40 years of dirt, grease and nicotine. And everything is way too sticky for comfort. Also, note the Jim Bob plumb job. At some point the hot water line was cut and this was their ingenious solution. The water line runs around the corner of the house, into the guest bath, through - right through - the kitchen, into the master bath. All exposed.
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