| Author | Message | ||
     shh Citizen Username: Shh Post Number: 1301 Registered: 5-2001 |
I don't intend to go into as much detail as Greenetree, but our kitchen, two bath, dining room renovation is well underway and running pretty smoothly. Our cast of characters includes lots of local guys: Architect—David Jablonka General Contractor/ Custom cabinet maker—Greg Spreeman Plumbers: Gateway Plumbing etc. I'm going crazy figuring out lighting, colors, flooring, etc. but it's fun. We're doing painted cabinets and soapstone counters in the kitchen. All the stainless appliances have found their temporary home in my living room. I'm leaning (at the moment) to schoolhouse fixtures over the peninsula and in the dining room—the rooms have a large archway connecting them so I want them to coordinate. The bathrooms are pretty much going to be classic: subway tile, hex flooring, black and white scheme in the master, white and vanilla (with bright towels, etc) for the girls. I think we're going to do Silestone vanity tops. Every day brings new progress and some new ideas in my crazy brain. Today the retro diner stools got a thumbs down from Greg.  We'll see. I like to bounce ideas off him (and everyone else who'll listen). I stay up late looking online at different options and pouring over magazines. It helps, I think. | ||
| greenetree Supporter Username: Greenetree Post Number: 2599 Registered: 5-2001  |
Good luck, Shh! One small piece of advice, if you don't mind: That enthusiasm you have for picking colors, etc? Make sure you either maintain it or pick everything out now. We were just talking the other night about the fact that we think the molding around the fireplace is a little boring. But, it's our fault. we pretty much just said to Justin "put molding around the fireplace & don't buy it from HD". So, he picked up some standard stuff from somewhere else. Towards the end, you won't care anymore; you'll just want it over with. So, think the little things thru now! Oh - have fun!  And don't let Greg bully you. He's not gonna live there, you are! | ||
| shh Citizen Username: Shh Post Number: 1302 Registered: 5-2001 |
Hey Greenetree, thanks for responding. I had this fear no one would post. I know it's easy to lose enthusiasm, but since I'm home a lot, I spend way too much time thinking about these things. If I dislike something a little, I end up hating it because I obsess over it, so I don't think I have to worry about that. My husband said I should wait to see the place a little more finished before I rushed off and ordered stools from anywhere. That was probably good advice. Today windows go in the two bathrooms and the tubs tomorrow I think. Knock on wood... My grill has been disconnected, so I haven't been cooking the way I thought I would. I discovered you can make an ok rataouille (sp?) in a crock pot. Today I went to Whole Foods and bought stuff to make a Greek salad and some bananas and blueberries to make waffles for the girls for dinner. Thank goodness for electrical appliances! Last night H worked late, so I treated myself and ordered Japanese from Samurai. It wasn't half bad, but maybe that's because it wasn't a fresh mozzarella and tomato sandwich. My mom is doing her bathrooms too, so it's fun to compare notes. A few weeks ago, she called me up and told me all about this beautiful tile that's becoming popular again, called "subway tile." Does the woman never look at a Pottery Barn catalog? Had she not noticed the backsplash we put in with the last kitchen remodel? She ended up not using it in her 1969 high ranch. | ||
| shh Citizen Username: Shh Post Number: 1313 Registered: 5-2001 |
Well, we're at a little bit of a standstill because we're waiting for inspections. They won't be in until next Monday, so this week will be mostly behind the scenes: more throwing stuff away on our end, and cabinet making on Greg's end. Windows went in, but I don't like the kitchen window. : ( We're working on rectifying that. I'm confident it will be fine in the end. Yesterday I cooked a ton of food at my parent's house and I plugged the new microwave in in the basment. I think we'll be able to eat almost normally, even if it is on paper plates. There's only so much dishwashing a girl can do in a powder room. I won't really mind less activity around here this week, there's plenty of cleaning up to do and my cleaning lady went back to Brazil. That or she was sick of us and made up an excuse to not clean this hellhole anymore. I'm going to give is a shot on my own. I've been mopping like 6x per day, and today I made a wash and folded another. Maybe I CAN do it! Wait a second...who the hell am I kidding? Well, I'll give it a shot. | ||
| Pippi Citizen Username: Pippi Post Number: 234 Registered: 8-2003  |
I LOVE subway tile....if I ever get a chance to to do a renovation, I want to use it in a bathroom....of course my Modern Man would probably nix the idea <sigh> next time you order sushi, call me.... keep the updates coming! BTW - stop mopping 6 times a day! you are fighting a losing battle. If you must mop - just mop ONCE at the end of the day :-) | ||
| shh Citizen Username: Shh Post Number: 1315 Registered: 5-2001 |
Well, today I have not mopped yet. But there haven't been six guys drudging dust everywhere either. I think I'm getting OCD in my old age. I can't stand the feel of dust and have been washing my hands constantly to get rid of the dusty feel. The mopping just goes along with that. I'm wearing socks to keep my feet from feeling all dusty too, but I think I got a splinter today on my big toe—the socks came out a little too late to prevent it. And I don't even have a tub to soak it. Have I said thank goodness for the basement? If anyone is planning a remodel, make sure you have a finished basement to escape to. I'm treating my bathroom with traditional elements, but I think the overall effect will be pretty contemporary, so even your fiance might appreciate it. The vanity is going to be black and sparkly. Just wait 'til I get my red feather boa... | ||
| greenetree Supporter Username: Greenetree Post Number: 2616 Registered: 5-2001 |
Shh- give in to the dust. Accept the dust. Embrace the dust. Be the dust. Otherwise, you will lose your mind. One of the best pieces of advice I got was to send the carpets out to be cleaned at the end of the process. | ||
| shh Citizen Username: Shh Post Number: 1318 Registered: 5-2001 |
Well, we only have one area rug downstairs that matters, and it hasn't even been affected. We will have to have our stair carpet cleaned big time, or we'll have to lose it. I will never go for the beige on the steps again. I might have an uphostery cleaner in. We've covered the sofas/chairs with sheets, buut the dust has definitely gotten through. | ||
| Pippi Citizen Username: Pippi Post Number: 235 Registered: 8-2003 |
shh- I like your post !!! Tell me more!!  | ||
| Pippi Citizen Username: Pippi Post Number: 236 Registered: 8-2003 |
Also - Duncan has pictures. You need pictures. | ||
| shh Citizen Username: Shh Post Number: 1323 Registered: 5-2001 |
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| shh Citizen Username: Shh Post Number: 1324 Registered: 5-2001 |
Happy now? Those are sort of before shots. You get the idea. Yes, I am responsible for the red counter, red walls, etc. We did it about 7 years ago, (though the red walls are more recent) never intending to stay...forever. And you all thought Hank was joking about the red! I also have some demo shots of the kitchen and the bathrooms, but that's not much different than what Duncan posted. I also have the new floorplan if anyone wants to see! | ||
| shh Citizen Username: Shh Post Number: 1325 Registered: 5-2001 |
Oh yeah, see the big jugs of margarita mix? I was preparing for the mess & stress. It would be too much effort to make margaritas from scratch without a functioning kitchen, so for the next few weeks, a mix it is! | ||
| greenetree Supporter Username: Greenetree Post Number: 2627 Registered: 5-2001 |
Now that's planning ahead! Good thinking! Some moms would've been making & freezing kiddy meals. I like your priorities!  | ||
| shh Citizen Username: Shh Post Number: 1326 Registered: 5-2001 |
Not pictured: industrial size microwavable mac-n-cheese, frozen gogurt and open accounts at all area pizzerias.  | ||
| Duncan Real Name Username: Duncanrogers Post Number: 2501 Registered: 12-2001  |
tell you what Shh you can come cook in our kitchen if I can come shower in your bathroom..  | ||
| shh Citizen Username: Shh Post Number: 1327 Registered: 5-2001 |
HAVEN'T YOU BEEN READING THIS DUNCAN?! We're doing our bathrooms too! The five of us have been showering in our little basement shower. I remember when we put it in I thought the size would be perfect, but I don't think we can squeeze a sixth body in there.  Even for one it's tight...but it's better than showering at the Maplewood Pool every night! | ||
| Duncan Real Name Username: Duncanrogers Post Number: 2502 Registered: 12-2001 |
LOL. no I guess I missed the bathroom part. OOPS. well we are showering with a camp shower. heated by the sun. in the backyard after dark so no one can see us. we only have the one bathroom and it is seriously out of commission | ||
| shh Citizen Username: Shh Post Number: 1329 Registered: 5-2001 |
Just wait until I take my kids to cheerleading! If you hear someone sneaking around just know I'll have my digital camera ready!  | ||
| sac Citizen Username: Sac Post Number: 1414 Registered: 5-2001 |
I think that the outdoor shower needs a pic posted! |
