| Author | Message | ||
     Debby Real Name Username: Debby Post Number: 809 Registered: 5-2001 |
I actually like the " before"; can't wait to see the "after". Are you keeping the foot print the same? | ||
| shh Citizen Username: Shh Post Number: 1330 Registered: 5-2001 |
The footprint of the house will stay the same, but we've opened the wall to the mudroom/pantry (it's the lime green room behind the stove) to open up the space a little bit. We'll keep an archway there, because there's a powder room and we want that a little separate, plus we'll put the fridge and a large pantry cabinet back there. It's just outside the work triangle, but just a few steps so anyone needing to get drinks or anything from the fridge won't interfere with my work space. Also, there's a back door there. The point was to keep the work zone a little separate but still accessible. | ||
| Duncan Real Name Username: Duncanrogers Post Number: 2513 Registered: 12-2001  |
well Shh you missed your chance. I wont say what time it was, but had you been there with a camera you could have had the photos that would have led to my downfall should I ever run for office. Well maybe not that bad. I am more afraid of my neighbors. Its cute to see a three and a half year old standing in a wading pool having a bath. But a 40 year old?? not so much  | ||
| shh Citizen Username: Shh Post Number: 1331 Registered: 5-2001 |
Yeah, we've blown off cheerleading. But trust me, I'll find you one of these nights! | ||
| Duncan Real Name Username: Duncanrogers Post Number: 2543 Registered: 12-2001 |
SO whats going on in your place today?? | ||
| shh Citizen Username: Shh Post Number: 1335 Registered: 5-2001 |
Why thanks for asking Duncan! Let's see, my two year old seems to be a bit under the weather, my eight year old ran out back to swing from a rope and balance on a ball (she's decided she wants to be a circus performer) and my six year old is pretending to be a couch potato. Real Simple came in the mail so after I read the News Record I read that. OH! You meant with the construction! I see. We're on hold until we get inspected on Monday, but Greg is making our cabinets in the meanwhile. I have a bit of trash to haul away so I was thinking about calling Rick's or Fred Hodges. The kitchen window has not yet been resolved. My husband doesn't mind it but it looks a little too plasticky to me and I'm thinking when we're all said and done it will only look more so. Spending a lot of time thinking about my wood floors, they're a mess. Not really doing much of anything. Just ate a sandwich. I roasted red potatoes, green peppers and red onions with good olive oil (at my parents' house, I have no stove) and sliced a plum tomato and heated it up in the micro and had it on hero bread with some mozzarella. Not good for anyone watching their carbs, but it was delicious for me. | ||
| Wendyn Citizen Username: Wendyn Post Number: 617 Registered: 9-2002 |
shh...will Greg make cabs without being the GC? We are on a kitchen cabinet hunt. | ||
| greenetree Supporter Username: Greenetree Post Number: 2648 Registered: 5-2001  |
If you think you won't like the window, change it! It won't look any better once the new kitchen is in. Little story: we moved a relatively new (installed by the last sellers when the house went on the market), plain old double-hung sash window from it's old spot to over the sink. There used to be a crank casement window in that spot. I wanted to replace it with the same. TS said, "No, let's use the old one. It's in perfectly good condition. I hate those cranks and this will let more light in". "But, Darling", said I, "We are both very short. We will not be able to open the double-hung window over the sink without standing on a chair. I know the old crank one was horrible, but a brand new one will not be so difficult". Well, we moved the old window. The other day, after dragging a ladder over to open the window just a few inches, My Beloved turned to me and said "You were right. We should have gotten the casement window". After almost 15 year, it still thrills me when she uses those 3 little words....  Although, I really like the way it looks.... | ||
| Duncan Real Name Username: Duncanrogers Post Number: 2545 Registered: 12-2001 |
while those are good, after 10 years I love hearing a different three word phrase.."I Love you" you were right, is right up there tho I must say..lol | ||
| Wendyn Citizen Username: Wendyn Post Number: 618 Registered: 9-2002 |
I can barely even reach the crank on my kitchen window much less a double hung! I am so glad it will be lower to the counter in the new kitchen. Greenie did you make any of your counters lower for the "vertically challenged"? I'm not sure whether to do a lower island for my baking or if people like Duncan (read: tall) would balk at buying the house because of it. | ||
| greenetree Supporter Username: Greenetree Post Number: 2650 Registered: 5-2001 |
Wendy, funny you should ask. The bottom cabinets we ordered are standard height. Add 1.5 inches of granite or maple butcher block & you have what I guess is regular height, but to me feels like extra tall. Our old counters were actually 1 inch lower. It's taking some getting used to, but since it's not bothering me now, it'll be fine. TS wanted a baking center, so the counter with the marble top is shorter than standard. It's short enough for her (at 5'2") to roll pie dough and knead bread at the appropriate height (bending slightly, I am told). If you want a shorter island, go for it. It will probably be easier for a new home owner to jack it up & stick it on a base than to lower it. In fact, you can design it that way & use it as a selling point. | ||
| shh Citizen Username: Shh Post Number: 1336 Registered: 5-2001 |
Wendy, Yes, Greg will make cabinets without being the GC. (Methinks he will prefer it that way after this job  ) He posted his website online awhile back, online they look really nice, but the actual cabinet in person is incredible. (He lugged a full size sample to our house.) The website is Chatsworthofessex.com. He suggested a doorstyle for us, based on our house and some pictures I showed him. I'm sure if I wanted something different he could accommodate that too. Greenie, I'm about 5'7, but reaching a double hung over a countertop is still an issue for me. And I like those three little words a lot too! Lower counters I believe, are considered universal design, so it's accessible for wheelchairs, etc. I think it can be a selling point too. | ||
| Wendyn Citizen Username: Wendyn Post Number: 619 Registered: 9-2002 |
Ah, he is Chatsworth. I have seen the website, it looks great! Will definitely be giving him a call. Hmm. Now I really have to consider a lower island. At 5'2" your spouse has about 4 inches on me. I've gotten used to the normal height counters but tend to roll dough out on the kitchen table and it is MUCH easier. Only problem is we will be putting a wall oven in the island (doing a range + an extra oven...yippee!) and I need to make sure it will fit if the island is lower. You guys are full of good advice! | ||
| greenetree Supporter Username: Greenetree Post Number: 2655 Registered: 5-2001 |
Thanks, Wendy. Good to know someone thinks I'm full of something good! BTW- the main reason that our project has gone reasonably smooth and quickly is that we talked to many people about what went wrong & right with their renovations before we even hired a designer. The experience and advice of others was invaluable. Glad we can pass it on. | ||
| shh Citizen Username: Shh Post Number: 1338 Registered: 5-2001 |
Wendy, if you keep the perimeter counters standard height and do the island lower, I think it would be a really nice feature. Height isn't an issue for me but I know at times I prefer to do prep work sitting at the table too. | ||
| doulamomma Citizen Username: Doulamomma Post Number: 204 Registered: 3-2002 |
Hi Shh, Great seeing you at that BBQ recently - would love to see the finished kiten etc...I have only read the start of your blog but wanted to say that waffle makers make great paninis (sp?), in case you're looking for a new thing that can be made w/ an electric appliance... DoulaMomma | ||
| shh Citizen Username: Shh Post Number: 1343 Registered: 5-2001 |
Hi Doulamomma, you too! Hope the boys are treating you well. I'll let you know when the kitchen is done and have you over! Speak to you soon. | ||
| shh Citizen Username: Shh Post Number: 1346 Registered: 5-2001 |
Here are some demo photos. (I can't let Duncan have all the fun!) The first two are what was a bathroom. The second two are views of the kitchen and mudroom. The dumpster speaks for itself.      | ||
| Pippi Citizen Username: Pippi Post Number: 238 Registered: 8-2003  |
nice pics....what's going on today? are you done?  | ||
| shh Citizen Username: Shh Post Number: 1353 Registered: 5-2001 |
Done? No. Good news is we did pass inspections, so subflooring has been put down in the bathrooms and supposedly today sheetrock is going in. Bad news is it was left outside under plastic and with those downpours last night I'm cocerned it got a little wet. OHM, OHM, OHM. I can't let that one worry me too much. Ok. Greg just came and was not concerned so much about anything getting wet. Whew. He brought some drywall/plasterers and the kitchen ceiling is up. For the kitchen window we're considering a garden window. I had tossed this idea around previously and decided against it, but with this configuration it might make sense. It's our only window in the space, though we have light from two doors. The garden window might allow more light in and would be a nice spot to grow some herbs. I'm thinking it could be a nice feature. I'll take some more pics today and try to upload them. |
