After 2 weeks which began with the removal of the old kitchen, the new layout is really taking shape.

We went from a space where 2 people could not comfortably work together to an area where 4 people could easily work together or independently to pull off a dinner, party, class, etc.

The floor adhesive dried overnight so it could be walked on.  We were careful and put up the dog gates just in case Dash got a notion to inspect something.

I was concerned that the grout was too dark but was assured it would lighten when it dried.

In the meantime two men put on their load carrying straps and brought in from the garage the stove, the dishwasher, and the refrigerator.  The dishwasher is all hooked up to water and electric.

As I explained yesterday the stove will have to wait for the propane man.

Unfortunately the fridge would not fit through the front door with the new screen door attachment so they had to walk it around the house and haul it up the back steps.  I’m sorry.

But after plugging it in and hooking up the water supply, it slid right into place.

The rest of the day the crew of 2 men installed the toe kick cover panels.

We’re getting closer.

• Landing Kitchen Reno – Day 10 Tile, Grout
• Landing Kitchen Reno – Day 9 More Tile
• Landing Kitchen Reno – Day 8 Tile
• Landing Kitchen Reno – Day 7 Paint, Countertops, Electric
• Landing Kitchen Reno – Day 6 Trim, Paint, Sink
• Landing Kitchen Reno – Day 5 Cabinets, Hardware
• Landing Kitchen Reno – Day 4 Cabinets
• Landing Kitchen Reno – Day 3 More  Electric, Plumbing, Drywall
• Landing Kitchen Reno – Day 2 Electric, Plumbing, Drywall
• Landing Kitchen Reno – Day 1 Demolition
• Kitchen Countertop Choices
• New Kitchen Appliances
• Plans for the Kitchen
• New light in the Kitchen

Jo

I can’t believe how much character tile gives to a room.

The variegated denim blue backsplash tile provided depth.  Today it was grouted with a dark cool gray color.

It looks good.

The 7-inch square floor tile took much longer to install.

Adhering all the tile to the floor was finished today and tomorrow the floor will be grouted.

The next items on the list: put the appliances in place; plumb the sink and water bearing appliances.  I called the propane company today to schedule hooking up the gas range.  Alas they did not call me back so that will have to wait until after Memorial Day.

Also I chose the option that I prefer for the countertop layout.  Honestly both layouts looked very similar to me but I selected  option #2 shown above.

• Landing Kitchen Reno – Day 9 More Tile
• Landing Kitchen Reno – Day 8 Tile
• Landing Kitchen Reno – Day 7 Paint, Countertops, Electric
• Landing Kitchen Reno – Day 6 Trim, Paint, Sink
• Landing Kitchen Reno – Day 5 Cabinets, Hardware
• Landing Kitchen Reno – Day 4 Cabinets
• Landing Kitchen Reno – Day 3 More  Electric, Plumbing, Drywall
• Landing Kitchen Reno – Day 2 Electric, Plumbing, Drywall
• Landing Kitchen Reno – Day 1 Demolition
• Kitchen Countertop Choices
• New Kitchen Appliances
• Plans for the Kitchen
• New light in the Kitchen

Jo

Yesterday the kitchen backsplash was tiled with Daltile Emerald Waters Sea Blue 13-in x 14-in Glossy Ceramic Patterned Scale Mosaic Wall Tile which has apparently been discontinued.

I’m not sure why it’s called “Emerald Sea” since it is clearly blue, NOT green nor aqua in any way.

Today the wall tile was capped with square pencil — Shimmer Cobalt frosted glass liner from the Precious Gems collection at Best Tile.  I wasn’t totally sure it would work but actually the nondescript color goes with the mottled blue scale-shaped tiles and finishes the top edges (that aren’t encased by cabinets) with a little pizzazz.

The floor tiles were inspired in the Terrazzo original from Venice XV century but, to me, have a confetti vibe.

All 3 members of the crew began to lay the floor tile with a sixteenth of an inch space between the WOW Color Drops off-white squares.

Although the tiles are square there are slight variations on the edges so they needed to be very carefully laid.

By the end of the day the floor tile was not quite finished.

Tomorrow I have been promised grout on the wall which, according to the head tiler, will change the character of the tile in a positive manner.  I already love it.

• Landing Kitchen Reno – Day 8 Tile
• Landing Kitchen Reno – Day 7 Paint, Countertops, Electric
• Landing Kitchen Reno – Day 6 Trim, Paint, Sink
• Landing Kitchen Reno – Day 5 Cabinets, Hardware
• Landing Kitchen Reno – Day 4 Cabinets
• Landing Kitchen Reno – Day 3 More  Electric, Plumbing, Drywall
• Landing Kitchen Reno – Day 2 Electric, Plumbing, Drywall
• Landing Kitchen Reno – Day 1 Demolition
• Kitchen Countertop Choices
• New Kitchen Appliances
• Plans for the Kitchen
• New light in the Kitchen

Jo

Order of the day: TILE!

Early in the morning the supervising tiler discovered there was not enough backsplash tile to finish the job.

I quickly tried to find a few more sheets of tile at Lowe’s which was where I purchased it in the first place.  I couldn’t find it at the nearest store but I did find enough at a reasonably close store where I purchased everything they had.  The upside is that Lowe’s is discontinuing this tile so I got a couple boxes at a bargain price.

When I left, the crew got started on using the tile that was available. I was delighted with the look of even the little bit I saw in the photo above.

When I returned home with the additional tile the crew was still working and had made great progress. I especially wanted the tiles to be hung “upside down” from the normal application so they would look like mermaid scales.  It was even better than I had imagined because it looked like watery waves.

Three sides of the kitchen are getting the backsplash. (The 4th wall is fully covered with cabinetry and the refrigerator.)

The contractor and I had some discussion about where the tile should stop.  Ultimately he let me make the decision.

I’m never 100% sure about color and shape choices until the details start to come together.  Thus far as each step unfolds the I am satisfied with the progress.

• Landing Kitchen Reno – Day 7 Paint, Countertops, Electric
• Landing Kitchen Reno – Day 6 Trim, Paint, Sink
• Landing Kitchen Reno – Day 5 Cabinets, Hardware
• Landing Kitchen Reno – Day 4 Cabinets
• Landing Kitchen Reno – Day 3 More  Electric, Plumbing, Drywall
• Landing Kitchen Reno – Day 2 Electric, Plumbing, Drywall
• Landing Kitchen Reno – Day 1 Demolition
• Kitchen Countertop Choices
• New Kitchen Appliances
• Plans for the Kitchen
• New light in the Kitchen

Jo

When the crew showed up at 7 a.m. as they customarily do they were eager to finish up some details.

The real purpose of the day was to have the countertops templated and the floor tiled.

The tiler was eager to get started on the floor but that was not possible until the template was made since no one could walk on freshly set tile.

In the interim the pull-out mixer lift system was installed.  It seems to take up much of the cabinet it’s in.

All the electric outlets and switches have been wired with new, matching devices.  That’s the kind of detail I never would think of but am grateful for.

The man who makes the template for the countertop doesn’t actually measure anything.  He has a laser tool that captures a highly precise digital blueprint of the cabinet layout, wall angles, and curves ensuring the fabricated stone fits perfectly on the first try.  In our previous kitchen we had to make plywood templates of everything and send them to the fabrication companies.

He was very impressed with the precision with which the cabinets had been installed.  That makes everybody’s life easier.

Unfortunately the tile did not get started today but all the walls have been primed and painted 2 coats.  That was a project I had planned to do myself but happily it is done.

• Landing Kitchen Reno – Day 6 Trim, Paint, Sink
• Landing Kitchen Reno – Day 5 Cabinets, Hardware
• Landing Kitchen Reno – Day 4 Cabinets
• Landing Kitchen Reno – Day 3 More  Electric, Plumbing, Drywall
• Landing Kitchen Reno – Day 2 Electric, Plumbing, Drywall
• Landing Kitchen Reno – Day 1 Demolition
• Kitchen Countertop Choices
• New Kitchen Appliances
• Plans for the Kitchen
• New light in the Kitchen

Jo

When the crew showed up this morning they had some precision tasks on their list.

The drywall specialist built a little box around the rerouted plumbing. Then he added more joint compound  where necessary, sanded, and wiped down the walls.

The next step was to prime the old and new drywall to show any flaws.  Having the room more or less the same color was a big step in revealing how it will eventually look.

In the meantime the boss and his second-in-command worked on installing my huge ceramic farmhouse sink (Kraus Turino Farmhouse apron front 33-in x 18.25-in fireclay single bowl) since the countertop tech will be coming tomorrow to lay out the template which goes over the sink.

Fireclay uses a dense blend of clay and minerals fired at over 2,200°F, which fuses the clay and glaze into a glass-like finish. Traditional ceramic uses standard clay and glaze fired at lower temperatures, making it slightly more hollow and delicate.

They actually had to uninstall the sink cabinet so they could cut down the face of it and install the sink with plenty of support.

The space on the far end of the kitchen will house the stove.  Above it will be a cabinet and range hood.  Unfortunately that cabinet was damaged upon opening and has been reordered.  Thankfully it is the only damaged cabinet.

The kitchen is set in an open plan near the dining room and the living room.

The living room, dining room, and entire backyard including the bay are visible from the kitchen.

However, since the kitchen can often be cluttered and chaotic, view into it from the other rooms is now limited.  That was the plan.

Tomorrow hoping for the countertop to be templated and the tile floor to be started.

• Landing Kitchen Reno – Day 5 Cabinets, Hardware
• Landing Kitchen Reno – Day 4 Cabinets
• Landing Kitchen Reno – Day 3 More  Electric, Plumbing, Drywall
• Landing Kitchen Reno – Day 2 Electric, Plumbing, Drywall
• Landing Kitchen Reno – Day 1 Demolition
• Kitchen Countertop Choices
• New Kitchen Appliances
• Plans for the Kitchen
• New light in the Kitchen

Jo

Day 5 was taken up with the details that had not been fully addressed.

When the crew arrived the kitchen looked as they had left it on Day 4.  Notice that they clean up every afternoon before leaving the premises.  Love that.

All 3 members of the crew worked on installing the over-the-refrigerator cabinet.  It is placed so the doors are as far front as possible.

The placement of the over-the-fridge cabinet has recessed the pantry cabinet which I like. These 2 cabinets are Sandhill Crane (beige).

I was called into the project to determine where I wanted the drawer pulls and cabinet knobs. I had chosen Amerdeco 5-inch Champagne Bronze cabinet pulls and matching knurled cabinet knobs.

I decided all the upper cabinets would get knobs and all the lower cabinets would get the 5-inch drawer pulls on both the drawers and the doors.

As details are being worked out and hardware installed the kitchen is really coming together.  Taking out the island and enclosing the space has made it more spacious especially if 2 people are trying to work simultaneously in the kitchen.

I was ready to install the kitchen before last Christmas but alas it takes much more lead time than that.  As a result I had all the cabinets, appliances, and hardware on site before the building crew got started.  The contractor has had to purchase some building materials but mostly everything else was in our garage.

Maybe 2 more weeks or less until I get cooking.

• Landing Kitchen Reno – Day 4 Cabinets
• Landing Kitchen Reno – Day 3 More  Electric, Plumbing, Drywall
• Landing Kitchen Reno – Day 2 Electric, Plumbing, Drywall
• Landing Kitchen Reno – Day 1 Demolition
• Kitchen Countertop Choices
• New Kitchen Appliances
• Plans for the Kitchen
• New light in the Kitchen

Jo

Days 1,  2, and 3 of the kitchen renovation have been completed.

Although not necessarily looking like a kitchen, the room is starting to be more finished.

First thing in the morning while the drywall was being given a second coat of mud the hole for the over-the-stove exhaust fan was finalized.

Instead of patching the opening the boss decided to remove enough old drywall to accept a new full piece of sheet rock.

Then the fun part: the crew starting hauling in and setting up base cabinets (in Sherwin Williams color Upward).  The color goes well with the mural in the adjacent dining room.

I was concerned picking an actual color in lieu of a neutral for the cabinet finish but I looooovvve the pale blue finish.  It’s bright, cool, and classically chic. I’m hoping never to tire of it.

The upper and floor-to-ceiling cabinets are a neutral shade of greyish-cream called Sandhill Crane.  This color will be more visible from the living room/dining room than the lower cabinets.

The kitchen feels much bigger since the island was removed. Tomorrow I expect the rest of the cabinets will be put into place.

• Landing Kitchen Reno – Day 3 More  Electric, Plumbing, Drywall
• Landing Kitchen Reno – Day 2 Electric, Plumbing, Drywall
• Landing Kitchen Reno – Day 1 Demolition
• Kitchen Countertop Choices
• New Kitchen Appliances
• Plans for the Kitchen
• New light in the Kitchen

Jo

The kitchen renovation started this week.  Day 1 and Day 2 have been completed.

Day 3 was all about getting the kitchen ready for the appliances and cabinets.

Yesterday’s holes in the ceiling were filled with 2 recessed lights.

At the same time voids in the drywall were filled.

The first coat of joint compound was applied around the room.

The contractor and his top guy began working on the stove wall to accommodate the range hood.  They examined the new hood and found that it needed to exhaust through the cabinet above it.

When we took the cabinet out of its protective wrapper we discovered it was totally broken. I immediately texted our cabinet provider to start the remake process since the cabinets are custom orders.

Nonetheless the crew opened the wall to reroute the stud since (naturally) the exhaust vent was centered on it.

On this same wall the contractor decided to add a header between the beam and the side wall to close up the gap that would be created when the 15-inch deep cabinets are hung.

Although Day 3 had a few snags important decisions were made about each issue.

• Land Kitchen Reno – Day 2 Electric, Plumbing, Drywall
• Landing Kitchen Reno – Day 1 Demolition
• Kitchen Countertop Choices
• New Kitchen Appliances
• Plans for the Kitchen
• New light in the Kitchen

Jo

A lot of work was completed on the first day of renovating our kitchen.

The crew arrived bright and early in the morning.

First on the list was to rearrange the electric and plumbing to suit the new configuration of the kitchen. Now instead of traveling along the outside wall of the house the water is under the house in the crawlspace and then climbs up an inside wall to the second floor.

Simultaneously the new pony wall (a short, non-load-bearing wall, typically 3 to 4 feet high, that separates spaces without fully dividing them) between the kitchen and dining room was framed .  .  .

and covered with drywall on both sides.

Holes in the floor were patched ready for cement backer board to be applied.

The former pantries have been removed and replaced with a wall onto which the new cabinets will be attached.

And finally our contractor suggested we add 2 ceiling lights so the new pantry cabinets and coffee bar side of the kitchen have light.

This wasn’t an easy task since the wood ceiling cannot be patched once it is cut.  The old light connections that had been in the closets were run above the ceiling.  Larger openings to access the electric lines were necessary but they will ultimately be hidden by the floor to ceiling cabinets.

Tomorrow I imagine the drywall will be finished and the cabinets begun to be set in place.

• Landing Kitchen Reno – Day 1 Demolition
• Kitchen Countertop Choices
• New Kitchen Appliances
• Plans for the Kitchen
• New light in the Kitchen

Jo