The design

The new (tentative) design. For elevations see the photos page. The sink and cook top are in the same location (image is rotated 90 degrees to the left compared to the "before" image) but the penninsula has been removed, the island (with a new table top) has been lengthened, and the oven has been moved and set at an angle.

Click for larger view

Photos -- before, after, and in between

Before,
originally uploaded by Grant13.

Before -- overhead view from stairs,
originally uploaded by Grant13.

Before -- view from breakfast area,
originally uploaded by Grant13.

Elevation 1 -- refrigerator and pantry,
originally uploaded by Grant13.

Elevation 2 -- cooktop,
originally uploaded by Grant13.

Elevation 3 -- dishwasher and sink,
originally uploaded by Grant13.

Elevation 4 - the island,
originally uploaded by Grant13.

Demolition (10-08-2005)



Demolition (10-08-2005)



Week 1 (10-28-2005) 3 weeks without a kitchen



Week 2 (11-4-2005) 4 weeks without a kitchen



Construction-- Week 6




Construction -- Week 7 (9 weeks without a kitchen)




Dec. 23, 2005 (11 weeks without a kitchen

week11.3,
originally uploaded by Grant13.

week11.2,
originally uploaded by Grant13.

Jan. 11, 2006 (3 months without a working kitchen)



Jan. 20, 2006 (Countertops installed and all appliances installed)

Kitchen Cabinets -- Everything hinges on the cabinets

June 29, 2005

The cabinets are generally the most expensive component of the kitchen. They set the tone and style. The start date of a kitchen remodel depends largely on when the cabinets will be shipped and delivered. And, as Steve, our designer, continually reminds us, they are the item that is least likely to be upgraded or changed at some point in the future. For this reason, he argues, the cabinets are not a place where we should skimp.

On the other hand, we’ve been told that all cabinets are plywood (or some other material) boxes covered by face frames, drawers and doors. And to my eye, the lower end brands carried by Home Depot and Lowe’s (Kraftmaid, Thomasville, Diamond etc.) seem to rival the more expensive brands in terms of styles and colors. They even offer similar hardware and geegaws (fully extending drawers, soft/self-closing drawers, etc.).

I’m sure the higher quality brands are constructed better, but what really sold us is that the finishes are supposed to be much more durable on the higher quality brands. The cabinets we have now are probably about 15 years old. They function fine mechanically, but the finish is awful. No amount of orange oil can restore them. They are particularly worn in the area near the stove

We went shopping with Steve today and think we may have picked out our cabinets. We’re getting a bid for Columbia cabinets. We chose a fairly simple French Country style (see picture above for style and color) in an alder wood (cheaper than cherry) that we felt would be more versatile and would work with our somewhat rustic furniture and accessories better than the Arts and Crafts/Shaker/Prairie style that we really like. The island will be a painted cream colored cabinet in the same style.

Even though we are going a step up from what we were considering, Steve probably felt like he was slumming it today. But our budget just doesn’t have room for Wood-Mode, Crystal, or Fieldstone kitchen cabinets.

Countertops and backsplash

July 14
We're picturing a butcher block to top the island which will have painted cabinets in a cream color, but we really haven't decided on countertops for the perimeter yet. Below are samples of some of the things we've been looking at against a sample of the cabinets that will be around the perimeter.

granite, Caesar Stone, and basket weave slate,
originally uploaded by Grant13.

For some reason we've moved away from soapstone and are considering granite or Caesar Stone. Granite is beautiful and is clearly the most popular solid surface (at least judging by the kitchens showcased in the home and garden magazines). But the Caesar Stone is appealing to me because it's not very busy (at least not the type we're considering) and would allow us to do something more dramatic with the backsplash (currently considering the basket weave slate sample below as an accent over the cooktop). In terms of cost, there doesn't appear to be a significant difference. Granite is more expensive, but we're learning that the cost for the material is less significant than the cost of fabrication/installation. For an example of a kitchen with Caesar Stone, see picture below:


We also haven’t ruled out tile for the countertops. Seems to us that if you’re going for French Country or anything slightly rustic, tile is actually more fitting. Maintaining the grout doesn’t really bother us. And it would be significantly cheaper. It’s just so out of vogue right now.

Fixtures, Faucets, Flooring and Lighting

June 29, 2005

We've been eyeing this particular sink-faucet combination. Both are made by Rohl. After stopping by the Kitchen Cabinet Expo in Sacramento today, we went next door to the Plumbery to take a look.

Project Timeline

May-June 2005: Met with designer. Approved plans. Solicited a bid for cabinets. Things moving slowly.

July 2005: Cabinets almost ordered, just a few details to work out. Decided to hire a general contractor (see post titled "And so it grows", July 24, 2005.

Oct. 5 2005: Cabinets arrive at the warehouse.

Oct. 8 2005: Demolition.

Oct. 24 2005: Work on the kitchen begins (electrical, plumbing, etc.)

Dec. 9 2005: Rough work is finally completed and drywall is hung on the ceiling and walls. We spend the weekend priming and painting.

Dec. 12 2005: Cabinets are delivered to our home where they take up much space in the living/dining room and breakfast room.

Jan. 19 2006: Kitchen is fully functional. Cabinets, appliances, lighting and countertops installed.