Construction
This section covers the construction stage of our remodel—Day 40 to Day 31.
For previous work see:
Day 40—Granite Templates
August 28, 2008
I met Julie at JA Floor Coverings in Upland. We discussed the granite options with Juan, the owner. He assisted us in placing the templates and made a few cuts in one of the slabs while we were there. We also discussed edge options. He made up some samples while we were there so I could see what they would look like. We decided on the waterfall edge except for the old wet bar where we will use the chiseled edge.
Jack and I had discussed the granite on the bookcase and have decided to hold off. The wood looks so nice we will wait and see how everything looks when the granite is in before deciding if we want to cover it up. Juan will cut the piece, but wait to finish it if we decide we want to use it.
Juan expects to have the granite ready to install on Wednesday!
Frank spent most of the day doing research on our home audio system. We'll probably be discussing and making a decision this weekend.
Julie will be over in the morning to do the ceiling painting.
Day 39 —Plumbing
August 27, 2008
Frank did some work on the plumbing for the main and prep sinks. He also did some patching on the walls for the under and above cabinet lights. We discussed the audio/video options a bit more. Then I went and picked up a sample of the chiseled edge we are considering for some of the granite.
I'm meeting Julie at the fabricators in the morning to place the templates.
Day 38 —More Electrical
August 26, 2008
Frank continued work on the island electrical. He also checked the electrical in the rest of the kitchen, installed the can to replace the entry light and installed the light in the closet under the stairs. Before he left, Frank did a better job vacuuming out the drawers.
Again, nothing to really take a photo of, might be slow for awhile. Frank will be out tomorrow and Julie will be back Thursday and Friday to paint.
Day 37 —Island Electrical
August 25, 2008
Frank came by in the morning to work on the electrical on the island. Nothing to really take a photo of, maybe tomorrow.
Day 36 —Cabinet Installation
August 22, 2008
See Cabinets for details on the days cabinet work. Here are details from the other things that happened.
Meanwhile, the installers were out from Hometime Windows and installed the second batch of windows. They look great! I love the windows without all the grids—the views are fantastic! We decided to replace the hanging entry light with a can light, so Frank took the light fixture down. The unobstructed view of Cucamonga Peak out the new entry window is awesome! And now with the wall gone and the plywood replaced with a window, I'm constantly amazed at how open, light and airy the house has become! I just love sitting at my desk and seeing all the windows with views of the mountains out the front and the trees out the back. Not to mention the beautiful cabinets!
Once the island was ready, Frank worked on the island electrical.
It was already challenging to get good pictures with all the windows, but now that the plywood is gone, it's even more difficult. If I wait until its not so bright outside, it gets too dark before I think about it again.
Saturday & Sunday were not official working remodel days, but there are a few things to report. We had our garage sale. It went better than we feared—thanks to Julie for all her help picking up stuff from our storage unit and setting up the heavy stuff! We couldn't have done it without her help. It was also really nice of them to lend us a nice heavy duty sheet of plywood and a pair of sawhorses. We sold a reasonable amount of stuff and got a little for it. We sold the garage refrigerator, so I'll probably need to get a freezer soon...
Unfortunately nobody wanted the furniture. So we still have to get rid of that another way.
Julie and the granite fabricator were out during the garage sale and worked on the templates. Julie and I will go over soon and figure out where we want each template placed on the granite. We will soon see if we will be able to keep the critters.
After the garage sale, Jack and I ran over to the Great Indoors and picked up our cooktop.
On Sunday, we met with Frank to discuss our audio/video options.
During the week, Julie found a few more tile samples for us to consider. One even comes in a 13" tile which matches the size of our existing tile. It's the first one she's found and it also comes in some other sizes that might be interesting. It's now time to be making a decision about the floor in our new kitchen.
Day 33 —The New Cabinets Are Here! The New Cabinets Are Here!
August 19, 2008
While we were waiting for the cabinets to arrive, Julie noticed a patch of the ceiling that didn't look right. So she made arrangements to have them come back out to re-texture that area.
While they were working on the cabinets, Frank did a bit more work on the exterior window patch.
Acoustical Ceilings came back out about 5:00 pm and sanded and re-textured the bad spot on the ceiling. It looks much better. Of course that means more odor—bummer! They said it would smell until it was painted, so at least that odor should be replaced by the smell of new paint tomorrow.
Julie will be back in the morning to prime and paint.
See Cabinets for more details on today's progress.
Day 34 —Priming
August 20, 2008
Today Julie and Frank primed the ceiling and walls and got everything ready to paint. Frank stuccoed the wall window patch. We are ready for the new window on Friday and Frank will paint the wall once that is installed.
Another exciting day tomorrow continuing the cabinet install!
Day 32 —Spray Ceiling
August 18, 2008
Brad and his crew from Acoustical Ceilings, Inc. came out this morning and finished the walls and ceilings. They put plastic up everywhere, then sanded the walls and ceilings. Next they sprayed on the texture. Everything is all white now in the kitchen.
While they were working on the walls, Frank worked on the exterior window patch.
After they left, Frank grouted the tile. We are all ready for cabinets!
Tomorrow, Jim & Richard from Alpine Custom Cabinetry will start installing the cabinets. They will finish up on Thursday. On Wednesday Julie is planning to be out to prime and paint the ceiling.
Jack came home and is not impressed by the smell left by the drywall texturing. I'd opened the windows and the fan is running, but I'm not sure how much they have helped. We went out for the evening, but it's still noticeable when we came home—bummer! What are the chances new cabinets will help...? Any chance new cabinets have a pleasant woodsy odor like new car or something?
Day 31 —Drywall
August 15, 2008
Dave the drywaller was out today to finish prepping for Monday. Not really anything to take a picture of.