Construction
This section covers the construction stage of our remodel—Day 51 to Day 41.
For previous work see:
Day 50 & 51—No progress
September 12 & 15, 2008
No work on Friday or Monday. Frank was planning on installing the lights on Monday, but the ones we wanted were backordered.
Day 49—The Cooktop
September 11, 2008
Frank and Julie started by adjusting the height of the hood. Jack and I had been very concerned about the hood being in the way, especially with the raised counter, so we had it installed a bit higher than normal. But the hood we purchased is very minimal and with the glass wasn't a problem at all. I could reach the controls, but they were a bit high so we decided it was best to lower it a bit now before the cooktop was installed.
Then Frank installed the cooktop. It looks nice and I can't wait to use it tonight! Now I don't need to use the motorhome.
Day 48—Island Sink
September 10, 2008
We found the hinges for the bar doors so Frank installed those today.
Then he installed the faucet and garbage disposal in the island. We had decided to reuse our kitchen sink and disposal as they were not very old. Unfortunately, the faucet ended up being a bit of work as it had accumulated bits of sand and stuff (some pieces were quite large). He also added an air switch for the disposal. That will be much nicer than the switch on the wall.
It will be really nice to have a kitchen sink again—even if it is pretty small. At least it has a garbage disposal! That's probably the biggest thing I've missed during the remodel. Followed by the dishwasher. Having the motorhome has been great, but no disposal is a pain long term. Now I won't have to go out to the motorhome to wash dishes and with any luck tomorrow I'll have a working cooktop so I can do all my cooking in the house too!
Day 47—More Cabinet Work
September 9, 2008
See Cabinets for details on the days cabinet work. Here are details from the other things that happened.
Frank came out and installed the lights in the wet bar cabinets and moved some light fixtures around as we are still trying to decide on which ones we want.
While that was all going on, Julie and I went down to Ed Pawlack Tile in Brea to look for backsplash and border tiles. They have a really extensive selection of specialty tiles. We found some nice tiles we think will look really hot—as long as Jack likes them! More later once I have a chance to discuss our selections with Jack.
Day 46—Slow Day
September 8, 2008
Frank was under the weather all weekend and still not feeling well so he just came buy and made a shopping list of things he needed to pick up to do the installation of the sinks, cooktop, faucets, hot water recirculating pump, etc.
Day 45—Granite Installation!
September 5, 2008
It was a long day waiting to see if the granite would be installed or not. Julie called about 9:30 to say they had called and were going to install today. She would call when they were on there way in a couple hours. Time passed as I tried to be patient, then Julie showed up at the door. She had decided to come to the house and wait. Then their truck was all loaded, but wouldn't start. We continued to wait and I wondered if they would make it today.
Then at 2:00 pm Juan and his crew from JA Flooring arrived. The four of them went to work and finished installing by 6:00 pm. It looks great! We got both critters—one on the raised counter and the other on the end of the perimeter cabinet. We also have a nice splash of purple that flows down from the raised counter and a bit more below it on the lower part of the island. Juan did a nice job matching up the seam on the long perimeter and we really like the chiseled edge on the wetbar.
The kitchen looks beautiful! I really love it!
We've decided to go ahead with the granite on the bookcase. I'm glad we held off as it will look great with the chiseled edge and tie the two areas together nicely. If we had done it earlier, we might have gone with the waterfall edge instead. Which I like, but we would like to see more of the chiseled edge since it came out so well.
Frank came by even though we wasn't feeling well to install some new light fixtures as we didn't care for the chrome ones we had decided on earlier. We now have the weekend to pick out which one we like best.
It's been really nice using the oven and microwave in the house again. Only drawback is everything seems to be out in the motorhome, requiring many trips back and forth to get just one more thing I need to fix dinner. But it shouldn't be long now until we can really use the kitchen!
The sinks look really nice and we all think we made an excellent choice. The color blends in very nicely with the granite and doesn't stand out so much like a white sink would have done. And the black one would have also been too noticeable.
Day 44—The Island Hood
September 4, 2008
David from Cagles emailed me this morning to let me know it looked like they were going to be able to get my microwave trim kit. They were able to pick it up and dropped it off at the house—what service!
Frank installed the island hood and when the microwave trim kit arrived, he installed that too. I really like the hood and all my concerns about it being too big, overpowering and in the way were unfounded. It looks nice and sleek.
Julie and I made a field trip out to Huntington Hardware to look at cabinet hardware. There was a set that we all liked in the catalog, but I wanted to touch and feel it before making a final decision. I still liked the looks of it, but I'm not so sure about it now. It doesn't project as much from the cabinet as I would like. We looked around for awhile and we found some others that we like too. I'll see what Jack thinks tonight when I talk to him about it.
Still no word on the granite installation. I'm keeping my fingers crossed for tomorrow...
Day 43—Oven
September 3, 2008
Julie had recommended Rick Nelson from Cucamonga Closets. I talked to him last week about our plans for the closet remodel and he had suggested he come out and take a look. He might have helpful suggestions regarding our plans and could give us an estimate while he was out. I liked his ideas and we even have room for a half-island in the center of the closet. I had been hoping that would work out.
Frank and Julie installed the Electrolux double-oven and placed the microwave in it's spot. The microwave is waiting for the backordered trim kit so it can be installed, but I can use both appliances now. I just have to decide what I want to cook for dinner tonight!
Frank also installed some of the trim kits and an assortment of different bulbs so we can decide which one(s) we want to use. That's our homework for tonight (in addition in making our outstanding audio decisions).
Day 42—More Paint
September 2, 2008
We talked to Julie about adding some color to the kitchen. She thought it was a great idea and we picked a turquoise called Caribbean. I think it looks great and Julie says it adds depth to the room. I think Jack is concerned it is a bit much, but I think he likes it and will really like it once everything is finished. Julie said we can add a brown glaze to tone it down if it's still too much for Jack later.
It was difficult to get a good photo due to the really bright windows.
Day 41—Paint
August 29, 2008
We headed out of town for the Bay Team Regional before dawn, so didn't see the work Julie and Frank did until our return late Monday night. In addition to painting the ceiling, they also painted the new soffit and some other walls in the family room and kitchen area the original brownish color we had. Julie was also great as she touched up the stairs where the new carpet exposed old white paint when they did the nicer bullnose on the steps.
