House Remodeling Thread (long)

[tulip]

Thanks, ladies. The door with the diamond window is really el-cheapo and it's amazing that someone hasn't busted it down by now (my dog almost has because he jumps up to look in the diamond window when he wants to come in). It will be replaced by a single-pane full glass door (reinforced glass, of course, with a light-filtering shade). Had the place been larger, I would have liked to have double French doors, but I got what I got.

The walls in the dining room are white and I think they will stay that way. I'm really attracted to calm colors and patterns, and this kitchen is really the culmination of the last few years life drama that I've written about elsewhere. I want it to reflect my calm state of mind, yeah. Or maybe inspire a calm state of mind!

There won't be any painted walls in the kitchen proper. The cabinets go to the ceiling and I'm going to tile the back splash, probably with subdued glass tiles that pick up the tones and colors of the floor, cabinets, and countertops. The ceiling is white and I'm sure as heck not going to paint it again! The trim of the door and window will be white. That window needs some repair eventually, but that will have to wait until later. I'm just going to put up a simple bamboo matchstick roll-up shade on the window. I was hoping to get custom cellular shades that go up from the bottom and down from the top for the whole house (11 windows), but that ain't happening any time soon. $13 shades will do just fine thankyouverymuch.

For the counters, I'm thinking a Cherokee red with or without aggregate showing, or a sage green probably smooth (no aggregate). I'm also considering a dark brown, like the floors, but that might be boring. I thought of inlaying little things, but I decided against it because I want as few distractions as possible. I like things simple, I guess. Once I choose the concrete, I'll choose the pendant lights--two over the peninsula and one over the sink.

The cabinets are really beautiful and incredibly well-made. They are made locally by a neat shop, and the main cabinet maker is a woman, which I found very cool. I found one noticeable nick in the one just above where the fridge will be, and at this price, I'm going to insist that they fix it or replace that door. If it was tucked in a corner I wouldn't care, but it's front and center. The drawers are self-closing, and the shelves are very good quality. I've never had nice stuff like this before in my life, and I'm amazed at the difference! I'm really going to enjoy living here.

I got a sink and faucet last night (photo below). All that's left are the lights and the disposal. I have to do a little research on disposals.

Not only is my dog a shepherd who follows me everywhere, he's also a complete camera hog. Whenever I pull the camera out, he's positions himself in front of it! He was the featured dog on the calendar that the rescue organization put out for 2009. I think he knows he's famous.

[Zen]

Do the drawers have handles?

[Trek420]

Do the drawers have handles?

Looks like they will, the fit is so tight I don't think you could do the "no handle" thing.

I love the wood grain. It'd be great to pick it up or compliment on the countertop. Gosh I love kitchen design, especially when it's someone elses that I don't have to live through

[redrhodie]

I love the idea of Cherokee red for the coutertops.

[tulip]

Handles, yes. They were put on Friday. Still no pasta; it'll all be done by the end of Tuesday, except for the counters and pendant lights. There was a problem with the light switches, so the electrician has to come and move them so the microwave will fit. The door above where the fridge will be had a nick in it and they are fixing or replacing it.

I chose a warm dark brown for the countertops. I was really leaning toward the Cherokee red, but decided at last that I wanted something more neutral to be the background. I want to start ichibana again, and so therefore wanted a counter that would not clash with any flower color combos that I might come up with. I was also wondering if the red counter would be too "hot" in the middle of summer. I think the brown will be very nice.

I love the pattern of the bamboo cabinets. The edge grain is a really nice touch, too. They are so well-made. I still can't believe that I'm going to have a kitchen that is so well-made and that I designed! I can't wait to get cookin'!

[deedolce]

Finally reading through this thread! Love your camera h/dog!

Ah, I wish I had some ability to redo my house! I spend lots of time dreaming up HUGE changes, but am finally scaling down to some things that just might be possible! One would be very much like yours- taking out a partial wall between the kitchen and my front room, and putting in a counter and redoing cabinets. And I would need a floor, too .

I love your redo! I've spent the past week finally putting time in my backyard, so I hope you put pics of your outside space too!

[Trek420]

Wait, these are bamboo? Beautiful and sustainable? Be still my beating heart

[tulip]

Wait, these are bamboo? Beautiful and sustainable? Be still my beating heart

Yes, I tried to be as sustainable as possible with the renovation. Bamboo cabinets and concrete or paperstone counters were a given. The on-demand hot water heater was too expensive, as was the 15 SEER heat pump. But I got the most efficient tank water heater that I could manage, and a 13 SEER heat pump that is pretty darned efficient (my house is 900 SF; one story). Additional work to be done is improving the insulation, building storm windows and screens, installing the wood/coal stove, and opening up one more interior wall to improve circulation (air, person, dog). Every room has a ceiling fan, which helps in all seasons. I have big trees all around and the house is pretty cool in warmer weather as far as I can tell (I moved there in August before the A/C was installed and only the hottest days were uncomfortable).

Oh, and my contractor recycles or salvages all the construction waste.

It'll be a while until it's all done, but I actually am enjoying the process and learning alot.

[Zen]

I have cherry cabinets.
They are old and dirty and too dark.
Do you think I could lightly sand them to clean and lighten the color?