[GardenOfDarwin]

Thanks for the update Gail! Sounds like it's coming along...just remember that all the ups and downs are par for the course with any remodel, kitchen remodels in particular and DIY remodels especially! It's all worth it in the end, though.

I can sympathize about the dishwasher. We didn't have one for the first 5 years living here -- through 2 babies, no less. When we finally got the plumbing through the wall, I told the plumber to hook it up -- in the middle of the room, no sink or faucet installed. He looked at me as if I were insane: "Um, m'am...you know we'll have to cut this out and reinstall it when your sink goes in, right?"
Me: "Right"
Him: "It's going to cost more money"
Me: "Right"
Him: "You're the boss"
Me: "Right"

Or something like that, anyway...

Susan

[gail0202]

LOL. Yep, "you're the boss" should be the mantra of every GC if they know what's good for them

We didn't have a dishwasher when we moved in 3 years ago but about 18 mnths ago when DH was on a biz trip and I was pregnant and had 2 toddlers running aroundI caved and bought a countertop one. It served us well but I was really looking forward to my dishdrawers especially given the lack of running water.

I wonder if I can rig the countertop version up in the old stripped back to the studs bathroom :?. Hmm, that's got me thinking.

Good news on the pantry cab, when DH unscrewed it from the wall it seems to have snapped back into shape. Looks like he was overzealous in attaching it to the wall and managed to torque the body. We're measuring and remeasuring to be sure butI thinkwe can get away without dismantling and rebuilding it.

Another blip on the remodel road, it looks like our fabulous scratch-n-dent48" builtin fridge find which had only minor blemishes on the bottom of the door has managed to aquire a pretty obvious dent in the front sometime during the floor finishing. We've no way of knowing how it happened, nor can we be sure it wasn't one of the kids (though I'm pretty sure it wasn't) so I guess we'll just suck it up and assume it's the first of many kid inflicted injuries to come.

We put up the Avsikt horizontal cabs today and they look awesome too. Still no pics from DH, he's still feeling headachy but managed to accomplish a fair amount today regardless. Pics tomorrow, for sure!

[Brodysmom]

gail0202 wrote:

Another blip on the remodel road, it looks like our fabulous scratch-n-dent48" builtin fridge find which had only minor blemishes on the bottom of the door has managed to aquire a pretty obvious dent in the front sometime during the floor finishing. We've no way of knowing how it happened, nor can we be sure it wasn't one of the kids (though I'm pretty sure it wasn't) so I guess we'll just suck it up and assume it's the first of many kid inflicted injuries to come.

Definitely don't sweat the new dent.We have no kids (well, unless you countour two cairn terriers Brody and Mia) and somehow our stainless refrigerator acquired a dent within a year of purchase! Oh well.

[gail0202]

Well, here I am 6 weeks on and still no completed kitchen. Things have moved on a lot though. The countertops are in, though not complete. After 2 days of fabrication we have an OK island which we're living with (to save further damage elsewhere) and an unsatisfactory main counter run which is being completely replaced tomorrow (please let that be the end of it). We still have toekicks to finish; the fridge needs to be "built-in"; I have to order door #4 for under the prep sink (1 thru 3 arrived damaged); construct the long drawer for under the cooktop (drawer fronts are on 12 week backorder so we have a wait on our hands before we can start the modifications); add a flip up door above the ovens (made from a 30" wide deep drawer front); add sidepanels and trim to the horizontal wall cabs.

The next design decision is backsplash. I think we're almost definitely, perhaps, maybe doing the 3-form panels . I looked at tile, but don't think it works in this kitchen, stainless is a little too industrial I think. I considered some of the 3-form panels with mesh in them but again, I think it's too industrial a look for this "modern with natural materials" kind of look we have going here. I'm currently thinking of using one of their more biological, natural, earthy, materials though picking one is proving to be challenging. If anyone has a silver bullet to offer here, I'm all ears.

[gail0202]

Oh, and the other BIG design decision. CABINET HARDWARE. Argh, if anything is going to put me over the edge, it's this.

I'd like a simple L pull in brushed stainless or brushed nickel to place at the top of the drawers and doors. Something akin to Ikea's handle in brushed aluminum (can't remember the name) but finding one is proving to be impossible. I've found some handles that are simple rectangular shapes which are nice but I haven't committed yet. Committed? I will be by the end of this

[nyc_home]

What a great space and a beautiful design! I especially love the island!

[GardenOfDarwin]

Gail -- that is a superb use of materials! I love the island! What are the lights??

Handles...I'll have to get back to that when I haven't had a couple of glasses of wine. Cheers!

Susan

[Liz H]

Gail, it's beautiful! It almost makes me want to strip all the color out of my planned kitchen. I'll just come visit your pics when I need some serenity.

[gail0202]

Thanks. The lights are the small Secto pendants from Design Within Reach.I love that store! I just wish Icould handle their prices. :?

I think they're selling off all their Secto stock as they no longer have the sconces and only have the Birch in Large now I was hoping to talk DH into getting the sconces for our bedroom, oh well.

If I manage to sell a fewhouses in the next few months (I'm a realtor when I'm not chasing 3 kids and building a house)then I'd like toget DWR's Cross extension tablein Oak for the dining room. It's the first time I've seen a table I really love, and I've been looking for a long time. It's on sale now but the budget is screaming already so it will have to wait. I can just picture that with a Nelson saucer bubble lamp above it and some leather chairs from Scandinavian designs (about 1/5th the price of the DWR ones). OK, enough prattling about something that's not going to happen, for now anyway

[gail0202]

Liz, you don't know how hard it's been to stop myself from throwing color at this. My last house was every color under the sun. Every so often I get pangs thinking I won't be able to handle this.