[dafogle]

I purchased my cabinets a few weeks ago - and they were delivered on October 5th ... 178 boxes in total ... I still have a few missing pieces (18" drawers) but think I have everything else that I need. The drawers were special ordered - and I will go pick them up on thursday or friday.

I'm still trying to make a decision on what I'll do for the countertop and backspash (oh yeah, hardware and lighting too.... ) I got tired of trying to make decisions and decided to just get the project underway ... and maybe the decisions would be easier when I'm underpressure. How could I forget ... I also need to decide on my stove and microvent. I know I'm going to have a dual-fuel oven (want it to be slide-in) and a microvent. Sears is having another sale (15% off I purchase both from them... so a trip to Sears is on the plate for this week). Writing the above I'm starting to think I have a ton of decisions remaining... oh well... like I said - easier under pressure. Less time to research and analyze ...

So... what's been happening since the kitchen was delivered ? packing the kitchen, trying to setup a temporary kitchen ... working .... etc.

I was so excited when my cabinets were delivered, and I'd intended to start my progess blog then - just got busy with stuff.... and didn't have much to share. My sister came to visit and we checked the order list with what was delivered and found only a single part missing. IKEA sent that part by UPS. I then checked out a couple of boxes that looked like they'd previously been opened. One was fine, the other had handwritten pencil notes on it .... 12x39 ... sure enough - I opened the box and it is a 12x39 cabinet box ... its' supposed to be an 18x39 ... I called IKEA and they sent me the correct cabinet box - and told me I could keep the wrong one ... originally they were going to have me ship it back ... they changed their mind. I told them that I'm sure I'll be going back again ... and that I could return it ... they said only if it wasn't a special trip ... teriffic! I wonder if I'd have problems returning it since I didn't purchase a 12x39 cabinet ... if I do return it they need to put it in another box or put it in the as-is room so that someone else doesn't get the wrong cabinet.

So... today was D day (nope... not decisions.... ) Demolition!!! My entire kitchen has been gutted ... that was very exciting. I'm donating the old cabinets, sink, CT to Habit for Humanity... they will come pick them up ... I'm not doing the work myself ... I've hired John and Doug to re-do my kitchen for me. Photos are in the camera but I'll post several soon ... the before from this morning ... and the after from the end of the day. I can't believe that they tore the whole thing out (and gently) within several hours.

I've got lots of soapstone samples ... and just saw some locally on saturday. If I go with soapstone it will be the local stuff ... the have slabs of a green soapstone with no veins at all... and a grey-ish blue soapstone that has small beige and tannish veins. Beautiful stuff .. the name of the stone they carry locally is Ipanema. I will take photos when I go back next time.

I'm still thinking of small slate tiles for the backsplash - not 100% sure though.

Here's the new layout of the primary kitchen area ... this is the layout that Eva designed for me ... Thanks again, Eva!!!!

I'll add photos later ....

[dafogle]

Here's the office area
The countertop here is Numerar birch

I'm again following Eva's advice and a JUSSI table will slide-into the opening. I was so excited to find the only JUSSI table at West Sacramento ... and it is birch... I felt like I'd won the lottery when I found that ... their inventory showed none in stock... but there was one on the shelf...

Address: 700 IKEA Court West Sacramento, CA 95605 Telephone:916-371-4532 Cust.Svc.: x1447, x1100, x1445 Store hours:Store open every day: 10 am - 9 pm IKEA Store Directory Entry for IKEA West Sacramento

[dafogle]

Here's the overall space ... the island is rotated 90 degrees though ... drawers will be towards the oven .. and the wall cabinets will be facing the door into the room.

[DesignDiva]

Can't wait to see it, Doreen!! I love my Jussi table. It's nice as a desk, and great to use as an emergency table or work surface as well.

[dafogle]

It's been a busy & exciting week.... even though I'm not doing any of the actual work on the kitchen ... work has been busy - and seeing the progress and making decisions on my kitchen has kept me jumping.

The kitchen was gently demolished on monday - I donated the cabinets, countertop, sink and faucet to habit for humanity. A wall was built on the sink wall, electric redone to ensure a dedicated circuit for the refrigerator, microvent and 220 moved from the island to the stove wall. The rails for the wall cabinets were hung and the wall cabinets are assembled on on the rail (not leveled and locked down at this point). The ledger board was installed on both walls and one base cabinet was assembled.

Lots of progress!! Here's a photo from monday morning before the kitchen was torn out ...
http://www.flickr.com/photos/doreenf...7594340578612/


and a photo of kitchen in its' current state http://www.flickr.com/photos/doreenf...7594340578612/




the propane line needs to be run, my new appliances will arrive this week ... still trying to decide on what to do for the countertop and backsplash. I got the estimate for the soapstone slabs and have decided that's out (I want to have some money to remodel the downstairs bathroom...). I want to use the same material for both the countertop and the island - so... I think tile is what I'll be using ... I've got lots of samples at home and am trying to narrow the choices down. I'll be looking for input from those of you here and will be posting some photos early this week - asking for input ....

[B]

Doreen,

Our "before" shot will look quite similar to yours with respect to the tile countertops - down to the dark grout and all.

I'm not sure if you like the look of granite, but we saw some granite tiles at HD this weekend when poking around for some backsplash ideas. If you pick the right color and the right "pattern," the seam between the tilesappeared (to our untrained eyes, anyway), far less noticeable than grout lines dowith ceramic tile. You might be able to get yourself the dark, veiny look of a soapstone with a granite tile...perhaps inlaid within a birch-y wood frame - all within a tile-y, as opposed to granite-y/soapstone-y budget? Just a thought - from someone who hasn't looked into this too closely!

Congrats on making such progress!

[Shouva]

Doreen, progress photos are so great to see. I liked having the stud wall added over the timbers, giving you space to then run elecrical lines...and the extra depth to recess your refrig. Can hardly wait for more photos of your progress.

Isn't Eva great? She should get a job as a kitchen designer and be paid for all she does.

Shouva

[shorty]

Hey Doreen-

Progress looks great! Can't wait to see how it continues.

I answered some of your other questions in our photo thread, hope it helps!

[dafogle]

Debbie - thanks for the answers in your thread ... definitely helped... I'm going to be running around this weekend picking up more samples ... and hopefully will be able to make a decision .... they are making quick progress.

The gas line was run for the stove, the vent was installed... they had a heck of a time getting through the log ... of course there were two metal spikes (to hold the logs together) right in the middle of the vent hole that they had to cut out. I picked up the microvent yesterday and it will be installed today. My dual-fuel stove will be delivered on friday.

They think the kitchen will be ready for the countertops next week ... if only I can make a decision ... I can't believe that I'm going to be holding up progress... indecision .... terrible! I will find something I'm happy with ... just having problems with things either being too light and blending too much ... or too dark for my space. I feel like golidlocks and the porrige ... I need to to be just right ...

Today they are working on the side panels for the refrigerator... the base cabinets for the main kitchen area are assembled ... the ledger board has been up since late last week. The electrical is in place for the undercounter lights ...

I even picked out the new lighting - to replace those fluorescent lights that are currently installed between the logs ... I've chose track lighting - with pendants that will hang down above the island - and small halogen lights along the rail. I think they will add some much needed light - and will be very nice looking.

Must get back to work....

I'll post more photos later today ... with the up-to-date progress

Shouva: My fridge is a full sized french door fridge - and even though its' recessed - it will still extend beyond the base cabinets....

Doreen

[dafogle]

Lots of progress yesterday. The coverpanels for the fridge are in place, some more electrical work done for the UC lights, all cabinets on sink wall are in place and fastened, the worked out the plan for the 3" rev-a-shelf base filler spice pullout, coverpanels installed on wall cabinets near sink ... today they're working on the filler and will get the spice pullout installed ... and hopefully the microvent as well. I'll post some photos when I finish some work that has to be done today.

Doreen