Ditchin' the Kitchen 2006: Done and Done

Toby wishes to thank all those who assisted in his remodel.

Ditchin' the Kitchen 2006: Done and Done

Ditchin' the Kitchen 2006: Done and Done

Ditchin' the Kitchen 2006: Done and Done

Ditchin' the Kitchen 2006: Done and Done

Installing the glass cabinets and shelves was the last job, and the one that really makes the kitchen pop. We ordered a couple of additional shelves to fill the space.

Herewith, some befores and afters ...

Ditchin' the Kitchen 2006: Week Seven

We've moved in. Fridge is full. Tonight, our first home-cooked meal since early March (sauteed shrimp, grilled asparagus, green salad).

Ahhhhhhhh ....

Ditchin' the Kitchen 2006: Week Seven

Ditchin' the Kitchen 2006: Week Seven

Appliances installed. Light fixtures installed. Faucet installed. Outlets, switchplates, garbage disposal installed.

Completion is tantalizingly close, with only the class cabinets and some touchup left.

But at this point, we've got a working kitchen. Oh, and the dumpster and Port-a-Potty are gone from the back yard. It's less a construction site, and more of a home again.

Ditchin' the Kitchen 2006: Week Six

First cupboard filled: the liquor cabinet, of course!

Ditchin' the Kitchen 2006: Week Six

Ditchin' the Kitchen 2006: Week Six

Two projects completed this week: countertops and tile backsplash.

Gorgeous.

Countertops are Corian. Main counters are a pale yellow; isthmus is a textured sand color.

Backsplash is a matte, textured, slightly reddish brown, punctuated by diamonds of glossy textured turquoise. Grout is a slightly darker brown.

Did I say gorgeous?

Ditchin' the Kitchen 2006: Week Five

... and a pop-up mixer stand.

Ditchin' the Kitchen 2006: Week Five

More cabinet explorations: spice racks, turntables ...

Ditchin' the Kitchen 2006: Week Five

New floor installed.

Stone-look vinyl. Simple. Easy to clean.

Toby likes.

Ditchin' the Kitchen 2006: The Halfway Point

Hey, isn't that Toby?

Ditchin' the Kitchen 2006: The Halfway Point

Ditchin' the Kitchen 2006: The Halfway Point

It's Cabinet Week.

And suddenly, it's a kitchen -- with big holes where the oven, sink and dishwasher should be, but a recognizable cookin' space nonetheless.

The cabinets arrived a day and few hours late, but the installer had the first units up in a few hours and the whole room, minus some trim work, done by Thursday. The dark walnut finish and shaker styling matches our interior doors and dining room set almost perfectly.

The range hood got installed, and it's just cool -- brushed stainless, sleek and rounded, like the tailfin on an old Thunderbird, and very quiet.

Can't wait to see the matching cooktop.

Can't wait to cook!

Ditchin' the Kitchen 2006: Week Three

The obligatory Toby photo ...

Ditchin' the Kitchen 2006: Week Three

Ditchin' the Kitchen 2006: Week Three

Finally, it begins to look like ... well, not a kitchen, but a room, anyway.

Finishing touches on the drywall. New molding to replace what had to be sacrificed during the demo (a moment's silence, please). More plumbing work to make certain we're working with gravity, not against it.

And then, finally, the paint.

Del Mar Blue.

No photograph, digital or otherwise, can do it justice.

Best. Color. Ever.

Ditchin' the Kitchen 2006: Week Two

Behind the Scenes (and the house): Support systems (dumpster and portapotty) for our crew. Toby is just certain that whoever's in the loo will want to throw the ball for him.

Ditchin' the Kitchen 2006: Week Two

Domestic Archaeology: Part Two

Before the drywall went up, we were able to sleuth out some of the Floyd House's original structure. The west wall of the kitchen (top) consists of lath and plaster, standard interior construction for the early 20th century. (Note the diagonal stud ("K brace") near the exterior wall.) But the east wall (middle) is built of 1x6 boards, similar to the house's exterior walls. An old doorway frame and header (bottom) sits in the north corner of that wall. Suspicions confirmed: The original house ended at what's now the kitchen, and the study, laundry room and downstairs bathroom were all later additions.

Ditchin' the Kitchen 2006: Week Two

Ditchin' the Kitchen 2006: Week Two

The Sheetrock Week. The panels went up in two days; the rest of the week was devoted to taping and mudding. Mysterious pipes and cables stick out on all sides, a hint of appliances to come.

Ditchin' the Kitchen 2006: Week One

Domestic Archaeology: Part One

Layers of flooring like sedimentary rock (Pergo, Linoleum tile, painted pine boards ... and below that, the abyss.)

Ditchin' the Kitchen 2006: Week One

Ditchin' the Kitchen 2006: Week One

Demolition took all of one day. The rest of the week was devoted to roughing in electrical and plumbing. Small glitches when the existing wiring and pipes weren't up to code. Glitches fixed to the satisfaction of the city inspectors.

By the end of the week, the drywall had been delivered. Toby stood watch ...