View Full Version : Why I have not been active much- My current mod...
Airbozo
02-08-2011, 07:01 PM
I have only been online while at work and I have even missed a few deadlines (sorry Curtis). Well this is why:
May:
http://img602.imageshack.us/img602/5097/house050210002.jpg
Last sunday:
http://img823.imageshack.us/img823/8644/kitchen2611007.jpg
I still have a fair bit to do. There are 2 cabinets missing and tons of trim. This is my first real wood working project and so far I have done everything myself.
The upside is that I have a whole new collection of woodworking tools.
BTW: The party is June 18th... :banana::banana::banana:
Wow, congrats! Looks like it came out great! :up:
Airbozo
02-08-2011, 07:19 PM
Wow, congrats! Looks like it came out great! :up:
Still not done. Got most of the handles on last night. Waiting for the rest of the cabinets and trim pieces to show up at the end of the month. I still have to adjust the doors so they are aligned right. I am also still tracking down a gas leak in my cooktop. I have one thing to replace and if that does not fix it then there is something broken in the cooktop itself.
Did I mention this is MY kitchen?
Did I also mention my kitchen OWNS me?!?!
I am really liking the wood working aspect of this project. I am good with everything else, but I have never attempted anything like this and was worried how it would turn out. Hell it took me over a week to figure out where a couple of the trim pieces fit in. Big expensive puzzle with no way to know if it is assembled right...
DynamoNED
02-08-2011, 07:25 PM
That's quite the extensive mod you've got there...
I really like the look; is the metal brushed aluminum or stainless steel? Either way, the metal & dark wood stain really contrast well. My parents are wanting to remodel their kitchen; I'll have to show this to them.
Airbozo
02-08-2011, 07:38 PM
That's quite the extensive mod you've got there...
I really like the look; is the metal brushed aluminum or stainless steel? Either way, the metal & dark wood stain really contrast well. My parents are wanting to remodel their kitchen; I'll have to show this to them.
The appliances are SS. The pulls are brushed steel with a coating to prevent rust or damage. It does look nice. I was not sure about how this would look, but I am very happy with the way it is turning out.
We are now looking at counter tops. Definitely going granite but the one we chose, happens to be the most expensive too (go figure) so we are looking at other options.
We have been saving up for over 6 years to make this happen. I have done pretty much everything from framing, electric, plumbing, rocking, and mudding to what you see now (that is why it is taking so long...). The SO tries to help but since neither of us know what we are doing she knows to stay away while my brain is smoking...
Lothair
02-08-2011, 08:26 PM
I thought the cabinets looked quite nice without handles. Although, I suppose that would make them quite difficult to open? HA. Oh well. Form and Function usually wins out in the end. :p
Are the two other cabinets going above the window, connecting to the small piece on the wall there?
Any plans for trim on the window? Perhaps just a stained board along the bottom with a bit of overhang? Might help tie it in better?
Are you going to replace that.. uh.. "unique" light fixture? :p
Love the Knife Holder by the way! That's hilarious!
How are you going to reach those top cabinets!? Do you have a step ladder for easier access or are you just really tall? Perhaps it's not as high as it looks?
That's looking great Terry! +rep
altec
02-08-2011, 10:30 PM
You do the drywall? I hate doing drywall. Well, the mud sucks...
I do like the handle-less look. Just take a router, and cut the bottom edge of the doors on the inside for a place to grab. Leaves a clean look.
blueonblack
02-08-2011, 10:30 PM
Excellent work! I too love the dark wood. Did you make the countertops yourself also?
+1 on the knife holder
OvRiDe
02-08-2011, 11:31 PM
Wow Terry.. it looks great! Did you make the cabinets or were they a knock downs? At first look I thought the counter tops were butcher block. As for the granite, I am in the same boat, it never fails the one I like ends up always being the most expensive. I have seen some really nice quartz counter tops that are priced pretty good, and I hear they are low maintenance as well. I guess one of the hot trends now is soapstone, which I do like the look, but the constant maintenance does not appeal to me at all. Floors look GREAT, are they hardwood. We ended up using the Allure Resilient Vinyl Plank Flooring and it came out great, and went down easy.
Looking forward to moar pics. :)
Airbozo
02-09-2011, 10:52 AM
I thought the cabinets looked quite nice without handles. Although, I suppose that would make them quite difficult to open? HA. Oh well. Form and Function usually wins out in the end. :p
I also like the clean look, but yes I need to open them too... LOL!
Are the two other cabinets going above the window, connecting to the small piece on the wall there?
The box above the small cabinet to the left of the window needs some trim, then a shelf will connect the top of the cabinets beside the window.
Any plans for trim on the window? Perhaps just a stained board along the bottom with a bit of overhang? Might help tie it in better?
We are going to put granite in the bottom of the window to match the counter tops. That should tie things together. That and the back splash is going to be vertical glass tiles (as of last weekend that is...).
Are you going to replace that.. uh.. "unique" light fixture? :p
LOL! Yes the old ceiling fan (I know it does not have blades) is gone once we find the right light.
Love the Knife Holder by the way! That's hilarious!
There is a unique story behind that knife holder. See below.
How are you going to reach those top cabinets!? Do you have a step ladder for easier access or are you just really tall? Perhaps it's not as high as it looks?
It is as high as it looks and even though I am tall, I need a ladder. Given the height of the ceilings throughout the house (15' peaks), they don't look out of place. I thought the cabinet over the fridge would look monstrous, but it ties in well. I call it the cabinet monolith...
Airbozo
02-09-2011, 11:27 AM
You do the drywall? I hate doing drywall. Well, the mud sucks...
I do like the handle-less look. Just take a router, and cut the bottom edge of the doors on the inside for a place to grab. Leaves a clean look.
My first job ever was hanging drywall. I am good at it, but I am a better mudder. If you would have seen the drywall before finishing you would never have thought it would come out this way. My house is a combination of add ons, dating back to 1906 so nothing is level or straight. Hell my wife knows how good I am with drywall mud and even she was worried...
Excellent work! I too love the dark wood. Did you make the countertops yourself also?
+1 on the knife holder
Plywood counter tops for now. Until we can afford the granite we want. That is one thing we never priced before starting this remodel.
Wow Terry.. it looks great! Did you make the cabinets or were they a knock downs? At first look I thought the counter tops were butcher block. As for the granite, I am in the same boat, it never fails the one I like ends up always being the most expensive. I have seen some really nice quartz counter tops that are priced pretty good, and I hear they are low maintenance as well. I guess one of the hot trends now is soapstone, which I do like the look, but the constant maintenance does not appeal to me at all. Floors look GREAT, are they hardwood. We ended up using the Allure Resilient Vinyl Plank Flooring and it came out great, and went down easy.
Looking forward to moar pics. :)
The cabinets were not made by me. They are semi custom made due to the odd dimensions and placements (the corner was/is the main problem area). BTW, the cabinet to the right of the window is higher than the rest to allow room for Taps... 3 of them.
I am not sure why people are using soapstone for countertops. Worst idea ever. That stuff breaks and chips so easy plus it stains and has to be sealed constantly. I am going to abuse my kitchen to the best of my ability and need it to hold up for a while.
This is the Granite we have selected. It is called Victoria Regia;
http://img152.imageshack.us/img152/2383/victoriaregia1.jpg
This is the exact piece we are looking at. We love the mix of colors and patterns;
http://img691.imageshack.us/img691/4896/victoriaregia.jpg
Yes the floors are hardwood. Pre-finished 3/4" Casa De Colour. If I was building a new house I would not use pre finished, but I don't have much of a choice here. They are going through the entire house except for the bathroom.
Airbozo
02-09-2011, 11:40 AM
OK here is the knife holder story;
I had a conversation with my wife a couple of months ago concerning a goof I made when installing the floors (I know it is there and if you were to walk across my floor you _may_ be able to tell). I told her it was just another pin in my voodoo doll. Then I had to go about explaining how I take all of my mistakes to heart, fix the ones I can and learn from the ones I cannot fix, but I never forget. I equate those mistakes as pins in my proverbial voodoo doll. If I can fix it, the pin comes out. Otherwise they just stay and some of the bigger ones haunt me until I fix them (I fixed several MAJOR pins when remodeling this kitchen).
Last month she was looking for a birthday present for me, knew I needed a couple of new knifes (you can never have too many) and saw this:
http://img222.imageshack.us/img222/6515/theex.jpg
They also make a version that is a pen holder...
billygoat333
02-09-2011, 12:25 PM
Looks awesome man. Redoing kitchens can be a pain in the ass... but looks like it came out awesome. :)
Oneslowz28
02-09-2011, 01:22 PM
Wow that's looking awesome Terry! That granite is some of the best looking I have seen. So glad you did not go with soapstone. It's whats being installed in the home I am building and I do not like it at all. It looks good, but I have a thing about oily surfaces possibly touching my food and even though I know the mineral oil soaks into the stone, in the back of my mind I see it covering my food and some how giving me cancer years down the road.
Those cabinets look amazing and I really love the placement of the stove. The whole kitchen looks like it is very comfortable to cook in!
Airbozo
02-09-2011, 01:59 PM
Wow that's looking awesome Terry! That granite is some of the best looking I have seen. So glad you did not go with soapstone. It's whats being installed in the home I am building and I do not like it at all. It looks good, but I have a thing about oily surfaces possibly touching my food and even though I know the mineral oil soaks into the stone, in the back of my mind I see it covering my food and some how giving me cancer years down the road.
Those cabinets look amazing and I really love the placement of the stove. The whole kitchen looks like it is very comfortable to cook in!
Thanks!
I have the same feeling about the oil. I have a large butcher block and it just feels odd sometimes dumping oil on a cooking surface.
The placement of the stove was pretty much what took so long in designing the kitchen and cabinet layout. You would be surprised how hard it was getting someone to understand why we wanted the cooktop there and why that was the only place to put it. I have a bunch of friends in the catering and restaurant business and took their advice on layout. They also looked at me funny when I told them how I wanted to lay it out and love it now that they can see it.
The downside is that the corner placement of the cabinets took some interesting mods to the walls... shown here:
http://img573.imageshack.us/img573/1134/dscf0067b.jpg
I built that support while the wife was at work and when she walked through the door I was hanging off of it to test the strength...
The corner setup is the main reason I do not have the last door on the small cabinet and why it opens from 2 sides.
Heheh, nice. I admit to using similar testing measures for various wood structures and supports I've built. :D
Re handle-less cabinet doors, if you leave a bigger gap between the doors, it works out great. A while back, my parents built a house, and my dad built all of the cabinets for the kitchen himself. That's what he did with the doors; just left ~1" between each door, and routed out a handle on the back edge. Looked great. :D I'd post pics of it, but they moved out of the house ~12 years ago.
dr.walrus
02-09-2011, 03:00 PM
I agree about the soapstone - I actually really like some of the modern polished concretes you get
altec
02-09-2011, 03:05 PM
My first job ever was hanging drywall. I am good at it, but I am a better mudder. If you would have seen the drywall before finishing you would never have thought it would come out this way. My house is a combination of add ons, dating back to 1906 so nothing is level or straight. Hell my wife knows how good I am with drywall mud and even she was worried...
Oh, you're one of THOSE guys. I always enjoy watching a pro at mudding. Look like they aren't paying attention, but when its done, you MIGHT have to tap it a couple times with a sanding block.
Airbozo
02-09-2011, 03:10 PM
Oh, you're one of THOSE guys. I always enjoy watching a pro at mudding. Look like they aren't paying attention, but when its done, you MIGHT have to tap it a couple times with a sanding block.
Pffft sanding is for noobs...
When I am done with my 3rd or 4th coat, I go over it with a slightly damp sponge to smooth it out. I am one of the few people that texture my walls for looks, not to hide my tape. Then again I learned from a guy that could plaster a rock wall and make it look like glass.
altec
02-09-2011, 03:19 PM
Damp sponge you say? I'll have to check that out! :)
Airbozo
02-09-2011, 03:53 PM
Damp sponge you say? I'll have to check that out! :)
WAY better than sanding. Even if you don't do a perfect job, use your knife to knock down the big chunks, then _lightly_ go over it with a slightly damp sponge to smooth the imperfections. Be careful about getting the sponge too wet as it will smear and cause streaks. I use the big sponges that you would normally use for tile grouting cleanup. Keep a bucket of clean water nearby and constantly rinse and wring out the sponge. Added benefit? No dust.
Oneslowz28
02-10-2011, 01:05 AM
Terry, does that granite have a name? I would like to see if any of the yards around here have some I could see in person. I must have shown that photo to 15 people today and every single person thought it was some of the best they have ever seen.
Terry, does that granite have a name?
I think it looks like a 'Wilfred', but that's just me. :P
jdbnsn
02-10-2011, 01:21 AM
Wow Terry, that looks absolutely remarkable. I am so impressed!
Airbozo
02-10-2011, 10:46 AM
Terry, does that granite have a name? I would like to see if any of the yards around here have some I could see in person. I must have shown that photo to 15 people today and every single person thought it was some of the best they have ever seen.
Victoria Regia.
Most look like the first photo. Some (like the ones we like), look like the second photo. It has more reds and oranges mixed in.
You really have to see it in person for the full effect. Photo's in this case do not do that work of art justice.
Speaking of art, I must admit that the first time I went to look at granite, I did not know what to expect. Where I work, there are several dozen granite shops within 5 miles and one day I went to lunch to get an idea of what to show the wife. I was so awed at the granite and marble, that lunch lasted over 3 hours...
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