More kitchen updates! This one includes the installation of our beautiful Brazilian Koa hardwood floor, the cabinet doors and drawers, and the floorboards. We originally were going to put down standard 3/4″ Cherry flooring in the kitchen only, but after realizing that it would require another 3/4″ subfloor for installation, and that we’d have a major tripping hazard from the adjoining rooms, we scrapped the idea and purchased the 3/8″ Koa. We also decided to put it in both the kitchen and dining room as well as install it at an angle, rather than parallel to the walls. This proved to be a major design windfall as it completely acentuates the two rooms perfectly.
Tom trowelling-out floor sealant in the dining room in preparation for the new wood floorA look at the sticky sealant messTom putting down the floor glueInstalling the first few rows of the beautiful Brazilian Koa flooringWeighing down the first rows to insure a good glue bond - we could only lay-down so much flooring at one time as even with all the rocks, buckets of water, bricks, and anything else heavy we could find, we still didn't have enough to cover more than a few rows of flooringThis custom herring-bone joint between the dining room and kitchen was not planned, but a result of Tom`s discovery that the flooring in the dining room was too far out of alignment with the walls in the kitchen...after seeing the results, we wouldn't have done it any other way!A look at the finished dining room floorTom working on the kitchen flooringThe finished kitchen floor in all its glory!A look at the bar cabinets with new door and large drawersMore base cabinets with finished doorsThe rest of the base cabinet doors and roll-out trash binA look at the newly finished upper drawersThe hidden sink bins for sponges and stuffThe new knife drawer, complete with slide-out cutting boardThe finished upper cabinet doors around the microwaveFinished upper cabinet doors and custom cherry floorboards
Here’s part II of the project. Drywall mudding through installation of new windows, a new patio door, painting the walls and installation of the light fixtures, kitchen cabinet bodies, and countertops. At least we finally have a workable kitchen, just no cabinet doors and drawers…although we can easily find what we’re looking for!
Mama Mia patching screw holes on the new drywallHexus supervising the actionTom preparing to tear-out the old aluminum kitchen windowA look at the newly installed vinyl windowTom sanding down the drywall mudTom enthusiastically texturing the walls!Installing the new light fixturesA look at the new fixturesDad helping install the new vinyl kitchen bay windowsMama at 6 months admiring her new kitchen paint jobMaria posing with the new cherry/birtch kitchen pantry cabinetA look at the finished productThe new pantry and refrigerator cabinetsInstalling the new bar cabinetsA look at the finished bar with simulated black marble countertopTom installing the microwave and wall cabinetsA look at the newly hung wall cabinets and new windowTom and Hexus taking apart the old base cabinetsInstalling the new base cabinets and dishwasherInstalling the new countertopsThe new stainless steel deep basin sink with faucet and soap dispenserTom taking out the old dining room aluminum frame sliding glass doorFinishing up the new vinyl sliding door installationTom and Grandpa Gene installing a new light fixture in the dining roomMama and Henry enjoying the new dining room light fixture
It took a potluck with a few 6’+ tall friends for us to start to realize how cramped and dark our kitchen really was. Therefore, utilizing some 3D home design software, we came up with a scheme to raise the ceiling another foot, put in new wood floors, build new cherry cabinets, get new countertops, and buy new appliances. Even with the fancy design software, our major overhaul took a few twists and turns for the better with a beautiful engineered Koa hardwood floor, vaulted ceilings, better lighting, and a new and improved dining area. We’ve done every bit of work ourselves and over the last two years we’ve turned our kitchen and dining room into the highlight of the house. The project isn’t over yet, and the arrival of our little rug rat has put our priorities elsewhere, but progress is still taking place with each new cabinet door and drawer. Hopefully we’ll have it complete before we hit the 3 year mark!
Here’s a look at the initial tear down to putting up the drywall.
View of the kitchenA look at the back side of the arch with extra bracing and channel to hide wires
Before picture of dining area3D home design software look at the new kitchen layout3D home design software version of the new bar layout looking from the dining room into the kitchenThe "Mama to be" taking up the old linoleum with a heat gun and a scraper...fun stuff!The point of no return!!Tom tearing down the drop-ceiling drywallTom taking down the wall cabinetsA look at the new "ghetto-style" kitchen door to keep the dust in and the cats outA look at the drop-celing debacleA look at the vaulted ceiling rafters as Tom tears down the rest of the drop-ceilingThe cleaned-up ceiling with electrical rats nest diverted into new junction boxesThe drop-ceiling on the north end of the kitchenTom putting in place the new ceiling raftersHexus checking in on the progressHanging new batts of insulation in the middle of the winter...no more freezing hands when pounding nails!The happy couple (yes we're smiling) decked-out in their insulation hanging garbMaria cutting drywall panelsTom hanging the panelsTom taking a break for a little snackBefore picture of the wall separating the dining room and kitchenAfter picture - we now have a spot for our new bar!Before picture of the entry way from the dining room to the kitchenAfter - an arched entry between the two roomsA look at the back side of the arch with extra bracing and channel to hide wiresTom constructing the soffit for the bar lighting and HVAC ductworkTom finishing the custom ductwork installationTom installing the soffit drywallTom finishing the drywall and recessed lightsTom posing next to his new best friend...the drywall panel liftUsing the panel lift to place drywall on the vaulted ceilingA look at the finished drywall
The previous owners did make a mild attempt at landscaping the front yard, but between a half-dead tree and tons more gray pea gravel, the place was in definite need for a face lift. So in the middle of the summer (thanks to an anxious wife), we embarked on a major brick walkway/driveway extension, planted a new tree, installed irrigation, built a small retaining wall and planted shrubs. Through all the sweat and hard work, the difference is amazing!
Before picture of tree and pea gravelBefore picture of tree, cactus and river rockNo more crummy tree...or pea gravel!Ready to install the walkway extensionStarting to put down the cement layerTom spreading out the cementTom installing the border retainersStarting to take shape!Tom smooting out the sand layerAlmost done!A look at the finished walkway and the decorative planters with irrigationA look from the frontThe finished product..complete with new tree, potted plants, decorative rock, and retaining wall with shrubsFinished view from the frontView from the sideView of the vine-covered wall
Probably the biggest blank slate of our whole home is the back yard. The previous owners didn’t do anything with it but let their dog use it as a huge toilet and let their seven kids dig holes in it. It’s bordered by a huge, gray cinder-block wall, and an ugly, decrepit blue wooden fence and is covered with tons of annoying gray pea gravel (the kind that sticks in the tread of your shoes and tracks in all over the house). One of the first things we did was build a brick retaining wall along the length of the block wall and plant vines, with hopes that some day before we sold, we wouldn’t have to lay eyes on that boring, concrete again. It sure did the trick!
A view from the NW corner looking EA view from the NW corner looking SStarting to lay the drip system lineTom finishing the drip system lineOur fresh supply of paver bricks for the new retaining wallThis is what happens when an engineer builds a retaining wall...everything must be straight, square, and level!Tom loving life after only finishing the first quarter of the wall!Maria contemplating just how long it will take to transport 9 tons of dirtMaria filling in the rest of the retaining wall with dirt and compostThe younglings ready to plant!The first four, already starting to grow only two weeks after planting!Beautiful coverage in no time!Shot of the rest of the vinesWe decided to install an arbor around our gate, the vines love it!
