Doing the Kitchen Trim

Yes, there is trim to do - the doors and the cabinets. If you look on the back of these cabinets, you can see the original "clapboard" construction. That construction we did not change, just a fresh coat of paint.




We want to save these door knobs and plates, but we do not want them painted.





So, we stripped them of all paint and the brass is exposed. Much the same as the cabinet door hinges posted earlier in this saga.
















The doors in the kitchen must also be painted. The photo over this door is the Perrine Bridge in Twin Falls. Obviously, we took it from a boat in the Snake River.















Even the back door needed to be painted. And on this first day of Spring and a temperature of 72 degrees, we did get some things done. Robin worked on some of the things still in the backyard. She even worked on "her room". Much has been donated to the Idaho Youth Ranch. And even more has been donated to the landfill. The "Sanitary Engineers" were not happy this morning - again - as they uttered something in their native language when they threw the trash into the truck. The Levco trailer is now empty (I must contact them to let them know) and the storage in the backyard and on the back porch is diminishing. OH! And the dishwasher works fine! So quiet! So there we have it. Hope this weather holds, but it is supposed to rain Saturday and Sunday and the temperature is supposed to drop by 15 - 20 degrees. Not ready for tomatoes yet!

Kitchen Remodel - "The Final Curtain"

Every drama comes to a close at some point. If not, it gets boring. Today - after 22 days or so - the "Final Curtain" descended on the Kitchen Remodel. Robin and I feel very lucky to have 168 photos of the old being blended with the new - a "Re-Birth", if you will. But the past is not lost - it remains in places, is re-emphasized in places, and is documented. It is not lost.
Every drama comes to a close at some point. If not, it gets boring. Today - after 22 days or so - the "Final Curtain" descended on the Kitchen Remodel. Robin and I feel very lucky to have 168 photos of the old being blended with the new - a "Re-Birth", if you will. But the past is not lost - it remains in places, is re-emphasized in places, and is documented. It is not lost.

Make a Smilebox slideshow

We owe a debt of gratitude to Levco Builders - Joe, Diane and Dewy - for their expertise in guiding us through all of this "trauma" and to all of their sub-contractors. At times, the project moved like "greased lightening" and at other times like "molasses in winter". This is one case where the end really does justify the means. We are totally pleased with the outcome and with our new kitchen. Now, we must learn how to use all of the digital appliances - the stove, the microwave and the dishwasher. Yes, all three are digitally controlled. It might be like having 3 VCR's when the power goes out! I can't wait.

We do hope that you have enjoyed following this project with us through the medium of the internet. And of course, you did not have to put up with the dust and the barking dog, the "confusion" of having 4 contractors in the room all at the same time and doing 4 different things and the broken sink. In another couple of weeks, we will have the window replaced. and oh yea!, now we have to pay for all of this. How's the lottery doing? Cheers!We owe a debt of gratitude to Levco Builders - Joe, Diane and Dewy - for their expertise in guiding us through all of this "trauma" and to all of their sub-contractors. At times, the project moved like "greased lightening" and at other times like "molasses in winter". This is one case where the end really does justify the means. We are totally pleased with the outcome and with our new kitchen. Now, we must learn how to use all of the digital appliances - the stove, the microwave and the dishwasher. Yes, all three are digitally controlled. It might be like having 3 VCR's when the power goes out! I can't wait.

We do hope that you have enjoyed following this project with us through the medium of the internet. And of course, you did not have to put up with the dust and the barking dog, the "confusion" of having 4 contractors in the room all at the same time and doing 4 different things and the broken sink. In another couple of weeks, we will have the window replaced. and oh yea!, now we have to pay for all of this. How's the lottery doing? Cheers!

"Houston. We have water!"

Water finally arrived today. The new sink is awesome and looks so large. But we kept it in the period style - it looks like the old slate sinks. It is, however, a composite of granite and plastic!

Make a Smilebox slideshow

The dishwasher was also plumbed, but won't be "electrified" until tomorrow. Just a little more grout on the tiles and fix the floor, and we will be set to go! It looks good! Check out the hinges that we brought "back to life". Just a little more work on them and they too, will be set and ready to go. Cheers!

landscape remodel

Our backyard used to be all ivy - and I do mean ALL ivy. This is the after shot. I don't have a before shot here at work. This was completed on 2/12. But, due to unexpected snow and cold weather, we have only been able to enjoy it once!

PS - That is Mom's house in the backround. Not the brown shed, the white house in the distance!

PPS - Don't forget to visit my website

www. howetoknit.etsy.com

Kitchen Remodel - Before and After

Looking North before the remodel. That's all the counter space we had. And only one cabinet!


Looking North after the remodel. Do we have counter space? or cabinets?




Looking South before the remodel


Looking South


Such a change! After looking South. Almost the very same camera angle as above.











So there you can see the changes side-by-side. A much better perspective of the work done and the very much improved working space and storage. Such a change!

Kitchen Remodel: Day 20

So, Day 20 is upon us and has past. Happy St Patrick's Day. Just a few things left to do: Install the sink; Install the dish washer; Weld the marmoleum; Repair the scuff mark in the floor.

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Maybe the sink will be installed tomorrow along with the dishwasher - the Boise River is not far from here, but the water is running low and cold! We did make dinner tonight and tried out several things on the stove, including the broiler and the convection system. All worked very well. Plus, the dinner of Corned Beef and Cabbage (Robin made this) and Soda Bread and Lamb Stew (Bob made these) - Robin's was better. We really do love this new kitchen! The photos just don't do it justice! Many, many thanks to Levco Builders for their excellent work and cooperation with us. We'll let you know what is accomplished tomorrow. Cheers!!

Kitchen Remodel: Day 19

Yup! Almost there. Just waiting on the sink to be installed and the dishwasher. Actually, any day now the new sink should be in. Then on Thursday, the floor repair. I painted some of the east wall cabinets and renovated the hinges to bring our the brass and the patina.

Make a Smilebox slideshow

We placed some of the pots on the rack today, after the rack was installed. Now we are bringing things back into the kitchen, going through the items, and creating a box for donations. We did have our first meal in our kitchen and on our new stove and in the microwave this past weekend. It will be nice to eat at the table in the kitchen. Just the right size for the two of us.

Our Kitchen - AlmostFinished!

We can't believe that the remodel is almost completed! Seems like just yesterday ........ Monday or Tuesday we should have our sink in - the first one was cracked - and the dishwasher installed. Need also to add some more tiles where the lighting was installed. Hope you like these photos!

Make a Smilebox slideshow

See you Monday! I have been posting daily updates on Our Retirement In Idaho blog. If you want to see more, please look there. The stove and the microwave are both top-of-line Whirlpool and the refrigerator is a 25 cf Amana. The dishwasher is a Bosch - not pictured yet. Look at our transome window on the previous post on our Retirement blog.

Guy Fieri at the Westside Drive-In, Boise

Ah yes, he really was here! After seeing him win the 2nd season of the Foodnetwork's Newest Star, Guy Fieri was pleasant to meet. I was glad, in my own small way, to have something to do with this production. The program should be aired 3 to 6 months from now.

Now all I hope is that I won't miss the airing of the program.This was shot 1 block away from our house!

Signs of Spring

Maybe these are signs of Spring, but is is chilly and looks like rain or snow - not cold enough for snow. But it is cold enough for "nasty". So, to relieve the blahs, here are some signs that there is a light at the end of the tunnel. Enjoy!
This Crocus is in our front yard. It looks good along side of the brown leaves.

The Woodpecker was in a tree at our neighbors house.

The Robin was at the 36th Street Bistro this morning. Maybe, just maybe, Spring is not far away.

Note: Please look at http://retirementinidaho.blogspot.com to follow our kitchen remodel. It is moving right along.