"Backsplash"

Richard has been diligent in tiling our kitchen walls when not working, filling church assignments or some such.
Today the last tile was put in place - except for the decorative mosaic that is being attempted (the printed design pattern was inserted into the "hole"). The dark caulking was put between the wall tile and counters and between the dark decorative tiles (actually designed for use as a chair rail). Grouting remains to be done once the tile has been in place 24 hours.

We've called it the backsplash for so long but now that it is close to being completed perhaps it would be more accurate to label it kitchen wall. What ever you want to label it, it is GORGEOUS!

Over the stove.

 

The baking corner   

 Area over dishwasher (color is off)

Next up on the "to - do list" is to install the vent over the stove - almost hate to cover up any of the beautiful wall. But it will be nice to get the boxes emptied and recycled.


While Richard has been working on the kitchen I've been working on the family room changing things around and getting rid of some furniture. Pictures of that when I'm closer to completing that task.

Backsplash started!

Dashing through the house
With trowel and tile in hand,
Creating is my spouse,
A backsplash oh so grand.
First a row set straight,
Then the tile vine:
Oh this pattern is ornate,
Each rhombus is in line!

Looking good, looking good,
Looking oh so grand!
Oh what fun it is to see
The kitchen we have planned!

A Functioning Kitchen

Tuesday was a red letter day in our kitchen remodeling. Our LG HI-MACS(r) Volcanics Solid Surface counters were installed. We chose a color called "Dorado." Once Gecko Solid Surface Solutions had installed the counters and left, Richard and I took out the broom closet cabinet to replace the foot that had been bent when the broom cabinet was put back after the corner counter had been put in place - counter wouldn't go in unless it was cut or we took the cabinet out. The latter was an obvious answer for us. We had to do it right away as the installers had glued the counter to the cabinet and we had to remove and replace before the glue dried.
Richard next tackled the kitchen faucet and sink drains. He was just about to go to the store to get needed parts when the plumber showed up and was able to install the gas line and stove. That evening Richard finished the sink plumbing with a minor problem - one sink basket didn't seal completely. So we put a bucket under the sink and called it good until he could work on it again.
Thanks to some internet research the next day Richard was able to get it sealed and we had a fully functioning sink.
One of the things I've discovered about this gas cooktop is that the setting right after ignition is "hi." "Low" is at the opposite end of the dial so you can't ever extinguish the flame when trying to simmer a pot.

I like the faucet - though I have to learn how to best use it. I am learning (as the water splashes out of the sink) that you really don't need to turn it all the way on to get a full flow. The one we installed is a single handle faucet.

And the display cabinet.

We waited until the counters were installed before putting on the doors and putting my cup and saucer collection in their new home. I was also able to find a home for Grandma Murtle Cowles' pitcher and Great-grandma Shaw's sugar bowl.

Away in the Drawers

Away in the drawers, we’re finding good homes
For plates and the fry pans, and fine cooking tomes.
The whisks and the flour are all put away.
Soon boxes will not be the job of the day.

Drawer pulls and door pulls are now screwed in tight,
A functioning kitchen is coming to light.
Toe kicks and moldings are next to be seen,
Then tile backsplashes to look so pristine.

On Tuesday the counter tops are to be laid,
On cabinets that Richard’s so carefully made.
An arctic white sink is included too;
How good life will be in our kitchen so new.

Progress hasn’t been real visible this week – with the exception of pulls on drawers and doors.If you were to open those drawers and doors you’d see I spent the week filling them. The box of boxes helped me remember I WAS making progress.

This cabinet is wonderful BUT I think every drawer glide was screwed in at least twice. We didn’t account for the door hinges the first time we placed the glides. Time for plan B. Plan B was great except we hadn’t allowed for the hinge part that attaches to the door to clear the drawers. Three drawers had to be moved. Third time was the charm.

We had a pot luck family dinner at our house last night. Even with temporary sink and counters and retrieving knives from the storage shed and without the cook top, the kitchen was comfortably up to the task. I think I’m going to enjoy our new kitchen as much as I hoped.

Abby and Marshall helped assemble an ice cream sandwich cake.
It was fun but licking the spoons was the best part.

You CAN have too much of a good thing!

Deck the Kitchen

Deck the kitchen with cabinet hardware,
Fa la la la la, la la la la.
“Tis what gives the kitchen flair,
Fa la la la la, la la la la.
Though it’s been a lengthy process
Fa la la la la, la la la la.
Now we can see daily progress
Fa la la la la, la la la la.

The to-do list grows much shorter
Fa la la la la, la la la la.
Tile the backsplash for the baker
Fa la la la la, la la la la.
Add the trim to make it look fine
Fa la la la la, la la la la.
Oh the lights do add their own shine
Fa la la la la, la la la la.

YES! the counter is on order
Fa-la-la-la-la, la-la-la-la
Now’s the time to stash the clutter.
Fa-la-la-la-la, la-la-la-la
Sing we joyous, all together.
Fa-la-la-la-la, la-la-la-la
This new kitchen’ll be a winner.
Fa-la-la-la-la, la-la-la-la.

Here’s Some Pix!

Oh the weather outside is broiling,

But the kitchen’s still not cooking,

And since we’ve no fancy tricks,

Here’s some pix! Here’s some pix! Here’s some pix!

Looking south. Note the temporary kitchen sink – YEAH!

The oven & serving storage area – and the pantry & dishes cupboard

Baking and prep areas (from family room looking southwest)

Think light over baking was up in last pictures but light over peninsula was just put up tonight. Now to find the light we took down from the old breakfast area and want to put up in the pantry/oven area. No doubt it’s in one of my infamous “safe” places!

Progress Not Pictured

Countertop selected and ordered – measurements for template will be taken Friday morning.

Cardboard boxes removed from family room – some in recycle, some waiting for empty recycle bin, and some in garage to use to protect floors when they install the counter.

Majority of drawers lined and some things have found a home – though perhaps temporary.

Finished electrical wiring for peninsula area.

Family room floor cleaned and chairs back in family room.

It’s beginning to look a lot like a kitchen

It’s beginning to look a lot like a kitchen,
Ev’rywhere you turn
Take a look at the cabinet drawers, as empty as can be
But soon they’ll have the tools a cook must use.

It’s beginning to look a lot like a kitchen
Cabinets ev’rywhere
But the prettiest sight to see is the cooking that will be
Done in our own place.

I AM a Shaw descendent. The first ingredient to find a home was the container of cocoa. :)

The Last Shall Be First

Sometimes it seems like we are working hard and not getting very far. Then all of a sudden it’s looking like a kitchen!

The original plan was to finish the sink/peninsula area first and then the west wall and then the south wall. Guess what got done first!

From the family room looking south. The broom closet is on the left (and it has broom, mop etc. already in it). This is the baking/snacking area. Waiting on countertops before we put in all the drawers or doors. But have to get ALL the cabinets installed first.

From family room looking west. Note the two tall cabinets on each side of the picture. They are waiting the installation of the ovens so they can be put in place. The one on the right goes next to the oven cabinet and completes the west wall. The one on the left is the first cabinet on the sink/peninsula run.

From family room looking northwest. The cooktop cabinet is in the center. The tall cabinet on the right will house the ovens which are sitting on the floor in front of the cabinet. The installation of the last three cabinets and the oven is waiting on the electrician who should be coming this morning to complete the wiring he started several weeks ago and waiting until we got to this point to come back and finish the job.

(That’s Richard – the master builder - in the bottom left corner.)

Last night we purchased tile for the back splash. Even found most of it on clearance! Now we can get the accent pieces I fell in love with.

Off to build another cabinet or two.