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Over the past month, Jeph cut and hung the cement board for the back splash, we picked out some tile (as luck would have it, the tile store sent us a $200 coupon so we only spent $46 for tile and grout), Jeph hung the tile, and I grouted it. Jeph’s way better at stuff like that because he actually laid it all out on cardboard on the floor first, to make sure it would fit precisely. Since we don’t have a tile saw, he had to get creative with cutting the edges. The bottom edges are OK uneven because they’ll be below the top of the range. The sides were already level because we ran them vertically and they are narrow strips of slate on a mesh backing. For the top edge, he used channel lock pliers for snipping. I did the grout the same way I did the extra tile in the bathroom; like the floor/tile guys taught me: put on plastic gloves and smoosh it in to the cracks. It is messy and tiring and my hand was locked into a hook shape by the end, but it’s the best way to really pack the grout in. Oh ya, first the tiles had to be washed and sealed. The sealer is really gross and toxic so that involved having windows open on another balmy 30 degree (or less) day. (In the future, I will seek non toxic ways to secure and seal tile.) After the grout dried for about 30 minutes it was 5 or 6 buckets full of clear water and washing all the excess off the tiles. The next day that was repeated. Then a final sealing. It looks really nice! The organic earth tones of the slate really complement the redwood of the walls.

We had a carpenter look at the stuff we need help with: framing out the 2 walls in the kitchen (which are made out of zinc board only) so we can attach the cabinets, plus covering the breaker box in bedroom 2. His name is Jim Hotvedt and my sister suggested him way back when we bought the place. He used to live down the street from them, remodeled and added on to his house and did some renovations for them. Nice guy. He can do the work and will send a quote.

The multi-talented Jeph channeled his inner seamstress and made some rockin’ curtains of an orange/lime green/yellow/blue seersucker with orange grosgrain ribbon trim for the front window. The privacy at night is nice. In desperate need of a center island, we moved the wooden buffet into the island spot (and hung the glass front cabinet on the wall to the right of the range, beneath the small wooden shelf which is built into the wall and would leave a deep gash if removed.) The improvised island has worked great as our only prep area and storage for all tableware/etc. The open shelving is overflowing with food, pots and pans, and equipment. It’s time for cabinets and countertops (more work space!), and a dishwasher. Part of this process is finishing off the partial wall between the sink and the area to its right (~1.5 feet deep) and framing/finishing the wall to the right of it which is just made of tin/zinc (!) which we’ll hire someone to do. Wanting to be environmentally friendly involves more research, especially on a tight budget. Ideally the cabinet boxes will be made of recycled material and the fronts will be the same or reclaimed wood, or something fast growing like bamboo. Ideally the countertops contain a high percentage of recycled material. The manufacturing process for both should not involve chemicals or toxic byproducts. A new sink unit is probably involved (grrrr) because the free-standing one won’t match up with the new cabinets/counters (and having it not meet the wall means water likes to makes its way behind it onto the floor.) The dishwasher will likely be a mid-grade Bosch and, unless Jeph wants to tackle it, will be installed by Rich the plumber. The vent hood may come from IKEA because they seem to have the best prices and some decent styles. Jeph needs to cut and attach the cement board (hopefully utilizing a leftover piece.) We’re leaning towards tiling it (vs. stainless steel) which should be a fun project. The center island will be enhanced with the attachment of a beautiful piece of reclaimed hard rock maple. Jeph’s readying the attachment supplies and experimenting with finishes. Purchasing two bar stools will make it a new place to sit and watch (or help) the cook, do work, and eat. That will be fun.

We need to hang cement board (hoping we have some leftover from bathroom rebuild) and attach a back splash to it. We could buy the DCS back splash that corresponds with our range, work with a sheet metal place to create one (thinking this would be cheaper) or tile one ourselves. The tile idea is sounding pretty good because too much metal is “cold” (and hard to keep clean!) plus I’ve been wanting to start playing around with tile mosaics. Next step: source tile material. Also need to research and purchase vent hood and may need James the electrician to help install it.

The electricians installed new circuits/outlets to power the refrigerator and range plus transplanting several outlets due to wall removal. As in all other areas where electrical work was done, this involved cutting holes in the walls and ceiling. (Another joy of a flat roofed slab house: no basement/attic/crawlspace for threading wires.) They also added a ground wire to the water service for safety. Rich the plumber capped off the hot and cold which had connected to the washer and dryer and, when we got the sink, connected that up. The nice old enameled cast iron sink was not a drop in so there was no quick/easy way to re-use it. After agonizing over limited options at IKEA (and doing dishes in the bathroom for a week), we settled on a freestanding double stainless. It fits well, serves the purpose and was relatively cheap so if/when we want to upgrade we’re more likely to allow ourselves. Luckily the gas line was “stubbed off” at the street and miraculously the gas co. does not charge to bring it up to the house. That was done a couple weeks ago, as soon as the ground thawed enough. Desiring a 48” six burner Wolf range on a $20 hot plate budget, we looked high and low for a gas range we could feel good about. The 30” 5 burner DCS was more than we wanted to pay, but far less than any comparable professional grade option, and we are aching to use it (it’s amazing what you can create with a hot plate, toaster oven, and portable grill!) Jeph has 75% of the trench dug and plans to finish today. Then the plumber lays the pipe in the trench and connects it, the inspector checks it out and signs off on it, and the gas co returns to add the meter and turn it on. For now storage/work space is all about working with what we have: small bakers rack, two metal shelving units, cart of drawers on wheels, cart of shelves on wheels, wooden buffet and glass front cabinet on top. Since cooking is a favorite activity and the kitchen space is the heart of our home, every step towards unpacking and setting it up has given us great joy.

The gas was turned on April 27th and we now have a working range! I boiled water for tea and that was pretty exciting. Pizza, oatmeal chocolate chip cookies, and granola are on the weekend agenda. The inspector passed us on the condition that, per the range installation specs, we put up a back splash and exhaust hood. Until that is done the range must remain 12” from the wood wall. We were planning to do both but his lecture on safety (and the high BTU output of this unit) reminded me that these need to be done in the short term. Last weekend we got the walls scrubbed, primed, and painted. This weekend we hope to do the touch up and trim.

As soon as the asbestos tiles were gone (day 1), we began the demolition process.

The plan was to go there as soon as Jeph got out of work on day 2 and start tearing down walls. My body decided to rebel with a fever, chills, sore throat, and all that good stuff. So, those first few days Jeph would run back to the apartment after work, check on me (on the sofa and out of commission), change into grubby clothes, and spend hours in the cold and dark hammering away at the unwanted walls.

All electrical outlets on those walls had to be secured out of the way for safety. By the time I arrived there were shockingly large piles of debris strewn about and it looked like a bomb had hit. Part of me wanted to run away because the reality of what we had just bitten off was now visually illustrated. No turning back from this one, though. The washer, dryer, dishwasher, and fridge were all dragged outside to the carport. (Sidenote: the roof soffits needs to be worked on and currently drips all along the walkway when there is any precipitation/thawing. This led to dangerous walking conditions as the dripping froze into thick ice.)

The original plan was to leave the kitchen cabinets/sink in place; while not pretty, they were funcional. I got to thinking about the new floor, though, and how if no floor was installed where the cabinets sat, we’d be limited, when updating the kitchen, to that same footprint. Who wants to be limited? So, after some grumbling from Jeph (one more thing to tear out, one more thing to buy…) the cabinets came out.

Same with the ugly, cream colored, vent hood. That left the one-of-a-kind hanging/floating shelves which we both loved. Problem was, they were minimally useful and maximally geared towards head banging. After two days of that, they too (with a pang of guilt) got pulled. My lobbying to take down the wall between the kitchen and entry hall was unsuccessful. Rightfully so as we need some wall space for shelves/cabinets and refrigerator. We also left about 33” of the wall big wall; just enough to give the fridge a nook.

We got really lucky that our friend, Julian, had some time between jobs, and iron man competitions, for us to hire him. He’s got great experience and skills and contributed a ton to the project. It was also helpful to have someone else around to keep us on the right track.