For a Closer Look…
Finding Deals for my Budget Kitchen Experiment
I’m relying on three different components in my budget kitchen experiment to keep costs down. The first component is to do as much of the work myself that I can, The second is to make good decisions in design and in selecting product to keep costs down. But I have found the third component, finding [...]
Countertops for an Old House Kitchen
After a long wait my first countertop was installed this week as well as the new sink and dishwasher. I wanted appropriate countertops for an old house kitchen that would also be somewhat economical. As is the case with most aspects of this kitchen, the countertops I selected were a bit of a compromise in [...]
Get What You Want from Subcontractors
Details and techniques that are now in common practice are not always appropriate for the old house. As a result, if you own an old home it can sometimes be very tricky to get what you want from subcontractors. I was reminded of this last week when the fabricator providing my counter tops came by [...]
Modify IKEA Cabinets for a Historic Look
I knew from the beginning that using IKEA cabinets in a historically sympathetic kitchen was a bit of a compromise. For the most part the system, and door designs, are better suited for a contemporary kitchen. The question was would it be possible to modify IKEA cabinets to achieve a more historic look? I devised [...]
Choosing a Hardwood Floor
I always planned on installing a hardwood floor in the kitchen. I knew that I wanted a 2 1/4″ wide maple floor. I also assumed I would install an unfinished floor and that I would sand and finish it myself. But as I thought more about my unique situation and how I was phasing the [...]
Dealing With a Problem Plaster Ceiling
I’ve been attempting to finish up the drywall and painting that I can in my first phase work and every time I think I’m finished I discover I’m not. Finished is a relative term since there are still sections of ceiling and wall without drywall awaiting the plumbing vent and inspection. Still, since I thought [...]
IKEA drawers available direct from Blum
Although there are many drawbacks to using IKEA cabinets in historically sympathetic kitchens (see “Compromising on Cabinets to Save Money“), there are workarounds that can make them a cost-effective solution. I have been impressed with the way their high-tech drawers work as well as the drawer dividers. It now appears that IKEA drawers, or at [...]
The Downside of Phasing Construction
I’m nearly finished with the drywall, or at least as much as I can install as part of my initial phase. One downside of phasing construction as I’m doing is that all the framing must be exposed on one side since the framing inspection hasn’t been done yet. Phasing typically also takes longer and adds [...]
The Importance of Kitchen Design
When most people think about remodeling their kitchen their focus is on products and features but not on design. Design can be the difference needed to make a kitchen special or solve a problem. Certainly aspects of design such as layout are essential to creating a successful kitchen. This week I started working on building-out [...]
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