Let's Talk Remodeling

[shovan]

I wanted to let y'all know that I think we've finally found "OUR" contractor!!! He came out last Friday, with some wonderful ideas for our bathroom. When he suggested (without my mentioning it) tumbled travertine & frameless glass, I was almost in love!

What's even better is his background checked out, & he called last night with more questions while putting together his bid. So we at least know that he actually wants the job! After having so many companies come out & talk a good game, but not even bother to bid on it, we're now surprised when they follow through.

Since it looks like we've found a good one, my DH is quite worried because I told him, I quite a few projects I'd like to put him to work on!

We may actually start work on the kitchen before the bathroom. (We are going to get some assistance from the state on the bathroom remodel to make it more handicap accessible, so those approvals will go slow.)

We remodeled the kitchen a few years back, but not everything worked out well. Nobody bothered to mention that the outside dimensions of refrigerators has gotten quite a bit larger! We did the remodel, having the new fridge delivered after it was complete. We purchased a counter depth GE Artica & the width of it fits so tight that when pushed back I can't open the freezer door. So cabinets or a wall will have to be moved. We also put in Corian counters with a Corian backsplash. But when the backsplash came in it was not the quarter inch thick one I had ordered but a half inch thick. Well, I didn't think it would really be a problem, but then they put another half inch edging in front of it. Well it didn't look bad & I sooo wanted the kitchen finished, I said okay leave it. But now because the faucet is so close to the backsplash water just sits all around it and is messing up the caulking. I haven't decided if I'm going to change it out totally or just see if it can be repaired.

This contractor's background is tile & he gets really excited when he starts talking about it, so I already know what his suggestions will probably be to fix that backsplash. He'll be back next week to take a look at my "new" projects.

I'll have to start cleaning out cabinets, closets, etc. I'll also have to take some before shots of our HORRID bathroom & my other projects for y'all.

HAPPY REMODELING EVERYONE! (is there such a thing? )

 

[shovan]

Verde butterfly looks a lot like Uba Tuba, but has little dark red and white flecks in it.

In the sunlight it does look more green, but our kitchen gets indirect light so it will tend to look dark, almost black.

Ooooh that's pretty! If there is some red in it that you will be able to see once it's in the kitchen, I would definitely go for the RED on the island! That would really update the room. With the granite being so dark, black would also give it a more contemporary edge. That's a tough call, but I think either one will look really nice!

 

[mickeysgal]

We had a landscaping company out today. Another one scheduled for next week. We bought this house late last summer and all the landscaping needs to be updated. I hope I didn't scare the guy with all that needs to be done. I even have him giving us an estimate on tearing out the deck and replacing it with a patio. The deck is worn out, warped and out of date. Ick.

 

[Galahad]

Hi All!

Well, the kitchen is all but done. Pictures to follow later. It's looking great! I think they are putting the back splash and some of the detail work today. Mostly, I have a sink and dishwasher again! Yay!

The Solarium is also very close. They are working on the finish work (drywall on some of the walls and such) and the flooring next week in there too.

We continued to have a problem the the electrician. Our Kitchen/Inside contractor - who brought us the electrician - finally got fed up and fired him. He got another electrician to finish. But the first one is now calling wanting to come back and finish the job. I see a "contract nightmare" ahead. Arrgh!

The Solarium guys are building the new deck "on the side" on the weekends. It will look great too. We're using "Ipe" wood for it - which I guess is essentially the same wood as the Brazilian walnut we used on the hardwood floors.

Also, here's a funny story. We had some early "trouble" with a couple of neighbors who tried to object to the project - saying that 1) a solarium would harm their property values and 2) they objected to the idea that they'd be able to "see in" our house (don't look then - ya know). Anyway, last week, another neighbor came down to look at the progress. She decided she wants a solarium too and has contracted our guys to do it. Our next door neighbor has their house on the market. Their Realtor came over yesterday to talk to our contractor. They've decided they might do better in the market with a smaller solarium or sun room and are also going to contract our guys to do it. So, first, this is really going to frost the "nosy neighbors" and second, I'm thinking I need a cut of something from my contractors for bringing them all this work.

 

[shovan]

Hi All!

Well, the kitchen is all but done. Pictures to follow later. It's looking great! I think they are putting the back splash and some of the detail work today. Mostly, I have a sink and dishwasher again! Yay!

The Solarium is also very close. They are working on the finish work (drywall on some of the walls and such) and the flooring next week in there too.

We continued to have a problem the the electrician. Our Kitchen/Inside contractor - who brought us the electrician - finally got fed up and fired him. He got another electrician to finish. But the first one is now calling wanting to come back and finish the job. I see a "contract nightmare" ahead. Arrgh!

The Solarium guys are building the new deck "on the side" on the weekends. It will look great too. We're using "Ipe" wood for it - which I guess is essentially the same wood as the Brazilian walnut we used on the hardwood floors.

Also, here's a funny story. We had some early "trouble" with a couple of neighbors who tried to object to the project - saying that 1) a solarium would harm their property values and 2) they objected to the idea that they'd be able to "see in" our house (don't look then - ya know). Anyway, last week, another neighbor came down to look at the progress. She decided she wants a solarium too and has contracted our guys to do it. Our next door neighbor has their house on the market. Their Realtor came over yesterday to talk to our contractor. They've decided they might do better in the market with a smaller solarium or sun room and are also going to contract our guys to do it. So, first, this is really going to frost the "nosy neighbors" and second, I'm thinking I need a cut of something from my contractors for bringing them all this work.

That is funny how that turned out! Boy that one neighbor is going to really be ticked! Can't wait to see the finished pics of your kitchen.

 

[Am_I_There_Yet]

I wanted to let y'all know that I think we've finally found "OUR" contractor!!!

That's wonderful news! May the good karma last!

 

[Am_I_There_Yet]

Hi All!

Well, the kitchen is all but done. Pictures to follow later. It's looking great! I think they are putting the back splash and some of the detail work today. Mostly, I have a sink and dishwasher again! Yay!

The Solarium is also very close. They are working on the finish work (drywall on some of the walls and such) and the flooring next week in there too.

I can't wait to see photos!!!! You must be so happy that you're on the downhill slide!

We continued to have a problem the the electrician. Our Kitchen/Inside contractor - who brought us the electrician - finally got fed up and fired him. He got another electrician to finish. But the first one is now calling wanting to come back and finish the job. I see a "contract nightmare" ahead. Arrgh!

Hopefully it'll resolve itself peacefully and you won't have to get involved in any of it.

The Solarium guys are building the new deck "on the side" on the weekends. It will look great too. We're using "Ipe" wood for it - which I guess is essentially the same wood as the Brazilian walnut we used on the hardwood floors.

Also, here's a funny story. We had some early "trouble" with a couple of neighbors who tried to object to the project - saying that 1) a solarium would harm their property values and 2) they objected to the idea that they'd be able to "see in" our house (don't look then - ya know). Anyway, last week, another neighbor came down to look at the progress. She decided she wants a solarium too and has contracted our guys to do it. Our next door neighbor has their house on the market. Their Realtor came over yesterday to talk to our contractor. They've decided they might do better in the market with a smaller solarium or sun room and are also going to contract our guys to do it. So, first, this is really going to frost the "nosy neighbors" and second, I'm thinking I need a cut of something from my contractors for bringing them all this work.

What a great ending to that story! You know what they say... imitation is the best form of flattery!

 

[Am_I_There_Yet]

Verde butterfly looks a lot like Uba Tuba, but has little dark red and white flecks in it.

In the sunlight it does look more green, but our kitchen gets indirect light so it will tend to look dark, almost black.

I love this granite! It was a very close second-in-line to the Uba Tuba that we used. Great choice!

 

[Galahad]

Hi,

So these are more "work-in-progress" pics.....

This is the inside of the new "bump-out" solarium that replaced the old breakfast nook.

And these are in the kitchen. The countertops are in. The one in the pic is white. The one behind me as I take those pics in blue. The sink and faucet are in, but they haven't put the "sink strainer" do-hicky in yet. But the coolest part of these pics, I think, is the back splash. It hasn't been grouted yet but I think DW will be happy.

 

[Am_I_There_Yet]

Hi,

So these are more "work-in-progress" pics.....

Since my remodel is stuck in... um, nowhere... I'm living vicariously through yours now.

I'm excited for you! It looks great! That tile is awesome!

 

[shovan]

Since my remodel is stuck in... um, nowhere... I'm living vicariously through yours now.

I'm excited for you! It looks great! That tile is awesome!

Ditto on all of that! The living vicariously (waiting for our's get going) & that is all looks awesome!

Galahad, I love those tiles& that faucet is great! Again, you & DW of course, had some wonderful ideas! It must be great to seeing it finally coming to fruition! I think you came up with perfect combination of contemporary & sleek, but will lots of the dark wood to warm up the look. It really is beautiful!

So that's quartz, I had not seen anything but samples before, it's very pretty. The solarium is really going to make being in the kitchen so nice. What a pretty place to enjoy breakfast! Hope the rest of it goes quickly & smoothly.

 

[Galahad]

Ditto on all of that! The living vicariously (waiting for our's get going) & that is all looks awesome!

Galahad, I love those tiles& that faucet is great! Again, you & DW of course, had some wonderful ideas! It must be great to seeing it finally coming to fruition! I think you came up with perfect combination of contemporary & sleek, but will lots of the dark wood to warm up the look. It really is beautiful!

So that's quartz, I had not seen anything but samples before, it's very pretty. The solarium is really going to make being in the kitchen so nice. What a pretty place to enjoy breakfast! Hope the rest of it goes quickly & smoothly.

Thanks so much. Honestly, 95% of the ideas are DW's of course. I just do my best to make it happen. Our whole house is furnished in 1940's modern, so the design is really fitting well with that.

Am_I_There_Yet - I'm sorry things are taking so long to get going for you. When it get's going you might miss life before the upheaval. I hope you like your finished product though!!!

 

[Galahad]

On the Quartz: The White in the previous pics is nice - but the BLUE on the other side is really cool. I especially like the "metallic" flecks in it. Hope this shows up OK:

 

[Ranatra]

Galahad,
Just love that backsplash!!

 

[shovan]

On the Quartz: The White in the previous pics is nice - but the BLUE on the other side is really cool. I especially like the "metallic" flecks in it. Hope this shows up OK:

Oooooh, that is really pretty! Love it! Now I'm really jealous! The blue is very close to the color of my countertops. Of course mine is not quartz but Corian nor does it have those cool metal flakes!

 

[binny]

beautiful Galahad!!

 

[Miss Jasmine]

Looking good Galahad.

We just closed on our refinancing. The money is in the bank. We just need to make our first payment and the contractor will be coming out one more to time to measure before ordering everything.

 

[Am_I_There_Yet]

Looking good Galahad.

We just closed on our refinancing. The money is in the bank. We just need to make our first payment and the contractor will be coming out one more to time to measure before ordering everything.

How exciting!

Anyone else finding it ironic that I started this thread and still have one heck of an ugly master bathroom??? And no remodel currently progressing?????

 

[Galahad]

So there was this hunk of something heavy in the corner of the garage. I just thought it was something being used for the project. My son pointed out to me that it's the part of the countertop that they cut out to put the cook top in. So if anybody needs a piece of blue quarts about 2 feet by three feet, let me know. Perhaps somebody will buy it on e-bay.

 

[Am_I_There_Yet]

So there was this hunk of something heavy in the corner of the garage. I just thought it was something being used for the project. My son pointed out to me that it's the part of the countertop that they cut out to put the cook top in. So if anybody needs a piece of blue quarts about 2 feet by three feet, let me know. Perhaps somebody will buy it on e-bay.

Hey, you never know! If someone could want a grilled cheese sandwich with the Virgin Mary on it, I can't imagine that someone wouldn't want some quartz!