Let's Talk Remodeling

[DisneyPhD]

I'm NOT getting a sink reveal. All the displays at the store showed a reveal. I said its just another place that gunk collects & I need to clean. The kitchen guy agreed with me, but said some people like the looks of them. ?? He agreed with me to NOT have a reveal.

My sink cardboard template shows where to cut if you want it with or without.

I am thinking with out! Thanks.

The big thing we still need to pick out is backsplash. It looks like the trend now is to cover the whole area between cabinets. I wasn't so pleased with the HD selection. I need to look somewhere else I think. That is done AFTER everything else right? I have time. I just want my kitchen functional again.

 

[SplshMtn99]

I am thinking with out! Thanks.

The big thing we still need to pick out is backsplash. It looks like the trend now is to cover the whole area between cabinets. I wasn't so pleased with the HD selection. I need to look somewhere else I think. That is done AFTER everything else right? I have time. I just want my kitchen functional again.

Yes, you can pick your tile much later. You only need to decide if you are tiling the whole backsplash or if you want 4" of Silestone backsplash too.

 

[DisneyPhD]

Yes, you can pick your tile much later. You only need to decide if you are tiling the whole backsplash or if you want 4" of Silestone backsplash too.

I think we are going with out it. (at least that was the quote we got.) What are you doing?

 

[SplshMtn99]

I think we are going with out it. (at least that was the quote we got.) What are you doing?

Going without the 4". It shaved about $500 off the Silestone quote. And I like how all tile backsplash looks. We have another practical reason also. One wall is not all that straight. A 4" backsplash would show the wave in the wall like it currently does with our current countertop that was not scribed to fit. This wave can be hidden by tile. You won't notice any gap between countertop & wall if there is one.

I've been looking at pictures of high end kitchen to pick what details make it a high end kitchen.....and all tile was one of them. It will have to be a very simple tile design because it looks like I'm the one who's going to have to learn how to do it. DH has done other tiling & he said he's not doing it. lol

I'm trying to bring a little bit of class into a cheap condo (without it looking out of place)....on a somewhat cheap budget. But so far its been expensive items. lol

 

[DisneyPhD]

Going without the 4". It shaved about $500 off the Silestone quote. And I like how all tile backsplash looks. We have another practical reason also. One wall is not all that straight. A 4" backsplash would show the wave in the wall like it currently does with our current countertop that was not scribed to fit. This wave can be hidden by tile. You won't notice any gap between countertop & wall if there is one.

I've been looking at pictures of high end kitchen to pick what details make it a high end kitchen.....and all tile was one of them. It will have to be a very simple tile design because it looks like I'm the one who's going to have to learn how to do it. DH has done other tiling & he said he's not doing it. lol

I'm trying to bring a little bit of class into a cheap condo (without it looking out of place)....on a somewhat cheap budget. But so far its been expensive items. lol

Yep, we were thinking the same reason. The walls in this house are not perfect either. The one by the sink is a new wall (we had to tear the old one out because of the title on it from our old kitchen.) The other wall is existing and I think plaster. We did a lot of work on it, but still I doubt it is perfectly flat. Thanks for helping me make my mind up on this.

 

[sm4987]

He must sell new homes. I did that for awhile! It's hard work!

Yes, he's been it for 4 years now with Grand Homes. It is hard work, and the hours are long and that whole weekend thing I'm still not used to, but it has enabled us to have houses (this is our second) that I normally would not have done because of the cost. His boss gave us a great deal on the house. Needless to say, we moved in with $50,000 in equity because of the huge deal that we got.

It is a lot of house. We don't use half of it, but between the open floorplan, the changes made to the kitchen and the giantic backyard that is becoming harder and harder to come by, I couldn't pass it up!

 

[SplshMtn99]

DisneyPhD, they measured for the Silestone today as scheduled. The did take the cardboard sink template with them. Found out they will drill faucet holes onsite the day of installation, so they didn't even look at what size holes I needed or where to put them yet. It will be about 2-3 wks before installation. And then can't use sink or even do plumbing work for 24 hrs so the silicone gets to set up fully. So it looks like DH will have to install faucets after & from underneath. But we plan on asking if we can somehow do it the day they are here installing???

That's about it. Everything else was as I posted yesterday.

FYI.....the laser tripod thingy they use with a laptop costs $60,000. I took a picture of the guy using. I'll post it later.

 

[DisneyPhD]

DisneyPhD, they measured for the Silestone today as scheduled. The did take the cardboard sink template with them. Found out they will drill faucet holes onsite the day of installation, so they didn't even look at what size holes I needed or where to put them yet. It will be about 2-3 wks before installation. And then can't use sink or even do plumbing work for 24 hrs so the silicone gets to set up fully. So it looks like DH will have to install faucets after & from underneath. But we plan on asking if we can somehow do it the day they are here installing???

That's about it. Everything else was as I posted yesterday.

FYI.....the laser tripod thingy they use with a laptop costs $60,000. I took a picture of the guy using. I'll post it later.

I guess that is why installation comes with it.

Thanks for passing it along. I am feeling so discouraged. We are still a few weeks from getting measured, then more until we get the counter tops, more until the sink can work.

Today was drywall sanding. Dust flying everywhere. DH was hoping he would be done, but he has more tmw and then the next day.

It looks like our plans to go on a mini family vacation this summer to up north and bike ride at mackinaw island it not going to pan out. I am disappointed and feeling like this project is eating up our whole summer.

Oh well. At least you all understand and I am not alone.

 

[BillSears]

I got my quote for the kitchen remodel. New cabinets, new sink(I decided to just go with stainless), new faucet, painting, new countertop and moving the stove down a foot or so to open up the cabinets better.

Now my next question. Is it really worth it to upgrade from Wilsonart Laminate to Silestone? I'm looking at probably a $3000 difference and I'm not really sure. I keep thinking how much better the Silestone looks and feels but $3000 could sure buy a nice big screen TV setup.

 

[Galahad]

I got my quote for the kitchen remodel. New cabinets, new sink(I decided to just go with stainless), new faucet, painting, new countertop and moving the stove down a foot or so to open up the cabinets better.

Now my next question. Is it really worth it to upgrade from Wilsonart Laminate to Silestone? I'm looking at probably a $3000 difference and I'm not really sure. I keep thinking how much better the Silestone looks and feels but $3000 could sure buy a nice big screen TV setup.

I say yes it is worth it - at least IMO. Silestone is indestructable. It will look and feel the same years from now. I hear ya about the TV, but I'd go with the quartz.

 

[MareQ]

I say yes it is worth it - at least IMO. Silestone is indestructable. It will look and feel the same years from now. I hear ya about the TV, but I'd go with the quartz.

Ditto! I am the TV freak here not DH and I'd pick my granite again over big big screen TV. Get the TV next year.

 

[SplshMtn99]

I'ld say get the quartz too. But, it you really can't do it now, laminate is cheap. You can always do the quartz later. But you would need a cheap overmount sink for now with the laminate.

Only other reason I can think of to go with laminate is if you are someone who can't stay locked into a color choice forever. You can replace your laminate often if you decide you don't like the color any longer, but quartz is quartz for life.

I'm replacing my bad blue color laminate choice from 7 years ago with a more neutral quartz now.

In 2000, our laminate cost $300 & we installed ourselves. In 2007, our Silestone is $2448 AFTER a 20% discount (so about $3000 originally). 32 square feet of material - no backsplash - 1 sink cutout - pencil edge.

 

[sm4987]

I would say go for it. Sile stone is nice, or you could also mix your countertop options to help with costs

 

[SplshMtn99]

I decided to put together an online album of before pictures, selections, & in progress photos.

Its a cheap 1987 condo kitchen update with an adjacent open dining room. Cheap is the condo...not the update. lol New England in the country. Last major update was in 2000. We changed some minor things since then. Don't laugh at some of my past color & design choices. I was still trying to find myself. I think I found myself when we were designing a new condo we were to move to, but didn't. So we are trying to put some of those choices into our exsisting condo. We still don't know if we'll be here another 1 year or 15 years at this point. We figured it can only help to sell, if we do.

ALREADY DONE IN PAST YEAR OR TWO:
new vinyl kitchen floor that looks like tile
new dining room light fixture with neutral fabric shades
plain neutrel window valances that were put up in anticipation of selling condo
new dining room table

TO DO LIST:
replace almond range & frig with black updated appliances - DONE
replace blue laminate counters with Silestone Black Canyon
new undermount stainless steel sink & faucet
install tile backsplash in tones similar to flooring with bronze? accents
repaint the 1 green kitchen accent wall a nicer shade of sage
remove wallpaper border in kitchen & dining room
raise microwave cabinet & microwave
install oak crown molding with a black accented rope onto top of cabinets
change cabinet hardware
? update kitchen lighting
sew new valances from winery fabric for kitchen & dining room.
green lattice drapes to go with them
replace old undercabinet white tv with a small flat panel on swivel out bracket
update art & knicknacks in dining room

I would have loved to have done something with the cabinet doors, but not enough money for that right now. Maybe reface later. We like oak. The blue carpeting is 11 years old & (un)fortunately holding up really well, so its sticking around a while longer. Luckily I still like the color because its thru out the entire condo. And blue is FINALLY in style! lol Our condo pretty much is porcelain colored walls, blue carpet, oak furniture with lots of green, tan & black tossed in. Both bathrooms were updated last year with new counters/ sinks & faucets, new flooring to match new kitchen flooring, new paint & new decor. They look really nice now.

Hope this album link works.
The first 18 photos are befores & selections. Then it starts with progress pictures. Not sure, but when I view "slideshow", I can't read the captions on the photos because they appear white on white. So try viewing each photo & click next.

http://s99.photobucket.com/albums/l284/SplshMtn99/2007 Kitchen Updates/

Let me know if you think the new black frig sticks out too far. Keep in mind the countertop & wall color & backsplash are changing. Maybe it won't look as big then?

 

[Miss Jasmine]

They started on the master bath yesterday and are almost done. That was a much smaller project as all we were doing was replacing the cabinet, countertop, sinks and faucets, mirror and light fixture. Everything but the mirrors and light fixture are done.

Since there were no angles they were able to template the countertops before installation, so they came in yesterday and did the installation all at one time. I couldn't take pictures because there isn't enough light in there.

ETA:SplshMtn99, your Black Canyon countertops are almost indentical to the ParkGate (Cambria) that we put in the bathroom. I love it.

 

[SplshMtn99]

MissJasmine, I haven't read the beginning of the thread. Just sort of jumped in. Did you move into your house recently & making changes ( like Am_I_There_Yet) or are you just tired of everything too & making updates.

In the past when I was working, I seemed to re-decorate a room each year. Since not working for past 2 years, I'm on this roll of MAJOR updating...and have a bigger list if we are staying here.

LOL......maybe I should go back to work to help pay for this stuff.

FYI, we've been in this condo 14 years now. Its 3 story townhouse. 1300 sq ft (2 stories) PLUS finished lower level. 2 bedroom. 1.5 bath. 1 car garage under. Lovely country setting. Nice big yard behind us & wonderful neighbors who love gardening like me. We've planted gardens along where the yard meets the woods. Love everything about our place....EXCEPT all the stairs; & the laundry is in our basement. Also, the main living area is the middle floor, so you have to carry groceries up. If I could take our 3 stories & lay them out next to each other, I would be HAPPY!!!!!!

 

[Miss Jasmine]

We've lived in our home for 7 years. We had it built so it's always been ours. However 7 years ago we were making a lot less money so we didn't upgrade a lot of things in the house so we would qualify for a mortgage. Now the payoff has come and we are doing the things we would have loved to have done in the beginning.

Over the years we have done the following:
Tiled the screened-in patio.
Tiled the outside entrance to the front door.
Pulled up the carpeting and had wood laminate installed everywhere but the bedrooms and tiled areas (we had the kitchen, laundry room, entry and both bathrooms tiled originally).
We replaced the sliding glass doors with french doors.
We replaced the front door.
We have all ready repainted the outside of the house (it was needed after the hurricane season of 2004 ).
We have painted all the rooms including the laundry room.

Now we have remodeled the kitchen and are in the process of a semi-remodel in the master bath.

 

[SplshMtn99]

I guess you could say that's what we are doing also now that our mortgage is pretty much gone.

OK, I just spent some time with my new refrigerator this afternoon. I don't hate it quite as much now. I got rid of the major annoying squeek in the handle. I figured out how to remove the handle & found that the screws were loose. So loose I could tighten by hand. Tried the handle again & most squeeks were gone. Took it off again, gave the screws a small turn of the screwdriver, put handle back on.....NO MORE SQUEEK! Its a beautiful thing.

Then, I spent some time re-arranging things in the frig. Escpecially on the door since I found out I wasn't making full use of the door. I was able to get the soda bottles moved to the door freeing up shelf space. Also realized my tupperware lettuce crisper fit into the huge produce drawer with plenty of room left for produce. That freed up more shelf space. Rearranged some shelves, added a plastic lazy susan for yogurts & stuff.....and I'm back to having 2 FULL empty shelves....and I can go grocery shopping now.

Tweeked the way I packed the freezer drawer & its not so bad anymore. I can live with that. But I think there will be more times of the year now that I will have to have the 2nd freezer running....which I preferred not to do. Oh well.

Lastly, I'm going to have DH work on leveling the feet a little better because it seems a little wobbly when you close the freezer drawer.

I actually think I'll keep it now....and decided to clean the rest of the packing tape goop off the sides. Its looks nice now.

Last night I decided to christen the new oven. It has a built-in pre-heat feature that beeps once it reaches the desired temp. I guess all these years I never realized it takes an oven quite so long to preheat. I'm famous for turning on the oven & throwing the food in about 3 minutes later. lol

I can't wait to try out the convection oven ....and the warming drawer at the holidays. I'm never good at getting all the foods ready at the same time. That feature will be nice.

 

[mickeysgal]

OK, I just spent some time with my new refrigerator this afternoon.

...

I actually think I'll keep it now....and decided to clean the rest of the packing tape goop off the sides. Its looks nice now.
...

I can't wait to try out the convection oven ....and the warming drawer at the holidays. I'm never good at getting all the foods ready at the same time. That feature will be nice.

You've bonded! See, it was trying to please you all this time. You just needed a bit of quality time with it.

I miss my warming drawer terribly. Two houses ago when we built, I had one put in - way back when warming drawers were very, very new to the market. I've missed it ever since we moved. When we redo this kitchen, I'm getting one. I never realized how attached I was to an appliance.

Where did you install yours? I've seen them low -below the double ovens, in the island, and also, just below the cooktop (this is where mine was).

 

[mickeysgal]

Has anyone seen kitchens lately where the microwave is positioned above the built-in double ovens (which are positioned a bit lower than normal)? The microwave is a bit on the high side. Opinions anyone? Would you do this to save space in your kitchen? Would it drive you nuts to keep reaching high up over the double ovens for the microwave?

Another configuration I've seen is where a warming drawer is positioned very low - almost floor height - under the double ovens. I think its a bit hard to reach down so low.

I'm trying to get ideas for the grand daddy of all remodeling projects - our kitchen. I don't want to put the microwave above the cooktop, I'd like a hood with a decorative plate rack/shelf. The island is my other choice for a microwave but space is limited here.

What creative places have you used to put your appliances?