Let's Talk Remodeling

[Am_I_There_Yet]

How did you refinish them? I wouldn't even know where to begin.

There are these liquid metal kits at Michael's that work really well. They come with a primer, the metal and a top coat. It works really well. Before I put the top coat on, I covered everything with black acrylic paint, and then wiped it clean, so that it left black in the crevices to make it looked aged.

The stuff is real liquid metal. I believe I used liquid pewter. Believe it or not, it turned out really well and if I didn't tell you, you'd never know that I did it.

You can see both the sconce lights and the vanity hardware (the sconces looked bronze and the vanity hardware was brass) in this photo:

 

[BillSears]

I want to say one thing about this whole remodel...I love having a contractor.

I usually do small repairs around the house when I can and if I can't fix it I put it off until it absolutly needs to be done. My reasoning is that I always find something else wrong once I start taking things apart. The replace the carpeting in the dining room, due to rotted wood and the towel bar syndrome, has turned into a $30,000 remodel.

Anyway, I'm watching the contractor do their job and seeing them run into the little things that always through off a project for me. They run into the problem of the floor not being smooth enough for the laminate and they just take up the old vinyl flooring, they have a problem with the transom of my kitchen door and they just fix it, they work around all of the little things that would stop me dead in my tracks for a week or more and they don't even blink at it.

When things are easy and go smoothly I like doing it myself but when things start going wrong/weird I'm glad my contractor is taking care of it.

Darn I just thought of something to complain about...

What would you do about this? My contractor had to move my washing machine out of the kitchen during the remodel. It looks like something during this process one of the knobs for the washing machine has been broken. The washing machine is 14 years old and I've been wanting to replace it since the lid on the washer is broken. Right now I'm not sure if I should confront them about this broken knob or just ignore it. The knob controls the agitation speed which I never change anyway.

BTW what do you guys think about front loading washers? Maybe I'll try one of them this time.

 

[mickeysgal]

Darn I just thought of something to complain about...

What would you do about this? My contractor had to move my washing machine out of the kitchen during the remodel. It looks like something during this process one of the knobs for the washing machine has been broken. The washing machine is 14 years old and I've been wanting to replace it since the lid on the washer is broken. Right now I'm not sure if I should confront them about this broken knob or just ignore it. The knob controls the agitation speed which I never change anyway.

BTW what do you guys think about front loading washers? Maybe I'll try one of them this time.

I wouldn't complain about the knob - especially if it's something you never use anyway. Its minor and I don't like rocking the boat for minor things. Now if they put a door jamb in and split the wood, then I'd be talking to them. Perhaps you can call the manufacturer and see if you can order a new knob.

Front loading washers? Sorry I don't have any experience with them. Is the wash capacity the same as a top loading model? Wouldn't it be easier on you to have a front loading machine?

Isn't that the truth about having a contractor in charge, getting the project done! I loved having one for our basement remodel. Our basement has its own entrance and we ended up giving him a key. I loved it when he just showed up every Sat., let himself in, and got to work. Pure, pure luxury.

 

[mickeysgal]

There are these liquid metal kits at Michael's that work really well. They come with a primer, the metal and a top coat. It works really well. Before I put the top coat on, I covered everything with black acrylic paint, and then wiped it clean, so that it left black in the crevices to make it looked aged.

The stuff is real liquid metal. I believe I used liquid pewter. Believe it or not, it turned out really well and if I didn't tell you, you'd never know that I did it.

You can see both the sconce lights and the vanity hardware (the sconces looked bronze and the vanity hardware was brass) in this photo:

Wow...I'll have to keep that in mind if I ever find something that not in the right color tone. How is the finish holding up? Anything wearing off?

Sure....go ahead and show me that vanity again.

 

[Am_I_There_Yet]

Wow...I'll have to keep that in mind if I ever find something that not in the right color tone. How is the finish holding up? Anything wearing off?

Obviously what gets the most handling are well... the handles and they're holding up just fine! It's been in for over a year now and they look as good as the day I refinished them.

Sure....go ahead and show me that vanity again.

 

[perdidobay]

Okay, I remodeling question for anyone who might know....
how much is the average price of granite per sq ft (installed)?
I have one long kitchen counter and a really large island, plus a small desktop and a butler pantry countertop to be done. If I measured correctly, it's around 100 sq ft. all together.

Will all that edging and backsplash area leave me in the poorhouse?!

 

[shovan]

I have to say that Houma had some of the biggest misquitoes I've ever seen in my life! I was afraid they would carry my baby away. :lol:

I loved the drive through daquiri shack though hehehe. I would get one on the way home from work.

Sometimes I do feel like the mosquitos will carry us away! That's why we need to have those drive-thru daquiri shops, keeps us hydrated & helps with the itching!!!

The ones in my bathroom were originally a bronze color, and I needed more of a platinum color. I ended up buying the sconces and the ceiling light in the bronze color and then I refinished them. I also had to refinish the cabinet hardware on that black vanity.

I don't want to have to do that again! It was scary!

That came out great! Did you use anything to remove the old finish first?

I want to say one thing about this whole remodel...I love having a contractor.


What would you do about this? My contractor had to move my washing machine out of the kitchen during the remodel. It looks like something during this process one of the knobs for the washing machine has been broken. The washing machine is 14 years old and I've been wanting to replace it since the lid on the washer is broken. Right now I'm not sure if I should confront them about this broken knob or just ignore it. The knob controls the agitation speed which I never change anyway.

BTW what do you guys think about front loading washers? Maybe I'll try one of them this time.

Bill, if you're happy with the contractor work on everything else, I would let it go also. If I was unhappy with the rest of the work though, I'd be griping about that washer knob even if I never used it!!!

 

[Crankyshank]

Hiya folks LTNS!!

DH is still working on re-roofing the garage and expanding the attached shed. I'm really hoping he finishes next week so I can get my driveway back. And the new neighbors give us the death glare when they see us because our patio is loaded with stuff that needs to go back in the garage and the patio.

DH is also working on redoing all of the outlets as we have ungrounded halfassed cloth & tube wiring. Did I mention my house is plaster and the outlets were nailed to the plaster and plastered on top of it? Yeah not fun. So we're going to wind up disconnecting the the outlets, leaving the wire in the walls, covering the outlets, and putting brand new ones in. That means plaster and painting for me this winter. yay me.

On top of everything, my house roof is shot. We're refinancing and taking out some money to do the roof and some projects. DH's buddy refered us to a great roofer who will do our roof over a weekend for $2k (arch shingles even) provided DH removes the 4 layers of shingles on the existing roof. whew!

So my winter and spring projects coming up are:
- finish the garage roof
- remodel the bathroom
- upgrade the electric to a 200amp plus ground it
- re-roof the house
- waterseal and finish the basement (or at least start the project going)
- plaster and paint

Did I mention DH works 60hr weeks and I work and am in school full time? No rest for the wicked in my house!!

So what kind of flooring would you guys recommend for the cellar? It has to be pee resistant!

 

[Syrreal]

Some progress pics

Our living room is done. All we did was paint it.
before-

after-

DS room is also done.
before-

after-

work on the master bath-
before-

now-

 

[shovan]

Some progress pics

Our living room is done. All we did was paint it.
before-

after-

DS room is also done.
before-

after-

work on the master bath-
before-

now-

What a difference just paint can make!! The color change made the stone just POP!!!

 

[Syrreal]

It really did. It makes the huge room feel more cozy too (though not any smaller LOL). The while walls just made it feel cold and uninviting to me

 

[BillSears]

Just a quick update. My painting is done, my flooring has all been installed. Just about everything is done that can be done before the countertop is installed. Tomorrow will be my first weekday in 2 weeks without the contractor at my house. With luck the countertop will be installed on Friday and everything might be finished by Monday.

The old washer and dryer have been moved back into place...they really look out of place amoung the splendor of all of the new floor, paint and appliances. Maybe I should just replace them now. Of course if I do that I really ought to also replace the fridge since that would be my last old appliance.

 

[mickeysgal]

Just a quick update. My painting is done, my flooring has all been installed. Just about everything is done that can be done before the countertop is installed. Tomorrow will be my first weekday in 2 weeks without the contractor at my house. With luck the countertop will be installed on Friday and everything might be finished by Monday.

That is an amazingly fast remodel. I know...once you remodel something everything else in the room that hasn't been touched looks shabby in comparison. Guess it's time for a new fridge and washer/dryer.

Great job! Can't wait to see the final pics.

 

[Syrreal]

J
The old washer and dryer have been moved back into place...they really look out of place amoung the splendor of all of the new floor, paint and appliances. Maybe I should just replace them now. Of course if I do that I really ought to also replace the fridge since that would be my last old appliance.

I do believe that a trip to the appliance store is in order. I mean, if you don't replace them, you could be scarring your old appliances for life with a HUGE inferiority complex

 

[Am_I_There_Yet]

Okay, I remodeling question for anyone who might know....
how much is the average price of granite per sq ft (installed)?
I have one long kitchen counter and a really large island, plus a small desktop and a butler pantry countertop to be done. If I measured correctly, it's around 100 sq ft. all together.

Will all that edging and backsplash area leave me in the poorhouse?!

That's a lot of counter space!

I really think it depends on the level of granite you choose. Some of them cost far more than others (double, or even triple). Luckily for me, I happen to like several of the Level I granites. (Lucky for my husband, too!)

I lucked out and found a distributor that was liquidating their stock, so I got my slabs at a good price. I think it was around $45 per foot for mine. I got 3cm Uba Tuba with a bull nose edge, and all together I think it was around $2,500 for the granite and installation.

I think my price is going to be way low on the pricing scale.

 

[Am_I_There_Yet]

That came out great! Did you use anything to remove the old finish first?

No, the same primer that you use after the liquid metal, is what you use before you apply it. I did lightly sand everything though, but it didn't call for it.

 

[Am_I_There_Yet]

So what kind of flooring would you guys recommend for the cellar? It has to be pee resistant!

That pooped me out just reading it!

As for the floor, I'd think ceramic tile? I guess if it and the grout were sealed and kept sealed throughout the years it would be okay?

 

[Am_I_There_Yet]

It really did. It makes the huge room feel more cozy too (though not any smaller LOL). The while walls just made it feel cold and uninviting to me

Looks great Syrreal! I love both of those paint colors!

Just a quick update. My painting is done, my flooring has all been installed. Just about everything is done that can be done before the countertop is installed. Tomorrow will be my first weekday in 2 weeks without the contractor at my house. With luck the countertop will be installed on Friday and everything might be finished by Monday.

The old washer and dryer have been moved back into place...they really look out of place amoung the splendor of all of the new floor, paint and appliances. Maybe I should just replace them now. Of course if I do that I really ought to also replace the fridge since that would be my last old appliance.

Wow, that was quick! We haven't even gotten prices together and you're almost done!

 

[Miss Jasmine]

I haven't posted lately, but I have been reading along. It seems everyone's projects are coming together! Everything looks and sounds great.

 

[Am_I_There_Yet]

Oh my - look at what I found? I never did take photos of my kitchen before I started the demo. I found these on the MLS. It was uglier than I remember!

Kitchen sink angle before:

Kitchen sink angle after:

Stove angle before:

Stove angle after:

I had NO counterspace before. Next to that wall oven was a desk, and then I had that Jennaire on the island. What an improvement!