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...DO IT YOURSELF!Before and After shot---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------I've been wanting to remodel my kitchen. It's very small and old:
My plan is to destroy the wall between the kitchen and the dining room, to make a big eat-in kitchen with a bar type thing separating the two.After several weeks of getting estimates from various contractors, I decided to remodel my kitchen myself. The estimates they were giving me were rediculous. It's not rocket surgery, it's demolition and some minor construction. I'll need minimal professional help for plumbing and electrical, but the rest, I can do. It'll just take a while as I can only devote a couple hours to it each day, and a bit more on the weekends.So a few nights ago, I started destroying the wall. (this picture is the wall between the kitchen and the dining room): 8 hours of destruction later, I have completed most of the demolition. Check out the damage, the wall is gone and I've torn down most of the old plaster from the walls and celings:Now I have to get the debris hauled away:Soon the fun of reconstruction will begin!*bump*...
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futurekids wrote on Jun 05, 02:06 PM
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Thats proper! Good job man.I think my biggest fear in DIY no matter how small is the more than likely chance that I'll uncover something more serious than I am currently working on. This always happens no matter what! Ive been watching Cribs on telly and I would like to recommend you do nothing like anything I have seen on that show =)Look forward to more pictorial DIY updates!
DRomeo wrote on Jun 05, 02:23 PM
This is real cool Mike.Yeah, definitely post the updates.
sabet wrote on Jun 05, 03:42 PM
swwweet..can't wait to see the process.
virginie wrote on Jun 05, 04:28 PM
Now THAT is pretty impressive! I wish I were there to join the fun... there's nothing like destroying somebody else's house (well, i can imagine). Anyways, good luck with that and don't hurt yourself in the process or else you'll be stuck with a nasty destroyed house for a while.tata,
shoobidoobidoo wrote on Jun 05, 04:54 PM
That's awesome mike...good luck. If you need help with the plumbing and electricity, I know someone that can help you out.
saidamin wrote on Jun 05, 05:26 PM
"It's not rocket surgery, it's demolition and some minor construction"- not being a handyman, it's totally rocket surgery impressive Brother. like others, i'm looking forward to seeing the progress and final product!oh yea, and as Virginie said, don't get hurt. you wearing a hard hat?
DRomeo wrote on Jun 05, 06:20 PM
I was thinking the same thing Saïd! Mike, the fact that you don't have a giant diagram where all the screws go amazes me. Even when I have one of those diagrams, there are always a few screws and braces left over and I'm wondering when the whole thing is coming down.
michel wrote on Jun 06, 03:27 PM
Thanks for the encouraging words everybody! I'll post more pics as I get more work completed.
michel wrote on Jun 14, 04:16 PM
Here's a quick update. The kitchen is gutted, everything is gone, including the load-bearing wall which has been replaced by a beam. The floor has been ripped out. The electric was put in last Sunday by an electrician for the recessed lights in the ceiling. The ceiling drywall is up as well, and temporary lighting is in place. This weekend, some guys are coming to do the plumbing (it needs to be moved a few feet), put in a french door in place of the current door and window, and put in the hardwood floor. After that, the fun of cabinet building begins. I will get all ikea stuff to make it easy. The appliances are ordered and the dishwasher arrived today. I am waiting for the gas range to arrive.Here are a few pics of the room as it is now:
michel wrote on Jun 17, 03:56 PM
Yay! The french doors are in! I'm glad I did not do this myself. They had a gas-powered saw to cut through the brick wall. I have a chisel...Check out the door. You can see the old door and window above. This really opens up the room and adds a ton of light. I got a door with the blinds inside the glass... really cool and clean.
saidamin wrote on Jun 17, 03:58 PM
Very nice!!
DRomeo wrote on Jun 17, 04:01 PM
Yeah, this looks really good Mike. Can you post a video so that we can get a better sense of the space? Matter of fact, let's just turn this into a television show--move over Bob Villa...
gin_0 wrote on Jun 17, 04:21 PM
It's looking great!
samanism wrote on Jun 18, 12:12 PM
Been in your shoes Mike. Except, I live in an apartment! I busted my walls as well to open kitchen/storage room and all sorts of shit + new floors. Destruction was fun and contractors did most of the building. Took 3 months before I could move it but the feeling is great. I still walk around my apartment amazed at results. At the time ... it seemed like I'd never finish what I'd started. It was such mess!!! Have fun with it.
michel wrote on Jun 18, 12:59 PM
Thanks neighbors!D, I will try to get a video of the place and post it. I've actually been watching some Bob Villa... he's da man! I wish I could get him to come over and work on my kitchen.Saman, thanks for the encouragement. From what I hear, your apartment is really nice. I hope I am as happy as you are when I'm done!Tonight I think I will order the cabinets from Ikea. Tomorrow, dude is coming to move the plumbing. Wednesday, new floors are going down hopefully. Once I've got all the drywall up, sanded and painted, I'll start building the cabinets and installing the appliances... then the countertops will be measured and installed by some pros.2-3 weeks to go.
virginie wrote on Jul 01, 09:43 AM
It's time for an update...
michel wrote on Jul 04, 11:34 AM
It is INDEED time for an update. An an exciting one this is!I am now working on building the cabinets. Once that's done. I need to install the sink and order the countertops. Gas line is going in on Thursday... an unexpected expense... did you know it costs at least $600 to have a gas line moved a few feet? Damn! Apparently it's because of the liability of working with gas. This would have been a $50 plumbing job if it was a water line.
michel wrote on Jul 06, 12:56 PM
I put in the sink yesterday. It's a stainless steel undermount apron sink. Fancy name for a sink which means that it mounts under the countertop, not over like most sinks, and it sticks out a bit in the front so that the front side is showing through the cabinet. I had to modify the stock ikea cabinet to make it fit.
michel wrote on Jul 08, 10:57 PM
End of weekend update. I spent most of today building the custom ventilation. Here are some pics:The fan itself is on the outside of the house. It should make it quiter than the usual kitchen hood, and will be virtually invisible.Yesterday I built the bar wall on which the bar countertop will rest. Still needs some work and reinforcement:The fridge area of the kitchen is almost done. Here it is:Coming to the home stretch... (may these not be my famous last words)
cnagele wrote on Jul 10, 04:57 PM
Wow Mike! It looks amazing. There is nothing like finishing a big renovation project, then stepping back and just taking it all in. It's even more rewarding when you do the work yourself. Lots of respect for that.
DRomeo wrote on Jul 10, 07:52 PM
Big Mike, brilliant. I thought your spot was cool before--now it's dope + fresh kitchen = Real dope.Finish strong :)
michel wrote on Jul 11, 10:54 AM
Thanks guys!
michel wrote on Jul 11, 10:32 PM
The framework for the rounded bar corner is done. Apparently, i can wet the drywall and bend it around the curve. I've never tried it or seen it done, but it's what I've read on the net. If anyone knows anything about this, let me know before I attempt something impossible. Can't wait to try it.
michel wrote on Jul 22, 10:11 PM
Friday the countertop people came to measure. They put a bunch of tape with black circles on it, then took a bunch of pictures. They made sure to get every dot in at least 3 pictures, from 3 different angles. Then, apparently, a computer triangulates and figures out the size and shape of the coutertop to be fabricated.I did some good detail / trim work this weekend. Nothing anybody would notice, but quite time-comsuming. Here are some pics of the kitchen as it looks now.Some drywall, a bit of trim, and once the countertops are in... we can eat.... a couple more weeks
PersianBazaarcheh wrote on Jul 23, 03:15 AM
Howdy Neighbor! Kitchen is looking awesome congrats! Post some picks of the curved section from above on the rounded bar corner, that's my favorite section... Great work...hears to you kid!
The_Esquire wrote on Jul 23, 04:11 AM
I must say, "Great Job!" You are welcomed to come by and hook our kitchen up when you are done with yours....
michel wrote on Jul 23, 11:13 AM
Thanks PersianBazaarcheh and The_Esquire !
DRomeo wrote on Jul 23, 09:47 PM
Good stuff Mike. That thing with the black dots sounds really cool.
michel wrote on Jul 30, 08:37 PM
UPDATE: On Saturday, I put in the OTC (over the counter) microwave. I had to put in a wall cabinet to make it look good. I also made a little shelf to put on the side. I wanted an OTC microwave to save some counter space.I'm happy with the result.On Sunday, I attempted to bend wet drywall around the rounded bar corner. It didn;t work, It cracked in many places. I think I'll use 1/4" plywood instead, but even that is tough to bend without cracking. I need to figure something out.The countertop people are being a pain. They wanted to put the seams right in the corner. I said no way, put it behind the sink, it'll be less conspicuous there. More than a week later, they still haven't started fabricating it. Tomorrow they are having a meeting about it. Get it done already! I want to eat!
DRomeo wrote on Jul 30, 08:44 PM
Big Mike, looks GOOD!!!!Looking forward to dinner at your house :)
saidamin wrote on Jul 30, 09:01 PM
keep this up and you'll have your own show mike
michel wrote on Aug 21, 12:39 AM
Time for an update. Yes, I'm still working on it!So... the countertop people came last week to install the counters, and unfortunately, the bar top didn't fit. So they have to come back. Royal pain in the ass, but the good news is, the counters on the kitchen side are in. We ordered the tiles for the backsplash on Saturday. They arrive Thursday. That's the last thing to do (other than the bar top) and some touch up here and there. The sink is in and working (disposal too). The dishwasher is washing our dishes and the stove is cooking our meals.The rounded corner of the bar was a whole production. We ended up using narrow pieces of drywall and puting them arounf the bend, then filling the gaps with 3 coats of compund. It came out nicely. It was my mom's idea and she did most of the work, as my dad and I hauled the 1.6 tons of junk that had accumulated out back. We rented a 14-foot uhaul, filled it to the ceiling, and drove to the dump. FYI, 1.6 tons of debris costs 91 dollars to dump in Montgomery County MD. The trunk rental was about $100. Total : less than $200. Much better than the $600 I paid college dudes for the first round of junk removal. It was tough work, but not worth $600.
Next update should be the final one.
michel wrote on Aug 21, 12:41 AM
michel wrote on Aug 21, 12:43 AM
michel wrote on Aug 21, 12:45 AM
saidamin wrote on Aug 21, 12:49 AM
wow dude, nice. very nice. looks money! (yea i know, it should, cuz it cost some =)so which is more fun, coding or home improvement work *lol*
michel wrote on Aug 21, 01:04 AM
Thanks! interesting shirt. I'm tempted...I'd have to say home improvement is more fun. But then again, I'm only doing it a few hours at a time. If I was doing it all day, I'm sure it would lose its appeal. Balance in all things (and work) would be nice. Too much coding, or too much home improving is probably no good. But hey, once in a while, regardless of what you do and how much you did or did not enjoy it, you get to stand back and say, "I did that!" It's a good feeling, which is why most of us always look in the toilet when we're done pooping ( "Wow, I did THAT?!?") It's our daily stand-back-and-admire-your-handy-work moment.
saidamin wrote on Aug 21, 01:51 AM
*lol* ahhh yes, the satisfaction of a log report....until of course u clog the toilet at a guests house and make it public news. i know, yer thinking *ewwww* gross, but come on now, shit happens.(for those who don't follow: we are not talking about these logs)
michel wrote on Sep 11, 07:38 PM
IT'S FINISHED!The last piece (bar top) was installed today. I'm done. Time to cook...
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This entry was posted on Sunday, June 17, 03:57 PM and tagged with construction, diy, kitchen, remodeling. It has been viewed 336 times and received 39 comments.
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