First thing tomorrow the dumpster arrives. It ll be camped on my front lawn for a couple of weeks while we tear out my kitchen. We re going right back to the studs. This could get interesting. I dont know know a hammer from a knitting needle. Ask me to use a saw and I m liable to cut through just about anything. That includes the removal of thumbnails which I ve succesfully proven in the past. (That hurts like hell by the way.)
This renovation requires the removal of a couple of walls and the construction of a new one. The exterior doors have to be moved about 10 feet to the east. We have to move plumbing and do a whole new wiring job. The project is scheduled to take place over a three month time span. We cannot survive without a kitchen that long so we're creating a temporary kitchen in the dining room. There isnt capacity for a stove in there so we ll be reliant on a very ancient micro/convection oven, an electric fry pan and counter top propane burner (the kind used in restaurants for hot service at the table). Fortunately we're into spring so the barbie is going to be in use big time.
We re setting up a laundry sink in the utility room next to the dining room so that we have a place to do dishes. This means no dishwasher! I ve a suspicion we ll be using a lot of paper and plastic. Likely we ll eat out a fair bit. The motto here is now "We shall survive."
Over the past two years or so I ve been slowly gathering the components for the kitchen. Those of you who read my old posts know that I love a bargain and I ve faithfully stuck to the rule. If it aint on sale I dont buy it. The granite counter tops are waiting, all the gadgets from a Fisher Paykel dishwasher to a French door fridge and a new micro/convection are either in use or waiting to get to their place. Today I lucked out and found the cork floor covering I ve been drolling over at an amazing saving.
I m terribly excited over this project. I ve never before been able to induldge myself to this extent and I m having a ball planning it and nudging it into reality. With some persuasion from friends who ve been through the process I ve hired a highly recommended custom cabinet builder. Fortune has been on my side because I ve got personal contacts in the electrical and plumbing fields. I wont be looking for a better price from them. I m just lucky in the sense that I know they ll do the job for me. It's really difficult to get trades here because our economy is booming and new housing is going up rapidly.
My trusty little camera is set to record before, during and after pics. Shall I post them?
