Pink 2nd Floor Bathroom has to go!

Pink tile, really?
It's fake tile paneling actually...
November 2010

 pink walls too!

 Classic 1950's medicine cabinet...
gotta love that florescent lighting!

 nice sink too!

 OK, at least that stuff is gone...

 tore up the old linoleum pink tile floor

 and ripped out the metal shower stall

 can you see the fiber board drop ceiling panels?  those have to go too!

 and tear out the old insulation

 gotta move that wiring too from the old vent fan...

 I need storage space, so I am cutting out the wall back into the eaves under the roof...to create built in shelves and storage...only way I can do it.

 here you can see the cut out for the bathroom storage between the wall studs...

 drop ceiling partially removed...

 gotta move that old duct work from the old ceiling fan and light

 I need to ADD framing to support the built in shelves and storage

shelves are almost 48" high on the top left, and 20" deep.  I plan to have 3 shelves approximately 10" apart to get the additional storage for towels, and all the other bathroom storage.

Granite Countertops and Travertine Tile Installed

Granite Counter tops and Travertine Tile Installed!

I found a granite quarry in New Hampshire that normally does commercial or builder installations. Because it was slow, I could go direct and save almost $5,000 over what Home Depot and Lowe's quoted!

After the granite tops were installed, I could install 2" x 2" travertine tiles. I had to cut out for all the outlets and switches. The electrician did not install the electrical boxes at the correct position for the tile, so each electrical box had to be extended.

And finally grouting all the tile. Grout is premixed and colored cement and sand which has to be "floated" into all the gaps in the tile. Then, it has to be sponged down to remove the extra grout for a professional finished look!

• Appliance are going to be delivered April 10th!

Cabinets Installed! Ready for Granite Tops!

It took a week, but I got all the cabinets installed. The trick is getting each one perfectly level and plumb. And cutting the miters properly for the crown moldings. Because I have granite counter tops, I have to put in extra supports and bracing to support the granite.  

* Remember, you can scroll down or look at the older listings to see my progress...tearing out the old kitchen, putting new oak floors and walls, etc.

22 cabinets, each has to be assembled!

This is the start of putting in the cabinetry. I got bids from Home Depot and Lowes for the same style cabinetry. $12,000 and $13,000 respectively from both companies. I found a company in Providence that had the same style and all plywood construction, solid wood drawers, etc., for $6,000 for the same layout as Home Depot and Lowes. The difference is that these cabinets have to be assembled! Each one!

Drywall in kitchen done, Painting tomorrow!

Finally, got all the new drywall in the kitchen done. The ceiling had an old Nutone Ceiling Fan over the old range which I had to tear out and patch the hole, along with some water damage and falling plaster in one corner. It was a trick getting the ceiling patch perfectly smooth, flat and matched to the old plaster so you will never see either of the repairs.

  

I am going to install Crown Molding and a New Door this weekend also!

Then, new cabinets next week!

200 sq. ft. White Oak Floor installed in Kitchen

200 Square Feet of solid oak hardwood floor installed in 1 day!

I had air compressor in storage, and tried to use it with the nail gun, and it would not work, so I had to go rent one.

I originally thought I would install Travertine Tile, but with all of the work with the subfloor, and cutting and setting all the tile, the floor would not have been the same height as the other floor in the hall and dining room.

So, the oak floor ended up looking and fitting better.

Next step, drywall, then paint the ceiling and walls....hang the cabinets!

 

  

 

1.5 Tons to the Landfill today! Kitchen Demolition!

I saved about $200.00 by "doing it myself"...
Instead of renting a dumpster for about $300.00 for a week...I rented a U-Haul truck and loaded 1 and 1/2 tons of plaster, plywood, vinyl floor, cabinetry, sub floor, and a range into the U-haul myself.
Each Newport resident gets 2 "free" trips to the transfer station on the island (Waste Management).  Total cost, about $80.00 with renting the truck and I bought 18 gallon storage containers to put the broken plaster into.

 

  

I worked 15 hours on Saturday 2/6/2010 to install new insulation on the 2 exterior walls.  Today I am renting a "hardwood floor" pneumatic nailer to install 400 square feet of white oak flooring

 

Will send new pics soon of the new floor INSTALLED

Tearing out the old kitchen!

By nature, I am a "creative person".
But I cannot tell you how much FUN DEMOLITION IS!
Sledge hammers, pry bars, crow bars, skill saws, sawzalls...
Tearing out the cabinets, piece by piece!
Tearing out the counter tops, and the cast iron sink, disposer.
The plumbing leaked, so I had to run to the hardware store and buy a new valve.
Cut the old valve off, and solder a new one on!
I had to tear out all the drywall. Tear out the CAST IRON kitchen radiator! Weighs 125 pounds!
And the old 12 x 12 linoleum tiles, then tear out the old sub floor!
Man, was I sore after that.
These first photos show all the new wiring for all new outlets, lighting above and below the cabinets, new electric for the appliances, disposer, etc.