Makeshift kitchen / let the remodel mess begin / EXCITING NEWS.
There are three different floors going on in the kitchen/addition.
Surprisingly, this is not the look I am going for.
The floor needs to be the same throughout the two rooms to make both spaces feel as coherent as possible… We are not going to change the roof line or shape of the addition, (although that half bath is getting evicted,) so we want to be sure that we eliminate as much difference/lines of demarcation as we can.
Here is the space before we started exploding everything. You can read an entire post/see a detailed layout of the addition here.
I do love the original kitchen floor, simply for being original. It has a rustic look that sort of goes with the current kitchen, and it looks okay in pictures, but in reality, it is rough.
It has been sliced and diced, and in places removed/re-patched. Plus, after 125 years, some of the boards have decided that life is not worth living… So we are going to lay new hardwood over it.
This means that either we are going to have to do some (a lot?) of tearing out/repairing… Or install a brand-new subfloor.
We also need to gut at least part of the sink wall.
But because we are still uncertain of the final kitchen plan, we still need some kind of kitchen—we cannot just tear it all out and make it unusable… Or rather, we COULD. But then I would have a nervous breakdown. So we moved the kitchen down into the addition.
Paul hooked up a very long drain for the sink and taught me how to hotwire the garbage disposal.
On one hand— ugh.
On the other hand, I am grateful.
It would have been a LOT faster to just rip it all out, and Paul not (yet) consigning me to the basement utility sink with a rice cooker and a folding table is a kindness that rivals strapping an 8ft tall Kingdom Mirror to the top of a truck and driving it home on a 14-lane highway.
Now.
For the most exciting announcement of all time:
We got our kitchen island.
WHAT! I know!
(If you are new, here was inspiration. Here was what I considered.)
So I have to go… I am working on a video of the acquisition and it is infinitely more interesting than continuing this post.
In the spirit of suspense and having more than zero followers, I posted a teaser photo on Instagram.
I am late, late, late to Instagram, as I am late to everything… I was actually planning to just skip it because the last thing I need is another place where people vote if they like me: facebook! twitter! pinterest! But then I read a thread where other bloggers were talking about the weirdo bloggers who are not on Instagram who are total idiots because all the fun kids are all in the awesome-instagram-sandbox.
And I guess I felt like that was a challenge: to revisit the years between 10 and 18 38 and fix my socially-awkward aversion to the sandbox.
So I have signed up to be a filtered version of the best photo of my best self selected specifically to impress total strangers.
This sounds like such a fantastic use of my time.
From what I have seen, I will be required to get some hair extensions, delicate gold rings (and/or) bohemian jewelry, whimsical throw pillows (and/or) framed prints, succulents (and/or) geometric décor pop-of-color accent, and also take photographs of my feet while showing off at least two of the following: ironically hideous footwear, drink/manicure/bangle combination, distressed jeans, awkwardly positioned thigh gap.
If I’ve missed anything, please let me know?
April 7, 2015 @ 10:17 am
Well, I LOVE that island.
April 7, 2015 @ 10:18 am
spit. all over my screen.
April 7, 2015 @ 10:20 am
Exciting news! You’re doing your kitchen island in early Versailles? Or just giant, fancy and gold? Am holding breath for more news/ instagram pics.
Umm, on the whole instagram thing; I don’t know how to sign up to be a follower (do I have to have a smart phone or at least one with the I.Q. higher than a rotary dial?). (Cause that’s not happening). I can always just click over from your webpage. And from what I’ve seen others do, you can just photograph your food or Elvis (so ready for her close-up) and make wry witty comments. I’d follow that. If I knew how to follow.
P.S. I did the microwave in the basement eating off paper plates thing. It gets VERY DEPRESSING FAST. Wish I’d just ordered out for pizza.
April 8, 2015 @ 10:58 pm
I keep checking Instagram (now that you’re part of the hip totally in crowd) but so far, NO ELVIS!. This can not be tolerated. We will not stand for Elvis neglect of this magnitude. Sure, you’re busy with a job, a marriage, a blog and a kitchen remodel but you agreed to the rules of Blogdom. We need our Elvix fix. Naked photos of Jon Hamm (or at least shirts off please) can be substituted.
April 7, 2015 @ 10:21 am
God bless and God speed the renovation. Having done two kichen renovations in 10 years I hope yours is more like our latter (quick and painless) than former – which dragged on for 6 months and included litigation!
April 7, 2015 @ 12:55 pm
When we finally completely gutted the kitchen, I used the microwave on a REALLY long extension cord and an electric skillet like my mama had. You could make just about anything in it. What I actually missed most was the sink. I was reduced to washing stuff in the tub. We had a piece of board across the tub where we perched the dish drain board. It was all VERY hard on the knee caps!
I’m glad you are not mentioning ceramic tile or anything that hard for the floor. In the long run, it does a number on your feet, knees and hips.
Also, why are you using your disposal? You should be composting! It’s free!!
April 7, 2015 @ 12:56 pm
Ok. I’m a klutz. That post was supposed to go under Patricia’s.
April 7, 2015 @ 3:49 pm
I’ll consider it as a reply to mine anyway. We were “lucky”. We had a laundry sink in another corner of our dark depressing basement (since remodeled decades later). A board on your kneecaps, yikes!
Still wishing I’d opted for pizza…
April 7, 2015 @ 5:16 pm
Um, the board was across the tub with the drain board on it. The dish tub was in the bathtub and I was on my knees on the tile floor washing the non-paper plate bits and bobs. It got old really fast. Two or three weeks? I prefer not to remember.
P.s. The two kitties thought it was great fun to fish into the wall holes up to their armpits if cats have such a thing. How are you keeping Elvis out?
April 7, 2015 @ 10:22 am
So, that Instagram photo. I guessing your island is mirrored??
April 7, 2015 @ 10:23 am
Burning question here. Is that a door behind the fridge space? I must know the story on this secret passage way.
April 7, 2015 @ 10:25 am
it’s the space for the refrigerator. It looks like a secret passageway but is just the steps to the basement. The door is how you access the stairway… the refrigerator is going back there.
April 7, 2015 @ 5:08 pm
so you see the back of the fridge when going down the stairs? interesting.
November 24, 2015 @ 7:48 pm
Ok now I know there’s access from the hall I’m CONVINCED you need to put a room for a lavatory behind the kitchen using the small window, so you have a downstairs toilet. Move the whole kitchen down a bit. What if you’re frying something and the urge takes you…and you have to dash all the way upstairs….
April 7, 2015 @ 10:27 am
Yes, I need the answer to this, too.
April 14, 2015 @ 11:13 am
Yes, I too am curious 🙂
April 7, 2015 @ 10:25 am
Handbag! DUH! You have to show your handbag on instagram.
Also, it is THE place for your fancy-pants necklaces.
April 7, 2015 @ 10:26 am
Yay! It’s about time – your kitchen has actually been keeping ME up at night ; ) Can’t wait to see the glorious island!
April 7, 2015 @ 10:29 am
Hey Victoria,
Good luck with your kitchen remodel. I’m sure it will be lovely. When doing our kitchen remodel my husband harvested flooring from the attic. Perfect match and in good condition. Just a thought.
My bathroom is finished. I love it. I’d post a photo if I could.
Kathy
April 7, 2015 @ 10:29 am
Well, Victoria, you’ve beaten me to the Instagram thing, so you’re not totally the last person to arrive in that particular sandbox. In fact, I’m so NOT cool I don’t even have an iPad, iPhone or anything I can even install Instagram on. Sad, I know. My 12 year old daughter tells me how great it all is, as she is of this cool generation, and I’m officially old.
I can relate to the construction debacle. Lived there, done that, and am currently doing it with the family bath. So I feel your pain.
Can’t wait to see your Versailles island! I’m sure it will be spectacular.
April 7, 2015 @ 3:48 pm
I am barred from that sandbox too, though this past month I started wishing I had a smart phone just for the GPS. I’m betting Cheri will get something that has Instagram before I will.
In other news, I am not married to a man like Paul. My husband HAS the abilities, but not the attention span. So our kitchen remodel (which only involved painting the walls, a cabinetry update, and new countertops) stalled before the countertops. I microwaved on the dining table and washed dishes in a sink that was literally propped up on 2x4s because there was no counter on which to hang it in place. For three weeks. The counters I have now… I’d rather not talk about it. It involves particle board and black paint. Which was not permitted to dry properly between coats, and so is even now (three years later) tacky. [sigh.]
I am so thrilled you finally found your island, so jealous that it was free, and looking forward to seeing something besides a teaser in the near future. You make my day, every time I see a post on the various social media to which I DO subscribe.
April 7, 2015 @ 10:39 am
PS I like the angled door. I know patios are in right now, but stepping away from that idea might help. A deck over those massive steps at whatever height you want would be a solution. You could “flow” into your landscape, rather than jump down into it. Replacing the industrial strength handrails would also help. Foundation plantings would soften the steps.
April 7, 2015 @ 10:40 am
Instagram requirement: Mugs of coffee, preferably with manicured hand wrapped around and possible accented with a bangled wrist. This should be posted a minimum of weekly. If possible, daily.
April 7, 2015 @ 10:40 am
ha ha; count me in for the stone-age (not yet) Instagrammers…… I COULD look you up though; and I do have a smartphone and I do take photos and I even have a flickr account (which I proudly & in lack of anything else call my website!) and I spit all over my screen seeing your Versailles kitchen center piece – you are so PRICELESS 🙂
Shall follow the next steps with baited breath and am glad to have learned where that secret door is leading to! Yeah, why not a fridge…. a bit of a letdown but I guess everybody needs one.
Good luck Queen of all Great Things.
Kiki in France
April 7, 2015 @ 10:53 am
I’m dying over here! I don’t have Instagram and all of the teasers about the Versailles island are killing me! So excited for you to finally get the remodel going and to see the progress <3
April 7, 2015 @ 10:57 am
Angela; you can still click on her link – you only can’t comment…. You can SEE her Versailles island, lol
April 7, 2015 @ 10:58 am
Angela, I may not know much, but I can tell you that you can LOOK at Instagram without an account. Just click on the link in the post, and it’ll take you to the pics.
April 7, 2015 @ 10:55 am
Forgot to say that although I absolutely and fully understand your problems with the original floor boards, I still love them…. Had/Have the same situation in our house (1920, stone house) and ‘saved’ some of the original floors by sanding/oiling/sanding/oiling…. etc them several times and finally giving in and just putting very simple woven carpets (style ‘beach mats’ – don’t know the English expression for them) – looks stunning, is cheap, practical (hoover over them). This just in case you want to invest your money elsewhere (e.g. the Versailles version – I’ve visited Versailles several times, you def need a handful of omni-present cleaners, like 150 peeps or so!)
April 11, 2015 @ 6:45 pm
Sisal rugs?
April 7, 2015 @ 10:59 am
I vote I like you!
April 7, 2015 @ 11:07 am
I wrote a comment on instagram, but it spat me out, not of the smart phone set.
What’s with the scribble around the palace?
April 7, 2015 @ 11:32 am
Look closer. It’s a Craigslist ad. She’s covered up the description and pic with an actual pic of Versailles and squiggles. All we can glean is that it was FREE. *shakes fist*
April 7, 2015 @ 11:10 am
Congrats on moving forward, to get the dream kitchen underway must feel marvelous! I look forward to seeing the progress and enjoying your take on the whole process.
LOL, you hit the mark with your comment about instagram pics, that is exactly what I see too. I recently joined instagram and I don’t post regularly. Since I am such a visual person, I thought it would be great fun, but I am not that great of a photographer so I struggle. I wish I could offer some tips. Oh,re; requirements, you missed Flowers artfully arranged and pictures of food that you plan on eating.
April 7, 2015 @ 11:11 am
I am your 201st follower on Instagram. 🙂 NOW, I’m going to read about your kitchen island! 😉
P.S. I’m really old! I only post pictures of my gorgeous grandchildren and my handsome husband!
April 7, 2015 @ 11:30 am
I can’t wait to see how it all comes out! We are also contemplating a remodel of our 1890s kitchen, so I feel your pain. I’m just anxious to get started. We put in an early 1900s bathroom & despite the fact it almost killed our marriage, it came out better than my wildest dreams. I can’t wait to see what you come up with!
April 7, 2015 @ 11:37 am
Exciting news indeed! Congrats on getting your kitchen island. Can’t wait to see it for real.
Sadly, I am not among the Cool Kids, and do not Instagram–I know my limitations. For me, Instagram, Pinterest and the like would lead me to Procrastination City instead of the Emerald City, so I must exercise restraint for now and remain a voyeur living vicariously through others. Actually, my photography skills kind of suck so I need to maintain what dignity I have left.
Looking forward to seeing your vision of awesomeness become a reality.