Project: Kitchen Remodel

Demolition and Carpentry!

3 July 2003 --> The dumpster arrives--demolition and carpentry begins. I've set up a special page to follow the progress of this portion of the project at this link. (UPDATED 1 November 2003)

Update: 24 June 2003 --> The “Fabulous Fake Fireplace” cabinet insert is completed. This was a challenging portion of this project due to the irregular dimensions of the area and the necessity to scribe the face frame on both sides to mate with the mortared limestone.

Update: 25 June 2003 --> The cabinets above the refrigerator, completed some time ago, finally get their knobs and are cleaned out an ready for use. Although the cabinet carcass boxes were built in the shop, the rest of the unit needed to be built in-place due to the uneven elevation of the ceiling and floor. There is a 1" difference between the outside wall and the point 55" towards the center of the room at the top and a 1/2" dip in the brick floor going in the same direction!

Update: 26 June 2003 --> The pantry cabinet and shelving unit is complete and ready for installation when the room is made ready. Demolition of that area is scheduled for the week of 7 July...“Whack, whack, whack and the ceilings come tumbling down!!”

Update: 29 June 2003 --> The “sink section” of the base cabinets have been assembled and are partially prepped for finishing. Not shown in the picture is an additional base cabinet that will be to the left of the range. It is identical to the drawer unit on the right end of the sink section shown. This cabinet assembly accommodates the dishwasher on the left side. The whole thing disassembles into three pieces for easy movement to the installation site...the toe-kick base, the sink cabinet/drawer unit and finally the dishwasher bridge.

• The pantry currently is only accessible from the Great Room at the top of the image
• The existing full-thickness antique brick floor will be retained...it isn’t moving anywhere! UPDATE: 4 July 2003--> Adding to the brick floor under where the old oven and corner cabinets were will require quite a bit of flooring support work. The “deck” was not lowered in these areas when the previous owner installed the brick floor. This will be an interesting framing job!
• The refrigerator surround is already complete, moving it away from the wall and the interference with the entry door--it is not possible to move this appliance to any other location, unfortunately. However, the slight repositioning and use of a new counter-depth GE Profile Arctica refrigerator has greatly alleviated the problems we had with the original unit
• The mobile island is complete
• All cabinetry will match the island’s Shaker-style design and will be made in the Saws ’N Dust shop
• The existing Jenn-Air double wall oven will be removed and sold. The existing electric cooktops, dishwasher and sink will be removed and discarded
• The large pantry closet has been partitioned to provide both household storage and the formal pantry function. A new opening in the east wall provides access to cabinets and the freezer. No door is planned for this area to “expand” the feel of this space. UPDATE: 4 July 2003--> There apparently was a window in this location before the Great Room portion of the house was constructed, leaving a usable header in “just the right width” for the door opening. A “win” here!
• A new window in the north wall will provide needed light to the kitchen--something that is greatly needed due to the low, 6' 10" ceiling height. UPDATE 4 July 2003--> An interesting hitch to this part of the plan...a cast iron sewer vent runs right up the middle of the wall, interfering with the proposed window location! A local plumber will be consulted to see if there is a “solution”. Old houses often have these “surprises” for you when you open up the walls! UPDATE 8 July 2003--> The pipe was successfully moved over to allow enough room for a window. It was “no fun” cutting the pipe in the wall due to clearances!
• The Faux Fireplace in the lower right corner is lovely, but takes up a lot of space. Since it is not practical to remove it...it’s solid limestone and morter...the 4' opening will receive a cabinet for additional storage and to support the microwave and cappuccino machine (work completed 24 June 2003)
• A new high-end range, high-performance exhaust hood, dual-drawer dishwasher and apron front sink will be installed as part of this renovation
• The counter tops will be soapstone or slate and the backslash is currently planned to be some form of tile
• All-new lighting will be recessed fixtures in the ceiling to provide a great deal more light than presently is available
• The range ventilation is presenting some challenges due to headroom in the ceiling. A 1200 CFM blower system, which is appropriate for the BTU capabilities of the DCS range, requires a 10" duct to the outside, whether the blower is mounted indoors or out. There are two potential paths for this duct; in the joist bay directly above the hood or in the joist bay immediately behind the kitchen in the ceiling of the pantry. Both bays will require that a square duct be constructed to provide the required volume. Inspection of the house structure will determine the final choice and dictate which Broan Rangemaster hood will be used. (The pantry ceiling path will require a horizontal vent from the hood so the Rangemaster 64000 series will be substituted for the 60000 series hood in that situation) UPDATE: 4 July 2003--> Some slight modification to the upper end cabinet will allow a 10" duct to be used in the joist bay directly above the hood area. Supportive framing will be done in the corner to insure that the load-bearning walls are not compromised.