Last updated on May 13th, 2018
Monday, May 7. Phew! I survived the first day of our kitchen renovation project. I also survived the previous day’s chaos: emptying cabinets and drawers in the kitchen, and then transferring their myriad contents to another wing of the house. Boy was I exhausted after the 100th trip!
Fortunately I perked up just in time to sign copies of my cookbook at a local library on Sunday afternoon. Afterwards, as a personal reward, I downed a couple of Tito’s Cosmos. A Tito’s Cosmo contains Tito’s vodka, lime juice, orange liqueur, and a rejuvenating splash of cranberry juice.
You might find that cranberry juice alone is an excellent pick-me-up.
You be you.
Anyway, the work-crew arrived promptly at 8AM on Monday. They reluctantly posed for a photo, after I promised not share the photo on this blog.
Job number one: protecting the floors. The crew rolled up the entrance hall carpet, and then taped down a path of “FloorShell.” FloorShell is a heavy-duty construction “board” made of 100% recycled fibers. The same material was used to cover my entire kitchen floor.
Next, kitchen doorways were sealed with plastic, and a special exhaust fan equipped with a HEPA filter was put in motion. Although the fan wasn’t particularly loud, it was definitely effective! As demolition progressed, I neither gagged nor wheezed while working in my writing room. It’s a private room that adjoins the kitchen.
Demolition included the removal of low-end cabinetry and counter tops we purchased back in 2002…
And the busting and breaking of a tile backsplash.
News flash! I might not use any tile at all in the “new” kitchen. Sheet rock, if painted with highly-washable paint, makes a fine backsplash all by itself. And the color can be changed to suit the cook’s mood.
One day I am yellow, one day I am blue.
Some plumbing and electrical work were also accomplished on Monday. Also, the refrigerator was moved from the west wall to the east wall. I’ve a new sink coming, and the current dishwasher is being relocated.
The crew left the place in tip-top condition before they departed at 4:30PM. Even the kitchen floor was free of dust and debris. So far, I’m delighted with this skillful team.
As for Avery and the cats, well, they were not happy to have strangers in the house. I put Avery in the library/den, and gave her lots of walks and two trips to the dog park. Tiger and Camille and their must-haves (litter box and food and water bowls) spent the day in a guest room upstairs. I can’t risk losing these precious family members during a kitchen renovation!
I’ll write again tomorrow, with Tuesday’s progress report.
x (still-exhausted) Kevin
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Rosiland Ball says
Are you going to gift the old cabinets to Habitat For Humanity?
Kevin Lee Jacobs says
Hi Rosiland — Wish I’d thought of that. I could have donated my gas oven as well. Too late now — all are gone.
Penelope says
Not at all like HGTV no Drama, Jumping through sheet rock! I’d say you hired a very good team.
And yes sheet rock back … tile can wait until you see the I HAVE to HAVE that tile or…..
What did you choose for counters?
Have FUN, I want the name of the HEPA fan…………..my 1790 house could use one of those!
Penelope in Maine
Kevin Lee Jacobs says
Hi Penelope – I looked at the HEPA fan just now, and the name on the machine is “Air Scrubber 500.” You are right — no home should be without one! It did a great job of purifying the air.
Penelope says
Thanks Kevin, we have forced hot air it is a high efficiency furnace but with three fire places and a wood cook stove, our old house has dust. Thanks I can going to search for one…. I can’t wait to see the progress on the kitchen! Cheers!
Jerry Miller says
Hi, I don’t want to jinx you, but it seems like it’s going pretty smooth!
badger gardener says
So far so good. Hooray!
Rosie S says
I love having a painted backsplash, and no tile. Our kitchen opens to a rather formal living area (with a granite and white woodwork fireplace), so tile felt too casual to do. ( I would LOVE to do marble slabs…but that is out of the budget. ) I found the painted backsplash areas make the kitchen seem more like an extension of the living room, just added upgraded kitchen stools that bring a more formal look to the area too. It works for us! Good luck on your renovation. Can’t wait to see the end result.
Julia Owings says
My old landlord had plexiglass behind her stove. Was great to wipe down . I noticed when I went to visit her daughter had painted a flower garden on the back side . I had mirrors on the back side of my old house… just a few ideas
Nancy says
Last year we renovated our kitchen and “spent the budget” on great cabinets, counters and appliances. We also were going to go with painted back splashes. Until I saw a great product (walking out of Lowes) that LOOKED like pressed tin but wasn’t:
https://www.lowes.com/pd/Fasade-18-5-in-x-24-5-in-Paintable-White-Thermoplastic-Multipurpose-Backsplash/3400614
So easy to install and we left it white. It looks GREAT and everyone comments on it. It wipes clean. Just something to consider……..
Kevin Lee Jacobs says
Hi Nancy – Great idea. Thanks for the linky!
Anne in Vermont, Zone 4/5 says
Hi Kevin,
Your workers are certainly better organized than the two I have working on a bathroom. I am pleased to read your comment about paint for a backsplash. This house had no backsplash when we moved it and we could not agree on what to install. The result is an eminently washable semi-gloss wall in “Yellow Highlighter” by Benjamin Moore. It shocks everyone, but makes me smile. Another plus is that one can always contemplate what to do differently.
I look forward to hearing of the completion of your kitchen without budget overruns and problems of any kind.
Please be sure to remind us when to root box cuttings. I tried last year and some took, but most blew away uprooted by strong winds over the winter from their pots overwintering buried in the vegetable garden.
Best wishes, Anne
BoPup says
Use good quality EXTERIOR gloss or semi-gloss on back splash. It’ll take the water and washing. It is a good paint in bathrooms too.
Marsha Smith says
Looking good!
I have a wallpaper back splash-coated with matte finish acrylic by Hyplar. It is very washable and has lasted for 46 years and still looks like new.
Kevin Lee Jacobs says
Hi Anne in VT – Now (spring) is a GREAT time to take boxwood cuttings! Also, nice to hear that your painted backsplash has worked out well for you.
Hi BoPup – Excellent tip. Thank you.
Hi Marsha Smith – Matte finish acrylic wallpaper backsplash: Love that idea.
Kathy says
Kevin…I have a sheetrock “backsplash” painted with highly scrubbable paint (Benjamin Moore). It is easy to maintain and has survived everything that has been splashed on it. I hate cleaning grout and will never have tile. Congrats on your new kitchen!