Countertop Template

Meet Frank, the nicest, most professional guy who made quick work of templating the kitchen countertops. He totally knew what he was doing and works in 1/16 inches (like anyone but him could tell, I was thinking).

Electric Kitchen

The electrical work is all done! Everything's on a dimmer, just like RJ taught me. Tomorrow, they are coming to template the countertop. It will be installed on 08/14.

 Microwave installed.

 You can't really tell here, but the laminate wall is the exact look I wanted - like glass!

 Love the pattern created on the ceiling:

Mood Lighting

Color Correction: So Much Better

Who knew "Evening Shadow" would do the trick? Look how greyish-white the laminate wall really is. A cool grey works much better than the warm white.  

Really Kraftmaid?

Even with the exact dimensions and a photo, Kraftmaid sent me a full-size cabinet door, rather than a one-drawer cabinet door.

Wall Cabinets

Cabinets Installed

There's a lot of cutting and shimming and fitting to get cabinets to looks like this.

When there's not even enough room for corner cabinets, you have to cut access into the sides. And then there's the plumbing...

I always think of the day someone will tear these cabinets out for their own kitchen remodel. 30? 40? 50 years from now?

Damaged Cabinet Door

I discovered that one of the wall cabinet doors is damaged. In addition to what you see here, the door doesn't stay in the up position. I'm dreading having to deal with Home Depot again.

Laminate Wall

It will probably turn out in the end, but I'm not feeling great about this design decision today. It's too white, it makes the paint color look cream and I thought it'd be more glass-like. I'm going to wait until the countertops are in to pick a new paint color.

General Progress

 I know it looks too high, but the microwave will be mounted underneath it.

 Halogen lights installed in bathroom

Just a picture I took after cleaning all the floors today.

Wall Sconce

Love, love, love this mid century wall sconce from Rejuvenation! It has up- and down-lights. The downlight will illuminate a countertop that wraps around from the kitchen bar. It will be my entry landing for mail and keys.

House Jewelry

Al & Tim, the electricians, came today! This is the new ceiling light in the entry. It's the same as the one at home (in coat closet). Exciting things will be happening tomorrow and Monday! 

New door knobs - the same as at home.

New hardware on sliding barn door to bedroom.

New deadbolt on front door.

I know you don't have to match your metals, but I'm not there yet.

An Empty Room Becomes A Kitchen

The Artistry of Andy

Andy finished the wood wall today. Look at how he followed every contour:

Kitchen Happenings

 LG Range. It had to be electric so I got one of those smooth top glass ones. Even though I think they're kind of a pain to clean, I like it better than the coils.

 Looks like I'm going to have what resembles a kitchen by the end of the week...just not a working one.

These are the kitchen upper cabinets. They are on their sides so will be hung horizontally.

One of These Things is Not Like the Other

Oops! Looks like the Kraftmaid messed up. I'm trying to work this out with Home Depot to get the right door overnighted.

Friday the 13th

Today's miscellany:

Dishwasher. 

 Kitchen cabinets arrived today. They'd only deliver to the dock so Andy and I had to bring these 13 boxes up to the 15th floor. Home Depot can expect a very strongly worded letter from me!

Wood wall progress.

Wood Wall, Pt 2

 Speaks for itself. Haha, haters!

Appliance Delivery

Look what came today! Refrigerator, range, microwave and dishwasher. I just happened to decide to look at the invoice this morning and noticed the delivery order didn't include the apartment number. So I alerted the guy who manages the loading dock at the Dorchester and called the freight company. Their driver soon called. Here's the conversation:


Me: Hi, I noticed you don't have the apartment number for my delivery. It's 1518.
Lug: It's two apartments?
Me: No. Not 15 and 18.  It's one apartment on the 15th floor and the number of that apartment is 1518.


10 minutes later.


Lug: Where are you? We are here at 1516.
Me: It's 1518.
Lug: A or B?
Me: OK, you're in the wrong building.
Lug: No, I see it now.


Andy was there to receive them. He said they weren't "the most impressive."

15th Floor

Stepping off the elevator onto the 15th floor offers this view of south Philadelphia.

 Turn right to my apartment.

Turn left to this long hallway. There are 18 apartments on each floor.