Thursday, September 17, 2009

Let there be LIGHTS!

Robert is amazing. Throughout the day he would give me little tasks like running wire from this outlet to the basement and back to that outlet and up through the floor of the attic.... We started this morning at 9am pulling the last (yeah, right) of the nails from the floor. All day we found more nails with our hands, knees, and buttocks. Glad I had a tetanus shot a few weeks ago.

We brought all the base cabinets up from the basement. The design was changed on the spot. The utility cabinet was a lot larger in the space than I imagined, so we flipped the range side of the kitchen. Glad we did this before laying out any new outlets.



On the sink side, we had to get creative thanks to the way this house was built. I'll be replastering this in the coming weeks, before the final countertops are installed. It's a work in progress.



The new lighting was wired and installed by yours truly. All Robert did was pull some of the wiring, figure out the schematics, run the wires to the breaker box and hook them up. I installed the lights themselves. I guess he did more than I did. I cussed more. Those little clips used to hold recessed lighting should be illegal.



Finally, everything was turned on. A few outlets aren't hooked up since there is no dishwasher or disposal, yet. But the lighting, it's fantastic.



A switch at either end of the kitchen operates the 4 main lights.



A switch next to the sink operates the task lighting here.



One either side of the stove, new GFCI outlets were required by code. They work great. The microwave outlet above the stove still needs to be wired to the breaker box too.



36" wall cabinets will be installed soon, I hope.



I'm exhausted. I'm going to owe Robert big time for this one. In the coming weeks, I'll be heading over to his place to help with some landscaping ideas. He and his roommate built a new house and haven't gotten around to the yard yet. It's time.

Tomorrow, a little cleanup of the rest of the house. Saturday, plumbing. As for the floor, I'm not sure what to do yet. It's not as bad as I thought, although there are thousands of nail holes. I need to see what's under the hall just off the kitchen where the hutch is currently sitting holding all my stuff. If those hardwoods are in good shape, I'll try to refinish. If not, I may paint/stain dark/or do some kind of tile. It will NOT be ceramic tile. I had enough of that in the bathroom.

It's 70 degrees and clearing. I almost forgot to mention that in the past 26 hours, we've gotten 4.5" of rain. Just over a third in one hour yesterday, but over night it turned into a nice steady rain. The plants are responding well. Didn't have time to get out there today.

8 comments:

Jeff Vandiver said...

Home improvements can be so rewarding, but they sure are lots of work! It took me almost 4 years to build our house, but at $48/sqft, well worth the time. Always remember if you need any technical help with anything, all you have to do is ask. Sounds like Robert did great, though.

Catherine@AGardenerinProgress said...

Looking great! It's so rewarding doing these things yourselves than having it all done for you. At the time it's not always fun, but to be able to look at it finished is so much more gratifying.

Unknown said...

It looks amazing!

Jill-O said...

So what are you eating while the kitchen is in flux? A lot of take-out?

Tom - 7th Street Cottage said...

Thanks ya'll. Jill, lots of cereal, fast food, and crap. I'm hoping to have the sink reinstalled by Sunday, maybe Saturday night. The plumbing should be an easy job on Saturday.

Laura said...

wow! just wow!

i think i smell the floor from 5 states away :D unfortunately, it's just one of those smells you never forget

L. D. said...

I am reworking a bathroom in my parents house so I can sell it. I can not believe the things you get into to get a simple job done. It just isn't simple. You have a good attitude and you look like your making great progress. Mine is too depressing to me to photograph. Maybe when I get done. Hang in there.

Corner Gardener Sue said...

Wow, look at that! Well, now you can see to do your other work. You sure are ambitious! I am looking forward to seeing updates.