At the request of several readers, I (Alex, Rachel’s husband) wrote this tutorial about the installation of our wood countertops on the cheap. Advantages/Disadvantages to Wood To begin with, you need to decide if a wooden surface is right for you.  If you already have wood cabinets, more wood on the countertops can lead to an overload of natrual products in a kitchen.  Consider using a contrasting wood for the countertop than you use for [...]

We have been plugging away at all the little tasks that add up to huge advancements in functionality. Appliances came in the late afternoon Tuesday.  Alex worked on the dishwasher first because dirty dishes were piled up and clean dishes no where to be found.  It installed pretty easily. The fridge ice maker and stove were another matter.  The handy installation kits failed to include critical parts in both cases, so another trip to Lowes [...]

Today Leonard and Alex worked on plumbing and finishing up electrical work. Then they installed the range hood, a Broan ‘Best’ 36 inch. It is quiet yet really powerful. It will be so nice to get heat out of the house instead of hearing the fire alarm go off every time Alex cooks. I worked on cleaning up after the boys and building cabinets. The first three boxes (including the sink cabinet below) were easy [...]

Today, the walls went up! First, all the electric and plumbing had to be finalized.  Then we added insulation (itchy stuff I tell ya) between studs. Then drywall was hung. insulation in the walls When we were at Cory and Steve’s for dinner (thanks guys!) Len broke through the dining room wall for our pass through!  I hadn’t exactly told him my lighting plans so now we have to undo some of the work, but [...]

Here I am working today on the stove alcove.  I took down all the studs for the old divider walls and cut out nails in prep to repair the drywall tomorrow. Notice Hawise in the corner of the picture?  She loves to monitor our work and steal pieces of drywall to chew on in her crate.  We try to stop her, of course, because who knows what ingesting gypsum will do to a silly dog. [...]