I haz kitchen!

[lagilman]

The day started with the promise of the countertops being delivered "first thing in the morning." First and second thing come and go, no granite. Meanwhile, the plumber had arrived and was setting up the stove (why does the plumber set up the stove? The plumber also has 'lectricity skills. This will come in handy, later).

Many e-mails back and forth between myself and Joel the Contractor-worth-his-weight-in-rubies-and-gold, specifically wondering about the location of the granite guys. The countertops finally arrive while the plumbing guys are getting lunch. Apparently traffic on the Deegan was so bad it took them until 1pm to make the 30 minute trip. But no worries, they're here, all is... what do you mean it was cut the wrong size?

[flashback to me saying to granite guy: you going to make a template? Him: No need, I've been doing this for 20 years. Me: oooookay....]

Small amounts of Cranky Client ensue, and I am afraid to admit I channeled Elaine Koster in retrospect, it was more Phyllis Grann. (those of you who know the name may cringe now). More e-mails and phone calls and all four workmen disappear out to their respective vans. I sit and stew and am Cranky. But thanks to Joel worth-his-weight-in-rubies-and-gold, and the plumbers, who were willing to Wait, Damnit, until everything was finished, the granite guys were able to recut the granite on-site, and install it today.

At which point all that was left was to hook up the sink (new) and dishwasher (old). The sink was no problem. The dishwasher...

Plumber-guy, down on the floor:
"Give me something sharp."

Me:
"No bloodshed on my new floor!"

Plumber's Assistant:
"It will wipe away."

*time passes, circuits are thrown, tests are run*

"Oh. Oh, that was so not code."

But the plumbers, being also worth their weight in, oh, sapphires, saved the day, and before 5pm I had a Fully Functional* Kitchen.

And oh, it is lovely.


When I bought this apartment the kitchen was like a nightmare out of "Designed to Sell" -- everything done on the cheap, for surface appearance and not usefulness. The previous owner didn't cook. I, as you may have gathered... do. An all-white kitchen with glossy laminate surfaces might show well, but it did not wear well. And the less said about the 20" stove, the better.


Then:


Now:




(the built-in under the window, in addition to housing the litter box, doubles as a window seat or extra counter space, depending on need.)

you can see the in-between stages here, on flickr


And now... I shall live on pasta and tinned tuna for the rest of the year. But it's worth it....



* pending the installation of carpentry bits and the backsplash that's yet to be chosen....

Comments

[windrose.livejournal.com]

Oh, NICE.

[icedrake.livejournal.com]

You have granite counters.

The level of envy I am experiencing right now can only be measured in astronomical units.

Also, want me to come over and bake?

[lagilman]

mi oven es tu oven.

[martianmooncrab.livejournal.com]

doubles as a window seat

that is a lovely cat basking station you had installed. grin. Its a thing of beauty, and while you are whipping up your tuna noodle casserole on the stove, its going to be worth it.

[lagilman]

that is a lovely cat basking station you had installed

You so know it. Although it will be a meerkat-basking station, too. It's just the right size to curl up with a mug of tea and watch the birds and squirrels and passer-bys.

[martianmooncrab.livejournal.com]

keep the window locked dont want either you or the felines to try and get them squirrels... or the passerbys.

[wedschilde.livejournal.com]

oh that is sweeeeet~

[robling-t.livejournal.com]

And now... I shall live on pasta and tinned tuna for the rest of the year. But it's worth it.

So, it's the kitchen of the magi, then? ;)

[scarlettina.livejournal.com]

Absolutely wonderful! Congratulations!

[music-lover3.livejournal.com]

Pretty kitchen!

[lagilman]

*pets the pretty kitchen*

I feel very silly, all things considered, squeeing over a renovation. But it really will make life here easier, and happier, if a LOT poorer....

[sabriel-0405.livejournal.com]

It's amazing what can be done when someone has the opportunity to think about how the room will be used. Congratulations. Enjoy it!

[lagilman]

yeah -- I didn't change much of the layout but there are a dozen small differences that make a huge difference in usage.... [and I think we added half again as much storage space!]

[girasole.livejournal.com]

Brava. And lovely. And if you care to share privately the name, phone, and web site if any of the rubies-and-diamonds guy, this homeowner would love to have it.

[lagilman]

check your e-mail -- if anyone else in the NYC area wants it, just ask. Joel comes with high marks for quality, patience, and a good relationship with co-op and condo supers. :-)

[e-booklover.livejournal.com]

Looks wonderful!

[leethomas.livejournal.com]

Yay! It is teh cuteness.

[lagilman]

It's a NYC apartment. It is, by definition, either cute or quaint, the only difference is if it's "updated" or "an opportunity for the homeowner."

[marinarusalka.livejournal.com]

Shiny!

[jslinder.livejournal.com]

Nicely done, especially given the limited space. The built in was an excellent idea...

[lagilman]

yeah, the joys of a NYC galley kitchen. Oh, for another few square feet...but it's large enough. I've had kitchens 3x the size that were horrible to cook in, because everything was too far away. This is better.

[jslinder.livejournal.com]

Our townhouse kitchen is not exactly spacious either, but we do have an eating area so the table doubles as prep space when needed. I'd kill for a pantry though.

[lagilman]

I turned one of my extra closets in the hallway (yeah, I have extra closets, hate me, go on) into a pantry. A few hundred dollars of shelving and some careful planning, and ta-dah....

[small space living is actually more interesting than having an oversized space. It just takes thought and planning to do right, as you've discovered]

[neadods.livejournal.com]

Wonderful kitchen!!

[divanoir.livejournal.com]

Sweet!

[0eris0.livejournal.com]

It's beautiful!! I'm so happy for you that things are finally coming together in that kitchen.

[lagilman]

you'll have to come down and thump on the cabinets and counters... *grin*

[dianora2.livejournal.com]

Very nice! Much improved and much more you.

[lagilman]

yeah, it really is. I'm not much for stark white, and I don't see that the addition of color makes the space seem/feel any smaller....

[badgermirlacca.livejournal.com]

Is that a roll-out drawer that litter box is resting upon?

Oh, genius.

[lagilman]

it is, yeah. Joel thought I was insane when I told him what I wanted but damn, it works really well, both in keeping the litter from tracking and making it very easy to clean (might be a problem for older or overweight cats, since they have to step up -- if I were to do it again I'd customize it a bit more to be lower to the ground)

Plus, if/when I sell, it gets advertised as "extra pull-out storage space."

[burger-eater.livejournal.com]

Very nice. :)

[egret17.livejournal.com]

But you will have such a wonderfully functional space in which to prepare said pasta and tuna...

[fakefrenchie.livejournal.com]

Wonderful! Pretty pictures! I'm so glad to see them. By the way, what are the bits of blue tape on the floor tiles in one of the pictures on Flicker?

[lagilman]

tsk, you need to read the comments! That was painter's tape, to keep them in place before grouting.

[mizkit.livejournal.com]

Yay!

[mevennen.livejournal.com]

This looks really nice. I like the wood/granite combination.

It makes a huge difference having a new kitchen put in - you saw the one in Brighton, and that made a radical difference to the entire flat. Even if they did flood the art gallery downstairs when they were doing the plumbing. *winces at memory*.

Cook well!

[desperance.livejournal.com]

Oh. I can haz your kitchen?

[lagilman]

*hugs kitchen to self* no can haz!

(besides, it would be a bitch and a bear to shop over there)




and now I am thinking that "Bitch and Bear" is an excellent pub name....

[house-draven.livejournal.com]

Huzzah for new kitchen! It looks really lovely,

pasta and tinned tuna ...

[allaboutm-e.livejournal.com]

but prepared in interesting ways in the loverly wonderful new kitchen, yes?

Congrats!

[safewrite.livejournal.com]

Verrry nice. From one cook to another: Color me impressed.