November 2015 – Meyer Meyer Pants on Fire

Foodie

Pushing it to the limit

It’s been a couple of weeks since I’ve posted mostly because we’ve been in a sprint to get things done in the kitchen. We are 2 days before Thanksgiving and my kitchen is still incomplete. Did I mention that I was hosting it this year? OY! Who cares about all that…I know what you’re looking for….so let’s get to the good stuff!

First up…we’ve been painting the walls to prepare for the final steps. I carried the same color through from the adjoining walls because I knew it would match really well with the new counters. It looks so much warmer now in the kitchen. Sort of, cozy, if you will.

Here's a sample of the countertop next to the new paint. See how the color pulls out the same shade in the counters? can't wait to see it all installed!

Here’s a sample of the countertop next to the new paint. See how the color pulls out the same shade in the counters? can’t wait to see the paint with the counters because it’s going to look GORGEOUS!

After painting was done, we changed out all of the plugs and switches to something a bit more transitional. This particular one that Keith is working on was the last one and biggest pain in the rear! For some reason, when I pulled out the screws from the old switches, it ended up that the screw holes were stripped, so it was holding nothing! After an hour + of struggling with it, we had to call in the big guns….so we called my Dad on Skype so he could assess the situation and help!

He gave us some tips that helped temporarily fix it, but after an hour with him, it was decided that we have no choice but to ask the electrician to replace the box. UGH! Best part is, somehow the range hood is tied into these switches and now it doesn’t work! Seriously?!?!?!

But, all of the other switches and plugs are fine and look great with the new switch plates and counter sample. Don’t you agree?

Today is countertop install day!!! Pulled the stove out in prep for counters…

Last look at the old sink and counters….good riddance I say!

They had the counters pulled lickety split!

And here it is! A close up of the counters. This is a quartz slab called Tobacco

And here it is! A close up of the counters. This is a jumbo slab of Quartz called ‘Tobacco’

This is one giant piece! There are no seams at all in this kitchen. Beautiful!

My beautiful new sink! Can’t wait to hook it all up and get this phase of the project complete!

Although there are a few things that will have to be adjusted and tended to, we are in the home stretch now of this project. I have a punch list started so we don’t forget anything. Biggest thing is that I need to be able to cook a Thanksgiving meal….after we leave everything to dry for 24 hours, it will be go time to get the sink hooked up and on our way. Turkey will wait for no one! 🙂

November 24, 2015 By deanna Meyer

Foodie

Electrical, Countertop prep, etc.

It’s been somewhat busy around here this last week or so. I’ve been painting as much as I can (ceiling is done!) and cleaning out cabinets, etc. Everything is so dusty now with all of this construction. I have to purge the dust! I think if I get the majority scrubbed, the last little bit won’t be so bad. Anyway, the electricians have come and started the install of the switches:

Mess of wires, but getting there…

We finally have light in the tray ceiling! It’s awesome!!!

Apparently I have to ‘keep off’ 🙂

The ugly oak backsplash (if you want to call it that) has finally been removed. It’s already made a difference at cutting the oak look down!

Another view without backsplash

I hinted in my last post that I was going to be doing something with lace. Well, my Mom had given me a bag of lace that my Yiayia made (I believe for decorating pillowcases) but I wasn’t sure what to do with it. Well, as a nod to my Greek heritage, I decided to use this lace in a different way. You see, in Greek kitchens, you would typically find lace decorating shelves, so I thought, why not have a little of that in mine too? I think my Mom would approve! Take a look:

Doesn’t the lace look beautiful with my blue dishes?

Close up of the work….so much detail!

Now look at it with the glass doors on!

Swirly detail of the glass. Now I can’t wait to get the hardware for them!

The countertop template process begins….

They create the template with these plastic sheets. It’s interesting. I’ve seen it done with lasers and all computerized. These guys are quite old school. Eh…I’m okay with that.

Thankfully, this sink is going away! I will have an undermount sink when we’re all done. I’ve asked for the sink to come forward as much as possible so my back doesn’t hurt anymore. Washing dishes in this sink is horrible! That’s all about to change! So, things are winding down here. Counters will be installed on the 24th…so I have 2 weeks to finish up the painting and try to get some things in order. I’m looking forward to having my kitchen back, that’s for sure!

November 9, 2015 By deanna Meyer

Foodie

Painting, Moving & Sneak Peek

It’s been a week or so since I’ve had a chance to post. Not a whole lot has been happening because I’ve been so busy painting. That may sound like an easy task….and to be honest, it used to be for me since I’ve painted every wall in this house over the last 10 years….but since I started nursing 2 bad knees, crawling around to paint has been difficult to say the least. I can only get so far going up and down on a ladder and then I have to rest. That’s not an excuse…it’s a fact I have to live with now. Boooo. Boo I say! But, the ceiling is done which was the hardest part. The walls will be tedious but much easier than working overhead. The consolation is that the ceiling is probably the most properly prepared surface in this house. You see, when my house was built, apparently they decided to cut corners and NOT prime the walls before painting. That means that now, when I try to paint over the existing paint…no matter how much I properly prep them…the paint will eventually peel off the wall! Perfect…NOT! The ceiling in the kitchen on the other hand has been properly coated, primed and painted. Anyway, because I’ve painted the area the fridge will be going into, it was finally time to move that into place. HOORAY!! Let’s take a look:

It’s time to start the move. Water is hooked up and now the testing begins

We are supposed to run the water for 4 minutes to ensure all of the air is purged from the line. Souvlaki looks on as she supervises the process

Last 30 seconds….all air is purged and water is flowing well. Keftedes now comes in the kitchen to check out what’s going on. 🙂

Keith is so excited that he won't have to make ice anymore, he gives the fridge a hug!

Keith is so happy that he won’t have to make ice anymore, he decides to give the fridge a hug!

Protective plastic is all removed and fridge is pushed in place. It fits perfectly!

Another step towards completion. I like it. We’ve purchased some new plugs and switches and will start changing those out this weekend. I will also work on more of the painting and another small project. Can you guess what I might use some of this for?:

My Mom gave me a pile of this beautiful lace that my Yiayia made. I think they were originally made for pillowcases, but I have other plans....more on this soon.

My Mom gave me a pile of this beautiful lace that I believe my Yiayia made. I think they were originally made for pillowcases, but I have other plans….more on this soon.

Hoping to make more progress this week. Another post soon…….

November 2, 2015 By deanna Meyer