The Incredible Disappearing Kitchen

Thank goodness for the reciprocating saw.

Our days off last week came and went in a cloud of drywall dust.

Our first order of business was a big-time trip to Lowe's, in New Jersey. It won't be our last trip to a hardware store, but I doubt we'll bother with New Jersey again anytime soon. Still, Lowe's had the tile we want for the kitchen backsplash, and a coupon for 10 percent off, so it was a successful trip.

And, now we've got some hardcore power tools. The reciprocating saw, in particular, was extremely handy as we tore out the old counter on Thursday.

The week ahead is pretty crucial to our revised schedule -- we want the kitchen floor tile to be down as soon as possible. We're lining up contractors to do the stuff we can't do -- but our confidence grows daily. I suppose that happens when you gut a kitchen and two rooms' worth of carpet in three days.

Speaking of carpet, we've got some more exploratory digging to do. We remain curious about the floor situation in the master bedroom -- there has to be hardwood somewhere under there. We're going to find it and see just what the heck it looks like. The same goes for the staircase. There's wood over the old wood, and I fear it might be in rough shape, but there's no way to tell until we dig. So dig we will.

Later in the week, I'll get some grass seed down in the backyard -- note the trash.




Some outtakes:

We Have the Keys. So Many Keys.

Actually, after I changed the locks on the doors, almost all of these keys are in the trash now. Success.



We closed last Friday, and did a little work over the weekend, mostly changing the locks and cleaning out some of the trash the sellers left us.

Today, we got in to do some serious work, and when I left for work, Amy continued pulling up carpet. In one room, we found great wood floors; in the master bedroom, however, we found awful tile under some type of wood underlayment panels, and in the hallway, parquet. So, Lumber Liquidators is getting a surprise customer soon.



Not pictured: the macaroni on the floor.


Well, at least it's looking bigger already.



The good floor -- the worst wall paint.


We've started arranging the backyard, and we'll get to cleaning it later. Now, time is of the essence to get the kitchen ready. The cabinets come next week, so we should be laying tile asap. We've got contractors coming on Thursday for some estimates, and will maybe getting a plumber and electrician after them. Not long after that, a roofer.



The kitchen, just begging to be gutted.


Here's the thing that will hopefully require the least work, tho. All it needs is an outdoor couch and table and a big ol' grill.


The shed is in the back corner now. Most of the trees
need some serious pruning attention.

Tomorrow: a big trip to Lowe's for power tools and so much more.

Two Months to Landownership

Welcome to our little Queens piece of land, also with a little house on it! 

Here we'll be posting the renovation and decorating projects in our new home, both inside and out. One of the most dramatic makeovers will of course be that of our empty back yard (I believe it currently contains a stump and a plastic shed).  It may not be big by American standards, but for New York City this yard is gloriously large, at the expense of the tiny house...  Justin will no doubt be reaping huge sums of vegetables from the yet-to-be-created garden, and I imagine the dog will have himself some fun, too. 

So stay tuned for renovation adventure in our soon-to-be bitchin' backyard!