Project Townhouse: 1st Time Buyers

[JPolen01]

As some of you may know, Emily and I moved into our townhouse a few days ago and began some kitchen "refreshes" on Christmas (because what else is a Jew supposed to do?). It is a 3 level townhouse built in 1985. The kitchen has stainless steel appliances, but dated laminate counter tops and builders grade oak cabinets. Based on suggestions from others we decided to use a gel stain to bring some life back into the cabinets. We used the java color from General Finishes. 2 coats of the gel stain and 2 coats of clear. There are plenty of youtube videos on the process if anyone is interested. It's basically a light scuffing of the cabinets, cleaning them with trisodium phosphate to clean the dust, then staining, and clear.

Before we even got to staining, we decided to move a few cabinets around. Emily's mom used to be a kitchen/bath designer and her help has been invaluable with this. Here is a the kitchen layout she drew for us. We moved a few cabinets around, moved the fridge over slightly (not shown in the drawing), and got a new 36" base cabinet to add a bit more counter space. Granite counters are coming in the next 2 weeks - we've already chosen our slab (Bianco Antico) and have a deposit on it.



Since this drawing, we have swapped the refrigerator and 36" base cabinet. The fridge was breaking up the flow of the kitchen in its original spot.

We aren't done yet, but I have some progress pictures. We removed the original range hood to put a microwave in. We had to also remove the 30" x 15" cabinet above the hood to give the stove enough clearance with the new microwave. My friend (electrician) is coming over today to run a new circuit for the microwave. Can't wait to cut up the ceiling in the basement to fish the wire! I'm also running a water line from the cold side on the hot water heater to the fridge for our icemaker.





1st coat

[navin]

Needs an LS1, front lip, and drop.

[Senor_Taylor]

This is nice, but are you going to track it? I better see this kitchen at VIR.

[.RJ]

Maybe evan can hook you up with some CF mirrors for your kitchen

[Sully]

I was going to say look into that counter coat crap they sell. It doesn't look half bad but does add texture which most probably wouldn't care for but granite is much nicer if you're not on a tight budget

[BLINGMW]

fridge relocation makes sense, looks like a nice size kitchen. good luck!

[Sully]

Is that where that staggered cabinet is staying on the right if the stove. I kinda like it dropped like that but feel like youre sacrificing counter space or cabinet space if you added another short one on top of it or something.

[JPolen01]

Is that where that staggered cabinet is staying on the right if the stove.

That cabinet was moved from another spot in the kitchen so I needed to extend the bulkhead above it to match. Seen here:



A friend of mine came over to help frame it and do the dry wall. I've been learning little by little helping him as he flips a house.

Use all of the power tools! I had a lowes gift card so I went out and grabbed this 20v dewalt (left) and broke it in on the kitchen. The drill, 2 lithium ion batteries, and a soft case for $99. I think it was a pretty good deal.


2nd coat of stain


Microwave was also installed. Fishing wire from the front of the house where the panel is located to the rear of the house was fun :finger: Thank god the joints were running the way we needed them and didn't have to drill any holes. Only had to cut one hole in the finished area of the basement. Saved the piece we cut to use as a patch. Don't throw those away!!





Also got the mancave set up. I bought a 60" Samsung plasma that was on a smoking deal at bestbuy. Couldn't pass it up. I spent about an hour tweaking the color settings based on a few reviews and the picture is phenomenal. Much better than the LED tv we have upstairs. Vizio soundbar/surround sound set up as well. Rear speakers are resting on the couch until I buy some stands for them. I seem to have lost the mounting hardware somewhere in the move. Oh well, Amazon here I come.

[Jake]

Staggered cabinets? What the hell man, nobody likes understeer.

[Kaan]

did you ever think about removing the bulkhead and not extending it?

[JPolen01]

did you ever think about removing the bulkhead and not extending it?

Nope. It's on both sides of the kitchen so removing it would have been a lot more work me thinks. Would have been a ton more dry wall work to do which I despise.

[davej]

[*insertusernamehere*]

So when does the garage get a lift?

[JPolen01]

So when does the garage get a lift?

Gonna be roughing it in the parking lot. Chose a bigger basement than a garage. Garage town homes go for 20-30k more around here so that kind of made the decision for us.

[JPolen01]

Lunch break update. Being only 10 minutes from the office has its perks. 2 coats of General Finishes Java Gel Stain and 2 coats of Polyurethane. Had to go back to work before I could get the brushed silver hardware on. More pictures to come when the hardware is on. Counter tops get measured on the 3rd and installed on the 10th. Can't wait to get this project done and over with.

[navin]

Are your counter tops butcher block?

[JPolen01]

Are your counter tops butcher block?

I wish. Laminate butcher block :lol:

[Sully]

Might want to put a pedestool or something under the stove. Shouldnt it be even with the counters?

[RawrImAMonster]

It's been a while since I've helped build houses, but I think most stoves have height adjustment knobs on the bottom in each corner.

[Sully]

It's been a while since I've helped build houses, but I think most stoves have height adjustment knobs on the bottom in each corner.

Im sure they do. I wasnt sure if it could compensate. Should have said that. It looks like 2 or so inches down and the oven drawer doesnt seem thst low like its at the bottom of adjustment