Cabinets Installed

The kitchen really began to look like it would one day again be a functioning kitchen when the cabinets started to go in. First, our garage was filled with boxes.

Little did I know that it would be months before even one car could be put back in here. And winter was on its way.

Then, some of the boxes were moved inside.

Once installation got started, it went pretty quickly.

On the bar wall, there were problems with the fit of the cabinets. The original solution was to rip down my door casings. I was not open to this. Those door casings were in place when the kitchen was measured. So the small cabinet you see to the left of the large one with three openings was ordered in a narrower size. That solved the problem. Unless you have a top notch contractor, never accept their solutions. There is always a better one. We also didn't know at the time that the cabinet above the refrigerator, far right, was too tall. We noticed that when they tried to install the refrigerator. Another replacement had to be ordered.

Pantry cabinets. Doorway goes into dining room.

Sink wall. Sliding glass door is to the right.

Range wall.

Once the base cabinets were all in place, the perimeter countertops could be installed. You'll note all the light is coming from work lights. Why at least some of the can lights could not have been installed remains a mystery to me. The countertop fabricator had to work virtually in the dark since he needed to do our install after the sun went down.

Plastic is on the cabinets because they were still trying to get the ceiling smooth. While I protested this obvious illogical order of tasks, I was told "this is how we always do it". Likely my most hated phrase in the English language.

The cabinet crown molding was partially installed and it was completely wrong. Yes, I ordered it, but I didn't have a good reference for scale. The fact that I wanted something simpler than what the contractor normally does didn't go over either. We argued about this for months. We finally agreed on replacement at cost and I was eventually able to get a full sample kit to select the very best option the manufacturer offered.
I continue to be frustrated by the inability of an amateur designer to get access to the manufacturer materials for designers or distributors. Just because someone does something for a living doesn't mean they are any good at it.

We really love the large copper farmhouse sink. Turns out it is a bear to keep clean, however. And we do use it constantly, so it is not just for show. We did get it for a very good price at Van Dykes Restorers.

We put a prep sink in the peninsula. We just love this. While not in yet, there is a glass high bar planned for the back of the peninsula. So, I can be prepping dinner and guests can be seated right in front of me.

This is where the high bar will go. It will stop to the left edge of the cabinet door on the far right. This cabinet actually works, while the others are just door panels. It made sense to me to put this cabinet facing this way for the grill tools since the sliding glass door leading out to the deck with the grill is right there.

We opted for the chimney style hood. It has to be vented outside and this was another curious "change order". Apparently the contractor had no clue how to vent outside. The hood specified had to be vented. So, our solution (which was how to vent it) was "extra". Had it been more than they quoted I would have fought back, but it was cheaper to just get it done. By this time I seriously wanted these folks out of my house.

Notice the ceiling is still not finished. But the ceiling crown is in place. That was another price compromise. Apparently, "finish trim to match" was vague enough for debate. The trim work throughout the house was in place and this crown would be "to match". Why else would I not have gone to the ceiling with the cabinets? Because I specifically wanted the crown I selected for the entire house to continue into the kitchen. Only part of it had cabinets, so using cabinet crown in the whole room would not have looked like I wanted. Plus, I can't reach the top cabinets as it is. The others to go to the ceiling would have been expensive and inaccessible.

We are big fans of disposals. Even in the little cabinet under the prep sink you can fit a 3/4 horse disposal. We like the ones with the cap that acts as the switch. Seems safer and you don't need to find the space for a wall switch.

Meanwhile the laundry room cabinets were also put in place. Here again they must have used that defective tape measure from China. We had to have the cabinets moved further to the left and the garage stop trim at the bottom of the baseboard removed to fit the washer and dryer, which was existing in the old space when measurements were taken. Now I'm gritting my teeth every time these guys are in my house.

The metal rack will hold 4 cloth laundry bags. We purchased it and had the short wall placed to just fit. On top of that will be a countertop that lifts up on a hinge. So, we get a folding table plus full access to the laundry bags.

At this point in the project we are closing in on Christmas, the original deadline. Doesn't look like we will make it, does it? Check out the next post and see what happens.