get 'er done b4 it starts gettin' hot

I just wanted to start out by saying that this post is somewhat mixed up. I used the upload multiple images function and things didn't align as I thought they would. I could have abandon this post and start another but in review I decided against it as the info I was trying to communicate wasn't affected (or so I think).

This is the front of the island which will face the doors overlooking the deck and water. All will be cabinets with storage. They will be under the counter so storage for items that you only need once in awhile.
One of the face frames for the base cabinets that have a cutting board built in (there will be three). All base cabinets will be full extension drawers except for under the cooktop which will be full extension pull out shelves. Sorry about having to look at this on its side, usually I take care of that for you.

Painting again today by Sandy. Shutters were the focus as well as continuation on the trim.
Okay, we started with the color on the right shutter, which is more of a mustard than what it appears to be in this photo. I don't think it turned out as we wanted so we, after so trips to Lowes, over stained with a walnut stain. It gives the shutter a wood feel as well as adds some depth. Under these windows will be wrought iron window/planter boxes which should set this color off.
Decided that today was the day to bust through. This pic show the old existing window from the original kitchen removed.
The view from the new construction side. Radio on the floor was spewing beach music as it was such a GR8 day in the lower 70's and sunny as you can see from the pics.
Another cabinet pic illustrated here. This one shows the cooktop cabinet in the center with the two pull outs on either side. The concept is that the pull outs will be for spices and sauces needed for cooktop cooking. The center will be cabinet doors with pull out shelves inside for the pots, pans and lids.

cabinets start being assembled

While her worthless husband was whining and laying up with the flu; the queen of our castle pushed forward with some outdoor painting.

There are two of these pull outs that are being incorporated into the base cabinets on each side of the stove cooktop (cooktop recently purchased / 6 burner natural gas with griddle / GE Monogram of course)

Wine cabinet inserts that were made for our cabinets
Wall cabinet boxes (all made with 10 ply maple plywood / face frames, doors and drawer fronts will all be solid maple)
Dry fit wine rack. There will be a small cabinet above with a door for accessories.

Starting again in 2008

Cabinet design is locked in, most of the finishes have been chosen, some appliances have been purchased.

Electrical hardware, load center, boxes and wire have been aquired. Have plan for labor which involves friends.

HVAC contractor has been chosen and scope of work has been approved.

Plumbing rough in is still up in the air but have some leads that we need to work on (labor and materials).

We are very very close to cranking up again................

All old the brick from the garage wall and short wall from old house corner and media room fireplace chimney has been removed.
Brick from the old garage wall is currently in a huge pile outside of the house. The plan is to use as fill in this side's landscaping/walkway development.
Just to shown current firplace and how it appears today. Please note we had a fire and it works great. I looked on the internet for fireplaces in kitchens and have not found one like this yet (thinking it is very unique). I have also started looking into how to build in a crane for kettles (if cooking in fireplace) that could be removable if desired, the thought of using the fireplace for cooking at times appeals to us.

I just wanted to post a note and state that we have been moving along and will post with pictures soon.

There hasn't been a lot happenning except for design of the cabinets, picking out tile for the floor and backslash, picking out stone for the fireplace and mantel, color of cabinet stain, shopping for hardwood flooring, getting bids on the HVAC, lining up the electric, discussing the plumbing, etc., etc., etc.

Once all is designed and everything is known regarding life supports, colors and finishes the green flag will wave and visible progress will again abound.

Fireplace will add the WOW to the kitchen

Alfredo starts the base of the fireplace after constructing the wood storage box below.

This pic shows the wood storage area below that is roughed in as well as the beginning of the fireplace.

Ash clean-out on firebox floor and damper for the fresh air on the side wall. Please note that there is no-where in our town that has the fresh air kit for REAL masonary fireplaces so we had to fly one in from Tennessee overnight. Many places had the kit for fireplace inserts as they are the primary type that are use in our area.

A picture from the firebox floor picturing the flue in the top/ceiling of the firebox.

The whole unit to date. Firebox is 4 feet wide, 2 feet deep and 32" from bottom to arch top. Side walls are 24" high. There should be no problem placing 36" logs in the forebox to build a fire.

Just a view also showing the new doors/window with the new fireplace.

Outside coming together / big door is in

Showing stairs from the back yard. Still needs some landscaping done to finish off.
A view of the screened in portion of the deck from the back yard lower level.

Ditto

Santos installing the doors and windows

Ditto again

How the look from inside the addition.

A view of the doors and windows from the new deck. The board is not going to be permanent.

A view of the ceiling in the sceened room of the upper deck. Sandy asked for bead board and got it. This outdoor room measures approximately 16' x 14' and boasts a gr8 view of the backyard and pond.

Rough-in complete

Another good week of progress on the kitchen project. Also had Megan, Sam and Eleri here from Albuquerque (pictured above at the Riverbankc Zoo last Saturday). We had another great meal on Saturday starring pork chops marinated in apple cider, allspice berrys, and a bay leaf cooked on the grill. These were served over a bed of leaks creamed and topped with cooked granny smith apples with candied sause favored with some apple cognac. Leslie, Koty and Tyler had to go home so were unable to share eating that meal but Lauren and Vinny came making it another memorable evening with our family.

Kitchen side wall which is now sided but not pictured.
The trash from the roof project is loaded into the dumpster. The Home Depot dumpster was more than $200 less expensive than the company that picks up my weekly garbage.

Here is a pic of the steps leaving the new deck on their way to the back yard. Notice how the step treads, made out of deck boards, run 90 degrees from the way they would normally run. They are also 4' wide and 2' long with 7 1/2" rise. They go to alanding then down to the yard in back.

A view of the new deck. It is elevated from ground level approximately 10' which gives it some drama. Everyone that has seen it is truly impressed with the view and its overall appearance.

Rocking is certainly a pleasure but the opportunities to do so will not be very great until the project is complete.

Leslie and her niece Eleri at Riverbanks Zoo. Eleri is wearing a tie dyed hooded long sleeve tee shirt that she got in Berkley, CA and Leslie is wearing her signature beautiful smile.

The gorilla hung out and allowed us to observe him lounging outside the primate building.