Kitchen Renovation: How To Repair Plaster Walls

We have referred to "that wall" for quite some time. 

"That wall" has been that wall since demo day in late October of last year.
 In fact, that wall has been around for SO LONG its become a household name. 

"When are we going to fix that wall?"

"The Kitchen is almost entirely done - except for that wall."

"You hardly notice that wall "(and so another week goes by without repairing it!)

"I'm going to hang a picture on that wall so its less noticeable "

(this in fact, makes the undone state of that wall even more obvious)

Which wall? THAT WALL! You know, the one in the kitchen that is hardly noticeable until it is and then you are like "WHOA! what is up with that wall?!"

What's up with that wall is that during demo day, I thought painting over the wallpaper and plaster would be a good time saver - I just really couldn't take anymore wallpaper removal at that point. WRONG-O!
This short cut turned into a long cut. We began the tedious process of removing the wallpaper, which now was sealed to the wall by my grand painting idea. This revealed disastrous chipping plaster walls, faux wood paneling, and just a plain ugly peachy tan and white splattered wall. So began the weeks of neglecting that wall, and the looming question of how DO we fix that wall?

1. Gather Supplies.
Face Mask
Palm Sander (or heavy grit sand paper if you are really brave!)
Joint Compound
Flat Trowel
Patience & Time
Shop Vac or other form of vaccuum (lots of dust)
Drop cloths
Kilz Latex Primer

2. Apply joint compound in a thin layer. filling holes and uneven surfaces.
Allow to dry (every compound is different , read your bucket for exact drying times!).

3. SAND. Make sure the first layer of joint compound is dry. Sand the uneven surface until smooth.
4. Repeat Steps 2 & 3 until the wall is completely even and smooth. (Ty sanded the surface twice)

5. PRIME. Once the sanding is complete, wipe down the wall with a dry cloth and vaccuum the area to remove any dust. Prime the wall using Kilz Latex Primer(our favorite primer, not our favorite cost... a small quart is $15 a pop!)...but man it gets the job done. Allow to dry. Repeat step 5 if necessary (Ty did!)

6. PAINT. Mindful Grey, for us of course.

This finished product had us saying...
Take a  look at that wall!

Credits to Ty for this project. I was basking in the warm sunshine of Miami, Florida while he was at home in the first snow showers of the season while battling that wall. 

Missed our kitchen reveal from start to finish?
Click here, here and here!
Can't Wait: The Kitchen Final Reveal

Kitchen Renovation: Demolition & a To Do List

Kitchen Demo Day has finally arrived. We have QUITE A FEW things to get done before the cabinets can be installed next week, so of course we have a list to get us started. 

Here is our day in pictures.

I have to pause here to say, taking down the wall turned out to be a bigger project than we'd hoped. The entire wall had electrical wiring for various parts of the kitchen. Not to mention, removing the wall revealed just one more type of flooring for us to cover up!

48 hours later... the cabinets, flooring, & wall are demolished. 

On to the next...ceiling paint & wall prep! 

One step closer to having a new kitchen! In the meantime, we have set up a temporary kitchen for us to use for the next week or so until the cabinets are installed.

Check back next week to see our new kitchen floors! 

Can't wait for the kitchen reveal?
Click here: The Kitchen Final Reveal

Removing the Loft from the Garage (& a To Do List Update)

When we bought our current house,

there were a few things that we knew we would have to get to immediately. 

The loft is one of those things. 

Nailed to the ceiling by two 2x4's, this architectural masterpiece is quite the hazard 

(and was causing the garage roof to bow!)

So for Ty's first weekend project, he dismantled the loft! First, he removed all of the railings 

Then he went work on removing the flooring & the stairs (while still standing atop the loft, mind you).

After that, he was able to pull the remaining structure down from the ground (much to my relief!) As for all that lumber, we posted it on Craigslist FOR FREE and had it all hauled away before we came home from work the next day.

Most importantly, Ty's first child, Mary Lee now has a home...

You are welcome, Mary Lee!

More to-do's to cross off...

TO DO:

1. Add electric garage door openers (YES!! Can't wait!)

2. Dismantle loft (it is only held together by 2 - 2x4s hanging from the rafters -- yikes!)

3. Create a laundry room area

4. Dry wall garage walls and ceiling and remove black tar paper

5. Seal & StainConcrete Floors.... I am thinking something shiny like this...

Removing an Old Stump

UPDATE: Ole Stumpy was still alive and kicking when we moved. He's a tough ole log. 

Gettin' Grumpy about Ole Stumpy

Ole Stumpy is a large pompous and aged tree stump that adorns the center of our beautiful backyard.

This makes us quite grumpy! Our solution: light it on fire using diesel fuel & briquetes while enjoying a brew!

In other backyard happenings.... 

Ty wrangled the 300 pound crumbling rock fireplace (seen below) & successfully demolished it.

Before

After

Meanwhile, Ole Stumpy has been giving us a hard time so we have resorted to harsher means of attack.

We're gonna get you Ole Stumpy... in 6-8 weeks...

Honey Do: The Bed & Bath To Do List

This is where the home remodel gets real! 

We are ditching the old bathrooms,

 and creating a Master Suite for ourselves, 

but to be really impressed you'll need to see what it looks like now.

First up, the all important BLUE hallway bathroom! 

Nothing a little demolition won't take care of!

Bathroom #2 (& current Master Bath): Built for Tiny Tim

The Plan: 

• Demo BLUE & TINY!
• expand current white bathroom into a more spacious guest bath, accessible from the hallway
• create an en suite Master Bathroom with two vanities, and a luxurious shower

Here is some forward thinking...

Future Master Bathroom (minus the tub...it just won't fit!)

Inspiring look for the Guest Bath

Let's wander down the hallway to our sleeping rooms.... 

this hallway will also get doused with Revere Pewter & updated with a new fixture

Bedroom #1: 

The Green Room AKA The Back Bedroom 

i.e. Future Master Bathroom

Here is what I am thinking...

To Do:

• Create a doorway between Master Bedroom & Green Room
• Turn Half of Green Room into the Master Bathroom by adding drywall, appropriate plumbing, shower, two vanities, and tile
• Turn other Half of the green room into the third bedroom....the other part of this bedroom will be where the current BLUE bathroom is  

The FUTURE Master Bedroom (makes me just peach-y!) 

 To Do:

• Reverse Closet: Drywall work & Closet door installation
• New fixture
• Paint walls & Trim. I am thinking a calming blue/green color like this: 

Benjamin Moore Palladian Blue

Bedroom #3: Purple Haze

To Do:

• Paint walls & Trim. 
• Replace Fixtures
• Replace Closet Doors & add shelving inside closet 
• Drywall space where current entry to TINY bathroom currently is (the new guest bathroom will be accessible from the hallway)

Happy 4th of July everyone!

More to come on the exterior and landscaping to do's soon.

We move into our home by the creek next week... 

wish us luck!