Slow progress and style choices at the condo

We're quickly approaching the end of this project.  We've run into a number of delays for product selection or contractor scheduling.  In the meantime, we worked on things that are not very photo worthy or noticeable.
We had a few issues getting the plate cover onto the outlet with the relief of the bricks around it.  A little angle-grinder action solved that...

Counter selections and wood flooring were a style challenge.  I set up a couple of groupings at home to look at things together.  Here's one such model:

 That's the counter choice, but not the exact floor choice.  It's pretty close on the floor.  It really helps to set up a little vignette like this, especially when your project is as far away from home as ours!

We had to visit for some measures and supply/tool delivery, so Brian knocked out some punch-list like items.  Closet hooks!

Shower curtain hung!

We've also enjoyed a few relaxing visits with more hiking and reading books than usual :)

First glimpse of the kitchen

Are you ready for a ton of pictures of a tiny kitchen?

Brian had a fun experience installing the IKEA kitchen.  It only took 3 trips (so far) to IKEA to get it done.  He worked on the kitchen by himself and found it completely do-able to hang the cabinets solo.  It's coming together!  I'll let the pictures speak for themselves...

messy workspace, first few upper cabinets mounted

first few upper cabinets mounted

upper cabinets are in with doors

you get a before, during, and after all at once with these pictures!

clean up and add lights - looking good!

blur your eyes so you see a stainless micro and smooth top range

just wait, the base is even better

ah, the working conditions

 

step back and admire

the ugly base is gone!

and the pretty base is going in...

progress

range makes a great tool shelf

umm hmm, starting to be a pretty kitchen

look, we have an island too

ready to tackle the dishwasher?

 

whoo hoo! the integrated dishwasher was such a good choice

looking good!

It's coming together nicely!  I'm looking forward to the new appliances, mostly because those are coming next.  The dishwasher took quite a few hours to get mounted and set into place, that was not fast.  The rest of the kitchen went together reasonably quickly and without frustration.  Those IKEA people really know how to set you up for success in your assembly.  We're down to the level of cleaning up details in here - installing shelves, a few trim pieces, and soft close hardware.  Then it's just a waiting game until the counter guys can get there...

Laundry helper

Maybe I don't want to get new laundry machines just yet.  Here's my helper saying, "I'll do it all by myself".

He hangs himself half into the washer to get the clothes out.

Then swings them into the dryer best he can. When the washer is empty, he hops down to clear off the  dryer door and close her up. 

Now, I just need to teach him how to sort, how to add soap, and when to set each cycle. Oh yeah, and all the folding and putting away!

I found this in draft mode, thinking it was published back in March... Oops!

It's the little things

Remember this hard working corner in my kitchen? Probably not, so let me introduce you.

You see that funny tube on the counter? It was mounted up under the cabinet, but it was missing something... We couldn't figure out how to turn the darn thing on. Turns out, there was a little spot on the end where a plug might have supposed to have been. Anyway, I'm getting off track.  While we were buying under cabinet lighting for the condo, I petitioned for one for the dark corner in our kitchen.

Tada!

My, now glowing, bread board and bananas make me smile!  

It's still ugly paint color and gross handles and knobs. I want to lighten the cabinets and get a pretty counter and backsplash and appliances, but those are ideas for later. Right now, I have a fairly cheap and inconspicuous solution to "the dark corner". And, it makes me smile.

I might need to get another for the other side of the kitchen, you know, so it doesn't feel left out... In the dark!

What's making you smile this week?

No more granny blue

Did I mention that having the paint tools at home would be dangerous?  Dangerous to the granny blue in our living room, that is!

We wrapped it all up, and then took a few pictures.  Cutting paper to cover all those window panes was a pain! Taping the paper on to each pane was even more of a pain.  I groan every time I hear what a pain those panes are!  There were 80.  Brian did the majority of the work.  He calculated that he tediously taped on a close line greater than a football field's length in this room. #mathnerd

 I can't get over how ugly that fireplace surround was.  So glad to no longer be sporting the blue shelf backs and "antique glazed" front.

Wait for it...


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Wow!  White is so fresh and pleasant!

 The ceiling was ugly, off white, shiny, textured tiles.  You can see along the edge where he got it with the trim paint that it will be so much better in plain white!

 Final wrapping for ceiling paint.

 Ooh, putting it back together with silver hinges and a lucite knob.  (Is lucite what you call it??  It's a clear crystal-like hexagon.  Fits with the vibe of the room, I think.)

 Can't help but notice the grill as well...  It was painted and glazed to match previously, and rusted beyond use.  Now she's looking real fine!

 Let me remind you for a moment what it looked like shortly after we moved in.

 Ugh, those blue half walls and window trim were so gross!  (So were the window treatments!  That's up next.)

Now, I think we've brought it into the modern era.  I'm so happy with it!  Let me at the art and window treatments!

How often do I celebrate fresh paint on here?  It's our thing these days. There is a sense of accomplishment and a much improved aesthetic when you finish a paint job, so I guess it's an okay thing to celebrate. We have had the tandem bike out for a fun ride once already this spring, so it's not ALL work no play.  I just don't have much to show-off about a bike ride. ;)
Happy Spring!