As I began working on the new project blog, a number of people commented that the Chumney Kitchen blog was never completed.  That’s true.  I was on vacation as the job wrapped, so the last post was never made.  My intention was to accompany the professional photographer who takes photos for our job portfolio and website, but that took a while to materialize.  My apologies to those who were anxiously waiting to see the finished product online. 

In my last post, all that remained was some electrical coverings, a bit of crown moulding, and installing the legs of the new bar following floor patching.  According to field reports, the floor patch was particularly difficult because of the color matching.  After a considerable amount of patient trial and error, a color match was found and the rest fell into place.  So, without further delay, let’s take a look at the finished kitchen!

If you followed the job in progress, you’ll recognize this perspective…   

 A reverse perspective…

 Some detail shots…

The bay window seat…

Bay window exterior…

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   With the marble backsplash in place, final installations are underway.  The plumber has already been through, and today is the electrician’s turn to put his finishing touches on the project. 

For clarification, the natural wood tone of the window sill is not a design detail.  During final installation, it was discovered that the faucet handle has a unique on position.  To accomodate the faucet, the sill had to be carefully removed, and remade from new material.  Fitting the new sill with the backsplash in place was no easy task, but it looks like it grew there.  Now it just needs to be painted.  

A panelized face piece (pictured, still in the box, to the far left) just arrived from the cabinet makers and is ready to be installed over the range hood.  This represents the last piece of the cabinetry puzzle.  With the piece in place, Mike will be able to finish his crown moulding and complete the final details of this beautiful new kitchen.

 It’s been a while since we checked in with the kitchen renovation, so here’s a quick recap; Mike has been trimming, the painters have been painting, and today is installation day for the granite countertops!

 The center island has a new countertop in place, and it fits like a glove.  An extremely heavy glove.  As you can see in the picture above, the sea green walls have been replaced by a neutral tan and the existing trim has been repainted to match the new finishes elsewhere. 

 The bay window is nearly finished.  All that remains is the outlet covers, which will come with the final electrical installation.

 As we say at R. Craig Lord Construction; “Perfection is in the Details”.  Mike has done a beautiful job trimming the bay window.  The wainscotting and cap tie in to the window casing perfectly and the panelling is intricately continued under the windows.  Overall, the project looks great and the end is definitely in sight!?

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With cabinets and appliances set in place, Mike is engaged in trimming the cabinets.  Both precision and patience are required to achieve perfection in the art crown moulding.  Each cut is carefully measured and fit prior to nailing in place.  The center island is starting to take form and is really looking sharp!  Decorative cornerposts to be added on the bar side of the island will add to its’ allure.  Overall, the piece provides a nice visual contrast with the clean white look of the cabinets and trim.   

 Using a salvaged scrap of original trim, Mike demonstrates how the wall cap will tie into the window casing once the wall panel, or wainscoting, is complete.  The painter is scheduled to arrive the day after next, so tommorow will be another busy day of trimwork. 

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 This afternoon we find Mike, literally, engulfed in his work.  The stainless steel “helmet” is actually a range hood to vent the new stove.  As you can see, cabinet installation is progressing nicely, with only a few cabinets left to set after the range hood is in place. 

Getting the fridge in the kitchen, through a series of narrow passages, proved to be an arduous task.  It took the combined effort of several R. Craig Lord employees and a little ingenuity, but the fridge made it in one piece!  Matching cabinet veneers (not pictured) are ready to be installed on the fridge and freezer doors and will contribute to the seamless and stylish look of this new kitchen.

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Company founder and president, R. Craig Lord, takes an opportunity to inspect progress.  Mike has done a meticulous job of trimming the bay window and installing new siding.  The siding looks as if it has been there all along, even before painting!  Although siding was not in our scope of work or budget, this is not a change order item because it was not a hidden, pre-existing condition.  The original siding was unavoidably damaged in the course of removing the old window, so it’s simply an unforseen expense on our end.  The cutbacks could have been hidden with a creative trim job, but the finished appearance would be compromised.  Besides, the fresh siding will only add to the wonderful street appeal of the new bay window.  The uppermost courses of siding have been held off for proper flashing and roof installation.   

 Kitchen cabinet installation is well underway.  Mike is joined by fellow lead carpenter Don VanWalsen.  Don is known for his expertise in kitchen and bathroom installation, so his help today is well timed and expedites this phase of the project. 

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It’s been a few days since we’ve checked in on the job, but based on the steady stream of inspection requests to the office, things are progressing just fine.  After successful plumbing and electrical inspections on Monday and framing inspection on Tuesday, the insulators were called in.  The subsequent insulation inspection allowed the drywall installer to get started on Wednesday.  

As we check in this morning, taping and spackling of the freshly hung drywall is underway.  Meanwhile…

  …outside, Mike is busy applying trim to the new bay window.  Production manager Dave Newcomb stops by to inspect progress on the job and discusses installation of the more detailed trim to follow.  Per usual in this application, we are using AZEK trim boards.  AZEK materials offer the look and workability of wood products but are far superior in terms of durability and required maintenance.  For more information on AZEK products, you can visit the manufacturer’s website at www.azek.com .   

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 Following up on yesterday’s activity, the new cast iron drain pipe is fully installed.  The orange foam visible at the base and top of the wall is a fire prevention measure.  The sealant, or caulk, is designed to eliminate airflow between floors of the house at openings created by pipes or wires.  This helps limit a fire’s ability to spread between floors.

 Rough installation for the new kitchen sink is complete.  A properly vented drain pipe replaces the unemployed pvc vent we found abandoned in the wall at the start of the job.  New electric wiring will connect to a disposal for the sink.

Plumbing and electrical trades are complete for now.  They’ll be back in a few weeks to install fixtures and appliances.  Mike has already contacted the office to schedule inspections for Monday morning.  Being Friday afternoon, it’s time for Friday clean-up.  Daily clean-up is a priority at all R. Craig Lord jobsites, but the end of the week is especially important as clients often take time on the weekends to inspect progress.  A safe and clean environment is an imperative. 

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As we approach the end of the second week of work, plumbing and electrical subcontractors emerge on the scene.  But first, an update on the new bay window.

The new bay is completely framed and the custom order Kolbe & Kolbe windows are installed.  The overall window height has increased by nearly a foot, improving both daylighting and field of vision.  At its’ interior, the window height has been lowered to function as a window seat, or more likely, a prime napping spot for the Client’s family dog.  In addition to the high quality construction and energy efficienct design, these windows feature a factory finished aluminum clad exterior.  Available in a wide range of colors to match existing trim, the exterior finish is both distinctive and maintenance free.     

Who can guess what is missing in this photo?  Anyone, anyone?  I’ll give you a hint…look at the detail photo of the cabinet and appliance layout in the previous post.  Notice that unsightly, corroded cast iron drain pipe?  Well, now it’s gone…temporarily.  The plumbers are preparing to replace the drain with a new piece of cast iron this afternoon.  Although outside the original scope of work, the Client agreed to have the drain replaced, via change order, after seeing the condition of the existing pipe.  In this situation, the wise investment is to fix problems before they happen, and while you have access to them.  The last thing anyone wants to see is a newly finished room disrupted by the failure of old plumbing!

By the end of the day, the new cast iron drain will be installed, and rough installation will be complete for the new sink and stove.   The electrical subcontractor has already been through today for a final meeting with both Mike and the Client before he begins his work tomorrow.  A few minor changes were discussed, including running new speaker wires and adding new trim kits to an area adjacent to the new kitchen.  Trim kits allow the Client to upgrade existing recessed lights and match the look of new ones without disturbing existing finishes.  With these changes finalized, everything is in place for another busy day tomorrow.

Mike has completed the new window header.  As you can see in the picture above, the header extends past the window to the right.  This has been done to pick up the load of a steel “I” beam which can be seen in the upper right hand corner of the picture.  In addition to the structural elements, custom laths have been applied to match the horizontal plane of the existing wall.  This will ensure a uniform finish when drywall is applied. 

Cabinet and appliance layout is drawn on the floor based on the custom design by Apple Kitchens.  With the layout in place, plumbing and electrical subcontractors can be called in to perform “rough installation” for kitchen appliances and electrical fixtures.  “Rough installation” entails running new wires and pipes before finishes are applied to walls and ceiling. 

With the kitchen demo in good shape, Mike turns his attention to the next task…

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