Kitchen Reno - Mid-way Evaluation

Well, we're halfway there and the kitchen is functional again after nearly 3 weeks. We now have to pick a color, hardware for the cabinets, electrical outlet covers, and a lighting fixture for the Subzero enclosure before we can embark on the final leg of this reno. Maria spent the better part of the day cleaning the kitchen and its looking pretty sweet!



Wolf bling - making a quick cup of tea is a cinch with the heat these bad boys put out.



Cleaned up Subzeros and Miele stack.







Can't use the dishwasher yet as the Miele salt to soften the water doesn't come in till tomorrow. Man, are these German toys high maintenance.



Our man Trevor did a great job with the backsplash.

Fired up, Ready to go (Day 8 of the Kitchen Reno)

At Barack Obama's last rally before the election in Virginia, he led the rallying cry of "Fired up, Ready to go" for 90,000 people. Well today, the plumber (no not Joe-the-plumber), the electrician and the tiler finally hooked up most of the kitchen.

Wolf down draft up and running.



Miele powered up with Sunil goofing off with it.



Sunil playing peek-a-boo with the Subzeros.



The backsplash is more than 75% with just the grout remaining. It'll take 2 days for the epoxy to cure.

More than just countertops (Day 7 of the Kitchen Reno - Update)

Some more pictures from the end of Day 7 of the reno. The island is massive. Seats 9 people easily - maybe even 12 if you tried.



With the Laser Film off, the Subzeros show their true size.



My red knobs!



New sink with built in chopping board.

Countertop day (Day 7 of the Kitchen Reno)

The countertops went in this morning. Its hard to be at home when they're going in - the smell of the epoxy is pretty overpowering.

Install in progress.











Countertop installer-in-chief Jason.



A whole new meaning to straight edge.



Checking the install.







Close ups with different aperture settings.





And finish off, som pictures of Donny goofing off.

Slick-zeros! (Day 6 of the Kitchen Reno)

Who would have thought that it would take 2 men a full day to set up the Subzeros? Well that's exactly what happened today - its the normal set up time! I've been really impressed by Subzero so far - amazing build quality, awesome packaging, extremely well thought out instruction manuals - the whole nine yards really. Though now I know why the instructions are so detailed ;-)



All lined up.





Subzeros mounted flush with the enclosure. Slick!

Redemption (Day 5 of the Kitchen Reno)

Mark and Donny redeemed themselves today by getting the Subzero enclosure right the second time round. The basic enclosure is built and will need to be spackled and then the crown molding will go on. The Subseros need to be centered and leveled but look good in the enclosure all the same. They are truly enormous. The white film on the Subzeros is Laser Film and prevents the stainless steel surfaces from being scratched in transit.

Oh Noes - Part 2! (Day 4 of the Kitchen Reno)

Well if I thought yesterday was the day of Oh Noes in this kitchen renovation, boy was I wrong. Today was Oh Noes Part 2!

But first things first, here's how the day started out.

Mark fixing Oh Noes! Part 1 by extending the island out.







Donny putting in Miele bling and doing one last double check on the instructions.





Miele bling installed.



Miele microwave bling.



Miele oven bling.



Miele warming drawer bling.



And then some Wolf bling in the extended island. The 4 supports sticking out are for the 16" countertop extension.





And then Oh Noes!!!! The Subzero enclosure is 10" too small!!!





Mark's reaction when he realizes he had built a 53" Subzero enclosure instead of the required 63" - FAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAACCCCKKKKKKK!!!!!!!



We tore down the Subzero and will rebuild it next week.