Restoration 101 – 10 – Tiles out, new kitchen in.

Now the kitchen has been removed the old tiles had to be lifted. They were cracked  and we will replace all the floor coverings thoughout the house anyway. Guess who was given the job of lifting the tiles? Yep, yours truly! What a horrible job!!  Armed with spade, crow bar, ear muffs and some sort of jackhammer I was on to it!  Dust, noise, tiles flying everywhere (out the window as I tossed them on to the trailer)…

Lifting tiles.

And when I had had enough of the noise and dust there was still gib to be removed from small spaces, more to be fitted on the ceiling, a couple of windows to be inserted and the space created from the removal of the old kitchen to be filled.

And yet another tool for me!

Eventually we were ready for the new kitchen…a bit of a mission getting it up one floor but the wide windows proved very beneficial!

Kitchen windows going in.

It was all installed in one day ready for the electrical and plumbing the following. Then it was a matter of unpacking and arranging my cupboards and pantry.  It was like Christmas being able to remove things from boxes that have been stored for a year or more. So many cupboards… so much space!

New kitchen.

New kitchen.

New kitchen.

And the placing of weatherboards outside on the new wall was completed… we’re ready for a break!

New weatherboards.

Restoration 101 – 9 – Out with the old…

By April 2013 I really had had enough of the old kitchen!

Old kitchen.

Old kitchen on right with pantry on the left.

Two bodies in it and we had a traffic jam; I couldn’t reach the knobs to turn on and off the elements without reaching over the elements; if the fridge was opened that caused another blockage to bodies; there was no oven (but at least the microwave fit comfortably in that space), cupboard doors didn’t shut; no dishwasher; the old expel-lair in the window rattled with every wind … and ‘yuk’ black cupboard doors and bench tops. There were two positives – the pantry was reasonably large and the sink looked out to sea.

So, our search for the “perfect” design began.  Having planned a large kitchen for our new home in New Plymouth and several “spec” homes we built I had a good idea of what I wanted and what I didn’t.  We had a large space to work with here so the task wasn’t too difficult.  Probably the greatest subject of debate was the colour and the bench top but soon we arrived at the final plan, the kitchen manufacturer and the price.

And then, the worst part of the job – dismantling and removing the old kitchen!

But while we were organising this the men made the most of opportunities and fitted permanent windows and doors…

Fitting the new lounge window.

first the lounge window then the sliding doors and window downstairs.

Out with the old & in with the new.

By mid-October we had the new kitchen ordered and under construction. So the old one needed to be removed – what a job!  The call went out for volunteers and I went out for a women’s breakfast.  Did I really think it would all be clean & a blank canvas when I arrived home?  No way! What a mess!!

A few large holes to be filled!

Lunch was on the BBQ for the helpers and the trailer was full with the first load bound for the dump. Another clean-up in the morning and more help arrived to continue the dismantling.

As can be seen from the photos, the kitchen had an “overhang”. Now the old kitchen has been removed the wall and window on the left of the photo is also to be removed and a new floor and wall installed to make a little more room and a continuous flow to the outside appearance as well. This was not a place for children…

Note the props… they are still in place! (Explanation to come).