What a Weekend

Well, the Duvalls have officially been here for 6 full days, and we have already accomplished a lot. At this pace, by this time next week we could have a second addition built! Installed a storm door on the front door, perfect for cool Colorado nights (and a home without air conditioning).

 

This is another example of the plaster lathe walls.

Mom and I spent the entire day Saturday tracking down cabinets at Home Depots across the Denver metro area. We had planned for cabinets to be phase two of the project (ie: a next spring purchase) but we came across these discontinued beauties and were able to get them at 70% off, so we couldn't resist. The only catch was that we had to spend Saturday calling all 20 Home Depots to find the inventory we needed. Fortunately, we found everything, and then some, and saved some cash to use elsewhere in the kitchen... granite countertops anyone?

When we got home from the Home Depot adventure, out of curiosity, we wanted to see what was under the poorly-laid DIY tile job. Sure enough, we found original 1923 hardwood floor! Excellent! Removing the tile and concrete board under the tile became a 7 hour endeavor we started on Saturday evening... and finished late Saturday night.

The new half wall, just needing sheetrock now.

Removing the tile then scraping the screw heads so they could be removed with the power drill. This floor gave a whole new meaning to "sweat equity."

Chris and Dad moved the water heater on Saturday while mom and I drove the Denver metro area to find cabinets. This is where the water heater once was, in the corner of the kitchen with a closet built around it. 

You can see what was under the tile and concrete board, the 1923 hardwood floor with remnants of laminate flooring stuck to it. This will all need to be professionally (Bill Duvall?) sanded and refinished. End result should look like the hardwood in the rest of our house!

New location for the water heater, in a back closet that will become a mud-room/landing area when we move the backdoor to its new location in this closet. Dad will build a closet with bi-fold doors around the water heater.

Kitchen cabinets... more photos to come...

Pulling up the last tile in the kitchen.

Pulling up the last concrete board in the kitchen.