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Home Improvement (Split from Turkey Thread)

Edgy MD Nov 20 2012 09:28 AM

John Cougar Lunchbucket wrote: Swan Swan H wrote: We had our kitchen renovated over the summer, and this will be the first big meal prepared with enough oven, range and counter space to do it properly. Nice. Work on our kitchen begins soon. Desperately needed for 8 years now. Wow. Everybody renovating. In our time of economic peril, the granite countertop sector of the economy is still humming along nicely.

John Cougar Lunchbucket Nov 20 2012 09:37 AM Re: Tell me about your turkey, turkey.

Can't afford granite, it's caesarstone (ground quartz) for us, plus Ikea cabinets. We're "splurging" on a 6-inch cabinet to hold our spices.

MFS62 Nov 20 2012 09:39 AM Re: Tell me about your turkey, turkey.

Thanks, Swannie. I almost went into Diabetic shock just reading the recipe. But I know others would love it. I'll show it to the Mrs. Later

Edgy MD Nov 20 2012 09:42 AM Re: Tell me about your turkey, turkey.

John Cougar Lunchbucket wrote: Can't afford granite, it's caesarstone (ground quartz) for us, plus Ikea cabinets. We're "splurging" on a 6-inch cabinet to hold our spices. Good move. It's the flippers who are keeping the granite guys in business. Buy a $100,000 home, shine up the floors, drop in the granite, and flip it for $350K.

Ceetar Nov 20 2012 09:49 AM Re: Tell me about your turkey, turkey.

Edgy DC wrote: John Cougar Lunchbucket wrote: Can't afford granite, it's caesarstone (ground quartz) for us, plus Ikea cabinets. We're "splurging" on a 6-inch cabinet to hold our spices. Good move. It's the flippers who are keeping the granite guys in business. Buy a $100,000 home, shine up the floors, drop in the granite, and flip it for $350K. "Good kitchen" is on my list when looking at houses. That reminds me, I need ground Cardamom.

metsmarathon Nov 20 2012 12:53 PM Re: Tell me about your turkey, turkey.

the quartz is the better product anyways. with granite, you have to worry about staining. the quartz, less so. granted, if you really spend, you can get some wicked-cool granite that looks like you had a tiger lay on your kitchen countertop while you showed it the medusa, and then honed the cat perfectly smooth and polished it to a glorious luster. our house-buying strategy was to buy a nice house with a kitchen and bathroom just shitty enough that we can live with it for a bunch of years, and not feel like we're paying for someone else's designs, and then remake it into our own imaginings when we get around to it. so far, it's worked out well with the bathroom. one of htese decades, we'll get around to the kitchen.

Edgy MD Nov 20 2012 01:11 PM Re: Tell me about your turkey, turkey.

That's the strategy. I always thought, why pay over-the-top dollar for somebody else's ugly idea of a contemporary renovation, when I have ugly ideas of my own. My wife saw it differently. grumble, granite, grumble.

Ceetar Nov 20 2012 01:13 PM Re: Tell me about your turkey, turkey.

Edgy DC wrote: That's the strategy. I always thought, why pay over-the-top dollar for somebody else's ugly idea of a contemporary renovation, when I have ugly ideas of my own. My wife saw it differently. grumble, granite, grumble. I don't need to be 'finished' but I'd like to be happy with the space/size of it. You see some reallly crappy kitchens out there.

themetfairy Nov 20 2012 01:29 PM Re: Tell me about your turkey, turkey.

We just redid our upstairs bathrooms. A necessary project (especially since the kids' shower control was being held together with duct tape; something we didn't realize until the master bath was already demolished....). Our kitchen is the next frontier. We're not planning a demo - we want to refinish the cabinets, re-do the floor (FINALLY get rid of the linoleum!) and re-do the counter. Which brings up a question - D-Dad thinks that granite is more likely to stain in a kitchen than a bathroom. Is that true? If so, what's a better material for countertops?

Swan Swan H Nov 20 2012 01:38 PM Re: Tell me about your turkey, turkey.

themetfairy wrote: We just redid our upstairs bathrooms. A necessary project (especially since the kids' shower control was being held together with duct tape; something we didn't realize until the master bath was already demolished....). Our kitchen is the next frontier. We're not planning a demo - we want to refinish the cabinets, re-do the floor (FINALLY get rid of the linoleum!) and re-do the counter. Which brings up a question - D-Dad thinks that granite is more likely to stain in a kitchen than a bathroom. Is that true? If so, what's a better material for countertops? We went with quartz as well - it looks great, and Consumer Reports loved the durability. Here's the brand we chose, in the Copper Patina. [url]http://www.lghausys.com/us/product/surfaces/viatera.jsp

John Cougar Lunchbucket Nov 20 2012 01:45 PM Re: Tell me about your turkey, turkey.

We actually haven't bought our counter yet, so I will pass that link along to Wifey Bucket. But the contractor is ready to go a week from Monday and we ordered the cabinets so it's happening. Same guy did a nice job with the bathroom earlier this year. (time for a Home Improvement thread split).

Swan Swan H Nov 20 2012 01:48 PM Re: Tell me about your turkey, turkey.

We got the counter at Swan (coincidentally) in Westbury, but checked out the slab at their showroom around the corner, more or less, from Citi Field.

Frayed Knot Nov 20 2012 02:21 PM Re: Home Improvement (Split from Turkey Thread)

My mother & sister watch those home buying shows on whatever House & Garden channel runs them seemingly almost non-stop -- and I'm always amazed at the number of buyers on those things who are absolutely shocked that the second-hand houses they're looking at aren't somehow pre-configured to their specifications. Comments such as: "These aren't granite counter-tops!" and "where are the stainless steel appliances?" are far too common. And of course the kicker is that when those folks try to sell that house in 10 - 20 - 30 years time some snotty buyer is going to wonder how the previous cretins were living with yesteryear amenities such as granite counter-tops and stainless steel appliances.

metsmarathon Nov 20 2012 02:37 PM Re: Tell me about your turkey, turkey.

themetfairy wrote: We just redid our upstairs bathrooms. A necessary project (especially since the kids' shower control was being held together with duct tape; something we didn't realize until the master bath was already demolished....). Our kitchen is the next frontier. We're not planning a demo - we want to refinish the cabinets, re-do the floor (FINALLY get rid of the linoleum!) and re-do the counter. Which brings up a question - D-Dad thinks that granite is more likely to stain in a kitchen than a bathroom. Is that true? If so, what's a better material for countertops? you can get granite that's impregnated with a stain sealer, but generally, the engineered quartz is more resistent to staining. the problem is, i think, red wines and tomatoes. iirc, their acidity gets them into granite readily, whereas they can't eat into the quartz because the crystals are more resistent, and the whole thing is locked into resins (inert plastics of some sort that make up, typically, 7% of the material). granite typically needs to be periodically sealed, whereas quartz is inherently nonporous. quartz is also, i think, more sustainable. but i could be hallucinating that point. in the end, it can't come close to the super-duper extra fancy granite, in terms of shock and awe, but as a material you're going to want to live with and actually use and not stress over endlessly, quartz is the way to go. the one advantage of granite is that you can put a hot pot right onto it from the stove and it will laught it off. quartz is very heat resistent, but it can be scorched.

themetfairy Nov 20 2012 02:44 PM Re: Home Improvement (Split from Turkey Thread)

Good to know mm - thanks. So if we get granite in a pattern that has a lot of red in it, we should be good for any situation, yes?

cooby Nov 21 2012 08:56 AM Re: Home Improvement (Split from Turkey Thread)

We been busy too...new deck, new roof, new front porch and front windows upstairs. Pergola, landscaping. Got a new range and dishwasher, and new flue liner (those last three not because we wanted to). Lots of new lights. I am hoping not to run out of money before I can paint, get a new ceiling in living room, wood floors. If I had had it my way, we would have done the pretty stuff first. (sentence right above) Sigh. Now I might have to wait.

Swan Swan H Nov 21 2012 09:11 AM Re: Home Improvement (Split from Turkey Thread)

I know what you mean, Coobs. We needed a new roof, and had to have our garage rebuilt because it was about to fall over. The roof and garage cost more than the kitchen, but they were necessities and the kitchen, while hideous, was functional.

cooby Nov 21 2012 09:19 AM Re: Home Improvement (Split from Turkey Thread)

exactly :(

John Cougar Lunchbucket Nov 21 2012 09:27 AM Re: Home Improvement (Split from Turkey Thread)

I made a "honeydew" list a few weeks ago that was insanely long. I think for us part of it is having been in our home now for 8 years, things we did early on are starting to show their age. Also a little easier now to turn attention to the stuff we've neglected while the 'Pail was small. So far we've replaced curtains, repaired a door, repainted a few spots that needed repainting and moved some crap around. Lots more to do.

cooby Nov 21 2012 09:52 AM Re: Home Improvement (Split from Turkey Thread)

Yes, and it seems the more you do, the more you find to do, right? That is the number one reason I have stopped working for a while, just to get stuff DONE around here. So neglected.

John Cougar Lunchbucket Dec 02 2012 01:29 PM Re: Home Improvement (Split from Turkey Thread)

Last meals cooked, dishes and pantry items being loaded into storage containers and taken to the shed. The refrigerator and stove will join us in the living room tomorrow.

Ceetar Dec 02 2012 03:00 PM Re: Home Improvement (Split from Turkey Thread)

John Cougar Lunchbucket wrote: Last meals cooked, dishes and pantry items being loaded into storage containers and taken to the shed. The refrigerator and stove will join us in the living room tomorrow. sweet, then you won't even have to get up to get beer.

Kong76 Dec 02 2012 04:35 PM Re: Home Improvement (Split from Turkey Thread)

Stove movement sounds hard core.

John Cougar Lunchbucket Jan 19 2013 06:54 PM Re: Home Improvement (Split from Turkey Thread)

Six weeks and a million dollars later, kitchen almost finished (pics soon). Had to wait for the countertop guys who took two weeks off at Xmas. Meantime had the contractors also whack the track lighting in the bing room, taking the whole Joint out of the 80s, except for the music. Today I spent all day repainting the ceiling, what a pain in the ass... Alao retouching where switches were relocated, installed, etc. Now I am drinking beer

Kong76 Jan 19 2013 08:15 PM Re: Home Improvement (Split from Turkey Thread)

John Cougar Lunchbucket wrote: Now I am drinking beer Amen, brother!

cooby Jan 19 2013 09:11 PM Re: Home Improvement (Split from Turkey Thread)

Bought my bedroom paint today...we got a 10% discount at the paint store because our son used to work there! I'll be peeling wallpaper this week. Zark is replastering the living room ceiling and I hope he can do it soon. (he is the contractor, he's been here so much lately even my cats call him by his first name)

DocTee Jan 19 2013 09:37 PM Re: Home Improvement (Split from Turkey Thread)

A few years back, the missus got a "great deal" on kitchen flooring at the Home Depot Expo. She then realized that a new floor with old cabinets looked crappy. And new cabinets with old countertops even worse. And old appliances with new countertops? No way. So the "great deal" on flooring ($600) turned into a full kitchen remodel. One thing I can vouch for-- we loved loved loved the engineered countertops SILESTONE and would install it here at our new place, but we're waiting for the next big flooring sale.

Ashie62 Jan 21 2013 10:40 AM Re: Home Improvement (Split from Turkey Thread)

Getting a new hot water heater and trying to decide between a getting convential Rheem unit that uses water or the newer style that mounts on the wall and heats with no water, as in no chance of flooding...

Chad Ochoseis Jan 21 2013 10:56 AM Re: Home Improvement (Split from Turkey Thread)

Am I the only schlub in the CPF who is going with granite countertops? I'm in the middle of having my condo renovated - the bathroom was done a couple of weeks ago, and the kitchen is starting in two weeks. I do like the no-maintenance aspect of Silestone, but the price quote for the Silestone style I chose was nearly double the granite price quote, and I don't see any other advantages of Silestone over granite. I'm using Ubatuba granite, which is the least expensive. My understanding is that price differences in granite reflect differences in rarity rather than quality, and I don't need my granite to be rare. Ubatuba is black with greenish flecks, which looks fine to me. Also substituting paint for '70's era wallpaper, upgrading the dishwasher and range, getting recessed lighting, replacing my dangerous Federal Pacific circuit breaker panel, getting maple cabinets to replace the cheapie plywood that I currently have, and having porcelain tile floors put in.

Swan Swan H Jan 21 2013 11:36 AM Re: Home Improvement (Split from Turkey Thread)

May as well put up some before and after pics. The old cabinets were painted with an oil-based paint and were nearly impossible to touch up. The other major changes were mounting the microwave to add counter space, and replacing an accordion door to the bathroom (just right of the picture) with a pocket door. The one large window gives much more light than the two smaller ones. When we bought the house there was a carpet in the kitchen which we replaced with vinyl tile just to get by. We also had them take out the soffit over the wall to the right, which allowed for much taller cabinets. There are also cabinets above the refrigerator, and a pantry cabinet to the right. The only differences since the pictures were taken is that we stained the window frame, painted the door frame for the bathroom and replaced the butcher block with a new, larger one. We also had to touch up where the light switch was moved from the doorway to the dining room.

themetfairy Jan 21 2013 12:42 PM Re: Home Improvement (Split from Turkey Thread)

Chad Ochoseis wrote: Am I the only schlub in the CPF who is going with granite countertops? We're with you. We got granite in my bathrooms in the fall, and eventually we're going with granite in the kitchen.

Kong76 Feb 02 2013 11:50 AM Re: Home Improvement (Split from Turkey Thread)

Don't know where to stick this. The focus could be better, my photography skills are minimal at best. This is wandering jew that is hangin' in the bathroom. Anyone know if those little white things are spider eggs or something worse? There's no spider webs in the plant or room.

cooby Feb 03 2013 08:35 AM Re: Home Improvement (Split from Turkey Thread)

As the resident Master Gardener, I will see what I can figure out! Meanwhile, if somebody already knows, go ahead and chime in!

Kong76 Feb 03 2013 08:43 AM Re: Home Improvement (Split from Turkey Thread)

Thanks, Herb. I wonder if it's stink bug related, we had those this year. Very annoying little critters.

cooby Feb 03 2013 11:15 AM Re: Home Improvement (Split from Turkey Thread)

I think you're exactly right! I looked up their eggs and they look like that; in little geometry shapes, rather than bunches like spider eggs. I'd tell you to snip off that leaf and take it outside but then you might get them outside (which is where your probably got them). Keep your eye out for new ones. Maybe flush that leaf down the toilet? Just don't tell the Chesapeake Bay Cleanup Whatever I told you that!

Kong76 Feb 03 2013 12:02 PM Re: Home Improvement (Split from Turkey Thread)

Stink bugs are a problem around here ... bad enough everything is made in China, now we're getting infested with their pests too! I cleaned all the dead leaves out of plant and yes the toilet is where they went! It's a pretty plant, it was neglected a little the last month.

cooby Feb 03 2013 12:32 PM Re: Home Improvement (Split from Turkey Thread)

Here is my MG coordinator's answer (I asked him). Let's not tell him you already got rid of them :) But if you do get more, try the egg hatching thing! Hi, Have your friend isolate the eggs. Put them in a container, not air tight, and see if they hatch. This way you will know for sure what type of insect it is. Was this plant outside during the summer months? Let me know if the eggs hatch and what the insects look like. If they are the brown marmorated stink bug, the juvenile looks quite different from the adult. Since you were approached to identify the eggs, keep track of the time. On the 14th I will show you how to report the time. Q

Kong76 Feb 03 2013 12:50 PM Re: Home Improvement (Split from Turkey Thread)

Dang, now I wish I didn't flush 'em. Yes, the plant was on the porch until it got cold.

cooby Feb 03 2013 12:56 PM Re: Home Improvement (Split from Turkey Thread)

We have them here too...they do stink, blegh. Well, at least now we know what we are supposed to do when we find eggs...

Kong76 Feb 03 2013 12:59 PM Re: Home Improvement (Split from Turkey Thread)

Nice to have a Master Gardener to consult with ... thanks!

cooby Feb 03 2013 01:15 PM Re: Home Improvement (Split from Turkey Thread)

I will help as much as I can :) BTW, these are great for those little fungal gnats and fruit flies you get in the winter. http://www.amazon.com/Safer-Houseplant- ... p_t_1_M6NT

Frayed Knot Feb 03 2013 01:32 PM Re: Home Improvement (Split from Turkey Thread)

The one thing I know about stink bugs (or at least think I know about stink bugs) is that they're essentially harmless. The kicker is that stepping on them is what releases their 'stink' and that, in turn, attracts other stink bugs by the busload to check out the scene. Bottom line is, if you find them inside the last thing you want to do is crush them. Down the drain and/or escort them gently outdoors is the preferred treatment.

cooby Feb 03 2013 07:35 PM Re: Home Improvement (Split from Turkey Thread)

I promise to give us all a stinkbug report as soon as I can :)

Kong76 Feb 23 2013 10:31 AM Re: Home Improvement (Split from Turkey Thread)

Having a new oil tank put in Monday ... found a leak in the old bastard this morning. Fucking a, and b and c too!!

Ashie62 Feb 23 2013 04:47 PM Re: Home Improvement (Split from Turkey Thread)

New hot water heater. Passed on the water softener sales pitch..Who wants to add salt monthly, not I...

Kong76 Feb 23 2013 05:16 PM Re: Home Improvement (Split from Turkey Thread)

If you didn't have a water softener already, you probably don't need one. Depends on your water source, some people can't do without. I have two basements, the tank is an auxiliary basement which has a dirt floor. If the leak went undetected for a month or two, it would have been an environmental nightmare. I'm life-long friends with the oil people, and they'll take good care of me on Monday, but it's an expensive headache.

Chad Ochoseis Feb 23 2013 05:32 PM Re: Home Improvement (Split from Turkey Thread)

Posted several pictures of my kitchen on Facebook. Here's the Cliff's Notes version. Before: and after: Everything was replaced except the refrigerator. The range and dishwasher were left by the previous owners, and I suspect they'd been there for 15-20 years. I bought the refrigerator myself when I moved into the apartment in 2005, and I liked it enough to keep. That implied that the other appliances would have to be black instead of stainless steel, but I liked the look of the plain black, anyway. Granite rather than quartz for the countertops, as I'd posted before. The only person who ever had anything nice to say about that kitchen utensil wallpaper in the old kitchen was the slightly dotty lady who lives across the hall. She's sweet, but I don't put much stock in her decorating tastes. I thought about keeping a ceiling fan, but it doesn't offer much overhead clearance. I'm only 5'7", so it doesn't bother me, but I figured that any guests I have of normal height would prefer to keep their heads attached to their bodies. The layout stayed unchanged except that the dishwasher is a foot to the left of where it used to be. I would have liked to move the sink to the right of the dishwasher, but that would have required extensive (and expensive) plumbing work.

Kong76 Feb 23 2013 05:56 PM Re: Home Improvement (Split from Turkey Thread)

Looks really nice. What's on that post-it note?

Chad Ochoseis Feb 23 2013 07:09 PM Re: Home Improvement (Split from Turkey Thread)

Just a list of things that I need the contractor to take care of before we call it done.

Ashie62 Feb 23 2013 07:30 PM Re: Home Improvement (Split from Turkey Thread)

Kong76 wrote: If you didn't have a water softener already, you probably don't need one. Depends on your water source, some people can't do without. I have two basements, the tank is an auxiliary basement which has a dirt floor. If the leak went undetected for a month or two, it would have been an environmental nightmare. I'm life-long friends with the oil people, and they'll take good care of me on Monday, but it's an expensive headache. One basement and have never had the softener..Almost went with the Rinni mountable waterless but stayed old school..

Kong76 Feb 23 2013 08:08 PM Re: Home Improvement (Split from Turkey Thread)

Chad Ochoseis wrote: Just a list of things that I need the contractor to take care of before we call it done. Just playin' ... was thinking, "Mets on SNY .. noon, Sat"

Kong76 Feb 23 2013 08:10 PM Re: Home Improvement (Split from Turkey Thread)

Ashie62 wrote: One basement and have never had the softener..Almost went with the Rinni mountable waterless but stayed old school.. Not familiar with mountable waterless, I'll have to google.

themetfairy Feb 23 2013 09:03 PM Re: Home Improvement (Split from Turkey Thread)

It's a pain Kase, but glad that you caught it early and can get it fixed right away.

Kong76 Feb 24 2013 07:46 AM Re: Home Improvement (Split from Turkey Thread)

Yup ©, thanks! Just hope they don't find that soil is really worse that we were thinking yesterday.

Kong76 Feb 24 2013 06:07 PM Re: Home Improvement (Split from Turkey Thread)

Picked up a dead stink bug and (I have no freakin' idea why) crunched it between my thumb and forefinger. I now know why they are called stink bugs!

Ashie62 Feb 24 2013 06:17 PM Re: Home Improvement (Split from Turkey Thread)

Having Cablevision come for the third time in a month...Many channels seem to cut up onn the 3 tv's that have the digital boxes...It is endless..

Kong76 Feb 24 2013 06:25 PM Re: Home Improvement (Split from Turkey Thread)

Had that for awhile in my last place. Finally they figured out that the squirrels chewed through the line up at pole in front of the house.

John Cougar Lunchbucket Feb 24 2013 10:03 PM Re: Home Improvement (Split from Turkey Thread)

Finally getting around to those kitchen reno photos. The room is very small and hard to photograph, it's a square 90 inches all around with a narrow open doorway and huge overhead florescent light. Key to the renovation, in addition to removing the 80s styling and Home Depot opening-price-point cabinet/sink/counter/lighting, was increasing the ability to move around. So hard to see here but the doorway is wider and higher, and combined with the french-door fridge, makes a big difference. Also nice, the dishwasher is no longer causing the floor to buckle. Before: Clutter! Breaking down Disgusting wet floor needing replacement We had heated floors installed, but cats checked it out before it was dry. Floor coming together We went with Ikea's glass-and-shiny plastic collection, SHINPLAS (insert umlaut). With white tile and counter, can perform surgery legally now. Other side. We kept our existing oven which was only a few years old and junked the rest of the appliances. Got the stove up to local code by moving it off the wall and installing narrow pullouts between it and the wall, allowing for clever and expensive spice storage.

Edgy MD Feb 25 2013 07:59 AM Re: Home Improvement (Split from Turkey Thread)

That spice rack is money. My kitchen is half my first floor. Renovation was nutty with the belief that folks can't get enough kitchen.

Chad Ochoseis Feb 25 2013 10:48 AM Re: Home Improvement (Split from Turkey Thread)

John Cougar Lunchbucket wrote: Finally getting around to those kitchen reno photos. Looking good. Was that DIY, or did you hire people for the installation?

John Cougar Lunchbucket Feb 25 2013 10:55 AM Re: Home Improvement (Split from Turkey Thread)

Definitely hired the help. A big German guy who wasn't afraid of stuff like electricity and plumbing like me. I did much of the breaking down, carting, painting etc. but most of the work was beyond my abilities.

Edgy MD Feb 25 2013 11:00 AM Re: Home Improvement (Split from Turkey Thread)

My wife observes she'd be afraid of cooking the spice contents with the radiant heat. I figure the worst that you could do would be to dehydrate stuff, and spices are all dried out anyhow. Maybe you might deform some of the plastic bottles, though. We had zero counter space at our last home, but she doesn't know about New York standards of kitchen space economy. This is why I must repeat: that spice rack is money.

John Cougar Lunchbucket Feb 25 2013 11:24 AM Re: Home Improvement (Split from Turkey Thread)

Eh, spices will be fine. The upper cabinet is storage for spatulas and stuff I bought at Spatula City: On the opposite side we store cutting boards in the same width drawer. Here's a bonus shot of the whole room before cabinets but after the floor.