Kitchen Reno Adventure: Windows of Opportunity, Windows of Madness

I think it started with the decision that the kitchen windows had to go. They are small, single-paned, loose, drafty, ugly aluminum, non-secure, and incompatible with the house. Plus the melanine on the cabinets was failing. And the countertop had lost its gloss. Or maybe it was the sprayer hose, which didn't work despite replacement. Anyway, we arranged for a couple of design people to come by and offer ideas. One of them floated the crazy notion that we move the kitchen from the southwest corner of the house to the southeast corner and then turn what had been the kitchen area into a hang-out space continuous with the kitchen. Completely nuts, of course.

So that's what we're doing. Below are a couple of "before" shots. First, the view from the outside (deck on southwest of house, then a view of the kitchen.

Moira set about measuring and drafting designs, and we got pretty excited about what she came up with. But we felt the need for expert support, so we hired designer Rick Clarke (http://rickclarkedesign.com/ ). He came up with three designs, one of which was basically Moira's design but with more precision and detail. We really enjoyed working with Rick, and thought his rates were very reasonable.

Then we contracted with Zeke Livingston (http://livingstonrenovation.com/ ) to take the contractor/carpenter position, ably assisted by his son Duncan. (Our son of about the same age is also named Duncan, so there are at least two of them of that generation in Victoria.) Zeke and Duncan had done a superb job on renovating our main-floor bathroom and upstairs "built-in" bookshelves a few years ago, so we did not hesitate to work with them on this larger project.

The above is quickly told, but it all unfolded over a period of several months, with Moira spending innumerable hours on design issues and sourcing cabinets, countertop, etc. We also had to move everything out of my study, the pantry, and the kitchen. When it finally came time to start renovating, the first step was to pull out the old cabinets. We put an ad in usedvictoria.com saying "free for the taking." Lots of people called, but only Armin Tomm (pictured below) came through. On the appointed day for taking them out, we had understood Armin would have an assistant, but he arrived alone so the assistant turned out to be me. Five hours later we had them all out and I was bagged (but still managed to hold my own at my dear friend Paul Taylor's going away party that evening).