After lots and lots and LOTS of pondering what to do with the corridor kitchen in our 1916 home, I've come up with the following plan which will hopefully meet my needs (function) and some desires (new appliances) without costing a fortune (a complete tear out and replace):
* Repaint the existing solid wood cabinets and replace all the drawer boxes and install new drawer runners (they're wood on wood at the moment).
* Replace the red/orange laminate countertops (a la mid-80's) with something stone/rock-like in appearance(e.g., Corian "Rosetta" or a laminate) on one side of the kitchen and use a piece of marble I found in the basement on the other side of the kitchen (with stove and sink).
Remove the existing 1980s wallpaper and paint the walls.
Replace the existing 1980s range and dishwasher.
Remove tracking and shelves on one wall (for food storage) and install rack for pots and pans.
Is there a preferred order of such things? E.g., do you start with painting the walls then the cabinets? Do you install the countertop or paint the walls first?
Thanks very much for your advice!
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In my experience (as a homeowner, I have done several kitchens over the years--and might have one more coming up!), it is probably best to do things like finish floring and painting toward the end of the project--as you're likely to bang into things as you work on the other projects.
I find that removing countertop is always a lot more work than I think it will be. Also it is easy to damage underlying cabinetry during its removal. So it becomes a slow, tedious process.
Dishwashers and ranges generally aren't a huge deal. Dishwashers are almost always 24" wide, and if you pick a range the same size as the old that should be fairly straightforward (although sometimes electric cables need to be moved). One thing I find is that if the range is out of there, it gives me more room to work in the kitchen--including on the wall behind it. Plus you're not banging up your brand new range while removing the old countertop.
Racks, etc., I would probably leave for the end.
You can vary the order somewhat--and you might hear other opinions too--but I like to get the heavy, nasty stuff out of the way first...and gradually work my way to the finish work....good luck.
Regards,
-k2 in CO
Moderator, Miscellaneous Forum
http://www.bobvila.com/BBS/Miscellaneous
I find that removing countertop is always a lot more work than I think it will be. Also it is easy to damage underlying cabinetry during its removal. So it becomes a slow, tedious process.
Dishwashers and ranges generally aren't a huge deal. Dishwashers are almost always 24" wide, and if you pick a range the same size as the old that should be fairly straightforward (although sometimes electric cables need to be moved). One thing I find is that if the range is out of there, it gives me more room to work in the kitchen--including on the wall behind it. Plus you're not banging up your brand new range while removing the old countertop.
Racks, etc., I would probably leave for the end.
You can vary the order somewhat--and you might hear other opinions too--but I like to get the heavy, nasty stuff out of the way first...and gradually work my way to the finish work....good luck.
Regards,
-k2 in CO
Moderator, Miscellaneous Forum
http://www.bobvila.com/BBS/Miscellaneous
