Home Improvements

Home Improvements and

My first “carpentry” project…

When I purchased the home there was a small, very awkward closet in the kitchen area. It didn’t take long for me to decide that it shouldn’t be a closet but should be a pantry.

First came the demolition: removing the “faux” wood paneling (which is ALL OVER THE HOUSE), the oversize and unusable wooden sliding wood doors (which I’ll use for a later project) and the few “press-board” shelves which were put up on ugly metal frames.

It wasn’t easy but it was quite satisfying.

Then I came upon a page in a home magazine of this shelf and realized, no ordinary pantry would do!

So, I built one of my own. I couldn’t find the spindles (“railing”) that I needed at any of the big box hardware stores so I improvised and bought various lengths of wooden table legs.

Here is the finished project.

My biggest concern was of course, weight – I didn’t want to worry about anything on the shelves come crashing down. So, I started with a simple 2 x 4 frame

For the shelves, I used a high-grade piece of plywood, cut down into 16 inch by 48 inch pieces. On the back of the 2 x 4 frame I attached a piece of bead-board.

I attached the back of two of the shelves with wood screws (don’t forget to pre-drill – it really makes your life so much easier) to the 2 x 4’s and attached the back of the two middle shelves to 1 x 1’s. For the front, I drilled and used wood dowels to secure the legs to the shelves. Some of the legs had to be cut to fit.

Because the area is a bit dark, I decided to brighten it up a bit with gold/yellow paint.

The absolutely best part is that the shelves are at the perfect height. The microwave fits like a glove (no longer taking up valuable counter space) and the shelves are high enough in some areas to store tall items like cereal boxes and pasta canisters.

You can sort of see from this photo that on the right side, I've left enough room for a small wine refrigerator. On the left side, there is another shelf designed for larger items like those huge packages of toilet paper and paper towels and pet supplies.

Now I can’t wait to stock it.

Millerton - Change is good, no?

Sorry I haven't posted anything in a while. I've been focusing on "projects" and determined to get one done, before I move to the next. Currently I'm working on the pantry.

Anyway, my fantastic neighbors are selling they lovely home. Millerton is a very special town upstate - very unique and wonderful in a lot of ways.

Please read Dana Bowen's (my neighbor) blog: http://millertonhouse.tumblr.com/ and pass it on.

Millerton - Home Improvement

Next Project is Underway – The Dining Room

First let me say, I love my dining room. The large bay windows allow for so much natural light that the room always seems to have a warm glow - even during the coldest, darkest months. And I love how the space flows from the living room and into the kitchen.

That said, there is a lot of room for improvement.

This is what it looked like when I purchased the home.

Notice the outdated ceiling and wallpaper.

So naturally, the first thing that had to go was the drop ceiling. This process is not really as difficult as it may seem – just takes a steady foot on the ladder and a good pair of wire cutters.

What’s left behind, however, is a ceiling in need of a lot of help. There are cracks and holes to repair and a light fixture to be installed.

The next part was to remove the “wood” paneling. Again, simple enough with a good pry-bar and some elbow grease.

Lastly, the wallpaper was stripped.

That was about it for the demolition part anyway.

My electrician is scheduled to come out next week to add the chandelier over the dining table. I’m creating a “built-in look" bar which I will have him light. (I’m assembling the parts but no photos yet because I want to keep it a surprise).

Once my electrician has completed his job, then I can get in there and patch the holes (with drywall if necessary). I’ve also decided to add a simple chair rail around the bay window area. This will let me paint the bottom of the chair rail one color and above the chair rail another color.

The funny thing is, out of everything that needs to be done, to me, finding the right color (or colors) is the most daunting part of decorating my beloved dining room.

I am, however, loving this color (Martha Stewart/Home Depot's "Fortune Cookie").

But no decision has been made yet.

Additional photos to be posted shortly.

Millerton - Creating

THANKSGIVING 2011

BEAUTIFUL

Millerton - News Worthy

On October 29, 2011, New York, and specifically Millerton (and the entire Hudson Valley region) was hit with a very cold, very wet, and very significant snow storm. Between 8 inches of snow fell on Saturday.

Millerton and many parts of the Hudson Valley remain without power since Saturday's storm. Temperatures dropped to 14 degrees. No power means no heat. There has never been a recorded snowfall, this significant in October. Let's hope it isn't a foreshadow of what our winter will be like.

Millerton - Home Improvement

UPDATE!

11/13/11

The kitchen floor is done.

(And I peaked under the linoleum in the sun room and I'm 90% sure it has the same floor underneath.)

Our Kitchen - very exciting (hehe)...

When we purchased the home the kitchen floors were a disaster. Not only linoleum, but 20 year old, "well worn" linoleum with a very unpleasant design.

This past Saturday, after gardening for most of the day (getting as much done before winter sets in) I found myself a little bored. (ha!)

First I considered pulling down the fake wood paneling and drop ceiling in the dining room, but that is going to be a huge undertaking.

Instead, I took a peak under the existing kitchen flooring.... and VOILA!

For the next couple of hours I ripped and pulled that linoleum up, prying thousands of nails out of the wood along the way. By midnight I had a good part done.

I didn't have much time on Sunday but I was able to get about two-thirds of the floor up. Next weekend I'm sure I can finish the job with the help of friends to pull out the refrigerator and electric stove!

The floor is in really great shape and won't even need sanding. So, in the next couple of weeks I'll prime and paint the floor.

I love gray. Gray goes with everything and yet it is still "color" and I love color. So, hopefully, eventually, the floor will look like this.

I'll keep you "posted".

Millerton - Creating

Picket Fence
The fence and gate are finally done! It came out pretty closely to what I imagined. The gate, designed by my 7 year old daughter, has a unique handle that allows you to open it from both sides by just turning the ring.

Although it took a lot longer than I had anticipate and now it's fall so I'll have to wait to plant vines, roses, etc., I'm very happy with how it's turned out.

Can't wait till Spring!

UPDATE

On October 15 I planted 140 tulip bulbs in front of my picket fence. Oh, I REALLY can’t wait ‘til Spring now!