Adventures in Remuddling

The previous owners had tiled around the upper cabinets to form the backsplash. With those cabinets gone, I now need to even out the tiles. I’m going to remove the top row of tiles (where the cutouts are) and replace with a row of white bullnose tiles.

First, I laid out the necessary tools. From left to right, they are: a utility knife, a grout scraper, a putty knife, a five-in-one tool (found in paint stores) and a simple hammer.

Continue reading “Fixing the Tile Backsplash” »

Next step in the mini-make over is to patch and paint the walls. This corner wall and ceiling area will get my usual patch treatment. I like to use the 90 minute setting joint compound for the first 2 coats, followed by the typical pre-mixed “mud” joint compound for the final coat.

Continue reading “Patching and Painting the Kitchen Walls” »

We’ve lived with a bare bulb dangling from our kitchen ceiling for almost 2 years now. The time has come to dress the naked light  Fortunately for us, Serena’s parents donated a light fixture they got from the Philipines, made out of sea shells (you really wouldn’t know it, unless someone told you).

Now, for the moment of truth…

Continue reading “New Light Fixture in Kitchen…Finally” »

There’s a blank spot next to our stove and above the radiator in the kitchen. The previous owner had a cork board and clock in the space.

We’ve got nothing there. Until now.

Continue reading “Wall Decorations in our Kitchen” »

Continue reading “It Started With a Bottle of Grape Juice …” »

(continued from It Started With a Bottle of Grape Juice …)

Ironically, our original faucet model was named “Endurance”. Ha!

With no working kitchen faucet, and a pile of dishes from the previous night, we had to do something. So we all get into the car: me, Serena, M, his wife, and their four month old baby for a trip to Home Depot.

Of course, as we surveyed the display of kitchen faucets, my lovely wife instinctivelyly picked one of the most expensive faucets without even looking at the price tags (how does she do that?). I tried to convince her with some cheaper options, but secretly I liked the one she chose best. Although I like to tease her for having expensive tastes, I’m guilty of the same. Without the luxury of time and research, we took the plunge and splurged.

Continue reading “…And Ended With a Shiny New Faucet” »

A true diehard houseblogger would not have let a pregnancy and baby interfere with posting, but ours was a little high maintenance. So without further ado, the kitchen shelves in the works.

The shelves being made by Tig in the shop above.

Continue reading “Overdue Post on Kitchen Shelves” »