Garden Window

While the overall pantry improvement is slowly progressing to a completed state, a giant step in progress was made over the weekend - installing a garden window. I found this window on craigslist after finding that brand new garden windows usually go for $700+. I paid $460 which is still pretty up there, but the finished product was certainly worth it.

It took a total of 7 hours to install and get the trim boards up and primed, then another couple of hours to paint. It changes the feel of the pantry completely and the view outside to the waterfall and backyard is great.

Before the cut.

During the cut.

Cut.

Installed!

And painted.

The view from inside looking through the bevel pantry doors.

Beer Coming Out of the Wall

After doing the kitchen remodel and adding a new fridge, I held onto the older fridge because I've always entertained the idea of a kegerator. Not only is it convenient, but also saves money and I can have just half glasses if I want.

The basic set up of the tap out of the front door was very easy. I literally think it took less than 45 minutes. I mentioned "convenience" earlier. That was only in respect to not having to buy and recycle beer bottles every week. But the kegerator was located in the basement, and that is not so convenient....until now.

Now, I've made it so I have beer coming out of the kitchen wall!

Now you don't see it.

Now you do.

After some research and discussion with bar owners, I had a solid plan. I bought a small blower and made sure it didn't heat up too much when operation, then cut an opening in the floor, ran 3" insulated duct from the kegerator side to the back side of the wall. Inside the 3" duct is a beer line and a 1" tube connected to the blower which sits on a ledge in the fridge and cools the 3" duct. It works fairly slick, though there is a little foam due to the increase pressure needed to overcome the 10' lift. But the convenience is great, not to mention a slight cool factor...

Here are some detail internal snapshots:

50 cfm blower in fridge

 

1" tubing connected to blower and ran to upper floor

1" tube and beer line runs inside a 3" duct covered by insulation connected to fridge side

2nd level continuation of 3" duct inside wall terminates to sealed box

View inside sealed box showing end of 1" tube and beer line

The Latest Of The Kitchen

Here are some of the latest pictures of the kitchen. While there's still some small amount of work to be done, these will give a general idea of the completed project.

Coffered Ceiling

For whatever reason, I really am into interesting ceilings. After spending many dinners out while the kitchen remodel trudged on, one particular place that caught my attention was Caldera, a neighborhood pub named after the extinct volcano about 10 or 15 blocks from my house. Since I stole all their color ideas for the breakfast nook, as well as the bench, I might as well copy the coffered ceiling as well. It was the final main construction of the kitchen remodel and it turned out pretty good.

The first step was to add furring strips to add depth to the main stiles

In mid-stile addtion. 

After a few coats of paint

Cabinet Hardware

The drawer pulls finally arrived which means the drawers don't have to be opened by pieces of tape anymore.

I copied the drawer pull from the antique table that my mother left for me so I have some consistency.

An opportunity to include Scully in the blog. 

Bench Stain

Taking advantage of the combination of a sunny day with staining and varnishing the bench that will go into the breakfast nook. I stole this idea from Caldera Public House, a great neighborhood spot just over the hill. I also stole the color scheme which I will hopefully complete in the next several weeks.

Rejuvanation Contest

The 3rd annual Rejuvenation contest is underway and I entered this time around. The winner get a $1000 gift certificate to be used at the store. Check it out....

http://www.rejuvenation.com/advice_ideas/contest/entrant.html?rid=121

Wallpaper

In keeping with the whole French country theme, I wanted to include some toile. In looking into this print, it turns out that toile was actually originated in Ireland. However, the french adopted it and used it in more frequency. I've always liked that printed look, and also wanted to do something unique and a bit against the grain of the typical solid color look that everyone seems to be doing. That is why I went with wallpaper. I was a concerned that it'd be too busy and obnoxious and it surprisingly isn't.

Cabinet Paint

And the process of cabinet painting begins....

Painting the mullion white cabinet doors (slowly) in the breakfast nook.

The lower cabinets are primed with a red paint as a "primer" or base undercoat.

A coat of black is added on top of the red then using a wet towel, I lightly rubbed off some of the black before it dries to give it a bit of a distressed look.

A close up showing the distressed look.

The white cabinets upon completion

The black cabinets shown with some of the hardware on. I'm still waiting for the drawer pulls.