Kitchen Adventure 1

So, every Friday I plan to post an update to our kitchen remodel saga! 

How It Was:

Our sweet 1340-square foot bungalow in Berkeley, CA was built in 1914. We bought it in January 2004. Because it had not been cared for, we were able to afford it--California real estate prices were a big shock! John grew up in very modest circumstances in Butte, Montana--about our house he said: "I never dreamed I'd be able to buy a house that cost more than half a million dollars. And I NEVER dreamed that the house would be a fixer upper!!!"

The poor old thing had been divided into two to make it a duplex rental and lots of concrete had been poured to make it wheelchair accessible. Someone made a false stairwell to allow the attic stairs to be kept down permanently, removing a good 22 square feet from the middle bedroom. The wheelchair ramp caused water to run into the house, rotting the floor in back, and the extra door added for the duplex meant Gingko's little room had four doors in it: entry from the kitchen, attic stairs access, closet, and outdoor entry. They added a second bathroom that had to be the most crackerjack piece of work I've ever seen--unsurprisingly, it was not built with permits.

We've done a lot to it over the last 8 years: floors uncovered and polished, lots and lots of new paint, old metal siding removed, concrete torn up and used for landscaping, bathroom updated, weather-proof windows, one door removed from Gingko's room, and earthquake retrofitting. 

Here's how it looked two weeks ago:

Niche to hold the refrigerator--the light on the right is coming from the back door

I am sorry to see these go, although they were not very well built. Still, we are re-creating the wall o' cabinets.

Crazy bathroom

View from the back door--the tape on the floor shows where the new island will be

This is the end of the false wall from outside the bedroom--I love the picture John's Grandmother painted

The Current Plan

The kitchen, mudroom/laundry, and unpermitted second bathroom are being demolished to create one large room. The attic stairs are being retracted and the false wall removed to make the middle bedroom/office its original size. A little powder room is going into some found space where the attic stairs were. The windows are being enlarged to bring more light into the formerly dark space.

Most importantly, there will be room for John and Gingko to chat with me while I cook--we can stop the Excuse Me Excuse Me dance.

We worked with an architect (Jason Kaldis--he is great!) to figure out how to fit all the functions into the space we had available. Like many homes of this era there is no laundry room, for example--many homes have their washer/dryer in a shed outside. Jason found a way to incorporate a broom closet (yay for having a place to put the vacuum cleaner) and a washer/dryer in the kitchen.

End of Week 1+

The attic stairs are gone the the area opened to make a temporary hallway so Gingko can get to her room. My office is on the right--you can see how much room we will gain!

The rooms have been brought down to the studs and the walls have been removed.

The contractor has set up a temporary laundry area for me outside, for which I bless him. (Yes, this is why so many people want to live in California! But see those little yellow flowers? The downside to living in this climate is that these oxalis attempt to take over the yarn every spring. Do not turn your back or you, too, will be lost to view...)

Rotten joists where the unpermitted bathroom had been

Some "issues" have arisen (of course). Whoever said money doesn't solve everything has clearly never done a major remodel. In fact, before construction began we had to have a new sewer lateral installed (like, what the hell is that? I didn't even know we had one.) and a new furnace and ductwork. But I'm impressed with how sound these old walls are. 1" thick redwood sheathing, from the days when the woods went on forever.

This project will last for many weeks--I'm excited and just a little scared at the scope and expense of it all. And all those decisions: which color countertop, for example? how dark to stain the island? My head is spinning....

But over it all is a deep sense of gratitude--I feel a little guilty that we can afford to do this when so many people have so little. Still, we are providing work for many local people who are doing the designing, the plumbing, the framing, the electrical, the permitting, the cabinets--and that makes me feel good!

I'll be updating you on this project once a week.... 

 

Comments

[Suzanne Bryan]

Very exciting. Tanks for sharing. You are very brave,

[Chris]

This is a fascinating history of your home and the remodel. It will be wonderful when finished. I'm curious how you are able to share the link to your blog on FB? Maybe you can explain this to me sometime. I suspect it's a function of Typepad. Thanks!

[Patricia]

WOW!! This is so exciting - and what I wish I could do. I'll be watching with great interest. I have one question though - who is Gingko?

Patti

[Therese]

Your beautiful little house is lucky to have you guys as caretakers...signed, fellow old-house owner.

[mhw]

This sounds wonderful. We did our house over about 4 years ago - still doing bits and pieces - and have never regretted a single dollar spent. You have to live there, so why not have it pleasant and convenient to use.

[Susan Voegtly - CintiSue]

I have built two, and snorted at your throwing money at a project line! Understood comment about guilt - and believe in sharing the wealth with workers with talent! Thanks for sharing this! Love to see the bones and what can be done to update. Not a fan of tearing down - and still guilt over having done that the last time! Best wishes for as easy a journey as can be. Our last build hooked me on knitting socks...while in the car awaiting the latest update (or lack thereof) from he who ventured inside. "Focus on those little stitches not bigger things" :^) Sanity.

[Susanne]

What an exciting time! renos can be so stressful but fun too. I am confused however.I thought you had returned to the Pacific Northwest?? or am I missing something.

[Gretchen]

Sounds like you have a smart architect. I'm looking forward to your own This Old House series!

[Lynn]

We did a facelift on my old 1915 house last year prior to selling. Not a big rebuild like yours, but we faced a few challenges due to the age of the house, e.g. the downstairs bathroom needed a new shower, and in the process we discovered it also needed a new floor. My contractor said at one point, "There's only so much lipstick you can put on a house this old." We all liked the end result and someone else did as well as it sold in a week. I'm looking forward to your documentary. I'm sure you will love it when it is done!

[deb]

Love the lemonade you're making of this project via your blog!

[Renate Baur]

We did it in 1979 and are still happy we ventured into it. It was Christmas Eve when we had 5 different workmen and the In-Laws visiting... and I am at the stove preparing a special meal.
So, I am wishing you happy, uneventful sailing through this project. Glad, you can do it.

[Marilyn van Keppel]

And a lot of yarn that oxalis has to work on! I have fond memories of that funky bathroom...sort of sorry to see it go. It added character (and rotten joists) to the place! But when it's all over and done...you'll love your new kitchen!!! And office! and Ginko's bedroom! Chin up...the end justifies the inconvenience.

[Sing4two]

Thanks for sharing - am planning for similar kitchen project on 1910 bungalow in Nashville, TN. We also had rotten rim joist due to bad patio slope / water damage and new sewer line installed. I feel your wallet opening with you! Haha! Your husband's comment about a half-million+ $ fixer upper reasonated with me - so true. So excited to read & watch your kitchen project. Especially eager to hear your thoughts when you're able to reflect on it from your new family-friendly kitchen! Bedt of luck, patience and budget to you!