Author: Pointes of View

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Kitchen Remodel – It’s Never Over

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IMG_9363 (1024x768) If you’ve ever gone through a remodel, you know that just because the lockbox comes off the door and sign gets taken off your lawn, it’s not over. We had a bunch of small issues like molding separating from the ceiling, the instant-hot tasting metallic and a wonky faucet head.

Last week the guys who installed the fireplace surround had to come back and fix the top section of the surround, which was tipping back into the wall, causing the caulking to come off.

IMG_9364 (747x1024) When they arrived, they were able to fix it (vs. replace it, thank goodness) by using suction tools and a wedge of scrap wood (there’s a word for this….shim? I just looked it up and I think that’s right) behind the piece to keep it from falling back again. So far it seems to be working. There is the slightest bit of separation, but as long as it doesn’t get any worse, we’re good.

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New cap

You know I love my central vacuum, so I was very excited to use the new outlet that was rerouted in the kitchen area. I go to pull down the cap and….nothing. No suction. And on top of that, the new cap does not fit our very old vacuum unit (the guy who came over to install it looked at our vacuums, so don’t blame me!).

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Old cap

I called him to let him know (he didn’t believe me and I had to take the above pics to send him. oy) and lucky for me, the old caps we have are no longer being sold because the unit we have is so old. SO…they are going to “make good” by replacing our hose and all seven caps in the house.

IMG_9280 (768x1024)The fireplace guys are coming next week (for the actual firebox, not the guys above) to replace a faulty part and to fix the gas release valve (I totally made that up). Ever since they serviced the unit last week, there has been a six- to ten-second delay from the time the unit is turned on, to the time the flame ignites. When it does turn on, it makes a big “whoosh” sound, sometimes vibrating the glass and scaring the bejeezus out of whoever is standing nearby (usually me or the dog).

Now, if I can only get the carpet guys to deliver that carpet we ordered back in August. sigh

 

 

 

 

 

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The December List

IMG_92301)  Teepees make me want to be a kid again (the girls got one for Christmas from my mom).

2)  School pick-up line in this order: Ford, Pontiac, Yukon, Jeep, Dodge, Jeep Grand Cherokee, Land Rover, Yukon, Ford and….Honda CRV (me).

IMG_9195 (1024x1024)3)  Went to the new Corktown restaurant Gold Cash Gold (they kept the name of the pawnshop that used to occupy the space) during its debut week. The frites (with pickle mayo) were to die for and my grilled cheese sandwich was scrumptious. Another win for Detroit.

4)  You know you did not spend last winter in Grosse Pointe when you are praying to God every night to please make it snow (alas, no white Christmas for us).

5)  I’m not sure what possessed me to try the sushi at both Trader Joe’s and Kroger (grocery store kinda like a Safeway). I don’t need to tell you that all but one bite of each ended up in the trash bin.

momjeans6)  I opened my new H&M catalog and could not believe my eyes when I read the words “Mom jeans.” Ladies, raise your hands if you want to look like you have a droopy butt and huge thighs.

7)  Michigan, you are killing me with the tailgating. The latest: school bus (full of kids) honking at me and trying to pass me on the shoulder in a 25-mile zone. Craziness.

IMG_9216 (768x1024)8)  We had carolers! Two gals from Grosse Pointe North who were not only so sweet, but also really good singers. Love, love, love. Not once did we get carolers in San Francisco.

9)  Winter makes me want to stay inside all day with a hot bowl of chili with loads of cheese and sour cream on top. And wine. And cookies. And Baileys on the rocks. Mmmmm.

10)  Hot flashes are no joke. I don’t know if it’s the medication I’m taking (side effect is hot flashes, go figure) or my age (nooooo), but whoa.  I usually run cold, so it’s very weird for me, this sensation of feeling overheated. It actually works in my favor, now that it’s winter, but I’m worried how well I’ll fare come summer.

11)  Speaking of summer, maybe I should not be eating that sour cream or those cookies or drinking that Baileys on the rocks. Curses.

IMG_9171 (1024x1024)12)  A visit to Benjamin Moore always lifts my spirits (I mean, how can you not smile when you walk into a shop and see these guys). I stopped by with a few holiday treats and to say thanks for all their help over the last several months. Until next time!

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Piano Duets with My Sister

My sister and I both took piano as kids. Each year our studio would have a big Christmas concert, with several holiday numbers followed by the Nutcracker Suite. I was never chosen to play in the Nutcracker (my sister was – she’s a lot better than me), but I always wanted to. A few years ago I bought the music (The Nutcracker Suite, Op 7, Piano Four Hands by Tchaikovsky) with the intention of someday playing some of the songs with her.

We finally learned a few pieces this year – practicing separately, of course (she’s in Hawaii and I’m here). When we played together for the first time, it actually sounded pretty good, considering!

Unfortunately, we didn’t have a whole lot of time to play while she was here and even more unfortunately, we only decided to video tape the numbers at the end of her trip, and my phone ran out of room and anyway, these two clips are all I have (Sleigh Ride obviously not part of the Nutracker. We used to play it in high school).

A little out of sync and fuzzy at times, but it was sooooo much fun. We told each other that every year we would learn one song (from the Nutcracker) so that eventually we could play the whole thing together. Three down, five to go (we also learned the Arab Dance and the Chinese Dance, but I have zero footage of those).

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Me on the right.

Here’s to sisters. And here’s to playing the Nutcracker Suite in 2019!

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Merry Merry

IMG_9198 (1024x634)Okay, so I’m a little late with the holiday greetings. It’s been a crazy couple of weeks…

On Christmas Eve, I used our new kitchen to the fullest, making two kinds of chili, cornbread, pasta, rice, a cheesecake and an apple pie (and I can say that I love, love, love the Wolf range and it was totally worth going into debt for). My husband’s family and my family (visiting from Hawaii) were all here at the house. Eight adults, six kids and two babies. It was chaos and it was great.

I put my phone (aka camera) down for most of Christmas week, and of course now I wish I had more photos of the family (zero shots of me, my sister and my mom together, which I was hoping to get and only one (blurry and lame) shot of Christmas morning), but sometimes it’s nice to just sit back and enjoy without worrying about documentation.

IMG_9320 (768x1024) On New Year’s Eve, my sister and I made sugar cookies in the morning with the girls and then prepared a turkey with all the trimmings (mashed potatoes, stuffing, gravy, etc) for dinner (it is so awesome to have a kitchen again!). My family flew home in the wee hours of the morning the next day and it seems impossible that they were here for a whole week. Time never stands still when you want it to.

Wishes to all of you for a very happy 2015!

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Kitchen Remodel – Before and After

IMG_9254 (882x1024)We’re in!! The painters were done with the bulk of their work last Friday night and we were given the green light to move in. My husband and I stayed up til the wee hours, assembling our kitchen table and chairs, dusting and doing little things like putting felt on the bottoms of furniture legs. And then we poured ourselves a glass of Cabernet and took it all in.

There are a few outstanding issues (paint drips, a wonky faucet, motion sensor lights not working, waiting on new sofa and leather side chairs delivery, etc.), but otherwise we are D.O.N.E.

Let’s take a look at some before and after shots….

WallIMG_9255 (1024x768)The marble tile around the fireplace was taken down. The old fireplace was covered up and a new gas fireplace was installed, with built-ins flanking the sides (the closed cabinet on the left hides the flue).

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house.family2IMG_9256 (1024x972)The wall between the  family room and kitchen was taken out and the light fixtures were replaced. New hardwood flooring was put down throughout both rooms and stained. New drywall, baseboards and molding. Sliding doors were sanded and painted.

MicrowaveIMG_9258 (768x1024)All appliances were replaced. We kept the location of the fridge (but changed it to a french door style for easier use), but moved the range and oven location. We installed a small microwave on the back cabinet area to keep it out of the way. We removed the swinging door that separated the kitchen from the dining room.

house.kitchen (1024x681)IMG_9252 (1024x976)Peninsula with induction range was removed and an island was put in lengthwise. New everything. Cabinets, appliances, backsplash, molding, baseboard, lighting and paint. Kitchen window was moved eight inches to the right in order to maximize the corner space. Shoe molding was stained to match the floors and installed around the perimeter of the room and the island.

I’ll post more photos once all our furniture comes in and some art goes on the walls. Thanks for following our remodel! Although, now what am I going to write about!? (I’ll find something, don’t you worry).

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Kitchen Remodel – Weeks Seven and Eight: Painting, Fireplace and Floors

You guys. I don’t even know what week we’re in on the remodel (okay now I do, I just looked. Week nine!). I’ve been going nuts with Christmas approaching (family arrives in three days!) and have been behind on the blog. I spaced taking photos of some things (like the three different stains we chose from for the floors), but at least I have some documentation of weeks seven and eight.

IMG_9160 (768x1024)The painters started doing their thing at the beginning of week seven, so our access to our new kitchen was short-lived. More sanding (aka more dust) and priming.

IMG_9161 (768x1024)And doors were taken off to be sprayed at the warehouse.

IMG_9065 (784x1024)The fireplace was set up.

IMG_9168 (768x1024)And the floors were sanded…

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Heavy-duty vac.

Heavy-duty vac.

And stained.

IMG_9170 (768x1024)I prefer light wood floors and my husband prefers dark. For some reason, though, I didn’t put my foot down on the floor color. We had dark floors at our flat in San Francisco and they were quite nice. Plus, since the floor had to run through both rooms, I felt a darker stain would warm up the family room section and would be a nice contrast to the white cabinets and backsplash.

We had to move out for a couple days while the floors were being finished, as the fumes from the process are extremely potent. Luckily we have a huge attic fan, which really helped air out the house when we got back.

With the floors complete, all that was left was our final decision on the paint color.

IMG_9190 (1024x768)I won’t even tell you how long I spent just narrowing it down to these five. Most people whose opinion I asked chose Revere Pewter, a neutral gray color (far right). It IS a lovely soft color (duh. I chose it out of thousands). But in the end, I went with my gut, which was Pashmina, a light grey-brown neutral with a hint of green (middle). I felt Revere Pewter was too close to our hallway color, and I wanted this room to feel separate.

Since we’re already in week nine, I can tell you that I’m very happy with my choice (whew!). Pictures soon.