I haz kitchen!

[lauraanne_gilman]

The day started with the promise of the countertops being delivered "first thing in the morning." First and second thing come and go, no granite. Meanwhile, the plumber had arrived and was setting up the stove (why does the plumber set up the stove? The plumber also has 'lectricity skills. This will come in handy, later).

Many e-mails back and forth between myself and Joel the Contractor-worth-his-weight-in-rubies-and-gold, specifically wondering about the location of the granite guys. The countertops finally arrive while the plumbing guys are getting lunch. Apparently traffic on the Deegan was so bad it took them until 1pm to make the 30 minute trip. But no worries, they're here, all is... what do you mean it was cut the wrong size?

[flashback to me saying to granite guy: you going to make a template? Him: No need, I've been doing this for 20 years. Me: oooookay....]

Small amounts of Cranky Client ensue, and I am afraid to admit I channeled Elaine Koster in retrospect, it was more Phyllis Grann. (those of you who know the name may cringe now). More e-mails and phone calls and all four workmen disappear out to their respective vans. I sit and stew and am Cranky. But thanks to Joel worth-his-weight-in-rubies-and-gold, and the plumbers, who were willing to Wait, Damnit, until everything was finished, the granite guys were able to recut the granite on-site, and install it today.

At which point all that was left was to hook up the sink (new) and dishwasher (old). The sink was no problem. The dishwasher...

Plumber-guy, down on the floor:
"Give me something sharp."

Me:
"No bloodshed on my new floor!"

Plumber's Assistant:
"It will wipe away."

*time passes, circuits are thrown, tests are run*

"Oh. Oh, that was so not code."

But the plumbers, being also worth their weight in, oh, sapphires, saved the day, and before 5pm I had a Fully Functional* Kitchen.

And oh, it is lovely.


When I bought this apartment the kitchen was like a nightmare out of "Designed to Sell" -- everything done on the cheap, for surface appearance and not usefulness. The previous owner didn't cook. I, as you may have gathered... do. An all-white kitchen with glossy laminate surfaces might show well, but it did not wear well. And the less said about the 20" stove, the better.


Then:


Now:




(the built-in under the window, in addition to housing the litter box, doubles as a window seat or extra counter space, depending on need.)

you can see the in-between stages here, on flickr


And now... I shall live on pasta and tinned tuna for the rest of the year. But it's worth it....



* pending the installation of carpentry bits and the backsplash that's yet to be chosen....