Rock Creek Remodel

Before, During, and After Picture Gallery

2006-12-12T23:07:00.000-08:00

After several months, I've finally built a web gallery showing nine primary views of our remodel from start to finish, highlighting some of the steps along the way, including demolition, framing, drywall, and finishing.

View the Before, During, and After Picture Gallery.

View from breakfast table

2006-10-03T18:03:00.000-07:00

View inside the kitchen

2006-10-03T18:02:00.000-07:00

The Bar

2006-10-01T18:07:00.000-07:00

New living room look

2006-10-01T18:05:00.000-07:00

Front Door Paint

2006-09-17T22:52:00.000-07:00

The hood has arrived

2006-08-28T21:50:00.000-07:00

We had a few complications, but the hood is now here, and it looks terrific! This was the last major piece to be installed in the kitchen. I think we can call this project DONE!

New Bathroom

2006-08-28T17:12:00.000-07:00

After all this time, I just realized that I hadn't included a picture of the new half bathroom. This is a shot of the vessel sink. We have a little nook for Shelli's koto.

This blog featured in Oregonian

2006-08-11T09:38:00.000-07:00

Somebody discovered our blog and published a little snippet in the August 10 Oregonian. Read the OregonLive.com article. You have to scroll down to the headline that says "Blog offers a chance to remodel vicariously." Fun stuff!

In remodel news, the last major thing we are waiting for is to get the right-sized hood installed over the cooktop. It turns out that the tile needs to be a little wider, so Mosaik will fix that likely next week and then will install the hood. After that I'll snap some final "After" pictures for a "Before and After" look.

Let the unpacking begin

2006-07-01T19:10:00.000-07:00

Now we can finally start getting rid of the boxes that we have not unpacked since May, 2005.

Open for business!

2006-06-29T20:12:00.000-07:00

108 days after work started, we are ready to celebrate Independence Day with a working kitchen! There are still some minor details to complete, including replacing the hood that ended up being the wrong size, a handful of lighting details, a door, and some other stuff, but we are ready to start moving our kitchen stuff out of the basement and into the new kitchen.

Appliance day!

2006-06-27T20:15:00.000-07:00

Refrigerator, ovens, dishwasher, cooktop, and hood went in today. Now, if only the dishwasher would actually work! For some reason it doesn't. Now we have to call KitchenAid.

Begone, Mystic Portals!

2006-06-26T20:26:00.000-07:00

Today saw the END of our plastic barriers!

Upstairs

Downstairs

Pantry racks

2006-06-25T17:00:00.001-07:00

Here's one instance where I actually installed something.

New doors installed

2006-06-22T21:54:00.000-07:00

Over the last couple of weeks we've had Door Works installing new front doors. Not part of our original plan, but with all the other work going on we decided to replace the old drafty doors. Oh, and when the guy at Home Depot tells you "Sure, you can install your own doors. No sweat!" don't believe him! A professional from Door Works spent more than two full days installing these doors.

Bar nearly finished

2006-06-22T21:52:00.000-07:00

What's left to do? Remove dust. Add booze.

Trim, stain and lacquer

2006-06-21T21:57:00.000-07:00

The past several days have seen much work on the the trim. The carpenters installed and then the painters stained and lacquered the trim in place. The results are beautiful.

So THAT'S where all the cat food has been going.

2006-06-08T23:29:00.000-07:00

This critter showed up in our temporary kitchen a minute ago. We heard the cat door open and shut, then heard "crunch, crunch, crunch" in the bathroom where the cat food is. We'd seen this guy poke his head in before but didn't think he'd have the cohones to chow down with us just a few feet away.
I snapped this picture after I chased him out of the bathroom. He stopped, stood up, went to the door, turned around, came back, and stood up again as if to say, "So, are you going to feed me or not? I haven't got all night."
Oops. I just had to get up and chase him out again. Had to block the cat door. Fred is going to have to ask to be let in and out until we get a ‘coon proof door set up.

Pandas - KEEP OUT

2006-06-06T23:11:00.000-07:00

Bamboo flooring is in!

Bamboo floor installation begins

2006-06-01T20:21:00.000-07:00

Oops!

2006-05-31T19:39:00.000-07:00

The backsplash was a bit wide, so the tile folks came back and set things right. For some reason where they removed the tiles, it looks a little yucky! No worry, the drywall folks will come back and patch things up for us.

Countertop tile grout is in

2006-05-26T16:20:00.000-07:00

Laminate countertops are also in, but they're covered with cardboard to protect them during the remaining finishing work. The green backsplash tile needs to be redone to reflect the 48" width in the plans. It's currently about 24" too wide. That will require some drywall rework and paintwork.

Construction Supervisor Fred

2006-05-26T16:19:00.000-07:00

Tile counters and backsplash shaping up

2006-05-20T20:07:00.000-07:00

Large cabinets and accent paint

2006-05-14T12:06:00.000-07:00

In this picture you can see what will be some of the cabinets in the new area where we punched into the garage. You can also see the green and red accent paint colors.

Cabinet installation in progress

2006-05-14T12:05:00.000-07:00

Cabinets arrive!

2006-05-12T07:25:00.000-07:00

Note heavenly ray of light shining down upon the truck.

Base paint complete

2006-05-06T15:43:00.000-07:00

Color is Divine brand, Ash.

Sheetrock progress 2

2006-04-23T12:45:00.000-07:00

BEFORE:

AFTER:

Sheetrock progress

2006-04-20T19:25:00.000-07:00

Let there be lights!

2006-04-15T17:00:00.000-07:00

As of yesterday, electrical rough-in is complete. The inspector came through and things look good. We are one day ahead of schedule.
Next week: Sheetrock.

Information Center

2006-04-15T16:51:00.000-07:00

Here's where the contractors keep track of everything that goes on. On this table are plans, permits, documentation, specifications, and more. Everything stays here all the time so it can be accessible by the subcontractors, our project manager, or inspectors.

Electrical has begun

2006-04-10T18:56:00.000-07:00

Electrical work started today and will continue for the rest of the week. Nearly all framing is complete. If all goes well, drywall work begins next week.

Can lights.

Electrical in the half bath.

Garage push-in and large beam

2006-03-29T07:47:00.000-08:00

Behold, the Mystic Portals!

2006-03-29T07:42:00.000-08:00

Here are the plastic zippers we have to open and close every time we go up- and downstairs. Yes, it's a pain, but it helps keep the dust out. We also use an air cleaner upstairs that seems to help with the dust. Note duct tape and Swingline® stapler repair on lower portal. This was necessitated after I stuck my foot through the thing on the first night of the project.

No more ceiling!

2006-03-27T07:50:00.000-08:00

No more popcorn!!

2006-03-25T19:47:00.000-08:00

The asbestos abatement crew came today. Several guys spent almost twelve hours safely removing the asbestos popcorn from our ceiling.

Day 5: Framing progress

2006-03-17T19:58:00.000-08:00

Framing is progressing, with the main beam installed where the old living room/kitchen wall used to be. We also see the outline of our new pantry on the back side of the kitchen. Where the new sliding glass door will go, they have put in the framing and installed the old door temporarily.

Ceiling is out

2006-03-16T18:13:00.000-08:00

We found out during the permitting process that our rafters, as of January 1, are no longer up to code. They have to be redone in our first major unexpected expense. $$Ouch.

So THIS is what dry rot looks like

2006-03-16T18:04:00.000-08:00

One day's worth of demolition

2006-03-14T07:42:00.000-08:00

Note the size of the drop box relative to the van parked next to it. This is no small amount of destruction.

Day 1: What a difference a day makes

2006-03-13T20:50:00.000-08:00

Day 1 demolition was pretty serious. What happened to the walls?!

No turning back now

2006-03-13T10:30:00.000-08:00

Sadly, I don't think we'll be able to save that wallpaper.

Day Zero: One Last Look Before Demolition

2006-03-12T23:44:00.000-08:00

Demolition begins tomorrow.

The garage is all set

2006-03-12T17:51:00.000-08:00

The junk in the middle is just that. We'll be depositing it in the drop-box when it arrives tomorrow. On the left and right, the new appliances (and our old fridge, which we'll keep in the new pantry) are shrink-wrapped. The freezer stays plugged in and in the garage for the duration.

Here's something you won't see after today...

2006-03-12T16:20:00.000-08:00

Temporary kitchen is set up

2006-03-11T23:12:00.000-08:00

We're fortunate to have a large laundry room. Today we also found a small fridge that fits perfectly in the space we have. And my beer fridge fits nicely on top. Hooray for Craigslist!

You know it's getting serious...

2006-03-07T11:40:00.000-08:00

...when the port-a-potty shows up!

No, we're not getting a divorce!

2006-03-06T18:10:00.000-08:00

Today we moved the big stuff out of the first floor and into storage.

Lovely gold curtains for sale!

2006-03-04T16:42:00.000-08:00

They're yours if you want 'em. See Craigslist listing.

Vandals have defaced our countertop!

2006-03-04T11:42:00.000-08:00

Shed construction: Day 6

2006-02-26T17:35:00.000-08:00

So THAT took longer than I thought it would. I also got SNOWED ON (it's nearly March?!?!) when I was putting on the shingles.

We got a bunch of stuff out of the garage and into the new shed this weekend. We'll still need a storage unit for furniture and other odds & ends from the garage. Because we'll be knocking into the garage and it will be used as a construction staging area, we have to clear most of the stuff out of there.

START DATE: MARCH 13

2006-02-24T12:25:00.000-08:00

Well, now we have a start date for the remodel! Demolition is tentatively scheduled to begin March 13.

Shed construction: Day 2

2006-02-05T14:57:00.000-08:00

I decided to forgo 6 hours of Super Bowl^® XL pre-game action to continue shed construction upon looking out the window and seeing blue sky for the first time this year.

Today's work saw completion of the foundation and floor. Note installation of premium vinyl flooring.

Drawings!

2006-02-03T23:45:00.000-08:00

Here are Mosaik's drawings for our new kitchen! (Click each to enlarge.)

Kitchen Plan

Appliance Garage, Desk, Powder Room

Sink, Cooktop, Fridge

CONTRACT SIGNED

2006-02-03T13:08:00.000-08:00

Major milestone: Today we signed the contract and design drawings. Now we can begin the detailed project scheduling.

New bid is in

2006-01-31T17:56:00.000-08:00

Mosaik listened carefully to our budget requirements and came back with a design today that puts us back on track! Most importantly, they maintained the structure of the design and all the functionality that it introduces.
Most of the reductions were related to labor-intensive finishes and expensive surfaces.
Design drawings to come soon because we hope to sign our contract late this week or early next week. Estimated time to start demolition is early March.

In the meantime, you too can reduce your remodel costs by

Eliminating granite slab (no matter how gorgeous)
Reducing or eliminating tile flooring - very labor intensive
Replacing highly finished surfaces with painted surfaces
Choosing laminate surfaces for lower-priority areas; lamintates also offer more variety, flexibility, and style than in the old days
Choosing carpet for some areas instead of wood flooring
Reducing accent lighting (such as rope lighting above cabiniets) and simpifying electrical (eliminating built-in plug strips)
Eliminating skylights or Sola Tubes
Taking on some paint jobs yourself (fireplace, for example)

Mosaik was able to propose these changes without impacting the function of our new kitchen, and their design still allows us to upgrade finishes and surfaces when we're ready. We have the design inspiration and can act on it in the future, such as when we start work on the master bath and will have contractors in anyway.

Shed construction begins

2006-01-29T22:51:00.000-08:00

In a panic to get some storage in place for all the garage junk, I chose one of the rainiest days in history to start building a shed. I started at 8am amidst some drizzle and the rain intensified without pause all day. Fed up with torrential rain and wind, I quit at 4pm. I have half the foundation and the sub-sub floor to show for it. Listen to me complain.

Whoa... time to ease back on the throttle

2006-01-19T17:54:00.000-08:00

Last month the subcontractors came through to make their bids. Our first detailed bid came in today, but it’s a good bit above what we’ve budgeted, so we’ve given Mosaik feedback that we need to go back to the design and cut costs. Hopefully we can do this without impacting the structural changes we want.

Arhitectural design drafts are in

2005-12-20T22:08:00.000-08:00

Today Pat delivered our 80% complete architectural drawings. This gives you an idea of the scope for this remodel. We're practically gutting the first floor.

Watch image carefully for cool animation. The wonders of technology! Cick to Enlarge. Drawings by Pat Sauer, 28th Avenue Design, Inc.

Time to get going in the garage

2005-11-27T15:38:00.000-08:00

Here's our "before" picture of the garage. We have to get most of the stuff out in order for the remodel to start because the contractors will need the work space and our kitchen will be jutting into the garage by about 24 inches. We're going to have to rent storage for a bunch of stuff, but we will also be taking quite a few things to Goodwill and charities.

Clearly we have far, far too much junk.

Downstairs

2005-11-19T19:38:00.000-08:00

Before

We did some work ourselves downstairs over the summer.
Check it out.

After

Architectural designer

2005-11-15T19:36:00.000-08:00

Today Pat Sauer, architectural designer from 28th Avenue Design, Inc., came to look at the house.

She will work with a structural engineer to ensure a strong structure when we remove the current living room/kitchen wall and the garage wall.

It sounds like the garage wall is bearing more weight than the living room wall.

We are also moving enough windows with the redesign that the house will have to be evaluated with current eathquake code in mind. This may require some reinforcement work on walls not connected to the actual project area (even on the far side of the house).

Welcome - the remodeling project is just beginning.

2005-11-15T17:59:00.000-08:00

I am going to try using a blog to post information about our remodel. Who knows? Maybe somebody will find this useful.

Our home is in the Rock Creek neighborhood on the west side of Portland, Oregon.

After discussions with several contractors and designers, we have chosen a full-service design/build firm, Mosaik Design.

What started as a kitchen remodel has expanded into a rework of nearly the entire first floor.

So far we have

Bought a home that we knew could use a kitchen remodel; that was our plan from the beginning (April-May)
Moved in and made a mess of the place (June)
Assembled a bunch of ideas by looking through remodeling magazines (July-September)
Gone to a home show, surfed countless remodeling Web sites, and talked to a bunch of contractors and design/build firms
Bought a bunch of appliances (all summer)
Laid out all kinds of trial designs in Visio (all summer)
Had a very pleasant initial discovery discussion at our home with Arlene, Erin, and Scott at Mosaik to show them our ideas and needs - also talked to Stephanie on the phone. She's nice, too! (August)
Looked at some of Mosaik's work in person (September)
Decided that we like them lots (September)
Reviewed a breathtaking design that we instantly fell in love with, BUT that also ended up being a redesign of the entire main floor. Not exactly what we budgeted. (October)

Here are the "before" pictures.