Kitchen Remodel I

She wanted a new range and a microwave that was easier to access than the old microwave/vent unit above the range.  He wanted a concrete overlay floor.  Both she and he wanted a range hood with more suck, less noise and effective enough to avoid setting off the smoke alarms and driving the dogs bat shit crazy.

And, she wanted to paint the cabinets, said the golden oak was dated.  He likes oak, but - mama ain't happy, ain't nobody happy.  And, she said she'd like to get a new dishwasher, too.  And, what did, he say?  Okay, of course - but now he's wondering how darn happy does one little mama need to be? 

This summer while he and she were on the road, he said, "Let's do it."  She said (Surprise, Surprise!), "Yes!"  Upon returning to LHC, she selected the painter; he selected the floor and cabinet people.  He and she would like to say, "The rest is history."  But no, that's not the case, thanks to Flakes-R-Us Cabinetmakers, Inc.  More on that later.

First step was removal of the tile, which created one hell of a mess.

Although plastic sheeting was taped up around the work area,

 dust invaded every cabinet and drawer.  She spent a week cleaning up the mess. 

In retrospect, they should have sealed every door and drawer with masking tape. 

Above picture shows cabinet doors removed for painting, 

although they were still in place when the tile was removed.

  

Second step: apply epoxy adhesive and cover with sand for 'tooth'.

Also, glue down the pebble transition strip.

Between steps 1 and 2, the painters did the cabinet frames,

deep red on base units, warm gray on uppers.

Third step is 'the float', aka overlay.  

A layer of cement is applied, bringing the new surface

 up to the level of the adjoining tile.

Now the floor is smooth and seamless, ready to be colored.

To be continued.