Basement Door Tale: Part 1

Since we’re remodeling on a budget, we had to leave all doors and windows in the same location.  The entry way to the basement presented us with a challenge:

not the look we're going for

The entryway on the left leads down the the basement while the right side leads to the living and dining area.  (Remember how we expanded this entryway?  No? Then click here.)   Putting a door in takes up precious space (for opening and closing) so Matt and I found this super cool alternative:

Barnyard-inspired sliding track door! image via barnhardware.com

So begins the next part of our story.  After getting a few estimate on the hardward for the track, we needed to find an equally cool door.  We hopped into our little Honda and headed to Provenance Architectural Salvage.  This place has amazing stuff!!  After rummaging around for a while, we found our door:

Ok, so the door needs a little TLC to look as f-a-b as the rest of the kitchen.  Nothing we can’t handle.  Stay tuned.

Rock the Block

When we bought the base cabinets at IKEA, we chose their Oak Butcher Block counter tops. They are an incredible deal and look amazing. The downside?  You have to cut and fit them yourself. It can be a challenge, particularly when fitting the counter top that goes in the corner. To make it fit, I had to join the two pieces using a power biscuit-jointer and glue. You can see the counter tops clamped and gluing below:

Glue-up in progress. Those clamps are keeping things snug.

After gluing and clamping the countertops, they had to sit for 24 hours before instillation. After the clamps were removed, I sanded the joint to smooth out any irregularities. After the sanding, Leah gave them a good oiling with food-safe mineral oil.  Lastly, I locked them into the cabinets.

The finished joint. I'm pretty happy with the results.

Locking in the counter tops to the cabinet-bases.

Finished counters with the sink waiting for its hole.

Another shot, the missing piece is where the range will go. Also, you can see the piece of counter on the end cabinet

Next, I’ll measure and cut a hole for the sink. On Friday, Clemet comes back to do all the finish plumbing, for the sink, faucet, garbage disposal, dishwasher and water line  for the ice-maker in the fridge.  Stay tuned.

Down Below

Well folks, we added the base cabinets today.  Ok, so Matt did most of the adding, but who’s counting? Here’s a look:

The shop vac's taking the place of our fridge...use your imagination!

From another angle:

To the left of the black dishwasher (which will be covered with a cabinet front in the near future) is the home of our future sink.  Remember what used to be there?? To the dishwasher’s right, is the imaginary stove.  The real one arrives in 8 days.

Can’t wait!

Leah