Kitchen

 

 

We have bought a DIY kitchen from the hardware store Masters. They seem to be quite good quality, with soft close hinges, and decent strength to the drawers and cupboards. The only downside, is that the cupboards are standard sizes, which dont quite fit into our kitchen space. So a couple of walls need to be moved. Luckily Janine's brother Micky is a builder, so we borrowed him for a day!

This is the side of the kitchen that needs moving about
This is the side of the kitchen that needs moving about
The oven was a fiddle
The oven was a fiddle

 

 

While we were there, Micky suggested moving the window up 200 mm as it was too low relative to the new benchtop that would be below it. Easy to do when you know what you're doing!

Taking out the window
Taking out the window
Up it goes
Up it goes
Done
Done
New plasterboard
New plasterboard
Getting there
Getting there

 

 

While Micky was here, we also jacked up the rear of the house as it had dropped by about 80 mm into the car port underneath. The whole rear corner is supported by one bolt. The counter levered floor beams run between two posts rather than on top of them, and are supported in place by a bolt that goes through the two posts and the beam.

This beam had no supports
This beam had no supports
Taking out some more cupboards
Taking out some more cupboards
The only insulation in the house
The only insulation in the house
The window was set back a bit, plastered without and architrave and the frame painted to make it a bit more modern on the cheap
The window was set back a bit, plastered without and architrave and the frame painted to make it a bit more modern on the cheap
The rest coming out
The rest coming out
The new kitchen arrived
The new kitchen arrived
Bit more plaster
Bit more plaster
Grouting
Grouting
The first kitchen cupboards
The first kitchen cupboards
Fits like a glove!
Fits like a glove!
And fits this way too
And fits this way too
Nearly half way there
Nearly half way there
Spinny cupboard. The doors spin round too, and then soft close back in place
Spinny cupboard. The doors spin round too, and then soft close back in place
Dishwasher all built in
Dishwasher all built in
The last leg
Rangehood in and vented through the roof
Rangehood in and vented through the roof

 

 

We've had the benchtops measured up, so we'll wait until they're in before finishing off the doors and drawers.  Then its just the splashbacks and one room's finished. Finally.

 

Another random sunrise shot from our loungeroom

 

 

We've had the benchtops put in, and they're ok, but theres issues. And the company involved seems to have little interest in resolving them. I'll wait and see what happens, and then write something up. In the meantime here's a few photos

Benches going in
Benches going in
Cedar to match the roof
Cedar to match the roof
Finishing off the drawers
Finishing off the drawers
Loads of room
Loads of room

Well, we eventually got the bechtop people to send a manager out to have a look at the wonky benches. Two of the benches dipped together along their join and it was quite noticable. it was caused because of the way they'd laid the underlying substrate.

 

After 30 minutes of him telling me how bad my kitchen was, that it was my fault, and that he couldn't be held responsible for installing something substandard because I'd asked them to do it, he finally agreed to change them. It's finally been done, and it is a bit better, but they essentially just replicated the earlier mistakes. 

 

So if you are in Melbourne, whatever you do, never use Unitedstone, as their customer service is appalling.

 

Anyway, onwards, and I have made a start on the splashbacks. 

 

 

I've also boxed in above the cupboards to hide all the mess

 

 

Finally finished off the tiling, and a bit of painting, so nearly done. We had to redo the grouting as the colour was wrong. According to Jano.

A bit of skirting to go and that'll be that!

 

 

 

Kitchen, through to laundry. Plus arty tea towel
Kitchen, through to laundry. Plus arty tea towel