Neat Solutions for Kitchen Remodel- #3

Now the cabinets have been chosen and layout completed. We actually came under budget on this so decided to add a few goodies... a bar with wine storage and new closet doors for the laundry area. Both of these are in the "sun room"...right outside the kitchen area.
I need to back track here for a minute about an important bit of info! The order in which the work needs to be carried out.....1) DEMOLITION OF THE OLD KITCHEN. 2) REWIRING AND RE PLUMBING. 3)FLOORING. 4)CABINETS. 5)COUNTER TOPS. 6)LIGHTING. 7)APPLIANCES. This could changes somewhat..but this is what was suggested to me. I will let you know later if that changes :).  Next choice... flooring.

Again, the choices are dizzying...wood, tile, laminate, stone. I am way too messy of a cook to choose a wood floor. Stone is pretty but is more expensive and requires some special care. Laminate...been there, done that. We decided on a tile that looks like a natural stone. This floor is neutral (remember resale), sturdy (we have boys and pets), and beautiful. We shopped all of the normal locations: Lowes, Home Depot, flooring retailers. We accidentally came across a tile showroom  (ITM Tile & Marble Importers) in the back of an office park in Mooresville. They generally supply direct to contractors but business being what it is these days, they put out a sign to try to get any warm bodies in. It worked! They had a great choice of porcelain, ceramic and stone tile and were able to give me names and numbers of local installers. We called Kevin at Ciccone Tile (a 3rd generation tiler from Boston-704-881-3438). He & his son, Keith, came over, measured, and gave us an estimate for

installing tile.  We were able to then go back to the tile showroom with exact measurements and get a quote on all materials (subflooring, grout, etc.). Because the old flooring needs to be removed, the flooring installer usually will do the removal....for a price.  We asked Kevin to give us an additional quote for removing the old floor as well as the entire demolition of the old kitchen. This included removing old cabinets and counters (carefully..so that they could be recycled in our garage) and moving out all appliances. The electrician is responsible for removing old lighting. The cabinets and appliances were easily removed on day one. Most of the old tile was removed on day two. Once the tile removal began, the dust accumulation started...all over my house. They put up plastic but we have crazy high ceilings so all of the dust could not be contained. The old tile literally needed to be cut and chiseled out. It was loud and messy. Day 3 & 4 were for finishing the tile removal and starting to laying the subfloor. We had some leveling issues so this

took a little longer than expected. Today was supposed to be for finishing the tile..but it's a snow day!  We called Brian the cabinet maker this morning and warned him that the floor would not be complete until Wednesday This photo shows the very beginning of the new tile. Still to share.....Granite, sink, faucet and the most painful selection......lighting.