Thursday, March 14, 2013
CLOSETED
The California Closet guys came yesterday afternoon. On time.
It took them about two hours to install two closets.
One in our workroom that organizes the space much more effectively. The other at the end of the kitchen with more shelves. The old layout wasted a lot of cubic space.
We were going to get fancy with bi-fold mirrored doors but now can see that is not necessary for access to the central sections. As we thought. One reason not to do every aspect of your plan if you can go one stage at a time. You learn as you go.
The guys were very effective. Clean, neat, orderly.
All the stuff is back in. We had one's closet's stuff all over the day bed or, rather, Booker's one bed in the workroom and on the dining room table.
The un-neatness of that drives me nuts. John was good about getting it all back into place by last night.
One outcome is that we, again, found a lot of shit we didn't need.
Some of this was postponed from disposal when we moved three years ago (yes it is almost three years). Mostly CDs and DVDs that we never listen to. And will never listen to.
They are now recycled into the "goodwill" store inventory, somewhere.
These are not our cds. I liked the picture. But I notice Van Halen. I would keep them. Also a few others.
Our old stuff was mostly people we had heard in concert and bought the record outside in the lobby, riding a high. And never listened after that. We had heard the real thing after all.
There was a lot of Rosemary Clooney and others too numerous to mention. Also jaded tastes. I have listened to all the Hall and Oates sides that I am ever going to listen to. Ever.
Sunday, March 10, 2013
BACK INTO THE CLOSET
We have retained the services and products of California Closets to redo two of our smaller closets.
I knew this was coming after we lost a hanging rod in the big walk in off our bedroom.
We are not getting that closet done. There are already some storage units in there and John fixed the pole.
But the two other closets are a mess and so we will get them rehabbed into more usable space.
California Closets (a franchise) are very professional and it is not as expensive as I expected. We enjoyed the visit of the sales rep who designed the whole thing before I eyes on a computer complete with 3-d views.
The guys come this week to put the units in. All we have to do is unload and reload the closets.
The next step will be to get accordion mirrors on each to get more light and easier opening. Sliders such as we have don't permit use of the middle very well.
We get the doors from someone else.
The closet interiors will look like this. Sort of. This is obviously for "girls".
Sunday, September 02, 2012
THE BEST SEAT IN THE HOUSE
Toilet seats again. These didn't last two years. From Tru-Value.
The little bumpers were hollow and shattered slowly. When we got them there were also some blemishes in the finish.
So onto Lowe's on line. Filter the best, the wood, the elongated and we came up with Kohler or Church.
We chose Church. "The best seat in the house".
And they are. The bumpers are solid. The attaching hardware is totally minimal. Easy to clean. And the seat. Well, "the best".
Two things out of this. Value is not value very often.
Second, you can shop on line before going to the store to select what you want. This instead of being at the influence of a store employee of dubious objectivity.
Another thing. This is funny. I went to a site which told "how to pick a toilet seat". They said the most important part was to test sitting on it. Huh? Hard to do on line or in the store. But it makes sense.
Anyway we did the test after John installed them. Very good for long reading sessions. Or short.
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
NO BRAINER
We have this. A new foam (the real thick built up foam) and understructure got painted with white reflective plastic. We had immediate savings of AC and Heating cost but it is hard to know how much to allot to the paint directly.
White Roofs Catch on as Energy Cost Cutters
You can do it on any roof. Our neighbor has a built up tar roof and he got it sprayed white. He is under the hill and has shade and has the air off much of the time. He is also an old desert rat. We are getting there.
The other thing we do is keep the house about 80 which is very high for this area. The result is that we are accustomed to it and, at times, I will tweak it up a degree or two because it is "too cold".
Labels: environment, rehab
Thursday, April 03, 2008
ACABADO
Angel turned in his keys yesterday after doing the final testing of the new Bosch 2700 ES tankless water heater.
The old tank is out in the carport along with a lot more junk that will be whisked away next week by the boys at 1-800-GOT JUNK.
It has been one of the most successful renovations that we have ever had.
Angel is a master of the trouble free intervention.
He was focused. He was inventive. He was resourceful.
He was always on time.
He did everything. None of this 'now it's your electrician's turn' as the contractor strides out for a PM beer.
It was all Angel all the time.
We actually had a misty moment saying goodbye. We will miss him.
The new refrigerators are wonderful. The big one is really really big. It is not only big because it is bigger but it is big inside because the insulation they use is so much more efficient. It is also big because it has a smaller compressor.
The freezer is huge because the ice maker shoves the ice into a space saving door dispense rather than take up the whole upper one foot with it.
The laundry machines. We are still looking in on them when they are working.
They call for help. We just found out. You hear a beep-beep-beep-beep. The little screen says "Help! My load is unbalanced".
Well, you might not be impressed but I am.
The cabinet work all around is beautifully done.
We are learning how to run the hot water. You turn it on, on, on and then let it get hot, hot, hot, and then you add the cold water.
You don't creep into warm from cold.
The machine needs the flow to get it going.
And so on.
It's a bit like hearing people rave about their children isn't it?
Oh well.
The main thing is that it is over. Completed. Finished. Acabado.
Labels: rehab
Monday, March 31, 2008
IN HOT WATER
The new Bosch 2700 ES-NG tankless water heater arrived today and will be installed tomorrow.
I hope it works.
We know a lot of people who have gotten them.
This is the newest latest model with the most capacity. So new I can't find an image of it on Google.
It saves a bunch of energy.
What I am interested in is that we are done with the tank.
I have had tank water heaters all my life and they always fail. With a splash.
The one we have now is as old as we are and is calcifying inside so that we are getting flakes of ca-carbonate stuck in all the screens in the house faucets.
It is not a huge annoyance to clear them but it is an annoyance. Not a reason to get the new system but now that we are getting it, nice to have over with it.
That is not to say that the new heater won't calcify some. But it is simpler and it will take a lot longer to do it.
We have very hard water.
Everything gets a coat of the white stuff.
Labels: appliances, rehab
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
MISCELLANEOUS
I finished the 10th Chapter of Alexanderplatz today. Actually, the 9th and 10th.
I am not in the home stretch yet but it is going well.
I watched on my iMac as there is a retiling going on in the bedroom/theater.
A bunch of tiles were loose in there and apparently, when we moved the bed a few months ago, it roiled them up.
There is not much glue under them. Another half-assed handyman job no doubt.
In general, this house was in very good shape when we bought it but there are certain, well, let's say, anomalies that one finds when a wall is removed or something stressful happens to the infrastructure.
We had enough old tiles in the outdoor closets to accommodate. A good thing about the previous owner. They kept everything.
Most of the 'everything' is gone now.
John did a major cleanup and all the old shit is out in the carport awaiting removal which will happen when we take out the water heater tank next week.
That is it on the material side. On the horticultural, we have a lot of change.
There are iris buds this morning and the lilies are really coming on strong with the green.
The roses are all abud and ready to burst.
A few more hot days and that will do it.
In the meantime, we are happy to see the bougainvillea roaring back into bloom after a year of recovery from the great January 2007 freeze.
I know.
This is a kitchen sink blog entry.
It is the best that I can do today.
Labels: blog, horticulture, life, rehab
Monday, March 24, 2008
RENOVATIONS CONTINUE
Things are slowing down now.
Today, we just got a new faucet in the kitchen sink.
Our fifth.
We are hard on faucets. I think because we buy the Lowe's or Home Depot versions of brand name items.
We just found out that many companies make a down market version for both chains so they can keep a lower price and that certain compromises are made.
This is getting to be a trend. Better, if possible to work with wholesalers. I guess.
Or high end specialty stores.
Tomorrow, we get some tile repaired in the bedroom.
The last big push is the tankless water heater which I ordered today and will be here in a week. From Vermont.
A Bosch 2700 ES. Four users at a time, they say. It is the biggest and only costs 100.00 more than the next two user size.
A no brainer.
Labels: appliances, rehab
Friday, March 21, 2008
PHASE TWO COMPLETED
The washer and drier are installed in a beautifully made 'closet'.
We had about a quarter inch left on the front.
My husband is a careful measurer.
He also says that these are the smallest you can get so I guess it is just 'desperation' measuring.
The machines are beautiful and very very technological.
It had its own programmed test of the system.
We are now doing sheets.
The washer is top loading but works as a front loader. No agitator. Spins and rocks.
It tells you fucking everything as it is doing its job.
We started with 'conventional' which uses more water but most of the washing will be done in low water.
The drier is just a drier but it is pretty.
Now we move on to tile repair in the bedroom and a tankless water heater to replace our 12 year old model.
Just to speed us up, the tank's pilot light went off today.
Before my shower.
And we will put a new faucet on the kitchen sink as a grand finale. Our fourth or fifth since we have been here.
This time we paid the piper for a long dance.
Labels: rehab, technology
Wednesday, March 19, 2008
PHASE TWO
Today, the old washer/driers went out and the new ones came in.
Angel has ripped out all the shelves and shit from the laundry itself.
New plumbing is being installed. Well, plumbing in a new more secretive location, although the drain pipe will still have to be visible.
John is not going to get his clear, uncluttered look entirely. More like 90%.
There will be room for a shelf to the right of the washer and drier. Maybe a cabinet.
The entire interior will be lined with Formica ®—white.
The old drier was really in bad shape. The lint line was completely detached and so all the lint was spewing behind the units. We are lucky that we have not burned the house down.
Once again, there is nothing to do but stay out of the way.
John has gone to LA for two days of museum looking and sight seeing with our French friend. I am only a bit resentful at being left to 'handle' the project as there is nothing to 'handle'. Just my own impatience.
It is not even messy, confined as it is to the laundry closet. Well, there is a lot of shit out in the walkway awaiting use in the project or removal as trash. Angel is impeccably neat. My standards could not even come close to his.
So I am reduced to telling about it and not doing anything. Well, paying for it.
My ideal project.
We got Fischer and Paykel units.
This is a New Zealand company that just opened up a plant in Huntington Beach.
Cruise the features. They are rated 'pretty good' by Consumer Reports. They don't do as well with grimy clothes as some other units. We don't have grimy clothes. None.
The look good sitting in the garage right now waiting installation.
All shiny polished inside the drier. That won't last.
Labels: appliances, rehab, technology
Saturday, March 15, 2008
SORT OF DONE
The kitchen renovation is finished.
We do not have the new refrigerator yet but, since it is not a built-in, that will be a minor matter to complete (with a major impact of course).
The big thing with the kitchen is that you can hardly see what is old and new in the cabinets. He did almost perfect matching.
Oddly, with all that was done, the biggest impact fix is the replacement of door hinges. They are the 'European' style, flush mounts.
Many of them had gotten tired and really didn't work anymore. As a result, the doors depended on gravity to hold them in place and, if they were not quite plumb, they 'drifted' slowly to a balance position somewhere between closed and wide open.
Now, they snap to the closed position. Bang. Bang. Bang. That would be three doors closing.
We will have to be careful of the noise.
I had forgotten some compromises we made as a result of the old worn-out hinges. The trash under the sink got moved out because that door kept falling off. The trash bucket has returned to its rightful place.
I have a whole new cabinet (the former broom closet) for pots and pans and the less used appliances.
We moved all the cleaning gear into a closet in the garage. The closet held all kinds of shit that we (and the former owners) 'might need some day'. Well, we needed the space more. The shit is gone.
The new setup is pretty nice.
A touch of having a new kitchen with all the comforts of the old.
Next week, we are on to the new laundry setup.
Labels: appliances, rehab
Monday, March 10, 2008
MORE PROGRESS
The "new" cabinets are going into the kitchen today.
It is hard to see where he has adapted and shaped and redone.
Beautiful work.
We have been using the new shower controls that went through the back wall and never broke a marble tile—an 8 inch hole. It is a great pleasure almost the full price of the renovation.
It demonstrates how we have been 'putting up with' the old setup.
And no washers to change. Ever.
This guy has all the tools. He brought the saw table today. And a pneumatic nailer that puts in almost needlelike 'nails'.
What a find. Angel. He sure has the right name.
We are adding to the list of jobs he might do in the future.
Labels: rehab
Tuesday, March 04, 2008
RENO
Big day today.
The refrigerator is where the desk used to be and the desk is sort of pulled apart awaiting a reformation in the old refrigerator space.
It hasn't been heavy lifting for me.
I went for a nap and when I got up it was all done.
The afternoon was excruciating to watch but a snap for Angel, our contractor, who threaded the copper tubing (3/8") over the ceiling, through the maze of overhead lights from the water line to the new refrigerator location.
He is enormously patient. Focused. There is no waste motion.
A good day.
I had all the shit on my desk covered in a black sheet to protect it. Color coordinated.
Labels: rehab
Monday, March 03, 2008
INVISIBLE
The work on the kitchen started today but it is hard to see what is going on.
The first step is to build some cupboard doors and shelves and so Angel (our contractor) is working on that in his own shop up the hill. At his house.
Better sawdust with him than me.
So, all my visions of dust and noise and disruption were wrong.
As usual, the worry is worst than the actual.
Labels: rehab
Sunday, February 25, 2007
PHASE I REHAB
I have been doing pretty well with my ice-bruised left leg.
A few days of pain free traveling had me plan two phases of recovery.
I would launch Phase I by taking Franklin for his walk today.
Mission accomplished.
The leg got a little tired but nothing serious. A good time was had by all.
I had planned to launch Phase II tomorrow. I would get the bike ready today and take it out in the AM for a modest spin.
My plans got waylaid.
I put some air into the tires and, on the second one, I could not get the pump gizmo off the valve stem. When I pulled, I pulled the whole valve stem right out of the inner tube.
Whooooossssshhh.
55 pounds air pressure let go in an instant.
My hair blew back.
I took this as a possible sign from the universe that perhaps Phase II was too ambitious.
At least too ambitious for tomorrow.
John helped me load up the bike and I took it to the Cyclery. On the way, I remembered that I was having some noise from the 'bracket'; the bearings that support the pedals.
When I got help taking the bike out of the Jeep, the kid noticed that the back wheel might also have a hub problem. Simplest case is a loose clip.
Could be. That is the side of the bike that hit the ice and I have not been on it since I rode back 6 weeks ago.
Gotta take a look.
So, with the tire, the bracket and the wheel hub we got a week in the shop.
Now, I do have Randy's bike all set to go. His seat settings are the same as mine and all.
But, I reconsidered my Plan II schedule and decided that it might be better for me to get the dog walk muscles all set this week and then work on the bike next week.
The universe notwithstanding; it would probably be a good idea to be conservative anyway.
I do not want any more setbacks.
It has been 6 weeks.
That is enough. Enough.
