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Post by mach12 on Aug 8, 2015 21:21:20 GMT -5
We're doing our remodel in stages and I did the easy rooms first. I'm taking out the carpet and putting down engineered hardwood hickory throughout the house except for the bedrooms, which will stay carpet. The house is a 1971 rambler on acreage that was very high end when it was built but, after a succession of owners who pretty much just lived in it, was in need of a lot of attention when we bought it in anticipation of my retirement. I've always loved fixers and after having our previous two houses built new we found we missed restoring a house, though our previous ones were all much older.
Last night I finally finished the flooring in the dining room, so that half of the house is done, and man do I like it with the wood floors. The next part will be the biggie - the kitchen. The kitchen and family room are together but kind of separated with a soffit that runs across the ceiling with cabinets hanging from the soffit about half way across, cabinets below them, and open to the family room between the upper and lower cabinets. Those cabinets separating the kitchen and family room will come out. I plan to take out all of the soffits (the soffits go all the way around the kitchen) and make it one large room and then we'll put cabinets and counters pretty much right where they're at in kind of a "U" shape with the sink and dishwasher on the left side (sink will stay where it is now looking out on the deck and the pastures), the stove and refrigerator along the long wall that would be the bottom of the "U" and then counters and cabinets on the right with a pull-out pantry on each end of the cabinets. We have stand alone cabinets (a Hoosier, possum belly bakers table, an enameled top cabinet and table and so on) that we'll put in the area that's currently just the family room so will gain storage space, plus we'll gain space by taking out the soffits and turning that into shelf space.
So, that's kind of where we're at. Now I'm needing to finalize my plans for the kitchen. I see all kinds of things when I look at kitchen designs and wonder whether they're worth doing. Like the faucet at the stove for filling pots. That'd be an easy one since the wall behind the range is plumbed for the washing machine that's on the opposite side of the wall but I'm not sure it's worth it and am not sure it'll fit with the BZ we're going to put in. And then it seems that I always get a project like this done and hear about a great idea of some sort.
Since summer is getting short I'll spend the next month taking care of outside stuff that needs to be done and then start in on the kitchen, probably building the cabinets first so that I have them ready to go when I start tearing stuff out.
We haven't decided on counter tops (will be going with the hickory wood floors in the kitchen and probably bead board ceilings), types of hardware, or what lighting to use. It's a farmhouse and that's pretty much the style and we have a preference for 20's and 30's styles. So, too late to make a long story short but I'd sure appreciate any ideas and advice of what to include, consider, watch out for and so on. Things like the best way to make the cabinet space in corners useable. Are those built-in "Lazy Susan's" the way to go? I can change or add almost anything at this point - within my limited budget, anyway!
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Post by evangeline on Aug 9, 2015 6:08:18 GMT -5
Mach12, I ran into these images I downloaded from Gardenweb. Is this the arrangement you have with the U-shaped room? My favorite add=on is a steel cabinet rack that stores frying pans vertically and has a pullout for pot lids. Super! I found it at Tuesday Morning. Very sturdy and it was easy to install even with my 'girl' tools. We put in a tall pantry cabinet from IKEA a couple of years ago. The shelves pull out smoothly and it's great for largish containers and spray bottles. If I had space I'd install another one. Recently rented a fancy apartment in NYC for a weekend and the wide deep SS sink had a rack in the bottom. Why is that? It trapped every piece of lettuce etc. Yuck. The professional-style bishop's crook faucet was so powerful the overspray soaked my shirt and the surrounding territory no matter what I did. Boo! Didn't work for beans but looked great, though! Anxious to hear what others have to say and to watch what you do.
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Post by vaporvac on Aug 9, 2015 10:57:20 GMT -5
lazy susans are the bomb although the full-extensionpull-outs are even better. I'm all about storage...my toe plates are hidden drawers and even a small fill has been made into a slide out peg board to hang flat things. I put a horizontal dowel across to hold pot lids. get the half depth electrical outlets and put them under cabinets. Be sure to put lighting there as well...I have dimmer lighting there and love it. I put in a coffered ceiling to match that in my library...it hides the wiring for my downlights that are hardly noticeable coming off the front. I also put in pull-out achopping board which is helpful for chopping and also putting stuff on as I cook, etc. Vent your fan outside...drawers for pots. I hang some over my stove...the Cast iron goes in the drawer I built under the stove instead of the skirt. It looks like the skirting board. I also put a lide out piece of wood under my sink and keep my kitchen aid and a couple of other appliances. The trashcans that close completely, but open when opeing the undersink door are also very nice. I just like to keep that stuff unseen.
I think the trays at the bottom of the sink are to protect it from cutlery and heavy pans...not so good on a single sink. People really have preferences where that's concerned. I like double...one for food mess, one for cooking pot mess. I also have a small sink next to my DW on anothe wall so my big sink is just for cooking stuff. I personally don't think I'd use a faucet to fill a pot. It's great in restaurants that drain directly under the gas rings and so the whole area acts as a sink. You'd still have to drain that big pot, so I don't see it as a huge advantage, but I'd be interested hearing from someone who has one.
Regarding finishes...I wouldn't get to busy: hicky is already a very busy wood and then beadboadr on the ceiling. That's probably enough action without bosy tile on a backsplash or granite counter. I love butcher block, but it requires a careful cook.I think fixed elemnts are best simple and rather plain. I like the farmhouse sinks,but would worry about chipping...my white castiron shows every scratch. Good quality SS weras very well and they make nice square ones that are farhousey. I'll think of more.
I like open shilving and have a littlebit, but stuff does get dirtier.
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Post by sporko on Aug 9, 2015 11:01:18 GMT -5
One helpful thing I have seen people do: Work up a few different designs on paper. Then mock them up using full scale cardboard boxes. Sometimes it's hard to see the good and the bad without actual 3d modeling.
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Post by nana on Aug 9, 2015 11:57:00 GMT -5
While butcher block may not be great for the entire counter, I highly recommend it for at least a portion of it, as a bread slicing/sandwich making area. I'm a little concerned myself because where Marilyn is going is right next to my butcher block, and the griddle will be on that side. I've been trying to figure out some kind of attractive heat shield for that edge.
But I'm also a big fan of laminate (Formica) because of its price, ease of installation, and almost unlimited color and design choices. Price being a big part of that.
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Post by vaporvac on Aug 9, 2015 12:08:02 GMT -5
I've done little scale drawing with elevations. very helpful. You can tape out the footprint in situ also.
Another think I like is the platerack drain rack placed over sink so dishes dry off the counter. I put a small one on the side of a cabinet cuz I have a window in one kitchen. Ikea used to make a pull-down one, but they still have other choices. I like the english wooden ones and they can be easily made. I don't know shy we don't see this more. My PICC put on in over his gorgeos yellow CI enamel antique sink. It's like having open storage,but function. I really wish my main kitchen could accommodate one. As Evangeline mentioned a pull-out or pull-open pantry is a great spacesaver. they make them undercounter for spaces as small as 6".
p.s. on the sliding shelves and kickspace drawers, I just look for heavy duty runners at the Restore and such. Cheaper ones can work in the kickspace if you're only putting lightweight stuff in there, such as towels, napkins placemats, etc. I used heavy duty tp support the CI fry pans and KA mixer to have them run smoothly. don't go cheap on a faucet... I like the small pull-downfacets, but be sure they're weighted on the bottom. Have you considered a SS sink with drain board and counter all in one. I have that in my "annex" kitchen and it's a dream to clean and use compared to my main kitchen. I'd love an undermount sink there.
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Post by mach12 on Aug 10, 2015 17:01:13 GMT -5
Wow - Great info! I started to reply last night but was bone tired from a too-full day so figured I'd do it today. We decided to put a new coat of paint on the dining room walls before putting the furniture back so I've been filling holes from the picture hanging hardware, washing and rinsing walls and so on. Time to let the walls dry and then start rolling paint and take a little Chambers time.
I'm thinking I'm about to go with Sporko's suggestion of installing cardboard mockups. We did that when we reorganized our office one time and it really worked good. Except for the one bonehead who tried to sit on one of the "desks". (There's always one...) Heck, during the gulf war we built bed side stands (or more accurately cot side) and chests of drawers with cardboard and duct tape.
The ideas on pan and lid storage are great too. That's one of my biggest dilemmas. I have them where my wife can't reach them. She's 4' 10", so "come get this down for me" is not even close to uncommon. Or "I can't reach the pans so you get to cook dinner". Good thing I like to cook.
Vaporvac - I've really been concerned about making the kitchen too busy. We went with hickory partly because of the look and partly because it's way up there on the hardness rating but it does have a bit going on with the variety. Colors we're looking at are white with red accents, white subway tile with a glass tile strip to break it up a bit and glass doors in the upper cabinets. I have a program where we can play around with different options but am having trouble finding time to play with it to really get to know what I'm doing. I have a Cocker Spaniel that goes everywhere and does everything with me and he got really sick a few weeks ago and I've been spending a lot of time taking him to vets and specialists so haven't had a spare moment for awhile. Darned near lost him but I think we may have cleared the hurdle. Pretty much used up the Chambers restore budget and a good chunk of the kitchen budget so may have to go with some less costly options for now, like maybe Formica now and then upgrade the countertops later and so on. The '73 VW Super Beetle is now up for sale so that we can do the porcelain and chrome work, which probably means an adjustment to the timeline.
Anyway, glad I posted this and I really appreciate all of the great info. Hope to hear more if anyone thinks of anything. You all are a gold mine of info!
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Post by karitx on Aug 10, 2015 21:13:59 GMT -5
I'm sorry to hear that your pupper has been sickly, mach12. I hope he is on the mend now!
We had to nix the lazy susans in the corner cabinets for cost purposes and I can't really say I miss them that much. I just put some of the bulky, less-used items back there. We do have 3 large full-extension drawers that we store most of the pots and pans, since I am also vertically challenged (but I do like your wife's, "I can't reach the pans so you get to cook dinner."!).
In our previous place, I hung my cast iron on the walls because of a lack of storage and I actually kind of miss that - I liked the way they looked on the wall and they were very accessible. We don't have any wall space for them in this kitchen.
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Post by mach12 on Aug 11, 2015 0:20:44 GMT -5
Thanks Karitx. I'm lucky to have a really good vet, plus several specialists recently opened a veterinary specialty clinic here and access to them was crucial. He deserves everything I can do. I have my fingers crossed.
I'll have the same problem as far as hanging the pans on the wall so am considering a second pot rack. Just not sure whether that'll be overdoing it and giving a cluttered look. I love having the stuff I use the most on the pot rack that I have now so will hang that over the bakers table. I scrounged up a really cool suspended outlet from a commercial kitchen that was being remodeled. I'll install it so that it drops down through the pot rack so that I can plug in something like a roaster or mixer that's sitting on the bakers table.
Other than the width of the opening are there any considerations in the space for the stove? I really like Vaporvacs idea of the drawer under the stove. I'll be installing a custom vent hood that uses the vent-a-hood roof mounted blower.
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Post by vaporvac on Sept 8, 2015 16:47:43 GMT -5
This is a great site! I've linked to "Period kitchens". restoringhistory.com/category/period-kitchen/ YOu can follow them all from start to finish. Enjoy! Here's another great link to Houzz: www.houzz.com/ideabooks/3911630/thumbs/chambers-stovesRetrorenovation featured the famous "time-capsule house" with 2 chambers stoves and an oven! retrorenovation.com/2009/11/06/vintage-chambers-stoves-and-oven/Another site with lots of pics. www.flickriver.com/groups/1669081@N22/pool/interesting/ One of my old faves is the pale mint one 7th down. I remember her saying she just needed to replace the counters which I really liked. My ears perked up cuz usually change is bad when dealing with perfection. Alas, while the new look isn't significantly different in the pics (#19 down) shown it's more apparent on her own site. The corner wall looked better mint and the counters blended better. The granite just doesn't look as friendly and I also miss the cabinet bottom detail although the scale was a bit off. JMHO! It's still a really cute kitchen. There's a lot of food for though with this set of pics. while many are quite cluttered and kitschy, I still appreciate their personal quirkiness and charm. Just today I saw a post for a kitchen re-do that eliminated an exact little breakfast alcove with arched entry as shown in pic #3. It made me sad. You can see it in the hummingbirdhigh.com post linked below. www.mergerecords.com/gary-olson-of-the-ladybug-transistor-in-saveur Less kitsch. Really nice use of a very small space. And another lovely one in a very old house: ths.gardenweb.com/discussions/2511910/mostly-finished-cream-cabs-cherry-counters-chambers-stove-diyI seriously want that rolling pin rack! Just a nice kitchen with some good details. Not quirky, but still with some personality. threadsofmind.blogspot.com/2014/10/final-kitchen-reveal.htmlThis one was for sale near me. What would they change this kitchen? WHY? ? stovelist.com/class/index.php?a=2&b=2699I could just move right into this house: www.airbnb.com/rooms/2430127 I guess i like mint green. Who knew? And another airbnb kitchen: www.airbnb.com/rooms/278144Is there any kitchen a chambers won't improve? Here's it's used as a selling point, for once: rachelrabinowitz.com/post/4653109/sophisticated-artist-residence-in-mt-washingtonIt's hard to get a feel for the floor plan of this one, but it's very pretty and simple: andnorth.com/peek/amid-rolling-hills-catskills-retreat-callicoon/And a truly vintage one: www.lovethecountry.com/country-life/country-kitchen-ideas/vintage-kitchen-with-50s-charm/This one has it all going on: stove, monitor top fridge And sink! www.google.com/search?q=chambers+stove+vintage&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ved=0CCoQsARqFQoTCL3v08Ss6McCFUIYkgodcG0Dsg&biw=1256&bih=593#imgrc=bP6CzH_5pUQ1jM%3AI think this kitchen may belong to someone we all know? www.thenostalgiccook.com/2014/11/paul-prudhomme-and-my-stove.htmlAnother traditional wooden kitchen with cork floors: ths.gardenweb.com/discussions/2814455/very-late-reveal-small-rustic-white-oak-kitchen-pic-heavyThis is a great post because it shows what's in EVERY drawer and some hidden one, too. I love hidden storage. The average size kitchen is packed, yet still feels open! Here's a heartbreaking before pic...just give me that hood! cotedetexas.blogspot.com/2010/06/readers-remodeled-kitchen.htmlWhile this redo isn't bad, I'm really loved the original www.hummingbirdhigh.com/2015/03/hummingbird-highs-kitchen-remodel-pt.html?m=1I still can't find my favourite. I showed it a couple of years ago...it was a before pic with a yellow Chambers and original blue and yellow lino floor. Super sweet. I'll add it when I find it, but this should keep you busy for a while. Update: I found the pic on pinterest, but don't remember the blog. No more stove, or cabinets or lovely floor. Heck, the wall's not even there anymore.
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Post by Chuckie on Sept 8, 2015 17:41:18 GMT -5
Either Pooka posted this stove b4, or it was for sale @ one time on eBay, but this stove HAS been shown out here one way or the other before. THANKS for posting all the GR8 (& sometimes HEARTBREAKING!!! ) links!! CHEERS! Chuckie
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Post by evangeline on Sept 8, 2015 18:32:00 GMT -5
Wow, Vaporvac, that was SO FUN. Hard day at work, come home to a feast. I have thirty years of shelter magazine clippings - and clearly I have a weakness for robin's egg/mint green kitchens, nice to see a few stellar examples. Some of these are so, so familiar from the bungalows of my childhood in California, with the marmoleon counter tops and all: restoringhistory.com/category/period-kitchen/ Thanks for turning me on to this site: way, way cool. And then the austerity of: ths.gardenweb.com/discussions/2511910/mostly-finished-cream-cabs-cherry-counters-chambers-stove-diy. I lived in deep Upstate NY in 1994 and the charm of that place. . .so clean, so clear. & 'just give me that hood' : yes !! Sort of chilling to see something full of character turned into generic meh. . . .I guess it takes all kinds.
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Post by vaporvac on Sept 8, 2015 18:47:48 GMT -5
I updated with some i forgot to actually put the web address and I found my fave! I agree with you Evangeline! The Cotedetexas link's original kitchen had her grandmother's stove, for goodness sake, as did my favourite one. That was the family house.
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Post by mach12 on Sept 8, 2015 21:26:16 GMT -5
Wow! There are so many great ideas in those pictures and articles in the links you've posted. We've only done sketches so far but I'll be putting it into the design program so that I can play with it, move stuff around and so one and having access to these kinds of resources are a gold mine. It'll be a couple of months (still finishing up a LOT of outdoor stuff before the Pacific Northwest Liquid Sunshine hits) but once I get an initial plan put together I'll post the pictures the program comes up with.
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Post by pooka on Sept 9, 2015 12:38:03 GMT -5
That's almost too much to look at in one sitting. That last one I did post about some time ago. It's all gone now since they remodeled & took out that wall & everything else. It's now a modern dream kitchen for them for a while at least.
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Post by vaporvac on Sept 9, 2015 13:31:22 GMT -5
Yes. I remember the post. I'd first seen the kitchen years ago when I was contemplating my Chambers and then posted it. I remember your comments, but can't find the post...it could be on the other site. I have too many and it was probably in someone else's thread anyway. I commented on their blog and really they were thrilled with the new. It was their family's house. I just loved that kitchen.
Oh yeah. Those links are definitely too much to absorb in one sitting, but I thought it would be nice to consolidate them. The details in a couple of them are really great. I wish I could get my PICC to post his kitchen. It's the most functional and original I've ever seen. We spent ALOT of time getting all the functional and aesthetic details just right. It's an old farmhouse and sort of ramshackle in a good way. Very comfortable and not at all what anyone else has, that's for sure. I'll work on him!
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Post by mach12 on Oct 21, 2016 12:34:52 GMT -5
Man, looking through this thread I can't believe how long I've been working on this kitchen! It's starting to get exciting though. I finished all of the electrical the day before yesterday and that was a lot of work. I've tried to anticipate future trends and add outlets accordingly, plus had to make sure all was up to code. Next is drywall (Stephanie is going to love not having the clear plastic stapled up for a kitchen ceiling). Our Ikea cabinets are all stacked in the garage waiting for assembly and install and I just brought home all of the packages of beadboard for the ceiling. We decided to go with Armstrong Woodhaven beadboard planks for several reasons, such as that they go up easily with clips and screws and they are already painted. I still need to do my favorite part where I get to move the waterline for the ice maker and put in the gas line - all rolling around and crawling over and under the heat ducts in the crawl space under the house.
I had planned on posting a couple of pictures but Photobucket seems to be down right now so will hang some drywall and then try again in a bit.
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Post by kellyjo40 on Oct 22, 2016 23:30:39 GMT -5
Good for you, Mach12! The forward thinking on electric was our thought too, and I put in way more outlets than anyone else would, because many a rental we lived in had the MINIMUM.
Can't wait to see pictures.
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Post by mach12 on Oct 23, 2016 0:25:42 GMT -5
I've been burning the midnight oil on this project the last few days and just drop in and look at posts while I'm taking a break and then get back to it. Like anything, the preparation work is the time consumer. And waiting for the inspectors. Going back and fixing what other people did always takes longer than doing it right in the first place, too. Like our micro hood circuit. It was on a box that was fed with 12 gauge wire, which is correct for a 20 amp circuit, but when I went to reroute it and traced it back to the junction box it was tied in to a 15 amp lighting circuit and the wire had been overheated. I changed everything from the breaker panel to the junction box just to make sure the circuit was safe. It took some extra time but it's correct. Since LED lighting is the trend and requires transformers I added outlets and junction boxes over the cabinets so that I wouldn't need to use the ones for the countertops, plus I'm adding under cabinet LED lights and outlets so that there will be an outlet available at the counters every couple of feet. And plenty of counter lighting. I only have a couple of small strips of drywall left to hang and then it's time to tape and texture, though between the cabinets and tile backsplashes there won't be a lot of texture.
I hope to get a chance to upload some more pictures to Photobucket tomorrow and will post them when I do.
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Post by mach12 on Oct 23, 2017 10:01:37 GMT -5
I was looking at this thread last night and realized that it has been two years since this kitchen project started! It's getting close though. My propane is plumbed except for the flex hose that runs between the regulator and the stub-out from under the house. That was supposed to have been delivered last Thursday but that never happened so that's on reorder from a different company. I guess with all of the delays and distractions it really hasn't been too bad. I'll tile the backsplash this week and should have Pepper installed towards the end of this week or the first part of next week. If the tiling goes okay. I've never done tiling, so it's a learning curve. Since I'm tiling down to the floor behind the stove that needs to be done before we install Pepper. And that's the last thing. After that it's trim work and flooring. And who knows what other distractions and interruptions.
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Post by mach12 on Nov 22, 2017 20:52:19 GMT -5
I just posted this picture that I took earlier today over on the other site to give an update. There's obviously more work to do like cabinet trim and flooring but having Pepper installed and up an running is a major milestone. She's working perfect so far, so should be good to go with the turkey. Not sure why it's so dark since the original isn't so I'll need to work on it.
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Post by cinnabar on Nov 22, 2017 21:06:49 GMT -5
Too sweet, and ready for Thanksgiving to boot.
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Post by vaporvac on Nov 22, 2017 21:46:17 GMT -5
That is so fantastic!!!! Your tilework looks very professional. Yippeee! I can't wait to hear your Thanksgiving tale. Our stoves wait all year for tomorrow. : )
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Post by mach12 on Nov 22, 2017 23:58:27 GMT -5
Thanks. I'm giving her a workout!
Vaporvac, I think I mentioned that this was the first time I did tile work so it's pretty amazing that it worked out. I only have two glitches that I'm aware of and they're just a couple of uneven blocks in the glass mosaic part that you really have to look for to see - and are behind Pepper. Now that I've done it I'm totally comfortable with doing more. Not that I plan on jumping into any more projects for awhile after this one is finished.
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Post by Chuckie on Nov 23, 2017 0:16:16 GMT -5
I just posted this picture that I took earlier today over on the other site to give an update. There's obviously more work to do like cabinet trim and flooring but having Pepper installed and up an running is a major milestone. She's working perfect so far, so should be good to go with the turkey. Not sure why it's so dark since the original isn't so I'll need to work on it. WOO-HOO!!! She looks G-R-E-A-T!! And CONGRATS on making the "deadline"! Now all we have to see/hear is how she DOES!! CHEERS! Chuckie (& Monkey)
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Post by nana on Nov 23, 2017 23:57:20 GMT -5
That is classy as all get out! You will surely smile every morning when you see her!
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Post by mach12 on Nov 24, 2017 1:22:31 GMT -5
That is classy as all get out! You will surely smile every morning when you see her! We just finished cleaning up from our Turkey dinner and I'm sitting here admiring her. Man is she a dream to cook with. We used your technique since Pepper also has a standing pilot and the turkey was perfect. Thanks for posting that!
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Post by evangeline on Nov 24, 2017 8:46:13 GMT -5
Wow Mach12!!! So inspiring! Everything is so bright and cheerful and the cabinets/tile are the perfect frames for Pepper. The band of glass tiles is so sharp. Are they black?
All your planning and hard work really paid off. Now how are you going to fill your hours?? (Laugh)
Our project has been put off until after the new but it is becoming real. Guessing the last screw will be tightened in late Feb. Meanwhile I’ll look at your post!
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Post by nana on Nov 24, 2017 13:27:55 GMT -5
All your planning and hard work really paid off. Now how are you going to fill your hours?? (Laugh) Adding up all his CWTGTO savings, no doubt!
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Post by nana on Nov 24, 2017 13:28:57 GMT -5
That is classy as all get out! You will surely smile every morning when you see her! We just finished cleaning up from our Turkey dinner and I'm sitting here admiring her. Man is she a dream to cook with. We used your technique since Pepper also has a standing pilot and the turkey was perfect. Thanks for posting that! You are most welcome!
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