Cabinet Hardware and Microwave Installation

The microwave was installed into the recess of the wall cabinet and enclosed with a customized cherry wood trim frame. The original design called for a stainless steel surround, but that we found out was discontinued for my unit so the carpenter contractor and I decided to build our own. The neat thing is we can remove this trim frame easily and install a larger replacement if ever this unit is no longer functioning. The stainless steel pulls for all the cabinet doors and drawers had the holes drilled and were set in place.
The kitchen is now functional, but we will not be using it until all the work has been completed. Next week the main kitchen light fixture is to be finally hung and hooked up. This 8ft framed fixture is going to be hung from the sloped ceiling and will consist of low voltage incandescents and fluorescent lighting and will be controlled by individual switches. It should be very interesting to view the installation of this unique fixture.
The Italian wall tiles will be installed the following day.






The microwave is now set into the cabinet and working







Cabinet doors and drawers now have handles and pulls

The Counters, Electrical and Plumbing

The quartz counters were installed on Tuesday and the hookup and installation of the plumbing fixtures and most of the remaining electrical work was done today. Some of the carpentry items were installed and should be nearly completed by the end of the week. The main light fixture and wall tile in the kitchen will be installed beginning next week. Hoping that all the contractors work will be done by then and I will be painting the walls and staining the new wood trim.
We still haven't decided on the right counter stools and are looking at several designs before we order them.

The counters have arrived

The first piece off the truck is the sink counter.
The cutout is verified before being installed


Holes are drilled for anchor sleeves and the
attachment of the sink clips


The sink cabinet is measured and trimmed as needed
for clearance of the sink recess



The under mounted sink is fastened to the counter with
clips and silicone adhesive is applied before installing
into the base cabinets



The holes for the faucet, lotion dispenser and
disposal air switch button are located
and core drilled


The sink counter is installed



The cooktop opening is trimmed and the middle stabilizing
piece is removed outside


The counter at the eating and cooking areas going in
with a perfect fit.


The remaining piece for the dining room is
trimmed before installation


The piece is being put together with an epoxy filler and
held in place and squeezed together with a
electrical/ mechanical pressure device until the splice
has been hardened. The joint is so close, that its hard
to tell where it has been spliced together.



The counter is secured to the cabinets with
silicone adhesive



Counters installation is completed


The new dishwasher, sink and faucet and existing
disposal unit with a new air controlled switch
are hooked up

While the plumbing and electrical work is being
done, the finished base along the dining room side
cabinets is applied

The range top is hooked up and set in place




The exhaust fan is installed and wired up


The refrigerator is finally in its cabinet.

The lighting over the kitchen sink area


The LED lighting that came with the exhaust hood
has to be changed out to match the rest of the lighting

The puck lighting under the cooktop side of the kitchen
and the dining room cabinets and pendant are wired up

Finishing Up This Week (We Hope)

Last week the back ordered wood flooring came in and was installed on Friday. The new dishwasher was delivered and will be installed as well as the rest of the plumbing fixtures in the middle of this week. The counters are scheduled for installation on Tuesday and the remaining electrical, exhaust fan, carpentry, wall priming and tiled walls in the kitchen will be completed at the end of the week.



The flooring installer getting instructions from the
contractor on how to start the new floor layout

Squaring off the existing floor


The existing wood flooring is being cut and prepared
for the new prefinished floor planks





The floor is started on the patio side glued and nailed

All cutting was done outside on the patio


The floor is installed over flooring paper and blind
nailed into the plywood underlayment


The blind nail unit could only be used at the refrig.
open area opening when finishing the remaining floor




Installing the last pieces along the base cabinets
on the sink side only was a little tricky and had
to be done with glue and surface nailing using a very
thin nail set gun



The floor is finally finished