The Never Ending Loft Project
Remember when I asked you guys months and months ago for loft advice? Well, everything sure takes ten times longer when you are working on weekends and hangovers are involved. Reality made us scale back some of our hopes and dreams, like finding some big sliding industrial door somewhere, and covering one wall in stainless steel, but it’s really working, and it was important to brainstorm every idea we had without constraints! So far it’s involved movers, giving away a huge fish tank and cabinet, painting, cleaning, the granite crew, tiling, a carpenter for trim, electrical work, plumbing work, a new closet system and a ton more projects. The kitchen is the first part that is actually complete, oops, no wait, we are still waiting for a dishwasher to be delivered, but anyway, we are like proud parents. I thought I’d share. Here’s the kitchen before:
And here’s the kitchen with granite counters, an undermounted sink, new cabinet hardware, a fresh coat of paint on the cabinets, gorgeous tile that is not showing up so well in photos, new face plate covers and new lighting. I’d love to replace those stools with some Emecos, but it’s just not in the budget…
This little storage area was converted into a bar area with a new granite countertop, shelves from IKEA and a fresh coat of paint. We can’t decide what to do with the wine rack - perhaps mount it under the bottom shelf? We’re still debating - what do you think?
Bar Before:
Bar After:
Well, have a good weekend everyone! I’ll be at the loft doing some finishing touches - finally, the fun stuff, like adding Marimekko bedding I happened to have lying around the house, hanging the unbelievably inexpensive long IKEA curtains, and re-arranging furniture.
Oh, major home improvement for a tiny budget - you can gloss up old crappy cabinets, change out the hardware, and replace switchplates for under $100. You won’t believe the difference it makes!
January 11th, 2008 at 6:53 am
Wow! Impressive!
January 11th, 2008 at 7:29 am
Very nice Alex!!
January 12th, 2008 at 7:50 am
AM-It’s awsome! The time & $$ you & Wicki have spent definitely made a difference.
January 13th, 2008 at 6:16 pm
Amazing transformation of the storage closet to the bar! joy
January 15th, 2008 at 11:38 am
Hang the wine rack on the wall to the left. Eh?
January 15th, 2008 at 12:20 pm
Wow, what a great job you did! So creative! You must love being there now. It’s amazing what just a little bit of thought can do, it can totally transform the feeling within a space. Nice job!
January 16th, 2008 at 2:24 am
Inspiring! It’s amazing how many people live in depressing places because they don’t realize with a little creativity you can make big changes for short money! Congratulations on a great space!
PS: keep saving for the Emecos, they’d be perfect!
January 17th, 2008 at 11:42 am
Sorry, Becky,
This, like so much on this site and newsletter, shows just how TIRED and BEHIND it is. No design. No real inspiration. Just necessity.
It IS an improvement, just a very low bar for success.
Just $.02.
January 17th, 2008 at 1:29 pm
Craig - Our budget was about 2 cents, and it is for resale purposes only. For my personal style, obviously I’d do a lot more, and it would likely be too wacky for many other peoples’ taste.
Curious, if you find the newsletter, blog, and site so boring, why the hell are you here? There are a lot better ways to spend one’s time when you are lucky enough to live in my favorite city (or did it ever revert back to a “town?” The controversy was still going on when I lived there), Charlottesville.
What is artformed? Sounds interesting.
becky