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Before
After |
The
plan to remodel our kitchen was precipitated when my mother-in-law's kitchen floor came
unglued.A few months ago she had very, expensive
linoleum installed, but the installers used the wrong glue. Up it popped. They apologized
and promised to install a whole new floor. My Bohemian wife, ever penny-saving, asked Mom
what was happening with the old floor. "Nothing. They're throwing it away." So
Marcia came home announcing we had a free, semi-new kitchen floor for our small kitchen
from the slightly-unnew floor of Mom's large kitchen. She would bring home a sample when
Mom's got ripped up. The installers would keep the rest until we were ready to have them
glue it down here.Fine.The sample of free linoleum arrived. Marcia
propped it up next to our Formica counter. Against the linoleum's almond-pearl, off-white,
deluxe luster our dated Formica looked the wrong color, terribly shabby, and definitely
tacky. The counter's several burn marks and a couple of holes further suggested it be
replaced. Fine. Marcia came home with new Formica samples for
countertops, and we picked an elegant green marble-like pattern that complimented the free
flooring. However, the thirty year old kitchen cabinets, sandwiched between the elegant
marble Formica and the deluxe but free linoleum floor looked downright decrepit.
Opportunely, our neighbor Helen, curious about our progress, arrived from her condo down
the hall. She suggested we contact Patti, a decorator friend of hers, who would to help us
do something with these unfortunate cabinets.Fine.Patti, who came and went unseen by me, arrived.
Marcia promptly informed her that I had spent a grand total of $27.00 on condo
improvements in the past 10 years (she is right and I am proud of it!). Well, I can guess
what Patti, looking around, immediately thought. I also believe she knows average amount
condo owners should spend per year on upkeep. And thanks to universal education, I
definitely know she knows how to multiply by 10 and very quickly.F…. She agreed we first remodel the kitchen, cabinets and all. Then we should redo the foyer and the hallway leading to the kitchen-living area. Finally, we should replace the wall-to-wall carpeting in the living-dining area and repaint the works. Marcia added the clever and tasteful idea that we tile the hallway and foyer to match the tile in the 4 by 5 foot art deco litho that dominates our hall. Marcia thinks the litho is a downward view from the balcony of a nightclub. However, my male friends and I prefer to believe it depicts a classy bordello of the 30's. However, when we bought the "bordello" in a San Francisco art gallery, I didn't suspect this investment in art would become part of a pricey flooring scheme. Patti -- she can suggest persons who will undertake the needed projects and first on her list is Gus, the kitchen guy. Fine.Marcia and I arrived at Beacon Kitchens and met
Gus. Personable, knowledgeable, understanding, and a great salesman. He and his partner
have run Beacon Kitchens for years. They are reputable, friendly, and refuse to do
anything but first-class, flawless work. Gus said he would come by the condo to take
measurements and consult. Afterward I went to my dentist's office, One Magnificent Smile,
for my annual checkup. Noting that a rear molar of mine would soon need a gold crown, Dr
Blankenschein said the considerable expense would be partially offset by my dental
insurance. Doc gave me a weird look when I remarked that kitchen renovating insurance was
more in order.The
"Consultation"Gus arrived. He and Marcia rapidly focused on
top-of-the-line thermal, maple veneered, kitchen cabinets with roll-outs, garbage doors,
cutting boards, and lazy Susan's. They will, indeed, look fantastic with the elegant
marbleized Formica and Mother's lustrous pearl, but free-to-us linoleum floor. As I handed
Gus the multi-thousand dollar deposit for the kitchen he will provide, I gratefully
remarked that at least the floor was free. "Oh, Mom's linoleum," said Marcia,
turning from Gus, "We're using Gus's ceramic tile in the hallway and foyer and
carrying that into the kitchen. You can call Mom about her linoleum and tell her we won't
be needing it."Marcia beamed.Gus smiled.Quietly, I came unglued.
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