Plants & Pinecones

Kitchen update: Installed the stainless plant shelf above the windows. The floor is now ripped up in preparation for installing the slate chalkboard. Hope to be done with that project soon.

Ventus

I finally installed the range hood this weekend. Not too bad of a job once the location was finalized. The hood was the most inexpensive island hood that exists (around $700) and it seems like it will do the job. There are of course some poor design issues mostly having to do with the details. I will have to sand off the terrible "Euro Kitchen) logo of course. It is definitely not the most attractive thing out there, but I have only been impressed with ones costing $2500 or more and that is just not where I am going to spend the dollars.
http://www.euro-kitchen.com/

Kitchen Progress

Finally got the countertop in and trimmed out the window. The cabinets are now finished with black hardware on the bamboo fronts giving a nod to Japanese furniture design. The north wall is now complete with the exception of the stainless shelving above the windows. Next is the floor and the island.

Welded stainless sink in bent sheet countertop. It was a bit expensive at around $1300, but tied everything together nicely. Ikea faucet at $90 did the job although it is no where near as nice as the $350 Grohe that I could not convince myself to buy.




Detail of the doors. Bottom is the endgrain of the bamboo ply. The doors are setback 1/4" to accent the box edge detail. Black powder coated T-pulls.








Detail showing the stainless countertop/backspash and the side panel with CVG fir window trim.

Cabinet Building

My dad came out west to help me build the cabinets.









He helped keep the engineer in check.

Fall Leaves

Looks like the leaves are falling from the horse chestnut and cherry tree. The patio is holding up well

Trimmings

I finally got around to finishing the exterior trim on the kitchen windows. Used salvaged old growth clear red cedar from some old deck. Clear oil finish should last on the protected north side. SS nails of course for no staining.

Hardscape

I put together the granite steps and walkway after Hen's design advice for spacing and layout. The two steps were pretty heavy at 4' x 1.5', but were still 'one man' stones. Everything was put on a bed of gravel and some wolley tyme was planted in the cracks.

Rachel decided to reorganize the river rock stones in the parking strip. They were just a line along the curb. She moved them all around to give the impression on dry streambeds. Much better now.