Sorry, but I've been re-doing my hardwoods:laughing:
the town I live in has a guy in the building departent that you take your plans to and if he likes what he sees it;s approved. If he doesn't he'll tell you want he wants to see most likely to get it approved.They come and check step by step to make sure it's done correctly and that's why you pay for permits, but we made a pony -or half wall- on a bearing wall in another house. It was a long time ago, but we rented jacks that supported the wall on either side while we removed the wall, and My hubby made braces out of 2x4's to support as well while we got a steel beam up there and secured it. THe braces he made were like a rectangle going from the ceiling to floor, with 3 or 4 pieces of 2x4's in the middle to make it sturdy. His buddy secured the beam, so I can't tell you that, but I know we coved it with oak and stained it and it looked nice.Once it was up and secured, they removed the jacks and the 2x4 support. THe roof never fell, and no cracks occurred our plaster walls either. Where there's a will.......
Don't let some of the comments you've had get you down.People take some of the shows too seriously. It's a friggin' tv show, so of couse they are going to look like models. Who cares, really. Personally, I have a friend like that. She looks like she's ready to go on a date and she's cleaning the garage or doing gardening. God bless her!! I look like a slob when I do these kinds of things, as I think most of us do. Different strokes. If we were all the same, it would be a pretty BORING world. As far as hiring an artitect or designer, let's just say my goose died so there are no golden eggs for me to cash in anymore. If your goose died as well, do the best you can with what you have.
When we first bought this place the kitchen made your's look like a palace!! I had nasty tiles as a back splash, with many missing. You know what I did?? First, I cleaned the hell out of them. I bought some grout and gently leveled out the lines after sanding them a bit so the grout would stick. I found a nice roll of vinyl wallpaper...yes, wall paper.... and I covered it the lengthwise, so chose a pattern that works that way if you try this. I was lucky and I didn't have to seam it as it was about an inch wider than what I needed. Most wallpapers are 21 inches wide. I caulked it where it met the counter top and it lasted me for 6 years til I finally had the money to change it all out the way I wanted it to be. My hubby bought a piece of plexiglass and we put it on the portion by the stove where you are most likely to get grease.
I liked it so much i bought 2 more rolls and a chair rail to divide my wall up and did the bottom half of the kitchen in the same pattern.
Is it possible to move the fridge? Maybe to the back , like where your pots are hanging, but facing you? You could maybe put in a lazy susan in the corner and have your counter go around and meet into the straight portion of your counter. I was counting tiles on your floor to see if you could possible have enough space for that, but you can measure. I helped my friend lay granite pieces that were 12x12 as her countertops. She used black. We kept her existing counter and just removed the laminate on the top. It was a pain to do, but then we cleaned with a solution made for removing glue, and laid the black granite, leaving just a tiny space between so there would be hardly any grout line. We purchased a black epoxy grout and it looks amazing. I have a wet saw, so we were able to keep the cost down by not renting one. She used small black mosiacs for the edges and it looks really good.We put the side portions, the edges if you will, on first. This way when we started with the larger top pieces, we could make sure it lined up to look like one cohesive piece. Her cabinets are white, and we laid a black and white vinyl floor and it looks pretty damm cute with her orange excessories.
I'm not a pro, but I have been a DYIer for as long as I can remember. I have made cutains from sheets, hand painted things onto shelves, picture frames and walls. I have hung cabinets, laid every kind of flooring known to man, refinished a LOT of furniture pieces and hung, bed and taped drywall, painted way too many times and refinished hardwood floors now and in the past as well. I converted an old stereo cabinet into a sink in one of my bathrooms. I made my pot racks over my island by using those chrome/metal racks you buy as a cart, and running chains through the part that the leg would normally go and using a wood dolls head ( it's a round ball of wood) and screwing it with the hook so the the chain could fasten once attached and hung from hooks in our now contemporary kitchen.. Before that, my country looking looking had old wood cutting boards . It's nice because I put the screws where I wanted them. The only thing I don't do is electric and plumbing. Hubby is an electrician and we are lucky to have a dear friend for a plumber.Some of my projects have been fantastic, some not. The thing is you try til you do get it right. Take your time. Patience IS really a virtue!
I have a few friends and family members with houses that mine would fit in. Twice. Every last one has always told me that my house is uniqely my own, and they must like my "stamp", as they ask me for suggestions or a helping hand all the time. My 3 daughters all own, and it made me proud that they not only came to me for opinions on projects, but asked for my help and guidance as well.
Our granite is solid, no seams, as the slab we chose from a local vendor was large enough to the the counter this about 10 ft long, with a corner that extends about 6 ft the other way. No seams. My island is 4x6, and the piece on the other side of my stove is 24'2 ft x2 1/2 feet. It ALL cost me $1,540. If you look around your area, you can find a good deal as well if you want a whole piece. I cut on it, and it is WONDERFUL! not a scratch or blemish. I found them on the intenet. THat price included the cost of thier measuring and installing as well.:thumbsup:
In the end, it doesn't matter if any body else likes it but you. Our home is a reflection of who we are, just like our friends. And you know what? They ALL have flaws. I however, prefer to call it character!!!:thumbup: