Starting 2011 With a Big SHABANG! (through our kitchen wall)

HAPPY 2011!!!
Dylan & I started the year with a big bang.....through our wall between our kitchen & living room on New Year's Day!!

This is just PHASE 1 of only-god-knows-how-many-phases-we'll-take-to-do-our-kitchen-remodel project.
We decided that this year we're gonna actually devote some time/effort/$$ for our house that's been a little neglected....
But also we just got tired of the middle wall that divided our living room & kitchen, which made our kitchen feel too closed off since the living room & kitchen is where both of us hang out majority of the time.

So as the first step, we decided to tear some stuff out to start the project.... and also release all the stress built up from 2010!!

Here's what it looked like BEFORE looking from the living room.

Dylan specking the wall to see what's up.

We took some time to tarp everything off...which is always surprisingly time consuming and not very exciting...

But then we started to tear out the first side of the drywall!!

And since I forgot to take photos, let's fast forward past making bunch of dusty mess, making grunting & hammering noises, taking down the upper cabinets and then tearing out the other side of the wall ....
TA-DA...we went through the wall!

Along the way I had to take this photo of this awesome texture, which was previously our 70's mauve colored tiled back splash wall....

Then we noticed that there's a mysterious half beam on the left side....yes, we just opened a whole can of worms.... This is gonna be an interesting challenge....

But here's what it looks like AFTER!

I know!...NOT that impressive looking at all!
Just to warn you, there's gonna be a whole lot of BEFORE/AFTER photos of stuff like this where the 'after' photos are just gonna look worse than before since it's probably just gonna be things getting torn up more and more....but hopefully that will change where the 'after' photos will get better as we get to do more exciting things.
But at least now you can see the whole kitchen from the living room!
The best part is that there's tons of light coming from the living room now, which is totally great!
I'm totally stoked about it even with just this raw-open wall. :D

Now we need to go figure out what to do with that weird half-beam....

Ballard Power Rangers to the Rescue!

As you read on the first post with Chika's intro for Thirty.Thirtytwo...while this may not be a reality show...it doesn't mean that it can't an awesome show with 5 kick ass super heroes (Chika, Dylan, Jean, Jared, and Jesse)....actually 5 and a half, counting Jesse's cat. We are the NEW Mighty Morphin Power Rangers-Home Improvement Edition 2008. (We're currently trying to pitch this idea to HGTV for kids...) Our mission is to save this old 1962 building from it's ugliness and turn it into total awesomeness. Each one of us has our own superhero powers with our own special power ranger weapons....and with all of us combined, we're gonna kicking some major ass....did I mention that we're awesome?

Here's our character break down:Chika-Founder of Chikabird Inc.---morphs into--->Pink Power Ranger-Unlike the ditzy former Pink Power Ranger, Chika is sharp and meticulous. When she sets her mind on something, she makes it happen using her Pterodactyl Power. She can also use her half-Japanese Crane Power to cut through kitchen cabinets, as well at shooing all the squirrels and crows away.
Dylan-Product engineer at HenryBuilt Kitchens & Co owner of L&G Vintage---morphs into--->Red Power Ranger-Similarly to the former Red power ranger to be known as the "class clown, good nature, spirited and likes to have fun. With lower IQ level but has the power of the Tyrannosaurus." Dylan's Tyrannosaurus power can spot super deals from Craig's List in a blink of an eye. He also uses his Power Sword to cut up HB scraps and turn them into awesome cabinets and furniture.Jean-Co Owner of Chikabird Inc. and Founder of L&G Vintage---morphs into--->Yellow(Asian) Power Ranger-Unlike the lame former Yellow Power Ranger, Jean is much cooler and doesn't do all the stereotypical Asian spiritual/kung fu crap. Instead, Jean uses her Power Dagger or whatever thing to ensure that the team uses minimal resources for maximum results. Jean also can now apply with her saber tooth tiger power she uses for L&G Vintage, to spot deals and one of a kind finds from afar at garage sales, estate sales and thrift stores for decorating the house!Jared-Head product designer of General Assembly Product Design---morphs into--->Blue power ranger-Like the former Blue Power Ranger, he's the smartest of the group who wears glasses and has "super genius IQ level." Jared is a perfectionist and a whiz at making things work even if he's never done it before. So far, he has installed a kitchen range, a vent hood, a sink, and even a door bell with his Triceratops power without even looking at any instruction manuals.....okay, maybe that's an exaggeration. But he did install the door bell without looking at the manual!Jesse-Store manager at Starbucks---Morphs into-->Green Power Ranger-Like the former Green Power Ranger Jesse joined the team soon after the other Power Ranger teamed up. It was the perfect time to pull out his green Power Ranger costume from his closet and start wearing it once again! (since Starbucks wouldn't allow him to wear it while serving coffee) Now, as part of the Power Rangers, Jesse provides the team with unlimited supply of coffee and insures that everyone is caffinated and woking on the house 24/7. Jesse also works magic in the kitchen and on the grill. Currently, his Dragon Dagger (also doubles as a flute) is still packed up, but once retrieved, he will surely be back in action making amazing gourmet meals.Baby-Jesse's pet cat---morphs into--->Black Power Ranger-Although not an African American human like the former Black Power Ranger, Baby is a cat who also enjoys "dancing, magic, and is a good friend with a good heart." Baby always know to cheer up the group with her cuteness....Besides that she just hangs out around the house all day and gives high fives.

All these fab glamor shots were done by Jean's late night saber tooth power as well...Everyone's hair styles are authentic to the former ranger's photos . So check out the before shots. Trust me....we don't usually look THIS good.

Introductions!

With the loom of google-spam-watch threatening to lock up our blog - I guess we'd better post something in between chores!

If this were a reality show, I would say "This is the story of 2 couples who thought it would be a good idea to buy a duplex together. See what happens when the stresses of financing, moving, and fixing-upping take it's toll on their relationships." And then I'd try to stir up drama and ratings by hiding tools from the person who needs them, and leave trash in weird places so a rodent problem develops.

BUT this isn't a reality show, just a home progress log of 2 designing couples teaming up to acquire and achieve more than possible on their own. So far, that's meant a tidy 1962 duplex in the heart of Ballard. We'll get to consult with each other on projects, pool resources, learn from each other's mistakes, and work together on our investment and home. On the West siiiide is Jared and Chika and on the East (siiiiide) is Jean and Dylan. All four of us have an industrial design background, and like to travel, shop, and eat. Jean and Dylan have a penchant for seeking and finding vintage treasures, and Jared and I tend to comb supermarkets and stationary stores for everyday modest delights.

I think we'll post progress reports, before/after pics, maybe the occasional how-to, and restaurant reviews from the neighborhood. So far, the 7-11 at the end of our block gets 4 out of 5 high fives! 4 for convenience, slurpee and pop-tart selection, and for stocking my favorite ramen. I'm holding out on that last high five because they were out of taquitos once when I really needed one. Before you cast doubt on my judgement criteria and qualifications, I'll tell you the one thing NO ONE tells you when you buy a place - you end up eating a LOT of fast food that first month. Between projects and trips to Home Depot (hereby referred to as Homey D's), who's got time to cook?

Lots of catching up to do - like harrowing tales of cleaning out the rat infested crawl space! And an update of what we've done (and haven't done) to our kitchen! And what projects we've started but won't finish until Winter forces our hand (installing new heaters!). And just what is up in that attic crawl space? Which brave soul will be the first up there?

Stay tuned....