To fully understand what The Other House is, click here.

 

Room #5 was built in the 1970s. It was a long room, a laundry, and Mrs. Lawrence slept along the north wall in a cot.

After I moved in, in 1996, it became my workroom.

Later, I expanded the house with several additions, cut an opening through the blank north wall to access the new wing, and the room became a hall, too.

During my 2009 renovation, I decided to make the room the kitchen. Its shape was ideal for a classic “aisle” kitchen:

• Counters along the two longs walls.
• Sink in middle of one wall, stove/fridge on opposite wall.

This creates a perfect triangle layout, the best in minimizing steps.

The original kitchen, being a square, would make for a better dining room. Which it now is.

I had already totally redone Room #5. In the later 1990s I installed beadboard plywood along the lower walls at a 36-inch height, installed salvaged trim around all the doors and window (replacing the horrible 1970s clam casing), and painted it all.

But, a decade later, in my yearning to transform the house from Hooterverville to Park Avenue, I knew Room #5 needed changing. I wanted something more hip and cool.

I pulled off the wainscoting and much of the salvaged trim. I then reduce the length of the vertical salvaged trim boards (see below) and reinstalled it above the new tiled walls. I did not remove the upper corner blocks .

 

 

In any event, as the years and years passed the South Wall really wore on me. The trim was mostly in. The tile was done. I mean, how much work was required to finish the one damn wall? I would stare at the wall and think:

Can I please just finish this one wall?

Can I please just finish this one wall?

Can I please just finish this one wall?

I am embarrassed to say that I did this for years.

So, in the image above I have at long last mudded the upper wall. This gives the sheetrock a subtle texture and is WAY easier than trying for the standard smooth job. And, no sanding is required; you just rub it down with a wet cloth.

 

 

 

 

 

 

My self-selected rule for the 2009 renovation was: cheap. Even though I was now making money, I delighted at the idea of using the cheapest possible materials but to make it all look good. I do love a creative challenge! Hence, the wall tiles. There is no cheaper ceramic tile. The brilliant, creative idea was using two colors in a checkerboard. This is topped with an aluminum square tube, and the salvaged trim above that.

The sheetrock ceiling was in poor condition and had been redone at various times. I blanched at how much time up a ladder it would take to repair it. Thus, another brilliant idea was to cover it with opaque corrugated plastic. This went up incredibly fast, with Justin and I knocking it out in just one morning. It is also easy to clean; a vital consideration in a kitchen.

 

 

 

 

 

Through contacts in Florida, I kept in touch with her status. Then, in 2001, I was alerted that the owner had died, and that his estate was planning to scrap the forlorn beauty. I rushed to action and contacted Earl McMillen, who has restored a number of classic yachts via his “time-share” incremental ownership plan. Earl also sprung into action, and with some initial funding acquired was able to purchase the vessel for, I assume, $1. He then flew me to Florida along with a small crew to ready the decrepit vessel to be brought on a barge to Newport, RI, for a full and now completed restoration.

And WTF, you are asking, does this have to do with the two pictures?

Because, when I arrived in Florida, the yacht had already been mostly cleared out, and a dumpster sat alongside her on the wharf. I noticed the two picture tossed inside, pulled them out, and thought: these are lovely. Way too nice to throw away. I brought them home in my luggage, and later hung them in a kitchen I had renovated for a client. The house was later sold, and years later I came cross the two pictures in a local antique store. I stared at them. Wait. What? Of course, I had to buy them, and for over a decade they have been in a closet awaiting their rebirth.

I smile looking at them. Not only did I save them, but I was able to help save a glorious 104-foot yacht.

 

 

In the above image you can well see my other cheap cheap cheap idea; 12×12 Kentile vinyl floor tiles. There is no cheaper flooring. But, again, the brilliant, creative idea was to use two colors, in an alternating stripe. And the flooring looks great with the counters. Happenstance rather than planning!

 

 

But I needed backsplashes. I contacted a marble company and was quoted like $450 for 4-inch-high granite backsplashes.

Yes, I gasped. Then I thought: where is it carved in stone that backsplashes have to be 4-inches high? Why not 24-inches high? I mean, why not? I loved the idea, raced back to the lumberyard, and acquired the orphaned counters for another $160. Whew! I think the look is dramatic and I could not be happier.

The blond cabinets are from my 1990s kitchen renovation, in Room #1. The new kitchen though needed more cabinets but the blond cabinets proved discontinued. In yet another brilliant masterstroke, I purchased the total opposite: Expresso-colored cabinets.

What makes this odd pairing work was changing out the blond hardware, and installing hipster pulls on all. The blond/expresso mix now looks deliberate rather than a big oopsie. I smile at this.

The shelving is just 1×12 boards stained white. Easy-peasy and CHEAP. The matching set of dishes…

 

 

With the south wall at long last done, the goal is to Baby Step around the other three walls.

All this work is part of my Project 2025 plan to absorb my time, nourish my soul, and save my sanity for the upcoming year+.

I think the kitchen is incredible. Perfect for a serious cook, and, along with the fenced oasis of a yard, will likely help sell the house.