The Legend of Belmont - part two: the brass ring

The St. Charles set at the Belmont house included the coveted wall-oven unit, and a variety of other desirable pieces in very excellent condition.  Not quite enough to do our kitchen alone, but if we combined the set with what we already had, it would be plenty.

We negotiated an acceptable offer for the cabinets, and declined the sellers' offer of having their contractor remove them - after our previous disastrous experience with that notion - and made arrangements to return to remove them ourselves.

The sellers took us on a tour of the rest of the house, which they were going to be demolishing, and re-building on the site.  We pointed out some incredibly neat items, as we oooh-ed and ahhh-ed our way around in the dark (both power and water were already off).

They offered to let us remove and purchase anything else in the house we wanted, when we came back to remove the cabinets.  Yes... anything we wanted.



The next two weeks were spent frantically making arrangements for truck rentals, hotels, and begging family to come along on this adventure for a weekend of long drives and hard labor.
We left on a Friday afternoon, caravaning the 200 miles from home to Belmont with a rented cargo van and large SUV full of tools, empty boxes, and padding materials.

We started the salvage Saturday morning - S and his dad removing the cabinets from the kitchen (time-lapse video after the jump), D and her parents scrounging goodies from the rest of the house.

Gather 'round, for The Legend of Belmont - part one: the backstory

Before the legend itself, a little backstory.

When we remodeled the kitchen at 48th Place, it was with brand new, slightly-better-than-big-box veneer-and-laminate cabinetry.  It was, on the surface, very pretty - but obviously not authentic for the house's age, and lacking in the character or charm of what we had removed.
Yes, we removed the job-site-built plywood cabinets.  Yes, we know better now.  Yes, we're very sorry; but also not-sorry, because there wasn't room for a dishwasher.
Then again, we knew that house was going to be sold, and ensured all our updates would be sufficiently neutral to assist with a quick sale.

Skyline is pending for a kitchen remodel - as the cabinets here are big-box replacements anyway, and arranged in a layout not conducive to workflow or our lifestyle (seriously, who needs a eat-in area in a galley kitchen?) - but we're working really hard to ensure everything we do to this house is going to make us happy, since resale is a non-issue (we are never ever moving again).
And so it was that D decreed the Skyline kitchen project will use vintage metal cabinets...

There was much searching of the internet, and driving all over creation to view disappointing cabinet contenders, and everyone's favorite "but they're listed for twice this on eBay!" non-negotiable priced listings.
We even got so far as agreeing to buy a set of yellow and walnut St. Charles which were still installed, but the sellers' contractors botched the un-install, and threw them in the dumpster before we had a chance to evaluate whether we still wanted them.

The search continued.  We bought a few odd pieces, but nothing as a set, and all of it pretty junky condition.
We decided that whatever set we bought first would be our brand and style, whether Youngstown, Geneva, or Hotpoint; just pick a pony, and stick with it, so we didn't end up living in a steel cabinet museum.

Thus, on a balmy day in April 2014, we ended up looking at a kitchen full of installed St. Charles "DURALON" finish cabinets.  This set included two "false fronts" - like a sink base - which had been attached to a bay window seat, so everything would be matchy-matchy.  The sellers accepted our offer (over a couple competing bids) and we picked them up, after they were removed, a couple days later.
The stamp on the back says these were White from the factory, but exterior surfaces were subsequently painted a creamy eggshell color.  They're otherwise in pretty decent condition.

Unfortunately, this set is insufficient to complete our planned kitchen, and is missing a key piece - the tall wall-oven cabinet unit.

The search continued for another 8 weeks, when S found a listing for a St. Charles kitchen just outside Chicago.  We were visiting the city for Memorial Day weekend, and promptly made arrangements to bail on our friends for a day, rent a car, and drive to the house on Belmont Avenue to see these cabinets.

To be continued!

Bathroom Complete

The bathroom project has been mostly completed for months now, but we finally installed the magnetic latches on vanity doors, and then took some gratuitous staged beauty shots to celebrate.
So, without further ado, enjoy!


View from the hall, including the new shellac'd door.


Original commode with Bemis Classic Colors Ming Green seat - ReStore mirror medicine cabinet with handsome cat.


Detail of the lights salvaged from Belmont - and the interior vanity drawer.


Handsome cat on the Craigslist counter - close view of the Craigslist sink and World of Tile toothbrush holder.


Sterling ‘Starscape’ shower door - and the Hall-Mack Towel Ladder.


Hall-Mack towel bar and Sterling ‘Starscape’ shower door (bonus flamingo robe!)

Interior of the shower - inset Tile Redi Niche Tripl, Shower Trim with Fresnel Lens in Chrome, Union Brass mixer and taps.


This is the internet, so one more cat pic for good measure!

Week 5 Bathroom Remodel - and a huge Thank You

Post delayed approximately 6 months due to hard drive crash, loss of project photos, and resulting chronic apathy.  Sorry about that.

If week 4 shouldn't have been, I don't really know what to say about week 5, other than perhaps ugly-cry about having this project finally be (functionally) done.
Over the weekend, we discovered that the shower was spraying as much water into our basement as it was on the person in the tub.  The plumber was returning Monday to finish the sink drain pop-up, so he took a look at the shower also, and discovered a joint in the PEX which had not been crimped, and was causing the leaks.  Correcting this necessitated cutting or enlarging access holes in the drywall of our hall linen closet, and removing the drawer supports.  In apology, the plumber replaced the guts of the toilet tank, which were causing the overfilling and leaks.
The electricians arrived early Monday and installed the light fixtures above the vanity, but our switches are still not available for install.  Put that on the punch list.
The general contractor returned Tuesday afternoon to evaluate the holes in the linen closet, and discuss corrective action.  On Wednesday, he came back to tack a board over the ones in the shelf part of the closet, and re-install the drawer supports (leaving those holes open, just in case).
That means most of the remaining tasks are on our to-do list: the medicine cabinet door trim and handles, the vanity cabinet door catches, staining and sealing the door, panting the register and radiator covers, cleaning ev-er-y-thing, and putting all our stuff back!
We do have a bit of accessorizing and decorating on the back burner, too - maybe a bit of stenciling (atomic stars?) in color-matching paint on the walls, adding a clock on the wall by the door, perhaps building having someone else build a storage cabinet for the wall above the commode, and so on and so forth.  Never ending, right?
We did score this adorable tiny trash can the other day, which makes me giggle every time I see it.  It's so tiny!
That leads to a 'products used' round-up, which cannot be accomplished without issuing some huge thank-yous to the Retro Renovation community.  So many of our ideas came from you - but a few particular folks come to mind:
Reader Jennifer - thanks for pointing us to the Sterling ‘Starscape’ shower door.  It is awesome.
Chris and Angela, we totally copied your vanity design when we had ours built.
Patron Saint Pam's many Hall-Mack posts helped us identify the Aristochrome accessories we salvaged from Belmont and used here, including the Towel Bar (492T, 24"), Paper Holder (478),  Towel Ladder (395).
Pam's extensive World of Tile coverage led us to the Saji color-matching trim, toothbrush holder, and the 'special' tile we scored during the liquidation sale.
The article on 6" tub faucets from Pam sent us to Locke Plumbing, who were willing to add a new product (Union Brass 530) to their catalog, when our plumber wanted one of the other options from the manufacturer - talk about service!
And finally, all the thanks in the world to D's parents, who spent three solid weeks of their time on-site, supervising the work.  We could not have this done without their unending support.

Other products used:

Week 4 Bathroom Remodel

This is the week that shouldn't have been.
The original estimate was for 2-3 weeks of work - with the estimator indicating they should be done in two, and he would be surprised if this took three.
The planned project schedule accounted for three solid weeks, but that included 4 days for the epoxy grout to cure, which didn't end up being necessary.
So, no matter how you count it, we ended up significantly behind, and needed a solid 4th week of work.

Monday was supposed to be electrical, but the switches were not in, so they took a pass.  Instead, it was just a day for installing the accessories (which ended up being limited to the toilet paper holder), and touching up grout.  We had hoped to install two Tow'lescope units in the shower, but couldn't figure out how to do it and completely seal against water.

Tuesday was scheduled as plumbing, which scored as 'incomplete' - shower faucet and lead pipe installed, and toilet re-installed, but sink deferred due to a conflict between the vanity cabinet structure and needed space for attaching the clips for sink.

Toilet paper holder, and newly re-installed commode!

Union Brass 530 series faucet lookin' fine 

However, the new bathroom door was installed.  This was needed because of the bubbled and cracking veneer on the original door.  We will be staining and sealing this... sometime soon.

The electricians arrived Wednesday to install the switches, outlets, and light fixtures above the vanity.  Two of the switches are still not what we ordered, so we'll see what happens in week 5!

The vanity cabinet was sliced and diced to allow the plumber to install the sink, which was then also hooked up with our previous faucet.  However, we were missing the mechanism for the pop-up drain stopper, so that is another week 5 item, along with continued attempts to adjust the toilet so it doesn't overfill and leak through the handle.

New doors: both bathroom and shower

The previously described Sterling Plumbing ‘Starscape’ glass shower door from Menard's was installed, and looks as amazing as we dared to hope.  The medicine cabinet also went in, and was trimmed out.








Thursday was re-installing the light fixture boxes because first, they were not in line with each other; and second, we opted to modify the position slightly.  This also meant the original holes had to be patched, mudded, sanded, and painted.  Ah well, better now than regretting it forever, or else having to do it later.

The doors and drawers for the vanity were attached and the knobs for the drawers were mounted.  The vanity knobs and backplates are Rejuvenation's Dish Cabinet Knob with Star Backplate in Polished Chrome.

Two of six knobs installed.

The caulking of the shower occurred, meaning we could shower after 24 hours!

Final coat of paint went up Friday, and the general contractor cleaned up and cleared out.

On Sunday, S & D put up the two towel bars (both vintage Hall-Mack Aristochrome salvaged from the Belmont house).

24" Hall-Mack towel bar

Hall-Mack towel ladder - holy catfish is this a pain to install

We installed doors on the medicine cabinet (trim pieces to be installed at a later date), and finished the vanity door knobs.  We also put up the outlet and switch plates for the three places that are done.

All the vanity knobs installed, and one outlet plate

Medicine cabinet doors up, and the other two plates
(blue protective plastic to be removed later)

Artsy-fartsy picture of the reflection in medicine cabinet mirror - also shows the 3-gang box where the two switches will go.

Week 3 Bathroom Remodel

Monday was the completion of the shower wall tile, and parts of a wall - including the first trim tile!  Very exciting moment.

Helper Cat is helping.

Tuesday saw the completion of the white tiles on the big walls, and most of the trim tile.  The shower niche was also completed.


The 'special tile' in the center of the shower niche was acquired at the World of Tile liquidation sale, as was all the SAJI (Japan) 4"x6" bullnose trim tiles.  All the other wall tile is readily-available Daltile.

Wednesday included the shower ceiling tile, tile around the end of the vanity, and completion of the trim tile.  The center part of the floor tile also went in, so the thinset would dry and could be walked on the following day.

Thursday was finishing the floor tile and adding the toothbrush holder.  The floor is American Olean Chloé CH01 satin white pinwheel with satin white dot.  Toothbrush holder from World of Tile.



Friday was grout on everything.  This is the CEG-LITE Epoxy Grout colored Delorean Gray.


Saturday was more grout on the floor.  Yes, Tony came in on a Saturday after being on-site the previous seven weekdays to finish up.


And on Sunday, everyone rested.  Oh wait, no, that other thing - worked.  On Sunday, D scrubbed the sinks and attempted (unsuccessfully) to scrape the old caulk off the sink frames ("hudee ring").
Then everyone relaxed for Mothers' Day.

Week 2 Bathroom Remodel

The progress this week felt minimal, but laid the foundation for interesting stuff.


Another coat of mud went up Monday, and we decided about how to deal with the window.  The counter was trimmed, and the dumpster was removed.

The walls were sanded Tuesday, and more mud applied. The windowsill was fabricated and installed.  The counter and vanity were cut for the sink.




Wednesday was sanding and priming the walls, cutting the counter for the sink, installing the vanity and counter.



  The tile supplies were delivered.  The subfloor replacement was completed.

The sheet rock went up in the shower and floor Thursday.


Friday saw the first bits of tile installed.
This is just the regular Daltile so far.