Built In 1940 Doesn't Make You Old.

This little 1940's home is built like a brick on ten acres of amazing Northern Idaho Mountains. As I re-design and the endless projects come to fruition we see a gem emerging. This will be a wonderful, warm and cozy home. Complete with an unfinished basement to design. Hmmmmm...Giddy thoughts.

As we complete projects I will update with pictures. This little house is 8 hours away so it's impossible to work every weekend.

 Nasty old metal and flat pine panel cabinets.

 The kitchen is an unusually  large space for such an old home. But Really! Carpet in the kitchen. Ugh...What a nightmare to take out one chip at a time.

                                               We start by tiling all the entries and back laundry areas and the bath. In 20" chocolate tiles.

Starting with the back entrance and laundry area we laid these huge chocolate tiles in a stack formation. Durable and easy to clean. A must on a country farm.

                          

 Replacing several of the old tin cabinets, we start the process of forming the concrete counter tops.

                                                                             

 What a mess and back breaking work to boot.

                                                                                               Waiting isn't my strongest virtue. So waiting the correct amount of time till I start working with the concrete is nerve racking.

 I use an edger to get a nice soft rounded edge.

 I used a large dowel to make the drip seams.

Then I began to sand, and sand and sand some more. Then I wet sand.

 Now they must be patient. I have wet sanded the concrete and then it must cure for a few days. In the meantime nothing can be placed on them while curing, which would leave a mark. Then we will use a Wet-Look overcoat.

 

Next big project, the kitchen carved hardwood floors. A beautiful grade three mixed colorant pattern. Impervious to dog claws and messy boots and kids.

 

Jared ask me if I had a minute to spare to paint him a simple aspen tree mural in the master bedroom. Spare time Huh?

Our little princess has very specific plans for her room. She helped me paint and got her wish.                  

 This poor nasty bath hadn't seen a cleaning or paint brush in thirty years. No problem. Rip out the old sub-floors and replace with 20" chocolate tiles on the floor and 12x12" cream tiles on the walls.

 The walls were in very sad shape. I tiled them in a antique marbled white tile with the chocolate as a trim around the window and sink area. We took our shower tile all around and behind the pedestal sink with a cream marble tile to make our space look bigger. The large chocolate tiles are used (cut down) to frame windows and the shower.

                                                                                     

 I then textured the walls with a heavy trowel which when dry will be painted a cream and then washed in chocolate glaze. The shower curtains will fall from a crown molding at the ceiling height. Making the ceilings look very tall. 

Travertine triangles were used up both corners for bath toiletries. 

The custom built island has three distinct design elements. The chocolate porcelain tile extend to a breakfast bar. The end caps of the island will have power for little lamps and used as a cook book storage.      Next project was a custom island. Fence posts for the legs. Plywood top topped with 20" chocolate tile

We started by using cedar fence posts. for the legs. Turned them upside down so the cool feet would show.

 

Ron was able to see my vision and just worked from my on the spot design.

Jared used a pine tongue and groove flooring from our last project. Laid them horizontal and then will paint the edges,bands and legs our chocolate color.

The Sartell girls favorite scarlet red makes a huge impact. The owners have a very large original SK Sartell landscape which will used on this beautiful and large wall.

The first coat of off white enamel paint is applied and it makes the kitchen bright and an amazingly useful and efficient kitchen. I re-design most kitchens because it's very rare to see a good functioning kitchen design .

 Her pretty red embellishments will be the final touch when finished.

We will continue to update the picture as the many projects are finished.Some of these pictures are incredibly bad, so I am anxious to see to all those little details that finalize a beautifully designed kitchen for a little price. With Good Pictures Please.

Thanks for stopping by.

SK Sarttell

http://www.sksartell.com

SK's woodfrosting