So we have a long weekend approaching, and rather than heading off to the beach, my family will be engaged in home improvement projects. The problem is we have two biggish projects and probably only the time and energy for one, especially as my sister is also packing in preparation for her upcoming move (still no apartment though!) Given the level of expertise here on the site, we thought perhaps you could advise us about which project should be the lucky winner.
Repainting Mom's Room: After this winter's drainpipe debacle, Mom's bedroom had to be replastered, a project the building finally completely. Though they offered to fix the paint as well, we opted out based on previous experience with sloppily applied color paint. Since we have to paint anyway, we're also changing the color- this bright green was never quite right, and after living with it for a couple of years, Mom is looking for a change.
New Countertop in Mom's Kitchen: Mom has been dreaming of a new countertop for years, one where crumbs and clothes aren't trapped by that horrible metal edging. We found that our local bix bog retailer sells premade pieces of countertop at reasonable prices. Though we'll have to cut it down to fit Mom's non-standard 1920s cabinets, it is still dramatically less expensive than a custom piece. Installing it however means taking down the large upper cabinet which basically rests on it at the moment. The bulding installed this counter some 20+ years ago, and probably would install the replacement as well, but since this one is non level and has created an inch-wide gap at the top where the cabinet meets the wall, again we think we're better off on our own.
Mom rents, but since she has been in this building for over 37 years, making a few improvements is well worth the effort. Given our time constraints, which project do you think we should tackle? Vote below and share your reasons in the comments- inquiring minds want to know...
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The countertop project sounds like it requires more energy, so taking care of that first might be a great way to start the summer. And painting is just...painting. You could probably do that over an ordinary weekend. Good luck! You're good to your mom... =)
I'd say the countertop as well. Just curious, which bix bog retailer sells premade pieces of countertop at reasonable prices? What type of countertop? I'm looking to renovate a kitchen, but my funds are limited.
I would paint before the DC summer takes over.
One room of painting?! you could do that one workday evening. Painting shmainting. Why don't you just do both? That would feel even better once next weekend rolls around and you have neither left to do.....ahhhhh.
Definitely paint. The kitchen looks passable, but finishing the half-painted walls will yield good results for little effort.
Countertop - more people will be available to help this weekend, and it's not a solo project. Whereas painting you can do a little at a time if needed, and one person can feasibly do it.
Though looking at the picture - I wonder if you could fit a new countertop over the existing one by removing the metal lip and gluing a lip onto the edge of the new one, and cut out notches to go around the upper cabinet supports. I'm envisioning the ikea butcherblock countertop would look really nice with that white, and would be fairly easy to cut to size.
Countertop!!!!! I agree
And good luck!
Countertop, definitely!
I also think you could paint one room in a day or less. Get some pizza and beers and invite a few friends over to help!
countertop
get that out of the way
3 day weekend
more people
painting is a lot easier
and can be done
in coats
over several evenings
good luck
You're going to need the entire 3 day weekend to get the countertop completed - painting the bedroom is an easy 2-day weekend task.
i would work on the countertop. it will be a nice way to start the summer with brand new CLEAN countertops (i'm sure she's very clean...but there's nothing quite as nice as a new countertop!).
painting can be done any old day when you have a few hours.
if only i had the motivation to paint my own bedroom!
@ chesterntrudy: What a poetic comment!
I would say the paint since it's a half-painted wall and it would drive me nuts. However, since it's a three-day weekend you might as well do the big project now and save the painting for next weekend! :)
Aw, you can do both plus help sis pack and still have time for a BBQ on Monday.
I'd say paint cuz it's really an eyesore.
Not what you asked, but be prepared for the possibility that those uppers are not all one piece, often of that vintage uppers especially were built into place. They may be difficult to remove, and very difficult to put back up.
Its is very likely that under the formica and banding your mother has wood counters, not butcher block, but hardwood. Consider removing it and seeing the condition and considering a refinish job that would avoid cabinet removal and still leave your mom with a smooth fresh surface. Some folks paint that type of surface, and others stain and use marine varnish.
Barring that, i would vote with the other commenter that suggested a notched counter top.
IF you or your mother would also like to know WAY too much about this topic, this is a very good book on kitchens of that era: http://www.amazon.com/Bungalow-Kitchens-Jane-Powell/dp/0879059508
DahliaCactus has my vote - those glorious vintage upper cupboards look like TROUBLE to muck about with.
37 years or not, I'm pretty amazed that your mom's landlord is cool with her family DIY'ing something so major as the worktop in a vintage kitchen. (I'm equally amazed at how many times I see people on AT taking on projects like this without landlord permission, too.)
I'd go for the paint, myself. It's relatively easy to do and looks awful right now. The kitchen, on the other hand, might have flaws but looks cute.
I would paint because unpainted, half repaired walls make me feel like I'm living in a slum. Painted walls = peaceful feeling. Peaceful feeling = more energy for the big project!
interesting how painting garnered more votes, but kitchen garnered more comments.
What... I would do the walls first because that's just so unpleasant I don't know if I would want to wake up to that.
Changing the countertop is an aesthetic thing, I don't really see anything horribly wrong with it.
Priorities?
I'd like to know, if the OP decides to try to remove the cabinet above the counter top, what happens. I don't think that is a good idea, personally. Unintended consequences, as they say.
Several paint companies have primers and paints specifically designed to paint formica countertops. The metal strip could be removed, the holes patched, and the counter then primed and painted. It seems like a much simpler solution, without the danger of removing a wall cabinet.
You may also wish to consider tiling that countertop- that way you could work around the upper cabinet supports.