Before and After: Paul's Condo Portland

Before and After: Paul's Condo
Portland

after (jump below for more pics)

Paul sent us some photos of a 963-square foot condo in Portland that he's renovated. He says, I did nearly all the work myself, except the wiring and plumbing. Self-assembled IKEA cabinets saved me a ton of money so I could afford the nicer Bosch cooktop, oven, dishwasher (hidden behind cabinet panel) and washer and dryer...

before

after

... After a year of living with IKEA cabinets I couldn't be happier. The build quality, of which I was a bit skeptical at first, has stood up to much more expensive cabinets and are still just like new...

before

after

I built the solid zebrawood vanity, but I must say I'll never try and install a glass tile mosaic shower again.

before

after

Thanks, Paul!

(Click here for more information about the condo -- which happens to be for sale.)

To More Before and Afters

Comments (21)

Wow - Very Nice!

Did he explain what was difficult about installing the ceramic tile in the shower?

posted by bepsf on August 14th 2008 at 1:52pm
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wow, very nice job on that kitchen! and i agree 345345% about how well the ikea cabinets have held up over the years. i'm a fan.

posted by kdkaboom on August 14th 2008 at 1:52pm
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Lovely renovation.

I have to agree about the Ikea kitchen cabinets being a good choice. My loft was renovated just before I moved in, with Ikea kitchen cabinets. I was initially very skeptical of the quality and figured I'd have to replace them in a few years, but after 5 years they're still great. Who knew?

posted by Lisa Hunter (Montreal) on August 14th 2008 at 1:52pm
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Just looked at the floors in the linked photos - are they cork?

posted by bepsf on August 14th 2008 at 2:08pm
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I've been trying to find Zebra wood at local lumber yards and not having much success, where did you find it?

posted by modernguy on August 14th 2008 at 2:09pm
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Very nice, love the kitchen and your bathroom.

posted by TrishM on August 14th 2008 at 2:27pm
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bepsf, I believe he used glass tiles. I've been hearing reports that glass tiles require special saws to install and crack quite easily. Some contractors won't handle them.

Nice remodel. I love the kitchen!

posted by wig3000 on August 14th 2008 at 2:49pm
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Beautifully designed and executed on all levels!! A truly remarkable job.

posted by Seaside on August 14th 2008 at 3:46pm
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Terrific job on the renovation!

posted by suzy8track on August 14th 2008 at 5:04pm
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Hi and thanks for the comments. Yes, the floor is cork and the tiles are recycled glass. Very difficult to cut.

posted by lodel on August 14th 2008 at 5:24pm
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Oh, and it's for sale as I've just taken a job in Boston.

http://www.empte.com/condo

posted by lodel on August 14th 2008 at 5:30pm
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Are the washer and dryer in the kitchen... cleverly concealed? If so, will you share how you did it?

posted by SYB_in_DC on August 14th 2008 at 5:44pm
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i love the renovation... especially that zebrawood vanity!

posted by eribear12 on August 14th 2008 at 8:11pm
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Simply stunning! Love the zebrawood vanity!

posted by FlyGirlLAX on August 14th 2008 at 10:07pm
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What make is the beautiful bathroom basin?

posted by Overdressed Adventuress on August 15th 2008 at 1:41am
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What a coinky-dink that you just happened to submit these yourself, AND your place is for sale, AND you post the link and mention the sale in the comments.

Will wonders never cease?

posted by LBhirise on August 15th 2008 at 4:09am
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dont you have to kill the rainforest to get zebrawood?
just wondering.. i dont know where i heard that.

posted by antimatt on August 15th 2008 at 6:00am
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I was enjoying this post until I realized the dude is only trying to sell us his place. Shady and tacky!

And I don't think the floors and cabinets work together at all.

posted by Griffin on August 15th 2008 at 7:29am
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I'm not only trying to sell it, I have to sell as I was relocated to Boston a few days ago. Sorry if that sounds shady to you, but I read Apartment Therapy every day and love it. Cheers.

posted by lodel on August 15th 2008 at 10:37am
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shouldn't that outlet by the sink in the bathroom be a GFI?

posted by aidaan on August 18th 2008 at 11:41am
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Yep, it's on a GFI circuit.

posted by lodel on September 1st 2008 at 1:52pm
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