February 2, 2010
1970's Kitchen Reno
We just started a kitchen renovation. We recently bought a 2br 1950’s co-op in Ditmas Park, Brooklyn and were blessed with a 1970’s era kitchen. The doors wouldn’t shut and the drawers would fall out unless you put your knee under whilst accessing them. Our demo /reno started yesterday, but as anyone who’s ever done a renovation knows, the planning started months ago. We decided on IKEA cabinets—the Liljestadt dark brown oak cabinets—and the IKEA whirlpool dishwasher, in order to do the integrated front panel (we looked into Bosch and other European models, but they were too expensive). We purchased a Fridgidaire Gallery stove and micro-hood (they don’t call them microwave ovens if it’s above the stove—when did that happen?!) to match the Fridgidaire refrigerator we had to buy when we moved in. (The previous owner graciously left us with a faulty fridge that crapped out about 10 days after we moved in). We bought it at the Sears in Flatbush—GREAT SERVICE. Anyways, it was our favorite model (the “de rigueur” convection option, bottom rack attached to the door for easy access, and middle 5th burner for those Sunday morning pancakes on the griddle I never make).We are very happy with our contractor, Zurita Contractors based in Ditmas. It’s only day 2, but I have a good feeling about them.If only I had the same feeling about IKEA (specifically in Red Hook, Brooklyn). I did the web-design option, which I found challenging in a good way, but frustrating when it came time for fruition. The sales person, William, I worked with, was not amenable or willing to take me seriously until I convinced him I was willing to plop down $10,000 that night on everything. Inevitably it seems, he entered in one wrong cabinet which I didn’t realize until day two of receiving the delivery—it’s not easy going through 100 boxes with 8 digit numbers on each one that doesn’t correspond to the receipt (while taking a day off of work for the whole mess). When we returned to IKEA the following weekend to explain the problem, we were treated royally—Steven, in the kitchen center, admitted IKEA’s mistake and proceeded to personally guide us through reordering the correct cabinet, escorting us to the check out, and personally taking care of the pick up/drop off in a private room outfitted with IKEA couches and lamps. Upon pick up/delivery day, one week later, two guys from “Urban Express” arrived to pick up the incorrect cabinet. However, they didn’t have the “delivery” part of the deal. 4 days, later, I can’t get anyone on the phone to help me or confirm my purchase or re-delivery. To add insult to injury¸ when IKEA called to credit my card for the returned merchandise today, they seemed to be missing a $232.00 door to the cabinet they picked up. Strike two! So now I’m out $232?! I’m obviously not having a good experience with IKEA. I want a lifetime supply of Lingonberry juice!
All in all, the renovation is good so far and we hope that someone out there can benefit from our experience. I hope to post photos and accounts of this adventure.
Posted by bandan at 10:38 PM Comments (2) Categories: Renovation
1970's Kitchen Reno
We just started a kitchen renovation. We recently bought a 2br 1950’s co-op in Ditmas Park, Brooklyn and were blessed with a 1970’s era kitchen. The doors wouldn’t shut and the drawers would fall out unless you put your knee under whilst accessing them. Our demo /reno started yesterday, but as anyone who’s ever done a renovation knows, the planning started months ago. We decided on IKEA cabinets—the Liljestadt dark brown oak cabinets—and the IKEA whirlpool dishwasher, in order to do the integrated front panel (we looked into Bosch and other European models, but they were too expensive). We purchased a Fridgidaire Gallery stove and micro-hood (they don’t call them microwave ovens if it’s above the stove—when did that happen?!) to match the Fridgidaire refrigerator we had to buy when we moved in. (The previous owner graciously left us with a faulty fridge that crapped out about 10 days after we moved in). We bought it at the Sears in Flatbush—GREAT SERVICE. Anyways, it was our favorite model (the “de rigueur” convection option, bottom rack attached to the door for easy access, and middle 5th burner for those Sunday morning pancakes on the griddle I never make).We are very happy with our contractor, Zurita Contractors based in Ditmas. It’s only day 2, but I have a good feeling about them.If only I had the same feeling about IKEA (specifically in Red Hook, Brooklyn). I did the web-design option, which I found challenging in a good way, but frustrating when it came time for fruition. The sales person, William, I worked with, was not amenable or willing to take me seriously until I convinced him I was willing to plop down $10,000 that night on everything. Inevitably it seems, he entered in one wrong cabinet which I didn’t realize until day two of receiving the delivery—it’s not easy going through 100 boxes with 8 digit numbers on each one that doesn’t correspond to the receipt (while taking a day off of work for the whole mess). When we returned to IKEA the following weekend to explain the problem, we were treated royally—Steven, in the kitchen center, admitted IKEA’s mistake and proceeded to personally guide us through reordering the correct cabinet, escorting us to the check out, and personally taking care of the pick up/drop off in a private room outfitted with IKEA couches and lamps. Upon pick up/delivery day, one week later, two guys from “Urban Express” arrived to pick up the incorrect cabinet. However, they didn’t have the “delivery” part of the deal. 4 days, later, I can’t get anyone on the phone to help me or confirm my purchase or re-delivery. To add insult to injury¸ when IKEA called to credit my card for the returned merchandise today, they seemed to be missing a $232.00 door to the cabinet they picked up. Strike two! So now I’m out $232?! I’m obviously not having a good experience with IKEA. I want a lifetime supply of Lingonberry juice!
All in all, the renovation is good so far and we hope that someone out there can benefit from our experience. I hope to post photos and accounts of this adventure.
Posted by bandan at 10:38 PM Comments (2) Categories: Renovation
Hey Rebecca! Just discovered your kitchen reno blog thru FB. How fun! Your updates caught my attention as my hubby and I went through the same "journey" a year ago exactly, while I was pregnant to my teeth (yes, that wasn't exactly good timing...). We used Kraftmaid cabinets from the Home Depot. They sold us WAY too many pieces (the designer was this weirdo woman who talked too much) and promised us many discounts (we didn't see half of them). And we used an awesome contractor. Except that contractors seem to live on a schedule of their own. They tell you it's gonna take this long and then it takes double the time.... But in the end, it is SO worth it! Which kitchen model did you use? We were at Ikea yesterday and some of their kitchens look great.
ReplyDeletettyl. V. (Happy Dexter marathon!) :)