Try to cut off the water with three children at home and you will know why we waited for the first day of school to put in the countertop.
We started bright and early cutting out the hole for the sink. Luis worked from the back and the center carefully measuring and marking on masking tape where he would need to cut. Since this is a top mount sink, there is an L-channel about 1/2″ in from the outside edge of the sink.
Don’t you love my saw horses:-) Actually they are part of the table that went with my chairs and I have every intention of refinishing it…someday. I got some ideas seeing the countertop there, though, lol.
First, Luis drilled each corner to get a starting point.
He started with the jigsaw, but decided it was taking too long and used the power saw…
…then finished up the corners with the jigsaw.
I could not wait to fit the sink in, and it was perfect! Kind of looks like a bathtub at this point, though.
We then tried it on the counter, and it was perfect because Luis measures 78 times and cuts once. Really, he does.
I could not wait to get the faucet in just to see it.
Then we started the awful part…plumbing. We first set the drain in the sink with plumber’s putty. Not so bad, but not as easy as it looked on This Old House.
We ended up putting the sink in the countertop before attaching the countertop to the cabinets. At that point the kids were home, so we got some help:-)
We then lifted the countertop and sink, and attached it to the cabinets with screws. Then, Luis hooked up the plumbing. There were some small issues, but Luis got them worked out so we could at least turn on the water. Let me tell you having that big sink is amazing! Stainless does have its issues with spotting, etc., and the giant size of this sink magnifies that, but considering the choices, I would not trade it.
I spent today trying to decide what to do with the backsplash and after going through every “free” idea from beadboard to two different wallpapers, I decided to keep the blue since it’s a color from the old house, and I’ll add a glass mosaic tile accent just above the sink and the wormy chestnut trim from the old house. I had to do some patching where the old tile came off, but I’ll be able to work on that Thursday.
I just finished restoring this trim piece today and have three more ready to go. They turned out beautifully after washing and scrubbing with steel wool, a brush, then sanding and coating with stain.
I am really enjoying just looking at the countertop, and knowing that we did it all ourselves and from materials right here makes it beyond meaningful to me. I think my grandfather would be proud:-)
I might be able to do the little section of tiling tomorrow, then grout it Thursday, which will only leave trimming with the wormy chestnut.
It is taking all the patience I can muster, but I can see the end now and the rewards will be so worth it. Really, they will:-)
If you want to see more of the wormy chestnut countertop process, clickHERE. To see more about my journey to this style, visit Pamela at From My Front Porch to Yours where I was featured in her How I Found My Style Sundays series.
Anita
I’ll be joining:
LOVE!!!!
Oh my!!! Anita you and Luis are doing such a wonderful job. Just showed my Mr. 🙂 I am laughing because he's pretty handy, but plumbing is his downfall. His least fave.. I am reading the blog to him out loud .
Hugs, Gee
Your countertop looks so beautiful Anita! Your grandfather would definitely be proud! They are gorgeous! We are looking forward to doing wood counterops in our new (to us) cabin.
WHOO HOO!
Looking good lady! YAY!!
Wonderful job! And that sink is gorgeous and looks deep enough for the largest soup pots. Love the molding too. I'm so excited for you! You're finally getting the kitchen you dreamed of!
Wow, it looks really beautiful, Anita. It's great that you both did this yourselves and used that beautiful old wood too. I like your single basin sink too. Great work!
I love it, Anita! The wood is beautiful! How nice to have such a handy husband…and kids! LOL!
Anita- You and Luis make a wonderful duo. Your granddad would really be proud of you. The countertops and your sink are gorgeous. I love it- xo Diana
Oh Anita! It looks BEAUTIFUL, both the counter and the sink!!!!!!!!! I REALLY eanted one big sink here and couldn't change, I wish SO much I could have. Your little helper is so cute too. All your hard work has paid off handsomely. XO, Pinky
Anita it looks fabulous! That sink is huge. I love the counter tops as well and all the memories you are making that will hopefully live on with your children.
Oh Anita!! It's absolutely gorgeous to me!
Wonderful, just wonderful! Bravo to you and your team!
You two are just moving along. Love that sink and I can't wait to see the tile.
Just stunning Anita, love the sink and faucet not to mention your gorgeous countertops 😉
Hugs~
Mari
I know it has been hard work, tiring for both of you, but oh, the rewards are starting to show. How marvelous that you both were able to do this huge project and are still married!!!!
Most couples lose more than their tempers during stressful work like this. As an old hymn says…. "It Will Be Worth It All"…… Congrats. Vicki in Louisville KY
Your wood countertops look beautiful and I love that large sink. Your husband did a great job.
Thanks, Patty at Home and Lifestyle Design
What a beautiful idea, Anita! With so many people going the "all-white" kitchen route, it is truly a pleasure to see the colors of rich wood!
Anita, you guys did an amazing job! The countertops and sink are gorgeous…I'm SO Inspired!!! Buzz and I have been thinking of going that route on ours … It's so wonderful that you're shared just how you did it…Thank You!
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Well, I apologize for accidentally deleting your comment because there was a duplicate:-) No, we have not had any problems at all with water. That is one reason I chose the finish I did. If someone leaves a wet glass, there will be a white ring, but it is temporary, and dries right up within minutes. Also, before I chose this finish, I "tested" the dining table I made from the same wood almost 10 years ago by leaving a wet glass and it has cured so that it doesn't even leave the temporary white ring. I am very happy with the wood and finish so far:-)