From Dream to Reality: Jim’s Outdoor Kitchen Journey

[Alan Brice]

As quickly as your guys have been, up to now, things will seem like a flash from here on. looks will develop incredibly fast.

[fzxdoc]

I too am amazed at how quickly your job is getting done. In our neck of the woods it's tough sometimes to get the subcontractors (or handymen in my case) to show up. They don't call, they don't write, they just ghost us until they don't maybe a week or more later. It's a weird work ethic.

Kathryn

[Richard Chrz]

Here as well. Our contractor two years ago, I was constantly trying to explain to him that working does not mean showing up at 10, taking lunch at 11, and leaving at 3. And some days not showing up, and not answering phones for a week, etc.. I was embarrassed for him.

[klflowers]

Richard Chrz was I on that crew?

[Jim White]

I'm just incredibly lucky on this. I have a good friend who is a contractor herself but mostly retired now. She helps friends as a sort of "concierge". I insisted on paying, but she billed at "friends and family" rate. She got me the architect and we talked to two contractors and clearly chose the right one. He has a select set of subs who do most of their work for him, so he is able to have things flow really smoothly. Probably couldn't haven't gotten these folks on my own.

[Jim White]

The tongue and groove pine for the ceiling was delivered Monday and the painters spent Monday and Tuesday sanding. Today, they are spraying on the first of several coats of spar varnish. We are going with a natural look, so no stain.

They have gotten very creative setting up for all those boards to dry safely. Here you can see the main stack of sanded boards and some of the first that have been sprayed:



Once they load up the half-walls in the kitchen area, they will load up the boards strung between ladders.

Here's the spraying station out in the yard:



And some freshly sprayed boards:



This wood is dried very well, so the first couple of coats will soak in quickly. But where it is wet is a preview of the final look, although it will dry to a satin finish rather than gloss.

Needless to say, I am very excited.

[hoovarmin]

That will look beautiful

[CaptainMike]

Good choice in not staining, pine can come out blotchy.

[DavidNorcross]

You really seem to have a good crew working on this project for sure.

[Jim White]

We were traveling over the weekend and the first part of this week, so much has happened since my last update. It was decided to install the ceiling boards after only one coat of varnish and then at least two more coats will go on with it in place. Also, the bulk of the Hardie board is now in place, with only a little more left to go up.









It will take a couple of days for the varnish work after the carpenters finish. Tile installation is now scheduled to start a week from Monday. It's starting to look real!

[Alan Brice]

Looks great, what a killer space that has turned out to be.

[Jerod Broussard]

That is Mack Daddy!

[Draznnl]

That's looking great Jim. Can't wait to see what you cook up in there.

[WayneT]

Beautiful work. I’ll be stowing away in your luggage after the Meat-Up to give it a full inspection when food is prepped and served.

[RonB]

Lookin' very good.

[CaptainMike]

I love these projects!

[hoovarmin]

Jim that is so gorgeous. I'm so happy for you and your family!

[Steve B]

That is just SWEEEEET!!!!

[DavidNorcross]

Wow! Big changes. Looks awesome.

[Richard Chrz]

Just incredible! So glad you put windows in the corner room for klflowers and I. Much gratitude!

[Bad Hat BBQ]

Sweeet!

[Uncle Bob]

Gotta love it when a plan comes together.

[mrichie1229]

Team work makes the dream work.