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My Home Improvement Story Part I: Why you shouldn't trust the tile guy & why God made travertine

By
Real Estate Agent with United Country Ponderosa Realty, Red Feather Lakes, Colorado

Taking off the ceramic TitleMy Home Improvement Story: Part I

Do you ever look around your house for things to change?  A couple of weeks ago I decided our 12 year old kitchen needed a little UPDATING.  Hmmmmm, I checked the bank account - "No, ‘ still don't have gobs of money".......

What could be done for a small amount of money that would make a big improvement?

(1)Stone back splash (2) Cabinet knobs (3) new faucet

Starting with the stone, I went to the tile store, and decided on travertine, a natural material. The largest building constructed mainly of Travertine is the Coliseum in Rome, so I figured it would be good enough for our little log house!

The tile guy gathered all the necessary materials, adhesive, grout, stone, and sponge."No, I have a trowel."  He said I could even cut the stone with a band saw - "have one".  He loaded everything in the back of my car, and down the road I went - all excited about my new and improved kitchen.

Let me tell now, you can cut that stone with a band saw, but it is dangerous, and you are going to spend a fortune on blades! My husband cut 2 tiles, and I quickly realized there was no way I was going to get my fingers anywhere near that band saw- WHAT WAS I THINKING?

The next day I went back to town, 74 miles round trip, to buy a wet saw.

I removed the old ceramic tile with a hammer and chisel sort of thing- this is hard work, but I was still excited about the new project.  I brought in all the supplies from the garage, only to discover that THE TILE GUY FORGOT TO LOAD THE ADHESIVE!  I had to drive 74 miles again to get the adhesive.

I finally got the stone installed in the area behind the stove in between the counter and the cabinets. The first of three areas in the kitchen was completed.  I thought it looked beautiful, and my husband, who I love dearly and is truly my better half said, "I think it looks like linoleum." !!! (Don't worry he did change his mind later)

The moral to the story:  (1) Don't believe everything the Tile guy tells you (2)Double check that the tile guy put everything in your vehicle.  (3) Remind your family that linoleum is man-made to look like stone; GOD DID NOT MAKE STONE TO LOOK LIKE LINOLEUM!!

New stone on the wall

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Website: www.marydouglas-redfeatherlakes.net

 

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Comments(10)

geri wehry
RE/MAX Select R.E. - Covington, WA
your agent for life

Glad it is all working out :)    Where are the before and after pictures????  Do share!!

...geri

Nov 29, 2008 05:17 AM
Mary Douglas
United Country Ponderosa Realty, Red Feather Lakes, Colorado - Red Feather Lakes, CO
REALTOR, Red Feather Lakes, Colorado

Hi Geri, Thanks for stopping in. I'll look for the pics and add them.  The Saga continues in Part II, if you have a minute to catch that one! I did include a picture there already!

Have a great day!

Nov 29, 2008 05:31 AM
John Mulkey
TheHousingGuru.com - Waleska, GA
Housing Guru

Hi Mary. I just like the name of your area, Red Feather Lakes; sounds like an interesting place.  As a former home builder, I am very aware of situations such as yours. Yes, check, and then double check. Glad it worked out in the end. And, I'll bet it  does look better than linoleum.

Nov 29, 2008 05:49 AM
Mary Douglas
United Country Ponderosa Realty, Red Feather Lakes, Colorado - Red Feather Lakes, CO
REALTOR, Red Feather Lakes, Colorado

Thanks John,  I think it does!  Enjoy you day!

Nov 29, 2008 06:32 AM
Mirela Monte
Buyers' Choice Realty - North Myrtle Beach, SC
Myrtle Beach Real Estate

Hilarious! 

I just took the easy way and went for changing the hardware (cabinet knobs).  Yup, looks updated!

Next project?  Back to organizing the closet! 

*Note to myself: "If you buy just ONE more pair of shoes, we need to buy a new home!"

Nov 29, 2008 06:39 AM
Mary Douglas
United Country Ponderosa Realty, Red Feather Lakes, Colorado - Red Feather Lakes, CO
REALTOR, Red Feather Lakes, Colorado

Hi Mirela! Thanks for commenting ! I'm glad you told me cabinet knobs will be easier, I'm almost looking forward to it!  Good luck with your closet and all those shoes ! :-) 

Nov 29, 2008 06:51 AM
Kris Wales
Keller Williams Realty - Lakeside Market Center - Macomb, MI
Real Estate Blog & Homes for Sale search site, Macomb County MI

I read first your part 2 then this one.  Had fun reading them :-)  We also recently did a "quick" update by replacing our backsplash areas.  I picked out tumbled slate and I love it.  The old world look of those blend of colors and stone surface is fabulous.

Oh, we had to replace the drywall also!

Nov 29, 2008 07:25 PM
Mary Douglas
United Country Ponderosa Realty, Red Feather Lakes, Colorado - Red Feather Lakes, CO
REALTOR, Red Feather Lakes, Colorado

Hi Kris, So having done this yourself, you really understand all that is involved. Thank you for sharing !  I loved the tumbled slate too, I bet it looks great.  Hope you have a wonderful day!

Nov 30, 2008 12:26 AM
Bruce Walter
Keller Williams Realty Lafayette/West Lafayette, Indiana - West Lafayette, IN

Mary, it DOES LOOK LIKE LINOLEUM!!!  ^_~   I am still splitting my sides laughing about your husband's comment even as I type!!!  God bless your husband! 

Mary, I love your cabinents, and your linoleum tavertine back splash does look good with it!  It took Sharon and I MONTHS to find the right backsplash and we ended up with small "sprouting" tavertine textured pieces.  It looks great!

Dec 17, 2010 11:48 AM
Mary Douglas
United Country Ponderosa Realty, Red Feather Lakes, Colorado - Red Feather Lakes, CO
REALTOR, Red Feather Lakes, Colorado

Hi Bruce, Oh yes, he's a funny guy LOL!  I think choosing stuff like this is difficult because it's not that easy to change.  Acutally I would like to change it again ---but I won't. :>)

Dec 18, 2010 06:41 AM