lyndale renovation 2015 & 2016
demo

In the kitchen facing west –
Here's a nasty little surprise:
There is no proper support for the opening between the main kitchen and the back portion of the kitchen; an area that was likely a porch at one time.
As shown above, a hodge-podge collection of 2x4's, split in the center, supported this opening. Also visible is the hard-to-remove double layer
of thick plaster and lath.

In the dining room facing north –
The demo continues into the living/dining room.
More challenges lurk in these walls.

In the living room facing north and west –
Here is an array of stuff to be removed: Two ancient ducts and a bunch of plumbing and wiring.
The chimney is cause for alarm. It looks nothing like the basement section; the mortar has not been troweled off, instead it is mushed out and nasty.
The plan is to reveal the chimney in the kitchen. This may require a great deal more work than anticipated.

In the dining room facing east into the living room –
What a strange iteration of our cozy old living room: Walls and floor are covered with
protective material, the ceiling is gone, and the old kitchen cabinets are piled up to be saved.
To see a decorated version of this room from the same view, click here.

In the kitchen, facing north –
My first in a series of truly horrifying close-ups is this: The north window and sink area.

In the kitchen, facing east –
The spot where the stove used to be.

In the kitchen, facing north and west –
The northwest corner, revealing the fine dust which has settled throughout the house, including upstairs.
An air filtration system that's a bit overdue is on the way. This will make life much easier for Val, who works from home and
has dealt with breathing issues during this phase of the project.

The opening between the main kitchen and the back portion of the kitchen –
Here's the gnarly support (or lack of support) for the kitchen's west opening.
NIce graininess in this photo plays up the decrepitness, I think.

45th Street South –
Likely some of this material hasn't seen the light of day for more than a hundred years.
Well, arrivederci plaster and lath; I couldn't be happier to see you go.

45th Street South –
I must say: The demo dudes did an artful job of trashing these old kitchen floor boards.
This photo reminds me a bit of our buddy Aaron's art piece, "Forks & Spoons," which has hung in our living room for years.

In the kitchen facing north and west –
I felt compelled to honor the old place, so, post-demo, I went wild with the shop vac.
Sure enough, once cleaned up, the bones of the house are as beautiful as I thought they'd be.

In the kitchen facing north and looking up –
Thanks to a piece of plywood, the poorly supported opening is less terrifying when viewed from this angle.

In the kitchen facing north and east –
Edgar, our contractor, plastered this space with notes for the electrictian.
Even though the demo crew cleaned up well, I still removed three trash bags full of gunk from this area.
Our temporary plastic barrier with a zipper door is visisble on the far right.

In the kitchen facing south –
Ahh, this is the view I've imagined for years...the kitchen and dining room becoming one!
Immediately, it is evident that our home will have the open feel that we've hoped for, especially
when three new windows are added to the right of this view.

In the kitchen facing south and looking up –
I do really like this framing detail.

In the living room facing west –
Another great view of the kitchen and dining room becoming one.
The old duct work is gone, the plumbing and wiring is on the way out, then the framing will be removed and
replaced by proper load-bearing support. The window, visible in the background, will become three windows.
The whole first floor will open up incredibly!

The overall plan –
Shown here is the new opening between the kitchen and dining room.
Three new windows on the west wall face the garden. The island and north counter form a galley-style kitchen.
Appliances, cabinets, countertop, lighting and flooring...all new!
The living and dining rooms, the mud room and the landing to the basement are all getting updated as well.