Kitchen fluorescents

This is primarily an upgrade on lighting control and quality. I added the convenience of 3-way switches. So now there's no more having to go across the kitchen to turn off lights. I'm also continuing to change out the old beige toggles for these white Decoras.

Originally it was four 40W tubes for a total of 160W. These six 26W recessed cans are actually more efficient. The room is brighter. Careful placement helps. Maybe it's just the new bulbs. I've determined that 3500K color temperature looks best for the kitchen. 3000K is more appropriate for a bedroom or living room, while 4100K seems better for a garage or storage.

Centralized attic wiring above the kitchen had me replacing the laundry light, too. That makes seven cans. It also meant that adding a skylight would be much more involved than I had originally thought, so now that idea is chucked.

I found the best price for these Juno ICPL526E fluorescents (with 216WHZ-WH trim) at Laner Electric in Richmond -- for $40.51 and $25.84, respectively. The Sylvania bulbs, however, were ordered online from 1000bulbs.com for $7.95 each. Total cost, including Romex, splice boxes, supplies and a new pair of pliers, came to $660.

Just in time for the holidays.

Project: kitchen

Actually not a lot of changes planned for the kitchen, but it has unofficially started. Projects will be on and off, and I'll have to be opportunistic because the space is in daily use.

Oven replacement

I replaced the old buzzing oven with this Kenmore electric self-cleaning model. Nothing really nasty, but removing the old unit was kind of hit-n-miss on which screws to remove. I must have unfastened twenty screws before finding the two hidden under metal caps along the side rim.

Then the bottom cabinet piece (5/8" particle board) was bowed, so I replaced it with a stiffer 3/4" birch plywood and biscuit-joined it to a poplar lintel beam. Glad to have a wood shop. The correct size of opening becomes critical for a built-in oven because the flange can hide only so much above and below it, and the new unit also fastens with face screws on the side flanges.

Cost of oven was $800 plus tax. Sears Outlet had a black one at discount, but it just didn't look right, so I got this at retail. Home delivery was oddly quicker than customer pick-up at their warehouse, and they're offering a full rebate on the $65 delivery charge.

Kitchen faucet

American Standard brand (model Williamsburg) from Expo Design Center for $109. It's an upscale Home Depot outlet... but, I still had to go back because the box I took home contained a crooked spout! It was clearly repackaged. Shameful.

Lav faucet

I got this faucet (WaterRidge brand) for $49 from Costco, thinking it's a bargain. It's heavy. It's solid metal. It feels smooth. It comes with complete brass fittings. I thought replacing my old tired Moen one-handle would be a cinch.

Not so quick.

As it turns out, the biggest catch, at least for me, was getting the lift rod to fit. My sink has the three holes inline — the center hole is centered. Aren't they all like that?

This faucet's rod, however, requires an offset hole location! How peculiar. Is that why they're dumping it at wholesale price?

So I actually had to drill through 1/2" of ceramic! Ugggh! Glad I had a ceramic drill bit and a powerful drill. Still it took some time. The kit also came with a rather short (4") drain tube, so a $5 extension was the other little bite.

Once completed it works beautifully.