Oh BooHoo. All the market fun is over and it’s back to real life here in ThimbleannaLand. We had a HARD, long weekend last weekend, ripping tile out of the kitchen. Remember this picture of one naughty kitty from last winter?
I’m only showing you that picture for a “before”. Here’s a shot of the “during”.
Ouch! For the most part, the tile popped up … well, not easily, but ok, with the help of a sledgehammer and that long pole on the left-hand side of the picture. But see those six tiles still stuck in the middle? Those, along with about 10 others, were stuck down with something that was meant to survive some sort of nuclear blast. TheManoftheHouse spent a whole day chipping those tiles out little piece by little piece with a sledgehammer and small chisels, while I removed the rest of the tiles.
“My” tiles left a nasty adhesive behind, which required some sort of DIY tile jackhammer thingy for removal. You can’t tell by the picture but that steel paddle jumps up and down like a jackhammer and chips away at the cement-like stuff. We still have another full day of the jackhammer-dump-more-dust-all-over-the-house tool work to do. I can’t wait. Ha.
Meanwhile, the kitties are liking the new industrial look. Maybe we should just stick with that. How come painted concrete flooring in kitchens isn’t all the rage? It would sure be easier if floors were like walls and you could just change the paint color.
Anyway, I hope you all have a good weekend. Do a little sewing for me. And if you happen to need tile removed, here’s a little tip: there’s a reason why contractors want a LOT of money to remove it for you. And a LOT of money is probably a really good deal! ;-D
XOXO,
Anna
LOL Anna, my dh is constantly teasing me, telling me in our next house the kitchen will have a cement floor…that he can just hose down…as it will have a drain in the center of it. LOL
first commenter prize goes to MMMEEEE!
are you putting the tile down yourselves as well?
what is wrong with you? i can’t imagine how hard that would be. my hubby is a contractor though, so i’d be hiding elsewhere while HE did all the manly work.
how exciting!!! the kitchen has BEGUN!
:waves madly
Oh my Anna, that looks like a LOT of hard work! I love the concrete floor idea! Brilliant! LOL
my hubs is one of those contractors, and let me say that some floors only come up with backbreaking labor!
can’t wait to see your finished floor! are you doing wood or tile?
Hmm painted concrete. I actually like the idea of painted floors. Especially after all that work you did. I think it would be a great idea to explore. But I’m sure you have other plans for your floor. Can’t wait to see what is coming.
Anna – get the trend started! Paint your concrete and call the job DONE!
Gee, is it too late to decide you can ‘live’ with the old tile? ;0
You just get to have so much fun!! I hope you are taking care of your hands – you don’t want nasty rough bits snagging on your sewing!!
In the kitty’s defense, he only messed up some rugs…
Charlie removed the asbestos tile from our basement himself. BLECK! Not a fun job!
It will look good when it’s finished.
Oh I do feel for you having to lift those tiles off. I am sure people think the more they put under them then they will never come off again. My partner does jackhammering when renovating houses and says his legs always ache after a day of doing that. I am sure the kitties have the right idea about no tiles, at least concrete is easier to wash and change the colors!
Looks like a fantastic start! Hope that is the worst of the jobs you have to do.
How fun to have before, during and after photos.
Oh Becky of Piece o cake does the concrete floor thing….check her blog from maybe a year ago! Looked very cool in her Mom’s old house I think and then her son did it too in the kitchen.
Oh, bummer, been there, done that. Not fun. At least you had Market beforehand, so you can zone out a little and remember the good times, then zone back in and think how nice it will be when it’s all done!
I do not envy you but probably will when it’s all finished; new, fancy and sparkling! Think of the end result to get you through the next few weeks.
Hope all is going well..I quite understand your dusty situation! :o)
Oh, I feel for you, I have heard remodeling can really take its toll. Removing the tile sounds like it was a lot of work. Your line about painting floors made me chuckle :o)
Oh my, don’t those jobs just do your head in?
I remember my mum and dad renovating a house when I was a kid, we had to remove the underlay that was stuck to the floor under the carpet with the same kind of tool. Black rubber, stuck so hard that it took us DAYS.
I feel your pain.
Sas x
Are you quite sure it wasn’t the naught kitty who tore up the tile?
We are at the point in our house where we have stuff to do in every single room. And no motivation to start any of it. Ugh.
good luck on the new floor – I still get a laugh about your cats moving the rugs :)
Oh Anna….I sure can feel your pain. We have lived through two big renovations. Your mention of the dust brought back so many memories. Lately the hubby is talking about building a new house….and doing some of the work himself. I vote No! Good luck with your work…it will all be worth it when it’s done :)
Bummer that the tile removal has been such a bear. :( Your post has made me think twice about ripping up what’s in my hall bath. Yikes. Just keep repeating- “It will all be worth it in the end!”
Oh sweetie, I’m feeling your reno pain. But when it’s all done, you fall in love with your new space and just enjoy it all. Hang in there! :)
Hmmm…well, you know that concrete counter tops are all the rage and quite expensive from what I hear. Not concrete floors?! You’ll be happy when it’s all said and done! ;-)
My brother is a tiler and I can remember him swearing quite a lot during jobs like this …. it will be worth it in the end – hang on in there x
The industrial look looks good. What a job that is. Gives me nightmares all over again. Good luck.
ooh Anna! Your new floor is lovely!! Seriously, that’s just shiny concrete? It’s awesome!
You are such troopers for hacking that tile out yourselves. I hope that makes you feel better!
Hammer on!
Jody
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