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I spent much of the day trying not to hamper Richard while he continued to work on cupboards.
In the corner to the left of the old fireplace hung a non-functioning extractor fan. Planning to install a functioning fan in a different position, and having fitted cables for the cooking appliances, Richard set about preparing the wall for a cupboard.
The next step was to prepare a back for the cupboard. First, with the aid of his scribing block, this panel was to be made snugly to fit the slightly wavy line of the wall. In the last of these photographs, Richard explains the purpose of this little square of wood enabling him to pencil the exact route following the wall onto the pliable template panel.
I then learned how this little block could be used to transfer the precise line onto the final panel.
Clamps had been applied to prevent excessive movement at the early stages of the process. Note that plumbing has been attached to the underside of the sink.
The sheet was then cut with equal precision with an angled saw. The craftsman wore his mask to prevent his breathing in the flying dust. The purpose of the angled cut is to allow Richard to plane the edge from the rear so that it is not visible from the front.
Why, I wondered, were narrow battens attached to this panel, once in situ?
The answer lay in the grooves in the shelves that were then cut exactly to size,
and fitted in place on the wall. Note the small piece of wood employed to protect the shelves from direct contact with the hammer.
Interspersed with this activity, another batten was going up on the adjacent wall. This was one of a pair of gravity battens matched to those previously attached to
the cupboards that were to hang firmly fixed there. Richard was pleased that the Kitchen Makers logo is visible on his T-shirt.
Before putting anything else on that wall more dodgy wiring needed tackling.
As Mr Punch would say: “That’s the way to do it”.
Every time we have passed The Hobler Inn on Southampton Road over the last two or three years, we have said we should try it sometime. This evening we did, and were not disappointed. Our superb starters were respectively whitebait with fresh salad and crusty bread, and chicken satay with equally excellent salad and pitta bread. My main course was fresh fish, chips, and mushy peas; Jackie’s was perfect penne pasta. I drank Ringwood’s forty-niner and Jackie drank Amstell.
Ah the finesse shown by the craftsman – there have been many a shelf I put up that showed the indentations left by my hearty hammering………… I think Mr Chatty Man must be missing you very much by now.
Many thanks, Pauline. We’ll probably put that right next week
I’m glad dinner was good as I was worried about Jackie not being able to cook!
🙂 Thanks very much, Luanne
Food looks great. On Valentine’s Day my wife and I tried a restaurant we had been talking about for years.
🙂 Thanks very much, Andrew
I give anyone a lot of credit for doing this kind of work. I can’t even hang up a picture. And…the meal looks incredible.
Thanks very much, Cathi
Such skill and the fish & chips look divine!
Many thanks, Cindy. How pub food has changed. Jackie could see the chef slipping the fresh fish into the batter before frying it.
You renovation work seems so intricate. I am amazed at the time and the perfection in workmanship this carpenter is putting into this project. Soon you will have the best looking kitchen in all of England!
Very many thanks, Gary. I think we will
Richard looks like he really enjoys his work…not many can say that. Oh my! My mouth is watering over those fish and chips. 🙂
Very many thanks, Jill. He frequently says so – and how fortunate that makes him
Yum, yum. I love how that dinner looks.
Thanks very much, Arlene
What detailed and intricate work there is in refitting a kitchen. It’s good to try a new restaurant and not be disappointed.
Thanks very much, Clare
It’s surprising how you have managed to turn a mundane process into an exciting work of art.
That is exactly how I see it, Uma. Glad you spotted it. Many thanks
Using that saw upside down is a stroke of genius! 😀 … I’m going to try it on my next project if Spring ever decides to show her face around here. 🙂
Thanks a lot, Widders. This is a man who loved assembling Airfix models as a boy.
I once assembled the dining table – most successfully I might add. I did it outside to give myself a bit of space. It was such a shame when it wouldn’t fit through the door. So I am mild awe at the ex-boatbuilder.
🙂 Well, at least you assembled it. So now you dine alfresco? Thanks a lot, Bruce
Nice to watch the progress and the meals.
Thanks very much, Peggy
There is definitely a soundtrack to this great posting!
Very many thanks, Harlon. There are a few 🙂
I like fish and chips but I do wish restaurants wouldn’t serve it with the fish on top of the chips, it means the first job is to rearrange the food on the plate before you can add salt and vinegar!
🙂 Many thanks, Andrew
Love watching the “Master” at work. What a great series of photos to look back on – Thanks.
Thanks a lot, Boss Lady
Doesn’t look like you hampered Richard too much Derrick, but you could certainly make a step by step tutorial of his workmanship, the Man is an artist with a blank easel.
He is indeed, Ian. Many thanks
So much work going into this kitchen remodeling, but so much expert craftsmanship, too!
I’m glad you had an excellent dinner. 🙂
Many thanks, Merril
I am absolutely loving watching your kitchen unfold. The care and craftsmanship are tangible from your photos let alone the accompanying script. That supper looks fantastic. I had fish and chips in Wimbledon on my recent trip back to England. I was reminded that some things are absolutely unbeatable on our small island.
Many thanks, Osyth. You probably know I grew up in Wimbledon (Raynes Park)
I had noted that …. this was a lovely place next to the common where they welcome dogs (we had three) and were sweet to my doddery mother. My daughter and son in law live in Tooting and walk the dogs there every morning 🙂
We lived in Furzedown (Tooting Bec) from 1980 -87
This daughter was born in 1987 … she and her husband live in Khartoum Road – the cost of their little Maisonnette made my eyes water compared to the flat in Clapham we brought her home to from Tommies ….
Small world 🙂
Ain’t she just
Richard must certainly love his work. So much expert craftsmanship and ‘ filotimo’ has gone into his remodeling project.
He certainly does, Sofia. Thanks, especially, for the new word.
That’s the way to do it, indeed! Dinner looks delicious, but I must add that mushy peas are not something we have across the pond. You probably already know this.
Thanks a lot, Laurie. I don’t think you’ve missed much in the peas 🙂
If I ever make it to England, I’ll give them a try. 😉
I am enjoying this without having to put up with the mess. Mr. Flower and I built our own house(24 months) and added on 1600 square feet (22months) We walked a long, high plank to get into the front door for almost a year. Your posts are bringing back memories.
Many thanks, Flower
That is a lot of work, can’t wait to see the result. 🙂
Thanks a lot, Amy. Nor can we 🙂
I think I would like a new kitchen if Kitchen Makers would come and do it. I don’t think such tradesmen exist here. One time I had a wardrobe ‘built’ and a small bathroom renovation (new shower screen and mirror)and the whole thing was done with a tube of glue. I kid you not. I refused to pay; they never came back.
Wow such exact work! It is fun to watch this progress derrick!
Many thanks, Lynn
I love how involved you are with your photo taken and asking a multitude of questions stay at it..
Many thanks, msw
All these places you eat at don’t really go for presentation do they? Just sort of serve up the grub and hope for the best.
Still I suppose it’s all in the taste when you think about it,
I’m starting to worry about whether or not I’m going to be around to see pictures of a finished kitchen, seems to be taking forever 🙁
HURRY UP RICHARD!
Had a good chuckle over this one, Brian. Many thanks
The kitchen looks like such hard work!
It certainly is – and most skilled. Thanks very much LL/PS
I’m so happy your carpenter knows how to “batten the hatches!” Silly me?! 😋
Anyway, couldn’t resist my comment and was salivating while looking at the delicious fresh fish and chicken satay on each of your plates. Mmmm! Hope you both are getting plenty of rest as I think having someone in your home daily can be wearing. . . 📣 Noisy, too! 🔊
Many thanks, Robin. 🙂 Richard has been a delight