Kitchen Remodel/Reshaping the space

Phase 1: Planning: The old kitchen | The general idea | Kitchen theory | Rough layout | Appliances | Utility connections and lighting | Cabinet theory | Islands and peninsulas | Cabinet front styles | Cabinet selection | Reference Phase 2: Preparation: Schedule | Cabinet installation preparation Phase 3: Implementation: Reshaping the space | Cabinet installation | Cabinet installation trouble shooting | Appliance and sink installation | Countertop and backsplash | Tile work | Outcome Kitchen Remodel Home

In the case of my own project, the remodel did not just mean a new kitchen, but a reshaping of the space, too – walls and ceiling:

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  The original space
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  After demolition
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  After reconstruction
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  On completion

If someone is an architect and has an expert spacial sense, they will probably walk through a room and then come up with a new, better and more beautiful shape just like that. But someone who is untrained in architecture may have difficulties to imagine a potential or future space that does not lie directly in front of them. On any account, a visual simulation will be a priceless aid. For want of access to pertinent software like SketchUp, Revit or 3D Studio Max, I used what was easily available for me: Blender, that is a well-documented free and open source software. You do not need to become proficient in a 3D computer graphics software if you only want to use it for one project; some basics will probably do. But even then it is not just helpful, but also fun.

Next, I show you a random selection of my Blender renders. They are from various stages of my design process. I did those mostly to familiarize myself with the space shape that I designed. But as you can tell, there were also helping me in the long process of decision making about cabinet front products and about colors.

The works that are documented in the following images spanned over a time period of 15 weeks, even though, for various reasons, only a part of those days were actual construction work days. Because we were still living in the house and needed a makeshift kitchen during the construction, the northernmost part of the space, which required only very little work, was sectioned off and put behind a dust curtain.

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  Sectioning off of several clean spaces (that were supposed to be kept habitable) behind dust curtain walls; removal of flooring
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  Demolition and removal of the old kitchen
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  Removal of dry wall and building insulation from the walls, removal of the old ceiling light installation
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  Removal of dry wall and building insulation from the ceiling and the suspended ceilings; removal of some wall studs; installation of a temporary support (right)
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  (The same, as seen from the living room)
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  (The same, as seen from the living room)
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  Removal of the rest of the needless wall studs. My happiest day, because I wanted that wall to be gone so badly!
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  (The same, as seen from within the kitchen)
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  Reconstruction and extension of the suspended ceiling (left); construction of a soffit (foreground); new electrical connections; modification of the water connections
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  Construction of two new walls (center, right)
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  Extension of the existing wall (foreground)
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  (The same, as seen from within the kitchen)
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  The soffit got a plywood case. More electrical and water connections; preparation work for the lighting
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  (The same, as seen from the living room)
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  Part of the ceiling needs to be suspended because it holds the ducts of our forced air heating system.
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  New building insulation, and a new window, too
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  (The same, as seen from a different angle)
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  New drywall, taped already
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  (The same, as seen from within the kitchen)
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  After drywall mudding, and already with some wall paint