remodeling to acommodate an elderly loved oneremodeling to acommodate an elderly loved one

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remodeling to acommodate an elderly loved one

When I invited my mother to come and live with my family, we had to make some changes to accommodate her. The changes that needed to be made were all within reason and were all required so that she could get around with her walker and eventually a wheelchair if need be. I hired a remodeling contractor to assist us with making the changes. I learned a lot while discussing what needed to be done and what it would take to get it complete. I created this blog with the hopes of helping other families that are considering making the same changes in their homes.

Update The Look Of Your Kitchen By Staining Old Solid Wood Cabinetry A New Color

6 August 2016
 Categories: , Blog

Solid wood cabinetry was a popular option for cabinetry in kitchens years ago. The solid wood was designed to be very durable, but some of the finishes can give kitchens an outdated look. If you have recently purchased a home that has solid wood cabinetry, consider refinishing the cabinets rather than replacing them. This will allow you to get a new look in the kitchen, without having to spend a fortune to get it. Use the guide below to learn how to quickly and easily update the look of your kitchen cabinetry by simply refinishing the cabinets.

Take the Cabinetry Apart

You first need to remove all of the cabinet doors and drawers from the frames. To remove the doors, simply use a screwdriver to unscrew the screws holding the hinges to the cabinet frames. To remove the drawers, look at the tracks the drawers slide on. There should be a little lever on either side of the drawer that can be depressed to allow the drawer to pull free from the tracks. Remove all hardware from the doors and drawers, such as handles and hinges, with the screwdriver. The wheels can stay on the sides of the drawers because you will not be able to see the sides of the drawers when the drawers are closed so you do not have to stain them unless you want to.

Sand Down Everything

Next, you need to use 80-grit sandpaper to sand down every inch of the cabinetry. There will be a protective finish on the cabinets that will need to be removed in order for you to be able to stain the wood a new color. Taking the time to sand down every inch carefully will ensure the finish can be applied as evenly as possible.

Stain the Cabinets

Cover all countertops and appliances with drop cloths to ensure that no stain drips onto them accidentally. Use a paintbrush to paint on the new finish you choose in thin, even layers. Be sure to let each layer of stain dry completely to see if it is dark enough to suit your style. If not, you can add another layer of stain until the optimal shade is reached. Once your stain has dried, apply a coat of polyurethane gel to the cabinetry with a paintbrush to protect the wood from water, grease, and dirt. Place new hardware and hinges back onto the doors and drawers and put them back into place. Your cabinetry should look like you had new cabinets from a company like Rob Hall's Kitchens Plus installed when you are done.