pot rack is just the beginning

Let's call this the first "fun" project because it's a creative project as opposed to a repair. This blog post shows the removal and squaring-off of the arch, new lighting, pot rack, and trim painting. Future work will be needed to make other areas of the kitchen and adjacent hallway to match the new trim color.

The original idea is that I could use a pot hanger above the sink, to keep pots in easy reach, and also so they don't take up so much space on the dish rack after washing.

Above the sink originally was this dimly lit arch.  To me it looked to serve no purpose. Imagine instead the same space with better lighting and storage!

What's above that arch?  It's scary not knowing what you're going to find. It was built as part of the original house.  What will be up there to hang a pot rack from, with the arch gone?  

First step was to poke through the arch.  The picture below, is looking upward.  I hammered away, and pieces of cement and dust went everywhere. At this point, there is no turning back!  

Behind the cement was like a very strong chicken wire mesh, and other metal and wood shapes that formed the arch shape.

Below, the cement and wire mesh are mostly gone.  There was a dust storm caused by banging the cement and yanking out metal and tons of nails.

A wood cutout formed the facade and shape of the arch.  That yellow thing in photo below is the sawz-all.

Next, I squared off the the arch using the sawz-all (demolition saw I bought when replacing the front door at the first house).

This next shot, is looking upward, from where the arch was.  I found there to be several short beams, which will work for fastening the new flat ceiling, and hanging the pot rack from. The miter saw, jig saw, power drill, sawz-all, Dremel high-speed cutter, and belt sander were all put to much use at various stages of the project.  The old arch was very solidly built.




The old wiring was so old, that the insulation flaked right off.  I used heat-shrink to re-insulate the wires.

Below is the new ceiling piece. It's 1/2 inch sheet rock, the mildew-resistant kind since it will be near the sink.  It's about 5 ft x 1 ft in area, to lay flat above where the arch was.



Below, I've marked two circular cutouts for inserting can lights (recessed lighting).  Easier to cut now, than after I've fastened it to the wall.

Testing the circuit and new connection box. It works! So much banging could have done something to the old wiring, but it survived!

After putting in the lights and screwing in the ceiling piece,  I then nailed in white birch board to square everything off. 



Prep for painting can be seen below In addition to above the sink, I'll be painting the stained woodwork above the cabinets. You can see the white primer, and blue teal sample paint. I didn't end up using the teal.



Photo below shows prep on the opposite side of the kitchen too.  This pot rack project is also the beginning of a new color scheme for the kitchen.  The red area (below, to right) will be painted another color to be determined.

The plastic drop cloth did a great job catching all sorts of raining debris.  With the kitchen in this way, it was a great excuse to order a calzone from Da Vinci.





Below, the woodwork is being painted Essex Green.  A bold, cool color was needed to compete with the strong warm color of the cherry-stained cabinets.

Also painted the wainscotting between the counter and cabinets!



Finally, pot rack!  I got the idea from the internet, to use an old ladder from the garage.  A few threaded eye hooks and "S" hooks and instant pot rack!