RedneckModern

ISS Shelving System Install: Day One

This holiday weekend found me heading to Marin to install an ISS shelving system for Matt and Ki -- neighbors of Michael and Iris.

I was greeted by a tidy palette and a few boxes tucked into the garage and in short order, had it unpacked and splayed out. One of the things that didn't greet us was a detailed set of instructions. A low-res PDF was emailed but the photos in the instructions were so poorly shot and so low res (and the instructions so generic) that they really weren't much help. Fortunately, I've a black-belt in cabinet assembly after our kitchen and tehse things are pretty standard. However, the unlabeled parts in the palette -- coupled with the lack of decent instruction added at least 4 hours to the install (maybe six) as we had to test fit, twirl around and -- in most cases -- re-assemble the parts to get the correct configuration.

The system is pretty tricked-out and -- at least the aluminum parts -- are well manufactured. The system itself is almost 100% identitcal to the Rakks system we installed in our own office (from a materials, and bracket design standpoint) and this pole-mounted system went into the same location -- against the office wall adjacent to the sliding door.

The tension poles are fairly easy to install even with one person. Some leveling and math is involved to get them just right -- again, something that better instructions would have helped, but it wasn't too hard to figure out. They come threaded on each end with screw feet that tighten to create a solid hold. Fortunately, our floor was concrete and the cieling was wood, so they're pretty tight. I'd be hesitant to install them with a drywall cieling given the tension created in an area the size of a half-dollar.

New Pool Plan

We've been planning a pool for over a year — a lot longer in many ways (as Casie bought me the book The New American Swimming Pool over 10 years ago)... but we're getting closer.

I'm posting this to get my thoughts gathered as well as to solicit input — if you have some ideas, please send them my way. It's also a good place to share drawings with vendors.

Chris and Laura's Door-a-Palooza (in process)

Our friends and neighbors, Chris and Laura, were in dire need of door replacements. Their house was a victim of a shoddy flip and they've done a lot to bring it back to life.

All of the interior doors seemed to be made of pressed cardboard and a slight tap seemed to put a dent in them — they were terrible. The front door was solid, but very inappropriate for the house. This is where we come in... seeing as door replacement has become kind of a "thing" for us.

Bret and Mary-Peyton's New Kitchen

Our friends and neighbors Bret and Mary-Peyton just finished a kitchen remodel and we stopped by today to snap a few pictures.

Bret spent most of his winter vacation finishing this off with Mary-Peyton's help. It turned out well, no? In the mix is a massive redwood table made by Bret and some great vintage Poulsen Danish lights. The wrapped countertop looks great in gray Silestone.

First, the before shots

Now, the after shots (click for higher-res views)

Dan's "Conquista-door" Replacement

Dan had a door in much need of replacement. I call it the "conquista-door" because of the heavy-handed carvings that would be more appropriate on a spanish revival home... but it's ill-placed nonetheless.

A day later, he had something more Eichler-appropriate. Check out his blog, too, see what else is afoot.

Like the "Orange Door", I used Schlage hardware and headed to Dolan's and San Rafael Lumber for the materials.

One thing we've learned on our own door and this one is that yellow paint covers terribly and takes about 6 coats to cover completely (whereas the previous dark-orange door was perfect after 3 coats)... something to consider when picking a color and looking at a time-line.

Nonetheless, we seem to have gotten Eichler front door replacement down to a science. Drop me a line if you need a new one...

The House With The Orange Door

We recently did some work for a neighbor who needed help replacing a worn, dilapidated (and ill-matched) door. We think it turned out well.

Michael and Iris' Master Bath: Preview

In additon to the guest bath, we completely gutted the master bath — boy what a mess. I'll spare you the photos, but the luan plywood behind the tile had seen better days.

We used the same 3X6 white subway tile hung in the same way. For the curb, I used the matte aluminum Schluter tile strip instead of bullnose for a cleaner edge on both sides of the matching 6X6 tile. The geometry is quite nice.

We used Dal-tile's "Charcoal" keystones blend for the floor with Delorean Gray grout and love the combination... I might even re-do our own baths in this combo.

We used Denshield tile backer and ran it along the wall behind the toilet and replaced the paneling adjacent to the toilet (scarred from old repairs). Previously, the entire room was wrapped in wood — a very bad idea for a wet area. Now, the paneing is just serving as an accent far away from actual water.

I finished up the grouting too late for any proper photos, so here's a few iPhone grabs.

Michael and Iris' Guest Bath: Before and After

We finished up Michael and Iris' guest bath this weekend. Here are some before and after shots...

New Eichler Door Escutcheon Now Available?

One of the things that seems to make an Eichler an Eichler is the very characteristic door-knob plate -- or escutcheon (ess-kut-chen) and many folks (including me) have tried to reuse the old Sargent plate or recreate new ones.

With the right equipment (CNC, metal lathe, stamping press), recreating one likely isn't hard, however, modern door hardware is generally more specifically finished making is harder to match the knob and the plate... for someone like Schlage who is already making satin chrome or bronze finishes, this would be easy, but there's very little demand nowadays to make a plate for a small niche business.

However, Rejuvenation Hardware has recently produced a new line of Mid-Century modern inspired door hardware... I guess Mad Men winning Emmy awards has its perks.

(Click the photos for larger, clearer versions)

Taking the plunge (and looking for help)

We're thinking (seriously) about installing a pool in the backyard. The Concord summers would make it a useful thing to have and it's always been a sort of dream of mine to have a pool in the backyard. We've talked to a local contractor about installing a small fiberglass Viking-brand pool, but their quote was late, high and short (as in: it didn't seem like they are interested in the job).

We're presently still looking into the Viking Pool (if we can get an installer to actually call us) and we've been having a great discussion with a local gunite pool installer as well. Below are two plans, the fiberglass pool option (8.5X18) and the tradtional gunite pool (12X24). If anyone is interested in looking at a more detailed plan, a full PDF of the gunite plan is here. The gunite version could also be a vinyl-liner install as well -- we have no affinity to materials, really, as each has their pros/cons.

We've also entertained a DIY installation of an EndlessPool Waterwell at 10X15, but the depth is the most shallow at 4.5 feet. The price is about 1/2 the cost of the gunite install, but it would include quite a bit more DIY excavation and permiting.

There is one space where clearance might be an issue in the side yard by the large tree, but it's not too tight for a Bobcat (see icture below). We've also been told that equipment placement cannot be as close to the fenceline as planned in the Viking plan below, but would certinaly love to hear thoughts on that. Presently, we're thinking the boiler room might be large enough to house equipment or be expanded pretty easily (it's the black square on the gunite plan)... we're, of course, still in the planning stages and things can be flexible. The boiler room has/can have available 220V and 110V service and we'd not look to a pool contractor to add any new lines, but instead use our own electrician.

So:

• 12X24 (or 8.5X18 if fiberglass)
• gunite, fiberglass or vinyl
• no fancy upgrades on final finishes. a white/lt. blue non-pattern pool is our preference.
• no heat
• no spa
• no cover
• no fence
• electrical already in place (220V and 110V as needed)
• water already in place (presently in boiler room)
• equipment to reside in current boiler room... to be reconfigured/expanded as needed (by us)
• pool to include adequate coping, but not concrete surround.
• pool to include neutral 6X6 tiles (gray, white, lt. blue) around perimeter
• permits and approvals to be handled by contractor

If you happen to have thoughts, suggestions, comments or recommendations, please send them our way. We're definitely looking for other contractors to get a few point-of-reference on cost. Thanks. Comment below of send an email to red@redneckmodern.com.