It happens to even the best of us

We finally wrapped things up at the Gutshall house in Hermosa Beach.  Our part was easy.  We had to demolish-rebuild half of the kitchen island and build/install a very custom, furniture-like dining room built-in. 

This is the kitchen island before (with bar height counter)-

And this is the after (we had to match the existing kitchen doors/color)

And here is the custom designed dining cabinet (paint grade with antique/distressed effects)-

And we also built the wooden piece above the fireplace (not the mantel)- 

And finally, allow me to introduce to you, Ben and Kelly Gutshall - 

Ben and Kelly hired a designer for this remodel project and what was supposed to be a 4 week project that started in January, Juan and I were finally wrapping things up today.  Kelly is also due to give birth to their second child in a couple of weeks.  I couldn't imagine the stress they had to go to through, especially living in the house where the remodel is taking place. I'm impressed that Ben is still beaming that smile after being kicked in the balls so many times. 

Ten years go, Ben built this house from the ground up.  Ben's father is a home builder and was handed down enough knowledge-experience to build this house in Hermosa beach. Great location by the way, a few steps away from the sand and a three minute walk to the pier. Ben personally designed the house himself by combining all his favorite features from different homes in the area.  He hired an architect to put his ideas on paper and created his own team of contractors to build his manly house with one serious man cave. Ben is no longer a bachelor, but a family man now. The manly house where all cool features came together is now a confused mixture of styles.  It's time to make it a home for the new members of the Gutshall family.  It's time to remodel. 

What went wrong this time? How can this happen to a veteran builder?

The original cabinet contractor took a heavy 50% upfront deposit, then said he couldn't get to his project right away because the job is too small and he's too busy with bigger projects.  It took months and a legal process for the Gutshalls to get their deposit back. 

The Gutshalls went with a commercial grade double pane glass fireplace that no one knew how to frame.  After it was finally framed/installed, the unit was burning too hot and attempts to fix it by the manufacturer of the unit all failed. 

I don't know of all of their other delays, but I do know that it was difficult coordinating with all the different contractors, also their electrician was busy with another "larger" project, and trying to receive all their hand-picked materials added time to their project. 

Their budget also spiraled out of control. Instead of going over 10-15%, they more than doubled their original budget, but they said it was mainly due to the problems they had with the fireplace. 

Well, I am happy for them that it is all over and their home is ready in time for their new baby. 

Congratulations Ben and Kelly!  

Thanks for being such good sports for trying to help me make a video about your project.  I know being in front of a camera is a lot for someone to ask for. 

I hope our paths will cross again. 

Juan in a Million

Kerri: What happened to your eyes? Are you okay?
Me: Must be the alcohol.
Kerri: Oh Lord... Why do you drink? Why do you do that to yourself?

My good friend Raymond wanted to get some drinks tonight because it is his Friday.  He's a restaurant manager at Casa Del Mar and works most nights and weekends.  Raymond is also the only Mexican I know who geeks out on European cars, single malt scotch, wine, photography, and jazz which he collects on vinyl of course. He has a tramp stamp of either a Mayan or Aztec calendar (it's actually on his upper back) and he taped two episodes of "Yo MTV Raps" on VHS that we would make everyone watch over and over again if you ever stepped foot in his old apartment.  Raymond also once worked at Cabinet Happy and he hooked me up with a bartending gig at Shutters Hotel when I needed some extra income.  I'm very proud of Raymond.  He's come a long ways since working at Jamba Juice.

So Raymond picked me up and we headed to "Cinco" which is about a mile from where I live. I might have a drink maybe three or four times a year. I had one beer tonight, an Old Rasputin.  I nursed it with some great Mexican food and a couple of hours later, I am still buzzing.  What can I say, I'm a cheap date. I am only mentioning this because I might slip and say something stupid, offensive, or inappropriate.  So allow me to apologize in advance.  While I am still buzzing, let me just say this one more time tonight, "Raymond, you are still hungry because you are fat!"

Today was busy and eventful. It was our first day on a project in Playa Vista and we are modifying existing cabinets.

This is the before picture (with obsolete tube tv cabinet in the center) - 

Now the after - 

The center is going to get some matching doors sometime next week.

The other part of today' project involved us removing a wine refrigerator and patching a wine rack into its spot.  To save the owner some money and recycle materials, we used the demolished pieces from the desk above to create the wine rack patch. I had Juan working on this patch. 

I am practicing shooting video with the new camera Kerri got me, so here's Juan in action -

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wzjIopgEyyo&feature=youtu.be

Meet Juan. We picked Juan out of 80+ resumes because he went to Cerritos College for woodworking (where Larry and I met), but Juan also worked for Steve Miller (a high end cabinet shop, Larry and I met the owner, Steve Miller, who wowed us with CST Berger laser levels and measuring devices and how he kept his shop super clean by throwing everything useless away). I first met Juan on a concrete bench in front of a book store. I figured that must be a good sign, he must like to read. It was hardly an interview.  He's quiet. I'm quiet.  Some awkward pauses. Ummmm, okay then... Cerritos College, Steve Miller, when can you start? 

The first day Juan rolls up in his dark blue GMC Sierra V8. Til this day, I don't know which side of his truck has a big dent and it might as well be both sides because I can't remember his truck having one clean side. Both sides may have identical dents, but it isn't worth the effort to walk around his truck to find out. I guess I will never know and it doesn't really matter. What did matter was that Juan impressed us with all the tools he packed in the cab of his GMC.  When he set up shop, he really sets up shop.  Saw horses with a big piece of plywood, some other tall bench, ladders, table saw, chop saw, belt sander, compressor, nail guns, big squares, bubble levels, and this tool bag that must weigh 100 lbs. Juan never slows down. He eats every 3 hours, so at anytime of day, he has a generous supply of healthy snacks, water, and protein shake. He usually shows up before me and he'll keep going until he's out of food which is never. He's been working with us for almost two years and he's still teaching me new things. Things like how water is the most important nutrient or what an honor and privilege it is to be working in someone's home alone because that means we have earned their trust.  I remember when he first started, he offered his truck to me so I can pick up material. I can't remember why I couldn't use my own truck that day, but I remember feeling so grateful to receive such help from a person I just met. Juan has taught us that we should hire someone for their ethics and values.  Juan is not just a good coworker, he's a good guy. 

Here's the end product of the wine rack - 

Seamless! 

I was also hired for a design-consultation meeting this afternoon.  The owner said she had a home in Mar Vista, it is contemporary. and wants a custom cabinet with zebra wood.  Again, my third eye failed and I couldn't have been more wrong with my assumptions.  I've received this call before "Mar Vista, contemporary, zebra wood" only to discover "Z Gallerie" chrome-black-lacquer furniture (not present day Z Gallerie, but Del Amo Mall 1980's Z Gallerie). 

This time, the home owner is Sherri Noel of - http://www.thenoelteam.net/

She has a handful of videos on youtube - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V-x3oNtZulQ

The Noel home is impressively designed, the furniture is tastefully eclectic, and is located in one of the nicest blocks of Mar Vista. Sherri picked out the furniture herself which I found to be genius.  It all made sense after she told me that she was an international fashion shoe designer. It is obvious that Sherri is one overachiever with great stories to tell. We managed to come up with a quick sketch and it looks like we are starting this build in the next day or two.