Photos For Artisan's Portfolio

Jill and Sandy were over last week to take photos of our kitchen and their work for them to use in their portfolio.

View them all here.


This one of the cook top, backsplash, and hood turned out quite nice, I think.






I also like this view of the southwest corner showing the two new arched doorways.






This view is looking north into the dining room through the grand, new opening.

Swanstone Sink

This is the main sink we have.

My brother recommended a rack to go in it. I'll try to find one that fits, although the LHS bowl is only 7" deep and quite convenient for the soapy water side.

C'est tout! C'est bon!

Well, it's all done now.

We started contacting contractors at the beginning of April 2007 and construction began at the end of August. We ended up about a bit more than 20% over what we had originally estimated, although half of that was two items, the back-splash and the new back door.

We'll do a YouTube tour sometime soon.

More on the Backsplash

The backsplash will be complete this Friday. The amber glass looks great! It really brings outthe copper in the granite. I'll post pictures soon.

A couple notes from Jill:

Matt-

Grouting was done on the initial tile work today. John wanted to have me let you know to please not touch any of the grouting or calking as it is still setting up (drying or curing—I am not sure). He will return tomorrow to finish the tiling and Friday to do the grouting. It looks just fabulous……Jill

Go Packers J!!

Matt—

I have left a message for John in regards to continuing the tile up the wall behind the hood—I think it will look great and balance off the height and the dark color from the window trim quite nicely.

John will be grouting on Monday and perhaps install the tile that day, too (don’t quote me). I am leaving now for the MBA show but John has my number if he has any questions on the project.

Have a good weekend

Regards,

Jill

Backsplash to be installed tomorrow

A few correspondences about the backsplash:

Matt—

John is arriving tomorrow, the 8th to apply the tile and is returning on Thursday, the 10th, to do the grouting.

John is aware of the issue with the fireplace; he said he spoke to you about it before you went on your last trip (??). The tile on the fireplace is fairly old and may be a challenge to find a tile that coordinates. We will see what can be done. I will let you know what the best solution may be.

I will plan on stopping by the house tomorrow (I’m nosy about the look of the tile). I will pick up the nail gun then.

Thanks for letting me know.

If you plan on any more home projects for the upcoming year and plan on attending the MBA (Metropolitan Builders Association) show downtown, please stop by our booth. I will be there Friday night, noon-9:00 on Saturday, and 10:00-5:00 on Sunday.
Let me know if you have any other questions.
Regards,

Jill

From: Matthew Piette [mailto:mjpiette@yahoo.com]
Sent: Monday, January 07, 2008 1:43 PM
To: Jill Doss
Subject: Re: Tiling and molding

Jill--

Are we still on track for this Wednesday for the tile? While John is there can you have him take a look at the tile on the right hand side in front of the fireplace in the living room? There are some loose tiles there. Depending on what he thinks, we may want to have that repaired, time permitting.

I see Greg put the molding up on the other cabinet - looks great. he left his nail gun at the house. It's on the dining room table. I can drop it off at the office if you'd like.

--Matt


From: Jill Doss
To: Matthew Piette
Sent: Friday, December 28, 2007 10:44:10 AM
Subject: RE: Tiling and molding

No, just appreciate the great workmanship. But, it will look 100% better once the grout it installed.
Have a good New Years holiday.


From: Matthew Piette [mailto:mjpiette@yahoo.com]
Sent: Friday, December 28, 2007 10:29 AM
To: Jill Doss
Cc: Laurie Piette
Subject: Re: Tiling and molding

Great! Thanks much.

There's nothing special we will need to do on the 9th, is there?
--Matt


From: Jill Doss
To: Matthew Piette
Sent: Friday, December 28, 2007 10:10:18 AM
Subject: RE: Tiling and molding

Hey Matt—

Tiling has been moved up to the 8th and return on the 10th for grouting. The 14th and `15th were the first two consecutive days that John had available. If you don’t mind the split days, he can be there on the 8th to start.
I have made the date changes.

Jill.


From: Matthew Piette [mailto:mjpiette@yahoo.com]
Sent: Thursday, December 27, 2007 6:50 PM
To: Jill Doss
Subject: Re: Tiling and molding

No objections to the photographer.

14th & 15th? We hoping for the 2nd and 3rd, at least by Jan 12th. Can you move it up a week at least?

--Matt

From: Jill Doss
To: Matthew Piette
Sent: Thursday, December 27, 2007 5:19:25 PM
Subject: Tiling and molding

Matt

Your tile has arrived. I have scheduled the installation on January 14th and 15th. I believe the lock box is still on the door, so John can let himself in.
Greg will come next week and put the two pieces of trim on the sides of the cabinets.
Let me know if you have any questions.
Regards,
Jill
P.S. I would like to arrange to have photos taken of the kitchen after the tile is installed, we have a photographer that we use for this purpose—would you have any objections?

Backsplash

Matt:
Attached please find our proposal for tiling the backsplash in the kitchen using the glass and stainless steel mosaic tiles. The lead time for the tile is 3-5 days, as long as the manufacturer has product in stock. We would not have time available for the tile work until the 20th, or after, of December (as of today).

Let me know if you have any questions.

Regards,

Jill

December 10, 2007

Project Description and Specifications – Custom tile backsplash installation
___________________________________________________________________________

Client: Matthew and Laurie Piette

Address: 2608 LeFeber Avenue, Wauwatosa, WI 53213
.
Phone: 1-414-258-5561
____________________________________________________________________________


Labor Specifications:

Supply labor to install custom tile backsplash in pattern as specified in attached drawing including creation of insert positioned above cook top. Tile shall be installed to the ceiling above the range hood. Application of grout. Pull outlets forward to be flush with new tile.

Material specifications:

Glass Mosaic Dark Brown Tier4 T200G ¾” x ¾” on 12” x 12” mesh
Graffiato brick pattern stainless steel mosaic MBM305 3/5” x 1 1/5” on 12” x 12” mesh
(Note: mesh to be cut in field to a strip of 2 rows of stainless steel mosaic to create insert)
Grout: Lacticrete #03 Silk

Total Cost: $2,211.37

Note: Any changes made to the above specifications after a contract is signed will be addressed with a change order and appropriate charges will be applied to the original contract amount. Items that are not included in this Specification list are not included in quote.

Payable as Follows:
50% due upon signing of contract
50% due upon completion of tile work
Upon signing, this Project Description and Specification List shall become a permanent part of the contract between Matthew and Constance Johnson and Artisan Kitchen and Bath Gallery.

Thank you for allowing Artisan Kitchen & Bath Gallery to provide a proposal for your remodeling project.
Customer Acknowledgment of Description and Specifications:

_______________________________________________________Date_____________
Owner:
______________________________________________________Date_____________
Designer:

Warranty: The contractor grantees the materials and workmanship they provide to be free from defects due to normal usage and conditions for twelve (12) months from the date of completion. Many of the individual materials used carry longer warranties though their respective manufacturers. Warranty information on these materials is available upon request.

Done. (almost)

For all intents and purposes, the kitchen project is complete. We're still waiting for the replacement top for our triangular kitchen table, a little work on one of the cabinets and an outlet, and we need to get some more organizers.

We do need a backsplash behind the cook top. Jill has picked out a few samples and I think we're going to look at some others as well.

Any thoughts on these?

Getting to the end...

A note from Jill on some final details:

Matt—

Greg had the exterior door installed when I stopped by. The storm door was going to be installed next. Pat will stop by tomorrow to do finish up painting.

Let me know your thoughts on finishing the basement ceiling that we needed to remove to reinforce the floor below the side door.

Greg will return next week to finish up the pantry shelf/pot rack and switch the outlet and switch placement by the prep sink. He could also work on the basement repair at the time, should you decide to have that area addressed. I have left my drawing of the pot rack at your house; I think you saw the sketch one of the last times I was there, and the hook I will have them use. Please take a look to make sure you approve. I think it will look very nice when it is done.

As I mentioned, Greg will be off on Thursday and Friday for surgery.

Floor people will arrive Saturday between 7:30 and 8:00am. Arrival on Sunday will be around 8:00am. Floor people strongly encourage you to be at home during the refinish/staining process to verify the color application.

Let me know if you have any questions.

The response to my request for a free freezer

'm sorry A & E can't do time windows. I hope they were there and fixed it this time.

Carrie

-----Original Message-----
From: Matthew Piette
Sent: Thursday, November 08, 2007 7:21 PM
To: Carrie Kappel

Subject: Re: door

Well Carrie, of course this is screwed up again.

The people at A & E have scheduled tomorrow's repair for 1-5PM, instead of the 8-12 time we set up last week when they were here with the wrong part.

I must say that the response of Kennedy-Hahn has been abysmal. It seems that neither you nor the company have done nothing whatsoever to try to help solve this problem.

Perhaps the repair guy will be here early and I won't have to re-schedule, but I really doubt that will happen.

At this point I believe you should give us a free freezer. It seems like a discount of less than 5% of the entire spend we had with K-H is the very least that you and your company can do.

Two months to put a handle on a freezer door? And we're far from done yet? Unbelievable.

--Matt Piette

More on the Floor

Hey Matt—

Darryl feels the solution to your floor situation is complete sand and refinishL. Darryl was extremely apologetic saying he thinks this will be the best solution.

They will do this on their own time using the same products and processes as the very first time.

They will like to handle this on Saturday, November 17th and Sunday, November 18th. I have tentatively booked this time for you. I am hoping the new doors will be installed earlier that week. Please get back to me to confirm that these dates will work for you.

Thank you for your patience.

Jill.

More on the floor

I am confident the Jill & Ray will resolve the issue to our satisfaction.

Matt—

Ray and I have just returned from looking at the floor we have some definite concerns about the appearance of the floor. We will plan on meeting at your house at 5:00pm on Monday; the floor person will also be in attendance.

Have a good weekend


Jill



From: Matthew Piette [mailto:mjpiette@yahoo.com]
Sent: Friday, November 02, 2007 7:52 AM
To: Jill Doss
Subject: Fw: 4 times a charm?

Jill--

I met with the floor guy yesterday and he immediately said that the entire floor had to be redone and he redid it. It needs to be redone again.

The floor has gone from a show piece to something we need to cover up. It used to be indistinguishable from the original wood in the front; now a blind man could tell the difference.

At this point all options are back on the table, including going with a completely different floor, such as tile.

Laurie will be home this afternoon to meet the 'fridge repair guy. Can you and Ray stop by to look at the floor with her and discuss options? It's not just streaks and blotches anymore but globs of excess sealer.

--Matt

Floor Issues

The plumber put a large scratch in the floor when he moved the freezer, necessitating the entire floor to be redone. The work is not acceptable. Here are the latest correspondences.

Matt--

I have left two messages advising them to hold off on the work scheduled for today. I feel we should schedule a time next week to have all necessary parties available to discuss the next step. I will see what I can arrange and let you know. I am sure that we can have this matter handled satisfactorily J…..I will be in touch.

Jill

Jill--

I don't think a spot repair will suffice. The more that I look at the floor, the less satisfied I am with their fix.

There are light areas by the 'fridge and ovens, by the entrance to the back hall, and near the dining room passage way. The dinnette area has some wide dark and light stripes running parallel to the grain.

The whole floor has a mottled look. I think that the entire floor needs to be redone.

The repair people are coming this Friday to replace the freezer door, so if they can't start today we should wait until next week.

Please call to discuss.

--Matt

----- Original Message ----
From: Jill Doss
To: Matthew Piette
Sent: Tuesday, October 30, 2007 10:09:55 AM
Subject: FW: details

Matt:

The floor technician will return tomorrow to perform a touchup on the area of the floor by the sink. Yes, I could see the area was lighter, as could the floor rep that was at the house with me.

They will tape off the areas in question and heat up the area with a heat gun to lift the polyurethane. The areas will then be restained. Should all be done when you get home tomorrow evening.

Let me know if you have any questions.

Jill



From: Jill Doss
Sent: Monday, October 29, 2007 9:42 AM
To: 'Matthew Piette'
Subject: RE: details


No, I wasn’t able to get into the kitchen when I stopped by, as the floor was still wet. I have contacted the flooring company; I will be meeting with them at 9:00 am tomorrow morning to take a look. I have told them that no one was in the house since they were there on Tuesday and Wednesday of last week. I will let you know what I hear.

I hope you had a pleasant trip.

Jill


From: Matthew Piette
Sent: Monday, October 29, 2007 8:55 AM
To: Jill Doss
Subject: Re: details

The tile does look great, but there's a big white spot in front of the main sink. Did you notice that? I think it needs another coat of stain.

----- Original Message ----
From: Jill Doss
To: Matthew Piette
Sent: Friday, October 26, 2007 3:25:43 PM
Subject: FW: details

Hey Matt:

Here are some updates:

I stopped at the house yesterday—the floor has been refinished and looks great. John completed the tiling and that looks wonderful, also.

The exterior storm door is due the 6th of November. The interior door is due the 16th of November. Both may arrive sooner. We will schedule the installation once both are here. Any final touch up painting can be finished at this time.

I will have my sketch of the pot rack/shelves scanned and e-mailed to you.

Cheerio for now, enjoy you weekend.

Jill

Tiles & Appliances

The saga of the Freezer Handle continues. A third repair party, A & E, is now involved, the people who handle the warranty work for Dacor. They will not order the parts without seeing the problem and must have someone at the house. Of course they couldn’t make it when we had people working there, nor can they give a time more specific than four hours.

They’re scheduled to come out Tuesday morning, between 8:00AM – 12:00PM. Swell. We’re leaving for London Tuesday and will need to leave the house by 10:00am. I told Carrie K. that if they are not there by the time we leave, the deal is off. I will want the refrigerator removed for a full refund.

I am astounded at how bad the service has been through Kennedy Hahn. Everybody says the right things, but no one can get anything done.

The tile work began today. As he was putting the cement board down John the tile guy noticed that the landing right inside the side door flexed excessively. Upon further investigation they discovered that there were no cross joists under the floor. The tile would crack with that amount of give, and it wasn’t structurally sound.

Greg is there right now adding the joists and replacing the floor.

Funny thing. Now John will be back on Monday. I called A & E and told them about the new time that they could come. Yesterday that slot was available. Now it is not. I asked the person if there was a note on our service order that they had to be there by 10:00. She said that there was not, but would add it. Carrie told me that she had them put that note.

No Tile Today

Matt

I received a call from our tile setter this morning; he is having some electrical problems at his house, due to last night’s storms. He has an electrician out at his house currently. Consequently, he will not be able to start the tile project today as we had planned. He will arrive tomorrow at 7:00 a.m. and feels he will be able to complete the entire job in one day if he works straight through until around 5:00 or 6:00.

Sorry for the delay. Let me know if you have any questions.

Jill

A Couple More Emails

Matt--

I will be meeting Greg at your house tomorrow morning at 9:00 A.M. and make a decision about the hallway paint for the trim and door.

Greg will bring along necessary shelf clips.

I will take a look at the area above the sink for the pot rack and let you know what I think.

Door will be another couple of weeks (ouch), probably not in before you jet off to London .

Greg will put a sweep on the bottom of the current door to control the critters and air flow.

I am excited to see the kitchen—I haven’t had the opportunity to visit for over a week. I have seen the pictures on the web site, but an in person visit is so much more enjoyable.

Let me know if you have any questions. I will be back with you tomorrow.

Jill.


From: Matthew Piette [mailto:mjpiette@yahoo.com]
Sent: Tuesday, October 16, 2007 10:15 AM
To: Jill Doss
Subject: Re: Punch list stuff

The paint is all in the workroom in the basement. Were we doing a different color than what we had?

The baseboard for the wall by the new radiator is in the pantry - Greg knows this already. If I remember, I'll put it on the counter. The shelf in the lower cupboard on the far right of the main sink still needs a support pin added.

I'm thinking a pot rack will fit. Take a look and let me know.

Any word on the door? I'm not in too much of a hurry there, but Laurie is worried about mice sneaking in through the gap at the bottom of the temp door.

There's an outside chance that the handle will be installed today.

--Matt

A Few Emails...

HI Matt,

Paul is our third party installer who had installed all of our high end appliances.

I contacted him because American couldn't get there soon enough.

He has screws that he can attach the wall trim piece as well...

Please give him a call 262-555-6737 to get this all handled.

Thanks Carrie

-----Original Message-----
From: Matthew Piette [mailto:mjpiette@yahoo.com]
Sent: Tuesday, October 16, 2007 8:05 AM
To: Carrie Kappel
Cc: Jill Doss
Subject: Re: Refrigerator

Carrie--

The oven exhaust vent did arrive yesterday. I spoke with Greg from Artisan K&B and he'll install it. However, it didn't come with the set screws necessary to attach it. I'm assuming that they are nothing special. Can youy get that hardware over to Jill so that they can do that when they're back at the house tomorrow, 10/17?

I spoke w/ American about 1:00PM yesterday. They said that I was scheduled to have the freezer handle installed next week Tuesday. That's not a good day for us and they were able to reschedule for this Friday. "Dan" is who is supposed to be out to do it.

When I got home yesterday I had a message from "Paul" who said he's supposed to be out today. I called him back three times, but never spoke with him.

Any idea what's up?

--Matt


Matt:

I believe miracles can happenJ. So, I will think Friday will be good for the handle. Did you receive the trim piece for under the wall oven?

Greg and/or Pat will be at your home on Wednesday to handle painting matters. Please make sure you have the trim paint out (if you already have some), or provide new paint (if you have none). We want to handle painting before the tile work starts.

Tile has been confirmed for Thursday and Friday.

Ray is checking on the status of the door—I should know something tomorrow.

Floor refinish is scheduled for 24th and 25th of this month (when you are gone).

Have you thought any more about the pot racks? (I don’t think there is enough room to build the item we discussed, as the recessed light is centered above the sink. I will take a look when I am there on Thursday).

All for now—have a good evening.

Jill

More on the punch list

Hi Matt—

I just spoke to the plumber, they fixed the leak downstairs. Plumber also said the faucet for the prep sink is “fine”. So, I am unsure as to the nature of the problem (having not been there). We will add that issue to Greg’s list of items to look at.

I just spoke to the electrician—work should be happening as we speak.

HVAC tomorrow or Friday (sorry I have not been able to get more specific information). I know with the recent turn of the weather this is an important item to complete asap. Where will they find the foyer radiator?

Door—the pantry door will be installed on Friday. Also on Friday we will be installing the new entry door FRAME and a temporary exterior door. The reason for this is because the actual decorative door is on backorder and will not arrive for approximately another four weeks. The new door needs to be installed before the tile can be put down. So this backorder would delay the installation of the hall way floor tile without this temporary installation measure. When the decorative exterior door arrives it will be a simple matter to swap out the doors. We will wait and install the storm door at that time also. Other items you have listed previously will also be addressed on Friday.

I have received word that the replacement tile is due to arrive next week Tuesday. I have left a message for my tile setter to find out when his soonest installation date will be. I will let you know as soon as he calls me back.

Floor repair work is scheduled for the 24th and 25th of October.

Unfortunately, I have not had any success in finding out anything about your freezer handle either. I know Carrie is on vacation this week. The service department has not been able to provide an answer. I will try reaching her on Saturday when I am in, maybe she will be back. If not, I think the best I can do is to wait until Monday.

I was just on your website—the pictures look great! I have already shown them to another client! They have been very helpful, thank you.

Hope your day is going well. Please let me know if you have any questions.

Regards,

Jill

Punch List Response From Jill

Hi Matt:

Update on punch list is as follows:

Plumber is scheduled for call back Tuesday after 2:30

Painting in pantry will be done when doors are installed.

Shelves will be touched up at the same time.

Roll tray under cook top can be adjusted the same time as the touch ups.

Microwave can be taken away at that time.

I will have Greg make sure that he brings along shelf clips.

The handrail leading to the basement is installed.

I am kicking around thoughts about the pot rack—I can fax a drawing over for you to take a look at.

I have sent a list to the electrician of items needing to be addressed. He will get back to me tomorrow with a date to finish up.

Appliances—I called the number you gave me when we spoke this morning. A gentleman answered and identified himself as being from American. I gave him the lock box number so he could get into the house to look at the freezer door handle. I do not know if anything could be done by him. The cook top burner has been repaired.

As you and I discussed this morning, the tile was not able to be installed as scheduled. Our supplier sent incorrect product! I am waiting to hear when the replacement tile will arrive so that portion of the job can be completed.

Ray and I are discussing the door schedule. Hopefully, we can work on this area late this week or early next week and then all of the carpentry related items can be addressed at that time.

So, as I sit here this afternoon I wonder where the day has gone. I look at the list of items above and realize I am waiting for responses from a lot of people. I will get back with definite answers tomorrow.

Regards,

Jill

P.S. Attached you will find a floor care sheet faxed over to me from the refinishing company. You may want to keep a copy in your files for your records.

Punch List Stuff

Jill--

A few punch list things:

* The prep sink faucet needs to be secured - it rotates
* The baseboards and clothes chute in the pantry need to be painted. I'm assuming you will get to those when you do the door
* The shelves in the pantry need touch-up paint
* The top drawer under the cook top needs adjustment - it doesn't move smoothly
* Please dispose of the old microwave that's on the wood box in the living room
* The top shelf in the lower cupboard to the right of the cook top is missing a support pin
* We would like a hanging pot rack above the window. I'm thinking four hooks that I can hang pans from.
* I'll have a fixture for the front hall for the electrician

It's great. Greg and Pat do excellent work.

--Matt

Wrap up & Service Call

Matt—

Plumber has finished with the cook top. He also found out that the main garbage disposal was not working because the reset switch needed to be “unset”—all is fine with that item now.

Shelf is installed above the refrigerator.

Appliance note: the front left burner on the cook top needs to be looked at (a service call!). Reason is that the flames on this burner come on extremely high and the flames are somewhat erratic. The igniter also does not shut off (it keeps clicking). All the other burners are fine. Please do not use this burner until it gets looked at. As you can see, I have Cc’d Carrie on this matter for resolution.

Let me know if you have any questions……

Jill