Really, I think the name of this post should be “Pantry Demolition, 1; Karen, 0.”
In other words, it could be going better.
End of Day 1’s demo
The problems:
(1) The cabinets are attached to the wall by screws, but also by years and layers of paint and caulk. Just digging through the layers to get to where the cabinet meets the wall was something.
(2) The screws that are holding up the cabinets are both/either (a) covered in paint and/or (b) nearly all stripped. Or, worse, I’ve stripped the screws when trying to remove them.
(3) The wood shelves and their cleats are screwed AND nailed into the wall and both are covered by years and layers of paint. Removing them with a pry bar has been the best solution, so far, but I’m killing the drywall.
Merely a flesh wound…but I’m losing the demo battle.
So, now I have some decisions to make:
(1) Continue ripping everything out with reckless-ish abandon and repair or replace the drywall as needed.
(2) Continue ripping everything out with reckless-ish abandon and then cover the wall in shiplap.
The shiplap idea was one I was originally kind of giddy about. I’ve wanted to add shiplap to a room, and this would be a small experiment in that (given the size of the pantry). The problem is that the shiplap will largely be behind shelves and cereal boxes and other stuff in the pantry, so I’m not sure it’s the best use of money allocated for this project. But it would hide the holes I’m inevitably going to make in the drywall.
(3) Hire my contractor to come rip out the cabinets and shelves. Pro: Damage would be minimized (he probably has better tools; plus, he’s taller); Con: the cost, plus I like doing demo myself, usually.
I tried cutting this shelf out with a jigsaw. It only kind of worked a little.
The other choices I need to make are more design choices. Shiplap or drywall? Either way, the walls will be painted white (same as in the kitchen). I’m also thinking about painting a chalkboard wall on the wall facing the kitchen (the one with the window).
The wall with the bulletin board and window.
I think it’d be cute for grocery lists and notes, but it might also make a mess of chalk dust.
I think that my indecision or frustration with the demolition is playing into the decisions on everything else. Once the demo is done, I think – I hope – I will feel better and have a clearer idea of the wall choices for this space.
What do you think? Share your thoughts in the comments – I’d love to hear! Plus, share any advice you have about demolishing cabinets and shelves that are stuck to a wall! The more I think about it, maybe I should just use this as an excuse to buy a reciprocating saw…
A "recovering lawyer," I turned in my power suits for power tools and a life of DIY. I believe in merging old and new to make a house a home.
Yay and goooOOOO KAREN! Sounds like the drywall is done for no matter who does it. If shiplap makes you giddy… D O I T ! ! ! This life is about joy and you know it! 🙂 If you have the $$ to pay a contractor and want to … DO IT! Like mamas all over the world have told their children… pick your battles. 🙂
See the end result… it’s going to be wonderful!!! I also don’t think you are going to have a cloud of chalk dust from one board. 🙂
You are awesome. Thanks! I decided to spend $40 and buy a RYOBI reciprocating saw and cut the dang shelves and cabinets out. I agree re the drywall – it’s going to be wrecked either way. And this way I get a new power tool!
SCHWEEEEET!!! I’m with you and Jane… a new power tool is always good. Plus this way you have control over the demo. Have fun and I’ll look forward to hearing more!
#lovepowertools! Thanks!!
Yeah, a new tool. I vote for drywall, mostly because it will be hidden. Save shiplap for a place that shows.
Yay tools! I hear ya on the shiplap, but if the walls are really damaged after I pull out the shelves and cabinets, I might do it anyway just to get a smooth, pretty surface. We’ll see. Demo continues today!
Hi Karen—–So goes the battle! I vote for doing what it takes to get rid of the shelves and cabinets and not worry if the sheet rock ends up with a few battle scars. As the wall will be covered by foodstuff boxes and containers, but not forgetting about the “pretty” how about putting up sheets of wood paneling that look like cottage bead board behind those shelves? Then, you can paint it. I think it comes in a range of prices, and where it is going to be mostly hidden, you wouldn’t have to spend a lot. A compromise between sheet rock and ship lap!
Thanks, Karen! The battle begins today – now that I have a reciprocating saw, I’m going to cut the shelves and cabinets out and then I can see how much damage is there. No decisions yet – we’ll see how it goes. Stay tuned!
If u take ur new sawsall & cute the bottom of the cabinets. Make sure u take a utility knife & cut the caulking & paint. They should come out after u cut the bottom of the cabinets to the back.
Janie – yes! Thanks! I actually have already scored the paint and caulk. It was so thick! Next step is cutting them! Can’t wait to try my new saw!
Good luck with your reciprocating saw! I hope it does the trick! : )
I’m a little late to this party, but I agree with Karen who suggested paneling w/a bead board style panel. Less work &/or money than shipman & down the road, when shiplap is screaming mid-2000s, you will have classic beadbboard that modestly whispers timeless.
Just a thought . . .
Mickey
Thanks, Mickey. As it turns out, something made the decision for me…stay tuned for today’s post!