Opening Pandora's Box

You know when you have to start on a task or job you don't want to do, but you know that once you start you'll feel better for doing it? Well the "black hole" or rather the kitchen was something we kept talking about, but avoided doing. So, when we got an offer from a relative to use his small tip truck, it was the nudge we needed to clean out the rubbish. Boy was there still a lot to clean out!

So what I am talking about you say...the kitchen can't be all that bad...right?! Well think again! Let's open the side door and take a look inside shall we.....

See what I mean? It's a total mess and has been left for more than ten years. Believe me when I say that we did clean out this area ten years old, but somehow there was still a bit more to clear out. To the left of the platform is a shoji screen that leads into the tatami area, which is the main living area. We have since removed the platform you see below, because the support joints had been chewed by termites! 

View from the side shoji screen

Collapsing kitchen sink

The kitchen traditionally in this type of farmhouse has a dirt floor due to safety factors (so I've been told, or really it could just be how it was back then). The bathroom is also part of this area.

In the end we ripped the old sink 

The ceiling had some old ply board hanging down, so we removed it, which  exposed the blackened beams

There was even a very old irori (open fire pit)

 The kitchen also shared the bathroom, but it has seen better days. Now you can see (below) the state of the bathroom and also understand why we have so many onsens!!   One thing is for sure, this area will make great before and after pictures!

So the initial plan is to clean out the place and then start laying a timber frame for the floor boards. It's a physically tiring job walking around in the rubble, but we'll survive and keep thinking of the bigger picture. We are also thinking about moving the kitchen to the extension area. It then gives the kitchen  a better outlook at the front of Obachan chi's than the present area which is at the back of the house. There is much to do and as you can see it is a very big project. We'll be taking small steps and of course thinking of the budget and how we can use recycled materials, which in all honesty is more satisfying at the end of the day.

*A very "Happy Birthday" to my mum today, who's encouraging comments (as we work at giving this little house some love), mean a lot to us!