Interior designing (Part 3)
Went to Parkmead Product, a tiny store with a bunch of surface material samples on its walls.
At the meeting with my architect and contractor last week, I could not agree with the counter side wall material Mr. B the architect chose. They were too shiny to my taste.
I met Akko, who helped me to choose straight light tracks a few days ago, met me at the store, and we chose a few samples similar to Mr. B's choice.
Two samples on the top row are Mr. B's choices, of which I like the right one (copper color). My choices are bottom 5 and are similar to the copper but less shiny. The paper underneath is a copy of Mr. B's choices and floor material (right side).
Mari, the store staff was very helpful and explained different brands to us well. Two metalic ones are from Chemetal brand and are expensive. They are made by chemically treating metal and then coating and are expensive ($18-20/sq. ft.). They are easier to get scratched and difficult to maintain clean.
Bottom 5 are from different brands but are all around $4/sq. ft. They do not have the metalic 'shine' but are easy to clean. So I chose the far right one on the bottom row.
Japanese version of this entry is here.
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At the meeting with my architect and contractor last week, I could not agree with the counter side wall material Mr. B the architect chose. They were too shiny to my taste.
I met Akko, who helped me to choose straight light tracks a few days ago, met me at the store, and we chose a few samples similar to Mr. B's choice.
Two samples on the top row are Mr. B's choices, of which I like the right one (copper color). My choices are bottom 5 and are similar to the copper but less shiny. The paper underneath is a copy of Mr. B's choices and floor material (right side).
Mari, the store staff was very helpful and explained different brands to us well. Two metalic ones are from Chemetal brand and are expensive. They are made by chemically treating metal and then coating and are expensive ($18-20/sq. ft.). They are easier to get scratched and difficult to maintain clean.
Bottom 5 are from different brands but are all around $4/sq. ft. They do not have the metalic 'shine' but are easy to clean. So I chose the far right one on the bottom row.
Japanese version of this entry is here.
Interior designing (Part 2)
(Continued from Part 1)
Choosing light fixtures was tough. I found out that wavy light track Mr. B has suggested about year ago was custom-made and therefore more expensive than straight track readily available at hardware stores. Curvy track, however, gives unique look and provides more choices on pendant and spot lights.
I could not decide if it is worth spending more on the track at a coffee shop whose main business will be conducted day time. On the day after the meeting, I talked to my friend Akko who has studied architecture and design. She advised me that all lights on the same track maybe controlled by one switch. I then decided to go with straight track and be creative with choices and placement of lights.
Straight track at Snappy's will be something like this:
Japanese version of this entry is here.
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Choosing light fixtures was tough. I found out that wavy light track Mr. B has suggested about year ago was custom-made and therefore more expensive than straight track readily available at hardware stores. Curvy track, however, gives unique look and provides more choices on pendant and spot lights.
I could not decide if it is worth spending more on the track at a coffee shop whose main business will be conducted day time. On the day after the meeting, I talked to my friend Akko who has studied architecture and design. She advised me that all lights on the same track maybe controlled by one switch. I then decided to go with straight track and be creative with choices and placement of lights.
Straight track at Snappy's will be something like this:
Japanese version of this entry is here.
Interior designing (Part 1)
Had a meeting with the general contractor (GC) and the architect, Mr. B at his studio.
Main objectives were to discuss the construction plan and to choose some material for floor and counter and light fixtures.
Mr. B and I had started discussion on interior design about a year ago and already agreed to expose some bricks off the wall facing to the parking lot. Inside the white wall in the picture here are actually bricks.
We agreed on a wood-looking (but not real wood which is difficult to maintain) flooring and black countertop. Mr. B and the GC explained well to me the difference between vinyl, natural stone and synthetic stone for countertop:
- Vinyl is in expensive but gives the 'cheap' look. It also is easy to scratch and peel off in a few years.
- Natural stone is more expensive than vinyl and porous, meaning that could be stained. It is also hard so some restaurants afraid that wine glasses and nice plates maybe broken if placed with very high impact.
- Synthetic stone gives the good appearance as natural stone does. It is not porous so less likely to get stained. Price is about same as natural; however, it has to be cut by specialist with extra cost.
We chose black natural stone for countertop. I understand it is porous, but black whould not show much stain.
Counter wall (the side customer would see when they walk into the door) was difficult to decide. Mr. B had picked very nice material for a good 'first impression' to the customer, but it looked a little too shiny for me. I agreed to decide after visiting a material store.
Continue to Part 2
Japanese version of this entry is here.
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Main objectives were to discuss the construction plan and to choose some material for floor and counter and light fixtures.
Mr. B and I had started discussion on interior design about a year ago and already agreed to expose some bricks off the wall facing to the parking lot. Inside the white wall in the picture here are actually bricks.
We agreed on a wood-looking (but not real wood which is difficult to maintain) flooring and black countertop. Mr. B and the GC explained well to me the difference between vinyl, natural stone and synthetic stone for countertop:
- Vinyl is in expensive but gives the 'cheap' look. It also is easy to scratch and peel off in a few years.
- Natural stone is more expensive than vinyl and porous, meaning that could be stained. It is also hard so some restaurants afraid that wine glasses and nice plates maybe broken if placed with very high impact.
- Synthetic stone gives the good appearance as natural stone does. It is not porous so less likely to get stained. Price is about same as natural; however, it has to be cut by specialist with extra cost.
We chose black natural stone for countertop. I understand it is porous, but black whould not show much stain.
Counter wall (the side customer would see when they walk into the door) was difficult to decide. Mr. B had picked very nice material for a good 'first impression' to the customer, but it looked a little too shiny for me. I agreed to decide after visiting a material store.
Continue to Part 2
Japanese version of this entry is here.
Meeting with General Contractor - 1st meeting
Now that permit is granted for General Contractor (GC) to begin construction, we met at Snappy's site today to discuss next steps.
GC will pick up the permit from the city hall in a few days, and we will meet with the architect to discuss some floor and light material later this week. I also need to set up a meeting between the GC, Wayne (landlord) and myself to make sure all of us are on the same page. I am glad that GC knows what to discuss with Wayne as I do not know what to expect!
GC gave me 2 copies of contract for me to review by our next meeting and said he plans to start working in 2 weeks.
I thanked for his time on Sunday to meet with me, and he said our meeting was his 4th appointment of the day. Now he was done for the day and off home for some family time.
Wall facing to the parking lot. It will get cleaned concurrently with interior construction.
Japanese version of this entry is here.
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GC will pick up the permit from the city hall in a few days, and we will meet with the architect to discuss some floor and light material later this week. I also need to set up a meeting between the GC, Wayne (landlord) and myself to make sure all of us are on the same page. I am glad that GC knows what to discuss with Wayne as I do not know what to expect!
GC gave me 2 copies of contract for me to review by our next meeting and said he plans to start working in 2 weeks.
I thanked for his time on Sunday to meet with me, and he said our meeting was his 4th appointment of the day. Now he was done for the day and off home for some family time.
Wall facing to the parking lot. It will get cleaned concurrently with interior construction.
Japanese version of this entry is here.
Permit granted
City of Hayward has issued a permit for Snappy's Cafe to start the interior construction.
I will meet my general contractor soon to give the first payment and the site key tomorrow.
Japanese version of this entry is here.
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I will meet my general contractor soon to give the first payment and the site key tomorrow.
Japanese version of this entry is here.
