A look in the shower.
Another shower look.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Sunday, December 20, 2009
More bathroom progress...
Just had to share the cabinets that were installed on Friday. Whoo hoo! I'm loving them. Thank you Roger!!!
A look in the shower.
Another shower look.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
A look in the shower.
Another shower look.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Thursday, December 10, 2009
Some kitchen photos
I realized that I never posted any finished kitchen photos. Well, here you go! I apologize for the messiness of the kitchen. I just snapped a few photos on my phone the other day. And, we are still missing a piece of trim over the window. We'll get to that when we do the trim in the bathroom. It's kind of hard to see in the photos but the backsplash is white subway tile.
The breakfast room -
The breakfast room -
I'm back...
While I hate excuses, I'll give a few for you for my lack of posting:
1. Fall has been one of the craziest, hardest and most tiring of our life. Living in a college football town isn't the easiest life in the fall.
2. I've been sick - still am, but I'm working on that...
3. Ummm... I'm a slacker???
So, there you go. I'm sorry for the lack of updates. Now, on to the real progress.
Little by little, we get a few things done here and there. Every little thing makes the house feel that much better. But, the biggest progress recently is the work on the master bath. FINALLY! We are getting a master bath.
Up until now, we have been using two separate bathrooms. Mostly because the master was disgusting and I refused to step foot in it. So, I used the hall bathroom. Still not real nice, but at least it didn't make me want to throw up.
A few weeks ago, we decided to tear into the master bath. We had to wait until we knew that we wouldn't be having any more football guests (We love you all! So much, that we wouldn't force you all to share one unsightly bathroom with us). About a week or two before Thanksgiving, Dallas tore into demolition of the bathroom and we went from there. I'll have to brag on my hubby. He has done so much of the work by himself including the demo, building of walls, hanging of drywall and durarock (what you put under tile), some of the electrical work, laying tile, and painting. We did have Darius come back and oversee the electrical stuff, had a real plumber move the plumbing (we aren't stupid enough to do that ourselves), and had Tom finish the drywall work. We also had Roger at VanNostrand make up our cabinets again (they should be ready early next week!!!).
Before photos -
The Oh-So-Lovely lighting fixture in the bathroom. The only lighting fixture in the bathroom.
The sad window
The shower
The toilet/vanity area
The heinous single vanity
So, now that you can appreciate why I never used the bathroom, I'll explain the plan. To make the bathroom bigger to allow for a double vanity (those things save marriages, I'm certain), we decided to incorporate the hall closet. The closet would basically become the shower. Then, it would allow for a double vanity. The basic layout is the same. You walk in the door and are standing in front of the vanity. Then the toilet is to the right of the vanity and the shower is to the right of the toilet. We decided to add a wall between the toilet and the vanity. One of my pet peeves is to have the toilet right next to the vanity. I settled for having a wall there to block the toilet from view. In a perfect world, the toilet would be in its own room (like our last master bath had - *sigh*). But, we were a little short on space. So, we did what we could to make it work.
In terms of design, I decided to go very neutral. Our bedroom has lots of dark wood and ivories. I asked Roger to make the cabinets the same style as the kitchen cabinets (shaker style) but to stain them dark. The tile on the floor and on the shower floor is really dark, then the shower wall is a creamy colored subway tile with little accent tiles. The wall color is the trim color that we used in the rest of the house. Kind of a soft white/creamy color (it depends on what it is next to). Actually, I kind of picked out the tile scheme on a whim. But I am LOVING the way it is turning out. I keep reminding Dallas how lucky he is that I'm more of a minimalist and not overly feminine in my decor choices. He cannot complain about the decor I've picked out.
So, here's the pictures of our progress thus far:
Demolition
Progress -
The shower - ready for tile
The inside of the shower. In the corner will be a small shelf.
The shower opening. See the wall that makes the toilet area?
The double vanity ready for cabinets!
Major tiling progress!!
Inside of the shower
Shower floor
Tile on the bathroom floor. It's the same as the shower floor tile, just bigger.
Shot of the tile in the rest of the bathroom.
1. Fall has been one of the craziest, hardest and most tiring of our life. Living in a college football town isn't the easiest life in the fall.
2. I've been sick - still am, but I'm working on that...
3. Ummm... I'm a slacker???
So, there you go. I'm sorry for the lack of updates. Now, on to the real progress.
Little by little, we get a few things done here and there. Every little thing makes the house feel that much better. But, the biggest progress recently is the work on the master bath. FINALLY! We are getting a master bath.
Up until now, we have been using two separate bathrooms. Mostly because the master was disgusting and I refused to step foot in it. So, I used the hall bathroom. Still not real nice, but at least it didn't make me want to throw up.
A few weeks ago, we decided to tear into the master bath. We had to wait until we knew that we wouldn't be having any more football guests (We love you all! So much, that we wouldn't force you all to share one unsightly bathroom with us). About a week or two before Thanksgiving, Dallas tore into demolition of the bathroom and we went from there. I'll have to brag on my hubby. He has done so much of the work by himself including the demo, building of walls, hanging of drywall and durarock (what you put under tile), some of the electrical work, laying tile, and painting. We did have Darius come back and oversee the electrical stuff, had a real plumber move the plumbing (we aren't stupid enough to do that ourselves), and had Tom finish the drywall work. We also had Roger at VanNostrand make up our cabinets again (they should be ready early next week!!!).
Before photos -
The Oh-So-Lovely lighting fixture in the bathroom. The only lighting fixture in the bathroom.
The sad window
The shower
The toilet/vanity area
The heinous single vanity
So, now that you can appreciate why I never used the bathroom, I'll explain the plan. To make the bathroom bigger to allow for a double vanity (those things save marriages, I'm certain), we decided to incorporate the hall closet. The closet would basically become the shower. Then, it would allow for a double vanity. The basic layout is the same. You walk in the door and are standing in front of the vanity. Then the toilet is to the right of the vanity and the shower is to the right of the toilet. We decided to add a wall between the toilet and the vanity. One of my pet peeves is to have the toilet right next to the vanity. I settled for having a wall there to block the toilet from view. In a perfect world, the toilet would be in its own room (like our last master bath had - *sigh*). But, we were a little short on space. So, we did what we could to make it work.
In terms of design, I decided to go very neutral. Our bedroom has lots of dark wood and ivories. I asked Roger to make the cabinets the same style as the kitchen cabinets (shaker style) but to stain them dark. The tile on the floor and on the shower floor is really dark, then the shower wall is a creamy colored subway tile with little accent tiles. The wall color is the trim color that we used in the rest of the house. Kind of a soft white/creamy color (it depends on what it is next to). Actually, I kind of picked out the tile scheme on a whim. But I am LOVING the way it is turning out. I keep reminding Dallas how lucky he is that I'm more of a minimalist and not overly feminine in my decor choices. He cannot complain about the decor I've picked out.
So, here's the pictures of our progress thus far:
Demolition
Progress -
The shower - ready for tile
The inside of the shower. In the corner will be a small shelf.
The shower opening. See the wall that makes the toilet area?
The double vanity ready for cabinets!
Major tiling progress!!
Inside of the shower
Shower floor
Tile on the bathroom floor. It's the same as the shower floor tile, just bigger.
Shot of the tile in the rest of the bathroom.
Thursday, May 21, 2009
Counter tops - in!
I am watching the counter tops being installed right now. YAY!!! The sink comes with the counter tops, so that is a huge step forward. Unfortunately, the plumber isn't coming to hook up the sink/disposal until tomorrow, so no home cooked meal tonight. :(.
Today, I got freaked out about my design choice for the first time. I was telling a lady I know from work about our sink issues (read the posts below to catch up). She asked what color the counters were, the color of the sink, the faucet, etc. Then she said, "and you didn't want to do a black sink and faucet with the black counter tops?"
"No," I said - matter of factly. That never even entered my mind as an option.
"Huh. I would have done black."
Hmmmm. This is the first and only time that I have second guessed my design decision. With this whole house, I knew exactly what I wanted. Decisions were easy. I could see it in my head. No issues in terms of color and what to do where. Now - I'm worried.
So far in my typing, they haven't put the sink in yet. All day today I've been freaking myself out that I did this outdated design in my kitchen. It's very worrisome.
Deep down, I know the reasons why I picked what I did. I think the white sink and faucet will mimmick the white appliances and the white backsplash. But still. Ugh. I guess I'll know in a minute.
Pictures to come!
Today, I got freaked out about my design choice for the first time. I was telling a lady I know from work about our sink issues (read the posts below to catch up). She asked what color the counters were, the color of the sink, the faucet, etc. Then she said, "and you didn't want to do a black sink and faucet with the black counter tops?"
"No," I said - matter of factly. That never even entered my mind as an option.
"Huh. I would have done black."
Hmmmm. This is the first and only time that I have second guessed my design decision. With this whole house, I knew exactly what I wanted. Decisions were easy. I could see it in my head. No issues in terms of color and what to do where. Now - I'm worried.
So far in my typing, they haven't put the sink in yet. All day today I've been freaking myself out that I did this outdated design in my kitchen. It's very worrisome.
Deep down, I know the reasons why I picked what I did. I think the white sink and faucet will mimmick the white appliances and the white backsplash. But still. Ugh. I guess I'll know in a minute.
Pictures to come!
Monday, May 18, 2009
Ignore previous post
Well, you can ignore a lot of it anyway. D just got back from his sink hunt. He got one of his suppliers (it helps to know people) to get the sink that we wanted for a decent price (still more than we wanted to pay on a sink) and get it delivered tomorrow. Wow!
Now, the granite was on schedule to be installed tomorrow. But, with all this it will be Thursday instead. Still, pretty good, huh?
Yay! I still get what I want! Yay!
Now, the granite was on schedule to be installed tomorrow. But, with all this it will be Thursday instead. Still, pretty good, huh?
Yay! I still get what I want! Yay!
Sink difficulties
We are having issues with the sink. Actually, I guess the real issue comes from my design for the kitchen. Apparently, my design is using outdated items - namely, the kitchen sink. Humbly, I thought that I had a pretty good sense of style/design. Or, at least it was good enough to not turn anyone off.
So, in this kitchen, my thought has been white cabinets, black counter tops, white subway-tile backsplash. Since we have white appliances (that was a budget decision), I decided to stay away from stainless all together and make the design work with out it - regardless of how popular stainless is today.
With that in mind, only a white cast-iron sink made sense to me. What else would you put in there? Nothing else comes to my mind. I also would prefer to have just one big sink with no divider. That's what we had in our last house and I loved it! I really just don't see the need for a divided sink. It's a waste.
That would make the criteria for our kitchen sink: white, single bowl, undermount (meaning we would mount it from the bottom instead of dropping it in - it gets rid of that lip that just gets cruddy over time).
I don't know all the technical terms for sink materials. Cast iron, porcelain, composite, etc. It's all a little jumbled in my head. I just told D to get a white sink that looked like our last one. Job done. Right? Nope. This morning, he asked if I wanted to take a look at the sink before he handed it over to the granite guys to install for Tuesday (yes, tomorrow! I just might have a sink tomorrow!). Sure, I would look at it. Good thing I did! It was a composite sink. Not cast iron. If you don't know, composite is the type of material that I would use as a utility sink, not nice a pretty for the kitchen.
Well, that sent D back to run around and try to find a cast iron sink that would be okay for the budget and the timeline. Meaning, it had to be in stock. Come to find out, no body carries cast iron undermount sinks because they don't sell that often. Hmmm. Well, I guess I'm an odd-ball.
I did just get another call from D. Basically, we are going to be back on the microwave diet this week. We're going to have to order something else. Too bad. But, at least I'll get what I want. Or, as good as I can get. The pictures below are my options:
This is the sink that I want. Deep, single bowl, cast iron. Would look perfect in my kitchen and would function fabulously. It's the more costly option. Why? I don't know. I really can't figure out what makes something that seems simpler, more expensive.
This is the back-up option (read: budget). The reason I would be okay with this one is that they call it the "smart divide" where the divide is lower than normal and you can fit pot handles across it. Again, if you need a "smart divide" it would probably be better to have no divide at all, right? And, this one is some how less expensive than the one above. Sheesh.
So, in this kitchen, my thought has been white cabinets, black counter tops, white subway-tile backsplash. Since we have white appliances (that was a budget decision), I decided to stay away from stainless all together and make the design work with out it - regardless of how popular stainless is today.
With that in mind, only a white cast-iron sink made sense to me. What else would you put in there? Nothing else comes to my mind. I also would prefer to have just one big sink with no divider. That's what we had in our last house and I loved it! I really just don't see the need for a divided sink. It's a waste.
That would make the criteria for our kitchen sink: white, single bowl, undermount (meaning we would mount it from the bottom instead of dropping it in - it gets rid of that lip that just gets cruddy over time).
I don't know all the technical terms for sink materials. Cast iron, porcelain, composite, etc. It's all a little jumbled in my head. I just told D to get a white sink that looked like our last one. Job done. Right? Nope. This morning, he asked if I wanted to take a look at the sink before he handed it over to the granite guys to install for Tuesday (yes, tomorrow! I just might have a sink tomorrow!). Sure, I would look at it. Good thing I did! It was a composite sink. Not cast iron. If you don't know, composite is the type of material that I would use as a utility sink, not nice a pretty for the kitchen.
Well, that sent D back to run around and try to find a cast iron sink that would be okay for the budget and the timeline. Meaning, it had to be in stock. Come to find out, no body carries cast iron undermount sinks because they don't sell that often. Hmmm. Well, I guess I'm an odd-ball.
I did just get another call from D. Basically, we are going to be back on the microwave diet this week. We're going to have to order something else. Too bad. But, at least I'll get what I want. Or, as good as I can get. The pictures below are my options:
This is the sink that I want. Deep, single bowl, cast iron. Would look perfect in my kitchen and would function fabulously. It's the more costly option. Why? I don't know. I really can't figure out what makes something that seems simpler, more expensive.
This is the back-up option (read: budget). The reason I would be okay with this one is that they call it the "smart divide" where the divide is lower than normal and you can fit pot handles across it. Again, if you need a "smart divide" it would probably be better to have no divide at all, right? And, this one is some how less expensive than the one above. Sheesh.
Saturday, May 9, 2009
A slight break
Sorry for the lack of check ins. I know that everyone is busy, but it seems like we are double busy. I seriously don't know where my card reader is. It's sad. So, the only way I can get pictures to you right now is from my phone. So, not the greatest quality photos, but at least you can get an idea of things.
So, here's what I've got for you. Some kitchen shots. It's taken about 4 weeks for us to see visible progress. Pretty much all work ground to a halt while we waited for our kitchen cabinets to be made. We left the old kitchen in tact during that process just so that we could semi function normally.
Last weekend, D started demolition on the kitchen. When he was done, it was bare except for our range and refrigerator. Like this:
So, you can see that the entire original kitchen was wood paneling. Yuck. The white areas you see are where we have primed it for our backsplash.
Now, for the new cabinets. Ta da!
Yeah, I'm so happy with these cabinets. Thank you Roger!!! They are exactly what I asked for. I love them! Of course, they look even better when you remember what we came from.
So, you can see that even though we've gotten over the major hurdle of getting cabinets, we are still without counters, trim, backsplash, etc. A kitchen re-do is not an overnight project.
The last pieces of the cabinets are coming Monday. Not all the shelving was ready. Also, the open cabinets that you see will have doors with glass panes and those weren't ready either.
Today, D and the electrician are putting in the under-cabinet lighting. Nice! Something we didn't have in the last house and it will be a nice addition. Counters, sink and dishwasher will all happen at once too. Probably Thursday or Friday this coming week.
The first step has been taken. Yay! It's nice to see something coming together! Thankfully, I should have more to show this week!
So, here's what I've got for you. Some kitchen shots. It's taken about 4 weeks for us to see visible progress. Pretty much all work ground to a halt while we waited for our kitchen cabinets to be made. We left the old kitchen in tact during that process just so that we could semi function normally.
Last weekend, D started demolition on the kitchen. When he was done, it was bare except for our range and refrigerator. Like this:
So, you can see that the entire original kitchen was wood paneling. Yuck. The white areas you see are where we have primed it for our backsplash.
Now, for the new cabinets. Ta da!
Yeah, I'm so happy with these cabinets. Thank you Roger!!! They are exactly what I asked for. I love them! Of course, they look even better when you remember what we came from.
So, you can see that even though we've gotten over the major hurdle of getting cabinets, we are still without counters, trim, backsplash, etc. A kitchen re-do is not an overnight project.
The last pieces of the cabinets are coming Monday. Not all the shelving was ready. Also, the open cabinets that you see will have doors with glass panes and those weren't ready either.
Today, D and the electrician are putting in the under-cabinet lighting. Nice! Something we didn't have in the last house and it will be a nice addition. Counters, sink and dishwasher will all happen at once too. Probably Thursday or Friday this coming week.
The first step has been taken. Yay! It's nice to see something coming together! Thankfully, I should have more to show this week!
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
Why no updates?
Because, life is crazy. I can't even begin to go into all the craziness. General life has put severe delays on our moving in to the house. That and weather.
But, last weekend (not this past one, but the one before that), Hubby and I got most of our things moved in. By ourselves. Seriously, I'm super impressed with ourselves. We got our queen bed, night stands, couch, chair, washer and dryer, dressers, tv/entertainment center, kitchen table and chairs, clothes, linens, and various boxes, all by ourselves and the trailer that we are borrowing from Hubby's dad.
However impressive this list is, the most impressive part is that we had to take a lunch break and go to Sears to pick out a refrigerator. It was a major sale weekend for Sears, hence our visit there. We found a great deal on a fridge on clearance. But, it was a Sunday and we wouldn't be able to have it delivered until Wednesday. So, Hubby and I got it in the trailer, into the house and completely set and hooked up all by ourselves. Well, we also had the help of a hand truck. But still. I'm impressed with the two of us! We still have our piano left to move. That is definitely a bigger task than the two of us and a hand truck can handle. So, we'll get it soon with the help of some borrowed muscles.
So, we have been living in the house for a week and a half. It's still half done, but I'm so glad to be in! It's a good feeling.
There are some odds and ends that we are taking care of when we have time:
1.There is a door that needs to be ordered for the opening between the dining room and office. We can't complete the trim in those rooms until the door is installed.
2. We have the trim to do on the windows. It will take some more help from Hank. So, when he gets the time to help us, that will be done.
3. We need to finish the mudding and painting of the breakfast room. One the we have to do is switch the direction of the door opening from the breakfast room to the laundry room. Right now it opens into the breakfast room and knocks into the table. So, we have to switch that.
Today, we finally got our kitchen officially started! Brian, from VanNostrand, to do final measurements for the cabinets. So, those are officially on order. It will be another 3 weeks of take-out for us (at least). Then, the countertops can be measured for. I'm so excited!!!
So, there you go. We still have boxes everywhere! Still have plaster dust around. Still don't know when our bathrooms will get underway. But, it's good to be home :).
*when I find my card reader again, I'll get some photos downloaded and posted.
But, last weekend (not this past one, but the one before that), Hubby and I got most of our things moved in. By ourselves. Seriously, I'm super impressed with ourselves. We got our queen bed, night stands, couch, chair, washer and dryer, dressers, tv/entertainment center, kitchen table and chairs, clothes, linens, and various boxes, all by ourselves and the trailer that we are borrowing from Hubby's dad.
However impressive this list is, the most impressive part is that we had to take a lunch break and go to Sears to pick out a refrigerator. It was a major sale weekend for Sears, hence our visit there. We found a great deal on a fridge on clearance. But, it was a Sunday and we wouldn't be able to have it delivered until Wednesday. So, Hubby and I got it in the trailer, into the house and completely set and hooked up all by ourselves. Well, we also had the help of a hand truck. But still. I'm impressed with the two of us! We still have our piano left to move. That is definitely a bigger task than the two of us and a hand truck can handle. So, we'll get it soon with the help of some borrowed muscles.
So, we have been living in the house for a week and a half. It's still half done, but I'm so glad to be in! It's a good feeling.
There are some odds and ends that we are taking care of when we have time:
1.There is a door that needs to be ordered for the opening between the dining room and office. We can't complete the trim in those rooms until the door is installed.
2. We have the trim to do on the windows. It will take some more help from Hank. So, when he gets the time to help us, that will be done.
3. We need to finish the mudding and painting of the breakfast room. One the we have to do is switch the direction of the door opening from the breakfast room to the laundry room. Right now it opens into the breakfast room and knocks into the table. So, we have to switch that.
Today, we finally got our kitchen officially started! Brian, from VanNostrand, to do final measurements for the cabinets. So, those are officially on order. It will be another 3 weeks of take-out for us (at least). Then, the countertops can be measured for. I'm so excited!!!
So, there you go. We still have boxes everywhere! Still have plaster dust around. Still don't know when our bathrooms will get underway. But, it's good to be home :).
*when I find my card reader again, I'll get some photos downloaded and posted.
Monday, March 23, 2009
Sorry so long...
Since I've posted. There has been work done and there are photos. But, we have started moving boxes and things in and now I really don't know where anything is. Including my card reader.
We have all the bedrooms and the floors finished. Most of the trim is done. Windows still need work. But, most of the things that would be a big pain if there were furniture in front of it are done.
But, things I can share are all outside the house. I am really exited to be moving into an established neighborhood with mature landscaping. The landscaping needs some attention, but there are some surprises that are coming this spring. To my great delight, we have trees that bloom in the spring. Yay! It's such a treat to be over there and look into the back yard and see pink or white trees all a bloom.
There are also some bulbs that are now blooming. Some daffodils in some of the front beds. But the biggest surprise came from what I noticed trying to bloom around an old metal trash can that has been outside on the side of the house. I don't know why the trash can is there. We get a huge green plastic one from the city. The metal one looks just like what Oscar the Grouch lives in. Anyway, one day I was walking in and looked down to see some purple-ish blue flowers trying to come out. They were hyacinths!!! Amazing! I love hyacinths! They are gorgeous and smell amazing. One of my favorites. The poor things didn't make it through the snow and torrential rains, but it's a good sign of things to come. I'm sure of it.
So, I'm looking forward to seeing what else comes out in the yard.
We have all the bedrooms and the floors finished. Most of the trim is done. Windows still need work. But, most of the things that would be a big pain if there were furniture in front of it are done.
But, things I can share are all outside the house. I am really exited to be moving into an established neighborhood with mature landscaping. The landscaping needs some attention, but there are some surprises that are coming this spring. To my great delight, we have trees that bloom in the spring. Yay! It's such a treat to be over there and look into the back yard and see pink or white trees all a bloom.
There are also some bulbs that are now blooming. Some daffodils in some of the front beds. But the biggest surprise came from what I noticed trying to bloom around an old metal trash can that has been outside on the side of the house. I don't know why the trash can is there. We get a huge green plastic one from the city. The metal one looks just like what Oscar the Grouch lives in. Anyway, one day I was walking in and looked down to see some purple-ish blue flowers trying to come out. They were hyacinths!!! Amazing! I love hyacinths! They are gorgeous and smell amazing. One of my favorites. The poor things didn't make it through the snow and torrential rains, but it's a good sign of things to come. I'm sure of it.
So, I'm looking forward to seeing what else comes out in the yard.
Sunday, March 1, 2009
No move? OK!
Well, it looks like it was a good thing that we weren't set to move this weekend. Yesterday started with a monsoon. Seriously, an 6-inch deep river was gushing down our driveway. I nearly lost the flip flops I was wearing when I made the dash from the car to the house. Even though the weather cleared up early in the morning, the ground was saturated and would have been no fun to try to be walking on during a move.
Now, combine that with me waking up to snow this morning. Not just snow, but snowing and hard. It snowed all morning and a good bit this afternoon. Thus, adding to the soggy yard. So, its not a horrible thing that we force the move between these things.
What were we doing? Well, finishing the trim and painting. It's a little harder than we thought. Not really hard, but time consuming. I have been painting all weekend. I haven't ever had to paint trim. And that's not really all that fun. Mostly because that adds 2 more steps to you being able to finish a room. The trim has to be painted (twice) and then you cut the all color into the trim. It just takes longer than you think.
Although, I can officially say that all the bedrooms are finished! Yay! Well, we do have to do the window trim, but that's one of those items that will be done after we move in. But, the bedrooms are move-in ready.
Tomorrow, I will be focused on painting the trim that is in the halls and living areas. Fun times. I will have pictures tomorrow. I have them now, I just don't have the connection cord to upload them.
I can't close this post with out saying an incredibly huge thank you to my parents-in-law for helping so much. They came up on Friday afternoon and have worked like crazy for 2 days. We couldn't have done half of our work with out them. Thank you so much! We love you!
Now, combine that with me waking up to snow this morning. Not just snow, but snowing and hard. It snowed all morning and a good bit this afternoon. Thus, adding to the soggy yard. So, its not a horrible thing that we force the move between these things.
What were we doing? Well, finishing the trim and painting. It's a little harder than we thought. Not really hard, but time consuming. I have been painting all weekend. I haven't ever had to paint trim. And that's not really all that fun. Mostly because that adds 2 more steps to you being able to finish a room. The trim has to be painted (twice) and then you cut the all color into the trim. It just takes longer than you think.
Although, I can officially say that all the bedrooms are finished! Yay! Well, we do have to do the window trim, but that's one of those items that will be done after we move in. But, the bedrooms are move-in ready.
Tomorrow, I will be focused on painting the trim that is in the halls and living areas. Fun times. I will have pictures tomorrow. I have them now, I just don't have the connection cord to upload them.
I can't close this post with out saying an incredibly huge thank you to my parents-in-law for helping so much. They came up on Friday afternoon and have worked like crazy for 2 days. We couldn't have done half of our work with out them. Thank you so much! We love you!
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Ahhh, wood!
The wonders of wood! We got our new floors yesterday! What a difference! Also, a huge treat to see it the day before with nothing and then, like magic, there is a brand new wood floor. Wonderful!
I only had my phone with me so forgive the photos. Also, we got new lighting put in. I have better photos of the new lights on the camera, but those haven't been loaded yet. Anyway, Hubby spent all weekend with the electrician wiring for new can lights in the den and kitchen (cannont believe the difference that makes!), putting in blocking to hold new fans in the office and bedrooms and re-wiring a few other spots because of walls being torn out and such.
I spent Saturday on the couch with the crud. But Sunday and yesterday afternoon (and the rest of my week) was and will be dedicated to painting. The trim will not be done until this weekend. Thus, we are not moving in this weekend. Shocker. We'll move next weekend instead. We tried.
Anyway, here's a few photos for now:
As crappy as the kitchen still is, it is amazing what the new floors do for it. It may not come across in this photo, but trust me. It helps. It will also help when the counters are void of all tools as well.
The breakfast room (and the ever moving range - I promise it has a home)
The den, looking into the kitchen/breakfast room.
Dining room. You can just barely see our new chandelier that we got. It needs the little shades that go on it.
Hallway.
I only had my phone with me so forgive the photos. Also, we got new lighting put in. I have better photos of the new lights on the camera, but those haven't been loaded yet. Anyway, Hubby spent all weekend with the electrician wiring for new can lights in the den and kitchen (cannont believe the difference that makes!), putting in blocking to hold new fans in the office and bedrooms and re-wiring a few other spots because of walls being torn out and such.
I spent Saturday on the couch with the crud. But Sunday and yesterday afternoon (and the rest of my week) was and will be dedicated to painting. The trim will not be done until this weekend. Thus, we are not moving in this weekend. Shocker. We'll move next weekend instead. We tried.
Anyway, here's a few photos for now:
As crappy as the kitchen still is, it is amazing what the new floors do for it. It may not come across in this photo, but trust me. It helps. It will also help when the counters are void of all tools as well.
The breakfast room (and the ever moving range - I promise it has a home)
The den, looking into the kitchen/breakfast room.
Dining room. You can just barely see our new chandelier that we got. It needs the little shades that go on it.
Hallway.
Saturday, February 14, 2009
Keep on truckin'
We're still at it. There will be a surge of stuff happening this weekend and next week. Hubby is over there as I write this.
What has happened this past week: The plumber came over and moved the washer/dryer hook ups into the utility room. To make that happen, we had to re-position the water heater in the utility room. So, Mr. Plumber took care of that as well. Also, Tom - the dry wall guy - started on his work. In addition to wrapping the new beam where we removed the wall, there are several spots that he has to touch up. Like, the closets had very unpractical shelving. We are going to replace that shelving with wire shelving. But, the removal of the old left many holes. So, Tom is going to take care of that. And, he is going to help us put in the door to the utility room.
On docket this weekend: Hubby is going to install the A/C vent in the utility room, put up the boards on the walls (had to take out the old dry wall in the utility room), shim a spot on the floor in the foyer and help Hank finish the trim. Yikes!
We finally got the wood for the floors ordered. It isn't the color that I really wanted. I wanted a super dark, espresso color. But, since we are pulling a lot of favors, we kind of have to take the best deal we can get (with in reason). The floor will still be a brown, as opposed to the red that oak has in it. It comes in on Tuesday. But, John, the flooring guy, has to get his guys to sand the floor. There is still some quickset left on the floor from the tile. So, I'm thinking that floors will be done by Thursday.
Now, for the biggest news thus far. Renovations be darned, we are moving in at the end of this month. We just can't rent for another month and pay a house note. Not happening. Things that have to be done by the time we move in: all flooring, all painting, all trim, buy a new fridge (ours stayed with our old house), closet shelving in. Things that won't be done: Kitchen, master bath, some of the lighting, guest bath. Of course this isn't ideal. But, that's life. I've lived in construction before (my parents renovated their house twice). Really, it's the kitchen that hurts the most to have unfinished (the master bath is an extreme close second). I'm figuring 5 weeks of not having a real kitchen. We will have a range and a fridge. But, no storage and no sink. Yikes. Take out here I come.
So, that's where we are now. Photos soon!
What has happened this past week: The plumber came over and moved the washer/dryer hook ups into the utility room. To make that happen, we had to re-position the water heater in the utility room. So, Mr. Plumber took care of that as well. Also, Tom - the dry wall guy - started on his work. In addition to wrapping the new beam where we removed the wall, there are several spots that he has to touch up. Like, the closets had very unpractical shelving. We are going to replace that shelving with wire shelving. But, the removal of the old left many holes. So, Tom is going to take care of that. And, he is going to help us put in the door to the utility room.
On docket this weekend: Hubby is going to install the A/C vent in the utility room, put up the boards on the walls (had to take out the old dry wall in the utility room), shim a spot on the floor in the foyer and help Hank finish the trim. Yikes!
We finally got the wood for the floors ordered. It isn't the color that I really wanted. I wanted a super dark, espresso color. But, since we are pulling a lot of favors, we kind of have to take the best deal we can get (with in reason). The floor will still be a brown, as opposed to the red that oak has in it. It comes in on Tuesday. But, John, the flooring guy, has to get his guys to sand the floor. There is still some quickset left on the floor from the tile. So, I'm thinking that floors will be done by Thursday.
Now, for the biggest news thus far. Renovations be darned, we are moving in at the end of this month. We just can't rent for another month and pay a house note. Not happening. Things that have to be done by the time we move in: all flooring, all painting, all trim, buy a new fridge (ours stayed with our old house), closet shelving in. Things that won't be done: Kitchen, master bath, some of the lighting, guest bath. Of course this isn't ideal. But, that's life. I've lived in construction before (my parents renovated their house twice). Really, it's the kitchen that hurts the most to have unfinished (the master bath is an extreme close second). I'm figuring 5 weeks of not having a real kitchen. We will have a range and a fridge. But, no storage and no sink. Yikes. Take out here I come.
So, that's where we are now. Photos soon!
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
No updates...
Sorry, guys. I'm a slacker on two fronts. There is a reason for no updates. There's nothing to update. Ugh!!!
Well, hubby did start his new job last week. That's pretty consuming. Thus, we have passed the point of us doing a lot of the work on the house and we will now have paid contractors in there. I'm not that sad about it. At least something will get done!
Yesterday and today, there have been two guys in there getting up the remains of the tile floor. In case you don't know too much about tile floors, it's not just the tile that you have to get up. There's a backer board that goes down first that has to come up too. That's what's left in our house at this point. Also, there's some weird secondary backer board in the kitchen. Making that job that much harder. Anyway, they should be through with that today. Whoo hoo!
This weekend, Hank will be back over to help with trim again. We are replacing all the trim in the house - base, window, door - and we are adding crown in the living areas and the master. It's starting to look really nice!
I promise pictures when there is something to show!
Well, hubby did start his new job last week. That's pretty consuming. Thus, we have passed the point of us doing a lot of the work on the house and we will now have paid contractors in there. I'm not that sad about it. At least something will get done!
Yesterday and today, there have been two guys in there getting up the remains of the tile floor. In case you don't know too much about tile floors, it's not just the tile that you have to get up. There's a backer board that goes down first that has to come up too. That's what's left in our house at this point. Also, there's some weird secondary backer board in the kitchen. Making that job that much harder. Anyway, they should be through with that today. Whoo hoo!
This weekend, Hank will be back over to help with trim again. We are replacing all the trim in the house - base, window, door - and we are adding crown in the living areas and the master. It's starting to look really nice!
I promise pictures when there is something to show!
Sunday, January 25, 2009
Layouts: Before and After
I decided that these pictures will make more sense if you could see how we intend things to actually end up. So, here you go! I know that they aren't really to scale, but you will get the general idea. And, if you click on each layout, you should be able to see the image large enough to actually read the labels on the rooms.
Weekend Warriors
Hubby still has friends in the contracting biz, even though he is leaving that sector soon. So, out of the kindness of their hearts, Joey (hubby's counterpart at another custom home firm), Hank (a trim carpenter who also happens to live around the corner from Juniper House) and Hunter (Hank's 10-year-old son), gave up their Saturday to help us on a few things in the house.
With their help, we are starting to see real progress! The studs are out of the (former) wall between the dining room and den. The utility closet is no longer. Trim is going up. Yay!
Here's some photos of the progress.
Looking through the dining room/den to the back door. See - no wall!
Looking from the den into the dining room. The door to the kitchen to the left.
Joey (on left) and Hank (on right) having a very important conversation about the trim.
Hunter going to town on the tile left in the foyer/dining room.
The utility closet is no more! The range will not stay there and I'm not sure why it is there now. But, the closet used to house the washer and dryer. We will be moving the washer/dryer into the storage area that is just outside. We will have to add a door to that storage area through the breakfast room. But, for now, the kitchen looks that much better without the huge utility closet. The door that you see in the first picture is going from the breakfast room into the dining room. The dining room is being converted into an office. The original living room will be our new dining room. Confused yet? I'll draw up a before and after layout somehow :).
With their help, we are starting to see real progress! The studs are out of the (former) wall between the dining room and den. The utility closet is no longer. Trim is going up. Yay!
Here's some photos of the progress.
Looking through the dining room/den to the back door. See - no wall!
Looking from the den into the dining room. The door to the kitchen to the left.
Joey (on left) and Hank (on right) having a very important conversation about the trim.
Hunter going to town on the tile left in the foyer/dining room.
The utility closet is no more! The range will not stay there and I'm not sure why it is there now. But, the closet used to house the washer and dryer. We will be moving the washer/dryer into the storage area that is just outside. We will have to add a door to that storage area through the breakfast room. But, for now, the kitchen looks that much better without the huge utility closet. The door that you see in the first picture is going from the breakfast room into the dining room. The dining room is being converted into an office. The original living room will be our new dining room. Confused yet? I'll draw up a before and after layout somehow :).
Thursday, January 22, 2009
Photo update
Progress mudding and priming the paneling for paint
Bookcase gone! Wall to come out soon!
Demolition on the tile started
Let no one say that I don't do manual labor! Yes, that is me taking out the dry wall. We are opening up the living room/den area. In the end it will be the dining room/den area. In case you are wondering, I'm wearing hubby's ear protection. All the pounding was giving me a headache.
This little guy came over to visit while we were working. He was cute! I don't know where he came from or where he went later, but it was our first visitor to the house. I've decided to call him Toto.
Bookcase gone! Wall to come out soon!
Demolition on the tile started
Let no one say that I don't do manual labor! Yes, that is me taking out the dry wall. We are opening up the living room/den area. In the end it will be the dining room/den area. In case you are wondering, I'm wearing hubby's ear protection. All the pounding was giving me a headache.
This little guy came over to visit while we were working. He was cute! I don't know where he came from or where he went later, but it was our first visitor to the house. I've decided to call him Toto.
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