Saturday, February 23, 2013

day 104

I had a work conference all week and am just now downloading the photos I took last weekend.  Better late than never, eh?

The stone work is done!  The masonry team started on Wednesday (day 101) and was finished the next day.  It looks great in person and I think will look even better once the front door has been stained.  It's so hard to tell from small samples how things will ultimately look and the stone is one area where the samples weren't quite representative of the full product.  Hubby likes it more than he was expecting to and I like it slightly less.  It's growing on me, though.



[does it get much cuter than this?  the hands in the pockets melt my heart.]

The piece of trim that is missing above the front porch drives me crazy.  I'm pretty sure it was fixed this past week, though.  Amazing how a simple thing can make such a difference.  Also?  I'm anxious to see the front pillars built up the rest of the way.  We really wanted to bring the stone higher, but ultimately decided it wasn't worth the cost.  I'm sure seeing the upper sections boxed in and painted will make a big difference on the overall curb appeal.



Our main reason to stop by the house was to measure for our dining table (first mentioned here).  I want a large table, but because it's not going to have leaves, I want to make sure it's not too big for the space.  We ultimately decided on a 7-1/2 foot long table that's at least 42-inches wide.



The cardboard cutout was done to size, so it gave us a nice idea of what we'll be working with.  I'm planning to put a buffet along the wall on the right and may add a small bar cart behind the patio door on the left.  We're also thinking of doing a mix of upholstered chairs, wooden chairs and a long bench.  I like the casual look of the mixed seating but wonder if a bench would just be too big and bulky.

We also attempted to tape out the cabinets.  I say attempted because I'm pretty sure we weren't all that close.  Between a certain two-year old that liked to move the tape, the tape not sticking well to the texture residue on the floor covering and a cheap tape measure, we gave up before we'd finished.




Can you tell how excited a certain someone was to be out there?  His patience is wearing thin now that he can't run between walls and get into things.  I can't say I blame him, though.  Drywall isn't really all that entertaining.



The other thing accomplished that week (on Friday, day 103) was the wall texture being applied.  Nothing too exciting about this photo, but the walls have since been painted and I'm anxious to get out to the house to see the colors up.  Fingers crossed the colors actually match the small swatches I selected them from and I'm happy with the results!

Thursday, February 14, 2013

day 102

I feel like we should have had a big 100 day celebration... but I totally missed it.  Ooops.  Instead, want to see what has happened up until day 102?


Here's the high level summary:
Day 96/97 - drywall work - taping and mudding
Day 98 - rest day!
Day 99/100 - drywall work - sanding and touchups
Day 101/102 - stone work and cabinet delivery

And the proof is in the details:

[master bedroom - see the boards on the floor?  they're hiding a hole.]
[pretty purple master bath]
[nice and smooth kitchen and living room]

We had been to the house on Saturday (day 97) and were aware that the drywall work had been started.  I was awarded a (much needed) fun day with one of my girlfriends on Sunday and then I spent Monday through Wednesday avoiding/caring for the sick boys in my house.  Staying away to avoid sickness yet being around enough to provide care is an interesting balance.  The good news is, everyone seems to be healthy now!

So, all that to say - I hadn't been to the house since Saturday and was pleasantly surprised to see a crew out laying stone this morning.







I like the stone in person much more than I do in these photos.  Let's blame the iPhone camera?  I think I'll like everything even more once the front door is stained to match the garage doors.  And once the posts are finished.  I have the worst timing imaging how everything comes together.  Usually, I find a photo of what I like and then try to replicate it (e.g. our master bathroom).  For the exterior of the house, I really haven't been able to do that.  It drives me crazy.  But I think it drives my Hubby even more crazy.  If he hears another "I'm not sure" or "I don't think I like it anymore", I might be looking for a roommate!

The real reason for my visit to the house this morning was to accept delivery of our cabinets.  Aren't they pretty?



I'm super excited for them to be installed.  But first - priming, paint and floors.  We're getting closer!  I dropped off our paint samples with the Builder this morning and am told painting is supposed to start next week.  Then, some more magic and hopefully we'll be moving in towards the beginning of April.  My patience is getting thinner...especially as we start to get calls for showings again on the Condo.  As unready as I am to pack up and move again, I seriously can't wait to be in our house.  Our home.  This Condo still doesn't feel like home and I truly miss that feeling.

In the mean time?  I'll continue to love on the cuties I get to call my Valentines.  Aren't they sweet?







Wednesday, February 6, 2013

kitchen remodel

I fell in love with our first house the first time we walked through it.  But not as it was.  I fell in love with the vision of what it could become.  As I was walking through, I was already starting the mental to-do list of the various projects that would make the house a home for us.  The first item was the biggest.  The kitchen desperately needed updated. Popcorn ceiling? Check.  Outdated light fixtures? Check. Wood paneling? Check.  Ugly cabinets? Check.  Odd hardware? Check.


[north wall]
[south wall]
[above stove cabinets]
[above fridge cabinets]
[large drawers]
[tall upper cabinets - what is up with the handles, though?]
[solid cabinets]
We started making the to-do list before we'd even signed the papers to buy the house.  Lucky for us, my father-in-law is a woodworker and was able to help us with the hard stuff.  We decided right away that the cabinets were solid and it would be more expensive to purchase new than to fix up the old.  I really wanted cherry cabinets, though.  So, my FIL came up with the ingenious idea to reface the cabinets with cherry veneer and then order new doors in the style I preferred.  Once we decided on that plan, the list below was born.

1. Remove paneling.
2. Patch plaster walls.
3. Scrape popcorn ceiling.
4. Skim coat ceiling.
5. Replace light fixtures.
6. Remove shelf paper.
7. Paint cabinet interiors.
8. Reface cabinets.
9. Install new cabinet doors.
10. Build new cabinets for south wall.
11. Build new drawer boxes.
12. Replace laminate counters with solid surface countertop and flush-mount sink.
13. Replace sink faucet.
14. Paint walls.
15. Paint trim.
16. Purchase new stainless steel appliances.
17. Replace blinds and curtains.

We basically ended up replacing or refinishing everything except the tile backsplash and tile floor.  Hubby and I did the prep work of scraping the ceilings (the key is lots of water - we found a garden sprayer worked best!), removing the paneling, patching the walls and removing all of the doors.  We hired a guy off of Craigslist to skim coat the ceiling and I'm so glad we didn't mess with it.  For $100, we got a super smooth finish without hours of frustration.  Instead, I spent hours scraping shelf paper and applying 2+ coats of white paint to the cabinet interiors.  It was a pain to work in such small spaces and I think my forearms were coated in white paint for at least a week.






While we were busy deconstructing, my FIL was busy constructing new cabinets, re-configuring our counters and sink (we'd purchased a 'reject' and were able to trim/piece it together to fit our kitchen - the beauty of solid surface!), building new drawer boxes, staining veneer and trim and fighting with the door supplier over the quality of our first shipment of doors.

By the time we'd wrapped up our work, he was ready to come up to help with the next phase.  With the help of my brother-in-law and Hubby, my FIL completed the cabinet and countertop overhaul within a week (while also working on the other random projects I had for him throughout the house).  He also helped replace the faucet and change out our light fixtures.  It was a learning experience in DIY for both Hubby and I and we were so thankful to have someone to show us the ropes, so to speak.  I really can't thank him enough for his help and expertise.







The finished project was more than I hoped for but ended up costing less than we'd expected.  Our budget was $5000 and the rough break-down included:
  • 'Scrap' solid surface counter and sink purchased from cabinet shop - $1000
  • 4-piece faucet (from Lowes)- $160
  • Solid cherry doors and cherry veneer - $800
  • Stain, wood, glue, hinges, drawer glides - ???? (donated by my FIL)
  • Frigidaire microwave, oven and refrigerator (from local appliance store) - $1800
  • (2) light fixtures (from Menards) - $120
  • Wall, trim and cabinet paint (from Lowes) - $75
  • Cabinet hardware (from Lowes) - $125
  • Garden sprayer - $10
  • Labor to skim coat ceiling - $100
  • Asbestos test before we scraped the popcorn ceiling - $25?
  • Faux-wood blinds (from JCP) - $120
  • Curtains - ???? (made by my Mom)
  • Grand Total = $4335





[blinds not yet replaced]
The first three photos were taken by our Realtor when we sold the house just recently.  The bottom three photos were taken right after we'd finished the remodel. As you can see, we really didn't change much in six years.  If I were to re-do anything today, I might swap out the light fixtures again and I'd definitely update the art above the table.  And, while I'm dreaming, it'd probably be time to update the tile on the floor, as well.  Maybe I should e-mail the new owner and tell her to get on it?

If you happen to be looking for an update on the new house - it's day 94 and we have heat!  The drywall scraps are cleaned up and it looks like they're getting ready to start the taping and mud process.  Also, we officially decided to have the main bath, master bath and kitchen/dining area painted professionally. Such relief.

Monday, February 4, 2013

day 92

It's Monday.  And I'm scatterbrained.  And I'm not in the mood to write proper sentences or use correct grammar.  Therefore, it's time for a list.

1. I met our Construction Manager at the house during lunch to talk through what's to come, go over placement of our master bath mirrors and resolve an issue the drywall crew left behind.  He told me that they should be adding the attic insulation today or tomorrow and then they'll start heating the house up to finish the drywall work.  Also, the siding is finally done along the garage!  They just need to finish the trimwork on the porch and box in the columns.

2. We ordered our kitchen faucet last week and are getting varying estimated ship dates.  Hopefully it ships sooner rather than later.  We finally decided on the Pfister Wheaton in a stainless steel finish.  We're not going to install the soap dispenser because the one at our old house never worked properly.

Pfister Wheaton faucet from build.com
3. We also ordered our dimmers and fan controls last week.  I can honestly say they were some of the least exciting things to pick out so far.
[images from Pro Lighting]
Left to Right: Lutron 3-way Fan Control, Lutron Fan Control & Dimmer, Lutron 3-way Dimmer

4. I had a wall texture crisis today.  I'd really prefer a smooth drywall finish.  I personally think it looks cleaner.  However, it's expensive.  And I've spent a lot of money on other upgrades recently. So, we're sticking with texture.  But I don't remember what texture.  Aye.  The Builder is going to confirm with me tomorrow.

5. Our house cleaner comes tomorrow.  I have no desire to finish picking up the condo.  Or to go to the bank for cash.  But I'll be glad for it tomorrow night.

6. Have you seen the IKEA Rast side table?  It's unimpressive on it's own but there are some amazing hacks out there.  I'm seriously considering trying to replicate a couple of these.  Could be fun, no?

[Rast Side Table by IKEA]
[Rast side table hack by A Charming Nest]
7. Our cabinets are now scheduled to be delivered next Thursday or Friday.  I'm hoping for Thursday.  Happy Valentines Day to me!  I'm so ready to see them installed.  Not sure if I'm more excited about the kitchen or master bath vanity.

8. I still need to order our cabinet hardware.  I have the kitchen knobs and pulls picked out but I'm still not sure what I'm doing in the bathrooms.

9.  I also need to order toilet paper holders and towel bars/hooks/rings.  I'm leaning towards the Sussex line at Pottery Barn but I'm still on the lookout for something cheaper but still high quality.  We've been to Lowe's and Menards.  Maybe Home Depot will come through for us?

[Sussex Towel Ring by Pottery Barn]
[Sussex Paper Holder by Pottery Barn]
10. That's all I have but it seemed weird to end a list on 9.