day 160

I slipped away to the house for a bit on Saturday morning to take photos before we started filling it up. Our walk-through was on Friday afternoon and we still have a punch list of items to complete, but I'm thankful we were able to receive occupancy and avoid a short-term hotel stay.

The punch list isn't too crazy and includes things like: patch drywall, touch up paint, install hood extender, replace master bedroom carpet, fix leaky sink, tighten tub faucet, finish installing plumbing fixtures, caulk around windows, shim squeaky floor, trim closet door, add additional shelf brackets, etc.

We also have a to-do list, which includes: hanging curtain rods/blinds, installing cabinet hardware, hanging bathroom fixtures (TP holders, towel rings, etc.) and installing the washer/dryer.  My father-in-law was able to get the hardware installed and we hung those temporary paper blinds over most windows.  Hubby took care of the washer/dryer and will start installing the remaining bathroom fixtures this week.  Progress!

In other words, it's mostly done.  But the contractors are working hard to make sure it's totally done soon.  The drywall guy, carpet crew, carpenter and plumbers were all here today.  And the painter is supposed to be coming tomorrow.  I'm finally seeing the light that we'll be wrapping up soon!

I'll continue to share photos as we personalize this house and make it our home, but I wanted to make sure I documented what it looked like on move-in day.

Without further ado...

[exterior - still need to paint trim, stain door and pour sidewalk/driveway]

[foyer - still need to stain door]

[living room from foyer - still need to touch up paint]

[fireplace]

[dining area from living room]

[flex room]

[living room from flex room]

[dining area - still need a great rug!]

[living room from dining area]

[dining area and my gorgeous handmade table]

[kitchen - before hardware was installed]

[kitchen - before hardware and hood extender]

[kitchen - before hardware]

[kitchen - before hardware]

[kitchen - before hardware]

[E's room from hallway]

[E's room/closet]

[E's room]

[main bath - before hardware, plumbing and mirrors]

[spare bedroom]

[spare bedroom/closet]

[powder room before pedestal sink]

[laundry room before washer/dryer]

[drop zone before hardware]

[hallway off kitchen - master bedroom at end, basement stairs on right]

[master bedroom]

[master bathroom]

[master bathroom tub]

[master bathroom vanity]

[master bathroom vanity]

[master bathroom shower]

[master bathroom shower]

[master bathroom]

[master bath vanity]

Hopefully I'll be back with moving stories and more interior shots later this week.  Until then, you'll find me unpacking, working and sleeping.

moving day

Saturday (day 160) was moving day!  We're officially out of the condo and into the house.  Lots to catch up on -- but first the boxes (or at least necessities) need unpacked.

Pre-move calm on Friday evening:

Mid-move craziness on Sunday afternoon:

More pictures and details to come! 

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!