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.

day 128

Not much has changed on the house this past week.  The backhoe returned last Thursday (day 123) and started digging up the front yard.  After racking our brains a bit, we realized they were hooking up the sewer and water lines.

At some point on Friday or Saturday they hit the underground electrical lines and we were without power until the utility company was able to come out yesterday morning.  Everything is back up and running now, though.

The big news is that the granite was installed in the kitchen today (day 128)!  The stone is Kashmir White and it looks amazing.  They still need to finish some caulking, drill the faucet holes, and cut out the area for the cooktop, but that's easy enough (says the person who doesn't have a clue how to do any of that).

They also put in the granite for the drop zone today, but my camera battery died before I could grab a photo.  I like it but I'm struggling with the 3" backsplash that was installed with the counter.  It's a small space so the backsplash seems a bit excessive.  Plus, it's totally unnecessary since there won't be water in the area.  On the plus side, it covers up the gaps between the countertop and the drywall.  Apparently the drywall is slightly bowed in the drop zone nook, which was their reasoning for installing the backsplashes in the first place.  I think I'm just going to live with them for now and if I still don't like them down the road, I can always do some demolition.

This whole backsplash discussion with the granite folks tonight got me thinking about the bathrooms, as well.  In the main bath, we'll definitely add the granite backsplash.  The bathroom will primarily be used by kids and it makes complete sense from a practical standpoint.  In the master bath, though, I really prefer the look of not having a backsplash.  But I don't want to ruin my drywall.  And I don't think I want to add tile.  Another decision that will need to be made soon.

Well, I'm kind of hoping soon.  Because that will mean the carpenters and tile guy showed up again.  I'm anxious to see the master bath vanity put together and also can't wait to see the tiled shower in the master bath.  Patience is becoming less and less of my strong suit these days.  I'm not sure if I blame the house construction or the two year old?

This past weekend, Hubby and I were able to escape the chaos for a bit.  We dropped E off with a sitter Sunday morning and spent the day shopping, browsing and even sitting down for lunch, without the interruptions of a certain little guy.  It was bliss.  But we were both missing E like crazy by the end of the afternoon.  It's funny how that works.

I also ran by the house on Saturday, during E's naptime, to grab some photos of the cabinets and trimwork on my big girl camera, in the daylight.  Since the last update, doors have finished being installed and most of the trimwork is complete.  Everything is really coming together and starting to get that almost-finished look.

Hopefully the next update will include a gorgeous master bath vanity.  Crossing my fingers. And toes.  And arms.  And legs.  And whatever else I can think of.

day 121

It's snowing up here.  Again.  And that really wouldn't be a big deal, except there was a bit of a mishap with our garage door on Monday.  We still have no idea what happened, but the large door is partially off the track on one side and the track on the other side is bent and detached from the wall.  So, our garage door is currently stuck wide open.  Luckily, the snow has been drifting in the opposite direction of the open door, so our garage isn't completely filled with snow.  Yet.  Our Construction Manager called the garage door guys Monday evening so hopefully they'll be out to fix it soon.  Better now than in 18 months, I suppose.  (Update: finally finishing this post on Thursday - door was fixed on Wednesday and the garage door openers and keypads were also installed)

The carpenters have been hard at work inside the house this week installing our cabinets, trim and doors.  They still need to assemble the master bathroom vanity (which I'm beyond anxious to see), but the kitchen cabinets, drop zone and main bath vanity are in.  And I love them.

[Tolani by Merillat in Maple Chiffon - looking north]

It's crazy how much I adore this kitchen already - and it's still missing important things like crown molding along the tops of the cabinets, hardware, granite counters and stainless steel appliances.  So excited to see it all come together.

[Tolani by Merillat in Maple Chiffon - looking west]

[Tolani by Merillat in Maple Chiffon - looking northwest]

[Tolani by Merillat in Maple Chiffon - looking northeast]

[Tolani by Merillat in Maple Chiffon - looking east]

[Tolani by Merillat in Maple Chiffon - looking southeast]

The fun part about the cabinets?  They have upgrades I'd forgotten about.  Always a nice surprise!  I didn't remember for certain if they would be soft-close (they are!) and I wasn't sure if the drawer front under the sink would be functional (it is!).  Which brings me to another question.  For the main bath vanity, should I put hardware on the two non-functioning drawer fronts under the sinks?  Currently, I have pulls for the three middle drawers and knobs for the two cabinet doors.  Decisions, decisions.

[Portrait by Merillat in Maple Sable - main bath vanity]

[Tolani by Merillat in Maple Sable - drop zone]

I can't tell you how much I'm looking forward to having a set place to put mail and school papers and everything else that currently clutters my kitchen table.  I even picked up a few organizers for the drawer at Target tonight (Have you checked out their Clearance lately?  It's everywhere!)

Besides cabinets, the crew has been hard at work installing trim, putting in closets and hanging doors.  I'm not sure I'm sold on the dark hanging bars, but that's an easy enough fix.  And eventually we plan to do custom closet systems, so I'll probably just wait until then to change anything.  It's a bit crazy to already be talking about changing things and upgrades.  I suppose that's part of working within a set budget, though.

Know what looks even better than the closets, though?  The doors.  I. am. in. love.  It's amazing how big of an impact such a simple, non-standard selection can make.  When we were sitting with the designer, making selections, I remember casually mentioning that it would be nice to do something other than the standard.  He knew I liked the detail found in older homes and, when he pulled out his deck of alternatives, I was immediately drawn to the traditional three panel Craftsman style door.  I think our exact doors are the Crossmore by CraftMaster, but no guarantees.  Aren't they lovely?

On Monday evening there was still a stack of doors and trim to be installed, but as of tonight, the piles are almost non-existent.  All doors have been hung (including the pretty French door below) and trim is almost complete.  It's looking so much more like a house.  Our house.