tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19276860761991495862024-02-02T04:29:14.220-06:00This Year's (re)ModelA place for us to share our experiences (and vent) regarding the transformation of our empty attic to 2 bedrooms and a bathroom.jwohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14401153712437950583noreply@blogger.comBlogger30125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1927686076199149586.post-10161317649366757152009-04-06T21:37:00.005-05:002009-04-06T22:13:56.315-05:00insert catchy title hereThe transformation from our bedroom to the new family room is (nearly) complete. This is one of the biggest perks, in my opinion, of the increased space we have - being able to have a family room where toys can roam, unrestricted, without it becoming a major annoyance for me. So here's what the room looked like before:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBMzo2e8fTUId-u1JoAGv5A4vdszHdoLtuHbYYSHhG9yh6mz1yeEHAQYQHcm49hAzxejTrzKRj-WU3i3nYH4VDVMydGBepslu3Wplh7rfStCBbjfl9GQk28-LbOCb4wmyxPPHb1lZle_QY/s1600-h/001.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBMzo2e8fTUId-u1JoAGv5A4vdszHdoLtuHbYYSHhG9yh6mz1yeEHAQYQHcm49hAzxejTrzKRj-WU3i3nYH4VDVMydGBepslu3Wplh7rfStCBbjfl9GQk28-LbOCb4wmyxPPHb1lZle_QY/s400/001.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5321773863467808722" /></a><br />And now, with a new coat of paint, new rug, new TV (thanks Target Gift Card!) and the rest of our old furnishings, our new family room:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir1LBekmiZEJkwTRjHyNYKaH0W3WoHM5zBeBj8IZFxPpCOqxqGhz-ffs3Di10Oc5J6hjHM982zzbTUfbLHZeK69mwzNk08pFMsqWxcEMiqWIdkFuDpxDTgbyNVLnT0QXf8oFhhmkV5Y8Md/s1600-h/004.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir1LBekmiZEJkwTRjHyNYKaH0W3WoHM5zBeBj8IZFxPpCOqxqGhz-ffs3Di10Oc5J6hjHM982zzbTUfbLHZeK69mwzNk08pFMsqWxcEMiqWIdkFuDpxDTgbyNVLnT0QXf8oFhhmkV5Y8Md/s400/004.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5321774551680276850" /></a><br />I am really liking this as a family room. It is so sunny, we can actually see out to the backyard (assuming the MN weather will eventually cooperate and we'll have outdoors weather again) and the porch-turned-semi-mudroom will be a major improvement for an entry way. I'll have pictures of the mudroom when it's done, which was last Friday.....oh wait, that's when everything was supposed to be done, but wasn't! Actually, I have no idea when it'll be done, but it's close, as Scott keeps reminding me. <br />People have told me that the finishing-up "punch-list" is the most frustratingly slow process, as it takes forever for them to complete the job. But I am getting really irritated and called Chris today to express as much anger at the glacial pace he is moving at as I could. We are expecting my sister and family this weekend, and can't use the new guest room until we can move the porch furniture back onto the porch, and then move the nicer futon up from downstairs, and then move the older futon out, and then...and then....<br />And to make matters even more stressful, we are running out of money. Or rather, we ran out of "money" and are now finishing up with credit cards. But I guess it's all on credit, really, anyway, right? Right.jwohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14401153712437950583noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1927686076199149586.post-2414372278974067452009-03-29T14:25:00.008-05:002009-03-29T15:02:40.219-05:00Finished productWell, after 6 months, we've moved upstairs and are thoroughly enjoying our new digs. We're slowly working on getting all the furniture we need, but we're just happy to be in the space.<br />Here is our master bedroom:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA8O6Ao-FaKXqkIxmLjVDFqutlFEmsI37M4GZ-1EAdfnmqWI5fSipGlBqmgL3n2tk2JOreCtBImYCij-qXISIXDvAf1qiU63Too8p2sp-dmm9L2vn5wOl5i7_o_EhhAXkxYKffFeYIqysZ/s1600-h/016.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA8O6Ao-FaKXqkIxmLjVDFqutlFEmsI37M4GZ-1EAdfnmqWI5fSipGlBqmgL3n2tk2JOreCtBImYCij-qXISIXDvAf1qiU63Too8p2sp-dmm9L2vn5wOl5i7_o_EhhAXkxYKffFeYIqysZ/s400/016.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5318696988341979954" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX_yWDnYFQ50aRGvuABFB6J_NYHw_42HmNSwY3D-F8M5CrUH3PWNAQLFDF33sfincOpBUbp2MiZFphvch3jhFbsCIDuiweogIBPXnaZRgSDfy4NjwjGR1bymoJKwxRuoDeWLoZxuO9W6GU/s1600-h/013.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX_yWDnYFQ50aRGvuABFB6J_NYHw_42HmNSwY3D-F8M5CrUH3PWNAQLFDF33sfincOpBUbp2MiZFphvch3jhFbsCIDuiweogIBPXnaZRgSDfy4NjwjGR1bymoJKwxRuoDeWLoZxuO9W6GU/s400/013.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5318696983847862722" /></a><br />We are trying to decide which color curtain we like, thus the multicolored panels. Any preferences? You can let us know in comments. Reid and Devin like running around in our room too, though they liked it better before there was furniture to get in their way.<br />This is the front window seat area, minus a chair, ottoman, and window seat cushions that we have yet to purchase:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg7LgT1I38c1FpohmbIj7Hgc-cw72dhZ1tkkhXqNufMOd8KOhkfLtqnIhMlhvE6SjsmwV5Ijw3pkIxpGCQPPHofP_MxZLoo1z6j4s1G_ein_cSECTy6iZlm1IIkF_6Tue8Ggg5OMuZM_fr/s1600-h/012.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg7LgT1I38c1FpohmbIj7Hgc-cw72dhZ1tkkhXqNufMOd8KOhkfLtqnIhMlhvE6SjsmwV5Ijw3pkIxpGCQPPHofP_MxZLoo1z6j4s1G_ein_cSECTy6iZlm1IIkF_6Tue8Ggg5OMuZM_fr/s400/012.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5318697948011396322" /></a><br />Here is a view of the filled up closet:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpuME5qg9vcQHfkOjYvC-95OgdAQ7DMHD_-29gtMYlM6G3shT4_jLn_nxjIba34qVhLALJ2QlFN2CsjSw48V2IpqIA3CkcJfE8OH8MqlzazuheASjuoqgZgfveSsE-4TYsYFHLFJnAc_nn/s1600-h/018.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpuME5qg9vcQHfkOjYvC-95OgdAQ7DMHD_-29gtMYlM6G3shT4_jLn_nxjIba34qVhLALJ2QlFN2CsjSw48V2IpqIA3CkcJfE8OH8MqlzazuheASjuoqgZgfveSsE-4TYsYFHLFJnAc_nn/s400/018.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5318698464493762194" /></a><br />And the finished bathroom:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijm9EaADeemgYyUN-gGX4B6pMgy4rit1X_hzch_z4hJjBNHWgSgRLonNs7aVIp7ljT8O3wnIXhA1qg4kLGjd7UCKdVGOjwXL24fuk8KbO6HjxsC1HVgLzqPV0NTYl93fMLvT78kucp5ToT/s1600-h/019.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijm9EaADeemgYyUN-gGX4B6pMgy4rit1X_hzch_z4hJjBNHWgSgRLonNs7aVIp7ljT8O3wnIXhA1qg4kLGjd7UCKdVGOjwXL24fuk8KbO6HjxsC1HVgLzqPV0NTYl93fMLvT78kucp5ToT/s400/019.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5318698799352628402" /></a><br />And the boys' room (looking cleaner than usual):<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhpJYyECsky6EzcuGTveGmYdwSakZd_RN2SvhLkz4JOqaUt26z16BG2Qulf-uHA8bqWjoES0HaeJsRPUc3Wv9ExG_ltHqwP3rpsmDsAAj-_Obfv2bDdUKGAd6bjJUUCAENPe5K_F6OnvYM/s1600-h/021.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhpJYyECsky6EzcuGTveGmYdwSakZd_RN2SvhLkz4JOqaUt26z16BG2Qulf-uHA8bqWjoES0HaeJsRPUc3Wv9ExG_ltHqwP3rpsmDsAAj-_Obfv2bDdUKGAd6bjJUUCAENPe5K_F6OnvYM/s400/021.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5318699364805918978" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYjV7d5cphv5UPNWIa6FnoG8PGNGCSihf7xJUX09m3hPlJqoqOscduGqaP2vcdWH4ttZvUfQYHac5UyQDqFxyI94OPiw4LKC3MeVpc_gLegie3NtFu5s2IkLMJBaFC2VjdwD8SMXLtFVZ-/s1600-h/020.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYjV7d5cphv5UPNWIa6FnoG8PGNGCSihf7xJUX09m3hPlJqoqOscduGqaP2vcdWH4ttZvUfQYHac5UyQDqFxyI94OPiw4LKC3MeVpc_gLegie3NtFu5s2IkLMJBaFC2VjdwD8SMXLtFVZ-/s400/020.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5318699355800452130" /></a><br />We still got the 'punch list' to go, but Chris says he'll be done by the end of this week. He also is finishing up part 2 of the project: turning our back porch into an entry way and semi-"mudroom" for coming in during the warmer months. He's done laying down the vinyl flooring, and he's installed a regular secure door for the entry. I'll post pictures of that when it's done. <br />And now we're moving on to the transformation of our former bedroom into our new family room - again, I'll post pictures when we're done. This is happening sloooooowly since I'm doing all the painting, but it's getting there.<br />Overall, we are really happy with how things turned out, though the process certainly had it's stressors. We think it's been worth it!jwohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14401153712437950583noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1927686076199149586.post-63963313708794380002009-03-24T15:41:00.002-05:002009-03-24T15:52:47.754-05:00The first weekWell, the first week in our new addition has come and gone. Overall, it's been very enjoyable settling in. The boys have had some ups and downs getting used to their bunk beds. Mostly Devin, who before now was sleeping in a crib. So he's wandered around a couple nights after waking up, and needed a little more Mommy and Daddy time at bedtime and early in the morning. But that's to be expected, and overall he's been sleeping pretty well. <br /><br />Reid threw us a little curveball when one night he declared he didn't want to sleep in his top bunk and wanted to sleep with Devin in the bottom bunk. We kind of just rolled with that and let him; and before long there was enough "Devin's bothering me!"/"You bothering ME!" that Reid decided maybe he did want that top bunk after all. <br /><br />Jill has been painting the former bed/future family room, and it's looking good. She's also painting the boy's little bookshelf so it matches the red wall. She's been busy. I've been busy too, checking out the reading seat in the bedroom by the front windows, making sure it's comfortable. Needs a little more breaking in, I think. <br /><br />I have done a couple little things, put the knobs on the cabinet in the bathroom, installed a CO detector in the boys room. When we're this close to being done, I actually have the temptation to ask Chris if there's something I can do. I've managed to resist the temptation so far. Don't want to get too crazy.<br /><br />Chris is working mostly on the back porch/mudroom now, and I would think it won't be long to get that done. Now we're mostly stressing out over things like furnishings and such. It's a good problem to have.Scott W. http://www.blogger.com/profile/02181976724217347275noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1927686076199149586.post-3494763773850620732009-03-15T21:02:00.004-05:002009-03-15T21:18:32.726-05:00Finally!We moved the bedrooms today! Chris came at just after 10am to finish up some final things in the boys' room and help us move our furniture upstairs. It was all going smoothly, remarkably smoothly actually, until....the boxspring. Knowing our queen size mattress barely fit up the stairs with bending and pushing and pulling, we knew the box spring was going to have to go another way if it was going to get up there. Our first try was up the temporary <a href="http://thisyearsremodel.blogspot.com/2008/09/stairway-to-heaven.html">stairway</a>, in through the boys' window. We had to remove the window itself, but still, no-go. The next try was to to hoist it up to the scaffolding (also seen in the previously linked post) just outside the master bedroom window - again having to remove the window - and after nearly giving up, Scott and Chris were able to get it through the window. Thank Goodness. The next step was to try to carry it up a ladder and haul it through the closet window...yeah, that would've been fun.<br />Anyway, the boys' room is nearly complete, our bedroom-type furniture is in, but we still have to purchase furniture and pillows for the reading area by the window seat. And I kinda got burned out enough that I haven't moved all my clothes up there yet. <br />The kids went to bed in their new room tonight - and so far so good. This is Devin's transition out of his crib, so we tried to make it appealing for him. Let's hope we don't have a wandering 2 year old tonight.<br />I'll post more pictures with the furniture in later (again got burned out a bit). Whew! Can't believe we are finally up there!jwohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14401153712437950583noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1927686076199149586.post-7094746313080111262009-03-15T07:35:00.009-05:002009-03-15T08:09:09.802-05:00Ready, Steady, Go!Well, we made it - sort of. With 3/13 looming as the deadline earlier this week, Scott and I took stock of what needed to be done before we would feel comfortable moving up, and wrote out a list for each area. We told Chris to prioritize the sleeping areas, so at least we could move in there and just use the downstairs bathroom while he finishes that area. So he worked late Friday and some into Saturday, and we're set to move the bedrooms - today!<br />Here are some pictures of the master bedroom, cleaned and ready to go:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf4i7VhyphenhyphenA0qCTG_A-HrC_dqnO4_JMxeA3hk4qq7m-hZ4vSdnwfyfSKyZ-ChyphenhyphenzsCFcvi96DnfGlV7lTnZND9-dFF69g3HQYlLoUS1KTJDb2s5QY0D1S0eStDdNhzjuL1YkKWZpFdmEDCOkB/s1600-h/033.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf4i7VhyphenhyphenA0qCTG_A-HrC_dqnO4_JMxeA3hk4qq7m-hZ4vSdnwfyfSKyZ-ChyphenhyphenzsCFcvi96DnfGlV7lTnZND9-dFF69g3HQYlLoUS1KTJDb2s5QY0D1S0eStDdNhzjuL1YkKWZpFdmEDCOkB/s400/033.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5313393674136410162" /></a><br />Here's the front 'reading area' with our built-in window seat and bookshelves:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYbh-zfQVNgpb5mEJLYWLqgeEXBOqTkuDfjOB9AeK1KdNJ7Z3Jh0ojiFU7kuuof8HIThflXPmE7BHERcLl6KMDJ2uO-hFC_lMeyfqL_Gss32hj4VXlVEzhewSoJTY1bK1RlIPYVInE31g-/s1600-h/029.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYbh-zfQVNgpb5mEJLYWLqgeEXBOqTkuDfjOB9AeK1KdNJ7Z3Jh0ojiFU7kuuof8HIThflXPmE7BHERcLl6KMDJ2uO-hFC_lMeyfqL_Gss32hj4VXlVEzhewSoJTY1bK1RlIPYVInE31g-/s400/029.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5313393981335623186" /></a><br />And a closer look:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoqxBfC2RMz1V0wT4GV9talZS1Ws8MkMgAOX3dRWkbj3breB9xvYfinEimBBXN1aL9waQVCi-0c8sqeDaeXR_GYvaOP8H2nRbcibA1PeX_MmqZgnD-0us35PkjOfLjoPHCvhvULHNuJq4g/s1600-h/040.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoqxBfC2RMz1V0wT4GV9talZS1Ws8MkMgAOX3dRWkbj3breB9xvYfinEimBBXN1aL9waQVCi-0c8sqeDaeXR_GYvaOP8H2nRbcibA1PeX_MmqZgnD-0us35PkjOfLjoPHCvhvULHNuJq4g/s400/040.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5313394442658700930" /></a><br />It's difficult to get a good picture of our closet, but we had Chris add some shelves for clothing:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy0FsFhpPnYRPATwU0_P_LI3LHr-lsirgQc4aGMwnScgqUyvjs7YyrS46mvuawoO2_kzR27H8JRQxm_DO-z4K3_HfSwgHgmY84EHStAutmbYFLGlVHfjjYnxeyxaYYibw1r6T4R-GQ2VL_/s1600-h/031.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy0FsFhpPnYRPATwU0_P_LI3LHr-lsirgQc4aGMwnScgqUyvjs7YyrS46mvuawoO2_kzR27H8JRQxm_DO-z4K3_HfSwgHgmY84EHStAutmbYFLGlVHfjjYnxeyxaYYibw1r6T4R-GQ2VL_/s400/031.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5313396755011429762" /></a><br />Here's view down the hallway from our bedroom into the boys' room. You can see the built-in alcove shelves and the linen closets:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjol0jTA5G7lcYUqbffx6wribAoWPNZEccIgPNqDLjZ7Jr9bpU1I72coXnNZ3nmKQ1EEqab3HtCAIUkpO8i_NuKKPUToxzeLl2cgJjpbymSIZ8hxU1kiclmKVUskGxBxXl481lqI3VIYYOn/s1600-h/045.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjol0jTA5G7lcYUqbffx6wribAoWPNZEccIgPNqDLjZ7Jr9bpU1I72coXnNZ3nmKQ1EEqab3HtCAIUkpO8i_NuKKPUToxzeLl2cgJjpbymSIZ8hxU1kiclmKVUskGxBxXl481lqI3VIYYOn/s400/045.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5313397033717632882" /></a><br />The boys' room hasn't changed much since the last posting, though we do now have the (light-blocking) blinds in, and the closets are (closer to being) done. <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidjIxAuL65EXDGip2TF9rlbbElUPfLMEi25wubQDccQt1F3xoHfjDn_xI2Rx2JPFSePE2_beFP5qXc5T1Qxog6jqPIM0jaiFH2hK7MVc4Nw4ZJ_rS0JLOA0QZSgmNH0XxfORP53rTCCCQL/s1600-h/043.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidjIxAuL65EXDGip2TF9rlbbElUPfLMEi25wubQDccQt1F3xoHfjDn_xI2Rx2JPFSePE2_beFP5qXc5T1Qxog6jqPIM0jaiFH2hK7MVc4Nw4ZJ_rS0JLOA0QZSgmNH0XxfORP53rTCCCQL/s400/043.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5313397809059331682" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmijL2wGs_AFjv-JooQEKAkllini4ddKkySdRR1UsfvNsm8SMJ3kRDIfToUTrAxCEULPc734wG0vvbUCtKUDIHZMUHPRSu4wnT9lpsKXhr8WdMED4pWySd6ddI18I2qdNoc5c2jiAX72N4/s1600-h/042.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmijL2wGs_AFjv-JooQEKAkllini4ddKkySdRR1UsfvNsm8SMJ3kRDIfToUTrAxCEULPc734wG0vvbUCtKUDIHZMUHPRSu4wnT9lpsKXhr8WdMED4pWySd6ddI18I2qdNoc5c2jiAX72N4/s400/042.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5313397803815625362" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuyA95GRBROuIIRq1DZzgDuPmKrf-VKNkjadsayKjp4FO5bQSH5uNfVo5remAPReJycjTDIypmMRI-D36cbk2SnMmzXFo2yb4Mm3YEzJm3hw9xA_4rBweaaWLwnnjlKvDZrdiXOrcId08F/s1600-h/041.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuyA95GRBROuIIRq1DZzgDuPmKrf-VKNkjadsayKjp4FO5bQSH5uNfVo5remAPReJycjTDIypmMRI-D36cbk2SnMmzXFo2yb4Mm3YEzJm3hw9xA_4rBweaaWLwnnjlKvDZrdiXOrcId08F/s400/041.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5313397801841902450" /></a><br />And one last view of the hallway from the boys' room to our room - bathroom - yet to be completely finished, of course, is on the right:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjujoA3vHYQggRZXU635JisI5bFMIoDXrXUW_C5MTC8xXLFXpcXA5xqfGgg2caOPG4azUfyLDK-YQu0ZJWG9-zFlnV6Ict9drqg-67HozLKEOqmsVT0R-PQUvzWFzBrTMbfsq8xAJg4Ilxx/s1600-h/044.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjujoA3vHYQggRZXU635JisI5bFMIoDXrXUW_C5MTC8xXLFXpcXA5xqfGgg2caOPG4azUfyLDK-YQu0ZJWG9-zFlnV6Ict9drqg-67HozLKEOqmsVT0R-PQUvzWFzBrTMbfsq8xAJg4Ilxx/s400/044.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5313398739564844754" /></a><br />So if all goes well today, we have spent our last night in our downstairs bedrooms. Devin has now started saying that he doesn't like his bunk bed, so we're hoping that once it's dressed up with CARS bedding and his blankets and everything that he'll be ok. If not....I'm not sure we've thought of the contingency plan of moving the crib up there and I'm not sure where it would go. So our fingers are crossed.<br />I'll post pictures of the rooms furnished eventually. Next up is the transition of our downstairs bedrooms into a family room and guest room/computer room. I have a day off this week, and the plan is to do the painting of the family room that day. The fun never ends...jwohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14401153712437950583noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1927686076199149586.post-39654025931769980622009-03-08T21:08:00.008-05:002009-03-08T21:28:04.665-05:00End in sight??So, our builder says he'll be done by 3/13. (!) It's Friday the 13th - should we be concerned? He also says he will help us move our furniture the next day, which is nice. And then the slow musical-chairs begins of moving several rooms into several other rooms, with some painting to boot.<br />One of the nice features we will have is the built in window seat, which is pretty much done.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcbq7Ngpwzy0I-ypDrVWIfo9bU-2kOKdE8GCf3MRXegrag9BU1k3u8L0WjALrPqDGf2SttBz16YAd_q_uaDhTBRO5LuSfAN8delLy5QHtC8VqY9MI1D1UHACaOWnTFugKFgiiRO9dqBQY7/s1600-h/039.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcbq7Ngpwzy0I-ypDrVWIfo9bU-2kOKdE8GCf3MRXegrag9BU1k3u8L0WjALrPqDGf2SttBz16YAd_q_uaDhTBRO5LuSfAN8delLy5QHtC8VqY9MI1D1UHACaOWnTFugKFgiiRO9dqBQY7/s400/039.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5311005165755171154" /></a><br />The window seat features lift-up seats for storage, and we'll get some comfy pillows for the area. Note the built-in bookshelves - the one on the right is what it will look like with the arch to match the arch details down on our first floor, and of course it will be stained. <br />Here is a picture of the south side of the master bedroom, with the windows stained with the trim. All the windows will have grilles to give the divided-light appearance as well.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxdAZG8ZSLcuAmr6H0Y-kFOupAG-pFPpFgCILhgsaNu-IxQAgItkbbIX1lipSNL6UYbNbjyxkyhBnBjBazdTW2nR8oBcCw4Uvear8-cDu_-BsKAHTk2V0x3DcSezFMK-dVi02ibTU7NCpe/s1600-h/041.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxdAZG8ZSLcuAmr6H0Y-kFOupAG-pFPpFgCILhgsaNu-IxQAgItkbbIX1lipSNL6UYbNbjyxkyhBnBjBazdTW2nR8oBcCw4Uvear8-cDu_-BsKAHTk2V0x3DcSezFMK-dVi02ibTU7NCpe/s400/041.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5311007442246256210" /></a><br />Chris has also been working on the closet - it is hard to get a good photo of this - but you can see the set up at least. The ledge along the wall is covering the duct for the heating/cooling unit but will serve us nicely for shoes, maybe. We will have 3 built-in shelves to either side of the window as well. <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBdx92M3EEsjaDuclOro-nG17y01uJ3WuorAMXt3hVSa8OwyyUPY-JhHe1rVilpQpEtv5Az63UDAreeCRobrNtae-6I7qs66wO2j3Y1vNc5G9SyqZMebiQEHzf2m-gAnjY2YRfZPF6kqb5/s1600-h/043.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBdx92M3EEsjaDuclOro-nG17y01uJ3WuorAMXt3hVSa8OwyyUPY-JhHe1rVilpQpEtv5Az63UDAreeCRobrNtae-6I7qs66wO2j3Y1vNc5G9SyqZMebiQEHzf2m-gAnjY2YRfZPF6kqb5/s400/043.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5311006908098226770" /></a><br />And the shower door is in too. We are anxiously awaiting the use of this shower, because the water pressure in our lower floor shower leaves something to be desired.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqtovqrtvbBIDrgcJLs-VHtmvD7n30CKs1K0-rLYIEc6sL_6vhtUm_4rmv5E071eHV7UDadzpa0-96Q4F2tuDMXenVHMYTcWvW2BwYiCb1wc0Cpvr8wroQucdVaJ2Jj1-59VAbC7r5snpw/s1600-h/042.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqtovqrtvbBIDrgcJLs-VHtmvD7n30CKs1K0-rLYIEc6sL_6vhtUm_4rmv5E071eHV7UDadzpa0-96Q4F2tuDMXenVHMYTcWvW2BwYiCb1wc0Cpvr8wroQucdVaJ2Jj1-59VAbC7r5snpw/s400/042.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5311007994949248066" /></a><br />Up next: the blinds are being put in tomorrow. This was key for us to be able to move up there, given how close we are to our neighbors. And then - we'll see if we're done on Friday!jwohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14401153712437950583noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1927686076199149586.post-77715962642664033772009-02-23T21:15:00.004-06:002009-02-23T22:13:06.882-06:00Bunker down and wait...The Bunk Beds have arrived! They fit perfectly into the space we have. The boys are so excited, and it has really got us excited to move up there. <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHyn44sVHufnW4_20uQ5g-gzZ7Tux-rDdvYr5lu63-wnrZME11cez060B4lNM9X__TMttCaZRuPG5tRZMbKQeuxq2pyKIKZS8t9oDCDggy3aF9BZZb5-PcJ3YTbOIsq4aF02-LxadSAAjv/s1600-h/011.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHyn44sVHufnW4_20uQ5g-gzZ7Tux-rDdvYr5lu63-wnrZME11cez060B4lNM9X__TMttCaZRuPG5tRZMbKQeuxq2pyKIKZS8t9oDCDggy3aF9BZZb5-PcJ3YTbOIsq4aF02-LxadSAAjv/s400/011.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5306199381808197026" /></a><br />But......things still are still dragging. It seems so close, but all I can see are all the little things that need to get done before we can move up there and it is so aggravating! We had 'the talk' with the builder, and he says he'll be able to be more productive this week. So. we'll see.jwohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14401153712437950583noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1927686076199149586.post-45815298365436392862009-02-11T22:07:00.007-06:002009-02-11T22:30:16.775-06:00Plush LifeCould it really be?? Could we really be as little as 2.5 weeks away from being done with the upstairs? Eek. I hate to count on that, but that's the estimate that our builder is giving us. We'll see.<br />The carpet is finally done! We had them put a runner up the stairs, <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheBG92lv3xgMU43G_VBFlSolhpI-9sb9rrRenfLg5HgUofnVVP5jtiHSOcUfUunocKpNlioc_SMIZnctOzsSn46FGlU8NjjBPWamyuCtqxB2yZZWXEKOTk3Xaf2qlSZ-PonekNYBqdnsro/s1600-h/007.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheBG92lv3xgMU43G_VBFlSolhpI-9sb9rrRenfLg5HgUofnVVP5jtiHSOcUfUunocKpNlioc_SMIZnctOzsSn46FGlU8NjjBPWamyuCtqxB2yZZWXEKOTk3Xaf2qlSZ-PonekNYBqdnsro/s400/007.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5301759738361375058" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ_uNjS2AUHsBiXpNgYTxWhGiI8utpFirtRJBgjzLl1w9AyNy6e4AVDdjU9jSFxY2VEsuS0TuGjd6J9Os-p-GHAI0U4eMfX-xtanCnscSZH3vUaZZ1uJNXobJcE7gTftC27jPje8sZRZ4P/s1600-h/008.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ_uNjS2AUHsBiXpNgYTxWhGiI8utpFirtRJBgjzLl1w9AyNy6e4AVDdjU9jSFxY2VEsuS0TuGjd6J9Os-p-GHAI0U4eMfX-xtanCnscSZH3vUaZZ1uJNXobJcE7gTftC27jPje8sZRZ4P/s400/008.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5301759997249182018" /></a><br />then full wall to wall in the hallway (note the addition of the doors and trim - almost looks like a real, live, hallway, doesn't it?!)<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyb6jE2iPOjMTBTVXmKvsEwOff5muKwtocd3Yrj3oMnQjNCrRUDTDEoSaiC5zfAszKnmybCiLfj_1rTF0-7V1AgVqUSum-LtStt1IhVY8N7L0FIzvxWbAlGElk1m3-rXgTHG6kAfOJlBVF/s1600-h/009.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyb6jE2iPOjMTBTVXmKvsEwOff5muKwtocd3Yrj3oMnQjNCrRUDTDEoSaiC5zfAszKnmybCiLfj_1rTF0-7V1AgVqUSum-LtStt1IhVY8N7L0FIzvxWbAlGElk1m3-rXgTHG6kAfOJlBVF/s400/009.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5301760237038047650" /></a><br />Here's the carpet in the boys' room - we figured it would be better to muffle the expected tackles and tumbles.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEWVarnNgKVNjr2LtnwwqpVP81V5_SuSComMPRAvJa2dlJMrO5msyvH_YhugOmq769Z7a_z_sOl9-PPubw2HHmn0LID03xcmIl-FYVIvB7IuY_LB7Ohxxh6Wc4G1DsQ3n4Wgm-MvhxSzs6/s1600-h/011.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEWVarnNgKVNjr2LtnwwqpVP81V5_SuSComMPRAvJa2dlJMrO5msyvH_YhugOmq769Z7a_z_sOl9-PPubw2HHmn0LID03xcmIl-FYVIvB7IuY_LB7Ohxxh6Wc4G1DsQ3n4Wgm-MvhxSzs6/s400/011.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5301760828105661714" /></a><br />Again, note the doors of the boys' closets...oh the messes we can hide away in there!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyFT3HCOxnZNmgCyJ6d7NABjCsCXBwo4DxYRgIhTxpuQ5Ohi3B6iczkqSqomHDlJpP1vOwWfDZ-4ozUZSXE9NEM6Vl3jJ8Wbe9lCmXczTLCMtiG1rzSNcVbjv1AJ3l747apLrC9NBKJeJL/s1600-h/012.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyFT3HCOxnZNmgCyJ6d7NABjCsCXBwo4DxYRgIhTxpuQ5Ohi3B6iczkqSqomHDlJpP1vOwWfDZ-4ozUZSXE9NEM6Vl3jJ8Wbe9lCmXczTLCMtiG1rzSNcVbjv1AJ3l747apLrC9NBKJeJL/s400/012.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5301761743636548130" /></a><br />Ok, so more trim, and some finishing of some shelves, the window seat, the closet shelves, and I think we are done. Oh, and the blinds are ordered - what a hassle that all was... we decided to have Home Depot do the measuring and install for us, so that any mistakes in the custom measurements will be be their problem, not ours. 2 weeks until they arrive!jwohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14401153712437950583noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1927686076199149586.post-65288806228783050262009-01-29T20:30:00.016-06:002009-01-29T21:47:04.777-06:00Lights, Camera, and a little Action!And now the light fixtures are in! We had a little bit of a set back because of the placement of the lighting - the track that was supposed to be over the bed, but it appeared to be too far to one side - but I think we've got it worked out. We extended the track to even it out, so now it can be more over the bed. We really love the way all of them turned out.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzLBy_oWsNmNvedVsZBQCArm5m5AJb7_5cBokHAUGonNnbVh-4CKhECjhLNIwz4iWAYHyiustNojpyXtGUNS9P5CYzMy2XpnpDRxuqUJPohNulzOtlTjq9gaJKTWQq7hYB7sRLhV82HVPO/s1600-h/011.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzLBy_oWsNmNvedVsZBQCArm5m5AJb7_5cBokHAUGonNnbVh-4CKhECjhLNIwz4iWAYHyiustNojpyXtGUNS9P5CYzMy2XpnpDRxuqUJPohNulzOtlTjq9gaJKTWQq7hYB7sRLhV82HVPO/s400/011.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5296910179659269010" /></a><br />There are sconces in the master bedroom too.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy1w2SjGFkIkvQNsmhKzrAImwrioLt1YFeRhb8gyCPnAkH2Of12SPCUm29u-axRPWhEeGhl_JTT9IJFAzMaGEEhNnvjE33h3LbVIsTP76yZhI8xhjRdHvv3N-BsBbrfVOI_cKXeEEZv-4l/s1600-h/007.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy1w2SjGFkIkvQNsmhKzrAImwrioLt1YFeRhb8gyCPnAkH2Of12SPCUm29u-axRPWhEeGhl_JTT9IJFAzMaGEEhNnvjE33h3LbVIsTP76yZhI8xhjRdHvv3N-BsBbrfVOI_cKXeEEZv-4l/s200/007.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5296927220509942226" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSJtl6Y500PEslim-Bx2oEMh_J-N_fyE5GZW1-4-vlYtqg-_elWNvkVHf7bjsIJwBcwX_tbOsBvJ3Fdp4LKY-kQ1huIImxLjONXeRlnyeJw0XUAt2Z-y0LTeCd4_AUYJ7ZJR6kPLiZYrG2/s1600-h/006.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSJtl6Y500PEslim-Bx2oEMh_J-N_fyE5GZW1-4-vlYtqg-_elWNvkVHf7bjsIJwBcwX_tbOsBvJ3Fdp4LKY-kQ1huIImxLjONXeRlnyeJw0XUAt2Z-y0LTeCd4_AUYJ7ZJR6kPLiZYrG2/s200/006.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5296927828010240498" /></a><br />One of the cooler features, in my opinion, is the up-lighting over the closet wall. There will be some edging at the top of the wall covering the lights themselves, but you can get the idea.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzDcvZZRHPFapHzIdFFTCG-KXfNPuI0cux0kPh-9imoF7TAWdctlPAYhyj4dlElyci3aiJ9LDdfwxLs1L1gyWyGCee86kRooFrG3tYYxKHOVgff-b0HuIO0VJtaGME8Nd-qA1JRuGFQoOd/s1600-h/015.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzDcvZZRHPFapHzIdFFTCG-KXfNPuI0cux0kPh-9imoF7TAWdctlPAYhyj4dlElyci3aiJ9LDdfwxLs1L1gyWyGCee86kRooFrG3tYYxKHOVgff-b0HuIO0VJtaGME8Nd-qA1JRuGFQoOd/s400/015.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5296915262671648770" /></a><br />The hallway sconces:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDVIasFAJdibF_E0-ZTTdX2DG0VTh7xaxK5LZciWR5FOmkkWguWo3PC4oygkA_FmHBfW2EdSe0bmD7LGWYxfZVVAuZPYIfftKZi4MRXhhMZU8JM-dB3WPcxOKwqnWVqckTU_njBAMbndzz/s1600-h/003.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDVIasFAJdibF_E0-ZTTdX2DG0VTh7xaxK5LZciWR5FOmkkWguWo3PC4oygkA_FmHBfW2EdSe0bmD7LGWYxfZVVAuZPYIfftKZi4MRXhhMZU8JM-dB3WPcxOKwqnWVqckTU_njBAMbndzz/s400/003.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5296917334377996866" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNqXU101LlUvGXkLmOuL07MOtD75MJMjMkIPdc6Wdje8cukmyNJZNAHBFYRbOyCtAfx6mrR05-vDLGVGCbWBtrGxhafkBI6flnj3gsfTFSFzmFSm2j4zr-gWY0Lrn9uUJzPERlo9LLVzGp/s1600-h/001.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNqXU101LlUvGXkLmOuL07MOtD75MJMjMkIPdc6Wdje8cukmyNJZNAHBFYRbOyCtAfx6mrR05-vDLGVGCbWBtrGxhafkBI6flnj3gsfTFSFzmFSm2j4zr-gWY0Lrn9uUJzPERlo9LLVzGp/s320/001.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5296917657463077330" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib8vA0GCoNEI4beXXZsZLF-ZIH_P_dM2sCA16lsPVxeTIBHZ9-H9gf_uwhNOX08ch98qbgwlpDC0ZtYQqPy0AjC0bltvg0zyyx6CFf5_0hYwG5kpJjb8MT3S9Nes3JjAcYk7leVmS5pjZA/s1600-h/002.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib8vA0GCoNEI4beXXZsZLF-ZIH_P_dM2sCA16lsPVxeTIBHZ9-H9gf_uwhNOX08ch98qbgwlpDC0ZtYQqPy0AjC0bltvg0zyyx6CFf5_0hYwG5kpJjb8MT3S9Nes3JjAcYk7leVmS5pjZA/s320/002.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5296917891075296754" /></a><br />The boy's room has more utilitarian track lighting:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghV8mTsNT9zMOMinJCcvYISMryg5XZOKDEQrr9kluEzJltWWKc1Mx4UNCvfCm4c0Xa3fSCYsPakTJfflrCWhyWuFMP9CMJoE3T89yHFEeyQfSLvAsJmx3H04-E23gLiejWgxPfpPsWUSZ4/s1600-h/005.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghV8mTsNT9zMOMinJCcvYISMryg5XZOKDEQrr9kluEzJltWWKc1Mx4UNCvfCm4c0Xa3fSCYsPakTJfflrCWhyWuFMP9CMJoE3T89yHFEeyQfSLvAsJmx3H04-E23gLiejWgxPfpPsWUSZ4/s400/005.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5296918921285315618" /></a><br />And here's the bathroom light fixture, which, for the moment, looks a little imbalanced due to the sharp slant of the wall, but I think will look much better once we have the mirrors in place.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRrJrv6U9Y3jJBXRgHnQU693nvtN_Cps4q0eQd2SQS-GcQmI0qaMOqKr7LYUwiBPJyI4CVO9KXcHvYEb-eJx_36-AWacCZUIgh5-el9VR8AREHyz-dl4dB8IiMIboqG3Cq1Hv-5DX0iRv7/s1600-h/004.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRrJrv6U9Y3jJBXRgHnQU693nvtN_Cps4q0eQd2SQS-GcQmI0qaMOqKr7LYUwiBPJyI4CVO9KXcHvYEb-eJx_36-AWacCZUIgh5-el9VR8AREHyz-dl4dB8IiMIboqG3Cq1Hv-5DX0iRv7/s400/004.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5296920666211854146" /></a><br />We're hoping more of the trim will be in soon. Then measuring for blinds, so we'll actually be able to have some privacy by the time we get to move in.jwohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14401153712437950583noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1927686076199149586.post-74810115603471407752009-01-26T21:04:00.016-06:002009-01-27T19:54:54.360-06:00Color Me Happy!Finally! Some movement in our project! At the end of last week Chris began painting, and now things seem to be finally taking shape. We chose Aura, a high-end paint from Benjamin Moore, because it is GreenGuard certified with low VOC, and it covers well enough over drywall that it is self-priming (thus saving time and money). We were indecisive enough about colors that we decided to go with a plain linen-like cream color for most of the walls. I'm not sure all the walls have their final coat on in these pictures, but I was too excited to wait to post. Below is the stairway looking down, then up, then looking down the hallway from the master bedroom into the boys' room.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHJIWt6JACAkXIW2rK1ztMZJSotIhYOk880HBZ1IiQ_ygwc01F9jNad8mIsG4AZ8f3sxaf2uzl7pb4GR9EDKjNWQZCqaVpfnEzTgTV09tjn6xTMtLvtUJlym5VDmsvJFTodBYQz8qh_f6d/s1600-h/011.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHJIWt6JACAkXIW2rK1ztMZJSotIhYOk880HBZ1IiQ_ygwc01F9jNad8mIsG4AZ8f3sxaf2uzl7pb4GR9EDKjNWQZCqaVpfnEzTgTV09tjn6xTMtLvtUJlym5VDmsvJFTodBYQz8qh_f6d/s200/011.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5296151169829628690" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc6znAdmz-k-p1uPvw4SAqEQ8baJU5je379woO280GYueN3FSMiNxHSVPWnhhg_8zvSAuV8kBDOXF_xY9rjSWEeQTSidikd-ZQbcQCxqKOoTa4zqf5XN8KR6QJe4mHC2syp6RQR0TrlCUo/s1600-h/013.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc6znAdmz-k-p1uPvw4SAqEQ8baJU5je379woO280GYueN3FSMiNxHSVPWnhhg_8zvSAuV8kBDOXF_xY9rjSWEeQTSidikd-ZQbcQCxqKOoTa4zqf5XN8KR6QJe4mHC2syp6RQR0TrlCUo/s200/013.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5296153113475927426" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNQyBuVk8HCgl8ijO_gPkUt-fAtm2-ustsffryel1BR7Y0QhgbOReUeWsJcOSXB-I96GXssql9RwTs_8xaJ04j_68DXnumhgr0Wq_2SmGnRPVPBuuQRets8Muxq-UuxWjKwGXG26b8TmXs/s1600-h/010.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNQyBuVk8HCgl8ijO_gPkUt-fAtm2-ustsffryel1BR7Y0QhgbOReUeWsJcOSXB-I96GXssql9RwTs_8xaJ04j_68DXnumhgr0Wq_2SmGnRPVPBuuQRets8Muxq-UuxWjKwGXG26b8TmXs/s200/010.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5296152853460330418" /></a>Here's the main space of the master bedroom, where you can see the new windows better.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6u4PVS9b-HlYSpJR_lngmp7UaV-TZFqB3QWARSJZ8ujP3QziLClB1gme3gyKLrAHVrps6tu7IiDN7C72vgEecVk4CnTC8RXwndhlPdcs44ENM30AOf0-w7uBvezJV9zl3Ic6fPw0QDi-x/s1600-h/012.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6u4PVS9b-HlYSpJR_lngmp7UaV-TZFqB3QWARSJZ8ujP3QziLClB1gme3gyKLrAHVrps6tu7IiDN7C72vgEecVk4CnTC8RXwndhlPdcs44ENM30AOf0-w7uBvezJV9zl3Ic6fPw0QDi-x/s400/012.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5296152022525293682" /></a><br />The bathroom is a greeny-greyish blue color that seems to appear different depending on the light. Note the funky pattern on the shower wall from the light reflecting off the glass tiles.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw9yzw7PB21F47inXoPIJwzYRCEHiX0YfMq9ecjPtv8-7tixnX43rRJwISIaaQMZz_TFI61_sB6DpJ3NsaNUjgDX6bZndg6_xoi7oqasTRNYJoLi3EuL5J2kbu0_EInGXrE3B5xFFZR0hy/s1600-h/014.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw9yzw7PB21F47inXoPIJwzYRCEHiX0YfMq9ecjPtv8-7tixnX43rRJwISIaaQMZz_TFI61_sB6DpJ3NsaNUjgDX6bZndg6_xoi7oqasTRNYJoLi3EuL5J2kbu0_EInGXrE3B5xFFZR0hy/s320/014.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5296154216080143394" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUuLLTtTi-5DHWLqKLDQaf4mUYXgZhR239tLFoL_WDjXoapd9Hgp-hms_VYAaFwfDHrPRfMhKQMlNaBi7e0TsLCBwCIcVs4J-jiT4ARvvPGFASjP4USr75ploSh4Jv6phzZ1NYj6vxC0oM/s1600-h/015.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUuLLTtTi-5DHWLqKLDQaf4mUYXgZhR239tLFoL_WDjXoapd9Hgp-hms_VYAaFwfDHrPRfMhKQMlNaBi7e0TsLCBwCIcVs4J-jiT4ARvvPGFASjP4USr75ploSh4Jv6phzZ1NYj6vxC0oM/s320/015.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5296154774097466594" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvrUqXuhou4Gx1cLX4UZk9SX80QrdDq7K3bAHGOdG0kp_I593K-dow_5vxW9ZEmbwbXQbMKF1oFGX_s6nSC4uCP58uonS8qtpYJcPUIJUfECWjj1tHvOf5nJfASZXbCmaDeuSATXB6ycmI/s1600-h/018.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvrUqXuhou4Gx1cLX4UZk9SX80QrdDq7K3bAHGOdG0kp_I593K-dow_5vxW9ZEmbwbXQbMKF1oFGX_s6nSC4uCP58uonS8qtpYJcPUIJUfECWjj1tHvOf5nJfASZXbCmaDeuSATXB6ycmI/s400/018.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5296155585392335938" /></a><br />The boys (well, ok, Reid) really wanted red, so we compromised and painted one red wall. It definitely needs another coat in this picture! You can also see down the hall all the way to the master room reading area. <br /><br />The painting wasn't without it's mishaps. An entire gallon was spilled in our downstairs hallway. Chris cleaned it up pretty well, but we didn't realize that it had seeped through the floor, all the way through the basement ceiling, dripping small puddles of it onto the basement stairs.....yikes. It's funny how little disasters like this seem more trivial and are more taken in stride the longer this goes on.<br />In other exciting news, most of the lighting fixtures were actually installed (but not hooked up) today, but it was dark by the time I got home, so I'll have to wait until another day to post those.jwohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14401153712437950583noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1927686076199149586.post-7987593998407914832009-01-19T19:00:00.006-06:002009-01-19T19:16:37.677-06:00It's been a long timeYes, it's been a long, long time since I've posted - partly due to the holidays and travel. But mostly it's due to the fact that...nothing much is happening....for the last month we have been stalled at mudding, taping, and sanding. My builder's subcontractor that is doing this work has another job, and so he has been fitting us in on evenings and weekends. That, combined with the fact that he is a perfectionist, plus the odd angles everywhere in an attic space (particularly in an old house) means that we're puttering along, bit by bit. As frustrating as that is, it doesn't interfere with our living space that much, and we'd rather it was done slowly, but correctly, rather than rushed and sloppily. This has meant the delay of a lot of things - the delivery of the bunk bed, the installation of the carpet, painting, etc etc.<br />One thing I haven't posted pictures of yet are the new windows in the master bedroom space.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMS9tvZNP7ILJtzxu9XeXCjsQaBPFUDvP9eXJINitjXEtQRZkRzDfySradlQIrjjZP-lJ63bqWkDwZ8wOLiJYQaxEPox7mcmjRR2NKos-0Nc75-axNLhdhK2VBLs7Zkrzg_5qEf-ncgtM4/s1600-h/069.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMS9tvZNP7ILJtzxu9XeXCjsQaBPFUDvP9eXJINitjXEtQRZkRzDfySradlQIrjjZP-lJ63bqWkDwZ8wOLiJYQaxEPox7mcmjRR2NKos-0Nc75-axNLhdhK2VBLs7Zkrzg_5qEf-ncgtM4/s400/069.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5293177081616826850" /></a><br />They are meant to mimic the 3 windows in the front (see post below), though by necessity they aren't the same distance apart.<br />Chris, our contractor, had a 1 week vacation last week, so nothing but the sanding was getting done. But now that he is back, and the sanding is supposed to be done tonight - one can only hope - the painting, trim, carpet for the boys' room, electrical, rest of the plumbing, etc etc etc we hope to come along in short order.<br />Again, one can only hope.jwohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14401153712437950583noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1927686076199149586.post-67861943446015485302008-12-14T15:10:00.011-06:002008-12-14T16:24:38.244-06:00Leaded and unleadedThings have been dragging a bit lately, with the mudding and taping still going on and on and on, but there are a few new highlights.<br />We have windows where there were none! The most dramatic of these is in the stairwell up to the 2nd floor, and it really brightens up the space. I don't really have a comparable 'before' picture, just one shortly after work was started:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbxoonq_xiouusWIuzYfsjiA7LqiAlkB-d8ufaQE5W9MOetfhB6LVI5TMY7hG3r2QMFvp-2TGoHs6NsH6BColkZGGeJAcPBvpA6Hpc7TN9QqotxSKfQGesQGDNPo9Rr-Nm1H1lP-vnkOuP/s1600-h/005.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbxoonq_xiouusWIuzYfsjiA7LqiAlkB-d8ufaQE5W9MOetfhB6LVI5TMY7hG3r2QMFvp-2TGoHs6NsH6BColkZGGeJAcPBvpA6Hpc7TN9QqotxSKfQGesQGDNPo9Rr-Nm1H1lP-vnkOuP/s400/005.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5279757034955265474" /></a><br />Now, we have a window in that space:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNBzT1M9Dr_GmupCKmg9NU_HDYeMF8vHCqPbHtE1S2oBCsp2yZfD4WOmcUGhmmWLcl8VfVZyn-pcIyWDGgxJ3LvqXriIjxjWxq8i34Slfr6PlSbBjJO4LLMCRUXwdsPp24uIcBKtgZ9PsN/s1600-h/053.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNBzT1M9Dr_GmupCKmg9NU_HDYeMF8vHCqPbHtE1S2oBCsp2yZfD4WOmcUGhmmWLcl8VfVZyn-pcIyWDGgxJ3LvqXriIjxjWxq8i34Slfr6PlSbBjJO4LLMCRUXwdsPp24uIcBKtgZ9PsN/s400/053.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5279757528025009522" /></a><br />Actually, this is not the final window that will go in this space. As noted in the post of <a href="http://thisyearsremodel.blogspot.com/2008/11/exteriors.html">11/23</a>, The wrong windows were delivered - but Chris wanted to take advantage of the relative warm spell to get the window space cut, and thus put the wrong window into the space until the right one is delivered this week. (Good thing too - the temperature is supposed to drop by about 30 degrees.) The correct window has a bronze/brown color on the outside, and will have wooden snap in grilles to keep the divided-light appearance. <br />Here is a picture of Chris working on it from the outside:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5BoYmkDdrS5Ir1SxSdfTsH6RFejiAPTqEJDtBEY_eLqJP3y3hpbp1Ta1lr5vZyXFjzfwppUuhkOOHK45_DKIGepQPx7Q-nLvdIwyNmoTi_ZyvnsFI0G06-1gSTMLn2TeYj0qJ0mdFezA2/s1600-h/017.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5BoYmkDdrS5Ir1SxSdfTsH6RFejiAPTqEJDtBEY_eLqJP3y3hpbp1Ta1lr5vZyXFjzfwppUuhkOOHK45_DKIGepQPx7Q-nLvdIwyNmoTi_ZyvnsFI0G06-1gSTMLn2TeYj0qJ0mdFezA2/s400/017.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5279773936894678722" /></a><br />The tile guys have also finished up their work in the bathroom. The vanity is installed, with our granite top, and now we have our new glass tile backsplash to add a bit of color.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1HeXgQHep1M-tF6Sa73cRswd7EkHBdiekBTeGtHYr1AZrm2XkyuOTkRV8Y3JFnez9gPu2Evuc4Kz8ssie0dgX8SOgke5Lq6ez_oz_CI7R3TuUPLLpJBZ1Fuah55H8W1KEBMAGwVd86xKp/s1600-h/051.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1HeXgQHep1M-tF6Sa73cRswd7EkHBdiekBTeGtHYr1AZrm2XkyuOTkRV8Y3JFnez9gPu2Evuc4Kz8ssie0dgX8SOgke5Lq6ez_oz_CI7R3TuUPLLpJBZ1Fuah55H8W1KEBMAGwVd86xKp/s400/051.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5279771831544769074" /></a><br />In the front, our new diamond-patterned leaded-glass windows are up and in place. Here's a view from the inside (on a very cloudy, rainy day) - you'll have to picture the window seat that will go underneath the windows:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjstRS2EJZxe_5J6BC3GmDlF0Edmo4IC_rnqXp4QG_FSN__o6SfP6rTczpj02VEOZvPSzsZuWy46aIbywBlcNN83d8mxkAC5q1YBvl6-mJYkXs-2Aik4lkxDAAuT1wZCI2x7aVhQeRsI_OW/s1600-h/050.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjstRS2EJZxe_5J6BC3GmDlF0Edmo4IC_rnqXp4QG_FSN__o6SfP6rTczpj02VEOZvPSzsZuWy46aIbywBlcNN83d8mxkAC5q1YBvl6-mJYkXs-2Aik4lkxDAAuT1wZCI2x7aVhQeRsI_OW/s400/050.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5279770553906676818" /></a><br />And here is a view of the outside, showing the most striking transformation the house will see exteriorly:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKBXlIZYctuG5rVJm1Z3tL4kS0k1tZ7jyC-b2cCx9ZXnh5DMaJBxL0LEEjJvvsX0dYRIT6XkV54E8G-3ctX5mfnVGqGO4jAVndHbBaR7fpkuXIYyFv45-7pwpoV6y7V-kNhbHfi5FH0Dv1/s1600-h/019.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKBXlIZYctuG5rVJm1Z3tL4kS0k1tZ7jyC-b2cCx9ZXnh5DMaJBxL0LEEjJvvsX0dYRIT6XkV54E8G-3ctX5mfnVGqGO4jAVndHbBaR7fpkuXIYyFv45-7pwpoV6y7V-kNhbHfi5FH0Dv1/s400/019.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5279771172509659458" /></a><br />Obviously, there still needs to be a fair amount of finishing work with the wood trim before it's completely done here, but compare it with the <a href="http://thisyearsremodel.blogspot.com/2008/11/exteriors.html">11/23</a> post to see what the front looked like before!jwohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14401153712437950583noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1927686076199149586.post-50317557169536570052008-11-30T22:36:00.004-06:002008-11-30T22:46:16.219-06:00Sneak PeekWhile we were in Milwaukee over the Thanksgiving holiday, our hardwood floors were being put in our master bedroom. They are being immediately covered up to prevent damage from all the other work that has yet to be done, but I was able to get a photo of some of it half-done:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV0btBkwcCSbdwXe_afNRWyXzG9WG1TeyiravG-gOkUOezNoe0f1PDEWfOL-E5M14GVKGNo9fCF-1P7fmL6piUUYLCm-a8P4dJCkOhY4wv3KpflHFKrpNS7CiS35JHOngbI-ZBaNjQibNO/s1600-h/034.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV0btBkwcCSbdwXe_afNRWyXzG9WG1TeyiravG-gOkUOezNoe0f1PDEWfOL-E5M14GVKGNo9fCF-1P7fmL6piUUYLCm-a8P4dJCkOhY4wv3KpflHFKrpNS7CiS35JHOngbI-ZBaNjQibNO/s400/034.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5274676709078725698" /></a><br />We have a new, larger hole in the wall where the window in the closet will be, but I wasn't able to get a picture of it worth posting. <br />We are still trying to find a perfect, not too costly, eco-friendly paint that has the colors we want. Nothing is simple...But we were able to purchase some furniture today for the master bedroom with a gift card we had - and a flat screen TV for the new family room! <br />We hope to see the windows in the master bedroom go in this week, and will post when that is done.jwohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14401153712437950583noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1927686076199149586.post-52468527154296416612008-11-23T17:13:00.005-06:002008-11-23T18:09:05.429-06:00ExteriorsWith nothing real exciting going on on the inside, I figured I'd post a couple of pictures of the views from the outside of the house. Here's the outside of the front of the house:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisbhureExaPfmtooGi9V0xk86WO6N49upCvvHmQiMxhMh7d_EQAKeOxT9g4xE_so-Lj9KhiM0ZZekby0ficUk2Wi9mUSTCTRExUbp5wum5Rglg8MHgYXZ-ZuxqgVITD1pOd2ba_eM9hORy/s1600-h/002.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisbhureExaPfmtooGi9V0xk86WO6N49upCvvHmQiMxhMh7d_EQAKeOxT9g4xE_so-Lj9KhiM0ZZekby0ficUk2Wi9mUSTCTRExUbp5wum5Rglg8MHgYXZ-ZuxqgVITD1pOd2ba_eM9hORy/s400/002.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5271995992886038162" /></a><br />The front window is boarded up at the moment - it will be one of the future decorative windows with the leaded tape in the diamond pattern - 2 smaller square windows will flank this larger one, with the same pattern.<br />This a view of the back of the house, with the newly installed large window in the boys' room. <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfXxRJR2ENYP8NmZZTf0YpLOmDD8EG7iEyGLaA-15CRa7OdJ3fu1Pc_1Jq-KZrrDKzBY5VQ6rw9CxlHLSSllpJEWki_DJRlk5VWR7Mv-WBSspPOg3kn-xhiDAsFPSV2paEPLWLeMVSqS3X/s1600-h/003.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfXxRJR2ENYP8NmZZTf0YpLOmDD8EG7iEyGLaA-15CRa7OdJ3fu1Pc_1Jq-KZrrDKzBY5VQ6rw9CxlHLSSllpJEWki_DJRlk5VWR7Mv-WBSspPOg3kn-xhiDAsFPSV2paEPLWLeMVSqS3X/s400/003.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5272007054004612290" /></a><br />Below is a view of the north side of the house - you can see the skylights in the boys' room, then the one that is at the top of the stairs from the 1st floor.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAUPTZ5mgrR7SEwgxOAYvgM365bgJSi3IeL6RG5WUSHWf0PF6haDojOpnzBUybQ1VyG-iWG6T2qfCVYoYiikdCxK81oXZ87ktw-2lS0lTmMoqxXdgBcS9ElNvyOE04ujjBTZn3-tsosx-x/s1600-h/006.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAUPTZ5mgrR7SEwgxOAYvgM365bgJSi3IeL6RG5WUSHWf0PF6haDojOpnzBUybQ1VyG-iWG6T2qfCVYoYiikdCxK81oXZ87ktw-2lS0lTmMoqxXdgBcS9ElNvyOE04ujjBTZn3-tsosx-x/s400/006.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5272007558542802498" /></a><br />I took a picture of the south side of the house, with the skylight in the bathroom, but it just doesn't show very well from that angle, so I'm leaving it out at this point. <br />We've had a bit of a set-back with the windows - the distributer sent our builder some windows with a white exterior instead of bronze. They are replacing them at no charge - but some of the windows with the white exterior were the ones we already had the leaded tape applied to, and we obviously can't send those back. I guess Chris hadn't opened them before dropping them off at the glass place, and so didn't notice. All is well, though. Apparently one can use special paint to be applied to the metal, so the ones in front will have that that treatment done. Another glitch to get through, as we didn't expect everything to go perfectly!<br />This week promises more mudding and taping of the drywall, and hopefully more windows to go in!jwohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14401153712437950583noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1927686076199149586.post-37810285153964292432008-11-19T16:05:00.007-06:002008-11-19T16:25:59.258-06:00Grout It Out LoudThings have picked up again on the remodeling front. Grout in the bathroom. Mudding in the bedrooms. Window in for the boys' room.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQHFVCw2kJPRTAHTO30m_rBcG4G9G-kghfNkS9a_wZdeX0LSLhsrYBqMq7D4jBBu4nYcFM2RqAupgiX7KVl7ES5eU8kXaSu5w6khjVRfKE6JNCSw4UJq5yh_MM-AS05Xuql_kZrRbsOXpr/s1600-h/017.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQHFVCw2kJPRTAHTO30m_rBcG4G9G-kghfNkS9a_wZdeX0LSLhsrYBqMq7D4jBBu4nYcFM2RqAupgiX7KVl7ES5eU8kXaSu5w6khjVRfKE6JNCSw4UJq5yh_MM-AS05Xuql_kZrRbsOXpr/s400/017.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5270493889326287874" /></a><br />Above you can see the egress window in the boys room, and as a bonus, lying against the wall next to it is our finished leaded window for the front, with the diamond pattern - I was able to find someone to apply the leaded tape the way we wanted it, for a reasonable price. I think it'll look fantastic!<br /><br />It's fun to go up every day and see the new progress. Check out the lovely "checkerboard" glass tiles in the shower, we're also going to be seeing them as a backsplash for the sink.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCcm7DJ2XuL2BphcmZKz-r98HQMUBwIy7U0mAimuunnDMIirxm9P8fb68eHTP6ExaOVuSJMLnfRSjdRrheGohyphenhyphenjCuwCEhc9RPz7MxWWmmpg7VdKj3ymzh-ZXHfkjNR3axbShI4norh73Ve/s1600-h/014.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCcm7DJ2XuL2BphcmZKz-r98HQMUBwIy7U0mAimuunnDMIirxm9P8fb68eHTP6ExaOVuSJMLnfRSjdRrheGohyphenhyphenjCuwCEhc9RPz7MxWWmmpg7VdKj3ymzh-ZXHfkjNR3axbShI4norh73Ve/s400/014.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5270494413232153218" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdJH8mwKydj2llKOFay2cwkeTCpUa0PJPW0sy_X3zzaoAbbYkTR80KoJ3DZHFsXzK23zXrE0nra6QBIOWox_lDfFpEpi71Vz1chCLCkdr2HjAmrjf5ucVLNlLTxGXDEz9mq7vQqL15JYpX/s1600-h/013.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdJH8mwKydj2llKOFay2cwkeTCpUa0PJPW0sy_X3zzaoAbbYkTR80KoJ3DZHFsXzK23zXrE0nra6QBIOWox_lDfFpEpi71Vz1chCLCkdr2HjAmrjf5ucVLNlLTxGXDEz9mq7vQqL15JYpX/s400/013.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5270494703309881058" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUZ16PB4dLrq6iIp1v1Xbpl8ZNeioIXsTQ7tkeeIexwA1xR3BHQvID8Yn_2qxR22n43pIJV3xJ9oGwE7rf6Ue042liqrsBMmP6EeYx7OctPZ6kzeBBkRwPegvD_W9rMPvupCN4rlW6WLFi/s1600-h/009.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUZ16PB4dLrq6iIp1v1Xbpl8ZNeioIXsTQ7tkeeIexwA1xR3BHQvID8Yn_2qxR22n43pIJV3xJ9oGwE7rf6Ue042liqrsBMmP6EeYx7OctPZ6kzeBBkRwPegvD_W9rMPvupCN4rlW6WLFi/s400/009.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5270496747484316418" /></a><br />This last picture was taken before the grouting, but you can see the skylight in the bathroom - the extra light it adds will be great.<br />We're also seeing why they call it "mudding." It's messy. I have to say, though, the contractors have really made an effort NOT to bring the dust and mess from upstairs down into our current living area. <br /> From the early decision to build a stairway outside to the second floor to now, they've really minimized the amount of "tracking through" the house, and we appreciate it. Of course, some mess can't be avoided, but it really has been less than I expected. <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKW8QTEntn-_QcjmR1QewzizgIiwSEQY6BK0I9J4cBEMLoSKOG5l8BsofwgQp_4Z5KDZmxZPXW5Vn7Fao4prEEXe-xIbHcNAg2Chua8WHpIBLy6l3MRpD2g1MoQXDjsLj8QB2uOuuE4zbf/s1600-h/006.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKW8QTEntn-_QcjmR1QewzizgIiwSEQY6BK0I9J4cBEMLoSKOG5l8BsofwgQp_4Z5KDZmxZPXW5Vn7Fao4prEEXe-xIbHcNAg2Chua8WHpIBLy6l3MRpD2g1MoQXDjsLj8QB2uOuuE4zbf/s400/006.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5270494970249175522" /></a><br />Above you can see the front reading room area with the built in bookshelves now finished with drywall. The mudding has begun, but will take a long time, due to all the weird angles and such.<br />In other news we picked out a bunk bed (on sale!) for the boys, and we're awaiting the paint samples to finalize that choice. Bunk bed is below. Are we asking for trouble with 2 climbing boys??? Time will tell.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe5eUJCZOL66hzvvFTcUqSmyAYqqIyzNFDCP7vz_88dBdfm3tYxfR32H9EBuAi3b6IRY4EUn08t7apnKVSxRLMWuZt4CABg3PgpC0Bve8dltY06M-Mdl7bsvqdVZzNFRDGHv_RqC0VOZ5J/s1600-h/012.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe5eUJCZOL66hzvvFTcUqSmyAYqqIyzNFDCP7vz_88dBdfm3tYxfR32H9EBuAi3b6IRY4EUn08t7apnKVSxRLMWuZt4CABg3PgpC0Bve8dltY06M-Mdl7bsvqdVZzNFRDGHv_RqC0VOZ5J/s400/012.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5270498051159838642" /></a><br /><br />Izzyjwohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14401153712437950583noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1927686076199149586.post-81918565323752555152008-11-11T19:30:00.014-06:002008-11-12T17:56:08.550-06:00I can see tiles for milesTo our surprise, we now have tile on the bathroom floor and the shower floor! We weren't aware this was going to happen so soon, but we think it looks good! It hasn't been grouted (is that a word?) yet, and we actually have to pick out the color of the grout. Very exciting choice, I can tell you. Our glass tile for the accent border and the backsplash of the vanity top is here too that is what I'm most excited to see when it's done. Other than that, the drywall continues to be put up and it is almost done. Meanwhile, we've chosen all of our lighting fixtures, so we're glad to have that out of the way.<br />We did end up having to take back the mirrors we bought, but found a solution in $50 mirrors at Home Depot that are oval shaped, and thus fit better with the angled ceiling - though we still are going to have to have one lighting fixture above both of them instead of 2 separate ones. I'm sure it'll look fine. I'm trying to learn to be flexible...<br />One of the more irritating things is that we rarely get to see the place in daylight, now that it is barely light when we leave for work and dark when I return - which in turn makes it difficult to take pictures. These were all taken early this AM.<br />First, looking up the stairway into the main hallway and the skylight at the top of the stairs:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLXiaepBS2nZ348xMC9W4M1nDXU1S3oH7eUhZU4VIn-cOYY8OW1OVSBmbCX23tCV_QRZ98y2VKgjr2UtepVYGMWyvAVWuTJ8O2ullh6qX7GytvjYgXPJsnBzyrqmVbi6OzbFsC_0OYD32G/s1600-h/002.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLXiaepBS2nZ348xMC9W4M1nDXU1S3oH7eUhZU4VIn-cOYY8OW1OVSBmbCX23tCV_QRZ98y2VKgjr2UtepVYGMWyvAVWuTJ8O2ullh6qX7GytvjYgXPJsnBzyrqmVbi6OzbFsC_0OYD32G/s400/002.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5267581605536762322" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP1PVIQKb8zkDZfY8EY6_w9b4zZUpwUXRjM283NFAWuntaZ-hdVd57iKP3aKUqmkCDylEyVdeTA8nHAFxGwAuMdYlOrhwqXcYaavj95L9GsptzZ2f6LOmVHgUjF_Tcn3lbq8VJTtx_3J4P/s1600-h/004.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP1PVIQKb8zkDZfY8EY6_w9b4zZUpwUXRjM283NFAWuntaZ-hdVd57iKP3aKUqmkCDylEyVdeTA8nHAFxGwAuMdYlOrhwqXcYaavj95L9GsptzZ2f6LOmVHgUjF_Tcn3lbq8VJTtx_3J4P/s400/004.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5267579535355531986" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0AeKct0L4e8A1sDJAgzZ8B5Is-xltN6obxXpkMUK0EL6aHZ1U0UKvYlCQAxADFtOW6E-nKGlSzi7Ed9zXdKUWaWrIfrzlt0ndocwRDXzmeTWybt4Fy7Ryo80yXMY1MXKm36vuuVmYua-G/s1600-h/005.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0AeKct0L4e8A1sDJAgzZ8B5Is-xltN6obxXpkMUK0EL6aHZ1U0UKvYlCQAxADFtOW6E-nKGlSzi7Ed9zXdKUWaWrIfrzlt0ndocwRDXzmeTWybt4Fy7Ryo80yXMY1MXKm36vuuVmYua-G/s400/005.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5267580210503676898" /></a><br />This the bathroom floor, and the shower floor. If I would have thought about it, I would have taken a picture of the skylight in the bathroom too. Too bad. Now it is too dark up there!<br /><br />Below is a shot looking down the hallway to the door to the boys' room - the door will have to be cut at an angle due to the roof angle. You can kind of see the 2 openings to the built-in linen closets on the right side as you look down the hall - hidden by a huge piece of drywall.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCX3Cp3_nbi0g8zsXnBzby3OhLN0xpY8pdHpnx38vjylw3GXRL1udd-EMY_HZZBYPTH5CJlCCutfw5SUjOU8bjdVH1qzzKfHRXGakXMKOxQ-3e0Uv7P_Q7UH8xJ26aYbgXg9Col3-mRpx2/s1600-h/001.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCX3Cp3_nbi0g8zsXnBzby3OhLN0xpY8pdHpnx38vjylw3GXRL1udd-EMY_HZZBYPTH5CJlCCutfw5SUjOU8bjdVH1qzzKfHRXGakXMKOxQ-3e0Uv7P_Q7UH8xJ26aYbgXg9Col3-mRpx2/s400/001.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5267580930393003922" /></a><br />Here you can see the wall of the pocket door to our closet. The wall will remain open above, to allow the light to come through from the window. <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtSif-1cf2yaqueOUbTTdx8aHxcY1iCWewPZOKck4cKfQV8doqhHV5RZ-YzYXRreMCz0kiKPmXzNKikzbLo5J0C-YLCftxTC_TA2xWhCvVRO_IsykLEODXtlV-j2zwvNixLxJV9jX1o6lZ/s1600-h/003.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtSif-1cf2yaqueOUbTTdx8aHxcY1iCWewPZOKck4cKfQV8doqhHV5RZ-YzYXRreMCz0kiKPmXzNKikzbLo5J0C-YLCftxTC_TA2xWhCvVRO_IsykLEODXtlV-j2zwvNixLxJV9jX1o6lZ/s400/003.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5267582166896215698" /></a><br />Tomorrow I'm going to meet with some stained glass artists to see about having them apply a leaded glass tape to our front windows in a diamond pattern in the front 'sitting room' area of our master bedroom (see architect's sketch below, with the window seat). <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRALYm5_sutIt9ZfFtAYECvJXajYqzepLBBCL8Wa93fiiuWlUhyphenhyphen8IOJ-TkO3GAmhwpJ7wDWoaBzZ8ZLlQlFTAJuHrwgjibHDsSHRlIdQUTheEPTBfjBrkMUfPGq80lJgluSSb9yUbzdLYf/s1600-h/IMG2+(2).jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 291px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRALYm5_sutIt9ZfFtAYECvJXajYqzepLBBCL8Wa93fiiuWlUhyphenhyphen8IOJ-TkO3GAmhwpJ7wDWoaBzZ8ZLlQlFTAJuHrwgjibHDsSHRlIdQUTheEPTBfjBrkMUfPGq80lJgluSSb9yUbzdLYf/s400/IMG2+(2).jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5267589614726565330" /></a><br />We are running into a bit of a problem here too. We thought we would be able to get someone to attach lead adhesive tape directly to the window, thus giving it the appearance of a divided light leaded window. Turns out that so far, we can only find a place that uses the leaded tape on a clear glass insert to place into the window, which just complicates things and increases the cost. I will figure it all out tomorrow. I hope.jwohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14401153712437950583noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1927686076199149586.post-89456486360957656772008-11-01T20:20:00.015-05:002008-11-02T15:21:16.725-06:00A Room With A ViewWe haven't posted in a while because I was hoping the next pictures we posted would be of the finished drywall, but although most of the rigid insulation board is in, I guess the drywall is taking a long time, due to the odd angles, peaks, and valleys and such. The skylights in the boys' room have been installed, and it definitely brightens up the place! We are told that the skylights in the hallway and the bathroom will be done next week.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7crlhfUipFViT3w1oijl1UZnDBL0pfQ__O42M4TmhBMCm8mZu1DAssImCIcA9NPWXtLJCH8tAIDTLn5igwqCqLIMIeGNzzNFMffwf27Q6hRFozk9yI827f-_kpTPRQTOYbGys0GSd2lZi/s1600-h/013.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7crlhfUipFViT3w1oijl1UZnDBL0pfQ__O42M4TmhBMCm8mZu1DAssImCIcA9NPWXtLJCH8tAIDTLn5igwqCqLIMIeGNzzNFMffwf27Q6hRFozk9yI827f-_kpTPRQTOYbGys0GSd2lZi/s400/013.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5264139059228903986" /></a><br /><br />Here's the mostly finished drywall in the front "reading" room (pink board covering the front window), <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8DHreraJQOVaziNxqSog_hN0naDeHfRKJrmJ_7seqU23jS7D94k3DoHhL8-6vhdLNDm2zX21xJb7rzRcJuemvgY8v8T3D1sWtWuhxgWCCUfmtdSCvacnGb78PfvaCC56Uv_3VKexDYSRX/s1600-h/021.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8DHreraJQOVaziNxqSog_hN0naDeHfRKJrmJ_7seqU23jS7D94k3DoHhL8-6vhdLNDm2zX21xJb7rzRcJuemvgY8v8T3D1sWtWuhxgWCCUfmtdSCvacnGb78PfvaCC56Uv_3VKexDYSRX/s400/021.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5264139389491986082" /></a><br />and in the larger part of the master bedroom, <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzg-1YtY4QVLIYYIuvsne7bBNZP9TucGeLaYx432844-yJj5X2E2N5Xg5DZmnkgNiRZ3ZQOmraBJmFWUXogSjFyh0Md1LocKb4nM5JJ0x8AxPOiV4_f6cavEqnzm-YCKtzJsHBDTKByyrd/s1600-h/001.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzg-1YtY4QVLIYYIuvsne7bBNZP9TucGeLaYx432844-yJj5X2E2N5Xg5DZmnkgNiRZ3ZQOmraBJmFWUXogSjFyh0Md1LocKb4nM5JJ0x8AxPOiV4_f6cavEqnzm-YCKtzJsHBDTKByyrd/s400/001.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5264139657127912610" /></a><br />and looking through the main master bedroom into what will be the closet, with a pocket door, the frame of which has yet to be installed.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3a0RJJm37oma4PvZbqnEG1G9MAFWCgq8gf_8XO-FwmafA6i5i3dKX9CoJt4W8Eotru1PHv0vr0LP3cU9xqvchXUJ_u-OZZze2c9mJnGhJwTfum1QlAMmHCbkBRtvrhgxa-WeSe-ceqiZj/s1600-h/022.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3a0RJJm37oma4PvZbqnEG1G9MAFWCgq8gf_8XO-FwmafA6i5i3dKX9CoJt4W8Eotru1PHv0vr0LP3cU9xqvchXUJ_u-OZZze2c9mJnGhJwTfum1QlAMmHCbkBRtvrhgxa-WeSe-ceqiZj/s400/022.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5264139970931556290" /></a><br /><br />A lot of the work that has gone on lately has to do with the HVAC. In the back of this picture is the heating/cooling unit that will take up most of the knee wall space on that side. <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQeivPnPbgT3LAnwjvm0oj1-q57VX5RcWsfC6ZbklH4RbqCitWuBjk04LMNjbBhkJxm_rwRBv6LPGjBrhQs3rpV0f3rqVBkkljudCjOH_uZVEq_Ba7JQEd3z7-qbzjO4YQALAhV14Qmq-3/s1600-h/002.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQeivPnPbgT3LAnwjvm0oj1-q57VX5RcWsfC6ZbklH4RbqCitWuBjk04LMNjbBhkJxm_rwRBv6LPGjBrhQs3rpV0f3rqVBkkljudCjOH_uZVEq_Ba7JQEd3z7-qbzjO4YQALAhV14Qmq-3/s400/002.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5264140373707292274" /></a><br />Geez, I would hate to have to crawl around in there to service that thing. All of the silver tubing and ducts really make me think of the movie "Brazil". As long as it works, I guess I don't care what it looks like behind the walls.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYF7bLpoWrjn-g2C5hzNCckWPQ-1yaqBRqcwH9oflfG9N2-cb7turtryuwi7JGC9L8dlJaN5kufTiDlZ7L8qHb-bICSAsFTusqYWaHbayLYXbgOnSe3ITq3Puifz_3ip_qGU89N2ApDD3C/s1600-h/brazil.png"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYF7bLpoWrjn-g2C5hzNCckWPQ-1yaqBRqcwH9oflfG9N2-cb7turtryuwi7JGC9L8dlJaN5kufTiDlZ7L8qHb-bICSAsFTusqYWaHbayLYXbgOnSe3ITq3Puifz_3ip_qGU89N2ApDD3C/s400/brazil.png" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5264173201067582402" /></a><br /><br />The other area of progress has been the bathroom. The shower is coming along, with the cement board (or whatever, forgive me I don't know all that goes into making a shower) in place and we think the tiling will start in a week or so. <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJEK-VbbFqR0X8nxfFX3r0k7m8kHW0_t3UKPQ5-M9jMkhyphenhyphenaRVpD7gWC_ZobQZgJkTqKTA5sIeqAZiYN7kEcfkcRV1x_mTZLNHOlgP1aaCT5_LKNZ_7X9S3hd2vA_2m3V3_nknD5A54vN_m/s1600-h/005.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJEK-VbbFqR0X8nxfFX3r0k7m8kHW0_t3UKPQ5-M9jMkhyphenhyphenaRVpD7gWC_ZobQZgJkTqKTA5sIeqAZiYN7kEcfkcRV1x_mTZLNHOlgP1aaCT5_LKNZ_7X9S3hd2vA_2m3V3_nknD5A54vN_m/s400/005.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5264140729054946626" /></a><br /><br />We've run into another stumbling block because of the steep pitch of the roof in the bathroom on the right side of the vanity - we may not have enough room for the 2 mirrors we've already ordered that go over each sink in the vanity. And we definitely won't have enough room for a separate light over each of those mirrors, as we had intended - we may have to go with one larger one over the top of both of them. The vanity and mirrors will come in on Monday, then Chris will do a mock up of where everything would go, and we'll see if we have to go a different route - maybe one larger mirror, or 2 slightly smaller oval mirrors. Lighting will depend on that situation too. I'm frustrated by this situation, as it seems like there should have been some foresight about the lack of wall space/height on someone's part (I'm not excusing myself from fault here), but it's just this kind of thing that makes the process exciting, yes?jwohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14401153712437950583noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1927686076199149586.post-48440057626286502532008-10-21T21:27:00.003-05:002008-10-21T21:39:42.445-05:00No New Tales to TellOr rather, no new pictures to post. So, today they finished the spray foam insulation and loaded all the drywall in through the front window via some scary looking scaffolding. I'm glad I wasn't here to see it and chew my fingernails off. The rigid board foam insulation was also loaded up there to be installed, and 1/2 of the tile we selected was picked up too. Last week Chris picked up the hard wood flooring, which sits in our garage. I'm told the area was measured for carpet on the stairs, hallway, and boys' room too. So I guess there is a lot going on, just no visuals to go with it. <br />I've been thinking a lot lately about how we are walk-under-ladders lucky that we got our Home Equity Line of Credit when we did - we had to take 95% loan-to-value - but that is at the value of our home as it stood before the remodel. (With adding on 2 BR and a bath, we certainly increase the value of our home.) I don't think we would have been able to get that high of LTV now in this credit-frozen market. If we had gone a different way with a construction loan, and tried to use cash from the future potential value of our house, we may have ended up in an even worse situation, given the decline of values on homes (though our neighborhood has remained relatively stable). All in all, I am so glad we pulled the trigger when we did. And not just because we're tripping over toy-clutter in the living room...jwohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14401153712437950583noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1927686076199149586.post-88807259850948130332008-10-16T20:35:00.008-05:002008-10-16T21:02:33.655-05:00Let it Snow!(oh please not literally!)The insulation installation started today, and it just looks like upside down snow up there! We weren't here at the same time as the installers, but we had to crawl through a plastic lining to get up the stairs and check it out. They still have to come back on Monday to finish. These views give an idea of what the cut outs will be for the 3 windows in the master bedroom, 2 smaller ones on either side of the big one, though the sizes here are only approximate..<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgZ8aJpaL4qmsGoxJnC7-jsebzFVWK26sB7ulS76GL3lYDzH0vzjN-IhElzbUL_JavMXpxwk5TAAi9HE65iX46QtryKmdBDpBuwgwrtmVBZXlr7IBgiMQLxFyqDpSTJ-YuZKWGDDDntjpV/s1600-h/006.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgZ8aJpaL4qmsGoxJnC7-jsebzFVWK26sB7ulS76GL3lYDzH0vzjN-IhElzbUL_JavMXpxwk5TAAi9HE65iX46QtryKmdBDpBuwgwrtmVBZXlr7IBgiMQLxFyqDpSTJ-YuZKWGDDDntjpV/s400/006.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5257932742832362930" /></a><br />Here's a view from the top of the stairs, looking from the hallway into the master bedroom:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQGe5i6bonYWpBZBgG7BEGiP_tvz7UIjzc8TT-49imfGm0kMf3Of9tOgbVS-hcWNQFcVnCLFAIAR5ZrLOkvpfha6xQD5ut6IqUfWnUTW7mA-xMM-Y_gbSxOF5kpRaKI2jJO14_XfvROmNO/s1600-h/009.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQGe5i6bonYWpBZBgG7BEGiP_tvz7UIjzc8TT-49imfGm0kMf3Of9tOgbVS-hcWNQFcVnCLFAIAR5ZrLOkvpfha6xQD5ut6IqUfWnUTW7mA-xMM-Y_gbSxOF5kpRaKI2jJO14_XfvROmNO/s400/009.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5257933173550396674" /></a><br />We'll also have some rigid board insulation over this, giving us an insulation of nearly R40. Sweet.<br />Also, the frame around the skylights are in, here at the top of the stairs<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0UFP8ULbk0LvgS2Q_c567jUOZNl5Cj5W0Ls1owMBKpL-0W6DliCgrMepo3E9FmDkYo4Pmwwi-4zZEJHNcbtfsrx3ad8X8rwoRnJ_lIU_5Lk2Wt5hsJW7iJaK2pr8CqUttSbANVAtvR0Aj/s1600-h/014.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0UFP8ULbk0LvgS2Q_c567jUOZNl5Cj5W0Ls1owMBKpL-0W6DliCgrMepo3E9FmDkYo4Pmwwi-4zZEJHNcbtfsrx3ad8X8rwoRnJ_lIU_5Lk2Wt5hsJW7iJaK2pr8CqUttSbANVAtvR0Aj/s400/014.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5257933757833297698" /></a><br />and in the boys' room, obviously both before the sticky snow was put in. The skylights will have a little shelf below them, though I guess it's difficult to see at this angle:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0EpYmqMleOrOjkzPeq6YpaiOVO0GAgJHzC1f_4byVPHPSmQUYEYDmYDPX1u0ensUIuFUlykVp-SkgD7uV0PqsnNcxve_RR2GqSpM6A3Dw54R38lPhb5GIdCL2TxEk11WP5Yg2lGBTUb1U/s1600-h/013.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0EpYmqMleOrOjkzPeq6YpaiOVO0GAgJHzC1f_4byVPHPSmQUYEYDmYDPX1u0ensUIuFUlykVp-SkgD7uV0PqsnNcxve_RR2GqSpM6A3Dw54R38lPhb5GIdCL2TxEk11WP5Yg2lGBTUb1U/s400/013.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5257934021115646114" /></a><br /><br />In other news, yesterday was a very productive day - picked out tile in the morning, carpet at noon (ultimately decided to go with different carpet in the hallway than the boys' room) and looked at plumbing fixtures in the afternoon. I was starting to get very frustrated with our builder's "allowance" for these things - he supposedly gave us the "top of the line" pricing, but we're finding that we really have to do more sleuthing and bargain hunting to find what we want and stay within our range. Overall, though, I think we're doing a good job of finding good quality things that are interesting, but still affordable. Part of it has to do with the 'showroom' concept - where the public can go and look for what they want, but only the professional can purchase the item. For the plumbing fixtures, at least, the prices they charge at the showroom seem to be considerably higher - with not all that much more selection - than one can find at Home Depot, for instance. Supposedly the quality of the merchandise is the same, so I'm not sure how it all works....but it looks like we may be skipping the plumber's paradise showroom and finding our fixtures elsewhere.jwohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14401153712437950583noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1927686076199149586.post-81253402509624807492008-10-15T23:49:00.002-05:002008-10-15T23:53:13.060-05:00Inspections: passed!We have passed all mechanical and framing inspections -woo-hoo! A lot of other stuff has happened today, but I'll to have to report more on all that stuff later, because I watched the debate and the aftermath, and now it is time to go to bed!jwohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14401153712437950583noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1927686076199149586.post-2273673804757059222008-10-11T20:42:00.007-05:002008-10-11T21:10:57.673-05:00Duct, duct, grey duct(Or duct, duct, goose, if you grew up where I did)<br />We had 2 evenings of chaos at our house last week. The HVAC guys had to fit us in between other jobs, and so had to come from about 4-8pm or so. They were placing the ducts for our new central air/furnace for the upstairs AND punching through to the rooms downstairs, so that we can use that system to cool the whole house in the summer. This is one of the added bonuses of doing the remodel - no more lugging 2 giant window AC units up from the basement every spring and down every fall. Plus it'll be a 1000x more efficient way to cool the house- ok slight exaggeration, but much, much more efficient. Given the 3 rooms upstairs, they had to figure out a way to get the very large ducts from the knee-wall space where the unit will be to each of the rooms above and below. One of them will be encased in a low shelf in our closet:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmNbsNBNq7l2K8aXA8CJ_-Tms4D01Swo0QhdcRwkSD3Sp_vuK_bBopZBLE6C_W2AbPJFngmdEIDQUWnL9adix5cadY2NuWCUmpMNirfrAZ7IP5vPXMrwXUlCrGuc08fYayEhCxJOIfzND_/s1600-h/007.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmNbsNBNq7l2K8aXA8CJ_-Tms4D01Swo0QhdcRwkSD3Sp_vuK_bBopZBLE6C_W2AbPJFngmdEIDQUWnL9adix5cadY2NuWCUmpMNirfrAZ7IP5vPXMrwXUlCrGuc08fYayEhCxJOIfzND_/s400/007.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5256079440851521554" /></a><br />This then splits and the duct on the left goes to the living room downstairs, and the one on the right goes across the front of the house, which will be under our window seat - this unfortunately limits the storage space we thought we would have under that seat, but the floor joists change direction in that part of the house, making it difficult for them to go under the floor.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheLbGhTHnRUF7Q7xRPrQE3t0PRFOY0l_fHx6TYloz7WvqUVxOle0pEdr1wzV4YWxloHmGr4pvzy9b-MUO98dRm7x0DrMWT3hoZkPQpCc4y1Sn7XWsTxgjpWBsNvQ6Hc8yfdR6i-QTpzQK5/s1600-h/008.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheLbGhTHnRUF7Q7xRPrQE3t0PRFOY0l_fHx6TYloz7WvqUVxOle0pEdr1wzV4YWxloHmGr4pvzy9b-MUO98dRm7x0DrMWT3hoZkPQpCc4y1Sn7XWsTxgjpWBsNvQ6Hc8yfdR6i-QTpzQK5/s400/008.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5256081013788643042" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyCV6M5CuP_QD_vUKpxXw5sxPPWmgLfFjHlouCXgXe-w5fuWfN60cvE0NueQa0-5vH7qpx4itvDPG6uSoPUxMDFOxcH9dNd3T6X5TmaUfwBhppX5gUalI0nG8PFuKV8-hUHzSnYRuchoA-/s1600-h/009.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyCV6M5CuP_QD_vUKpxXw5sxPPWmgLfFjHlouCXgXe-w5fuWfN60cvE0NueQa0-5vH7qpx4itvDPG6uSoPUxMDFOxcH9dNd3T6X5TmaUfwBhppX5gUalI0nG8PFuKV8-hUHzSnYRuchoA-/s400/009.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5256081017071508834" /></a><br />The vents going downstairs are fairly unobtrusive, small and circular things on the ceiling. The larger return air vent in the dining room isn't that bad either.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH_MlwTArnkt7npgCgc2yd3cOI73JWXNnEKr0HQboYsPxsJTFXPX4aOr7h6mx769kX-ORXiBmvqvcKSrChZz2_fDGxQzh47Tccfw1XyEfkUzp-9mDOsshtq-4a3pb4zZcgYWyHknrMM3Uh/s1600-h/001.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH_MlwTArnkt7npgCgc2yd3cOI73JWXNnEKr0HQboYsPxsJTFXPX4aOr7h6mx769kX-ORXiBmvqvcKSrChZz2_fDGxQzh47Tccfw1XyEfkUzp-9mDOsshtq-4a3pb4zZcgYWyHknrMM3Uh/s320/001.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5256081597686502482" /></a> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSUvY7XdKT3SKReR-zqhLCYsxFpLsI5LA6w6TXgw2hprQ9ZM7-Q4I5W5iN5255LE1bOTmezPn_8HXAJDs0-WevT5VyB4Nsgh3vvJDGlsDsao9NHYRDIuKxpkpKVAeWaMeG-oLIOIYT8XQ_/s1600-h/003.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSUvY7XdKT3SKReR-zqhLCYsxFpLsI5LA6w6TXgw2hprQ9ZM7-Q4I5W5iN5255LE1bOTmezPn_8HXAJDs0-WevT5VyB4Nsgh3vvJDGlsDsao9NHYRDIuKxpkpKVAeWaMeG-oLIOIYT8XQ_/s320/003.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5256081908111663394" /></a><br />We also had a bit of a scare on Friday - our builder had an eye injury involving a nail...but it turned out to be just a corneal scratch and he should be good to go by Monday. Next up, the electrical and plumbing inspections, then we move on to insulation.jwohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14401153712437950583noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1927686076199149586.post-1496079040627279872008-10-11T19:50:00.007-05:002008-10-11T20:41:28.805-05:00Perfect LandingOur new and improved stairway is now roughed in. We had to have a longer landing to allow the stairway to end further into the hallway. This eliminates the head-height issue of people knocking their head on the way up the stairs. (At 5'0" I never seemed to have a problem...) Eventually the new landing will be nicer wood, stained to match the existing stairs, and Chris will try to use the old stair treads for the remaining stairs if possible - they were still in good shape. Here is the new landing. If you look back at the post from 9/27 you can see what the stairs used to look like. <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwwjn9NGmZwvHTIOGKhY4Au0wYgV-q-4_a3Znqis6EXYo8JgSB6igKP0BIs-nnnECuH2UowAg_y6SizABEvCMN2SK8fe7-NG9jyE9tTN7XVsA6kC-aBmo6GLJL1K4Tbdo5jxcx1BpaPdKM/s1600-h/011.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwwjn9NGmZwvHTIOGKhY4Au0wYgV-q-4_a3Znqis6EXYo8JgSB6igKP0BIs-nnnECuH2UowAg_y6SizABEvCMN2SK8fe7-NG9jyE9tTN7XVsA6kC-aBmo6GLJL1K4Tbdo5jxcx1BpaPdKM/s400/011.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5256065960307046482" /></a><br />Of course, extending the landing upstairs resulted in one of the few intrusions into the downstairs of the house - we had to steal space from above the hallway off of the kitchen and above our broom closet. In the picture above, I believe the white material currently to the side of the new landing is what used to be in our hallway downstairs. Below is what that hallway looks like now. This will get soffited (is that a word?) off and will look like it has always been that way.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsNjzfJkK6bOSzO0bsfAXw2JaTtuqw02FL3h4WFYIhqHlyuFbZdBjJzatTkdX65jSvCU13jVoawZTCJ1nbmtnvenm-ojFtZko1BkQTeiJD7h8lIGO2fvWWR3ZuJ9WwY_yc9Hqzr81qCN1p/s1600-h/012.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsNjzfJkK6bOSzO0bsfAXw2JaTtuqw02FL3h4WFYIhqHlyuFbZdBjJzatTkdX65jSvCU13jVoawZTCJ1nbmtnvenm-ojFtZko1BkQTeiJD7h8lIGO2fvWWR3ZuJ9WwY_yc9Hqzr81qCN1p/s400/012.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5256067928436991762" /></a><br />Interesting story about the stairs.....we've been told by some neighbors that the women that lived here for the first 65 years after the house was built used to keep her jewelry in a secret compartment under the attic stairs. We've poked around a bit, but so far, no hidden trap doors or treasures found!jwohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14401153712437950583noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1927686076199149586.post-57798645610561608412008-10-07T22:32:00.008-05:002008-10-07T23:06:50.300-05:00Best Bargain EverOk, we did our weekly house shopping trip and ended up at Home Depot, so Scott could look at the granite vanity top choices we have available (we're going to go with the grey 'Napoli' one). We looked around at other things too, such as faucets, tile, and toilets, and lo and behold on a clearance rack we found a stainless double robe/towel hook that was similar to, though not the same as, the type of faucet we are getting from Delta on sale for........... 1 cent each! yeah, $0.01! I splurged and went back and got the 3rd and last one of the shelf, thinking we could use it for a hand towel or something. It is close enough to the style we chose for the faucets, etc. that I think it was worth, um, 3 cents at least.<br />We also got some more ideas for tile for the shower. We went back to the same store where we got the vanity and found a really cool (but very expensive) glass mosaic that we like for a border in the shower - we'll see if we can find something similar at the Tile showroom used by the "tile guy". See the one on the right: <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnCj9_MFOOhWStLEebJAUetaZvmCbD_sKYaNHUnBsVdm-I-B-Jpv96o76DWlgPAK0Q_-kcqWK7GBuuYQDYgVQxLJqY-f-5IvEeF8GistHJkGTFcNmgwlUlu-r9rmgtDgGcKB648aJDsBy_/s1600-h/019.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnCj9_MFOOhWStLEebJAUetaZvmCbD_sKYaNHUnBsVdm-I-B-Jpv96o76DWlgPAK0Q_-kcqWK7GBuuYQDYgVQxLJqY-f-5IvEeF8GistHJkGTFcNmgwlUlu-r9rmgtDgGcKB648aJDsBy_/s320/019.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5254628146206957570" /></a><br />We haven't found anything we like other than a classic white subway tile for the main part of the shower, but I think that will give it a classic look. And we are looking a shower doors in a catalog too - again, who knew there were so many choices. I favor the plain clear glass frameless, but Scott would like a little more privacy with a 'steam mist' glass....a decision we still have to battle out.<br />Speaking of the shower, here is the framing for the shower, with the bench:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7J1hYhh-o9o2Cn4hJmaw20RurFV4h-qyl0RLQg2k_efxxLlVZMNIbTdkIV9-XZxkK5UQxVcC-RfbTqs1-uoSwlnqeypMJZdyo1nQ5q2dYxIIqAwGN-irfm7mMP_Xuwtv017x5weetEkKr/s1600-h/014.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7J1hYhh-o9o2Cn4hJmaw20RurFV4h-qyl0RLQg2k_efxxLlVZMNIbTdkIV9-XZxkK5UQxVcC-RfbTqs1-uoSwlnqeypMJZdyo1nQ5q2dYxIIqAwGN-irfm7mMP_Xuwtv017x5weetEkKr/s400/014.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5254625565336190578" /></a><br /><br />Here's the area of the vanity, with the area of the custom medicine cabinet to the right, and the plumbing and electricity ready to go:<br /> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhReuXIyT8gzpbhJASnZYBeDu7fz7tZDonEAhTvYl5Q6QdXECiGhOojkYqLhp-FPjs7oAsrm4HRQvfOd0_gJho76-9d4UMQW4QVbIXgYCAQ6hOXP9uuCad6PEhhHKrMbz6NprKl4Y0RFEHd/s1600-h/015.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhReuXIyT8gzpbhJASnZYBeDu7fz7tZDonEAhTvYl5Q6QdXECiGhOojkYqLhp-FPjs7oAsrm4HRQvfOd0_gJho76-9d4UMQW4QVbIXgYCAQ6hOXP9uuCad6PEhhHKrMbz6NprKl4Y0RFEHd/s400/015.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5254626420974402162" /></a><br /><br />Here's a little triangular shelf alcove at the top of the stairs on the landing (this was my sister Rose's idea - thanks Rose!):<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0qkKeDG5FUqSOvmlHKZ6Eu2ne4iyKe7xaqk1UsfUZ4vqFNkbs2x37tc769y-ZA8YZvJ89_XGB9yuAri88MDEsyAypbkUCdAJFJEkR9eV6SZRHPBm0ti454yQvR7-Uk3BEU1HsSo1KgrV2/s1600-h/016.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0qkKeDG5FUqSOvmlHKZ6Eu2ne4iyKe7xaqk1UsfUZ4vqFNkbs2x37tc769y-ZA8YZvJ89_XGB9yuAri88MDEsyAypbkUCdAJFJEkR9eV6SZRHPBm0ti454yQvR7-Uk3BEU1HsSo1KgrV2/s400/016.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5254627489370539634" /></a><br /><br />The HVAC people will be continuing their work tomorrow evening for our new central air/furnace that is going upstairs.jwohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14401153712437950583noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1927686076199149586.post-34366137543478281402008-10-04T09:20:00.005-05:002008-10-04T09:49:27.404-05:00Vanity FairIt is done. The vanity has been purchased and ordered. We started out thinking that we needed a 6 foot vanity (double bowl) and that we'd get 2 medicine cabinets with mirrors. It was hard to find a large selection at 6 feet, but we had it whittled down to a few choices, both over our budget. Then we realized that with the way the wall over the stairs butts out into the room (see below) it would actually work better to have a 5 foot vanity, and make this wall into a little shelf - and Chris (our builder) offered to make a custom medicine cabinet above it. <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmDcvmPA7_4Kz0LwHbFuFN7TtBjzdyRQOQle6sQgaDxhoNoDLb4u0DAefPd3TiLqcUs_XDZyZtt0QqT9DYjn0ml_JbLBpsesuMjblE0V5xMuWJwwJLfPl4FY0FCcvb01glDmujfToeQ138/s1600-h/005.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmDcvmPA7_4Kz0LwHbFuFN7TtBjzdyRQOQle6sQgaDxhoNoDLb4u0DAefPd3TiLqcUs_XDZyZtt0QqT9DYjn0ml_JbLBpsesuMjblE0V5xMuWJwwJLfPl4FY0FCcvb01glDmujfToeQ138/s400/005.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5253310814636971554" /></a><br />Thus, we were able to shave off a bunch of money by not only downsizing to a 5 foot vanity, but also by opting for mirrors instead of medicine cabinets over the vanity, and having a custom built medicine cabinet (stained to match) and extra shelf on the R side. Here is a picture of the type of bath vanity we got - the vanity top will be different and the lay out isn't exactly like what we'll have, but the color of the wood and style is what we've got (but I doubt we'll keep green apples in the bathroom.)<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.bertch.com/bath/PopupImages/osagepopup.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px;" src="http://www.bertch.com/bath/PopupImages/osagepopup.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a>jwohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14401153712437950583noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1927686076199149586.post-79129052131614618652008-09-30T21:29:00.010-05:002008-10-01T09:25:15.499-05:00Freedom of ChoiceWhen we decided to go with a remodeler/contractor rather design-build firm, we knew we would be doing a lot more leg-work in figuring out design and picking out various options. It is surprising how much time it takes to pick everything out - and how distracting it can be if you try to do it with kids underfoot. So we're thinking of just having a weekly babysitter to try to go remodel shopping once/week. Even without kids, the choices can be overwhelming, and it is hard to know where to start. It is true, though, that once you make one decision (for us it was the hardwood flooring) the rest of the choices become a little easier. For us, some of the harder decisions have to do with the bigger picture, like what color should we paint? The only one that has a strong feeling of what colors to use is Reid - who wants his room to be his (current) favorite color, red. A red room? Scary visions of Twin Peaks dream sequences went through my head...My plan is to accommodate him to an extent - and have one "accent wall" (you can tell I'm addicted to HGTV, can you not?) in a brick red. But for our bedroom, we just have no clue. <br />Last night (with the help of said babysitter) we were able to get closer to a decision for the carpet portion of the upstairs (who knew there were so many choices for carpet!), finalize our choice of bathroom vanity and mirrors, and pick out some shower and sink faucets. 3 hours well spent. Next up, floor tile and shower tile - woo-hoo!<br />On another note, recently my older brother linked to this website from his own remodeling website (they are much further along in a very similar project of their second floor). I will return the favor by linking to his <a href="http://rmk-rmdl.blogspot.com">Remake and Remodel</a> page. Note the obscure Roxy Music reference - of course we opted for Elvis Costello for our title instead.<br />Stay tuned for more pictures later today....I'm home with our younger son, who is now sick.jwohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14401153712437950583noreply@blogger.com0