Happy Fall!

I'm feeling much more at home with some fall decorations on the front porch!  Plus, our new porch lights were installed, and it makes the front look so much better.  I still need a new door mat, but this is definitely a step in the right direction! 

I saw in my Southern Living this month how you could use paint pens to decorate pumpkins.  It had some really cute ideas that I might try.

By far, the most exciting thing that has happened this week is that we finally got cable and internet!  The last 13 days living with a very limited version of NBC and no internet have definitely been interesting.  We have watched quite a few movies and spent a lot of time at the Broome's taking advantage of their tv and internet.

We opted for AT&T U-Verse this time around rather than Charter.  The AT&T man came today and spent four hours getting cables run in various places and putting boxes where they need to go.  The best thing about U-Verse is that you can DVR from any tv and watch recorded DVR's from any tv.  Graham handled the lack of tv/internet better than I did.  I really missed my morning news and night time shows.  Either way, we are both thrilled and feeling much more normal!

Little by little, things are happening at the house.  The hardwood floors are finished being installed throughout the house and are ready to be sanded and stained.  That will be the very last project that is completed.

The hardwoods make the house feel so much "homeier."  It feels good to walk around upstairs, and I don't feel like I'm walking around in a construction site (too bad) anymore.

Electrical work is also being done all over the house.  We decided just this week that we would be updating the electrical system in the house.  It isn't too involved because the wiring that is in place is good, we just needed to re-do some of the outlets, add some switches, etc.  Grounded, 3 pronged outlets are being added where we need them and we are having a new box put in to replace the old fuse box.

Exterior motion sensored flood lights were also put up this week.  I really like these!  They gradually come on as they detect motion. We have 3 on the back of the house. 

I finally made some decisions on paint colors.  When I was out of work this week, I spent some time at the Benjamin Moore paint store and did not let myself leave until I had chosen my colors.  Luckily, I even still like them after we had the samples put on the walls!!



The dining room walls are going to be painted this brown color above the chair rail.  I was afraid it would be too dark to do the entire room in that color, so I'm thinking the below the chair rail will be white.

 

We don't have lights in the den/kitchen area right now so it is hard to see these samples.  But, the sun porch is going to be painted the left blue color (Palladian Blue) which is actually a lot darker than it looks here.  The living room, den, hallway and guest bedrooms are going to be the tan colors.  I'm not positive what I want where yet, but I figure you can't go wrong with three colors from the same paint chip.  They have to flow, right?

Our bedroom/bathroom is going to be painted the same color as what we had at Rutledge.  The foyer is going to be wallpapered, and I'm thinking maybe I'll wallpaper the 1/2 bath and hall bath too.  Not sure on that yet, though.

Kind of off topic - but we did make some exciting purchases this week.  Graham got a new grill, and I got a Dyson Ball vacuum cleaner!  It is especailly designed for pet hair removal, and it really works!  I really do love to vacuum (imagine that), so this is really exciting for me!  Haha.  We also saw our first deer out in the back yard.  There were 3 babies.  I was so excited about this...Lexie was not.  She scared them off!  Anyway - Graham and I both are enjoying having some land and living in the city but still having deer roaming around!  It's a major change from Converse Heights.

I'm feeling like things are wrapping up.  They are supposed to start painting next week.  We are still waiting on cabinet doors, but all of the plaster/smoothing of walls and ceilings is complete.  The elctricians should finish up at the beginning of next week.  I think that means all that's left to do is the patio, some touch up odds and ends type stuff, and staining the floors.  I am seeing light at the end of the tunnel.

Renovation: Week 11

We are 11 weeks into our project and getting closer and closer to being done.  This week has been very productive at the house. 

The cracks and damage to the walls and ceilings have been worked on this week.  After the plaster guys finished removing the swirls in the den/kitchen/mudroom, they got started on the cracks that needed fixing throughout the rest of the house.  It is amazing how much better it looks.  We also decided to dress up the interior doors throughout the house.  Instead of buying all new ones, we added some molding to the doors.

Master Bath - before.  I just realized I didn't take a picture of the ceiling in the master bath.  At some point there was a leak and the plaster was crumbling pretty badly over the doorway/sink area. 

Master bath - currently.  The mirrors and all but one of the light fixutres are going.  The walls and ceiling have been fixed as needed.  It is already looking much better.  They have also been adding trim to all of the doors throughout the house.

Master Bedroom - before.

Master bedroom now.  I really think the door molding (and just the white primer) make a huge difference!

Outside, they have been working on replacing all of the storm doors and exterior lighting.  Who knew a storm door and new lights could make such a difference.  I only have a picture of the patio door for some reason, but they have all been updated and it is looking much much better.

This is a picture of the patio before.  We haven't done anything on it yet, but you can see the old silver storm door and the upside down porch light.  The patio should be fixed this week.

New door and light.  Looking much better!  The doors have pull down screens.  I can't wait to use them and enjoy this nice fall weather!  I'm also looking forward to the railings being re-coated. 

I think the most exciting thing that has happened this week has been the installation of the hardwood floors.  Floors are a sign that we are close to finishing, right?!

Woohoo!  Can't wait to have them stained!!  So far they have completed the dining room, living room, and part of the foyer.  They have been working after hours (5-9) on these this week and are even working today (Saturday).  I can't wait until they are finished!  It is amazing how much un-finished hardwood floors help the appearnce of the house.  That and the granite counter tops really make me feel like it's almost done.  Whew!

I am still working on picking out paint colors.  So far, I think I've decided on colors for the dining room, bedroom, and bathroom.  The rest might all end up being the same color!  Hopefully we are on the home stretch now and will be moving out of the basement and on to the main floor!

Welcome to the Basement!

It's been an interesting week! 

We originally planned to move into the house Wednesday, but realized we had no hot water.  After working on the water heater, which is only 3 years old, Simon decided we'd have to change out the heating elements.  They did that for us on Thursday, but still...no hot water.  We ended up having to have a part over nighted to arrive Friday.  Thank goodness that solved the problem. 

We are also having some issues with the basement floor.  Apparently it's not exactly right for some reason and can't really be cleaned.  With all of the work going on with the water heater, hanging blinds/lights, etc, the floor got dusty and dirty from all the mud outside.  I went to clean it with a swiffer and that made a really strange white film on the floor.  I decided I'd messed it up and went with just plain old water.  Well that did the same thing.  So, unfortunately, it looks like once we move in the upstairs, we'll be moving out of the downstairs to have the floor re-done.  I'm just thrilled to death with the whole situation...ugh!  Anyway - thankfully the basement floor didn't hinder us moving in, and we were able to spend our first night at the new house last night! It was so nice to be back in my own bed and to actually be at home. 

To get moved in, we started moving some things on Wednesday.  Luckily, Bryan Burnett stopped by to see the progress and was able to help Graham move some of the furniture we had stored on the sun porch to the basement.  On Thursday, my dad met us at the storage building and helped load our bed, dresser, night stands, and filing cabinets. 

Bedroom area.  Still a mess, but getting better!

Den area.  Also still a mess, but getting better! 

Lexie's glad to be home!

Last night, our granite counter tops were installed!!  They really make things feel like they are coming together.  I was off work Wednesday for a doctor's appointment, so we were able to pick out granite.  It was pouring down rain, but we had to make a decision, so we waded around the East Coast Granite parking lot and picked our slab.  I had no idea what it was going to look like, but I love it!  Can't believe the installed it on a Friday night, but so glad that they did!

It's hard to see because we have no lights upstairs at the moment, but this is the new granite bar area!

So glad to have counters!  Can't wait for cabinets.  We should be getting those this week!

This morning Graham and dad moved the refrigerator into the basement.  It ended up being a longer process than expected.  Seems like things always are.  The basement door had to be taken off and the refrigerator doors had to be taken off to get it in.  They finally got it.  It won't ever be going anywhere!

While dad and Graham worked on the fridge, mom and I went and bought bathroom stuff (shower curtain, bath mat, pretty towels, vanity mirror), and new knobs for the cabinets in the basement.  I will post pictures when I get it all organized...

This week hardwoods are being installed throughout the upstairs, electrical work is supposed to be started, and cabinet doors should be installed and stained! 

We currently do not have cable or internet at the house.  It will be October 6th before all of that is set up.  We thought for sure we'd be able to tap into some wireless signal somewhere, but no such luck.  We also thought rabbit ears would give us channels 4, 7, and 13.  After a ridiculous amount of time fiddling with the antenna thing, we finally came up with channel 4.  Looks like we'll be watching NBC or NBC.  Either way, I'm very thankful to just have something we can watch!  No tv is strange and I'm not really a fan. 

Being at the house is so wonderful.  I'm glad to have a good bit of my stuff with me and I'm especially excited to be sleeping in my own bed.  It's also really nice to just be there when things come up or need to be done instead of having to go by there all the time.  Simon says 3 more weeks and we're done.  I'm really hoping that it works out that way!!

Week 9

It's hard to believe it's been 9 weeks since we moved out of our sweet, perfect little house on Rutledge and became gypsys.  We spent our first week (the last week of July) at my dad's before heading off to the beach for week.  We came back sort of homeless.  I never thought that would happen!  We spent 6 weeks after that with the Harrison's, last week with the Broomes, and we this week at the Bulmans while they are in Arizona.  I'm starting to go a little crazy, I think.

Anyway - the contractor and painter swear that we can move into the basement tomorrow!  I told Tyler yesterday that if they knew what was good for them and if he didn't want a crazy pregnant woman moving in with him, they'd get it done.  Haha.  I got an email from Graham today saying that moving day on Wednesday is a go.  I did go by this afternoon, though, and there are a few things that still seem unfinished.  I don't think there was a sealant on the floor over the 2nd coat, and there are a few areas of molding that need another coat of paint.  I'm not very happy about that.  I need complete completion.  I think my ocd-ness is starting to kick in a little and my frustration level is increasing.  Graham promised to have all of those things addressed.  Luckily, even if those things aren't done, we can still move in, and I have the day off tomorrow for my second doctor's appointment.  Hopefully we will be able to get lots done.  Unfortunately, even if we get moved in, we will have no cable/internet until October 6th.  I'm reminding myself though how nice it will be to actually be part way in our house and sleeping in our own bed!  Woohoo! 

I feel like I've been slow to update...but I also feel like things have been slow moving at the house.  I know I said that last week too, so it must just not be me being impatient.  Or maybe it is.  Either way, this week they have fixed the crack in the ceiling that goes from the dining room to the master bedroom, added/replaced the molding in the kitchen and den, hung light fixtures in the basement, and continued "dressing up" the interior doors and closet doors with trim.  I guess there were a couple of weeks there where so much was happening that maybe that's why it seems more on the slowish side now. 

Fingers crossed that we will have all of our things moved into the basement and I can post a new picture in the next couple of days!

Another Move...

Lots of the same at the house this week.  Work is happening but I feel like it's going a little slowish.  I'm sure it's just me being impatient.

The basement floor and bar area got their first coat of stain, painting is finished, and the area around the sink is almost completely tiled over.  It looks so much better than the awful pink backsplash.

Basement before picture.

The floor will get another coat of stain and a sealant to make it shiny.  The column will have more molding around the bottom.

Bar and sink area before.

Bar is stained!  In the back corner you can see the sink/tile.

Close up of the tile work.

Upstairs, primer has been painted and chair rail molding has been added.  We also decided to add some additional molding underneath the chair rail.  It was hard to get a picture of that today due to the plastic covering EVERYTHING upstairs.  The plaster workers have started smoothing the swirls out of the ceiling in the den, kitchen and mudroom and have it all covered up.

Smooth ceiling, plastic everywhere, and on the back left cabinet you can see some of the molding.  Also, who knew primer would make such a world of difference to that awful brown paneling?!

Close up of chair rail molding and molding underneath.  It looks so much better than just the plain paneling.

In other news, we moved from the Harrison's house on the westside to the Broome's house in Converse Heights.  Graham and I got up early Saturday morning and took a load of things to Burnett and brought what we had to have for the week to my moms.  The Broomes are off to the beach so we are staying with Nicholas.  Being on the eastside of town makes things so much easier.  I'm much closer to work and we are way closer to the house.  Very convenient.  We are slightly packed in over here, but it is working out well and I'm so glad they are letting us stay! 

We had hoped to be able to move into the basement this coming weekend (we even have cable coming to set up on Friday) but it seems that the stupid floor stain is going to have to have a 7 day no traffic period.  Since they haven't started the last coat and sealer, looks like it'll be a while until that's done.  Luckily, the Bulman's are going out of town next week, so it looks like we'll be living over there for a week and hopefully moving in the basement NEXT weekend.  By the time we actually get to move in down there, the whole house will be done!  Not that I'd complain about that, but still.  I really thought we'd be in the basement by now...

Graham keeps reminding me that I signed up for this.  Whew!  

Unexpected Update

I went by the house after work today, and was so thrilled with everything going on, I decided to do another update for this week.

First and foremost, the front door has officially been painted.  WOW!  It looks so much better!  I am unsure about the color around the door.  That whole space just seems awfully white.  However, I am so thankful not to be owning the house with the yellow door.

Here is a beautiful before picture.  Funny I didn't notice before looking at this again, that the previous set of gutters were also right on top of the front porch lights.  We are definitely going to be fixing that.

After!  The trim and door have been painted, new gutters are in place and we have a new roof.  Hopefully shutters and a nice, new storm door will go on this week.  I must say...it looks leaps and bounds better than it did!

The new cabinet for the refridgerator was re-built and installed today.  It looks great.  The framers also sanded all of the old cabinets for the new paint/stain.

Luckily, we have removed the nice geometric shape thing that covered the side of the fridge.  This before picture really makes me feel like we have actually come a long way!  Still a long way to go though...

This isn't the same angle so it's a little hard to tell, but this is our new refridgerator cabinet.  No more shape thing to the left.

Painting in the basement and all of the upstairs trim have been continued/started.  After the tropical storm, we have no water in the basement or in the crawl space!  Hooray for the cheaper gutter fix rather than the expensive digout!

Week 4

It's hard to believe that the contractor has been steady working for only four weeks!  Lots has been done, but it sure seems much longer than four weeks.

We were really happy with the progress this past week.  The framers have re-worked our kitchen cabinets to fit our new appliances and a new pantry was added where the old double ovens used to be.

This is the kitchen before.  There was a single cooktop and double wall ovens.  Because of the appliances we wanted, we decided to re-work this area a little bit.

Now, we have an area for a slide in range/oven and an over the range microwave.  They turned the area where the double ovens were into a large pantry.  The top shelf will be an open wine rack.  New cabinet doors to come.

The framers also built a new cabinet for the refridgerator.  It has not been installed yet.

This is the new refridgerator cabinet.  It's hard to tell here what it looks like, but they actually ended up cutting it too shallow and are going to have to build another one.  It will look exactly the same.  We may use this for some sort of mudroom bench/shelving area.

The opening from the foyer to the den has also been completed.  The ceiling in the den has also be completely supported and sheet rocked as needed.  It is now flat and does not sag in the middle.  Soon, it will all be smoothed and painted.  No more of the lovely swirls.

The den and foyer feel so much more open with this size of entry way.

It's sort of hard to tell, but you can see the smoothed, sheet rocked areas in the ceiling. 

Lots of work was also done in the basement...our soon-to-be home.  The painters have started, the old pink bar was replaced with a nice wood one, and the support beam (aka "the stripper pole") was cased in with a nice wood column.  Thank goodness!

This is the bar area before.

In this picture, you can see the new bar and the support beam.  The brick has also been painted a light khaki color.  It is really starting to come together!  Once the floors are finished, the new support column will have more molding added to it.

We are still waiting to have the floors in the basement refinished.  It rained Friday night and there was no water!  It is supposed to rain for the next few days.  If we are water free, we will be in the clear for the floors to be stained and finished and the basement will be complete. 

So, this week we are hoping for a completed basement, more work in the kitchen, hard wood floors to be installed throughout the upstairs, and for the outside to be closer to finished.  The painters are still working on shutters, doors and some areas of trim.  We also need to have our storm windows put back.  I'm looking forward to seeing some things completed!

My homework this week is to pick paint colors for the entire house.  This very well might send me over the edge.  For some reason, paint colors really overwhelm me.  I do not love that there are thousands of choices all very similar to each other.  Who would have thought that picking paint colors would be so difficult?  Suggestions are welcome or the whole house may end up being khaki!