SEPTEMBER!

September 20, 2010
On our 2nd wedding anniversary, my most anticipated element of the house arrived! My carrara marble island!!
I met resistance from all sides (except from Nick) in my quest for this material in the kitchen: 'lemon juice will break it down,' 'you can't use that in your kitchen,' 'red wine will ruin it,' etc. After a few conversations with counter top companies, I finally found someone who offered a 'lifetime sealant' to protect against stains and corrosion.

I WIN!









Mike's handiwork with the copper slate...did I mention it sparkles?? :)


















The ornamental iron has been installed and helps to define the front porch.













The stairs have received some attention this week, receiving their bamboo treads; balusters, rails, and newel posts are on their way.















The hall bath cabinetry has arrived! We used a new material for all cabinetry made of rubber trees. It's considered a sustainable material similar to the bamboo used throughout the house.












The mantle has been painted, and I think this is the first picture of the main paint color we chose. The color is 'blustery day,' and is a gray tone that in some lights errs blue....like this one, obviously.
















56 boxes of cabinetry were delivered-what a puzzle!




















Kitchen cabinet installation!!










Our very own coordinates! This street sign appeared a few weeks ago; if I ever forget my address, I just need to look out the front door...

The Home Stretch...

August 30, 2010

The final month is upon us! During the past week, Nick & I have lived and breathed mantle design, paint colors, carpet and plumbing & lighting fixtures. The planning of details has been hectic but great fun!

An entire afternoon was dedicated to the design and build of my beloved mantles! I am unable to compliment Mike and his father, Kenny, appropriately. The profile, detail, and scale of the mantles enhance each room in a way I hadn't anticipated. They are perfect. I can't wait to see them painted with the stone surround! I have had the idea of a double mantle since the beginning of the build and it's so exciting to see it materialize.
(If you look closely, you can see the block 'U' Mike cut in fun and placed around the outlet above the mantle...)


The photo on the immediate
right is the master bathroom mantle piece. And on the far right is the bedroom mantle. They are petite versions of the great room profile.













Our bamboo floors are complete!


On the left, Mike and Kenny are laying the kitchen floor.
The photos below show completed sections: on the right is the completed foyer. The 'plant shelf' above the foyer and about the staircase is pictured on the left.





These have been some of the only peeks we've had of the finished bamboo; it's now completely covered in brown paper: protected, but hidden. I suppose it will add to the drama of the move...

We're getting so close!

August 2, 2010

The fabulous exterior progress of the last week has created a new level of excitement! Nick targeted this stone a few months ago and I couldn't be more happy with the choice made. The cool, graphite tones of the stone even looks great with the brown coat--c'mon stucco!!
































The window 'frames' will be painted an espresso brown tone similar to the front/mudroom door stain.


















The 'brown coat' has been applied. In two weeks, stucco application can begin. I'm told the longer the brown coat is allowed to age on the house, the more secure it will adhere to stucco.

































Wrapped and ready for stone and stucco.
















The main floor bathroom and mudroom stone is copper quartzite! If I had the option, I would put this slate anywhere and everywhere in the house. The tiles are every shade of copper with grays and greens. The color is accentuated with a metallic quality, creating a sparkle that every girl needs!










The bamboo floor is acclimatizing...

















Ostrich grey quartzite in the shower.












Master bathroom floor tile: Mike has been very patient with me in the design. After brainstorming, texts, and a few sketches I absolutely love the result. The ostrich gray quartzite slate is bordered with a four inch carrera marble border. The stone tiles have a similar metallic quality to the copper stone downstairs.










One of the bedroom closets
















Drywall materials were delivered and its application took about 3 weeks. The difference before and after drywall was astounding. From insulated beams to smooth walls, I'm ready to move in!









Drywall ceiling in the garage.













Master bedroom drywall













The great room and resident scaffolding

July 28, 2010

So much has happened in the past three months of building! Most of June was spent hanging drywall and insulation; the visible progress in July has been so much fun!










The front door! It's not yet stained in this picture, nor is it functional without a door knob, but it's just the prettiest piece of alder!















A door to the mudroom from the front porch. It will also be stained a darker color.





































Insulation installation was more exciting than I'd anticipated. The vaulted ceilings received a spray foam material. The walls were covered in something that resembled cheese cloth before being filled with insulation. And we really needed the house to be insulated in the 95+ degree temperatures....

Roof and windows

April 30, 2010

The majority of our windows were installed today! The roof was completed a few days ago, and we love the dark charcoal tone.








The master bathtub!













Can lights in the vault of great room. The cut out is of the second level loft.












Kitchen windows! The plumbing was also completed; you can see the red and blue tubes sticking out of the floor.











Great room windows












And finally....our circle and arch windows were cut by the framers! Later this week, the cement for the front porch is scheduled to be poured.

Stella's first visit

April 24, 2010

We took Stella to see the construction for the first time today! Nick carried her across the threshold because of our muddy front yard.








And she was also carried down the primitive stairs; the last thing I need is a pup with a head injury!!























Stella loves the tub already!












Electrical lines are everywhere! A few of the can lights are visible in the upper left corner.

Trusses arrive

April 3, 2010

The trusses were placed today! The spectacularly clear day was warmly welcomed after a spring snow. Two toddlers next door have been very entertained by the happenings we're told.

On the left, the trusses are placed with a crane over the master bedroom.

This angle shows the very beginning of the east-west roof line that will cover all but the master bedroom.

A view toward the west from the master. The 'window' with the beam at a diagonal will be an opening, down and into the great room.

At the very end of the workday...it's looking more and more like a home.