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....