Day 475

I always tell clients that it’s that last 10% that just about kills you.

We are there.

The highlight of the week: appliances were installed.

Hello, gorgeous.

The refrigerator and freezer will have panels to match the cabinets.

This wall brings me great joy; however, it may be the most expensive wall in the house. Given that we will be out in the country and that the nearest restaurant is not close, we will be dining in most of the time and this fridge/freezer space will be essential to our survival.

My employees decided to check if the new house was serviceable by grubhub/ubereats/etc. because they frequently take advantage of such services at our current location.

Haha.

I got a real kick out of that. To be fair, they haven’t been to the property yet.

I squealed with delight when I saw the range. I can’t tell you how excited I am to fire up this bad boy.

Switching gears, one of our neighbors generously volunteered to build us a shared mailbox structure. It’s not at all what I would have chosen, but since it’s at the main road, I didn’t have strong feelings about it. The good news is, he ordered extra large mailboxes so packages will fit inside.

Back inside the house, the painters continue to cover things in tape and plastic.

While I know and appreciate that painting is 75% prep, I would like to see something painted the color it is supposed to be.

These closet shelves appear to be the correct color, my beloved limestone.

Fireplace surrounds are primed.

I’m dying to see the dining room painted. It will be a deep burnt orange.

Speaking of the dining room, I had been on the hunt for an antique dining table with many leaves so I could adjust it for up to 12 people. I hit the jackpot this weekend when I stumbled upon this estate sale find.

I snagged this triple pedestal, inlay top, 115″ long, 3 leaf table for $450.

It makes up for the wall of appliances I mentioned earlier.

Miraculously, the 5 piece top and 3 piece base fit in the back of my vehicle. All of these pieces are hanging out in the entry/dining room of our current home for the time being and Bu thinks they are for him.

In other thrilling news, the toilets have been installed!

You have no idea what an ordeal it is to get a decent toilet these days.

I sent Josh an update with pictures at my last site visit on Friday. 3 out 5 pictures were of toilets.

The master vanity is shaping up! Tower has been installed – though still missing crown – and faucets are in.

So glad the trim guys made a masterpiece of the attic stair pulldown that is located in an unfinished storage closet.

Lastly, Josh, Nate and my dad delivered the library built-in tops yesterday. They installed them, with the exception of one that can’t be installed until a gas shutoff is moved.

Have you ever seen such a look of pure joy?

Thank you, Daddy! And thank you, Josh and Nate, for assisting. Can’t wait until these bad boys are painted a deep green.

Hardwoods are being finished this week. We’re in the homestretch!

Day 447

Happy New Year!

The house continues to look more like a house each day, though we are *still* waiting on the county to hook us up with some electricity(!) Until we have power and are able to connect the HVAC and condition the house, we can’t proceed with grout, paint, staining floors, etc.

In the meantime, we are moving forward with everything else we can.

The balustrades are looking lovely.

The hall bath is looking classic and precious. The chair rail tile really makes my day.

The guest bath tile is complete, except for the grout.

Downstairs, the Dining room and Library fireplace surrounds are starting to look fabulous. Can’t wait until they put up the mantel surrounds!

But what really brings me joy is the entry checkerboard floor. I have wanted one of these my entire life.

I am also extremely excited about my closet. I had the trim guys build in a dresser for a more furniture-like look and I was a little nervous about them understanding my design intent, but they did a really nice job. Can’t wait to see the unfinished wood painted!

Meanwhile, outside, they have been working on the porches. The screened porch columns are in place but not yet trimmed out.

They also placed the massive classical columns on the front porch and side entry.

I am in love.

Though they still need to finish the trim at the top and paint them to match the house, they make a huge difference in the overall look.

Thanks to our neighbor for this photo of the snow we got last week!

I got to see it Friday when I arrived for my site meeting. Can you see the columns in the distance?

Now we need the shutters, which will really complete the exterior look.

The end is in sight! I’ve already started purging and prepping…