Posted on by Emily

Day 243

I can barely concentrate on anything else at the moment because I’m so excited about the framing!!!

IMG_5257

But, first things first: Check out our driveway that has been graded up so there’s no longer a pond in the middle of it. They also put in a massive pipe specified by my dear husband who does not mess around when it comes to proper drainage.

I had been parking at the very beginning of the driveway due to it being impassible in my short SUV.  Next time, I will drive on up and park in front of the house…

IMG_5265

… right by the front porch!

They are starting to put in the floor system for the second floor.  The room above the front porch is the guest room.  Kath (my mom) will be so delighted to see this as she is eager to stay in her suite.

IMG_5271

They put in the stairs to the future headquarters of my design firm. The way things are going with COVID-19, it sounds like I will be subletting some of my office space to my husband.

Ok, back to the tour.

IMG_5278

My kitchen!

2

Which will eventually look like this!

But probably not for 6 months…sigh.

IMG_5289

This is the living room, which overlooks the front porch and yard.  They had somehow missed one of these windows in the first round of framing, but they quickly got it added in after I brought it to their attention.

I’m sure I’m their favorite already.

IMG_5286

Though I planned for all rooms to have lots of light and pretty views, I am particularly smitten with the view from the dining room.

IMG_5294

I am also a big nerd about sight lines and axes.  This is the view looking the opposite direction of the previous photo.  Once all of these lovely temporary supports are removed, there will be a sight line down through the hall and out the windows of the library on the back of the house from the dining room table.

IMG_5282

The L-shaped screened porch that wraps the back and side of the house will have an uninterrupted view of the tree line.  Though right now, these temporary supports are really killing the mood.

IMG_5267

Here’s another angle showing the screened porch and those library windows I’ll be able to see through from the dining room.  I foresee spending a lot of time on this porch.  So does our cat, Bu.

IMG_5302

And this is the beast from her widest angle.

This house has been in my head and in my heart for so long that is really surreal to see it come to life.

Screen Shot 2020-06-16 at 9.35.43 PM

Still quite a bit left before she looks like my rendering, but well on her way!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Posted on by Emily

Day 52

We made some big strides this past week!

A few highlights:

  1. We signed with our builder
  2. The builder has begun applying for permits
  3. The appraisal has been ordered for our construction loan

A few things to note:

  1. The County takes septic permitting VERY seriously and has a checklist with no fewer than 8 different documents that must be submitted.  They even require one of the documents to be notarized.  I think applying for college might be easier.
  2. Windows are still expensive, unfortunately.   I got some more quotes this week and the series that offers the brass hardware I really want basically costs the same amount as a Rolls Royce.
  3. Window selection still pending.

While in Virginia visiting family for Thanksgiving, we went to Thomas Jefferson’s retreat home, Poplar Forest.  Since we are going to be building a traditional house with classical elements, I was taking note of all of the details.

One of the first things I noticed was the floor-to-ceiling, triple sash windows in the library that our tour-guide said were custom-made in Germany to match the originals.  Given my recent Ph. D. level education in windows, I approximate that these cost at least five figures each.

IMG_2902

I was also completely obsessed with the beefy trim.  I haven’t seen baseboards built out like this before.  I would guess these are 3″ deep, which means they had to build out all of the door casings as well.  The chair rail was so thick that they notched it over the door casing.  I will be showing this to our builder to emphasize how simple our trim work will be by comparison.

IMG_2922

Lastly, I will be keeping this photo below handy if the codes department decides to give us any issue with our railing-less front porch that is less than 30″ off the ground.  I, like Thomas Jefferson, don’t want a railing obstructing my view.

IMG_2928

Until next time!

Posted on by Emily

Day 8

No major developments in the last few days. No builder contract signed (though in the works), zero utilities on the property, and nothing submitted to the county yet, but rest assured that I have nearly every last selection made for the finishes and fixtures in the house down to the grout colors. I also have all cabinetry and tile detailed to 1/16″ of an inch.

This is what I do for a living after all. I live in the world of interior design plans and detailing, tile, countertops, lighting, custom cabinetry, paint colors, trim profiles, and selection schedules and budgets. This has come in handy as we try to get a precise bid for construction. We will not need any of these items, however, for the better part of a year, but now I can sleep at night knowing which faucet is going in the hall bath.

Now that I have all of those things selected, detailed, and budgeted, I have moved on to deciding where all of our current artwork and mirrors will be going in the new house. At least 12-15 months ahead of schedule on that one.

This is what I do when waiting on other parties for things out of my control: I make lists, spreadsheets, diagrams, and design boards. Please send help. And wine.