Posted on by Emily

Day 597

Greetings!

We’ve done some mulching.

Bu has done a lot of napping.

And testing of benches.

I think I have a bench addiction.

We prepped and planted a garden. Josh did the prepping and I did the planting.

In addition to these seeds, I also planted a variety of tomatoes, peppers, and some speckled lima beans (my favorite!).

Things are progressing nicely as we’ve had a lot of rain. So far, the solar-powered electric fence is working well and keeping out critters.

Check out my beets!

This is the garden after two weeks!

If it were up to Josh, the entire garden would have been corn. We settled on 3 out of 12 rows being corn.

I’d also like to report that some of the shutters have been hung. Due to the weather, this process of hanging the shutters is going on three weeks long now and not even half of them are hung. And the painters won’t be back to finish the columns until after the shutters are hung and the screened porch is complete.

I can’t talk about it.

The screening of the porch has progressed more steadily. All screens are in and now we just need a few final trim pieces to finish it up. Please take note of the large horse fly that is *inside* the screened porch…

This photo was taken on a peaceful morning walk the day before my first brush with death since living in the wilderness.

The following morning, I was walking along our road, by the creek, when I noticed a turkey on the creek bank about 20 feet away. I was thinking to myself what a lovely moment in nature this was just as the turkey spotted me and then started squawking and flying right at me.

I began shouting in the deepest and most menacing voice I could muster and put my arms out wide as I backed up the way I had come. The turkey stopped flying when she was about 5 feet from my face but kept charging, flapping her wings, and carrying on until she had forced me 50 feet up the road.

She then retreated to the brush on the other side of the road opposite the creek, circling a spot about 10 feet from where she first spotted me. Evidently I had come between her and her babies though I didn’t know it.

I think I’ll be adding a whistle and some pepper spray to my keychain.

Home sweet home.

And, finally, our Starlink satellite arrived today! There is hope for better internet service.

Posted on by Emily

Day 565

Greetings, loyal followers,

A whole lot of nothing has happened construction-wise since my last post. We are still waiting on the following, which at this rate may or may not be done by the end of the year:

  • shutters to be hung
  • cupola to be painted and installed
  • porches to be adjusted and screened
  • porches to finish being painted
  • exterior paint touch up
  • floors to be touched up
  • interior paint to be touched up
  • window film to be removed and screens put in
  • a bunch of other miscellaneous items. Our punch list is two pages long

Since these items are out of my control, I have focused instead on furnishings and décor.

We took a trip to Kentucky a few weeks ago to pick up items from my grandmother’s house. The good news is all of this furniture is very sturdy. The bad news is it is heavy. The guys are smiling in this photo but they had a real time moving these pieces.

But, everything and everyone made it safely to our house.

These twin beds were my mom’s and aunt’s growing up. I adore them.

Also, fun fact, this piece of furniture on the left is called a “chest on chest”. I thought my mom was “pulling my leg” when she told me that, but lo and behold, it actually says that on the tag on the back of the piece of furniture.

I’m waiting on the drapery hardware to arrive to install the buffalo check panels, but this is shaping up to be one of my favorite rooms.

We also picked up this church pew in Kentucky, which had been a fixture on my granny and papa’s carport my entire life (I’m sure even longer than that). I gave it a fresh coat of paint and it will go on the screened porch with the dining table (that I do not have yet).

In outdoor news, Josh purchased this monstrosity to collect rain. It too, will soon be painted black.

Out front, we started on the landscaping. Still much to do, but it does feel less like a job site and more like a home each time we plant something.

And my irises that I transplanted last fall from our old house are in full bloom by the driveway.

We got tired of waiting on the painters and exterior trim guys so we went ahead and put out our random assortment of porch furniture on the front porch so we can use it as the weather gets nicer. I got some new cushions for the sofa and chair that were from Josh’s bachelor life and painted the rocking chairs that were also on granny and papa’s carport for years. All of this will go to the screened porch once it’s complete, but we have been enjoying it in the meantime.

I installed my custom kitchen window treatments the second the were ready. I am in love with them. I found this fabric several years ago and knew I had to have it somewhere in the house where I could enjoy it everyday. They were a splurge, but I couldn’t be more thrilled.

Bu assisted with the shade installation.

There is still touch up to be done in the butler’s pantry and the wine fridge needs to be put back (it currently looks lovely in the middle of the mudroom), but I have put on the cabinet hardware and we are using it as a bar.

Bu got a little touch up – his first bath in his new sink.

There was some verbal protesting, but everyone made it out unscathed.

He’s always happy to be fresh and clean, but does not enjoy the process. I have similar feelings about working out.

Bu says please no more baths this year.

We’ve also had quite a bit of rain. We lost power and cell coverage for a while the other day. Wouldn’t recommend it.

As a result of all of this rain, Josh spends a lot of time spreading grass seed and putting down erosion control matting.

It’s about time to be thinking about our garden and all I want to do is plant things. All Bu wants to do is follow me out onto the porch.

Alas, due to MORE rain, my projects for today will have to be indoors. So I will be painting this bench, with Bu’s supervision.

Please pray for shutter installation soon.

Posted on by Emily

Day 496

We arrived yesterday to find 47 painters hard at work.

The moving truck shows up in less than two weeks. Carpet goes in on Tuesday. We may need 47 more painters to be done on time.

It’s a good thing there’s a mask covering my face in this photo.

When I walked in earlier this week, the electrician told me he was “putting the jewelry on my house”. I’m going to miss him.

I’m so happy the dining room chandelier is in! I put this fixture in at our soon-to-be “old” house when I did the initial renovation. I still love it so it had to make the move with us. Thankfully, I had saved the extra wire and chain as the ceilings are 2 feet higher in the new house and I didn’t want the fixture hanging 8 feet off the floor. (They have it tucked up at the moment so people don’t run into it.)

Continuing on the subject of house jewelry, most of the door hardware is in. Egg knobs for the win!

Originally, I was going to do rectangular roses (backplates) but I am slightly neurotic about alignments and if they weren’t perfectly straight, it would drive me nuts.

At least I know this about myself.

And speaking of alignments, I went through and finalized where I want all of the cabinet hardware installed so I can make notes for the cabinet guys.

Somehow, I managed to hold up the hardware and my tape measure and make some sort of alien symbol with my fingers all while taking a picture.

I specified in my cabinet drawings for the space between wall ovens to be 48 inches above the floor. This gives a superb alignment for the center of the appliance pulls.

Details matter.

The transoms make me so happy.

The plumbers are *almost* done (we desperately need them to finish so we can call in for the final inspection!).

The kitchen plumbing is complete. Air switch for the disposal on the left (no fumbling around for the wall switch and turning on all of the lights in the process). A faucet I won years ago and have been hanging onto in the hopes that I would use it in my forever house someday (dreams do come true!). And, on the right, though I’m not one for lots of gadgets, a glass rinser, which was a gift from a vendor event (thanks, Delta!).

I am super excited about this for cleaning wine glasses and water bottles.

Still waiting on the rest of the shower trims in the master bath.

Hall bath fixtures are in!

Finally some wall color! The painter asked me three times if this was the correct color for this room. I assured him that it was and that I’m not afraid of rich walls.

This makes me so happy to see some color!

We are really going to be in business once the carpet is in this week.

It’s going to be a big week – wish us luck!

Posted on by Emily

Day 489

Exactly nothing happened at the house last week thanks to six days of below freezing temperatures, snow, sleet, and ice. The ice was no joke. We’re talking inches of it on the roads.

We ventured out yesterday as things started to melt to check on the house. It looked lovely in the snow!

Two of the three HVAC units were installed since we were there last.

This is definitely the least attractive wall of the house with all of the utilities, but we will paint the boxes on the wall after inspection and put in some shrubs to hide the units.

Apparently we have an artist in one of the crews…

We remember to take pictures of us together approximately twice a year. This is our first one of 2021.

The floors were finished the week before last but this was our first time seeing them!

This makes me feel like moving in could become a reality!

I’m in love.

We had our first casualty…little birdy must have gotten trapped in the house. Josh escorted him to his final resting place.

A peek of the foyer floors!

And perhaps most exciting of all, we have garage door openers.

Let’s hope we make up some lost time this week and can call in for a final inspection!

Posted on by Emily

Day 482

Hello and happy Winter!

We were all set to head out to the new house and see the progress this morning when we discovered black ice at our current house.

Better safe than sorry – but I really wanted to see the hardwoods all finished!

This is the stain sample I approved earlier this week. Classic. Timeless. I love it.

Painting is inching along…I’m loving the richness of the trim color. So much better than stark white.

This is our builder, Walt. He’s a good guy.

He does not know that I have this blog.

I cannot wait to get rid of all of this plastic and tape! Though I do appreciate the thorough prep work.

Meanwhile, back at the ranch, packing continues. I’m trying to stage most of the boxes upstairs in the middle of the house. Consequently, with the furniture against the wall, the dining room looks like a waiting room.

Bu is waiting for us to tell him what is going on.

He’ll find out soon!

Posted on by Emily

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!

Posted on by Emily · 3 Comments

Day 461

Hey, hey!

There has been good progress this week as we enter the “home” stretch.

We have lighting! They won’t install the decorative fixtures until the painting is done (because this isn’t my first rodeo and and I know how that goes and don’t want them to be damaged).

Fun fact: I arrived on Tuesday and they were installing recessed lights. I noticed that they were installing gimbal lights everywhere. I mentioned that I had specified gimbal lights on my reflected ceiling plans in just a handful of places (8 total out of 40+ on the recessed lights) and wasn’t sure why all of them were being installed as gimbals. I said no problem to install gimbals everywhere as long as it wouldn’t be at a greater cost (which I knew it would be). After a review of the play on the field, it turns out our builder didn’t catch it on the order and it would have been a $1000+ cost increase to install all gimbals, so they quickly started replacing those gimbals with the 4″ LED, 2700K, dimmable, fixtures I had specified to begin with (in great detail).

(stepping off soap box)

I delivered the cupola this week!

It arrived to our current address like this:

They had called to let me know that the driver would *call* and schedule a delivery window. Well, no call came, and though I was home, no one rang the door bell or in any way let me know they were on their way, so they decided to show up and dump this 100+lb pallet in my flower bed. This company will be receiving a detailed customer experience review from me.

In other news, all of the tile is complete and they have grouted everything. The kitchen backsplash is looking lovely.

In this photo, the grout is still wet and thus darker than it will appear dried. I came in and commented about the darkness of the grout and was told not to touch…

So, I went upstairs to check out the master bath.

The shower is in and looking enormous.

The hidden niches are going to keep things looking halfway decent on a daily basis.

Not that anyone will be seeing this other than the two of us…

Speaking of things no one else will see (including me, hopefully) Joshua’s closet is coming together! I am calculating how to fit a wall-mounted ironing board into this setup. I have an outlet for the iron, but am still doing some math on the clearances once there is clothing hanging. I’ll make it work.

In other exciting news, they have almost finished the stairs!

Our base newel post is gigantic and I love it. It’s going to be stunning once it’s stained.

The fireplaces are really coming together with all of the mantel surrounds in place.

Cannot wait to see these painted!

Speaking of painted, everything is being covered up, taped off, and primed, so it all looks like a version of this.

My final paint schedule has been submitted and I can’t wait to see each room come to life!

Meanwhile, Barry D. (my dad) has been working on the library built-ins in his “shop” (garage) at my parents’ house.

It will be so special to have something he built in our house.

I have selected these pendant pulls for the built-in cabinet hardware, which I realized are very similar to the pulls my grandmother had in her kitchen at her 1890’s home she remodeled in the 1960’s.

It’s funny how deeply the spaces we grew up in influence our lives, though it’s not always obvious. I am constantly asking my clients to dig deep into the homes that have influenced them. And, now, being the “client”, I realize how unconscious many of these influences can be until they are pointed out to you.

On top of all of the exciting progress, I had a special visit from my friend Jessica and her daughter, Sophia.

We had planned to take a long walk, but it was quite brisk and windy so we did a short walk along the property perimeter. Along the way, Sophia stopped many times to say hello to our neighbor’s horses and by the end of the walk, she insisted on wearing her mother’s gloves, where were the size of her head.

I convinced her shortly thereafter that a snack on the front porch would be a good idea. She proceeded to outeat both me and her mother, while also managing to fit in a wave to the painters inside every few minutes.

Lastly on site, they’ve installed the garage sconces.

Meanwhile, at our current house, the packing has begun.

Bu is helping, as always.

Posted on by Emily · 2 Comments

Day 454

It’s been a big week!

First and foremost, WE HAVE POWER!!! This is a huge deal because it means we can now do all of the things necessary to finish the house. And by we, I mean all of the tradesman, contractors, installers, etc.

Related to this critical development – we have heat! I was able to be in the house without 47 layers on today.

We had a little family site visit today, and though, as I mentioned, we have heat and the climate was practically tropical inside the house, old habits die hard for Eugene and for Kath, who wore her earmuffs the entire time she was inside.

The other major event was the countertop installation! I am at a loss for words to describe my love for the kitchen countertops. I practically wept tears of joy when I walked in and saw the island.

As I shared a while back, it was a journey to find these slabs, and my love for them grows each day.

I will try to pull it together.

I learned the other day that soapstone is extremely heavy and that this island slab weighs approximately 1,100 pounds. I’m really glad I did not witness the guys putting this in place.

In the laundry room, we have leathered black granite. I love the texture.

I put quartz in the (very dusty) master bath and hall bath so we don’t have to worry about ruining the countertops with beauty products, which are the devil when it comes to natural stone.

I almost always do a taller than standard backsplash in bathrooms because 4″ just doesn’t catch all of life’s splashes. These are 6″. I find straight backsplashes to be terribly blocky and dull, so I threw in a curve.

The walls aren’t grouted yet in the hall bath, but I am loving the niches.

The brick fireplace hearth and surround is coming along in the living room! These bricks are from the same lot used at my grandmother’s house, which are from an old jail.

The mantel surround is in progress in the library.

Also in progress for the library are the built-ins. My dad is building them for us so I sent him this design package I put together of the plan, elevations, perspectives, exploded versions, lumber cuts and layouts, and notes. It’s quite a project, but it will mean so much to have something he built in our home.

Fingers crossed for another week of major progress!

Posted on by Emily

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…

Posted on by Emily

Day 428

We have officially entered the stage of interior finishes.

Translation: pretty stuff is going in.

The library is packed with all of the interior doors that they started installing today.

We have a lot of doors.

Master bedroom and closet doors…and master bath tile waiting patiently to be installed tomorrow…

And my Dutch doors! Can’t wait to see these in the mudroom. The trim guy sent me into a panic this morning when he called to asked where “the doors that are cut in half” go. I was about to tell him “back to the supplier” until it occurred to me that he was talking about the Dutch doors.

The trim guy and I also went over my transom details today. I’m *so* excited to see these go in. Major new old house detail.

They are getting ready to start on the trim, an element that can make or break a house. This, my friends, is not an area to skimp on. Case in point: we are doing 9 1/4″ tall baseboards downstairs and 7 1/4″ tall upstairs. Merry Christmas to me!

Other exciting things: floors!

The hardwoods are in (though they won’t be sanded and finished until the end (which is a good thing because I would be the floor scratch police otherwise)).

A peek into the kitchen from the rear hall. Cabinets coming Saturday! This view will look quite different in a week.

I can barely contain myself.

The mudroom brick floors are in. The grout will really take it over the top, but that won’t be happening until there is heat in the house (which is still a few weeks a way thanks to county electric nonsense).

Last exciting thing for the day: guest bath floor! I am a sucker for a classic basketweave.

I’ll be back out to Meadowcrest tomorrow to meet with my door hardware guru and to see other developments on the door, trim, and tile fronts.

Stay tuned for rapid fire updates over the next two weeks!