Posted on by Emily

Day 434

We are moving at quite a clip!

Master tile is underway.

Our shower valves have blankies so they don’t get too cold.

Master vanity is in. The tower and fronts will go on after the countertop is installed.

Butler’s pantry cabinets installed by yours truly and my A-team (Dad, Josh, Julia, and Nate). I’m already plotting to paint these cabinets, the walls, and the trim a deep, moody color.

And laundry cabinets. The trim guys will build laundry basket cubbies in the middle so I can have a big folding surface along this wall.

The farm sink will be Bu’s spa. He’s excited…not.

I am just smitten with the brick floor in the mudroom, the tall baseboards, the dutch doors, and the transoms.

But, the true love of my life is the kitchen.

I’m dead.

I can’t even.

Ok, back to the progress report.

Stairs!

Newel posts and balusters. Our base newel post is massive and I love it.

The top of it is almost as big as my head!

Outside, the porch ceilings were going in and the gutters and downspouts were being installed as I was leaving this morning.

Lots of things happening!

Posted on by Emily

Day 290

Well things have improved slightly in the last week.

They have corrected the bulk of the framing issues and are tackling the final items.

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The dining room chimney is FINALLY underway.  I have asked about this 147 times because it’s such a critical element to the look of this side of the house.

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Speaking of chimneys, they have framed out the fireplace walls inside – woohoo! This is in the dining room on the other side of the wall we were just looking at.

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This is in the living room.

You’ll notice, we are missing the chimney here.  A chimney had been built, but upon inspection of the measurements, it was not the right size.

The chimney is being rebuilt.

That’s all I will say about that.

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Some good news: we can now walk down the basement stairs somewhat safely.

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More good news: they’re almost finished moving the dirt for the driveway so we’ll actually be able to park in the garage.

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There is still a lot of dirt to move.  Our chia pet dirt pile is thriving in the backyard.

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Meanwhile, in the front yard, Josh, my dad, and my brother-in-law were getting our 4 rail fence started.

I think the only reason they agreed to do this work themselves was so they could rent a skid steer.

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If 2020 were a fence…

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Don’t worry, they got it straightened out and set in concrete.

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Looking much better!

Still a long way to go…

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The guys also worked along our easement road, digging ditches to help with the water runoff issue so that there will be a road left by the time we’re ready to move in.

I’ve been recruited to help with the fence project next weekend.  Please send help.

Posted on by Emily

Day 243

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

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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…

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… 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.

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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.

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My kitchen!

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Which will eventually look like this!

But probably not for 6 months…sigh.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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