This was a week of plumbers and electricians. Unlike Nelson's workers, who are here at 6:45 every morning, they work more normal hours, arriving around 8 a.m. and working until about 5:00.
Plumbing required zero effort or decision-making on my part. The plans show the appliance locations so that's all the plumbers need to finish the job.
Lighting, on the other hand, was a different story.
Surface mount or recessed lights? If recessed, how many and where? Which switches should control which lights, and where should they be placed? What about outlets--what's the best location? And so on, and so on.
In case you are wondering, yes, it has crossed my mind that I am somewhat challenged in the lighting department.
But with help from Cathee, Kent and Sheila (aka the lighting gurus) and some very patient electricians, I think we have ended up with a good lighting plan. We decided not to hang anything from the Gothic vaulted ceiling, and will instead use cove lighting there in addition to the nearby cans. So, for now, all we need to do is find two pendants for the island.
Just in case we change our minds later, we have wiring roughed into two more places: up above the vault, and also on either side of the two windows facing the garage. If we decide to add more lights down the road, it will be relatively easy.
In other news, we are zeroing in on cabinet color, counters, and even backsplash tile. It looks like Dover White paint, Pan Gold granite, and possibly Calcutta Gold marble subway tile with a beveled edge, which we just found today at Sunderland's, a tile place recommended by my friend Judy. I remembered looking there with her as soon as Doyle and I walked through the door this morning. (And by the way, kudos to Sunderland's for being open on Saturday; many showrooms aren't.)
Best of all, they also carry the elusive brand of floor tile that can be made in a 1x2" herringbone mosaic, to match our front entry tile! I gave Flooring Gallery every chance to get the business, since they sent over the tile guru who got me started in the right direction, but they kept promising quotes and never called me back. Sunderlands, in contrast, sent us home with a quote and a color sample, with marble samples arriving in the mail soon.
It all feels so real! And thanks to good space heaters, the basement kitchen, considerate workers and even warmer weather and some sun, we are actually enjoying the progress.
Saturday, February 27, 2010
Saturday, February 20, 2010
At long last, copper
Despite five inches of snow yesterday, the copper roof is now in place. It looks even better than I hoped it would, reflecting the sun whenever the sun manages to come out. I'm enjoying this new-penny phase while it lasts. Soon enough, it will turn dull brown, then eventually greenish.
Because the copper guys and their scaffolding took up most of the driveway, Chad and Jordan weren't here yesterday. That meant I could do some laundry during the day instead of waiting until evening, write copy in a quiet house instead of a noisy coffee shop, and even sit down with a book at lunchtime. Never before have I savored a bowl of chicken noodle soup the way I did yesterday in my quiet, sunny family room.
Last night, I made chicken breasts, buttermilk mashed potatoes, and string beans in the basement kitchen. The roads were awful and I was so thankful we could enjoy a relaxing dinner at home instead of venturing out.
The best part? Doyle did all the dishes.
Because the copper guys and their scaffolding took up most of the driveway, Chad and Jordan weren't here yesterday. That meant I could do some laundry during the day instead of waiting until evening, write copy in a quiet house instead of a noisy coffee shop, and even sit down with a book at lunchtime. Never before have I savored a bowl of chicken noodle soup the way I did yesterday in my quiet, sunny family room.
Last night, I made chicken breasts, buttermilk mashed potatoes, and string beans in the basement kitchen. The roads were awful and I was so thankful we could enjoy a relaxing dinner at home instead of venturing out.
The best part? Doyle did all the dishes.
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
From old cabinets, new homes
A really nice guy from Habitat for Humanity is busy loading up the old cabinets to take to their ReStore, on 2nd Avenue in Des Moines.
ReStore is open to the public, and sells donated new and gently used home improvement materials. The proceeds are all used to build Habitat homes in Des Moines. Habitat is able to build seven or eight additional homes every year, thanks to proceeds from the ReStore.
I'm so happy about this. Not only are we keeping the old cabinets out of a landfill, we're helping to build a home for someone in need.
For the ReStore's hours, address, and an update on what's in stock, visit www.dmhabitatrestore.org. Current inventory includes cabinets, granite scraps, tile, rugs, and more--maybe I should extend my lighting search!
ReStore is open to the public, and sells donated new and gently used home improvement materials. The proceeds are all used to build Habitat homes in Des Moines. Habitat is able to build seven or eight additional homes every year, thanks to proceeds from the ReStore.
I'm so happy about this. Not only are we keeping the old cabinets out of a landfill, we're helping to build a home for someone in need.
For the ReStore's hours, address, and an update on what's in stock, visit www.dmhabitatrestore.org. Current inventory includes cabinets, granite scraps, tile, rugs, and more--maybe I should extend my lighting search!
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
Gut reaction
Oh. My. Goodness.
Just one day later, the plaster is down, the walls are down, and the new space is revealed in all its dusty glory.
It's so much bigger than I ever imagined. It looks positively cavernous.
And the views are just what I hoped for (apart from the plastic inside, and the snow outside).
At noon today, Chad and Jordan were knee-deep in rubble. Tonight, we can walk through the space and dream about what it will look like when it's done.
We don't have an updated completion date estimate yet, but I'll share it when we do. For now, I'm just thrilled to see the space reveal itself.
Just one day later, the plaster is down, the walls are down, and the new space is revealed in all its dusty glory.
It's so much bigger than I ever imagined. It looks positively cavernous.
And the views are just what I hoped for (apart from the plastic inside, and the snow outside).
At noon today, Chad and Jordan were knee-deep in rubble. Tonight, we can walk through the space and dream about what it will look like when it's done.
We don't have an updated completion date estimate yet, but I'll share it when we do. For now, I'm just thrilled to see the space reveal itself.
Sunday, February 14, 2010
Just call me Old Mother Hubbard
The cupboards are bare.
The poor dog is at the sitter's.
The basement kitchen is fully outfitted, and awaits only a refrigerator and a range.
The breakfast zone in the dining room has a microwave, mini-fridge, and coffeemaker at the ready.
I even remembered to document Will and Anna's height markings on the kitchen wall. (They were made in pencil, but I wrote over them with a Sharpie for photographic purposes.)
I guess we're as ready as we'll ever be.
Bring on the demolition!
The poor dog is at the sitter's.
The basement kitchen is fully outfitted, and awaits only a refrigerator and a range.
The breakfast zone in the dining room has a microwave, mini-fridge, and coffeemaker at the ready.
I even remembered to document Will and Anna's height markings on the kitchen wall. (They were made in pencil, but I wrote over them with a Sharpie for photographic purposes.)
I guess we're as ready as we'll ever be.
Bring on the demolition!
Friday, February 12, 2010
A little crush that's not going anywhere
In the spirit of the Valentine season, I have a new crush to report.
I've fallen for yet another beautiful light fixture, a circa 19o0 Fostoria pendant, and it's even more out-of-the-price-range than previous finds. I really don't know how I do it.
We met on a website for a Kansas City antique lighting store, and I promptly fell in love despite the exorbitant price, and despite the fact they only have one light in stock, which is clearly not enough. In short: too much money for not enough light.
It brings to mind the old joke:
"The food here is terrible!"
"I know, and the portions are so small!"
If we found three lights in this price range, we might have to re-use the old laminate countertop—chips, burns, and all. *Shudder.*
The whole lighting search is starting to feel like a quest that will never end. I thought I had settled on the handblown bell jars, only to hear from our architect that two smaller pendants with down lighting would work much better over the island. (One or two of the bell jars still might work in the office, hanging from the vaulted ceiling.)
I've obsessively revisited every to-the-trade lighting site provided by Cynthia, re-checked East End Brass, Rejuvenation, Restoration Hardware and Pottery Barn, and spent more time online than I care to admit.
I'm starting to think we should just find some inexpensive lights that are fine for now, and use them as placeholders until we find the perfect hand-made or antique fixtures.
But then I think about the garage drywall. Since 2001, it's been raw drywall with no tape, no mudding and no paint. It's really hard to go back to a job once it's more or less finished to take care of final details.
I've fallen for yet another beautiful light fixture, a circa 19o0 Fostoria pendant, and it's even more out-of-the-price-range than previous finds. I really don't know how I do it.
We met on a website for a Kansas City antique lighting store, and I promptly fell in love despite the exorbitant price, and despite the fact they only have one light in stock, which is clearly not enough. In short: too much money for not enough light.
It brings to mind the old joke:
"The food here is terrible!"
"I know, and the portions are so small!"
If we found three lights in this price range, we might have to re-use the old laminate countertop—chips, burns, and all. *Shudder.*
The whole lighting search is starting to feel like a quest that will never end. I thought I had settled on the handblown bell jars, only to hear from our architect that two smaller pendants with down lighting would work much better over the island. (One or two of the bell jars still might work in the office, hanging from the vaulted ceiling.)
I've obsessively revisited every to-the-trade lighting site provided by Cynthia, re-checked East End Brass, Rejuvenation, Restoration Hardware and Pottery Barn, and spent more time online than I care to admit.
I'm starting to think we should just find some inexpensive lights that are fine for now, and use them as placeholders until we find the perfect hand-made or antique fixtures.
But then I think about the garage drywall. Since 2001, it's been raw drywall with no tape, no mudding and no paint. It's really hard to go back to a job once it's more or less finished to take care of final details.
Monday, February 1, 2010
Details, details
As the exterior details start to take shape, our neighbors are getting as excited as we are. (Could this be a sign they were tired of looking at first the demolished wall, then the green tarp, then the plywood, then the Tyvek?) It's great fun. I love hearing that people like the look of the additions, and think the design does justice to our house.
Meanwhile, I'm starting to focus more on interior details. I found a light I really loved on the cover of a remodeling magazine (thanks to Sheila for the continued supply!) and checked out the manufacturer. It's East End Brass in Darien, Connecticut. They make custom bell jar lights with hand-blown glass, which can be hand-cut or etched in the design of your choice, and in any finish you could want.
I've also found some simple, elegant Gothic lanterns, and some that are extremely cool but A) too elaborate and B) too churchlike. Which is definitely a risk when you're going down the Gothic road.
I'm wondering whether to have one or two lights over the island, which is about five feet long. Ted from East End Brass thought one of their smaller lights would be plenty. We'd have another light over the kitchen sink, and a third (possibly a larger bell jar) in the office area, hanging from the Gothic vault of the ceiling. There will be recessed lighting, too. Feel free to weigh in with your thoughts!
It feels premature to decide on a style of light without seeing the cabinets, but wiring will be the first thing to happen after they break through and demolish the existing kitchen.
And given the cold, gray winter we've been enduring, having enough light in the new kitchen is a definite priority -- or as Anna would say, "a must-have."
Meanwhile, I'm starting to focus more on interior details. I found a light I really loved on the cover of a remodeling magazine (thanks to Sheila for the continued supply!) and checked out the manufacturer. It's East End Brass in Darien, Connecticut. They make custom bell jar lights with hand-blown glass, which can be hand-cut or etched in the design of your choice, and in any finish you could want.
I've also found some simple, elegant Gothic lanterns, and some that are extremely cool but A) too elaborate and B) too churchlike. Which is definitely a risk when you're going down the Gothic road.
I'm wondering whether to have one or two lights over the island, which is about five feet long. Ted from East End Brass thought one of their smaller lights would be plenty. We'd have another light over the kitchen sink, and a third (possibly a larger bell jar) in the office area, hanging from the Gothic vault of the ceiling. There will be recessed lighting, too. Feel free to weigh in with your thoughts!
It feels premature to decide on a style of light without seeing the cabinets, but wiring will be the first thing to happen after they break through and demolish the existing kitchen.
And given the cold, gray winter we've been enduring, having enough light in the new kitchen is a definite priority -- or as Anna would say, "a must-have."
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