Drum Roll Please . . .

We got our building permit! Three weeks later than expected, but nonetheless, we got it. Maybe we’ll be pouring footings in 2009 after all.

On another note, our good friend Ian from Arizona is coming up for several days in late January for his job. He is very excited to pitch in and help us on our project while he’s in town. To describe Ian as a “motivated worker” would be the understatement of the century. Ian, Scott say’s he already tired knowing that you’re on your way. We look forward to seeing you!

I Can See Clearly Now . . .

That we got our windows! Scott and I ventured back to BMO (Building Material Outlet) over the weekend after learning that they had just unloaded a large truck shipment of windows. Lucky for us, we were able to purchase all the remaining windows for our kitchen and sunroom at deep discount prices.

Now if we could only get our permit . . .

Scott called for our silt fence inspection last Friday. Theoretically, we should be able to pick up our permit as soon as the inspection is approved.

I am still hoping to pour footings before the end of 2009!

Baby it's Cold Outside

Our unusually mild November has given way to an unusually bitter December. We are still waiting on our permit to come through. Last week Scott learned that before the city will issue a permit, we must install a silt fence. As a silt fence is designed to prevent erosion, we believed we would not need this precaution as our remodel is being done in the dead of winter, but we were wrong.
Yesterday afternoon Scott bundled up and headed into the 5 degree weather and hammered the silt fence into the frozen ground. We are hoping that the city will be lenient with the slightly “haphazard” install, and will issue the permit without further delay.

Let There Be Light

On Saturday, Scott and I went to the Builders Supply Warehouse in Eagan to look for windows for our addition. Back in May of 2008, we had great success at this warehouse and purchased discount windows for the entire front of our home. On this excursion, we didn’t have the same luck. We need approximately six windows for our addition, and we were only able to locate the smallest of the six: a 33 x 25 window for above my future kitchen sink. As the building boom has halted, so has the surplus of building supplies.

On a separate note, we are still waiting for our building permit to be approved by the city. Last week we received notice that they needed additional detail on our roof plan. Scott dropped off revised plans last Friday. I am assuming we should receive our approval sometime this week. If all goes as planned, we’ll be pouring footings by Saturday.

Light Fixtures

I’ve been scouring the internet for lighting options. After perusing multiple sights, I’ve come up with the seven options that fall within budget stipulations and meet my expectation for a classic, timeless kitchen. Let me know which option is your favorite.

#1: A smaller version of the one below. This is very pretty and very classic.

#2: I love the scope of this option. It has the widest diameter and I think it could be very dramatic over a round table. I really like this one!!

#3: I don't like the shades on this option so I would order without. However, I do like how old fashioned it appears. I also like that the "candles" are the same shade as the chandelier. Sometimes the white candles tend to look cheesey.

#4: This to me looks very classic. I like the crisp white shades

#5: This is a very feminine option. I like the bead detail and the exposed bulbs.

#6: I love the clear seeded hurricane shades.

#7: I like the simplicity of this option. I also like the exposed candelabra bulbs.

Bobcat

We had another terrific weather weekend; mid to upper 50’s on both Saturday and Sunday. We had an opportunity to borrow a bobcat from Scott’s work and planned to do some leveling and grading of the yard. Bobcats are certainly nifty. With the power of a small army, this device was able to make quick progress of multiple yard projects. We moved all the logs to a corner of our yard and began to move some dirt around. The shortfall of the bobcat was that the bucket was slightly too large to maneuver into small spaces. In almost all instances we had to bring the bobcat as close as possible to a location and then manually shovel the dirt into the bucket. I have officially decided that shoveling dirt is one of the most grueling tasks. I would rather haul bricks than shovel. In addition to leveling out various parts of the yard, Scott also replaced a dilapidated retaining wall with some new green treated lumber. Pictures will be posted soon . . .

First Purchase

I made my first kitchen purchase tonight, a Giagni chrome bridge faucet. Even though I want the rest of the hardware in my kitchen to be in a oil rubbed bronze finish, I really wanted the faucet to sparkle, and this certainly does. I can't wait for it to arrive!

Permit Time

Scott went to the city yesterday to drop off all of our plans for approval. Since our lot is partially wetlands, we originally thought we needed a survey. After getting bids on surveys (most were $1000+), we were thankful to learn that the city only requires a land plot, which we had our draftsman draw up at minimal cost. Hopefully our permit should be approved soon!

Last week we cleaned up our backyard from the tree trimming fiasco. All in all, we made twelve trips to the city brush dump. We still have a lot of wood left, if anyone is interested in firewood . . .

This Saturday we’re borrowing a bobcat and we’re going to do a little excavating and grading. I’ve never used a bobcat, but I am looking forward to the experience. After leveling our front yard by hand, I am excited to watch the bobcat accomplish what would be an otherwise grueling task. Let’s hope weather cooperates so we’re not stuck with a muddy mess.

Scott and I went to the Mpls. Home Show over the weekend. It was really quite puny and had we paid full price, I would have been disappointed. I did however learn the name of the countertop I would like (budget willing). Its granite called Black Pearl and it’s done in a silk finish, which basically means that it is slightly honed so it is not so shiny. I think another name for it is Opalescence.

Tree Trimming

After a rainy, cold, and dismal October, the first weekend of November opened with what October weather should have been: sunny, crisp, and mid-sixty temps. We took full advantage of the day and decided to tackle the one ton thorn in our side: an old Oak standing in the way of our bump out addition.

Neither of us are familiar with tree removal and the professional estimates ranged in the upper thousands. Thankfully Scott’s pal, Mark, used to do tree trimming on the side and graciously offered to lend us a hand. Here are some pictures to recap the day. All in all, we took out four ample scrub trees and one large Oak. No one was hurt in the process and no damage was done to property. However, there was one casualty of the day: the prized blow dryer that had been hanging in the back yard since move in day finally met its demise . . . so sad.

The Oak Tree blocking our bump out

The view of the swamp, full of overgrown scrub trees

The guys just getting ready

Mark getting positioned


The kitties were curious too

Timber . . .


The men tugging hard to ensure the tree falls the right direction
The tree partially down

Scott surveying the changes

Christina showing off the carnage

The previous owners left this hair dryer dangling in the trees. Our plan was to cut it down once the back of the house was complete, but it fell down on its own

Progress . . . slowly but surely

We finally received our completed plans back from our draftsman. It is fun to see the project on paper, although it makes my body tired just looking at all the hard work it will require.

It’s been one month since we decided to commence with the project. Sadly, not much has happened. We’ve received three bids on cabinets. Surprisingly, custom cabinet shops have furnished the best bids. Even cheapo Menards came in way over budget. I suppose this is a sign of the times. All the little, independent shops have been hit the hardest by the recession. Everyone is so hungry for work.

Now that the plans are in, here’s a list of our next steps:

1. Hire a survey of our lot
2. Bring the plans to the city to obtain a permit
3. Chop down the half dead Oak Tree that stands in the way of the bump-out.

Depending on how long it takes to get a permit, I am hopeful that we will be able to dig our footings by mid November. In order to keep the ground warm in the interim, Scott has covered it with hay.

Hopefully we’ll have pictures of our hole in the ground soon!

Things I Like

I am convinced that each house has its own personality. When making design decisions, it is crucial to take into account the style and feel the home. As we embark on our kitchen remodel, I want the kitchen to integrate into the existing feel of the home.

In keeping with a traditional cottage feel, below our some photos that serve as inspiration:

I like everything about this kitchen: dark counters, white shaker style cabinets, window above the sink, white subway tile backsplash. This is a look I hope to imitate

Love this traditional chrome fixture
I love the glass cabinets flanking the window as well as the white shaker style cabinetry

I love the dark counters with the white subway tile. I am hoping to imitate this classic style.

Birthday Bedroom Makeover

For my birthday I told Scott I would like to fix up our bedroom. Here's a smattering of pictures from the fixup.


The closet on move in day

The bedroom on move in day

The sign that I found on my door when I returned from work one evening Room before

closet before

Christina scraping the popcorn off the ceiling

Scott and Tim bumping up the ceiling trusses

Scott mudding the new ceiling--his favorite job!

Our new closet organization system

Front Facade Makeover Stage 2

In May 2009 we decided it was time to overhaul our uneven, weed infested front yard. We began tilling up the yard, bringing in loads of dirt to level. We then added a paver walkway and two new landscape beds full of plants.


Our neighbor girl helping spread the dirt

Christina helping spead the dirt

Scott and Tom resting. All ready for the pavers

Half way there

Our finished walkway

here comes the grass

Landscape bed one

landscape bed two

Nice to have something growing other than weeds

All finished and THRILLED with the results

Front Facade Makeover Stage 1

Over Memorial Day weekend, 2008, we started stage one of our front facade makeover. This included tearing off the beautiul "pickle green" siding and replacing it with hardie board. We also added new windows, doors, and lighting



Our starting point

Just getting started . . .

$120 for a brand new Pella window, what a deal

Christina thrilled by the one corner covered in non-green siding

Even this unfinished exterior looks like an improvement

Here's the house with new windows, siding, doors, and lights.