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.

Basement Remodel

Basement before

Basement After

basement before

Basement after

Basement Before

Basement after

Bathroom remodel

What we started with

Scott and Ian starting to demo

Scott and Ian clearing out the space

Christina excited to help out

Scott taking a breather

Tim helping tile

Our renovated bathroom

Beginnings

Our "beautiful" bathroom on moving day

Our master bedroom

A spare room

The highly functional kitchen

The living room

The back of the house

The front of the house on moving day

Here's some shots from when we first moved in, June 2007.