Progress

Hi Everyone,
  Sorry about my absence of late.  I know, I know... I promised I would write faithfully.  Somehow, life got in the way.  We went on a little holiday to the cottage and I just haven't been able to get back into the swing of things.  But now I'm back and boy, oh boy, you should see the changes.
  I'm going to catch you up with what has happened.  We have finalized the kitchen design.  It looks amazing and is in production right now.  The electrical, plumbing and HVAC stuff is complete - at least until the drywall is done and we can install finishes.  Everything is looking pretty good.  Our timelines are decent and we are really working our budget... squeeeeezing every last drop out.
  Last week drywalling began.  I think that creates the most dramatic change when it comes to a renovation.  Suddenly, we have rooms!  Especially since we opened up the walls on the main floor. Everything was just looking so crummy.  Dusty, dirty, messy and well, unfinished.

  This is the kitchen and main floor staircase.  Pretty gross, huh?

This is the closet and built-in area of the master bedroom.  Also, pretty nasty.  

Front porch, practically falling in.  Yuck. 

I'm heading over there to take some new shots of what it looks like with drywall.  I think you'll appreciate them much more.  And I promise... no more long absences.  

 

Day 25

     Well, we have hit day 25 on this crazy project.  Sometimes I just how we are ever going to get it finished.  Jason assures me that we are right on schedule despite a few minor hitches.
      Here's where we are:  The house is still in its shell state - right down to the plaster and lath.  It's messy, dusty and dirty.  The plumbing rough-ins have happened.  The HVAC system is currently being installed.  The electrical layout has been planned and the installation of it is happening.
  We had a beautiful kitchen designed by Jennifer Teeple of Red Razberry Design Group.  The first version looks like this:

     We love this design.  Jennifer thought of things we sure didn't.  She is an excellent kitchen designer and very easy to work with.  She added pantry space and a mudroom near the back door.  She has also strongly suggested that we should use upper cabinets and not just open shelving.  We are going for the 'Modern Farmhouse' look with this kitchen and had planned to install thick shelving rather than the upper cabinets.  We've made a few modifications to this plan - and compromised on some of the shelving...

   Tracey and I even tried our hand at creating this kitchen with pieces from Ikea.  We were very successful at this with the help of Paul, a kitchen associate there.  The kitchen was lovely and included all the cabinetry, the sink and the butcher block counter-top for the island.  The price was really good and we went back and forth about it.  The savings would be great but the kitchen wouldn't have quite the high end look we are going for in this house.

   In the end, we have decided on a custom-built kitchen.  This will cost a bit more but will be worth it.  We get to choose the perfect colour for the cabinetry and everything will be exactly as we envision it.   I think some things are worth paying extra for.  Can't wait to show you the finished photos!