Is it Really the End?

Seven months into a 3 to 4 month project, I can finally say all the large projects are completed. 

Since I highly doubt there is any interest in seeing how my decorating comes along, I will probably forgo any updates for quite some time.

The house is comfortable and both Todd and I have become consumed by work, spring sports, grilling out with friends, and of course Hera.  Therefore, this will be my last post unless we complete any other major changes.

We still need to update the front porch, paint the front door surroundings, landscape the back yard, and eventually paint the outside of the house but these projects are on an indefinite hold.  Until then, below is the latest and last update. 

I looked at my last post and here are some areas I didn't show then.

Todd's mancave is finished except for decorating and hopefully a mantle for the fireplace.  It went from a small, dark room to an open and comfortable living space.  See for yourself!



Before



After




Before




Before



After



We also finally got our two banisters replaced! 


Before- metal green


After- Wood



Banister Upstairs- Matching Wood



 We also did some more decorating in a few rooms...


Before- Left Wall so Plain


After- Wall Art Hung



Living Room- No Curtains and Permits Still in Window





New Curtains





I'm also very happy to say we finished the downstairs bathroom.  It even has heated floors!  



Sink & Toilet in One Room




Wall of Pipes Separating Sink/Toilet from the Room with a Shower





New, Larger, One Room Bathroom!





Some Humor for Any Boys Visiting ;)





Nice, Large Shower for Guests



 I also finally was able to get some yard work completed!  The yard was a mess and it took almost two days just to get up the leaves.  Luckily Todd bought a leaf blower! 



See Todd Work.  Pretty amazing, right? ;)







The Side of the House Before- branch pile and over grown brush!





Side of House After- with a good trimming, mulch, and a rose bush





Front of House Before- decent but debris from trimming tree and nothing eye-catching





Front of House After- simple changes bring depth and it looks much better!





Before- overgrown and boring




After- the dwarf spruces make all the difference!





At least we inherited these beauties!

  I actually had to save the best for last.  I never knew how expensive patio furniture was until now.  When I initially started looking everything that I liked was in the $3,000 to $4,000 range.  Obviously that wasn't happening.  I was so excited when I found a patio set that I loved that was well under $4,000.

We are looking forward to many cookouts and parties this summer!

 It's been fun but as I said in the beginning, all majors projects are completed.  That's not to say we still don't have our work cut out for us but it feels so good to know we made this house our own.  Now pray that we can sell it in the next two years for a major profit so we can do this all over again!



Hera and I say "Cheers" to everyone who followed us through this adventure!



The Finish Line is in View!

I can't believe it's been almost a month since my last post!  This is partially due to the fact that the house kept us very busy the past month because we are now down to our "punch list."  Also, I was very happy to take some time away from the house and spent a fun couple of days in Chicago for business.

I came home Friday night to quite a few changes in the house!  I was very happy to see many minor and major projects completed.  We finally have a comfortable living situation which tones down my stress level.

Although things are coming together, there is still a lot of work to do including decorating the interior.  Right now I feel like we are living in a barren shell with no character. 

Enough blabbing- let me just show you the progress!

Before- Back Part of Addition



After- Just Needs Decorating





After- Left Wall of Addition



Before- Entrance into Addition




After- Entrance into Addition



Before- Living Room




After- Living Room




After- Living Room (Cherry Blossoms Outside)



Before- Kitchen



After- Kitchen




After- Kitchen Island- Open Concept




After- Dining Room after Opening Kitchen




After- Great Room



Before- Upstairs Guest Bathroom




After- Upstairs Guest Bathroom



Before- Left Side of Downstairs Guest Room




After- Left Side of Downstairs Guest Room



I sadly must say that with all of the progress, I can't wait for the appraisal.  Although we planned on staying here for a few years, building a house from the ground up would be a good next challenge!

Until then, I'm looking forward to summer drinks on the deck and yes, Josh and Brandon, eventually a hot tub!

The Roller Coaster of Emotions

It's been another few weeks of emotional up's and down's. 

We were so excited to have the flooring installed in the downstairs living room, foyer, and hallway!  Total Floors once again did amazing work in a small amount of time.  Now the entire look of the downstairs has changed.  However, in effort to finish the bedroom downstairs we had to move all furniture stored in that room into the downstairs living room. 

Flooring going down

Flooring now covered by items previously stored in bedroom downstairs 

Unfortunately our countertops were to be installed on Tuesday but due to the range and downdraft system not properly installed, the countertops were on hold.  We then discovered that for the system to work we had to cut the drawers which really meant ordering new drawers.  I was heated to say the least and I was NOT going to wait another 5 weeks for new drawers.  I suggested using a seam in the silestone to accommodate the downdraft system which ended up being the resolution!

Unfortunately they have to come back out, charge us extra, and measure again on Monday.  We are supposed to have the countertops installed on Wednesday.  We did have the counterops for the other part of the cabinets laid but they aren't fully installed yet.  I love the color and can't wait to install the ming green marble backsplash!

It's nice to have some type of countertop to work on!

The floors were a great success and the countertops a huge failure but at least we had one more project that came together nicely.  The downstairs bathroom tiling has been completed.  There is minor touch up work left but we're happy with the progress.

Even though this wasn't our original plan and was done on a very low budget, it turned out great. 

Double vanity- one handle needs fixed

shower with glass tiles

Unfortunately the roller coaster took a big drop after the bathroom.  Our 12 foot patio door was supposed to arrive on March 3rd.  By March 6th, I called and asked where the door was.  Unfortunately no one could give me a good answer.  After a few words with a Manager, our door arrived today (with a discount).  We are looking forward to it being installed this weekend.  It will go where the bay window and door are below. 

Another set back in my office was that we couldn't find a stain to match the original wood beams where we had to repair some spots.  Therefore, we had to paint the beams white. The look is clean and acceptable; however, we were trying to keep some of the integrity of the original house so it was a bit disappointing.

Wood beams before



Wood beams after

 Todd and I had to get away from this emotional ride for a weekend and we are looking forward to seeing my family in NC this weekend.  I also found out my sister is having her third girl!!

We are hoping to come back to several more projects completed including the new 12 foot patio door in my office!  Cross your fingers!!