Backyard

Over the last few weeks, we have had some work done in our back - yard/mudpit/garbage pile.  It isn't a mudpit or garbage pile anymore...more like a patio now.

Re-doing the crumbling retaining wall that holds back the city dog park and cemetery

Those are all of our rocks.  They had to park on the main street and bring them down our court pallet by pallet.

Updates

A few things to show that have been done recently:

Railings



Stained boards in hallways

Family Room



Columns





Barn Door On Office

The barn door, that we have had since starting on the house a while ago, is now up.
(Office Door - in the entrance hallway.)

Laundry Room

We haven't put any updates up lately (we have been a little busy with a new kiddo).

So, here is just a quick update on the latest thing completed...the laundry room.

It is on the second floor, adjacent to the master closet and across the hall from the baby's bedroom.

It is easily the room that the second most amount of time is spent in (kitchen being first)...which makes it great to have it so close to all the bedrooms!

Stone Porch is Complete

Just need to get the columns up and some handrails.  There are three columns eventually going on top of each of the three stone pillars. 
(And...of course, someday some landscaping.)

Newly Completed Things: Stairs & Master Closet & Other News

Here is an update on what has been going on, so you don't all think we haven't been doing anything lately:

  D has been super super busy trying to get as many things done, before the baby gets here in just a few weeks.  He had a lot of projects to complete, in order for us to get our Certificate of Occupancy from the city.  He successfully completed everything that needed to get done, with some help again from his parents...thanks parents! (A lot of temporary fixes, just to meet codes). Plus a carpenter came to finish some of the other things that needed to be done in order to meet code.  So, the good news is that we received the C of O from the city...which is great because now the bank will get off our backs to get things finished and lock in our construction loan (which we have had to extend numerous times, due to builder problems, and the bank was not very happy with us for all the extensions...and we were not happy with all the extra fees!). 

All of that stress could not be going away at a better time than now, because of what is about to happen in less than three weeks in our family.  There is still A LOT to complete, but the heavy stress is now somewhat lifted.

Stair treads and banister/railings are in.  This is great, because what we previously had were rough, loose pieces of wood that everyone kept tripping on.

The outside steps for the front porch were poured, and not pictured is a temporary railing that D built (again with super beautiful curb appeal) just to get through the inspection. 
Obviously, there is still a ton of work to be done out here: Columns, Stonework, Railings, etc, but at least we have steps to get in the house now (rather than a ramp or a box to boost yourself up on!)

I finished up the master closet one day with the kids help.  Nesting instinct kicked in that day I think...because I had been procrastinating on it for a while.  (Oh IKEA I love the end result...but the assembly process really is less than desirable!)

Kitchen 99% Complete...and a look back...

 



The kitchen/dining room are about 99% complete.  Just some minor carpentry and tiny bit of paint to take care of. 
The hood vent is now up...which is a great improvement, since it keeps the house from being so stinky.

Here is a look back at the steps it took to get the kitchen where it is today:

Kitchen before house project started.

Kitchen Demo August 2010

January 2010

February 2010

Today! 
All cabinets and appliances are IKEA:
-  RAMSJO White Doors/AKURUM Frames 
- NUTID appliances (Whirlpool for IKEA) 
- Countertops: Silestone Amazon Grey
-Backsplash: Ann Sacks Beige Glass

Doorknobs

Another exciting bit of progress...we now have doorknobs on all of the doors! 
(Thanks to some help from D's parents this weekend, knocking out a misc. punch list of things to get done.)
We know those of you that have used a bathroom at our house, while we didn't have doorknobs, will find this very exciting!

A couple recent developments

The kitchen backsplash is finally done. (It looks greenish in this picture, but it isn't green...it is tan/greyish glass.) 
Just need to get the hood up and finish the molding.

The concrete for the front porch was poured, and is now awaiting someone to do the steps, pillars and stonework.

Exterior Painting

The exterior caulking and painting is (almost) done. 
Porch, steps and cultured stone around the foundation are next on the list in the following days.

A Few More Completed Projects

D finished painting the kids bathroom last week. 
Now we just need mirrors and doorknobs...then that room is good to go!

  

D also painted the pantry this weekend and put up shelves. 
This might not seem like a big deal, but to me it is HUGE!  After having to trek down to the basement for stuff like this, for years, it is probably my second favorite thing in the house. (First is still the washer and dryer on the 2nd floor.)

*Stay tuned for more updates, because the house exterior painting is almost complete...it should be done in the next couple days.  The front porch and steps will be poured, hopefully, within the week also. 
 That will be a big day, considering the dangerous plywood porch, home-made steps and ramps that we have been living with.

More Painting

Last week we settled with the builder, and we are now able to work with our first choice builder, who has recently been approved by our bank. 

In the past two weeks we had some caulking, painting, and other exterior work done on the house.  And I (D, duh) painted the master bedroom.