Phase 1 - Complete

When last I posted, we were "nearly" completed, now - we "are" complete with the 1st Phase (our home) remodel.  The few things we were lacking consisted of our pendent light over the island, now in

Our window coverings - since we LOVE our big ol' windows and the light they let in - we didn't want to cover them up so we opted for sunshades and really think we made the right choice.  They provide a bit of privacy, but don't block out the sunlight.  The shades are down in this picture so you can see how well we can see out, while letting the light in.

 The longest wait we experienced was the railing.  It didn't get installed until the end of January - they were actually pulling off the job just as the first flakes of the huge record breaking snow storm hit - you know, the storm that lasted for 3 days and literally buried us. We love our big new porch and are hoping my Dad will share one of those new benches he's been making so we can put it here (hint, hint) -

Once the railing was finally installed, we were able to secure the final on our building permit, construction officially over with - and say "good-bye" and "thank-you" to Jason (the awesome builder).  We have been adjusting, and slowly putting back together, our lives and home.  Here are a few pictures of how we're doing.  This is the new view from our front entry, as we open the door to invite you in.

Here's the "before" picture - or the "old" view

Looking down the hall into the "old" kitchen (sheeze, can we say clutter???) looks like it's need of a makeover!

New view (much better!)

Here is our living room.  Not a lot different here except the shutters.  Did I mention the dry cleaners ruined our drapes when I took them in to be cleaned?  Can't remember if I posted about that whole ordeal or not...but, they did so we decided we'd take down the curtain rods, repair the walls, repaint and invested in shutters.  Done -

This is a favorite little area for me, and our grand kiddies - it's "their area", the closet is full of all my "grandma" things, toys, games, crafts and activities, complete with their little table.  So far, they like it too.

 This is "my" office space (Curt has a room, but I have a space), which suits me just fine, it has all I need, including my favorite chair.

This is the new family room/entertainment area, where the garage "was".

Here's the dinning room

 Haven't shared too much of what's been going on downstairs - but it's slowly coming together now and I doubt I'll post about this part anymore - so excuse our dust (or clutter) - here is the "old" family room, now the exercise room.  The room we now enter into our home from the garage.  It's been freshly painted and is slowly being set up 

Here's the "old" wall, right before they cut the new door through

Now kids, were you hoping worried we'd given away all of our "sailing" memorabila and you'd never see it again????  Well, never fear, some things we couldn't part with - remember these pictures -

 

 

After our visit to the Mediterranean last year Curt and I fell in love with the rugs from Turkey and brought one home with us - we wanted to accent our home with a few more in the remodel process.  This is the one we chose for our living room

 and added 2 in the hall -

 

So, Jason (the builder) successfully completed our rennovation in pretty much the time estimated, no surprises, and one VERY happy couple.  Thanks again Jason (Island Construction), call him if you need anything.

 

Here's what our home looked like 1 year ago -

the architect's concept -

and the completed project.  What do you think - Yes, I'll take it!

PHASE 2 -

Now - the beginnings of the next phase.  Jason, the amazing builder, returned last week (on Valentines Day to be exact!), and started the process of our next phase, the landscaping.  We made a deposit with RockScapes to come and do the heavy work last fall and in preparation for them to begin (sometime soon we hope), we had our back deck removed.  I loved that deck - I just wanted to redo it but Curt and Brandon kept telling me it should go, and when Jason confirmed it, I sadly agreed -

 

 Snow, SO much snow -

and....it's gone.  Just like that.  I was hoping to find some memorable little trinkets of years long past, when the kids lived here and I was always yelling asking them to stay out from underneath that deck, but sadly, all that was there was a few old garden containers and one great big hole.

and lots and lots of snow ----

We are so very pleased, and the biggest part is over.  We LOVE our new home