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

Week 16 - That's a wrap (almost)

We are so close to being complete on the outside - only the railing, rain gutter, finish electrical and the elusive garage door are all that remain.  With all the heavy snow we received over the weekend, it may be too late to get the rain gutter on until spring, but the railing is ordered and should be in the 2nd week of December.  Garage door...supposed to already be installed.  All was not lost, however, as we continued to push along inside.  Monday brought delivery of the furniture.  Our new dining table 

new couches

 my desk and working area

and Curt's new tv (want to come watch a movie? Not only does it look great, it sounds great with his surround sound)

Thursday the granite countertops were installed

and Friday the appliances

 my new kitchen -

Friday, the elusive garage door showed up (finally!), but was only partly installed.  I mean the door is installed, but none of the hardware on the inside is - so it is just sitting there, looking pretty but not functioning.  Jason (the builder) is pretty frustrated with the situation - well, he's not the only one! 

This is how we look now (good thing it's a BIG new driveway)

Yes, our POD was also delivered on Friday.  Too bad we can't move the stuff from inside the POD to the garage, like we planned to do this weekend

Saturday, bright and early, Jason (the builder) showed up to install the backsplash.  We choose a frosted subway tile.  I like it!

 

All that remains inside to complete now (for Jason the builder) is the final electrical and plumbing - which is scheduled for this Monday and Tuesday.  So, with nothing left to do on our home Jason really did leave. Just like that - 4 months of H.A.R.D. work, every day (except Sunday's).  I'm going to miss him, he's become part of our home.  If you ever need work completed, please give him a call

We cannot say enough good about him - He's the best!

Saturday night - I was so excited to finally cook in our new kitchen you'll never guess the first thing I made

 I boiled some eggs! 

Now, the "moving back in" process starts, we still have plenty of boxes and "stuff" laying around everywhere, but we'll work on it as we slowly put our lives back together.

All in all we are so very pleased.  What a huge undertaking this has been, but it has been worth it - we love our new....old home.

Week 15

Well, a "blizzard" of a week was in store for us!  After postponing the install last week, I arrived home on Monday to find our cabinets were well under way -

after a few days of furious work - they're in! 

 

we've ordered the counter tops

 

these are the mud cabinets installed down stairs -- a few little things remain from the cabinet company, the hooks for these cabinets were forgotten and our hardwood doors for the family room need to be returned (we had them stained to match the kitchen cabinets).

The shutters were installed, these are the living room shutters (hadn't intended to do this, but the cleaners ruined our drapes when I took them in to be cleaned -- oops!)

the family room shutters

Jason (the builder) returned to finish the soffit/facia - it looks SO good - and complete - so complete now that he loaded up ALL of his things and drove away.  I wanted to cry.  I am so grateful for him and the way he has handled our reconstruction, thank you SO much Jason & Island Construction.  The remaining items are all sub'd out, so he'll just be back to oversee those items (the garage door, the wrought iron, rain gutters and finish plumbing/electrical).  The ceiling insulation guys finally made - JUST in the nick of time because as you can tell from the pictures, we have had 3 straight days of SNOW.  It just keeps coming and coming and coming - but I have to admit, it is a beautiful sight and since I can now drive right in to my (doorless) garage, I don't even care anymore!

 

 Can you believe how much snow????

  
Don't mean to brag, BUT, through all of this, not a lick of snow on our big, wonderful, front porch (a newbie for us)

With the house nearing completion, we were brave and had the little girls up for a spell.  It was so good to have them in our home again - and they were excited to explore and experiment.  We also decorated giant gingerbread boys or girls 

 

With the cabinets installed, I have started moving in to them and out of ALL the boxes.  This included my China - from the crates stored deep in the basement into the new dining room cabinets (in hopes of using it on a more frequent basis).  As soon as I opened the crate and held a plate in my hand I was transported back to a time YEARS ago, with my mother.  Looking at that plate in my hand, all I could think of was her.  I was flooded with memories, we picked this china out together and I remember her council in helping me try to be wise and practical with this big choice as I was still in High School.  She was pleased with my decision and loved helping me pick out the necessary accessory pieces as well, you know - the ones I would/should need like a HUGE turkey platter and service for 12!  I think she was more excited than I was. I received coordinating napkins, table cloths, etc. for birthday/Christmas gifts to complete everything.  What sweet memories filled my heart, I was not expecting these emotions, but there they were.   I love and MISS her, my sweet angel mother. I'll probably be using my china more....a lot more!

Not much else going on at our home next week - well, hopefully a garage door!