Thank goodness for caulk

Thank goodness for caulk. Today I tackled the first part of trimming in around the back of the fireplace exposed during demolition. I don't think the contractor really knew what to do to finish it off so, he left it unfinished, both at the top and at the bottom.

The bottom I knew was going to be a pretty simple solution. We had some extra lengths of the finished white oak quarter round molding. This was a simple trim job nothing special, 4 or 5 standard cuts and it was finished. Tacked to the floor with a brad nailer and the base was finished. (well almost, still need to mix up some mortar to fill in the void between the rock and oak quarter round, but that's for another day.

The part of this fireplace trim project that ended up taking the entire day was the stacked crown molding I decided to use for the top part of the fireplace. I needed to build a base on the ceiling because the floor joist for the second floor were left 4 inches away from the stone (per code.) This meant there was nothing to tack the crown into on the top. I used a standard 3 inch base molding and laid it flat on the cieling, and with a generous amount of consturction adhesive, I was able to afix it to the ceiling (I used some nails as well - not sure if they realy are helping or not, but I felt better.) Next the crown mold was going to go up against the base and against the stone fireplace back. This is where the problems started.

There were a few problems the first of which was my own ignorance. The first time I did crown molding I think I got lucky with the angles - everything worked fine. This time, the moldings spring angles were not the same and thus I didnt get as lucky. After spending about 4 hours and cutting through 16 feet of molding I finally sat down and did some research. (with some thinking juice.) What I learned is that based on the spring angles of the molding the miter and bevel angles change - old dog / new trick. This miter / bevel chart was extremely helpful: http://www.installcrown.com

The second issue (which ultimately the caulk came to the rescue with) was the uneven surface of the rockes and unusual angles it creates. In one are I chewed away the back of the crown molding so it would sit against the stone a little better. All in all it came out -- ok. I had one corner that I had to use a generous amount of caulk to 'mend' it.

Now we can nap

Today was the second day of the blinds installation. We ordered blinds for the master bedroom and bathroom about a month and a half ago, they were shipped and time allowed for hanging them this weekend - Finally. Naps were almost impossible in because of all the windows - problem solved. Bring on the naps! :)










We were also happy to have our new bedroom furniture arrive this weekend. This to was about a month and a half wait. Well everything is up and looks good. We need to get deep pocket sheets, the new mattress has a bit of a pillow top -- great for sleeping but not for fitting standard sheets.

Next project will be to permanently hook up the dehumidifier in the basement to address the moisture problem.

To cap off the day we got to see one of those wonderful sunsets ----

Let it tickle your toes

Today was the second day of the carpet installation. The plywood is finally covered and they are just finishing stretching and tacking. Believe it or not, they finished what they said they would. Getting closer!!

Carpet,Carpet, Carpet

Today was the first day in the carpet installation. Padding is down and the carpet is waiting to be installed. The 2 guys claim they will have it all done tomorrow -- I question that timing. But we will see!

Steady as she goes

Well the contractor is back in the game (for now -- fingers crossed.) Today he worked on the garage, taping and mudding the drywall. Now, I am no expert but I think mine was better :) We are pushing for a final inspection for next week -- which would mean we can move in!!!









Well as this is moving forward we are also trying to clean up the landscaping a little. At least enough to make it somewhat presentable. I spent a day filling in this big hole we had from the water main break with gravel and top soil, raking and leveling things off. Well I was sore but the fruits of my labor are finally beginning to poke through!

another one down - balcony deck complete

Well it has been an interesting week. We finally heard from the contractor. I don't know the full story (nor do I care to) but there was something 'very important' that he needed to take care (more important than our house I guess.) Anyway, he finally showed up on Thursday and began working on the balcony deck.









We needed more material so after an early morning call on Friday it was delivered. No word (or work) on Firday, no word (or work) on Saturday. We made the decision that we were finished and would have the other contractor (yes we have another one in the wings) finish everything.

Well I guess that was the fire because as we visited the job site today viola - the balcony deck is complete!

Taking Control of a Lost Cause

Well our contractor situation has not improved. No calls back now for over two and a half weeks and the only thing completed during that period is the railing outside. It isn't looking good and we want to move in.

So today I began finishing the drywall in the garage. 95% of it the drywall is hung but none of it is finished. There are some huge gaps and some large variations in the surface heights (more than an inch in some cases) so this should be a lot of fun. (basically it wasn't hung too well.) For our Certificate of Occupancy we need to have it finished -- but it does not need to be finished well (so I think I should be able to handle this!) I would like to see if I can do it well enough to put a nice finish coat or paint on it all -- we will see.

Before









After (while drying - the huge mess is due to about an inch difference in surface heights, it may dry by next week sometime!)









If anyone has any pointers feel free to post them!

Glassy glass frameless shower door

Today the long awaited shower door was installed. We had been waiting for about 2 months, and it took a call to the supplier before an install appointment was scheduled -> "Sure, when would you like it? Wednesday or Friday this week?" -- amazing.

Anyway, it is in and it looks tremendous. We selected a frameless style with brushed nickel hinges and handle (matches the other fixtures nicely.) Unfortunately we had to install a shower door sidelight because of the side of the opening. At least we didn't have to have the top frame rail installed like we were originally told we would (hopefully we don't need it!)

And the wolf BLEW....

Well we still aren't finished and now things are already starting to fall apart! Things are moving along reeeeeally slowly and now the shingles on the new roof are, well, blowing off! We have been assured by the contractor (of course) and also by the supplier that the application of the shingles is correct, and they must be defective. So we have to fill out a bunch of paperwork and I guess get new ones? Anyway, they are hurricane grade shingles so this really shouldn't have happened.






A now a week later, more have come off...










This week this is supposed to be taken care - shingle replacement - we will see how we make out with the manufacturer.

Just Chill!

This weekend we hooked up the last of the appliances (I think?) The under cabinet wine cooler and refrigerator all fit in in their appropriate spots nicely. There was a trim plate that had not been installed under the counter that I thought would need to be trimmed to fit. Upon further investigation I figured out it wasn't fitting because there was a temporary bracket installed. With that out it fit like a glove, a few finishing nails and we were in business.

The refrigerator was a little more trouble than I had expected -- the thing is heavy! (390lbs.) On the way into the kitchen from the garage where it had been housed for the past 2 1/2 months, we hit the ceiling, corner of a wall and then when pushing it back, nicked the cabinet - all in all no major damage but I had a few repairs today.

After figuring out how to hook the water line up, reading the instructions (hoping I wasn't doing something wrong) and after we took all the packing materials off -- it was in. Overall everything looks good - just can't wait to start using this stuff!!!

keeping on, keeping on

This past week there really wasn't anything major that happened, just a lot of small detail work and finishing. Most all of the baseboard molding is in and painted (minus the powder room for some reason.) This coming week we should see all of the shoe molding going down which will finish off the moldings.

The mantel finally came in on Friday after it was initially shipped damaged so a new one was overnighted. It isn't going to be anything too outrageous, just a simple ~9' x 10" x 1 1/2" slab of white oak to match the floors. Once that is installed this week, the mason can finish off the stone work on the fireplace (check off another thing on the list.)

The light in the dining room got moved this week as well. This was a slight miscalculation in how we wanted the light positioned. We have left some space on the one end of the room for a future built in china cabinet, but we forgot the need for a walkway on the opposite side of the room. Result, the light was too far to one side. Now moved we should hopefully be all set.

Sir, you have passed.

Today was one of the most exciting steps towards a move in date yet! We had the final electrical inspection today, which was more of like a little party. In attendance:

• Myself
• Electrical Inspector
• Town Inspector
• Electrician
• General Contractor
• General Contractor's #1 helper

Needless to say, with all the problems (there has been many), headaches (there has been many),, stress (there has been too much) we passed!!! We received our little sticker and all is well. There are still a lot of little things that need to be taken care of but, slowly, surely we are now seeing the light at the end of the long tunnel!

Home Telephone at large

The phone block that the electrician installed was unfortunately inadequate for the number of extensions we have in the house - so it was time for an upgrade (and we aren't even living there yet!) So we decided to install a BIX Cross-Connect System from NORTEL. Eventually we will install complete phone system (but just not yet.)

Anyway, I am not a professional but think it is an improvement over what was there, and more of the jacks work than before! (I haven't tested all of the jacks but from the chunk I tried only one wasn't working -- hoping for a mere loose connection in a punch down.) Next, we have to try and figure out how to distribute cable to all the rooms.

Solid as a rock - Granite Rock

Today the long awaited counter tops were installed. What seems like year ago (I think it actually was last year!) selected three different type of granite for the kitchen, master bath and first floor main bath. We had been waiting for these things forever - and well worth the wait, they look great!

Fireplace transformation

The fireplace has finally become the focus of our attention. After a long long period of disappointments:

• found out we couldn't have a traditional wood burning fireplace unless we had the entire chimney and firebox dismantled and completely rebuilt
• found out that the wood burning insert we could have installed looked like something better suited for a doll house
  
• found out the gas insert we were told we would have to install to meet code would have a sheet of glass over the flame at all times
• finding a mason who would tackle the entire job (not just one part) and do a good job

In the end I have to admit that I am much more happy with the final product than I thought I would be -- it looks amazing. We are still waiting on mantel to come in so it can be installed and the stone work finish around it but it looks great otherwise!

The stone veneer is Canyon Rock by GAF
The hearth is a solid slab of Pennsylvania blue stone.
The gas insert is by Heat & Glo
Mantel will be White Oak Slab

Here are some photos of the fireplace transformation (thanks to the contractor for taking the middle photo and sending it to us while we were out of town)

Kitchen Cabinets. Finally.

Today the cabinets finally began to be installed. After a very, very long wait and many many stressful meetings and question/answer sessions they are finally here. A small section has been installed the remainder will be installed tomorrow. They look great!

We discovered a problem, that we aren't to pleased about. It seems that the services for the island (water, drains and electric) were actually installed 1 foot closer to the wall then they should have been. This has forced the island closer to the opening between the living room and other counter concerning us about the rounded extension on the island counter top. We have decided to wait until Friday and see what the counter top experts have to say when they arrive on Friday to measure.

Eventually something HAS to go right!

Floors are finished -- time to cover them up!

Well now that the floors are all finished and they sat for a week, it is time to get things underway again. Tonight we covered the entire floor with Red Rosin Paper what a chore! (man am I out of shape and getting old!) It looks good all covered up, knowing it will be somewhat protected.












The first thing that is going to happen is the cabinets will be installed. We are anticipating this as being our next major step towards completion, until this point we have really only had an empty shell of a proejct (minus the master bath of course!)

The Hardwood Floors - they be done!!!

The white oak floors are all done. Three coats of Swedish protection and now all that is left to wait for them to cure (another 7 days.) They really turned out great, and the house is finally starting to look like a house!


































The next step is to finish the stairs - they are all in but need the same Swedish loving as the floors. Kitchen cabinets will be installed beginning next week along with appliances.

Hardwood Flooring -- begun at last!

Today was a very big step in the completion of the house - both good and bad. Let's start with the bad. One of the big things we wanted in a house when we were looking was a wood burning fireplace. We thought we had found one. The problem is we didn't like the brick that was on the front once we uncovered the field stone chimney, and thought we would knock it off and re-skin with cultured stone - bad move.

Come to find out the fireplace had no smoke shelf and because we did "surgery" it was considered by the inspector 'new work' and thus had to meet strict codes regarding fireplaces. We had a tough time finding a knowledgeable mason, and after we found one we discovered our hopes of a wood burning fireplace were not feasible. The entire thing would have had to come down and be rebuilt. Not as big of a deal if we took care of it when the house was all apart, now with everything framed and put together - major expense.

It looks like at this point we will replace it with a gas burning fireplace - now we know.


Now for the good. After the wrong wood was delivered to the house once and then again almost for a second time, and after a month of delays, the hardwood flooring is finally being installed - a great looking white oak. We figure it will take a good week or so to get it all installed and then probably another week with finishing. But when it is done... good things!



We were also happy to see the lights installed between the kitchen and living room (they were a long time coming!) (you can see the mess we made of the fireplace in the background)