House Progress 5

Everything is in a state of "almost done."

Exterior
El has been using the planter boxes as his personal litter box. In the small planter, I planted seeds of basil and pansy. The basil, toward the back, was completely dug up within a couple of days. I planted a couple of flowers that were pre-potted into the small planter box hoping to take up the space. He half dug one of those up as well. The other day, I put him out of the front door and he jumped right into the front large planter box and used it. Brat.

We've been talking more about painting the exterior. We'll have to dig up the front planter box first to expose the front wall behind them. That project sounds like it will suck and leave a giant ugly cat box at the front of the house.

My city has a drawing going on to give you $2000 toward home improvement if you bought a house between certain months, of which we did. If we get that, it'll go toward replacing the windows with impact-resistant.

The back patio is going to wait a long time to get redone. The driveway needs repaving, maybe in 6 months or more.

Bathroom

Bathroom, minus shower doors

The last thing to do is to have the shower doors made. Unfortunately, because it used to be a tub and I'm a fancy-pants who wants a frame-less enclosure to show off how cool it looks, it has to be custom made. The doors I originally bought, I've been trying for weeks to return, but they have to be picked up in a lift-truck and FedEx is giving me a problem all week about it after Overstock ignored my contact for weeks before they finally okayed it to FedEx. So now we wait. Of course, that's money we're out in the mean time, which blows. Having a working toilet in the house seems like such an obvious thing, but it hasn't been true for nearly a month, so it's kind of a big deal. The last thing to do is order the glass doors. I got estimates and now just have to put in the deposit and get it started. The contractor broke one of the tiles in the shower step by dropping a tool on it, oops! He's going to fix it this week, though, no big deal.

Kitchen

Kitchen, cabinets & counters in

The last thing to do is have the cabinet people come back out as they failed to put a piece of wood under the counter top over the dishwasher so the dishwasher can be attached. Otherwise, the sink works and all that good stuff.

Living Room

Living room, awful orange, hall, office

From kitchen to dining room

That horrible wooden entryway thing is gone and the floor is patched there. The ceiling is no longer popcorn, but smooth. The wall you see as you walk in, we're making an accent wall (in the next several months) and no longer looks like a barn. It's painted. We just have to hang the ceiling fan. We ran into a snag here as the color is all wrong! The chip was a dark brown-orange, but on the wall it's like a crayon, bright and hideous. We're deciding on a color for repainting, which sucks to redo it, but it's just awful. I'll do some test-paint this time.

Dining Room
The walls needed some repair and the one wall was rebuilt that used to be exterior. The pass-through is shorter. The door was rebuilt. It's painted. The electric was redone from being dangerous and homemade to something real. The cabinets were removed and the tile beneath repaired. We just need to hang the ceiling fan and buy the wardrobe to serve as our pantry.

Bedroom

Bedroom, former closet organizer at right

The ceiling was replaced and the closet emptied and painted. The one wall the used to be exterior was built from new. The room is painted and Dave doesn't hate it. He was afraid our brown picture frames wouldn't go with the green room, but I assured him that trees match (brown and green). I have to figure out if the closet organizer stuff is in good enough shape to put back in or toss.

Office
It's painted. We still cannot figure out what to do with the furniture in there. Dave insists we don't need much storage and that keeping things in plastic bins is sufficient and I say that's no way to do things. I talked to a company that does modular custom-built furniture and the price was well above what we had in mind, so I think we're looking for other solutions. We've just finally come to an agreement on where the desks will go, which took longer than you might think and 4 different diagrams. There was a lot of sighing and head shaking. Dave likes the color, which surprised me. He thinks it's blue, so just go with it.

The AC needs to be replaced, probably soon. That work is much less invasive than everything else and I can handle that once we're in.

So everything's almost done. That means I have to really get started packing. Ugh. I need a few more hours each day and the desire to get that done.

House Progress 4

Things are at the beginning of the wrap-up phase.

Exterior
The back door was replaced from the homeowner-made monstrosity that was not secure to a real metal secure door, and the locks changed.

The roof was replaced and is now stepped, so there is no flat roof to pool water and give us troubles in a few years.

The small planter box is sprouting pansies in the front, but it looks like El, or some other neighbor cat, is using the back to dig (and maybe make waste?) in and none of those basil sprouts were seen again. I'll have to pot a plant in there that is large and takes up the space.

All the shutters were removed, bringing the look decades into the present.
The walls were patched where the shutters had been.
We still need to paint the exterior, but that will likely wait until after we've moved.

The driveway still needs to be redone. We have some creative ideas, but they are not budget-friendly and will wait.

We bought a machete (I know, Dave's not even supposed to have butter knives) and cut back the palm in the yard and it's many seed clusters.

We'd like to change the front long planter into a water feature, but I think that will be expensive and will definitely wait, maybe a year or more.

All windows, except the bathroom still need to be replaced with impact-resistant glass. They have cranks now, from the 70s, bleh.

Kitchen

The walls are painted yellow, which Dave hates.
The cabinets are in and look great.
Some electrical had to be redone and a water line had to be run.
The microwave is installed.

I'm waiting to hear from the cabinet company about a date on the counter tops. I had already paid for and picked out my granite, and they came out to do final measurements, so it's all cutting and scheduling now. After those are in, I can have the sink, garbage disposal, and dishwasher put in.

Bathroom

The floor is tiled.
The tub was removed and converted to a shower.
The shower enclosure is mostly tiled, but not finished.
The border I picked looks awesome, and once it's all done is going to kick ass.
The shower floor tile is not yet installed.
The window was replaced with a hurricane-impact window today.
The light fixture was raised but is not yet installed.
The medicine cabinet is not yet installed, nor the hole made for it.
The toilet, vanity, and small accessories still need to be installed, probably after painting.
Once the tile is finished in the enclosure, I can schedule the glass company to come measure for the shower doors, which have to be custom made, unfortunately. I had bought doors, but the door was centered and it can't be or it'll hit the toilet, so I had to work with the returns department for 3 weeks before I finally got that issue settled today.

Other Interior

The baseboards have all been removed and are in the process of being replaced.
Painting is beginning this weekend. The walls are being prepped now.
We had to replace 3 interior doors.

The contractor changed the price on rerunning the electrical in the dining room and doubled his price, so I told him to wait and I'll ask someone else more affordable in the mean time.

The horrible "barn wall" accent wall is drywalled over and is now just a wall.
The bead board was removed from my future reading nook outside the kitchen.
The horrible wooden divider as you come in was removed. Unfortunately, it left a missing piece of vinyl flooring - which we were told by the owner was hardwood.

The ceiling in the living room was redone from popcorn with a settlement crack in it to being reinforced and having a slight texture. Much more modern.

The water heater was replaced and we went from gas to electric and from a tank to tankless.

We still need to:

• Change the front door locks.
• Hang the mailbox.
• Rerun the dining room electric.
• Hang the 4 ceiling fans.
• Redo the driveway.
• Replace tiles at front step - might roll in with driveway project, make it uniform.
• Fix some flooring in spots.
• Find office furniture that works for us. 
• Make El an indoor cat, somehow. Hoping he can get along with our other 2.
• Paint the exterior.
• Do something to the planter boxes.
• Replace the AC, ran out of budget for this.
• Move. /sob...packing and moving suck.
• We have some cool ideas for what to do with the former barn-wall and are narrowing those down now.
• I've gotten Dave excited to build Shoji Screens over the dining room windows (inside) so we won't have to replace the blinds and will still have privacy and natural light.

It's really starting to look like something out of this century finally.

For old updates, see:
Part 1
Part 2
Part 3

House Progress 3

Finally, I'm starting to see forward movement! It was so upsetting to go over to the new house every day and it look worse than the last, with all the demo that had to take place. However, now new things are going in and color is blooming and plants are sprouting and it's springtime and new life all over the house.

Kitchen: After meeting with 4 different companies for cabinets, I found one we could (almost) afford and went with them. It's solid-wood construction and has a lifetime guarantee. They were installed today, though the countertop won't come for another week or two or three. I'm very pleased with the look of them, even though the color I initially wanted was lighter, more of a honey maple, and this is more of a cherry. I think it looks good with the yellow walls (even if Dave hates the yellow) and will go with our dining table, which is a medium wood tone, well.

Sink cabinets are the only ones with doors, for trash can and such,
all drawers otherwise, so much more useful to me.
Dishwasher goes in that space to the left

Other angle. Dishwasher left.
Above will be shelves, not cabinets.

Upper cabinets. Bad lighting made the color look weird.

Lower cabinets, spaces for stove/fridge.

Far angle.

Bathroom: Today was a frustrating day of visiting 4 different places to try and find a coupling or adapter for the shower head arm because the one I got was just strange. I ended up ordering a new arm with normal sized threads as a solution. I also didn't know I ordered the border tile wrong for the shower and now have to rush-order a few more pieces because I didn't get enough.

On the bright side, all the demo in the bathroom is done and the first bits of tile have gone in already.

Original look of the bathroom

Tub removed to form a shower.
Masking tape stripes for me to visualize where I wanted the accent border

Old vanity & mirror & light

Shower floor tile, so smooth

Wall repair from removal of old vanity and such

Shower in the making

Custom nooks cut into the wall.
A change from my original design due to the placement of a stud.

First row of tile

Door: The backdoor, which was some kind of slipshod making that I could have kicked in, is now replaced with a metal up-to-code door and proper frame. The wall isn't yet finished around it, but it's getting there.

Other: The walls are all repaired in the master bedroom and dining room. The ceiling is replaced in the master bedroom and closet where water damage from the roof had ruined them. Those things are ready for paint. Dave cut the baseboards for the office, but didn't have everything he needed for installation yet. This was a BIG project and I'm so glad to not be living in the house while all this is going on! The dust alone would be making me cranky, let alone the noise, the people in the house all day, and the chaos of it all. It's sanctuary to be able to leave there and come home to where all my stuff is.

For older posts, see Part 1 and Part 2.

House Progress 2

Exterior: I don't have a good before picture of the front left planter, but here's what I've got:

Front left planter was full of sandy dirt, weeds, beer bottle caps, cigarette butts, rocks, and all sorts of debris. I cleared it out, added potting soil, added basil and pansy seeds, and a weeping cherub to guard the house. Invaders better not blink!

After: I just got the first tiny sprouts!

Kitchen: Before - oh, avocado green 1971, I shan't miss you at all.

Demo in progress:

Dining Room: Removing the cabinets, changing the window-wall to a real wall. Found out that there wasn't a window, but a sliding glass door there. Reframed the wall, removing the door.

House Progress 1

Tin cap, step 1

Roof: The roof is done! Final inspection was today and it passed. We converted the flat part of the back roof to pitched so it won't have future problems from pooling water, an investment into the life of the roof.

Status: done!

Shingle in Progress, step 2

Finished

Bathroom: I've ordered all the supplies and hired a contractor to do the work. We're going to completely tear everything out and start fresh, even the floor. There is wood flooring in now, but it was put in after the toilet and vanity, so it also has to go. We're converting the tub to a shower (we have only used our bathtub 3 times in 7 years) and putting in a water-saving toilet with dual-flush (small or large jobs). I have ordered: the toilet, shower heads, lighting, vanity, sink, faucet, all the accessories (soap holder, TP holder, towel ring, towel hooks) and some of the accent tile for inside the shower enclosure as well as the tile for the shower floor. This Saturday, we're going to pick up the tile for the floor and the walls of the shower enclosure. The window is going to be replaced with hurricane-impact glass first.

Status: should start next week or the week after. Also needs paint and baseboards/base tile.

Water Heater: We have a contractor starting tomorrow to remove the water heater and replace it with a tankless system. We're also converting from gas to electric. The contractor is also going to look at the valve for the washer as it seems to have deteriorated and wouldn't shut off if we unhooked the old washer.

Status: should be done next week.

Hello, hunky inspector.

Kitchen: I've gotten 3 estimates on cabinets and am going for another one today. I have the demo starting next week to raise the soffit in the kitchen to allow for taller cabinets, and make the room feel larger as it's tiny. Also, they're going to add an outlet for the microwave over the range. I picked up the lighting. We took the big appliances out with bulk trash last week.

Status: still need: dishwasher, microwave, cabinets, back splash tile, paint.

Master Bedroom: The ceiling is going to be replaced from where the rotted roof ruined it with wetness and made level as it's crooked. That should be done next week. I bought the ceiling fan for in there. Dave was oddly specific as to how he wanted the light fixtures to look, but I was able to find something to suit us both. He doesn't like when the globe-light has a spot in the middle, as if for the pull chain, or decoration, but a clean surface.

Status: needs paint and baseboards.

Living Room: Am probably going to put off the aesthetics of how I want the room for now due to the budget. A shame, but there's only so much money and there are so many projects. I got a ceiling fan and a new ottoman.

Status: primarily on hold. Will paint. Needs divider removed, ceiling redone, bead board removed at 2 places, faux wall treatment drywalled over.

Pretty El.

Dining room: The way it is currently wired is wrong and likely unsafe. That will be fixed in the next 2 weeks and the ceiling fan installed that I bought. It is SO interesting, but I had to special order it so it won't be here for another 2 weeks.

Status: on hold until the fan arrives.

Office: This room really only needs paint and baseboards.

Status: nothing to do yet.

Large planter is to the right of the door.

Exterior: I bought a mailbox and paint for the front door. I need the mailbox installed before I can remove the one that's on the door, but I'm not at all handy. My skills with a hammer are laughable. I bought some little things to spruce up one of the front planters and will likely do that today or tomorrow. The awful awnings will be down by next week. Oh, and the front step will be redone in a couple of weeks.

Status: almost everything exterior is going to wait. I have grand plans to turn the large front planter into a water feature with a small fountain and some fish; ultra-modern. Replacing the windows is going to wait until we have a bit more money, also. Another to-do that must wait is the AC replacement.

House Project - Before Pictures

Before pictures of the new house, for interested parties.

Entryway. Odd wooden divider to be removed. Desk and trash to be removed at bulk pick up time.

Odd "barn wall" to be removed. Area to far right, with bead board, to be my reading nook, eventually. Used to be their dining area.

Living room with large windows. All windows to be modernized with impact-resistant (hurricane windows) in the next year. Hardwood floors throughout.

Front door, from reading nook. Wall near door is painted with an interesting yellow wall treatment. Previous owner was a painter by trade, so he did that. It looks nice, but won't match the new paint, so it's going.

Kitchen from reading nook. Original 1971 cabinets, tiny galley kitchen.Horrible green tile, everything you can see to be removed/replaced. 

Another view of kitchen. Door at left goes to 1-car garage.

Another view of kitchen.

Enclosed patio/Florida room to be our dining room. Wall at right where picture is, is actually a window from previous exterior wall. Window to be walled in for smooth wall, as appropriate for interior of house. All windows to be hurricane proof impact-glass in a year. Cabinets shown at lower right to be demolished and replaced with wardrobes serving as pantry and small-appliance storage (crockpot and such).

  Future reading nook, directly across from kitchen.

More views of future dining room, current Florida room / enclosed patio. We're going to have to replace all the blinds.

Another view of that window and lower cabinets.

From living room, hallway. Bathroom straight ahead at open door.

 At hallway, right. Closet for AC. Future office / front bedroom.

From hallway, office. Dave wants to extend the window lower so it can be viewed while seated at the desk.

 

Office closet.

Office

Hallway from office side. Master bedroom /back bedroom ahead, living room left, bathroom right.

Bathroom. Everything you see will be gone. Bathtub to be removed and changed to shower. Toilet to be replaced with dual-flush efficient model. Sink and vanity to be replaced. Tile to be replaced. Floor to be removed (wood) and tile put down instead.

Master bedroom / back bedroom. There is a hole in the ceiling from water damage from the flat roof. Roof to be replaced and flat roof will no longer be flat. Also, ceiling to be repaired, of course.

Master bedroom, comes with those cool organizers. Hole in ceiling from water damage to be repaired.

Master bedroom wall is painted wallpaper. Yep, really. This was an exterior wall, which is now the other side of the future pantry, so there is a window along this wall that is wallpapered over. Issue to be corrected and wall to be finished, smoothed, painted.

Master bedroom.

Hall closet, next to bathroom. Door currently has a hole cut in with a sign reading "Cat Toilet" which will be replaced with a solid door.

Front door. Mailbox to be replaced. Isn't it strange? Bushes to be removed. We're talking about lining the box planter that runs the length of the front of the house and putting a few fish and lighted fountains in, making it ultra-modern. All horrible 1970s awnings to be removed everywhere around the house. 

Front step needs tile replaced with something that is both sturdy and not slippery. Am looking for a custom welcome mat that says "Hello, Sweetie."

  This is the long planter. Wouldn't 2 fountains in there and a bunch of fish be awesome?

Back patio. Futon as well as their table and chairs and grill need to go out at bulk pick up time. Patio is made of pavers, but it wasn't installed appropriately so the edges slope. This project will likely get done in a year or more. This is the dining room / Florida room behind it. There is a door to the right that was not properly installed. A column is going to be added so the impact windows can be properly installed later, and the door may have to be smaller than standard size. As it is, it is not secure and could be simply kicked in. The house is vacant, of course, while work happens, but that's scary.

There's much to do. Much much much, but we got a great deal and we knew most of it going in. The sticker shock is still something I'm dealing with, but I have faith that it'll be awesome and personalized once we're done, though it may be a work in progress for the first 1-2 years.

If you'd like to see my project board, it has paint swatches, fixtures and appliances, some things for my wishlist, and you can get an idea of how my modern contemporary taste will transform this plain ranch style house into something farther from ordinary. Now for that magic genie to pay for it all...