Countdown to Decembr 12, 2011...

Making progress every day. Since we last blogged the majority of our counter tops have been installed which has allowed our plumber to get faucets set in and appliances in place for the most part. One section of the kitchen counter top had to be re-ordered due to a problem at the shop. It should be here any day now and the tiler can finish up...

So a few pictures to illustrate the above and more...

Setback on tiling though...our guest bathroom shower tile looks one color that is lovely anywhere EXCEPT in the shower! For those of you familiar with the color of poi - mashed taro root - well that is the purplish/taupie color it assumes in the bathroom! I just wasn't getting anywhere with working around it and finally called in a Canasta Club gal friend who is an interior designer and between us I think we've got it spot on finally. However it will require the tiler ripping out the tile - fortunately not grouted yet. The truly sad part is (beyond the lost $$$) that the trim tile had been set and it was a custom made glass that we loved and stretched the budget to include. Taking it off the wall will destroy it so along with a different basic tile, we ordered something a little less striking but should look pretty darn good. Also had to change the shape of the bamboo sink in there as once the granite was set we realized the sink "got lost" in the granite. Very happy with the change and the new paint color selected.

Our half-bath has been a bit of a challenge all the way along as the vessel sink I purchased at Lowes is a hard-to-match/coordinate color. Leo, our painter, did a superior job matching cabinet color with the sink by bringing it in to the paint store so the vanity looks awesome. Then to figure out the wall colors - long story short - with the help of Kim B. and friends, and Andrea, the decorator, we selected a metallic paint which really sets the room off nicely. I want to have the silhouette of a leafless tree with one bird on a branch drawn on the wall covering part of one wall and going into and around the corner and onto the adjacent wall.

Master bathroom top and sinks...back splash tile not in yet...but will match the tub and steam shower back splash...

We have wood floors throughout the house except in the master bath suite. They have been covered up for awhile as the messy work has continued around the house. We took up the paper over the weekend to clean up some before the bid construction clean and they are just the look we wanted.

Living room...

Sun Room/sitting room off master bedroom...

And finally, in preparation for the gravel coming in the the drive way, Butch and I spent the morning in 26 degree weather cleaning up the wood/porch materials scrap pile so that it is clear and ready to go. As I type this, I am sore all over but feel so great that we are closer to our move in date of December 12th!

Water Catchment System Flowing Along!

Butch and Morris, our contractor, have been like little boys playing with Legos on this water catchment project and I must say the design is impressive. Piece, by piece, by piece...Pipes, water pumps and filtration systems are being set in place and hooked up to the over all system. Tanks are full and soon we'll have water in the house. Amazing system! Butch has researched the needs for the system and designed it all from scratch. Who knew my honey was an engineer?!?!?

Dining Room, Kitchen and Front Views

Kitchen pendants and dining room light arrived with our dining set from NC late last week. Ryan got the lights us right away and we are pleased with their look. The picture make their angle look odd but they really aren't!

A peek of the dining room table...

So looking forward to entertaining larger groups again!

And Cassie, these photos are for you. I realized I could climb up the hill for some shots...trailers still somewhat in the way, but this should give you a better idea of what the front of the house is looking like now. After we move in and catch our breath financially from this we'll add shutters and minimal landscape.

We're Gettin' There, We're Gettin' There!

Truly on the end run now! Countertops are scheduled to go in sometime the week ov Nov. 28th. Backsplash tile will then be installed as well as the final plumbing - fixtures, toilets and making sure they work. Movers arrive December 7th come Hell or High Water. We've already taken delivery of our dining room furniture and bar stools so I guess we've started moving already. Gosh we'll be glad to be really "in"!

Some of the progress photos...

Our engineered wood floors went in beautifully and we are quite pleased with our selection...you never know really with samples how it will look...on the other hand...

...I'm not too sure about the guest bath tile. We are waiting on the glass tile trim to come in before we go further. The tile looks different under different lighting and I may have to play with bulbs to get the "mauvey" color out of the tile...we'll see.

Master Bath Steam Shower looks great and we are particularly please with the seat size and design. Being that most of the house is ADA compliant we needed to be able to swing a wheel chair around and not hit a leg on a seat corner. Our wonderful tiler, Michael, suggested the triangular form and it is going to work beautifully should the day come...

And the tub surround...

Fall Colors

Due to the extreme heat of summer no one expected Fall to be so colorful. Nature fooled us all!

Miscellaneous Shots...

Butch has been working on his garden adding hoops in hopes of extending growing season. Mother Earth's latest edition inspired his latest addition!

Butch and I had to compromise on porch screening...to screen or not to screen...We ended with part of the porch being screened with EZ Screen and our framers are currently working with those sections. We are very pleased with the product look and the boys are finding it a much easier product to install..another win-win.

Ryan installed the fans and the framers finished the side stairs before starting the screening on back porch section.

Lightin' Us Up!

Ryan, our capable and patient electrician, has been on site throughout the building making sure we have lighting everywhere we want it and need it. His willingness to "move this" and "add that" is greatly appreciated!

One of the front door lights...trying to capture nature at the door!

Tiles Going In

Most of the flooring in the house will be wood, however our builder wisely recommended tile floors for the master bathroom. Michael has been installing the tile as it has been arriving from the suppliers. The floor tile is porcelain and has a grainy texture...good for keeping old bodies upright! Note too, the shower seat...we had another "butt sizing" session to be sure it would be big enough!

Glass tile border on steam shower seat and close up of tile border...

Cabinets, Knobs and Pulls

James and his sidekick, Tristan have made our cabinets and once installed Leo and Mary got to work painting them. Now the boys are back setting the drawers and doors and moving us closer to a working kitchen.

Tom and Mona Jones and Butch send a salute to the boys for a job well done!

James made the perfect vanity for our half bath from a photo. Leo brought our vessel sink into the paint store to match the color perfectly! Hard to see in the photo now but once it is installed with the black granite top and vessel sink on top the color will become more obvious.

Pull and knob for the laundry room cabinets...white with corrugated tin back splashes and off-white tile counter tops...pale yellow walls.

Progress Report...

We're getting closer to a final product. Thought I'd post some of the steps our talented workers have taken in the past few weeks.

Gary, our mason, is a 70 year old wonder! He works out the "puzzle" of the stone pieces and the final picture...well, you'll see...

The final product exceeded our expectations and we are looking forward to many evenings in front of a roaring fire. Note the central "rock" below the hearth...it is a real rock from our property whereas the remainder is faux. The mantle and hearth stone are limestone from a quarry in Eureka Springs.

Back Porch Steps

Back Porch is complete except for the screening. Butch has ordered the EZ Screen for both this porch and part of the wrap around porch. It can be very buggy here so we compromised on screening - some parts of the porch are and some parts aren't. Have a feeling that most of the time we are "out" we'll be in the screened section...just sayin'!

Painters and Paint Colors

Leo has been prepping and working on the house for quite awhile now. I'm thinking we should call him "Steady Eddie" as he is so diligent with his work. We are indeed thankful to have his services. He also painted our barn.

Mary, Leo's cohort in painting, has also worked on the barn and continues to share her skills at our new home. Mary is an excellent glazer and she will do the glazing on the kitchen cabinets and the beadboard facing on the bar. Note: The shades of Sherwin Williams "Bamboo" on the wall. Various shades will be in the Master Bedroom Suite - bed and bath - and the Sun Room.

Andre, Leo's helper, works on prepping walls.

Laundry Room paint samples (Sherwin Williams "White Raisin" - looks yellow) resulted in our choosing the upper/lighter shade. The boys painted the room yesterday making the room cheerful and bright...just the atmosphere to do laundry and ironing (what's that?!?!?!?!).

Sample of Sherwin Williams "Stucco" which will be on the majority of walls in the house - neutral sorta toasty shade - and it is already up on the Guest Bedroom walls and looks great. Just the feeling of warmth we were going for! I love it when I'm right!