Day 70 - 72 - It's All About the Floors

I have to say, I feel very badly for my Aunt. And if she feels like I sold her a bad deal, I wouldn't blame her. But the day before she arrived, I found out I wasn't able to move into the house as expected. That really put a crimp in my plans. But given that I can do nothing about contractor delays, and she was already on the road, I had to make the most of it.

Knowing that the final coat was going on the floors, and knowing that any imperfection would be because I wasn't diligent on the cleaning of the baseboards, we started (and I use the term "we" loosely) to wipe down all the wood in the house.

Have you seen the pictures of the first floor? Wood is pretty much the theme.

And while we were working, the guys reminded me that the main floor bath needed to be primed. I hate painting wainscoting. I also caulked the seams. I think I earned a little "contractor cred".  Maybe. But honestly, I enjoy working in my house. It's MINE!

And while Roxanne toiled away with the shop vac and Murphy's Oil Soap, and I cussed those little lines in the wainscoting, the guys finished putting in the vanity top in the master bath. Sad moment... I'm not completely sold on the vanity/paint/tile combination. I'm not completely sold on the main floor bathroom paint color, either, but I'm waiting to see the final product. But the vanity...it is pretty cool. I just have to pick out a complementing mirror (read: more shopping).

After we finished up the cleaning/priming etc., we had a day of "rest", packing/sorting the following day.  While we were doing this, the magic was happening at the house. 93 year old oak hardwood floors were being transformed into something new and vibrant. I'm still mad I couldn't move in, but... I get it. So the following day, we went to the house, and in barefeet/footies, we toured the house. I couldn't be more pleased.

Laundry Room

Dining Room/Living Room

Front Bedroom

The floors are the same color, but my camera and the lighting in each room makes things look different. They are basically the most like the laundry room picture (I think).

I could sit and stare at these floors for HOURS.  They did a wonderful job. I decided that I would go with 3 coats of poly for a natural look. The house doesn't have the best natural lighting. Therefore, dark wasn't really an option. They're just so beautiful.

Days 54 - 69 I should leave town more often

I had to leave town for work for days 58 thru 63. It was a good thing and a bad thing. It was good because I needed to step away again. I was working a lot of hours at the house and I needed a break. But at the same time, things were starting to move forward at a really fast pace! I hated to miss it.

When I left, I had drywall. And when I returned...I had a ROOM. That's right. The attic is now, really and truly, a room. With paint and ceiling texture and a door and baseboard. I'm just amazed. Simply amazed.

Here's a slow progression of the attic renovation.

Raw oak cap on the wall around the stairs

New framing around the windows

Trying to match the door style

And then we get paint and stain:

Looks very close to the other doors

Hello Painters

This may be my favorite thing. The craftsmanship

In addition to the painting upstairs, the kitchen counter was finally "fully" installed. Again, I'm just amazed by these countertops. And by adding 1 1/2" lip to the countertops, I feel like I have more counter space. Plus... BACKSPLASH. Can I just say...I'm so pleased with my choices. Everyone knows Purple is my favorite color, but I think I'm rocking the green pretty well. And black!

Partially painted, backsplash tile started

Loving the tile

Then there's the floor in the master bath...Yeah. I'm geeking out a little...

Subfloor

TILE!!!

And finally... the hardwood floors...almost complete. And so PRETTY!! Coat 3 will be done coming up in the next couple of days.

Stain Choices

Raw floors, beautiful!

2 coats

1 coat

So we're winding down. Or ramping up. Take your pick. It's all coming together like a well oiled machine, except maybe a couple of weeks behind my schedule. I won't be able to move in by September 30, but when I do move in, most, if not all of the small items will be completed. I can hardly wait!

Days 38 thru 41 - Challenge Laid Down

Time flies when you're as busy as a one legged man in an ass kicking contest. And honestly, I feel like I have been beat up several different ways. I'm about 10 days behind on this blog (SORRY!), so I'm going to update this in chunks, because honestly, one big post just won't do it justice.

Day 38, for reference, is Sunday, August 23rd. I feel like it was a month ago, not just a little over 2 weeks. But here's the breakdown.

Day 38:

I finally finished priming the cabinet doors and framing. 2 coats, both sides of the doors. Major progress

I also, with the help of Cody, got some more "trash" out of the attic.  Namely a queen size mattress and box springs. Made me realize that I do NOT want to move my own stuff when the time comes. The attic, while super cool, is not really conducive to moving furniture.

Day 39: 

I had a walk through with Mike. Which just added to my "to do" list. As expected. Remember way back when I said "I don't want to be the homeowner that holds up this project"? Yeah, well. I was about to realize that I was that homeowner. And I was on the verge of pushing back my potential move in date. 

As Mike and I were finalizing things like the window in the bathroom, and the repairs of my closets (where they ran the HVAC, electrical and plumbing), he told me where I stood.

PAINT THE ROOMS ON THE FIRST FLOOR NOW OR YOU'LL BE PAYING RENT IN OCTOBER!

Uh, what?

I believe Mike's exact words were..."If I were running this project 100% (meaning that I am a bit controlling, is how I heard it), I would paint these rooms before the floors are sanded, and have everything moved out of the first floor by middle of next week"

Uh, what the what?! Is that a suggestion or are you telling me what to do?!?!

He wasn't kidding. I did see his point. But talk about panic at the disco. I thought I was making good time. I thought I had the timeline down. I thought I HAD TIME.

I was so wrong. 

So with that in mind, I basically put out an APB on any one willing and able to help me paint the following weekend. Because Wednesday before Labor Day weekend is my official cut off. No ifs, ands or buts.  Talk about a stressful walk through....

Day 40:

I took this evening after work to pick out colors for the marathon painting session on which I was about to embark. I dreaded this. Just absolutely dreaded it. But with the help (and patience) of Cody's wife, Bridget, I made some pretty good decisions (although I'm not completely thrilled now that it's on the walls). I still have to decide on the master suite and master bathroom. But I do have a little time for that because, well, someone else is painting that! That's the upside.

Day 41:

We failed the plumbing inspection but it's fixable and not a huge issue.  But let me tell you... the first time you see that "red tag" that can't leave the premises, you sort of freak out. I freaked out (sorry Mike, I'll make it up to you).

I also found out that the kitchen sink is backing up in to the stationary tub. This is not a good sign. But like everything else, sort of expected and can (for the right price) be fixed. I just haven't gotten that estimate yet.

I finished putting the second coat of paint on the cabinets (I'm not really sure which day I put the first coat on, to be honest... I didn't write that down).

I also cleaned up the hardware (I have no idea if this is original or not, but it cleaned up very well). The hardware looks very "art deco" to me. Someone correct me if I'm wrong, or if it's not original to the house. I like it though!

Day 7 - All Hail Hardwood Floors

The phone rang around 11 AM.  It was Mike and there was no "hello" when I answered, just "Jen". You know that tone, like when your parents are pissed, but worse because this is your contractor and holy shit, something is majorly wrong and it's going to cost you a weeks salary. But Mike's a little dry, so I didn't freak too much. I gave the standard cautious "yesss" and then I hear the sweetest words ever; "We officially have hardwood floors in the kitchen!" This was music to my ears; the best news I could have gotten.  Thank you, little house!!! Mwah!

This is an uptick in my budget, one less item to shop for, and everything I wanted to compliment my sink!

I'm not really sure who was more excited, Mike or myself (although I'm learning that Mike doesn't get excited. Or angry, or... anything). I am impressed by the condition and how good they look and also by the lack of glue that held down the felt or whatever was on the back of the 2nd layer of linoleum. He assures me that they will sand down with no issues and look really nice.  Yay me!

Mike also reminded me that I have to go pick out granite. Enough of this shopping! Granite, however, is a sticking point with me. I had it in my mind that I wanted quartz. Everything I read said "go quartz". It's not like I'm hard on a kitchen. I mean, I cook, but I know better than to put hot items on the counter top based on years having "not-quartz". But still. I had my heart set on a little combo of black based quartz with green flecks. With a back splash in muted green mini subway tile. Can you not picture it?! But the budget is the budget and even with the upswing of the hardwood floors over the tile floors, it still isn't feasible. Mainly because I want to spend that money elsewhere. I'm seriously going to learn how to stretch a dollar on this project. That's another goal!

Other than that...Day 7 was pretty damn good. I hope the hardwoods run into the laundry room. Fingers crossed!