Sunday, June 24, 2012

A Visit to the House




Terri dropped us at the house on Saturday, and we spent some time blowing bubbles, feeding the ducks, and sword fighting.  Nini wants to be just like her brothers. 

Week 7 Renovation Status




Well things continue to go well in spite of the heat and humidity.  The roofer worked Friday, Saturday, and Sunday and may have a bit of work to finish up on Monday.  The electrician will be at the house on Tuesday and Thursday, hopefully, and Steve, Ken, and Dan will frame in the upstairs on Tuesday and Wednesday.  Terri and I removed the plaster and laths from two walls in the red room on the first floor (see before and after pictures above), and I cleaned and straightened up on the first floor.  The pantry by the back door is going to be great (see picture)!  What a great idea Jenny.  Moving the opening between the kitchen and the living room, taking out the stack, straightening the stairs, and putting in a pantry/closet are great ideas and will make the kitchen more functional.  I can't wait to get back in and reorganize. 

Tuesday, June 19, 2012

The Stack is Down



Steve and Danny kicked butt today and got the chimney/stack removed all the way to the basement.  Ken kept things going on the second floor so the roofer can start on Thursday.  Zach, Nini, and I took a few pictures of the progress.  Stay tuned for more.

Sunday, June 17, 2012

Renovation Plans




We thought we'd let everyone see the plans.  Sorry that we had to resort to taking pictures of the plans, but that should give you some idea of what we're doing.  I've also included a photograph of the roof sans chimney.

Saturday, June 16, 2012

End of Week 6 Update


Things are going well.  The plumber started his work this past week and will be back on Monday.  There were some slight adjustments because of his work, but nothing major.  Danny and Steve took the chimney down to just below the second floor.  It's slow going because they have to chisel through about four inches of solid 1918 concrete (see photo).  Steve is going to get a slightly larger jackhammer for Monday so they can get it down below the first floor a bit quicker.  I was over this morning helping Steve clean up on the second floor, and we took down a little bit of sheet rock and the balusters.  When you look at the picture of the upstairs the area to the left of the stairs is going to be Nini's room and the area to the right of the stairs will be the boys' room.  If all goes well, the roofer will finish next week.  We're trying to figure out what color we want to paint the house so we can choose a color for the James Hardie siding and the front and back doors.  We'll try to post the colors when we figure them out.  More later.

Tuesday, June 12, 2012

New Opening Between Front Two Rooms



Jenny's design to make a larger opening between the front two rooms is fabulous!  It's going to really open up the house and make for a much better flow.  A slight change in plans for the exterior finish on the second floor will have us in front of the architectural review board next week.  The plumber comes tomorrow, and we'll be talking to the window company about doors on Friday.  Pretty soon we'll have to start looking at tubs, toilets, vanities, and closet finishes.  What fun!!!!  Building a home from the ground up must be so gratifying, but putting new life into a 90+ home is a most incredible feeling.   

Thursday, June 7, 2012

Middle of Week 5 Renovation Update





The front porch is beginning to take shape.  Steve (in bottom picture) and Danny have framed in the new entryway and cut the hole into the house from that room.  Also, they've removed the windows from the other side of the porch and have begun framing over there, too.  It already makes the house look and feel bigger, and it gives it a whole new life.  When we're done the house may have another hundred years in it. 

Sunday, June 3, 2012

Week 4--Addendum






I went over this morning and early afternoon and knocked down the ceiling on the front porch.  What fun!  Here are some before and after pictures.

Saturday, June 2, 2012

Week 4--Nini and Her Nail Gun

Steve and Ken worked hard on the front porch today and got the decking on the joists.  The porch is now level and extremely solid.  They're now ready to start putting up the new walls and taking out the windows and front door.  By the middle of next week things should be quite different.  The second floor continues to progress.  The chimney will come down sometime next week, and the electrician should be coming in later in the week.  Steve. Ken, and Danny are kicking butt!!!