tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-409579393631815502024-03-13T05:53:40.128-05:00Our new Deltec processThe trials and tribulations of building our round house in the woods.Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger76125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-40957939363181550.post-45517279854038045952015-08-09T16:41:00.001-05:002015-08-10T22:15:27.536-05:008/9/2015 The wrap up8/9/2015 The Wrap up<br />
We now consider the house done in the sense that anything we do from this point on is elective, and does not have a deadline pushing us to completion. Not that we don't have lots of projects in our future, but none that I believe will keep us up at night. Wow, it has been a long two and a half years, and it is hard to imagine life before the Farm With A View now. I'm going to have to think on this one for a little while and spend a few days compiling this entry because of all the lessons learned in the process (good, bad, and ugly).<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Our kitchen, where the only thing we did not install ourselves was the counter top. I don't include plumbing and electrical, which code required to be done by licensed professionals. We will be forever grateful for this guy (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xp6qyUkPyFI) and the leveling hardware we purchased through his web site. We took every single lesson he taught and put it to good use. Thank you Brooks Courtney.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zYi3m_P8t2E/VceBZc4lktI/AAAAAAAACqs/ELNxs_Ggi9E/s1600/IMG_3342.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zYi3m_P8t2E/VceBZc4lktI/AAAAAAAACqs/ELNxs_Ggi9E/s640/IMG_3342.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">One item we did not install ourselves initially was the lighted pot rack. Unfortunately, neither did our electrician. He incorrectly inserted the anchor stud that holds the whole works in the ceiling, and the entire thing, pots, pans, and all came crashing down on the back of my arm while we were unloading groceries one night. Fortunately, in addition to my arm, the grocery bags absorbed much of the impact, and the only repair we had to make was to the original wiring that got torn loose. Debra and I corrected the mounting stud issue and remounted the rack, which remains stoutly attached to date.</span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-33lE6mJhyTE/VceB6IofNEI/AAAAAAAACrA/PkQ9aFY6vlE/s1600/IMG_3327.CR2" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-33lE6mJhyTE/VceB6IofNEI/AAAAAAAACrA/PkQ9aFY6vlE/s640/IMG_3327.CR2" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">In our old place we were isolated from the rest of the house when working in the kitchen. Now with the open concept of our Deltec, we love the view and the ability to commune with both visitors and nature.</span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Just off the kitchen is the hallway to the central bath, spare upstairs bedroom, linen closet and laundry area.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ecxOQvUcfxw/Vcd_F_9uRoI/AAAAAAAACo4/eLRf-7uh-sw/s1600/IMG_3334.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ecxOQvUcfxw/Vcd_F_9uRoI/AAAAAAAACo4/eLRf-7uh-sw/s640/IMG_3334.JPG" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">We brought the laundry area to the upstairs central portion of the house for convenience, and enclosed it with a cordless roman shade (see picture above this one). Before we closed in the walls I had the insulators pack the walls with dense pack cellulose insulation which helps greatly in muting any sound from the washer/dryer. I had the white overflow tray (showing below the wash machine) actually plumbed into the drain system of the house. If the wash machine ever breaks or leaks, all the water will simply drain into the septic system instead of down through our hard wood floors.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BO_pskgHgXI/Vcd_GJrVj6I/AAAAAAAACo8/dyQMxUW9wD8/s1600/IMG_3335.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BO_pskgHgXI/Vcd_GJrVj6I/AAAAAAAACo8/dyQMxUW9wD8/s640/IMG_3335.JPG" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">At the end of the hall and just off the upstairs guest bedroom is the main guest bath. In keeping with the circular concept of the Deltec, and to provide a roomier shower, we installed a semi-circular unit, which like most of the rest of the house required more work cutting tile and getting it to work in a non square room. This is a project that Debra and I wound up installing on our own in order to move completion forward.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-50BXukvrvDM/VceA08VZFjI/AAAAAAAACqk/jCn_0YnCCWg/s1600/IMG_3378.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-50BXukvrvDM/VceA08VZFjI/AAAAAAAACqk/jCn_0YnCCWg/s640/IMG_3378.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">The upstairs guest bedroom, just off the hallway from the kitchen is a very nice size and provides plenty of room.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kkoJtl3LVkE/Vcd_yhhERZI/AAAAAAAACp0/CI7PYlJgJDU/s1600/IMG_3379.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kkoJtl3LVkE/Vcd_yhhERZI/AAAAAAAACp0/CI7PYlJgJDU/s640/IMG_3379.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">In addition to having plenty of space for guests, there is also room for a small office area to the right (desk, printer, shredder, supplies, etc). Down in the basement directly below is a duplicate version of this bedroom and the guest bath adjacent. Those are currently studded in, but unfinished till a later date.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-52n4DqWQ1u8/Vcd_TJ9Ei9I/AAAAAAAACpM/Pc60x-sQGEk/s1600/IMG_3357.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-52n4DqWQ1u8/Vcd_TJ9Ei9I/AAAAAAAACpM/Pc60x-sQGEk/s640/IMG_3357.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">On the opposite side of the house from the guest bedroom is our master bedroom suite.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BatqtQQct78/VceNZhoqeFI/AAAAAAAACrU/3gIq54gsrvI/s1600/IMG_3347.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BatqtQQct78/VceNZhoqeFI/AAAAAAAACrU/3gIq54gsrvI/s640/IMG_3347.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Our room opens out on to a small deck, which in turn steps down to a small private patio in back of the house. This room truly is a sanctuary for us.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Our respite away from the day to day.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GbvHX8LYWnY/VcekArgPmfI/AAAAAAAACuk/JObhUucuOfs/s1600/IMG_3352.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GbvHX8LYWnY/VcekArgPmfI/AAAAAAAACuk/JObhUucuOfs/s640/IMG_3352.JPG" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">The walk-in shower in our master bath, next to installing our kitchen, was the scariest project for me. I built this from scratch. There are no generic shower pans, or wall sections built anywhere that you can just slip in to a "non standard" room like this (it actually has <i>five</i> sides inside because of how it fits in the wall section of our Deltec). The special niche in the wall set between the studs, and the step over threshold, to the floor which is a layer of plywood, concrete, rubber shower membrane, more concrete, and tile, plus several layers of liquid waterproofing membrane on all surfaces, all kept me awake at night for a long time. You Tube to the rescue again. I watched multiple videos multiple times until I got up the confidence to tackle it. Happily all the prep paid off because it turned out perfectly.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Fb1JXvDW5F0/Vcej7vw4RSI/AAAAAAAACuU/USYgaLjtY3A/s1600/IMG_3354.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Fb1JXvDW5F0/Vcej7vw4RSI/AAAAAAAACuU/USYgaLjtY3A/s640/IMG_3354.JPG" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Six foot soaker tub, where the sore muscles from working on the house have been soothed after many a long day.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Double vanities and room to move in our master bath.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">A roomy walk-in closet attached to our master.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">The main entrance, flanked by floor to ceiling crank out windows makes it a welcoming well lit and airy entry to our house.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-F9jyivhuFCc/VceO1dQMh6I/AAAAAAAACrw/TThFBHzheS4/s1600/IMG_3345.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-F9jyivhuFCc/VceO1dQMh6I/AAAAAAAACrw/TThFBHzheS4/s640/IMG_3345.JPG" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Looking back in to the main house from the entry. There is also a large coat closet just inside the door.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-B2KohCwY0HY/VceO9syIJGI/AAAAAAAACr4/pRAaESu9yA4/s1600/IMG_3366.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-B2KohCwY0HY/VceO9syIJGI/AAAAAAAACr4/pRAaESu9yA4/s640/IMG_3366.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">The heart of home and hearth. A small detail we added, knowing that this room could be arranged in any of a number of ways are (craftily hidden) two pair of flush mounted electrical outlets in the floor. So no matter where or how the furniture is arranged, there is no need to drape electrical cords across the floor to reach lamps and such.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OCVNr6Ad9OA/VcePFBOhmPI/AAAAAAAACsA/-wvNSUb9QiI/s1600/IMG_3369.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OCVNr6Ad9OA/VcePFBOhmPI/AAAAAAAACsA/-wvNSUb9QiI/s640/IMG_3369.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">We love the openness of our Deltec design. </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gwsdQqeTN00/VcePIty2YeI/AAAAAAAACsI/3T7rStKOGiA/s1600/IMG_3386.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gwsdQqeTN00/VcePIty2YeI/AAAAAAAACsI/3T7rStKOGiA/s640/IMG_3386.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">The shelf we designed above the media wall has an electrical outlet hidden below line of sight with a switch tucked inside the linen closet. Currently we have LED rope lighting to softly illuminate anything on the shelf. For the Christmas holiday, we have festive lights and a little tree that we light up as well.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ukePCLJsnY4/VceTpZo41wI/AAAAAAAACsk/uG17amRUUPw/s1600/IMG_3392.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ukePCLJsnY4/VceTpZo41wI/AAAAAAAACsk/uG17amRUUPw/s640/IMG_3392.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">The as yet unfinished, but still useable basement. We have a home office to the immediate left where Debra is able to work from home on certain days.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jpv4L87kPjU/VceTg13DDZI/AAAAAAAACsU/EiycPtS1Uw4/s1600/IMG_3394.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jpv4L87kPjU/VceTg13DDZI/AAAAAAAACsU/EiycPtS1Uw4/s640/IMG_3394.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">With project deadlines out of the way, we may actually find time to utilize some of our equipment now.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-w5yRzYPMv8s/VceUoob1ytI/AAAAAAAACtc/6_ADYopNuEI/s1600/IMG_3418.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-w5yRzYPMv8s/VceUoob1ytI/AAAAAAAACtc/6_ADYopNuEI/s640/IMG_3418.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">When the weather is too bad to sit outside, we have an area we can hang out down stairs, where tracking in a little dirt won't cause heart palpitations. Some day we will finish this area, but for now we are perfectly content.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Sitting areas outside the basement walk-out.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Just add Smores, the view provides the rest.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yqxCYcS5Bcw/VceUVOqH01I/AAAAAAAACtM/mvHwAFjglmA/s1600/IMG_3404.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yqxCYcS5Bcw/VceUVOqH01I/AAAAAAAACtM/mvHwAFjglmA/s640/IMG_3404.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Our southern exposure. You can see now, with the overhang designed by Deltec to be appropriate for our northern latitude, how we get so much passive solar heating in the Winter time.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lDIxnz--3qY/VceTmoXW1ZI/AAAAAAAACsc/vue7nE11cU0/s1600/IMG_3397.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lDIxnz--3qY/VceTmoXW1ZI/AAAAAAAACsc/vue7nE11cU0/s640/IMG_3397.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Our septic tanks were such an eye sore just off the patio, until Debra came up with this design idea. A few treated deck boards and some stout framing resting on top of the concrete tank covers now provides her with some sturdy platforms to display her flowers. When access is needed to the tanks, these just lift off and out of the way.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-roTtEt6g0vs/VceaOOPd51I/AAAAAAAACt8/ci_LOMUgsic/s1600/IMG_3421.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-roTtEt6g0vs/VceaOOPd51I/AAAAAAAACt8/ci_LOMUgsic/s640/IMG_3421.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Upper deck cooking and eating area looking to the West. I have to put in a plug here for the Big Green Egg grill. This is the best charcoal grill and smoker I have ever seen or used, bar none.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CeiKe8IZwhU/VceaUbSLRsI/AAAAAAAACuE/nLCpzdHUZaY/s1600/IMG_3422.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CeiKe8IZwhU/VceaUbSLRsI/AAAAAAAACuE/nLCpzdHUZaY/s640/IMG_3422.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Upper deck looking back to the East.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Our final project before closing the book on all the major work we have accomplished on our Deltec. Debra got the idea from a fence she saw at one of the parks in La Crosse. We will be cutting a gate into it later. We'll let that cedar weather naturally, so no maintenance needed.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Thank you to those who have been following our progress, trials, and tribulations. It has been a journey, and we appreciate your taking it with us.</span></td></tr>
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Now for some of the grit and lessons we picked up along the way. I'm going to start with the bad items up front.<br />
First and foremost we would strongly council anyone thinking of taking on a home building project, to take as much time as needed before committing themselves to the process. When shopping for contractors and sub contractors, make certain to carefully vet those people before signing anything. Check through your local Better Business Bureau. Ask questions of local lumber yards and other professionals in your area for recommendations, both for and against any contractors you may be considering. Had we taken the time to do that, this whole process would have turned out drastically different and a whole lot cheaper for us. We made the mistake of rushing into the contractual start of this project because we were about to lose some significant discounts Deltec had offered us up front. To take advantage of those discounts, we had to accept delivery of our home package by a certain date. Looking back now we would have been many thousands of dollars ahead if we had given up those discounts vs the money we lost in the building process.<br />
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Another thing we regret is allowing ourselves to be talked into a "time and materials" contract, vs a fixed bid, from someone we were not familiar with and who was not intimately familiar with the vagaries of putting up a Deltec home.<br />
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Another thing that cost us is we wish we had gotten a written guarantee of our delivery time and date from Deltec. We love the folks at Deltec dearly, but because our delivery schedule somehow got dropped in the process, we were unable to start on time, and the Deltec engineer we had arranged for could not be here when the house was set. Also the whole kit and kaboodle had to sit in the open wrapped in plastic for weeks until we could get our set crews back online in the middle of a hard Wisconsin winter.<br />
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Now, moving on to the good portions of this project. Always end on a high note is a good way to finish.<br />
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Other than that slight given to Deltec above, we cannot say enough good things about this company and its people. On the many occasions when we turned to them for help and answers, they were always there. From the initial visit to the factory when we had no idea what we were getting ourselves into, to months and years down the road when we STILL didn't realize what we had gotten ourselves into, we always knew help was a phone call away. The product they provide is second to none in quality. When people look at our pictures, or tour the house and see what the Deltec portion is made of, they are always impressed.<br />
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After we had lived in our new area for a time and gotten to know the locals, we discovered a wealth of quality builders and expert craftsman from which we would have benefited immensely during this build had we taken that time before instead of rushing in to save a few dollars.<br />
The one time I did challenge a subcontractor, it turned out to be very good for us. When our HVAC contractor wouldn't deal with us directly, (he only wanted to go through our general contractor and not deal with the homeowner) or answer questions we had, we went with a company <i>we</i> chose and could not have been happier with the result. Like Deltec, Water Source Heating and Cooling of Eau Claire, WI, was prompt, worked well with us, answered all questions, and walked us through every step of the install as they went. When warranty issues came up later, they were wonderful. This company is quality every step of the way. We wish every contractor we dealt with could have been like this.<br />
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Tools and equipment. If you are doing projects yourself, do not cheap out on your equipment. Before we started this I thought I had a pretty good set of wood working tools because I used to have a wood shop setup in my old house. You don't realize how many specialty items become necessary when you start a project like this. The kitchen was a perfect example. A quality self leveling laser was the start, then pony clamps and specialized plastic shims, indoor scaffolding, etc, etc, were all things I never used or thought of before. Specialized nailers, squaring devices and other odds and ends for the hardwood floors. I've tiled before, but had not done masonry (fireplace wall), so we had to add additional items over and above what I owned prior. Because I had never done such extensive tile work, we bought a large sliding table tile saw, and are extremely grateful we did. There are other examples, but you get the idea. Unless you have done professional home building in the past, you are going to have to budget a considerable sum for tools that didn't even occur to you. <u>Do not skimp on your tool budget!</u> Cheap tools yield cheap results. You will regret that hardware store power tool when it gives out part way through a project, or does not have proper tolerances and allows slop in your work. I don't regret a cent we spent on tools to build this house.<br />
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We're grateful for friends and coworkers who had to deal with our incessant pictures and constantly talking about what was happening with and what we were doing to our house. I'm sure we were tedious at times.<br />
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I am particularly grateful for a patient spouse and wonderful partner who works so well with me, especially when I'm stressed or impatient with something. Always the calming influence, and knowing just when to needle and push when I thought there was something I or we could not do on our own. She always proved we could, when we put our minds and backs in to it (with a healthy dose of that ever wonderful You Tube).<br />
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Would we do it again? Yes, yes we would. It's been a long road, but looking back on all we accomplished in spite of the challenges, makes us immensely proud of our home and the part we played in building it. Here's to our future in our new Deltec home.<br />
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Kim and Debra Randall<br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-40957939363181550.post-2343154779872869292015-06-19T12:40:00.000-05:002015-06-19T12:40:23.546-05:006/19/2015 Landscaping complete6/19/2015<br />
Happy days, the muddy hillside is no more! After two years of dealing with mud, weeds, and the look of an abandoned house (while all our attentions were focused on the inside), we have completion on our exterior landscaping. J&B Landscaping out of Arcadia, WI did a fabulous job of designing and creating everything we were hoping for. Jake listened to all our wants and needs and he and his crew created the results you see here. We had few requirements, but the ones we did have were non-negotiable. Things like the stone steps leading up from the patio, not having ANY grass to mow, minimal upkeep, and hearty native plantings were our must haves. Everything else sprang from recommendations by Jake and implemented to go well with our requirements. We are immensely happy homeowners. There needs to be some edge cleanup, and a fence added at one end, but those are relatively unimportant to the big picture, and something Debra and I can handle later on our own.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Looking back to the west along the north side of the house and garage.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Small patio off the back entrance to our master bedroom.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-myfeYRbZFy8/VYRPLUmlC4I/AAAAAAAACMs/F74tJR1CuiA/s1600/IMG_20150617_200313.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-myfeYRbZFy8/VYRPLUmlC4I/AAAAAAAACMs/F74tJR1CuiA/s640/IMG_20150617_200313.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Looking back towards the driveway. We will be placing a tall split rail fence at the end to provide a little additional privacy.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Looking back southeast towards the lower level walkout.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">We were using that fire pit even before they were half finished with the landscape.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sZnIa5mGJM0/VYRPYaN9R3I/AAAAAAAACNM/eNpzz3D_DOo/s1600/IMG_20150617_200828.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sZnIa5mGJM0/VYRPYaN9R3I/AAAAAAAACNM/eNpzz3D_DOo/s640/IMG_20150617_200828.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Those steps were the main focal point around which the rest of the landscape was designed.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Looking back northwest into the pine grove.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Our view back to the southwest.</span></td></tr>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-40957939363181550.post-44300451287817432292015-06-03T23:32:00.001-05:002015-06-03T23:32:30.605-05:006/3/2015 Finishing Touches 6/3/2015<br />
We have completed a few more final touches to the house and yard that have us looking more like a completed home. The trim is installed, and all that remains inside is to finish staining the windows. This of course does not include the basement, which we will not be finishing for a few more years. Outside is the big news, with our landscaper returning to finish the grounds outside. Everything is going to be natural stone, mulch, and native plantings. My one main requirement was that there would not be one blade of grass that would require regular mowing, and Jake from J&B Landscaping and his crew are taking care of that in a gorgeous way.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">The stairway, with plenty of natural light, leading to the basement. We finished the trim and the window up above.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Once you turn left at the bottom of the stairs, this is our entrance to the main basement. On the near left is the door to our cold storage/root cellar/storm bunker. You can see beyond the french doors that the basement is raw open stud walls for now, with future completion a few years down the road. The floor plan for this room is shown in a previous entry on the printed floor plan.</span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-L4bgaCuyvJ4/VW_QOI5hb1I/AAAAAAAACC8/_onF_McdyH4/s1600/20150602_104559.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-L4bgaCuyvJ4/VW_QOI5hb1I/AAAAAAAACC8/_onF_McdyH4/s640/20150602_104559.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Lower level front "before" picture.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AON_PBYY8c8/VW_QezrTt8I/AAAAAAAACDc/zzQZ48DF8Q4/s1600/20150603_155327.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AON_PBYY8c8/VW_QezrTt8I/AAAAAAAACDc/zzQZ48DF8Q4/s640/20150603_155327.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Lower level front "in progress" picture.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-A-iS6dRXgw4/VW_QGhsX6uI/AAAAAAAACC0/hTiqun1ysaM/s1600/20150602_104525.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-A-iS6dRXgw4/VW_QGhsX6uI/AAAAAAAACC0/hTiqun1ysaM/s640/20150602_104525.jpg" width="360" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Upper level front "before".</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WqktYcqplCg/VW_QQHzBQaI/AAAAAAAACDE/jy2_WumU7_0/s1600/20150603_155252.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WqktYcqplCg/VW_QQHzBQaI/AAAAAAAACDE/jy2_WumU7_0/s640/20150603_155252.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Upper level front "in progress".</span></td></tr>
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-40957939363181550.post-85996942334113124282015-03-16T15:38:00.000-05:002015-03-16T16:40:32.610-05:003/16/2015 Floor Plans3/16/2015<br />
Thanks to the good folks at Deltec, we got copies of our original floor plan blue prints. Since we have had some questions about how our house is laid out, we thought we would post these pics and show how we decided to design our dream house.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZFrYUXW63-4/VQc62GGl36I/AAAAAAAAA_0/P6Dyb1BTS5A/s1600/Randall%2Bfloor%2Bplan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZFrYUXW63-4/VQc62GGl36I/AAAAAAAAA_0/P6Dyb1BTS5A/s1600/Randall%2Bfloor%2Bplan.jpg" height="422" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">We started with a plan for the Monterey, but we were having difficulty agreeing on how we wanted to lay it out. After spending some time with our Deltec designer, and Debra and I not being able to agree on the layout, we took a break. I wandered over to one of the display tables that had brochures and pictures of the different floor plans. There front and center was a brand new model called the Shenandoah. One look and we both went "that's it!" With a little tweaking to adjust things to our tastes, we arrived at what you see here. Different from above is a small deck in place of the back patio shown, and the arrow pointing north is hiding a small section of wall and the doors to the master bedroom and walk-in closet are not showing in this print.</span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2-luaKIv1A4/VQc6up2A8nI/AAAAAAAAA_k/bQxSeIYbV9M/s1600/Randall%2BBASEMENT.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2-luaKIv1A4/VQc6up2A8nI/AAAAAAAAA_k/bQxSeIYbV9M/s1600/Randall%2BBASEMENT.jpg" height="442" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">This is close to how our basement is laid out. When framing was started we discovered the utility room was not going to be big enough to hold everything (heat pump, in-floor heat holding tank and manifold, water heater, pressure tank, and electrical panels), so it was expanded, along with the bathroom to even out the walls.</span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-53tX0uxLQAo/VQc60-CZSwI/AAAAAAAAA_s/ddme-V1aKHU/s1600/Randall%2BELEVATION.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-53tX0uxLQAo/VQc60-CZSwI/AAAAAAAAA_s/ddme-V1aKHU/s1600/Randall%2BELEVATION.jpg" height="430" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-40957939363181550.post-2830462426966534772015-03-01T22:06:00.001-06:002015-03-01T22:06:30.766-06:003/1/2015 Another example of the energy efficiency of our Deltec3/1/2015<br />
We got the monthly newsletter from our energy co-op the other day, and it had an interesting formula in there. They claim, on average it costs .10 cents per occupied square foot of your typical home to heat and cool. If it takes more than that, you need to consider additional insulation. If we take into account our basement (in floor heat) and our main floor (forced air), we are coming in at an average of less than half that. Can't beat that with a stick. :)Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-40957939363181550.post-41057602212592189842015-02-24T17:20:00.000-06:002015-02-25T09:36:30.744-06:00Happy in our home.2/24/2015 <br />
We've received a lot of attention recently in regards to our home. We are proud of our efforts and humbled by the wonderful positive comments we have received. There are a number of painful lessons we have learned along the way, and I will talk to those in detail when I wrap up this blog at a later date. In the mean time here are a couple of pictures to celebrate some down time while we wait for stain to dry on the woodwork that's staged in the basement. Thank you to the fine folks at Deltec who have supported and encouraged us along the way.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-i6Ci9RuU7J0/VO0GFgRhLCI/AAAAAAAAA-4/VnFAvJOAqdU/s1600/IMG_3312.CR2" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-i6Ci9RuU7J0/VO0GFgRhLCI/AAAAAAAAA-4/VnFAvJOAqdU/s1600/IMG_3312.CR2" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fPIvy1b67fo/VO0FYwcgnNI/AAAAAAAAA-w/x5CRvaXg_1Q/s1600/IMG_3316.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fPIvy1b67fo/VO0FYwcgnNI/AAAAAAAAA-w/x5CRvaXg_1Q/s1600/IMG_3316.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-40957939363181550.post-44066821387627737222015-02-12T11:11:00.000-06:002015-04-08T10:14:04.145-05:002/12/2015 Enjoying Our Energy Efficiency2/12/2015<br />
It is currently zero degrees Fahrenheit outside, but with the sun shining in our south facing windows, the house is 74 degrees inside. To put that in perspective, that's a 74 degree difference between inside and outside with no assistance from our Geothermal heat pump. Gotta love those ten inch super insulated walls in our Deltec.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tReHnHx7aBg/VNzdH4I7pJI/AAAAAAAAA-Q/Z1A8grKgeN0/s1600/IMG_20150212_093957_535.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tReHnHx7aBg/VNzdH4I7pJI/AAAAAAAAA-Q/Z1A8grKgeN0/s1600/IMG_20150212_093957_535.jpg" height="360" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">The view isn't the only thing we appreciate coming in through all those windows.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2d-SL4lRyNc/VNziueWLp3I/AAAAAAAAA-g/2oFrXLLfe1U/s1600/IMG_20150212_112430_009.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2d-SL4lRyNc/VNziueWLp3I/AAAAAAAAA-g/2oFrXLLfe1U/s1600/IMG_20150212_112430_009.jpg" height="360" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">By the time I thought to take this picture, the outside temperature had risen slightly to +4 degrees. We didn't realize at the time, but the outdoor temp/humidity module was failing, so no humidity reading available. I've since replaced it under warranty and all is working again.</span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></td></tr>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-40957939363181550.post-39231987531255476292015-01-14T17:31:00.000-06:002015-01-14T17:31:16.038-06:001/14/2015 Recognition1/14/2015 Recognition<br />
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We have worked hard on this house and continue to work hard on it just about every day. We do it because it's our home and all the sweat equity makes it just that much more special to us. However, receiving recognition for our efforts, especially from the professionals really just ices the cake. We have been featured in the 2014 year end wrap-up by Deltec, and appreciate both the quality of their product, and their following up with us regularly.<br />
http://blog.deltechomes.com/deltecs-best-of-2014?utm_source=Month+in+Review+January+2015+-+Best+of+2014&utm_campaign=Jan2015-Year+in+Review&utm_medium=email<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QLXoW472RFQ/VLb7J6xGnMI/AAAAAAAAA-A/QKhOTgZbJ7s/s1600/Xmas%2B2014.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QLXoW472RFQ/VLb7J6xGnMI/AAAAAAAAA-A/QKhOTgZbJ7s/s1600/Xmas%2B2014.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Happy New Year from The Farm With A View.</span></td></tr>
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-40957939363181550.post-33711280579956809482015-01-07T10:42:00.002-06:002015-01-07T10:42:54.021-06:001/7/2015 Life in the North Woods1/7/2015<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IJCeDFffMhM/VK1fPbFaFMI/AAAAAAAAA9w/Rty3HP0gUvo/s1600/IMG_20141119_163109_987.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IJCeDFffMhM/VK1fPbFaFMI/AAAAAAAAA9w/Rty3HP0gUvo/s1600/IMG_20141119_163109_987.jpg" height="360" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">Life in the North Woods has its upsides and its
downsides. However we wouldn't trade any of it for anything. It just
requires a different level of effort. As of this writing, it is -10
degrees and a wind chill of 20-30 below zero. Now, if I could just
figure out a way to enclose and heat that cab.....We have a fire going and sun streaming in the windows, so the temperature inside is a summer like 74 degrees (and the heat pump hasn't run for the last couple of days). Those ten inch walls and super dense pack insulation have us toasty warm and comfortable.</span></span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></td></tr>
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-40957939363181550.post-14550391675968409692014-12-26T10:41:00.000-06:002014-12-27T18:21:43.185-06:0012-26-2014 More interior milestones completed<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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12-26-2014<br />
We gave ourselves a couple of Christmas presents that would have been very difficult to gift wrap this week. Two major interior completions have put us tantalizingly close to being able to say the house is done. First and most importantly I finally finished the walk-in shower in the master bath. We changed plans on the style, since it had been so long from initial planning, which meant I had to return all the subway tiles (boxes and boxes of them!), and Debra chose the color pattern we had used throughout both bathrooms for continuity in the design. I chose to go with a larger 12X12 format for ease of installation and to give a little contrast to the 6X6 used in the rest of the bathroom. All tile, grout, and sealing have been done and after the appropriate seven day curing process the first use of the shower was on Christmas day. What a feeling! The glass door is not on yet (ordered and not arriving till later in January), so we have a temporary shower curtain being put to use. The other item was the tile back-splash for the kitchen. We had the counter tops installed without integral back-splash because we knew we were going to tile. We just didn't realize at the time it was going to take so darn long. We used a 9X12 base tile with 1X2 glass and stone mosaics, all in neutral earth tones for contrast.<br />
Now, the only thing left to do for a finished house is lots and lots of staining and trim installation. Here on the day after Christmas we are again pulling out the tools and continuing that process. We both look forward to a day when we can plan on participating in some of our long ignored hobbies and pastimes that have fallen by the wayside since starting this whole building process.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AB_ZKE1a5Gw/VJ2HyQSfnbI/AAAAAAAAA9M/wpNzR6iabbk/s1600/IMG_20141223_152554_764.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AB_ZKE1a5Gw/VJ2HyQSfnbI/AAAAAAAAA9M/wpNzR6iabbk/s1600/IMG_20141223_152554_764.jpg" height="640" width="360" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1qoJhVKYARI/VJ2H0ZvapOI/AAAAAAAAA9U/eEDY7iXkZ8Y/s1600/IMG_20141223_152648_616.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1qoJhVKYARI/VJ2H0ZvapOI/AAAAAAAAA9U/eEDY7iXkZ8Y/s1600/IMG_20141223_152648_616.jpg" height="640" width="360" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">All the stress and mental anguish worrying about how this project would turn out have finally ended. The concrete floor/base that I was losing sleep over, turned out perfect, in that it is smooth, consistent, and properly drains from all directions. The little shampoo/soap niche that was so difficult to work on also turned out great. All in all, the hard work and worry payed off with a shower we are proud of.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ws2qjeIL6do/VJ2H1NTUYPI/AAAAAAAAA9c/mt5oA0PdgcU/s1600/IMG_20141226_093252_553.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ws2qjeIL6do/VJ2H1NTUYPI/AAAAAAAAA9c/mt5oA0PdgcU/s1600/IMG_20141226_093252_553.jpg" height="360" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">The back-splash went much smoother than expected. I had never tried cutting glass tiles before, so that was a new skill requiring great care to prevent chips and exploding tiles (don't ask). The proper blade for the tile saw helped immensely. One challenge we hadn't expected was how our cabinets aligned with the outlets. The outlets were measured and installed a specific distance from the floor all around the kitchen. If you have seen the cabinet install portion of this blog, you know the kitchen floor varied by as much as an inch and a half from level from one side to the other. Because we installed all the cabinets with levelers it appeared that the outlets were misaligned when we started tiling. This required some creative processes as we went to mask the difference. The process turned out well, and is nearly impossible to notice, and only then if you are looking hard in the right places.</span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-n_aUH_9Asb8/VJ2HvflI4cI/AAAAAAAAA88/Nn_o2RzxL1o/s1600/IMG_20141214_143627_625.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-n_aUH_9Asb8/VJ2HvflI4cI/AAAAAAAAA88/Nn_o2RzxL1o/s1600/IMG_20141214_143627_625.jpg" height="640" width="360" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">This is something that has been important to us from the start of the whole build. Look closely at the top of the back of this tile. We went out of our way whenever possible to put Made In The USA materials in this house. We're happy to say every piece of tile in the house was made by this company, and we couldn't be happier with the product. Sometimes it cost us a little extra, and surprisingly when you researched hard enough, we found we could get quality Made In The USA materials for less than the "stuff" coming from the Asian markets. The same with any new tools I picked up along the way. It was that important to us.</span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8kWr3vFwKlc/VJ2HscJEH9I/AAAAAAAAA80/92L6S2At6tE/s1600/IMG_20141207_153859_227.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8kWr3vFwKlc/VJ2HscJEH9I/AAAAAAAAA80/92L6S2At6tE/s1600/IMG_20141207_153859_227.jpg" height="360" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">A little side project we took on was this portable(?) structure to keep the tractor and some of our other outside equipment out of the weather for the winter. We just couldn't afford the pole building we were hoping to build this past Fall for storage, so this will have to do for another year or two.</span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ibi4EXPLsEI/VJ2HxbbJKtI/AAAAAAAAA9E/csZkj10sIZk/s1600/IMG_20141118_113030_069.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ibi4EXPLsEI/VJ2HxbbJKtI/AAAAAAAAA9E/csZkj10sIZk/s1600/IMG_20141118_113030_069.jpg" height="360" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Merry Christmas from "The Farm With A View"</span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></td></tr>
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-40957939363181550.post-91171879326807840722014-11-06T09:09:00.002-06:002014-11-06T09:09:28.554-06:0011/6/2014 Farm with a view<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ROPk--4KMdY/VFuO0m7N6tI/AAAAAAAAA8c/cSEQu_kb1B8/s1600/House2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ROPk--4KMdY/VFuO0m7N6tI/AAAAAAAAA8c/cSEQu_kb1B8/s1600/House2.jpg" height="360" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Let the sun shine in!</span></td></tr>
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-40957939363181550.post-91036498644020302072014-10-27T15:26:00.001-05:002014-10-27T15:26:34.145-05:0010/25/2014 The outside is done!10/25/2014<br />
With the exception of our landscaping project, the outside of the house is considered done. There are tiny details to attend to, but nothing that requires vast planning or resources. The chimney race was one of those projects that just always seemed to get pushed off to the back burner in favor of things we deemed more pressing. However, once completed, seemed to make a huge difference in the appearance of the whole house. The process was not as hard as we (ok, as I.) thought it would be. Debra had more faith in it being an easy project than I did. The only thing that slowed us down was the need to acquire some good sturdy commercial scaffolding. Installing those panels would have been difficult at best, and damned dangerous at worst if we had done them from our ladders. Good timing too, as the Fall weather is getting less and less pleasant to be outside working in. Now we are moving back inside to finish the last of the interior details so as to call the house complete. But as anyone who has ever built a house knows, you are never truly "done".<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DWDm3KnaxnA/VE6mEI88LDI/AAAAAAAAA7E/GN78YRngVds/s1600/IMG_3119.CR2" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DWDm3KnaxnA/VE6mEI88LDI/AAAAAAAAA7E/GN78YRngVds/s1600/IMG_3119.CR2" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Before.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Dv6WJi8bug4/VE6mIcM6QEI/AAAAAAAAA7U/yhTBAfv8yxs/s1600/IMG_20141019_170036_694.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Dv6WJi8bug4/VE6mIcM6QEI/AAAAAAAAA7U/yhTBAfv8yxs/s1600/IMG_20141019_170036_694.jpg" height="640" width="360" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">During.</span></td></tr>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ViL5L3hrasg/VE6peJG3DFI/AAAAAAAAA7g/6c60Vyn0MqY/s1600/IMG_20141019_170005_853.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ViL5L3hrasg/VE6peJG3DFI/AAAAAAAAA7g/6c60Vyn0MqY/s1600/IMG_20141019_170005_853.jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Debra handling the panel cutting.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SraOm9qsEPM/VE6peaJGAXI/AAAAAAAAA7k/9PBeyqpqalY/s1600/IMG_20141019_174154_471.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SraOm9qsEPM/VE6peaJGAXI/AAAAAAAAA7k/9PBeyqpqalY/s1600/IMG_20141019_174154_471.jpg" height="320" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Me, thinking how nice it will be to not have to work in high places anymore.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-j-W2qfcXuQs/VE6mG4Eb18I/AAAAAAAAA7M/Y8FjQdfjbRQ/s1600/IMG_20141021_121657_572.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-j-W2qfcXuQs/VE6mG4Eb18I/AAAAAAAAA7M/Y8FjQdfjbRQ/s1600/IMG_20141021_121657_572.jpg" height="360" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;">After.</span> </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">It turned out looking better than even we thought it would.</span> </span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">.</span></td></tr>
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-40957939363181550.post-10785513488751410312014-10-03T23:27:00.002-05:002014-10-03T23:27:37.600-05:0010/3/2014 More Outdoor Completions<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: small;">10/3/2014 More outdoor completions</span><br />
We've gotten a few more days of nice weather lately, so have been working hard to complete outdoor projects. There won't be many more nice days with the cold bearing down on us, so we are motivated. The retaining walls was a project we had originally intended on doing ourselves (we have prior experience), but decided with our time and weather constraints to have it done professionally. The final product makes us glad we did. Our landscaper managed to jump in and finish the two retaining wall projects before he had to leave for other jobs. He has been working hard to make up for all the rain days he has been delayed with too. Unfortunately he will not be able to come back and do our actual landscaping until next Spring.<br />
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Debra and I have managed to complete about 60% of the exposed basement stucco finish, and now that the walls, landscape fabric, and french drains have been installed, hope to finish the rest as soon as it stops raining again (we've had 1 3/4 inches just since last night). We also had our downstairs bedroom escape window well installed and back-filled simultaneously with the new retaining walls. When the rain pushed us back inside, we worked at insulating our interior garage walls, and staged the attic insulation bundles where we can work on them our next rainy weekend. Our next <u>non</u> rainy weekend we will finish the basement stucco and install the storm door on the exit from our master bedroom to the back deck. <br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-e9ZgpCI7BcY/VC9V9ddIJuI/AAAAAAAAA5I/Ar46akZxxyk/s1600/IMG_20140926_103624_487.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-e9ZgpCI7BcY/VC9V9ddIJuI/AAAAAAAAA5I/Ar46akZxxyk/s1600/IMG_20140926_103624_487.jpg" height="360" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Digging out for the wall foundation. We had placed plywood and straw bales here previously in a (somewhat futile) attempt at holding back the mud and dirt from the lower patio.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mlW_PCpWr1s/VC9V5LAjFGI/AAAAAAAAA44/eWSgcfXlRLw/s1600/IMG_20140926_123057_302.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mlW_PCpWr1s/VC9V5LAjFGI/AAAAAAAAA44/eWSgcfXlRLw/s1600/IMG_20140926_123057_302.jpg" height="358" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Foundation laid and first course of stone going in.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-o2jvwmMMCGQ/VC9V_BvbMAI/AAAAAAAAA5Q/DZcvyJgSsJk/s1600/IMG_20141001_100552_501.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-o2jvwmMMCGQ/VC9V_BvbMAI/AAAAAAAAA5Q/DZcvyJgSsJk/s1600/IMG_20141001_100552_501.jpg" height="360" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Newly completed wall with two french drains installed above to capture and drain away any water that flows down the hill and under the deck. The one drain can still be seen near the end of the wall, but that will be extended out further away from the house and buried when final landscaping is done.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8grvHxU75YY/VC9V7l5jcdI/AAAAAAAAA5A/1HwTKyKpGEE/s1600/IMG_20141001_100545_226.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8grvHxU75YY/VC9V7l5jcdI/AAAAAAAAA5A/1HwTKyKpGEE/s1600/IMG_20141001_100545_226.jpg" height="360" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Here is the wall on the opposite side of the lower patio. We didn't have the drain challenges we did on the other slope, but there is a french drain installed anyway to preclude any possibility of water encroaching beyond the wall and onto the concrete. You can also see where we left off with our first coat of stucco where the wall joins.</span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BelQgQA4OcA/VC9YNJgWGNI/AAAAAAAAA5o/bbjkQlt2ZeY/s1600/IMG_20140920_172042_835.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BelQgQA4OcA/VC9YNJgWGNI/AAAAAAAAA5o/bbjkQlt2ZeY/s1600/IMG_20140920_172042_835.jpg" height="360" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">This is the beginning of the stucco process. First the pink styrofoam insulation is washed and scored (texture roughed up with a stiff brush). Then a sticky fiber mesh screen is applied.</span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DvW_nC2wjes/VC9YQhtpN0I/AAAAAAAAA58/ssOlYAAmvRY/s1600/IMG_20140921_185113_800.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DvW_nC2wjes/VC9YQhtpN0I/AAAAAAAAA58/ssOlYAAmvRY/s1600/IMG_20140921_185113_800.jpg" height="360" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Next a very thin first layer of stucco is applied and allowed to dry.</span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BgvrHO9vSHg/VC9YMv6lFOI/AAAAAAAAA5k/J8h2pUx4PT4/s1600/IMG_20140921_162835_243.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BgvrHO9vSHg/VC9YMv6lFOI/AAAAAAAAA5k/J8h2pUx4PT4/s1600/IMG_20140921_162835_243.jpg" height="360" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Debra proved to be the more talented (and patient) applier of the first coat of material.</span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ozpaGSRKPfw/VC9YPGacmQI/AAAAAAAAA50/4Vvcl19qJzU/s1600/IMG_20140921_180740_494.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ozpaGSRKPfw/VC9YPGacmQI/AAAAAAAAA50/4Vvcl19qJzU/s1600/IMG_20140921_180740_494.jpg" height="360" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">After the second coat is troweled on, we get our desired texture. This product will allow rolling, troweling, brushing or "brooming", and limited spraying of the product to achieve the final finish you desire. We chose the natural adobe look by doing our final coat with the trowel.</span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xug6GKPQY4s/VC9cqegxYsI/AAAAAAAAA6I/CQGKtyUiiXQ/s1600/IMG_20140921_180830_283.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xug6GKPQY4s/VC9cqegxYsI/AAAAAAAAA6I/CQGKtyUiiXQ/s1600/IMG_20140921_180830_283.jpg" height="360" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">No more pink insulation! Final landscape work will mound more dirt up against the foundation and hide any small bits of pink down near the soil line.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9vRxfYNLNxI/VC9cwBF0okI/AAAAAAAAA6g/1d4IZl2XxfM/s1600/IMG_20140925_103434_900.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9vRxfYNLNxI/VC9cwBF0okI/AAAAAAAAA6g/1d4IZl2XxfM/s1600/IMG_20140925_103434_900.jpg" height="360" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">I also spent about a half a day on the ladder installing gutter screens. Last year the gutters filled to overflowing with leaves and cause all manner of drainage issues. Just a minor downside to living amongst the trees.</span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-i_mClYrZVzw/VC91YKlDnfI/AAAAAAAAA6w/2gjPt4KlyWw/s1600/IMG_20140908_172210_600.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-i_mClYrZVzw/VC91YKlDnfI/AAAAAAAAA6w/2gjPt4KlyWw/s1600/IMG_20140908_172210_600.jpg" height="360" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">We
picked up an old industrial Massey Ferguson tractor to work here on
"The Farm With A View". I outfitted it with forks on the bucket and
have been using it to haul our firewood. It will also be equipped with a
back blade and be our snow clearing device for the driveway this
winter.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LpPaRu9RKDY/VC9crhJWi6I/AAAAAAAAA6Q/E7qB39Tw1Ho/s1600/IMG_20140908_175941_845.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LpPaRu9RKDY/VC9crhJWi6I/AAAAAAAAA6Q/E7qB39Tw1Ho/s1600/IMG_20140908_175941_845.jpg" height="360" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">From forks to the saw-buck in one motion. No lifting.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6DjN10ROLNI/VC9ctSX94JI/AAAAAAAAA6Y/L5rKlm1Zns8/s1600/IMG_20140922_132243_914.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6DjN10ROLNI/VC9ctSX94JI/AAAAAAAAA6Y/L5rKlm1Zns8/s1600/IMG_20140922_132243_914.jpg" height="360" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">There will be two more rows like this when finished.</span></td></tr>
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-40957939363181550.post-65834766330944173242014-09-02T23:26:00.000-05:002014-09-02T23:27:14.128-05:009/2/2014 Finally an outdoor completion<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td style="text-align: center;"></td><td style="text-align: center;"></td><td style="text-align: center;"></td><td style="text-align: center;"></td><td style="text-align: center;"></td><td style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-H3etJ7z_IYo/VAYX2QeBS9I/AAAAAAAAA34/ZqgmCam7qV8/s1600/IMG_20140831_151025_338.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"></a><br /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Weather delay after weather delay, but we've finally completed one outdoor task that we've been attempting for weeks. We've had a very
rainy summer this year, and we needed at least a small window of dry and
not very windy weather to complete our deck staining. Well, one out of
two is the best we could do. It was a very windy day, and we almost
didn't make it because of rain. The weather changed and the rain
arrived hours before it was forecast to. Luckily the thunderstorms
formed on both sides of us and rolled north without leaving a drop
behind until much later that night. By then the stain was sufficiently
dry to stand up to the moisture. It took more prep time than we had to
spare too because of the wind, but necessarily had to be done. Debra
and her grandson did most of the paper and tape to protect the siding
and our lower patio from over spray and drips, while I set up the
spray equipment and cleared the deck of all furniture.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: small;">The disappointing news is, our local landscaper (who has also been negatively affected by all the rain) has been pushed so far back, that we most likely will not get our ground work done before next spring. It looks like one more Winter of weeds and mud around the house. He did promise to come back and complete the two retaining walls we need by our lower patio before Fall. At least we'll be able to stop the erosion and mini mud slides we've been experiencing down on the lower level.</span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-H3etJ7z_IYo/VAYX2QeBS9I/AAAAAAAAA34/ZqgmCam7qV8/s1600/IMG_20140831_151025_338.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-H3etJ7z_IYo/VAYX2QeBS9I/AAAAAAAAA34/ZqgmCam7qV8/s1600/IMG_20140831_151025_338.jpg" height="640" width="360" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">The equipment that saved us days of brush and roller work. This is the same spray equipment we used to paint the whole interior of this house, and the exterior of a little bungalow we refurbished several years ago. Good equipment is worth the expenditure when you really need it.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-r8aNCf23P2A/VAYX44EYyjI/AAAAAAAAA4A/orEllGCD6TM/s1600/IMG_20140831_183612_153.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-r8aNCf23P2A/VAYX44EYyjI/AAAAAAAAA4A/orEllGCD6TM/s1600/IMG_20140831_183612_153.jpg" height="640" width="360" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">You can see the paper and tape we used to mask the house. The chimney is still Tyvek, so we didn't care if it got stain on it. We're covering that with faux rock anyway. Including the deck on the back of the house, we did around 800 square feet of deck and railing stain in a little more than a day.</span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xrac13QmEHs/VAYX6Tc_DTI/AAAAAAAAA4I/xCgWlMpv4vw/s1600/IMG_20140901_131646_457.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xrac13QmEHs/VAYX6Tc_DTI/AAAAAAAAA4I/xCgWlMpv4vw/s1600/IMG_20140901_131646_457.jpg" height="360" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Or view to the southwest now that we have cleared the necessary trees and brush. We LOVE our little piece of paradise!</span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></td></tr>
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-40957939363181550.post-8088632620283736172014-06-16T14:15:00.000-05:002014-09-02T23:51:49.459-05:006/16/2014 Another Completion6-16-2014 <br />
Another completion on the exterior for us to mark off. This comes off the door at the back or our master suite, and will eventually open on to a small patio behind the house. One of our local contractors did a beautiful job so we could free up our time for the interior trim. This deck was done properly and will require no further attention from us, other than staining.<br />
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We continue to chip away at the trim and woodwork on the interior, intermixed with our regular jobs. Both of us have been spending extra time at work, making less time available to work on the house. Plus we have started dividing time with our old house in an attempt to get it ready for sale as quickly as we can. The sale of the other house will release both funds and considerable stress and allow more time to dedicate to this one.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ESBLNplFwl0/U58_5HUNJsI/AAAAAAAAA3I/BoqcZ2becz0/s1600/IMG_20140616_134638_869.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ESBLNplFwl0/U58_5HUNJsI/AAAAAAAAA3I/BoqcZ2becz0/s1600/IMG_20140616_134638_869.jpg" height="360" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">We still have more fill dirt to bring in, which will raise and level the ground at the base of the stairs. </span></td></tr>
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-40957939363181550.post-15479812852920818982014-05-01T13:32:00.000-05:002014-05-01T13:45:17.990-05:005/1/2014 Tedious, but necessary steps5/1/2014<br />
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We're still moving forward, but the time spent vs. progress shown has dropped off significantly. I read somewhere once that when building a house, the last ten percent takes ninety percent of your time. I'm certainly a believer now. We are now down to the final interior details of doors, trim, casings, and baseboard. This requires a LOT of staining since we are doing everything from scratch in order to get the exact color we want. There aren't too many things I hate more than painting, but staining is one of them. Luckily we do well at sharing responsibilities, so Debra has taken on all the staining, and I have been doing the cutting, staging, and final two coats of poly. This week I'll start cutting in the door hardware and nailing up casings and hanging doors as they are complete. As soon as we get this task under control, we'll order trim and baseboard material. Soon we should have another set of pictures to show distinct progress.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QjkJ2m04A28/U2KR_OXvwkI/AAAAAAAAA2I/oNxsMKy7osU/s1600/IMG_20140414_135645_085.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QjkJ2m04A28/U2KR_OXvwkI/AAAAAAAAA2I/oNxsMKy7osU/s1600/IMG_20140414_135645_085.jpg" height="360" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Here's just a portion of what has taken over our basement while we stain and prep.</span></td></tr>
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<span id="goog_1169945360"></span><span id="goog_1169945361"><br /></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-40957939363181550.post-25420436200269036032014-03-06T16:31:00.000-06:002014-03-06T16:31:17.914-06:003/6/2014 Interior stonework complete<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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3/6/2014<br />
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Stonework finished, cleanup done, and once again we are able to use our fireplace. Since for all appearances this Winter is going to last until early July, that's a good thing. <br />
This proved to be the hardest project we've had to work on together, and have sworn that going forward, all future stone work will be done by a professional. Now we can get back to finishing details like the master shower, staining trim, casings, and doors, and finishing the details on the stairway leading to the basement so the carpet installers can return to finish that last little bit. We need to accelerate these items because when the weather does finally break, we are not going to want to stay inside working. There are a number of exterior details that are waiting for decent temperatures before we can tackle them. Stucco on the exposed basement foundation, staining all that deck, and installing the escape window well in the lower level bedroom. No, I don't think we will ever be completely done with the house. At least it seems that way some days.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--KV3q7r6WMg/Uxj0bOmPLJI/AAAAAAAAA0Q/JYerqN6H5sc/s1600/029.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--KV3q7r6WMg/Uxj0bOmPLJI/AAAAAAAAA0Q/JYerqN6H5sc/s1600/029.jpg" height="640" width="360" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Finally, we're able to have a fire again after finishing all the stonework.</span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SPt6g5tDRV4/Uxj0Z7yOUTI/AAAAAAAAA0M/r2D9lc0kUMs/s1600/024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SPt6g5tDRV4/Uxj0Z7yOUTI/AAAAAAAAA0M/r2D9lc0kUMs/s1600/024.jpg" height="360" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">17 turkeys in the road a couple hundred yards below our driveway this morning.</span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></td></tr>
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-40957939363181550.post-56866693983868180192014-02-10T15:08:00.000-06:002014-02-10T15:15:31.619-06:002/10/2014 Stoning our house2/10/2014<br />
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Some visual progress, but with some more tough lessons. Stone masonry is a skill that neither Debra nor I have any experience with. Of course having no experience with something has historically caused us to take that as a challenge. Another case of what we thought would be a weekend job, of course turns into something much more. Lesson learned: cement eventually loses it's adhesive properties even if it appears wet enough to continue its work. Results? We were half way up the rock wall surrounding our fireplace when one of the heavier stones dislodged itself and dropped down, causing a cascade failure of just about everything below it. We lost half a day or more clearing up the mess and starting over. Not fun, but lesson well learned. Take things a little slower until you're sure of your skills, and carefully time your product so as not to over reach its or your capabilities.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BQ-caAX5-tY/Uvk6XenJbDI/AAAAAAAAAzg/c5t3M2kdN5U/s1600/014.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BQ-caAX5-tY/Uvk6XenJbDI/AAAAAAAAAzg/c5t3M2kdN5U/s1600/014.jpg" height="640" width="360" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Our starting pallet and a clean slate.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZmK2UcCs3EI/Uvk6f5rHalI/AAAAAAAAAzk/sJuNhLj2SmQ/s1600/017.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZmK2UcCs3EI/Uvk6f5rHalI/AAAAAAAAAzk/sJuNhLj2SmQ/s1600/017.jpg" height="360" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">So far, so good.</span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aeq33kXdTLk/Uvk6_CKGuzI/AAAAAAAAAzs/nKNM-zxtBP4/s1600/011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aeq33kXdTLk/Uvk6_CKGuzI/AAAAAAAAAzs/nKNM-zxtBP4/s1600/011.jpg" height="360" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">We made it up to the base of the mantle before the top stone collapsed down and obliterated the rest.</span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-biINLJb1BqM/Uvk7HsaUaxI/AAAAAAAAAz4/-0pAlQSA2IA/s1600/001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-biINLJb1BqM/Uvk7HsaUaxI/AAAAAAAAAz4/-0pAlQSA2IA/s1600/001.jpg" height="360" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Recovery from our accident and progress again being made. I love visual progress!</span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></td></tr>
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-40957939363181550.post-28134230935910339502014-01-07T18:07:00.002-06:002014-01-07T23:42:29.653-06:001/ 7/ 2014 Break Time's Over1/ 7/ 2014<br />
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Well, we decided to step back and get away from construction for awhile. I'm afraid I was burning out from the stress of constantly spending every waking minute of my spare time (that time away from my regular job) working on this place. Debra was catching on to the fact that I was starting to adopt a "that's close enough" attitude with my work on the house, and you could start to see it in my attention to detail. That's definitely not my style, so once it was pointed out to me I agreed, regardless of how much we have to do we needed to have some "us" time away from construction. Well, now that the holidays are over, I need to get myself motivated to get at it again. We started by getting our fireproof stairs installed in the garage so we could access the attic storage area. This in turn will allow us to start sorting boxes in the basement and clearing that space out. I really hate cutting large holes in my house. It seems to have a permanency that makes me really really uncomfortable. There were numerous measurements and double checking measurements to be certain that great gaping hole in the garage ceiling was going to be a perfect fit. Everything slid in perfectly, so the extra effort was worth it.<br />
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Settling into the house to actually live here now really doesn't help my motivation either. It's just too comfortable and easy to take a break and have a snack, or step over to the computer to see what the latest is on Facebook, etc. Those habits I really need to work hard to overcome.<br />
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We are especially enjoying our fireplace now. Currently we are experiencing record or near record low temperatures here in Wisconsin. The last couple of nights have been -25 degrees with wind chills of between 40 and 60 below zero. Our super insulated house and our high efficiency fireplace will keep the whole upper living area between 70 and 74 degrees without any help from our geothermal system. I have a gas powered log splitter that I use for larger amounts of firewood, but the temperature was so cold earlier this week that I could not get it started. The alternative was to do it the way I used to on the farm.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2GVcObDDXrs/UsyTQoc23EI/AAAAAAAAAyI/xGYEuezoDLM/s1600/003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2GVcObDDXrs/UsyTQoc23EI/AAAAAAAAAyI/xGYEuezoDLM/s1600/003.jpg" height="640" width="360" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">These stairs have a fireproof barrier on the outside and a fusible gasket around the opening. Should a fire break out in the garage, the gasket will melt and seal the opening, while the fireproof outer layer holds back the flames. None of our big box stores carried anything like this, so it had to be special ordered.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Yc75UXK-RvQ/UsyUm_YiTQI/AAAAAAAAAyc/rhrXOvBlYQw/s1600/003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Yc75UXK-RvQ/UsyUm_YiTQI/AAAAAAAAAyc/rhrXOvBlYQw/s1600/003.jpg" height="360" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">When technology and/or automation fail, I do it like my father taught me and pick up the 8 pound Hammer of Thor, and get it done. This will keep our fireplace fed for quite awhile.</span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Oequ6Xt_U08/UsyUkwO3WwI/AAAAAAAAAyY/WT3ej6myH54/s1600/002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Oequ6Xt_U08/UsyUkwO3WwI/AAAAAAAAAyY/WT3ej6myH54/s1600/002.jpg" height="640" width="440" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">I had a friend take this picture for me. This shows more of how our Deltec blends with nature. The house sits right at the edge of the ridge line, so the view out all those windows is something to behold.</span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></td></tr>
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-40957939363181550.post-73646952222695037422013-11-26T08:49:00.001-06:002013-12-01T22:46:56.563-06:0011/25/2013 What next?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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11/25/2013<br />
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The big news from "The Farm With a View" is we have been given our occupancy permit from our local building inspector. The visit went very well, and we were more than pleased by all his compliments on our work and craftsmanship. That made so many of those late nights and long weekends feel much more worth it. We now are in the process of not only continuing to work on it, but are moving household goods in while trying to clean out the old house. <br />
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Sometimes I think the main purpose for building our own house is to serve as an example to others, how many things can possibly go wrong. Previously I mentioned how as we were about to hang our microwave/range hood, we discovered that HVAC had mounted the vent duct too low in the wall. After a little work, we opened the wall, corrected the too short duct, and sealed everything back up. Last night we went to finish the installation. Wall patched, holes drilled, brackets mounted, and finally appliance neatly hung in place. It was beautiful. I had even set the clock to the correct time. Then I opened the door........or at least that was what I tried to do. It only opened about 4 inches before it contacted the cabinet frame, where it stopped. Yup, our cabinets were designed to make the microwave look built in, with panels that went down the full length of both sides. It looked so built in that there was no room for the door to swing. So, back to square one with removing the bolts, dropping the appliance back down and removing it from its frame. After a short brainstorming session, we went back and made the appropriate marks, and with the help of one of my Dozuki saws and a straight edge, cut down the offending panel. A small piece of trim matched perfectly with the newly sawn edge, plus a little stain to blend, and we went for attempt three. This time it was a success, and the results are gorgeous. Unless we confess as to the modification (which I believe is what I just did), you would not be able to tell the cabinets were not designed this way on purpose.<br />
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On to the finishing touch for our night. The only spaces in the house that we were going to carpet were our walk-in closet, and the stairs going to the basement. We decided at the last minute to also carpet the small (8X12ish) entry leading from the base of the stairs into the main basement. Off this little entry area is the door to our cold storage room (also known as "the storm bunker"). Since the carpet was now going to run right up to this entrance, we decided we had better install the door before the carpet layers came the next morning. What should have been a thirty minute job went two hours. The contractor that did our rough work made the opening too tall, too wide, and slightly out of square, requiring us to build a new header and work <u>much</u> harder at installing than it should have been. Imagine our consternation when the carpet layer arrived today and very nicely suggested we <i>remove</i> the door and redo it, only 3/8 inch higher. His reasoning was sound because the exterior grade door leading into the room had a very low flat sill, and the carpet would have been higher and left a natural channel for dirt and debris to gather. Since we want everything to be right and not cause us to have regrets later, we will be removing and starting over with the door this week. The carpet layer will be back at a later date when we finish with the door and some trim that we need to finish around the stairs.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tC8I_4veYfs/UpSzPQ0ZuqI/AAAAAAAAAxo/SOl8iZ6tmfc/s1600/120.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tC8I_4veYfs/UpSzPQ0ZuqI/AAAAAAAAAxo/SOl8iZ6tmfc/s640/120.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">The end result after many many hours.</span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DsjS828uYUQ/UpSzHX_3v0I/AAAAAAAAAxg/3gj_kW1W5Ws/s1600/122.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DsjS828uYUQ/UpSzHX_3v0I/AAAAAAAAAxg/3gj_kW1W5Ws/s640/122.jpg" width="360" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Here is the area we had to cut away and modify.</span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></td></tr>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-40957939363181550.post-43779346284939817252013-11-19T10:04:00.003-06:002013-11-19T18:57:57.985-06:0011/19/2013 More tile11/19/2013<br />
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I think if I had a choice, (and only if there are no timeline pressures) I would much rather tile than paint. We're finally down to the last portion of the house that needs tile, and we saved the biggest for last. We (Debra?) decided in the 11th hour that our master bath would look better with the walls around the tub tiled all the way up to the window, and on three walls instead of just the back splash border we had originally planned on. I resisted as much as I thought was safe, but ultimately gave in to some one who obviously has way more decorating sense than I do. Now that I see what the finished product is going to look like, I'm very glad I did. Although she did give me full permission to pick the rest of the bathroom finishes, I know I will never hear the last of some of my choices.;-) Today I will finish the remaining two walls around the tub and get our access panel cut below the tub, prior to tiling the front. Not sure if I'll finish all that today or not, but that is the plan. After that, the biggest project of all, the walk-in shower.<br />
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Two steps forward, one step back. We were in the process of mounting our microwave/range hood the other day, when we discovered, much to our dismay, that HVAC had mounted the external vent duct about four inches too low. :-( The only way to tackle that was to open up the wall, add an extension, and close everything back up again. Very disappointing, but what can you do? We tried to think of any work-arounds to it, but in the end knew the only way to do it right was to tear it out and redo it. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0PvPksQ8Z-Y/UouJUr1VeCI/AAAAAAAAAws/76OdxgMf2UA/s1600/103.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0PvPksQ8Z-Y/UouJUr1VeCI/AAAAAAAAAws/76OdxgMf2UA/s640/103.jpg" width="360" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Still need to finish two walls to the left and the front of the tub. Then grout and move on to the the walk-in shower.</span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CAHgpoJjCyw/UouJWYJBoXI/AAAAAAAAAw0/zNrQoIGtZz4/s1600/104.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CAHgpoJjCyw/UouJWYJBoXI/AAAAAAAAAw0/zNrQoIGtZz4/s640/104.jpg" width="360" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Cutting that hole in the kitchen wall (even though it will be hidden behind the microwave/hood) was a painful step.</span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yc-CuZlfoEY/UowIYZcFaBI/AAAAAAAAAxE/w4z7MlFKFqE/s1600/Construction+101.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yc-CuZlfoEY/UowIYZcFaBI/AAAAAAAAAxE/w4z7MlFKFqE/s640/Construction+101.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Still needs grout, but almost complete.</span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sFwm2CgW6Wo/UowIZk7CIAI/AAAAAAAAAxM/NnHOqOPyelI/s1600/Construction+102.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sFwm2CgW6Wo/UowIZk7CIAI/AAAAAAAAAxM/NnHOqOPyelI/s640/Construction+102.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Turned out better than we had hoped. Am glad Debra overcame my objections on this tile job!</span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></td></tr>
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-40957939363181550.post-46595111702867709562013-11-15T17:54:00.000-06:002013-11-15T22:37:13.423-06:0011/15/2013 Ready for inspection11/15/2013<br />
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Well, we are closer, but still a long way to go. We have what we believe are the necessary steps complete to satisfy the building inspector to let us have an occupancy permit. With that final step, we can officially move in and start to prep the other house for sale while we continue to work on this one so we can finally close on our loan. Since my last post we have finished wiring and wrapping the island, finished tiling our entryway, had our under cabinet lighting installed, had a landscaper bring in final fill material, and finished surfacing the fireplace front. Still to do: Install carpet in the walk-in closet and on the stairs, finish building the shower in the master bath, tile the tub front and wall in the master bath, stain and install all the interior doors, stain and install all interior wood trim, set the mantle, hearth, and wall of stone on the fireplace, attach the faux rock on the outside of the chimney race, and I'm sure I'm forgetting a bunch more. We're very pleased and proud of all the things we've done on the house to date, but then we look at all the things we still have to do and it brings us back to earth pretty abruptly.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LAN_tYTstyI/UoatIfR50UI/AAAAAAAAAvo/7zeGaqfuyPg/s1600/IMG_20131018_125226_211.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LAN_tYTstyI/UoatIfR50UI/AAAAAAAAAvo/7zeGaqfuyPg/s640/IMG_20131018_125226_211.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Seven LARGE dump truck loads of fill were brought in and rough sculpted to blend the house into the hillside and to take care of some erosion. Also three loads of gravel to raise the driveway by the garage for proper drainage and repair some low spots left undone by a previous contractor. Next Spring we will have some good black dirt brought in for plantings and final landscaping.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IfNwqemY2gI/Uoax5H9ILTI/AAAAAAAAAwc/_NjLqOA5_BQ/s1600/IMG_20131110_212616_668.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IfNwqemY2gI/Uoax5H9ILTI/AAAAAAAAAwc/_NjLqOA5_BQ/s640/IMG_20131110_212616_668.jpg" width="360" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Finally closed up the fireplace wall in preparation for all the stone work we are going to do. That also allowed us to finish attaching the rest of the fireplace parts, to include the door, so now we can safely have a fire in it! This was the first fire of the year and the first in the new house. All we had at hand were scrap cardboard and paper, but a fire is a fire when it's ceremonial only.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-osRiqXKwJVk/UoatJKV3QpI/AAAAAAAAAvs/Fz6AaQFD_d4/s1600/IMG_20131021_104047_082.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-osRiqXKwJVk/UoatJKV3QpI/AAAAAAAAAvs/Fz6AaQFD_d4/s640/IMG_20131021_104047_082.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Final wiring and wrap to complete the Island. This is officially my favorite place to sit while planning what to work on next. :)</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qIwwQxwy3Fk/UoatK0LohXI/AAAAAAAAAv4/ri-9ncJzolk/s1600/IMG_20131021_143919_057.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qIwwQxwy3Fk/UoatK0LohXI/AAAAAAAAAv4/ri-9ncJzolk/s640/IMG_20131021_143919_057.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">This is the largest format tile we have worked on up to now. these are 18X18 tiles and require much more care in making sure you have a level and properly prepared floor than the 6X6 and 12X12 tiles in the rest of the house. Otherwise you are sure to have cracking and shifting somewhere down the road.</span></td></tr>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-40957939363181550.post-40184805041918692802013-10-17T23:10:00.001-05:002013-11-15T17:39:36.676-06:0010/17/2013 Kitchen completion10/17/2013.<br />
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Who would think something as simple as flush toilets would feel like winning the lottery? The plumbing has been fully hooked up, so now we finally have running water, flush toilets, and operational tub and showers. No more dry chem camp toilet and having to shower at work after working on the house. The last of the counter tops arrived and were installed yesterday morning. Also we fastened the last kitchen cabinet to the wall as we worked towards another midnight. It feels like a huge weight has been lifted now that we have that task completed. We still have some crown molding to attach and the back half of the island to wrap, but all the major players are in place now.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OFe38y1BcXo/UmCsG_uyayI/AAAAAAAAAvU/Hh8w-qRVRFo/s1600/Construction+049.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OFe38y1BcXo/UmCsG_uyayI/AAAAAAAAAvU/Hh8w-qRVRFo/s640/Construction+049.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Finally we will have some real counter space to work with. Our current house has barely 1/4 this much. We're very excited with this work space. We love to cook together in the kitchen and this will make that so much easier.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4Arxn7d6WwY/UmCrv51C6pI/AAAAAAAAAvE/2BNG2PlA1VA/s1600/Construction+025.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4Arxn7d6WwY/UmCrv51C6pI/AAAAAAAAAvE/2BNG2PlA1VA/s640/Construction+025.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">The "scary" wall of cabinets. This was the most challenging section because everything is on a different level and depth. This also made the crown molding a most challenging task. We'll get the microwave/range hood mounted later this week, and we're still waiting for the rest of our door/drawer hardware to arrive too.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CWDsMZZoUTg/UmCr7HCF25I/AAAAAAAAAvI/WtwjP7g5p1I/s1600/Construction+023.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CWDsMZZoUTg/UmCr7HCF25I/AAAAAAAAAvI/WtwjP7g5p1I/s640/Construction+023.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">The island partially complete and needing the bar section wrapped. We have to wait until the electrician comes tomorrow to finish wiring it first though.</span></td></tr>
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-40957939363181550.post-76883259184322856612013-10-02T23:20:00.002-05:002013-10-02T23:20:57.239-05:0010/2/2013 More Kitchen10/2/2013<br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The kitchen has been one of the scariest projects for us thus far. This is precision work and you can't hide a mistake here like you can on a rough cut deck board, or expanse of cement. No, this kitchen has been designed down to the 1/16th of an inch, and the margin for error is so minute as to not be worth mentioning. Couple that with walls and floors that are not level or true and you have the recipe for potential ugliness. Here's where the attention to detail really pays off. As is usual, this slows us down more than we would hope, but it must be done. Our designer, brilliant visionary that she is, has made allowances with some of the trim and design elements included that have saved our bacon several times up to now. It's not over yet, but we are charging ahead in increments. </span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WK3Lz_ZHA0s/UkzpcAYgV-I/AAAAAAAAArg/ukjW_zO_PCw/s1600/Construction+040.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WK3Lz_ZHA0s/UkzpcAYgV-I/AAAAAAAAArg/ukjW_zO_PCw/s640/Construction+040.jpg" width="360" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">This section darn near killed us. The top section consisted of three cabinets. The wine rack, the cabinet above it, and the top section of the tall pantry are all tied together and weigh approximately one hundred pounds. We (Debra and I) had to raise those up and mount them up to the ten foot level by hand. We got them up half way on a scaffold, but the rest of the way was muscle, sweat, and an entire catalog of choice words. We got it, but just barely, and luckily the damage to the wall was minor and hidden behind the cabinets. We were lucky neither of us got hurt on this portion.</span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rSvOo6AJxXw/UkzpPeVxyfI/AAAAAAAAArY/311LLHa5eWA/s1600/Construction+044.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rSvOo6AJxXw/UkzpPeVxyfI/AAAAAAAAArY/311LLHa5eWA/s640/Construction+044.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Building the island brought that geometry nightmare back to life again. This consisted of four cabinets and several panels and trim sections to tie it all together as a unit. That, plus we had to build the bar wall and everything had to match and had to line up with everything from the floor lines, to the cabinet spacing. Things like distance to refrigerator and cabinet doors, floor alignment, and getting the whole mess placed appropriately under the overhead lights and pot rack. The final stress point was the finality of driving three inch screws down through our new floor to anchor the whole mess. That step was terrifying. Counter tops are scheduled to be installed on the 9th.</span></td></tr>
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-40957939363181550.post-82057943614733398682013-09-18T09:43:00.000-05:002013-09-18T09:52:45.453-05:009/18/2013 More of the same9/18/2013<br />
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Good progress on the kitchen, although the process is way scarier than I anticipated. Our designer has everything measured down to the 1/16th of an inch of how it should all fit together. However, we are finding that new house construction is rarely true, square, and accurate compared to the blueprints. This has caused us to work very hard and be a little creative with making everything fit like it's supposed to. For instance, if we had not purchased commercial leveling hardware to attach to the cabinet bases, I cannot imagine how we would have made everything work. From the far left side to the far right side of the cabinet run, the floor varies as much as an inch and a quarter from true level! Remember my comments earlier about self leveling laser levels and purchasing quality equipment? Well there is no better example than this installation as to what good equipment can do to make a job turn out better. The most difficult portion of the install is yet to come. This weekend we are going to start on the wall cabinets on the north wall. Those cabinets vary in height and depth, so a single ledger board like we used on the west wall will not work. That plus we have to mount the microwave/vent hood at the same time. Usually all wall cabinets would have been completed before the bases went in, but we are trying to get the counter top specialist in to measure everything up ASAP so we can get the sink installed when the plumbers come. It will all work out in the end, but just adds to the complexity now.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pvODqix06mg/Ujm5BgEUvCI/AAAAAAAAAqA/KaETt81ZSs0/s1600/020.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pvODqix06mg/Ujm5BgEUvCI/AAAAAAAAAqA/KaETt81ZSs0/s640/020.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">This wall will have cabinets from the left corner all the way up to two feet higher than the tall pantry showing on the right. Besides increasing in height, they will also increase in depth for a three dimensional appearance.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-e6KzlLbl4z8/Ujm5DvmVHbI/AAAAAAAAAqI/ZPwJJcgEfwU/s1600/021.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-e6KzlLbl4z8/Ujm5DvmVHbI/AAAAAAAAAqI/ZPwJJcgEfwU/s640/021.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Here's a little better picture of the kitchen as a whole. We will also have to construct the island, which will be located directly below the lighted pot rack showing in the upper center of the picture. We still have to add the upper crown moulding and lower light trim railings, but that is a low priority for the time being.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-T9e0C2RVY6c/Ujm9XG6QruI/AAAAAAAAAq0/DICiC9HcdFs/s1600/Construction+002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="478" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-T9e0C2RVY6c/Ujm9XG6QruI/AAAAAAAAAq0/DICiC9HcdFs/s640/Construction+002.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">We also got around to installing the vanity top for the master bath last weekend. There will be one large mirror on the wall, but not until the plumber gets done messing around in here. We still have to do the wall tile around the tub, but that can wait until after we are in the house. </span><br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0