Finally we are getting somewhere!

Well - as my friend Nancy was quick to point out, when I saw her today - I have been neglecting my BLOG!

She's right of course, I have been slacking a bit. Mostly my lack of posts can be attributed to the season. Summer can be very hectic with a family of 6! More than that though, is my lack of interesting things to say.

This part of the process is so much slower, and more uneventful than the beginning.

I like to be able to add some photos of progress - and today, for the first time in a while, I've seen some real changes.

The trim guys have been hard at work - and I am really enjoying the "show" as they work through, room by room, adding character & detail to my little house.

First - I wanted you to see the doors...

I decided to go with the 5 panel - and I really like the way they look. I  also asked the builder to add  older looking trim ( what I call Northside trim, because you often see it in houses in North Richmond) around the doors...

I am pleased with the way the trim looks - and I am glad that we decided to pay the $.20 extra per foot to have it this way. It really makes a difference.

My favorite thing so far in the new house is the Newell Posts...

There are 8 of them throughout the 3 floors. I really wanted something square and sturdy. Of course I could find exactly what I wanted online for $250+ each, or I could have the builder make them for even more.  

Although these were a bit more ornate than I was going for - at $69 each from Home Depot, I think they are perfect!

So there you go - an update finally. As things are added, I'll be sure to post. For a while there nothing was worth taking a picture of (Wiring , drain lines , bleh! that's not fun to photograph!)

I really do think that we are getting to the fun part now! 

The next big hurdle will be getting my house sold, so that I can live in the little house. If not - we will put it up for sale and see what happens. 

Too tired for editing - so please excuse any extraordinary grammatical errors!

Goodnight

Lights

Today was the day for my electrical walk through. The fun day of marking off every single light fixture and receptacle in the house. It was also about 100*!


The contract allows for 25 recessed lights - which sounds fairly generous, if you were a normal person. To me - 25 just sounds skimpy!


I have been through this construction process before - and never, not even once, have I said - "Wow - I added too many lights!" 


On the flip side - I have wished that I had added more lights a million times!


With lights - as with children - I have never, ever , thought ...fewer would have been better.  


So....although the contract allows for 25, we will be adding to that number! As of this evening, we are at 52 recessed lights. There will also be some sconces and many ceiling fixtures.
At $67 a piece - I wish we had stuck to the 25 included in the contract, but....I'd rather save somewhere else - and pay to have the lights that I want.

Moving right along...

It is starting to come together. I think the 3rd floor window looks lonely - but I am not convinced that changing it to two will make a big difference.

This is the back patio area. We are still struggling to make the decision. Shed roof - or pergola? I am nervous that the roof will cast a shadow, and make the living room dark. It would be nice to have the covered outdoor space. The pergola is pretty, and would not make the rooms dark, - but really will not increase our living space at all.

Da Roof - Da Roof....well, the rafters anyway

Uh oh, it's looking way too colonial.

(Sorry - I know it's sideways - it won't flip for some reason)

I hope that the front porch with the metal roof, will help to create the farmhouse look I am hoping for.

Well, it's growing.....

The second story was added - and the house is starting to take shape.

Slowly, but surely, I am starting to see how we will fit in our new house.

Quick Decisions....

Over the back patio....
We have two options and I need to make a quick decision. So...Please chime in!


I can have a roof, covering 14X16 ft - just a simple shed roof which will make the patio usable in the rain, expand our living space a bit, and save our outdoor furniture from baking in the VA sun....


OR


I could have a Pergola - around the same size. I could cover it with wisteria, and still expand our living space a bit. It would not be usable in the rain, and would not really protect the outdoor furniture - but it would be pretty!


I think the roof makes sense - but...I worry about blocking all of the light to the living room, kitchen and breakfast area.
I am supposed to let the builder know by the end of the day - so please chime in!
Thanks


(Sorry I don't have pictures of the two options - they were not part of the original plan)

Walls

Looks like we are finally getting somewhere! It still looks very tiny - but, I am hoping that we will fit.

 Jack's comment was....

" If I lay down, I won't fit inside these walls!"

(Of course, at 15,  he thinks he is huge - so his perception might be off a bit!)