tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-63064863829132919842024-03-14T13:43:13.113-04:00All Features Great & Smalldiy home designUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger27125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6306486382913291984.post-43169516592516058952012-08-12T14:48:00.000-04:002012-08-12T19:46:11.726-04:00Upstairs Renovation Before & AftersWe recently finished the upstairs renovations! I'm using the term "finished" loosely here, since we still have a lot of paint touch ups, outlet covers to put on, floor patches to be made, artwork to hang... you get the idea. In other words, it's not really done. But I thought it would be fun to look back and compare photos of the house the first time we saw it to where we are now. Going through these, I think our mission to simplify and brighten has been successful!<br />
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Here's the upstairs hallway looking east. Can you believe the photo on the left didn't scare away us two little DIY newbies? Four years later, and here's what we have now (on the right). Much less claustrophobic, isn't it?<br />
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Here's the hallway looking in the other direction. On the left is how the house looked back in 2008, on the right is our work in progress. We moved around walls and doorways quite a bit; the new hallway is a couple of feet wider and much shorter to make space for a real laundry room (through the doorway at the end of the hall) rather than just a laundry closet (which used to be behind the double doors in the left hand photo). Et voila!</div>
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On to the office. When we first looked at the house, it was being used as a studio/workshop (left). Since we've lived here, it's gone from plaster dust pit and spider hangout, to workbench/tool storage area, to the beginnings of an office with a quirky leaded glass window (<a href="http://allfeaturesgreatandsmall.blogspot.com/2012/02/leaded-glass-window.html">just like I pictured it</a>). I still have to paint the window frame to the right but I'm dragging my heels on that one.</div>
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And finally - the guest bathroom! This is such a huge change, it's hard to believe it's the same room. On the left, the bathroom as we first saw it, and on the right, the big reveal!</div>
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And a couple more angles... </div>
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Amazing how much brighter it is!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6306486382913291984.post-48092176713211058942012-03-31T07:36:00.009-04:002012-08-12T16:14:21.693-04:00Guest Bathroom Update<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Normally, my long absences mean that I'm tired of spending my weekends covered in sawdust and splotches of paint, and that I've most likely retired to the sofa. But not this time! We've actually been so busy finishing up the bathroom that I didn't want to lose my motivation by taking a blog break. After we had the drywall done, we started painting right away. We had <a href="http://allfeaturesgreatandsmall.blogspot.com/2011/09/lincrusta.html">considered using beadboard or Lincrusta</a> below the chair rail we installed, but decided to keep it simple (and cheaper) and just stick to paint. Choosing colors always seems so difficult, but I think we got it right on the first try this time. The bottom is Benjamin Moore Horizon and above the chair rail is Benjamin Moore Ice Mist (isn't ice mist by a less romantic name just freezing rain?). Both are subtle light gray/blue/greens, and the trim paint is custom tinted white to match the medicine cabinet and hutch. Here's our progress from laying the floor, getting fresh drywall/plaster, painting, and reinstalling the fixtures.</div>
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And here's where we were at the beginning of this weekend!<br />
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Isn't it peaceful? Notice how Ryan found the bottom of the window sill and reinstalled it? I'm not sure why the previous owners removed it in the first place, but at least it wasn't thrown out. I still have some painting to do (the window) and I've been working on all those little details (like a toilet seat), so another update is soon to follow!</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6306486382913291984.post-34215321104656716592012-03-03T08:23:00.001-05:002012-03-03T08:24:48.218-05:00We Have Walls!Drywall is one of those things that we <i>could</i> do ourselves, but it would take five time as long and the end results wouldn't be nearly as good as what the pros can do. So, two weeks ago, our drywall guys (who did our bedroom, master bathroom, and laundry room a year and a half ago) came back to finish the upstairs. They actually remembered our house, and were really excited to see what we'd done with the rooms since they'd last been here; their compliments and enthusiasm made us mentally re-hire them on the spot. What can I say? We're suckers for people who love our house as much as we do (or at least people who put on a good show about it!).<br />
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Pretty much since we moved in three years ago, we haven't had walls upstairs. First, we knocked down and moved all of the walls in the front of the house, and once those were rebuilt, we took down the walls in the back of the house to reconfigure that area. It's been a long time of creepy plastic sheeting, piles of 2x4s, and sawdust everywhere - it would have made a great set for a horror film! Anyway, to actually have the construction stage finished is huge, and we're really pleased with how it all turned out.<br />
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The hallway looking east<br />
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Hallway looking west<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOTrosUqIS5noLMugi0kWu64M9Bpwp4fg3RdU9RpGgkOegoD8R5NTm4qyl9yfHjr0-UJDxlmVSbnUIymOoiEusKwHu1epouEi3DHZ1dUyh-cGA311zz4SFVq3GwqKBsqrSX1ljPXfnVo4/s1600/DSC02071.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOTrosUqIS5noLMugi0kWu64M9Bpwp4fg3RdU9RpGgkOegoD8R5NTm4qyl9yfHjr0-UJDxlmVSbnUIymOoiEusKwHu1epouEi3DHZ1dUyh-cGA311zz4SFVq3GwqKBsqrSX1ljPXfnVo4/s320/DSC02071.JPG" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMjPufeQRJdTa037_IkbYRQ71wJEaefR4ICmEbLBEntNlYuHSsbIf1C2DY2e3ATDrHoIPlF62J_q0W_Usnkti97DW87zFDc619NBG0FHgj3H_q_Uu7PGep8LjrNRYVxvtk0K8zs4qvEys/s1600/DSC02266.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMjPufeQRJdTa037_IkbYRQ71wJEaefR4ICmEbLBEntNlYuHSsbIf1C2DY2e3ATDrHoIPlF62J_q0W_Usnkti97DW87zFDc619NBG0FHgj3H_q_Uu7PGep8LjrNRYVxvtk0K8zs4qvEys/s320/DSC02266.JPG" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuB5Q6shPp-hDmb7m-iM2i6lAuUSFfkBTqvQRJBA8jNibNggvZ-lLnBbAYdxGJa_g2F0Q8sqbUWekSfHJyw87lo0DCSL_Fm3ntuh4dqvJKW3AZjXowPqGg4EOhGHk6gedUz-6c60I2rzE/s1600/DSC02323.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuB5Q6shPp-hDmb7m-iM2i6lAuUSFfkBTqvQRJBA8jNibNggvZ-lLnBbAYdxGJa_g2F0Q8sqbUWekSfHJyw87lo0DCSL_Fm3ntuh4dqvJKW3AZjXowPqGg4EOhGHk6gedUz-6c60I2rzE/s320/DSC02323.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
The office<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxxld_ay4rH-_4j_UKxnRc4ut2AGNq-LnKRAiuuQW7DFMHbNJs1QdA_FEDDLtYjGH7S__cYF1J60OC-gOJd9EgEp2DkjKQrHmWwZ2QScafaU79gGrx27yRDjCX-iy_CGQUBUKueMZ0bD8/s1600/DSC01933.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxxld_ay4rH-_4j_UKxnRc4ut2AGNq-LnKRAiuuQW7DFMHbNJs1QdA_FEDDLtYjGH7S__cYF1J60OC-gOJd9EgEp2DkjKQrHmWwZ2QScafaU79gGrx27yRDjCX-iy_CGQUBUKueMZ0bD8/s320/DSC01933.JPG" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN1EKnxD1t-0SBd5j5yl7JvUoYiqytit5Bbv5Hl-2jryLAduF-GiM6J3ApPiKIzNq2RnfJgdgiQbxvlEy8qYibpRF73fPPhaS2q3nUKtLPqnJ4cAfNeJYovjRPpKGsBGsE5StDyVUIxkw/s1600/DSC02258.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN1EKnxD1t-0SBd5j5yl7JvUoYiqytit5Bbv5Hl-2jryLAduF-GiM6J3ApPiKIzNq2RnfJgdgiQbxvlEy8qYibpRF73fPPhaS2q3nUKtLPqnJ4cAfNeJYovjRPpKGsBGsE5StDyVUIxkw/s320/DSC02258.JPG" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnkgNGJ1tLukplHSCrsRhuqppMBS6QugYHauHxaF01knUEnxSPvK3w4r3c5IMV5OyMU9d9EL91gmF-EmVC93dMJhqe6gpWCIVaQBNAE4k16sEqFH2LxSjVDxbe392TWc2jEwawCDmmF5Q/s1600/DSC02333.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnkgNGJ1tLukplHSCrsRhuqppMBS6QugYHauHxaF01knUEnxSPvK3w4r3c5IMV5OyMU9d9EL91gmF-EmVC93dMJhqe6gpWCIVaQBNAE4k16sEqFH2LxSjVDxbe392TWc2jEwawCDmmF5Q/s320/DSC02333.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">And the guest bathroom</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhbzMkM0-43HuyR5qV8QbIm3e0aC81FbBwHlDB5xGYU_Wg2UPImQI3H2D55EmXreLiFfBCgk_kRlFHirXghLABXRUQM-qnpA1yqSX8GJrQQWFPmQevMjWZ-cSM7ysBgTyv76D5L8BOYmc/s1600/DSC01841.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhbzMkM0-43HuyR5qV8QbIm3e0aC81FbBwHlDB5xGYU_Wg2UPImQI3H2D55EmXreLiFfBCgk_kRlFHirXghLABXRUQM-qnpA1yqSX8GJrQQWFPmQevMjWZ-cSM7ysBgTyv76D5L8BOYmc/s320/DSC01841.JPG" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjigJOsxLBwOIURjr3a-STXAEwLu1ei-goqhTHTEgwPrgeuoFsnSTRap47oCYfITJFy7QHYjusx3EocXmGozhzAJ40PoEx_kW1GUOm95qJGvqzH4NJ6s8ghtPHR5B8Oq4NPJHaaruWTxS0/s1600/DSC02048.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjigJOsxLBwOIURjr3a-STXAEwLu1ei-goqhTHTEgwPrgeuoFsnSTRap47oCYfITJFy7QHYjusx3EocXmGozhzAJ40PoEx_kW1GUOm95qJGvqzH4NJ6s8ghtPHR5B8Oq4NPJHaaruWTxS0/s320/DSC02048.JPG" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvr9tUiASVLxLDJ0n0pGmoLXpnjao3luUHQGuGTVpwb66xHXNg16WVJ6icv1XMSPjoI2DIUqvCJ7VBOdO-t6MBHCDOPb0WZK5lM0mxUGV-uPGGS6T470I7nzEYZvucuUGrv0g34wugtEs/s1600/DSC02331.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvr9tUiASVLxLDJ0n0pGmoLXpnjao3luUHQGuGTVpwb66xHXNg16WVJ6icv1XMSPjoI2DIUqvCJ7VBOdO-t6MBHCDOPb0WZK5lM0mxUGV-uPGGS6T470I7nzEYZvucuUGrv0g34wugtEs/s320/DSC02331.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div>Isn't it starting to look like a real house (and less like a construction junkyard)? Stay tuned for painting details!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6306486382913291984.post-45470824373458083952012-02-12T14:19:00.000-05:002012-02-12T14:19:39.088-05:00Leaded Glass Window<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The mystery of the framed out rectangle in the wall between the guest bathroom and office might be explained by these photos.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihjuDxABh69SKazZpVMmAoqtrcLZjc7YsOVG8kIKUviRm9rxF6Gc0HEvL0CzjVNuCBQUWsWcnEAUzCW-x4TeoWWE4SNVM7JOTJrgBH3EnGJDPssSuV_Nuxn38zGYSUnHf-7M8Yvwss1Dw/s1600/Screen+shot+2012-02-12+at+1.12.17+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihjuDxABh69SKazZpVMmAoqtrcLZjc7YsOVG8kIKUviRm9rxF6Gc0HEvL0CzjVNuCBQUWsWcnEAUzCW-x4TeoWWE4SNVM7JOTJrgBH3EnGJDPssSuV_Nuxn38zGYSUnHf-7M8Yvwss1Dw/s400/Screen+shot+2012-02-12+at+1.12.17+PM.png" width="256" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirWU3wE5Frsl76EBesqwQYky0Kw8_Z7BCvO16TWEguEv1WRwOq2WxoSAenkWLmeGvPh2hGvGoLC6ggfBEi5w33xSv3R7hTjEqT-_H0cDsmRmRzxsQFD4zPIXNTfogKOYsG0KCW-iaIuU8/s1600/Screen+shot+2012-02-12+at+1.14.13+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirWU3wE5Frsl76EBesqwQYky0Kw8_Z7BCvO16TWEguEv1WRwOq2WxoSAenkWLmeGvPh2hGvGoLC6ggfBEi5w33xSv3R7hTjEqT-_H0cDsmRmRzxsQFD4zPIXNTfogKOYsG0KCW-iaIuU8/s400/Screen+shot+2012-02-12+at+1.14.13+PM.png" width="240" /></a></div><br />
We're putting in an interior leaded glass window! Our house only has a few exterior windows (because we live in a rowhouse with two shared walls), so the more light we can get through to the interior of the house, the better. We happened to have a window in more or less the exact dimensions that we needed, but it was in pretty rough shape with broken leads and cracked glass panels. In my non house renovation life though, I happen to be an objects conservator (I fix broken museum artifacts/artwork), so it was all in a day's work to remove the old glazing, secure the loose glass with a few new glazing stars, reshape the loose leads, and mend the broken glass.<br />
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We stuck it into the framing yesterday, but I still need to actually re-glaze it and paint the frame. Here are a few pics of it (in case you can't tell, the window has two hummingbirds on it), as well as some Photoshop drawings for my daydreaming purposes. The office:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUluqaxtK0MPdU8gPB1yngwpPw7_PFsaoB-ewJScbyJnE2jP99HcTsQ6jJPga7gpLCcTyV4Jit77WV65b4Gzrpj9drkNplXsdI27uFyV9e27thxOMGp-BRHlXHb-WOTkOeXmMdv2h2A1o/s1600/DSC02206.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUluqaxtK0MPdU8gPB1yngwpPw7_PFsaoB-ewJScbyJnE2jP99HcTsQ6jJPga7gpLCcTyV4Jit77WV65b4Gzrpj9drkNplXsdI27uFyV9e27thxOMGp-BRHlXHb-WOTkOeXmMdv2h2A1o/s400/DSC02206.JPG" width="300" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimT6DQi3_hZABoY1FOVSarJqWkKkOlwgPfqL9mkpKyWA-qXCGmfyTAila0uYRLvgy1MjRGSqPl-gZRKS3BqTOiA8hTX5mrMkTh9bKqC84bRY0ux5-sxYFIuGxHLV3Ic18Grp1e5Kprlr0/s1600/Leaded+Glass+Wall+Rendering.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimT6DQi3_hZABoY1FOVSarJqWkKkOlwgPfqL9mkpKyWA-qXCGmfyTAila0uYRLvgy1MjRGSqPl-gZRKS3BqTOiA8hTX5mrMkTh9bKqC84bRY0ux5-sxYFIuGxHLV3Ic18Grp1e5Kprlr0/s400/Leaded+Glass+Wall+Rendering.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br />
And the bathroom:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQgOBEGo85UG5U_p_w3Q7WfTxrwSbwxoMe7XfhCbMKKEpR-rjiN2BodQbcPMu7wrFYIjp9bcq1Ld0_5F15CcUUeGS2AqdMs25F0j1XEdlKf90wXONsBfsCiekjU9ZMnqe0J2PXuE5aSAI/s1600/DSC02209.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQgOBEGo85UG5U_p_w3Q7WfTxrwSbwxoMe7XfhCbMKKEpR-rjiN2BodQbcPMu7wrFYIjp9bcq1Ld0_5F15CcUUeGS2AqdMs25F0j1XEdlKf90wXONsBfsCiekjU9ZMnqe0J2PXuE5aSAI/s400/DSC02209.JPG" width="300" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXPZ7sqPYcX47evVgcotkxN4vLp5esxK0g4wCEiMSTBvO1Pt0RZe-g8zPcilVOK919Pu8z-2OJi_R6iUL5wKWirSkssHy150jhJoAGlGem5wYqJ_iL5TPPqSJ7SEDl9xLU1eYG__zenns/s1600/Leaded+Glass+Bathroom+Rendering.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXPZ7sqPYcX47evVgcotkxN4vLp5esxK0g4wCEiMSTBvO1Pt0RZe-g8zPcilVOK919Pu8z-2OJi_R6iUL5wKWirSkssHy150jhJoAGlGem5wYqJ_iL5TPPqSJ7SEDl9xLU1eYG__zenns/s400/Leaded+Glass+Bathroom+Rendering.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br />
Don't mind the wall colors in the bathroom, I just went with the paint that's already there. As you can see from my extremely accurate bathroom drawing, the window is high enough that we won't have to worry about peeping Toms, and actually, the height matches the transom windows over the bedroom and laundry room doors (which can be seen from the office) and the transom over the bathroom door (which is just a few feet to the right). So it all looks nice and cohesive.<br />
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Just one more quirky feature that we're really excited about!<br />
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</div><div>Bathroom photos found <a href="http://projects.ajchomefinder.com/gallery/view/homes/private-quarters/pq-walker0913/12.html">here</a> and <a href="http://www.tomboconstruction.com/seattle-bath-remodel-portfolio.html">here</a>.</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6306486382913291984.post-90532691492190492752012-02-11T09:57:00.001-05:002012-02-11T09:58:23.941-05:00Wall Framing<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Major progress on the guest bathroom and office! We knocked up the walls and did all of the electrical work over last weekend. The space is really starting to look like two actual rooms now, and we're so excited for drywall.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Here's a little before and after looking towards the guest bathroom wall.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1cydC-VHLqaGb48tpvvpXLzdncspbWRZ8QTNrq8HfO0spaoRlYxqNpb1DFYheMRIK511Gr3MDjY3hsCb3I0Vtf2GJ841fRBbmHD11TpV7WB-hg08bzLWyy7m62GYCsjSKz-K9nXLrPIk/s1600/DSC02047.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1cydC-VHLqaGb48tpvvpXLzdncspbWRZ8QTNrq8HfO0spaoRlYxqNpb1DFYheMRIK511Gr3MDjY3hsCb3I0Vtf2GJ841fRBbmHD11TpV7WB-hg08bzLWyy7m62GYCsjSKz-K9nXLrPIk/s400/DSC02047.JPG" width="300" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZwkczG8lPb_3l-WRC6mBMCTaGPlRGU2eY3YBHGiHDZnKP1Z8lltXN5juqqmTCJqJ4rfJVETBKeNG0exC6lcqsnJVJZVcAL7o9wk2C0vsmoBGMxr9QdovnkV67WgUaB9DDqPWIevlx5pQ/s1600/DSC02168.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZwkczG8lPb_3l-WRC6mBMCTaGPlRGU2eY3YBHGiHDZnKP1Z8lltXN5juqqmTCJqJ4rfJVETBKeNG0exC6lcqsnJVJZVcAL7o9wk2C0vsmoBGMxr9QdovnkV67WgUaB9DDqPWIevlx5pQ/s400/DSC02168.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Wondering why there's a framed out rectangle at the top of the wall? We have big plans for that space - stay tuned.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The next shot is from the top of the stairs looking towards the double doors into the office. We're planning on having French doors there (you can see one of our $17.50 <a href="http://allfeaturesgreatandsmall.blogspot.com/2011/09/i-community-forklift.html">French doors from Community Forklift</a> in the background of the left hand photo). On the right is a little Photoshop magic so we can all envision how gorgeous it's going to be!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYdiSQjDT3CQOAapg2mJVfD4uhJhgDc2r1WckPIVWGhtiomPp7NAE4X8MRYXGWf3ov12YnBDtlC9YCd2Le-S7JE9BhNngZe60JAJ8ZBBJbrdOj96tbR_dq4dFdrQpzXy_DwssTbEr6teU/s1600/DSC02180.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYdiSQjDT3CQOAapg2mJVfD4uhJhgDc2r1WckPIVWGhtiomPp7NAE4X8MRYXGWf3ov12YnBDtlC9YCd2Le-S7JE9BhNngZe60JAJ8ZBBJbrdOj96tbR_dq4dFdrQpzXy_DwssTbEr6teU/s400/DSC02180.JPG" width="300" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl0lKkTbQDN5LJPkIOI-0orsTCKaPJnCb7q1v2888a46Caa94CRKvthFlNUOasMLzRW4V223pFSDhMw3jX-6ttLOLIdALdFlQTAXyfjvtnQDzi14tbIW9pMAPKhaMLjMgF7fW0Ot6YGX4/s1600/Upstairs+Hallway+Rendering3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl0lKkTbQDN5LJPkIOI-0orsTCKaPJnCb7q1v2888a46Caa94CRKvthFlNUOasMLzRW4V223pFSDhMw3jX-6ttLOLIdALdFlQTAXyfjvtnQDzi14tbIW9pMAPKhaMLjMgF7fW0Ot6YGX4/s400/Upstairs+Hallway+Rendering3.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6306486382913291984.post-52032818053935868102012-02-04T15:36:00.000-05:002012-02-04T15:36:29.262-05:00Bathtub SwitcharooOur new clawfoot bathtub from <a href="http://www.vintagetub.com/">Vintage Tub & Bath</a> is here, and we couldn't be happier with it! The switcharoo between the <a href="http://allfeaturesgreatandsmall.blogspot.com/2012/01/tub-tastrophe.html">old lead-infused tub</a> and the new one happened on Friday, and apparently, it took <i>seven</i> moving guys to maneuver them up and down the stairs. Yikes! I'm glad that I wasn't here to see it. All in all, it sounds like it went smoothly, and the parade of little dings on the stairway wall is a small price to pay when we're talking about this beauty!<br />
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Ooh, ahh!<br />
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What shiny feet!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdWFCCt5IIORlxZR4mNB1nxA8JeaNKuPmd6VHbcRG3r-cncoknqk1bdGYsOg9No4SL2QBSx6Klhttr1iOL75Q84wtzDqOQiBSf2vGdGC4LlRMtU4YV4TxdkstKobv56zG-J6jkQHWR-P4/s1600/DSC02065.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdWFCCt5IIORlxZR4mNB1nxA8JeaNKuPmd6VHbcRG3r-cncoknqk1bdGYsOg9No4SL2QBSx6Klhttr1iOL75Q84wtzDqOQiBSf2vGdGC4LlRMtU4YV4TxdkstKobv56zG-J6jkQHWR-P4/s400/DSC02065.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Right now, it's in the middle of the bathroom so that we'll have room to build the walls, drywall, and paint, but eventually it'll be moved against the wall opposite to the medicine cabinet.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We were a little nervous about buying something like this sight unseen, but we can happily report that it looks great and appears to be really high quality (at least to us non-tub experts). All of the drains, supply lines, faucets, and shower parts also feel heavy and well made. Online shopping success!</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6306486382913291984.post-59497185677230118392012-02-03T10:53:00.000-05:002012-02-04T15:37:20.107-05:00Weekend Tile-A-ThonEvery morning this winter, as I've walked by our guest bathroom project, I've had a moment of panic as I've imagined taking one wrong step through the open floor and falling through the ceiling. But no more! Not only do we have a new plywood subfloor and the cement board down, we have an actual tile floor!<br />
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The tile-a-thon started with a trip to the <a href="http://www.tileshop.com/index.aspx">Tile Shop</a>, where we debated between porcelain basketweave and octagon/dot tile.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg92bAPhn78XxCa5FiJNguVEn-Jxvt8OmkKEKwRbb0c4ZBrMopOJTYHi04dD7GX-IArNaaLY6jLhpz2lG1lVkZtmqWP25LzoS0RyvyY2vUn28funJUXYawnyl_SoHadVsDEAK7Pj9NgHAM/s1600/Basketweave.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="197" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg92bAPhn78XxCa5FiJNguVEn-Jxvt8OmkKEKwRbb0c4ZBrMopOJTYHi04dD7GX-IArNaaLY6jLhpz2lG1lVkZtmqWP25LzoS0RyvyY2vUn28funJUXYawnyl_SoHadVsDEAK7Pj9NgHAM/s200/Basketweave.jpg" width="200" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSAigCW4e2qh4ZsImZHvHHE2MEWtbLX8TRk9dyXFeB2nfyW0Qbe-7EcpLYCVEVMqY_9cPrp_u47rjdbUAc8gn27aJd__D8vC31182G_6TJfvmxwFRKm8TKffmP2S0vW7rWWa4n_0Xa2uU/s1600/Octagon+Dot+Tile.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="195" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSAigCW4e2qh4ZsImZHvHHE2MEWtbLX8TRk9dyXFeB2nfyW0Qbe-7EcpLYCVEVMqY_9cPrp_u47rjdbUAc8gn27aJd__D8vC31182G_6TJfvmxwFRKm8TKffmP2S0vW7rWWa4n_0Xa2uU/s200/Octagon+Dot+Tile.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Buuut... since they only had the octagon/dot in stock, we decided to go with that.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I'm not sure that laying a subfloor is very exciting, so here's the quick version. We leveled the existing floor joists (either by chiseling bits off or gluing shims down)...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1Wbt-2VqTN5qMzted7tXemZcoYS1ro26n7ffEgJ064GeaKv62bzZwJ9Cp37sXnuym70PJ8okiKcAPfSCAENTjjIHLkTnPnl1c7erZBFO343kfEmveayJKLnobh7WT3zAF8etJaOoLALI/s1600/DSC01904.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1Wbt-2VqTN5qMzted7tXemZcoYS1ro26n7ffEgJ064GeaKv62bzZwJ9Cp37sXnuym70PJ8okiKcAPfSCAENTjjIHLkTnPnl1c7erZBFO343kfEmveayJKLnobh7WT3zAF8etJaOoLALI/s400/DSC01904.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
Hung a few new joists perpendicular to the original ones to give extra support under the bathtub and sketchy spots...<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYZW8F2nghijrFcpjfdNEYm4U-L2oC1FcKR_v4s5aUNH_rn9NXU77luETvtk0u0x1ahzutJUE02LrACXFlyXvAOkP8l69Y4fFDzWr76fDnPu1a9j0LLTS_ja7qdiLkVpoCUI7O0Xvq600/s1600/DSC01905.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYZW8F2nghijrFcpjfdNEYm4U-L2oC1FcKR_v4s5aUNH_rn9NXU77luETvtk0u0x1ahzutJUE02LrACXFlyXvAOkP8l69Y4fFDzWr76fDnPu1a9j0LLTS_ja7qdiLkVpoCUI7O0Xvq600/s400/DSC01905.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Glued 'n' screwed down the plywood...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5nVhOn-vGbOqbXamRc2oDi2ZpC0u2qKSH1FesGvhlUwaqbYAeBDIqPyUCowBk0QQdB0da0LZcmqnxnJeL_UrNLO1RNAQYy8fViBRTXVsxJ3FfOKwCHS2XM5v5AVnE_pNBSTvzSRY7q3Q/s1600/DSC01918.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5nVhOn-vGbOqbXamRc2oDi2ZpC0u2qKSH1FesGvhlUwaqbYAeBDIqPyUCowBk0QQdB0da0LZcmqnxnJeL_UrNLO1RNAQYy8fViBRTXVsxJ3FfOKwCHS2XM5v5AVnE_pNBSTvzSRY7q3Q/s320/DSC01918.JPG" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFFgksqhY58LB_msB2hZzH6oKKrmNsOnH9RvrQvy5zOS_ADfXRSQFCUroXsvX4vdJCIT-PdZh-P6oMzonVfbXujPSf5hyYRzNfYtqoJ4e4IjrJTZSTNHak1th-l6MsnKrtGFqzPFCrfhU/s1600/DSC01924.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFFgksqhY58LB_msB2hZzH6oKKrmNsOnH9RvrQvy5zOS_ADfXRSQFCUroXsvX4vdJCIT-PdZh-P6oMzonVfbXujPSf5hyYRzNfYtqoJ4e4IjrJTZSTNHak1th-l6MsnKrtGFqzPFCrfhU/s320/DSC01924.JPG" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxDWdTtkYWhvwI3XU7TOhguwNURzS4z8idnSN23rfO42R2c70gDAxnlgAMXqzmxY2uc_JB9ru9dYyMxI5f8IzpmALN5or0lXnJyTIS7e87F7VQ5WORQ-qp2YeJDlVkTFmSppI3S4w4Uo8/s1600/DSC01931.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxDWdTtkYWhvwI3XU7TOhguwNURzS4z8idnSN23rfO42R2c70gDAxnlgAMXqzmxY2uc_JB9ru9dYyMxI5f8IzpmALN5or0lXnJyTIS7e87F7VQ5WORQ-qp2YeJDlVkTFmSppI3S4w4Uo8/s320/DSC01931.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<div class="" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">And finished the job with a layer of cement board.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfvJJFgNqH23fq7suj0JkXxtrlyvvLz1MynPOGGh23wz98fxoq1iCIZy-_Mlllr__wqLRIh5uhj00xT78PaZ-Mg4m-ySJ6T-_Wd0aOBsvizDe-_UXaiDGyddPvDP59j5yUBOiiesGSmQo/s1600/DSC01935.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfvJJFgNqH23fq7suj0JkXxtrlyvvLz1MynPOGGh23wz98fxoq1iCIZy-_Mlllr__wqLRIh5uhj00xT78PaZ-Mg4m-ySJ6T-_Wd0aOBsvizDe-_UXaiDGyddPvDP59j5yUBOiiesGSmQo/s320/DSC01935.JPG" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3tnADx9sc3qQ6NrvdeOQmgWGJZGMpV_mZVj6kcA0QQGIYu21HB7eorrWUO51yrq8LawT7sQ-Zqa5NraxdtOzM4ao1a3IHWmFB1YbzN2kFag-Y3GHFrfoMkbz2xiRTivOQdsS8L1g9umI/s1600/DSC01936.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3tnADx9sc3qQ6NrvdeOQmgWGJZGMpV_mZVj6kcA0QQGIYu21HB7eorrWUO51yrq8LawT7sQ-Zqa5NraxdtOzM4ao1a3IHWmFB1YbzN2kFag-Y3GHFrfoMkbz2xiRTivOQdsS8L1g9umI/s320/DSC01936.JPG" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLI53wisOjgIIHplDdhaQ9v1FlvjPSxJ70ew2pLB0iCqdFt0gJrZCr0fBuzL4Wd7nqJ7_4JB726essV9836OlWBM4HYRdt0GrMYIR5ygha7kvtUEAc5jmj7IqSc-FSw0aVOv_9To0jGeo/s1600/DSC01940.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLI53wisOjgIIHplDdhaQ9v1FlvjPSxJ70ew2pLB0iCqdFt0gJrZCr0fBuzL4Wd7nqJ7_4JB726essV9836OlWBM4HYRdt0GrMYIR5ygha7kvtUEAc5jmj7IqSc-FSw0aVOv_9To0jGeo/s320/DSC01940.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
Notice how the seams between the pieces of plywood and the seams between the cement board don't line up? It's important to do it that way so that there aren't any weak spots that could lead to cracked tile or grout. Also important - taping the seams with fiberglass tape and covering them with a layer of thinset. This final step ensures that you're laying tile on a strong subfloor that won't shift or buckle at the edges when weight is placed on top of it (for example, a bathtub that weighs 710 pounds when filled).<br />
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<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Next, we laid out our tile to figure out how we wanted it oriented and where we would need to make cuts. We preferred the tile set diagonally (as viewed when entering the bathroom), which was great because it meant making about a thousand fewer cuts around the edges. And surprisingly, our walls are also fairly straight, so that also saved us from slivering little bits off all over the place. The only finicky cuts were around the pipes and the threshold. </div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Here it is, our brand new guest bathroom/pizza parlor!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbySLEDjUfridxuP0pFOJ1Xen6eTywErIAtLs4Fz9MVZlzCAJPw3ISxa5Ys_P3zN1GElM7wZTxEmYRelhv8ly4sLph1jj5_2DjwyLdsaA_57boonXNUetifsx-6H5zYPEuabiwcYGyY1E/s1600/DSC01942.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbySLEDjUfridxuP0pFOJ1Xen6eTywErIAtLs4Fz9MVZlzCAJPw3ISxa5Ys_P3zN1GElM7wZTxEmYRelhv8ly4sLph1jj5_2DjwyLdsaA_57boonXNUetifsx-6H5zYPEuabiwcYGyY1E/s400/DSC01942.JPG" width="300" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGNgnjKXjS8IkWsa8MVWbyNAEBOwf7Uf8tifIdzWQHnNJA7RhLV1SkeQ7KUNxpZncMSFJvgsnj0uFqumfkQzcZYImgtkRXoGy_Xt7EBuIqOyo81r4X98OFd5XI8TrF2bkcsT74zAKwXnk/s1600/DSC01946.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGNgnjKXjS8IkWsa8MVWbyNAEBOwf7Uf8tifIdzWQHnNJA7RhLV1SkeQ7KUNxpZncMSFJvgsnj0uFqumfkQzcZYImgtkRXoGy_Xt7EBuIqOyo81r4X98OFd5XI8TrF2bkcsT74zAKwXnk/s400/DSC01946.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">After all that work, we decided that it kind of looks like we should have a wood-fired pizza oven in the corner and a couple of those tall red plastic soda cups strewn about... hopefully it will look less like Mama Baño's Pizzeria and more like this lovely bathroom found on <a href="http://pinterest.com/analucia_medina/why-don-t-i-own-a-house/">Pinterest</a> once all the fixtures are in!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-kvKQkt3sT2gG3AU2-Of4UuX98swoTpPyZOSisT56pfpMOWCSxKpCJG5M8iQzF5a8TP1BNt1eXuQFxsuwp3fU1BQY4gOhzhQkrOneAKUYMchFAILFjAqn7zYo_1ERbUnx2b7lXdFg3Pc/s1600/Bathtub+on+Pinterest.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-kvKQkt3sT2gG3AU2-Of4UuX98swoTpPyZOSisT56pfpMOWCSxKpCJG5M8iQzF5a8TP1BNt1eXuQFxsuwp3fU1BQY4gOhzhQkrOneAKUYMchFAILFjAqn7zYo_1ERbUnx2b7lXdFg3Pc/s400/Bathtub+on+Pinterest.jpg" width="325" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6306486382913291984.post-35632149401447069142012-01-21T14:10:00.001-05:002012-01-23T14:20:27.592-05:00Dining Room UpdateHere's one piece of home renovation advice that we heard and wish we'd listened to - finish one room before you begin working on the next room. If we had, our dining room (which is the first room we started on) wouldn't have mired in a state of half-completion for the past two years. I'm not saying that it's <i>done</i> done at this point, but we've gotten around to a few of the big things on our checklist.<br />
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</div><div>1. Hanging a new light fixture</div><div><br />
</div><div>The old light fixture was crystal with those candle-looking lights, and after liberating the room from its Victorian past, it just looked way too formal. We bought a new fixture last year, but there were a couple of obstacles to hanging it - the ceiling rose (that it would hang from) was off-center in the room, there was no joist to hang the light from (the old one was hanging from the plaster - yikes!), and the electrical box was making scary noises. So we put it off month after month as we tried to come up with a reasonably elegant solution to the off-center problem. In the end, we decided to try the simplest thing first - just hanging it off-center and seeing if our persnickety selves could live with it (we also added some ceiling reinforcements and fixed the buzzing electrical box, of course). And you know what? It's fine. Who walks into someone else's house and notices an ever-so-slightly off-center ceiling light anyway?</div><div><br />
</div><div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUKQL3AGmCP04qi0P4MJR7iX7f3sRs-GJ6Z8BN7vMvCVI-Eg9A1L0Dt7IAqmg-0BsewLN5knr8hzk18tfdSFVhX-moUEpYmYbdS7k-wTdCzsbLEuG1eu9pc4mftJWD_HtFc_LCVThX7z8/s1600/Light+Fixture+Before.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUKQL3AGmCP04qi0P4MJR7iX7f3sRs-GJ6Z8BN7vMvCVI-Eg9A1L0Dt7IAqmg-0BsewLN5knr8hzk18tfdSFVhX-moUEpYmYbdS7k-wTdCzsbLEuG1eu9pc4mftJWD_HtFc_LCVThX7z8/s400/Light+Fixture+Before.JPG" width="290" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhRL_r9sTgTPPeyb-m2iDOcGpTLlH7FNiZviqnXfBra5A7j4WQPQdxM_nWFVRNRVXxrlCNmimbAun-cihixxlbWqrIfxGf27MMp_ACRjM0JYw0n8c3YdkEBzIfPFY85gmkW84fE4rxEAs/s1600/Dining+Room+Light.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" nfa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhRL_r9sTgTPPeyb-m2iDOcGpTLlH7FNiZviqnXfBra5A7j4WQPQdxM_nWFVRNRVXxrlCNmimbAun-cihixxlbWqrIfxGf27MMp_ACRjM0JYw0n8c3YdkEBzIfPFY85gmkW84fE4rxEAs/s400/Dining+Room+Light.jpg" width="291" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div></div><div>2. Painting the mantel mirror</div><div><br />
</div><div>The fireplace surround, mantel, and mirror used to be a monstrosity of mismatched wood tones with trim upon piece of trim mishmashed together. A couple of years ago, we disassembled the whole thing, sanded it down and re-stained it one color, removed all the excess trim, added a tile surround, and rehung the mirror. But we never got around the finishing the mirror. Should we stain it? Paint it to match the trim? Bring an accent color in? Rather than make the wrong decision, we just let it sit unfinished (which actually was the even wrong-er decision). A few weeks ago, we decided to bite the bullet and paint it with a slightly metallic gunmetally-bronze-ish color. And we love it. It picks up the metal in the new light fixture, the color of the tiles in the fireplace surround, and the lead in the leaded glass window above the french doors. Maybe not the most daring solution, but it works for us.</div><div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk-Y_jKC8KNNsT3Ux-mAJXpQ_mk26db4HN0Smd8sJFem_c69PzGQORmjVn5Kue46_TwOfhd0VruSbra7rCVxgDiuyhx8_HKB69W1OFW8Ja4hx3d-WDalfo6Cl0_nGGjeTGIQPRI1EM-rc/s1600/Unpainted+Mirror.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk-Y_jKC8KNNsT3Ux-mAJXpQ_mk26db4HN0Smd8sJFem_c69PzGQORmjVn5Kue46_TwOfhd0VruSbra7rCVxgDiuyhx8_HKB69W1OFW8Ja4hx3d-WDalfo6Cl0_nGGjeTGIQPRI1EM-rc/s400/Unpainted+Mirror.JPG" width="300" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyG3PrpkYujPj8AGG8Dq5I7kWIILsGUpWGN1NnMlZa9iI5Ctu0kFfH7URwdRZ7ZYmMOtHQkZcXE-zpuTKqICCPVoQy05eHPrr91q7W8Efs7lSIoE7RRbLZE7kh9pegPT8UyKq5gPdPfUU/s1600/Painted+Mirror.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyG3PrpkYujPj8AGG8Dq5I7kWIILsGUpWGN1NnMlZa9iI5Ctu0kFfH7URwdRZ7ZYmMOtHQkZcXE-zpuTKqICCPVoQy05eHPrr91q7W8Efs7lSIoE7RRbLZE7kh9pegPT8UyKq5gPdPfUU/s400/Painted+Mirror.JPG" width="300" /></a></div></div><div><br />
3. Securing and painting the french doors</div><div><br />
</div><div>Speaking of the french doors, these have taken a lot of work, which I won't get into. Suffice it to say, they needed to be secured (so they didn't swing open), they needed doorknobs, they needed a new threshold, and most of all, they needed to be painted. We'd lived with brown doors and white trim for so long that we didn't even notice it. But now that they're painted - wow! They brighten up that whole corner of the room and make it look so much more polished. Of course, now that you look <i>through</i> them rather than <i>at</i> them, you notice the piles of lumber and the old disassembled toilet sitting in the alley. Hmmm... time to do something about that.<br />
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</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQEkCbFRPZ_rINJwqhPhh6WNy2cDb1sUPC09sRqT9ID-iZnlA6oFbZd32DHQ3sRgKfyvIfap1zMc4jb_gk_PnUSdHPAI11nDu5bvTdDQZYJyNzAMw0P4hNmlmTKRGwRHQoL2FLaFhzu94/s1600/Unpainted+French+Doors.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQEkCbFRPZ_rINJwqhPhh6WNy2cDb1sUPC09sRqT9ID-iZnlA6oFbZd32DHQ3sRgKfyvIfap1zMc4jb_gk_PnUSdHPAI11nDu5bvTdDQZYJyNzAMw0P4hNmlmTKRGwRHQoL2FLaFhzu94/s400/Unpainted+French+Doors.JPG" width="300" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxY9La0vMPWIN4fHZ5FGPg9pMJBudnIS4WvC5lu_H7ncgLTsjCnbAJIBXXA3RdBS6Gp8QSgSerxAbKr2Fcf5IjActOwoDpMSltw-2Av9Imv3zLZkH7e25e_VsmzBL5bIY2Vk5siRKBVtk/s1600/Painted+French+Doors.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxY9La0vMPWIN4fHZ5FGPg9pMJBudnIS4WvC5lu_H7ncgLTsjCnbAJIBXXA3RdBS6Gp8QSgSerxAbKr2Fcf5IjActOwoDpMSltw-2Av9Imv3zLZkH7e25e_VsmzBL5bIY2Vk5siRKBVtk/s400/Painted+French+Doors.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><br />
</div><div>4. Incorporating a music playing area and bar</div><div><br />
</div><div>We have a bunch of instruments that almost never get played because they're tucked away somewhere. One of Ryan's New Year's resolutions is to play more music, so we decided to bring our instruments out into the light of day and make them easier to pick up and play. And thus, our music nook was born. We hung the guitar on a hook on the wall, bought a new (supposedly impossible to knock over and hopefully cat-proof) wooden banjo stand (that has yet to arrive), and hung the bodhran (an Irish drum) from a second hook. We're still thinking about the violin (sometimes fiddle!), didgeridoo, and other drums. We'd also like to find a more attractive music stand, a table light, and maybe a little art to jazz up (ha!) the area.</div><div><br />
</div><div>Along with the music nook, we wanted to add a bar. It must be the Mad Men craze, but every time I look at a magazine or design blog, I see bars, booze carts, trays laden with bottles... people seem to be into displaying their alcohol. I thought this was a great idea for our dining room because it would empty out a <i>HUGE</i> area of our kitchen (Kidding! We don't have that many bottles!). Okay, it would give us a <i>little</i> more space in the kitchen, make it easier to offer guests a drink, and let's face it, a lot of bottles are really nice looking and deserve to be showed off! We found some shelving wood in the garage left over from another project, wood stain, and a couple of brackets, and we built ourselves a bar shelf above the new music nook. It really balances out the bulk of the radiator on the other side of the fireplace, and it makes the room feel cozy. We love it.<br />
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</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXzwsltUa1xoRSUn1KEYERI-JoOKvizTYmZroyAD4P_IX6g6S44gcyZY6ZCFljBzMXJcWoPVSixfQ86YI67xwhzjltkMCM72eWJ_sPnNJTMdaq0_qhwen21f5l8-k4zPHzVzacUCc-e-A/s1600/Empty+Music+Nook.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXzwsltUa1xoRSUn1KEYERI-JoOKvizTYmZroyAD4P_IX6g6S44gcyZY6ZCFljBzMXJcWoPVSixfQ86YI67xwhzjltkMCM72eWJ_sPnNJTMdaq0_qhwen21f5l8-k4zPHzVzacUCc-e-A/s400/Empty+Music+Nook.JPG" width="300" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheEhXy_OKw6eLDu6m9Z5ALMfzEmF68ETGX6BabQWzT-dyuBV9nwRxRVFu7_u2QGThVak0-FIVPz46IT7oLrhyphenhyphenF5q61cm24YmJf6RCYpM7DXn6zeguymgU6xOjBSHTDm3L8VoWyA2H18oE/s1600/Music+Nook+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheEhXy_OKw6eLDu6m9Z5ALMfzEmF68ETGX6BabQWzT-dyuBV9nwRxRVFu7_u2QGThVak0-FIVPz46IT7oLrhyphenhyphenF5q61cm24YmJf6RCYpM7DXn6zeguymgU6xOjBSHTDm3L8VoWyA2H18oE/s400/Music+Nook+1.JPG" width="300" /></a></div></div><div><br />
All in all, a lot of changes over a few weeks!</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6306486382913291984.post-56448086183403177852012-01-21T09:29:00.000-05:002012-01-21T09:29:27.278-05:00Tub-tastropheA few months ago, when we temporarily <a href="http://allfeaturesgreatandsmall.blogspot.com/2011/09/bathroom-demolition.html">moved the clawfoot bathtub</a> out of the guest bathroom (so we could work on putting down a new floor), we were really excited to see that it was in good condition on the back side. We thought we'd strip off a layer or two of paint, recoat it, and get to bathing! But when we looked into a rumor that old cast iron bathtubs can contain high levels of lead, we thought we'd better check our tub, <i>juuust</i> in case. We all know that lead paint dust is bad for us, and Ryan and I are betting that soaking in lead soup bathwater probably isn't great either.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhunWmbhdO7qsBiqvW45T7lABIEaxazXRGVtlkbNzcWZLilL_BgpRDLHZ_gaxR8oYAKtIK_QfMImTuvZ83W9bXADax_hTEgi8Amo8_j4D7n_0yLu0GJRwjg0TNWn1LQRnAcp1Ox4kG8jHs/s1600/DSC09934.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhunWmbhdO7qsBiqvW45T7lABIEaxazXRGVtlkbNzcWZLilL_BgpRDLHZ_gaxR8oYAKtIK_QfMImTuvZ83W9bXADax_hTEgi8Amo8_j4D7n_0yLu0GJRwjg0TNWn1LQRnAcp1Ox4kG8jHs/s400/DSC09934.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
I picked up a package of instant lead tests at our fabulous <a href="http://www.fragersdc.com/">Frager's Hardware</a>. The tests are super easy to use - just crush the stick in two places, give it a couple of shakes, and rub it on the test surface. If it turns pink/red, there's lead, and the darker the color, the higher the presence of lead. I tested three different areas on the inside of the tub (since that's where it would leach out of into the bathwater). Two area came back <i>hot pink</i>, and one (where the porcelain was worn away) came back light pink. Yikes! Just to be extra sure that I was testing the actual tub, and that I wasn't picking up rogue lead dust that had settled onto the surface, I used another stick to test a bunch of surfaces that were close to the tub. Nothing.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8dJfo3iZCv7mXPkIAVesc9AQWtjjEVHZnq16dkOLzXCdTP2f-b1Wm5VaDzlaJizoZyV3gg2uQBg925lFvSQzrGM_9ryASArhystrr6t7SAch59x-ishikc4MGHuR1-sbsmXC8R9Dy_8o/s1600/DSC01832.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8dJfo3iZCv7mXPkIAVesc9AQWtjjEVHZnq16dkOLzXCdTP2f-b1Wm5VaDzlaJizoZyV3gg2uQBg925lFvSQzrGM_9ryASArhystrr6t7SAch59x-ishikc4MGHuR1-sbsmXC8R9Dy_8o/s320/DSC01832.JPG" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5UITtZu71HqFSdYJapD9s93kU2CP2YGn64EevIL0ZkLKa5qQVKEDw8BsbRBG2ga5LSLk9Plsu09iA7rWDemUcFi0sYz7n4sSzAMqcZdrMCHsgDw8KD3KpM3oRFAX75_Rr5GoWNZHOYb4/s1600/Tubby.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5UITtZu71HqFSdYJapD9s93kU2CP2YGn64EevIL0ZkLKa5qQVKEDw8BsbRBG2ga5LSLk9Plsu09iA7rWDemUcFi0sYz7n4sSzAMqcZdrMCHsgDw8KD3KpM3oRFAX75_Rr5GoWNZHOYb4/s320/Tubby.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
This tub-tastrophe was the end of our old clawfoot tub dreams, and the beginning of my search for a new bathtub. We definitely still wanted a clawfoot style, but debated over another (new and lead free) cast iron tub or an acrylic version. Cast iron is the real deal (and our preference), but they're heavy. We weren't sure how we would get the old one out, let alone a new one up our narrow stairway. Acrylic tubs are much lighter and easier to move; in fact, they're so light that they need to be anchored to the floor. From what we've read, acrylic tubs even look great. In the end though, we decided to go with cast iron because I found a great deal at <a href="http://www.vintagetub.com/">Vintage Tub & Bath</a> for one with the exact same dimensions and design as the old one! We also found a moving company that will move the old tub out, the new one in, and haul everything away for only a few hundred dollars. And they're licensed and insured, so when they drop the bathtubs down the stairs, break the bannister, and knock a hole in the wall, we don't have to worry about it.<br />
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So, goodbye, old tub. You served us well, despite your attempt to poison us. And hello to our shiny new addition, with your fancy chrome feet! We look forward to soaking in you soon!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVOipPrUc1SlXnGQzGSJMTYBTqljny3bpTt8HjwlBvKip7uYpOEJLEP-SOn756l0NTkpaoXxLqtzX6GnTBO5RUBpf9NJlugCkEmgPxbvpfYvMffqC1ATnMgk2hN7ruM_ehiYz42JZzwok/s1600/Screen+shot+2012-01-20+at+10.07.03+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVOipPrUc1SlXnGQzGSJMTYBTqljny3bpTt8HjwlBvKip7uYpOEJLEP-SOn756l0NTkpaoXxLqtzX6GnTBO5RUBpf9NJlugCkEmgPxbvpfYvMffqC1ATnMgk2hN7ruM_ehiYz42JZzwok/s400/Screen+shot+2012-01-20+at+10.07.03+PM.png" width="400" /></a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6306486382913291984.post-27108690512123336872012-01-07T14:17:00.001-05:002012-01-07T14:20:48.584-05:00Plumbing Is Not Our Strong SuitWhile I've been away from All Features Great & Small these past couple of months, we haven't been idle. Between a fabulous trip to Japan, December craziness, and Christmas, we've done some pretty exciting work in the dining room AND we've finally gotten underway on the guest bathroom project! But this is about our ridiculous lack of plumbing skills...<br />
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Last Monday, the plumber came over and moved around a few of the pipes in the bathroom and also capped off the pipes that we no longer needed. We went from this:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnizr0mPKRHYhuYBVJvNSt71suGTiksNgZR9uc2DroUl8B6xMhYZ7wkwUmiifIEWPz1kEoTJNivShPxu9_H4Xd_0E4F-_J-FSeTj3ImeCMYPoH0MXiOAJ_7ViNibVIEVDoa1gEoPqSLq8/s1600/DSC00148.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnizr0mPKRHYhuYBVJvNSt71suGTiksNgZR9uc2DroUl8B6xMhYZ7wkwUmiifIEWPz1kEoTJNivShPxu9_H4Xd_0E4F-_J-FSeTj3ImeCMYPoH0MXiOAJ_7ViNibVIEVDoa1gEoPqSLq8/s400/DSC00148.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>To this!<br />
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I guess it doesn't look like much, but it's one more step forward and it's wonderful to us!<br />
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This is the point at which we determined once and for all that plumbing is definitely not our strong suit. The plumber was coming back on Wednesday to hook up the radiator in our <a href="http://allfeaturesgreatandsmall.blogspot.com/2011/08/neighborhood-shower-party.html">new master bathroom</a> (it's been disconnected since that big renovation, and the toilet seat was like sitting on a block of ice). We thought we'd be super organized and helpful by draining the radiators on Wednesday morning (okay, we were actually being cheap-o and doing it ourselves so that we weren't paying him to sit at the house while the system drained). Anyway, Tuesday night we planned to hook up the hose to the furnace, and all we'd have to do Wednesday morning was turn the knob and let it drain. Simple, right? Except that the hose hook up is <i>allll</i> the way at the back of the utility closet. After a 30 minute game of Twister played by me, Ryan, hot pipes, the water heater, the furnace, and a pair of long-handled pliers, we finally got the hose attached. Success! And just then, one of us (it was Ryan) knocked the pressure release valve. Uh-oh. Within seconds, the heating system was depressurized and the emergency valve released a stream of the most foul smelling radiator water on earth, which promptly flooded the electrics of our hot water heater and the kitchen floor.<br />
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Now, not only did we not have heat or hot water, but the water that was released from the radiator system smelled so horrifically bad that we had to open the door to the outside and blow a fan into the kitchen. Did I mention that we also managed to do this on the coldest day of the winter so far? Yes, it was cold outside, approximately 17<b>° </b>F.<br />
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But all's well that ends well. Despite it being only 40<b>°</b> in the house the next day, the plumber was able to hook up the radiator, repressurize the system, and fix our hot water heater. And I think he must have done some kind of secret voodoo plumber dance in the kitchen, because the stinky swamp water smell was gone too! All I can say is, lesson learned. We'll leave plumbing to the big boys from now on.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoFHVGkVpf2EViToGqQjBsowrakmhKNWBiS7ZhMOk7cE_SnsvHPKk_FtGmwDu2NaYDYzeq_B00M5PMWlOq-1x1hzC7Fm5WJBH3jKL2w-BfFNNYG-MAoZbYavOrX3KphWmcxRhvcdg8Bkw/s1600/DSC01774.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoFHVGkVpf2EViToGqQjBsowrakmhKNWBiS7ZhMOk7cE_SnsvHPKk_FtGmwDu2NaYDYzeq_B00M5PMWlOq-1x1hzC7Fm5WJBH3jKL2w-BfFNNYG-MAoZbYavOrX3KphWmcxRhvcdg8Bkw/s400/DSC01774.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></b></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6306486382913291984.post-9047584208043198512011-10-16T21:16:00.002-04:002011-10-16T21:21:00.094-04:00Tackling the EntrywayNow that the front door is looking better, I thought it was about time to tackle the front entryway. I started working on it last year, but the bedroom and bathroom projects took over my life. I had gotten as far as stripping the wallpaper, but that just revealed big cracks and lumpy half-plastered holes in the walls that have been welcoming our guests ever since! The trim was (once again) painted brown. Yuck. Sadly, I don't have a great photo of the space from before, but you can get an idea from this.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiREpeiz_ccU8T3FckemXpZYJ1V7Oit0boESiawvpLwVpzjATm3YiK1bTPbQ-qyt7DaxzZsLrabh6mO8-nAirQL1E7ps9imy08JTutQD2gHfBQyWfK1e1geOlSuQKX5aQ8wZB-Ahgv53FE/s1600/DSC02583.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiREpeiz_ccU8T3FckemXpZYJ1V7Oit0boESiawvpLwVpzjATm3YiK1bTPbQ-qyt7DaxzZsLrabh6mO8-nAirQL1E7ps9imy08JTutQD2gHfBQyWfK1e1geOlSuQKX5aQ8wZB-Ahgv53FE/s400/DSC02583.JPG" width="265" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Notice the blue and maroon striped wallpaper above the closet doors? That's what I was dealing with. Perhaps this photo of the hallway with the same wallpaper/color scheme does it better justice?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0owLiytqiRAmOMxQaovviP8c03Ngp2DNAmDdazNOsUVSn3EqBkm-uAUoKnSvkJ0keEwLxMP0fmRhWu1etyOTJhbpOGbK_Jer9h6MM5FBuiGMPRNb-ZGXhU-ntuEWOnsHajBk3ppjbwWI/s1600/Hallway.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0owLiytqiRAmOMxQaovviP8c03Ngp2DNAmDdazNOsUVSn3EqBkm-uAUoKnSvkJ0keEwLxMP0fmRhWu1etyOTJhbpOGbK_Jer9h6MM5FBuiGMPRNb-ZGXhU-ntuEWOnsHajBk3ppjbwWI/s400/Hallway.JPG" width="265" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">*Shudder* (For anyone who's concerned, this is what the hallway looks like now.)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQePPB4pGxFpdTMvMfEnoatI8P2gfnUswmKeTndOAW30Uo5zICnBewXVrKm1Jm9nqzzhPBJ8crYro-umMyrJ7z1RdqJfvTwAfKAAPwEnvQuzuDGz8py2iYBGzbiQqbL9K2TQbSdIu4UTI/s1600/DSC09904.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQePPB4pGxFpdTMvMfEnoatI8P2gfnUswmKeTndOAW30Uo5zICnBewXVrKm1Jm9nqzzhPBJ8crYro-umMyrJ7z1RdqJfvTwAfKAAPwEnvQuzuDGz8py2iYBGzbiQqbL9K2TQbSdIu4UTI/s400/DSC09904.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Anyway, back to the front entryway. Here's where I was on Saturday morning.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQK3-MEpw411YCzXtR-soDDPiz2x4mXMPPiDbVXYxpTqxCmsCDWT3gzGq23MN_QOPhZZS4rbHGFfJ-N4TpaUTjT9tPxEjaYj0jrCf07JFvy94xazyN9LtME9T6LH6j3o7yjWj7S-udMD4/s1600/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQK3-MEpw411YCzXtR-soDDPiz2x4mXMPPiDbVXYxpTqxCmsCDWT3gzGq23MN_QOPhZZS4rbHGFfJ-N4TpaUTjT9tPxEjaYj0jrCf07JFvy94xazyN9LtME9T6LH6j3o7yjWj7S-udMD4/s400/1.jpg" width="313" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaL6QFiYWi5gym-Ed1bt5Cme34REbXDBqI_hhyphenhyphenX3SkprJx1Yo8NQvks6M20tHe-ED75BFs_V2iWBs8aTnwzkwtXANTLGDgDXbsw9_lwf4Sa62W8OUKrozYeQKRnk3YgqqKm8oFWv55ULw/s1600/2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaL6QFiYWi5gym-Ed1bt5Cme34REbXDBqI_hhyphenhyphenX3SkprJx1Yo8NQvks6M20tHe-ED75BFs_V2iWBs8aTnwzkwtXANTLGDgDXbsw9_lwf4Sa62W8OUKrozYeQKRnk3YgqqKm8oFWv55ULw/s400/2.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I started on the trim with a coat of primer, followed by caulking gaps and puttying nail holes - I work in that order because the primer makes it a lot easier to see where the problem spots are. It took three coats of paint on the trim and two coats on the textured wallpaper, but here's where I am as of Sunday night.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixF92gHqqw-LdbH1vWS2Ku3HJ8L6BCWaQ0nktZPCUDJkV8zQ1h497_0VvxjolO8WQFBHAmw3pXLBKp_G7AEHHZ2ym2c0RLxSN_KmM2GKEHeLyPnu3TUq8snK1QWgqtj-UGfmebPhvs2Uc/s1600/4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixF92gHqqw-LdbH1vWS2Ku3HJ8L6BCWaQ0nktZPCUDJkV8zQ1h497_0VvxjolO8WQFBHAmw3pXLBKp_G7AEHHZ2ym2c0RLxSN_KmM2GKEHeLyPnu3TUq8snK1QWgqtj-UGfmebPhvs2Uc/s400/4.jpg" width="300" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwlEKUu2x-TsgCe7eCOlFcIL1NF59QnER5aVge16dtMRE3tiXkgMCk2QBMZS9vNhrsNpym8cNHMA9STmHfhWmif0SIJm9vOVJDq-WFfP1jxWOlrGWH887V7PKsBvFYOGO4SVDa3-yzzQ8/s1600/3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwlEKUu2x-TsgCe7eCOlFcIL1NF59QnER5aVge16dtMRE3tiXkgMCk2QBMZS9vNhrsNpym8cNHMA9STmHfhWmif0SIJm9vOVJDq-WFfP1jxWOlrGWH887V7PKsBvFYOGO4SVDa3-yzzQ8/s400/3.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Ahh! So much brighter, and becoming much more welcoming. Next weekend, on to the inner front door, the coat closet, and patching wall cracks!</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6306486382913291984.post-22356764012751071442011-10-10T18:22:00.008-04:002011-10-16T21:21:21.207-04:00Creepy Front StepsYes, Halloween is right around the corner, but our front steps were starting to look <i>actually</i> creepy, not fun/holiday creepy. From the peeling paint around the door, to the massive cobwebs, to the dead plant detritus accumulating in the corners, it was well past time for action. So, over this long weekend, I gathered our painting accoutrements and a broom (the sweeping kind, not the flying kind) and got to righting things.<br />
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Our front door posed the biggest problem. Large areas of paint around the door trim were flaking off - it needed to be repainted. But what color? I wasn't willing to re-faux finish the trim to look like wood, so that pretty much left the option of matching it to the rest of the house trim, which is dark green. Here are the scary before photos.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTmjoDUrENYMPbmMv-449724OOsCbVHBtrBOfmSHpNuAbeQabGGkOc2J5aSdpnID6ZMHeWeZOlkuf3f1h25jNLziqxlv1NfobuBC-XWYARvH_Qc7F0Y87Dx0pfUV7hYiYmvGVejLi5mRA/s1600/Steps+Before+no+house%2523.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTmjoDUrENYMPbmMv-449724OOsCbVHBtrBOfmSHpNuAbeQabGGkOc2J5aSdpnID6ZMHeWeZOlkuf3f1h25jNLziqxlv1NfobuBC-XWYARvH_Qc7F0Y87Dx0pfUV7hYiYmvGVejLi5mRA/s400/Steps+Before+no+house%2523.jpg" width="215" /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; color: black;"></span></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjha1xbOVChP3s9BjFWg6B2dHBsVlyuc6b90twVFIY5qUKuPeeYjVGC1yJlroI7tDJbndn_DDhyRAw3Wmypj5T4SglITTRR2OKu9-KrEtupFsMirSujoKA9ZMbf6IXJRkKYwssthvm3MMQ/s1600/Lock+Closeup+Before.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjha1xbOVChP3s9BjFWg6B2dHBsVlyuc6b90twVFIY5qUKuPeeYjVGC1yJlroI7tDJbndn_DDhyRAw3Wmypj5T4SglITTRR2OKu9-KrEtupFsMirSujoKA9ZMbf6IXJRkKYwssthvm3MMQ/s400/Lock+Closeup+Before.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br />
I scraped off all of the flaking paint with a putty knife, and then I smoothed the surface down with sandpaper. A few spots were scraped down to bare wood, so I touched them up with primer. After filling in old nail holes with wood putty, I was ready to paint. We already had the paint color on hand since we'd used it for another touch-up project. Here's a sneak peak of the progress.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3vy-F82RxFzlXrN0hTmuKAz2Kr_ed8IP1DGnZ9ufUO-2VOr0DyIqV9F6NdzJOYslZZgZlIiETVMeRs41oJDMCZLlT_0uwL70Hdjk8sX6T92w7Z5kJTPtKhMJEcrxjlJhH8vld8EDGtoc/s1600/Bottom+Left+Sneak+Peak.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3vy-F82RxFzlXrN0hTmuKAz2Kr_ed8IP1DGnZ9ufUO-2VOr0DyIqV9F6NdzJOYslZZgZlIiETVMeRs41oJDMCZLlT_0uwL70Hdjk8sX6T92w7Z5kJTPtKhMJEcrxjlJhH8vld8EDGtoc/s400/Bottom+Left+Sneak+Peak.jpg" width="300" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxcf0uu68DHRmqMj-97Hn114qV8GiJd93hHdYpelF78Q5z3HDR4YPSibpmKPN9004i4CX6KvxyAdpnXYVgZforowPxBiPN8eBacWQpuqWR7o2nT_2dgQiIDGi2AK8RaHypfcCmvSdEXBU/s1600/Lock+Sneak+Peak.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxcf0uu68DHRmqMj-97Hn114qV8GiJd93hHdYpelF78Q5z3HDR4YPSibpmKPN9004i4CX6KvxyAdpnXYVgZforowPxBiPN8eBacWQpuqWR7o2nT_2dgQiIDGi2AK8RaHypfcCmvSdEXBU/s400/Lock+Sneak+Peak.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br />
Once the front door area was painted, I started to wonder about our inner front door, which is also visible from the outside. I'd always planned on painting it white (Benjamin Moore Mayonnaise) to match the rest of the inside trim... but would that look weird from the outside? That question opened up a whole other train of thought - privacy. Because the outside door is mostly glass, and half of the inner door is glass, anyone on the street can see clear through our entryway, past the stairs, into the kitchen, and out to the back yard. That's a little too much sharing for us - no one wandering by our house should have to witness Ryan and me dancing while we cook!<br />
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We pondered our options. Frosting the glass seemed like a good way to go, but we weren't sure those spray on formulas were going to give us a nice even finish over the whole length of the door, and we worried that the stick-on film wouldn't hold up in direct sunlight. We definitely weren't committed enough to have real frosted glass installed. The previous owners had lace over the inside door, but that was a no go for us. Likewise, gathered sheer curtains seemed a bit too formal.<br />
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Then came my stroke of brilliance. Ikea sheer panels! We took a look at their website and came up with these contenders.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtrnTy-Wz17k-cLPXFdVfqo29HgcbfGkRXY5mditsSbaDinPyyxpXQMikJUp84cj1-kuY0VGNz3Nt_wuSVE5d_uiBZAJ29_u8Gb6ntvxQyC_h2RBbmllS_3BjtiYHteFbaJYdmdeMbTXk/s1600/Inez.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtrnTy-Wz17k-cLPXFdVfqo29HgcbfGkRXY5mditsSbaDinPyyxpXQMikJUp84cj1-kuY0VGNz3Nt_wuSVE5d_uiBZAJ29_u8Gb6ntvxQyC_h2RBbmllS_3BjtiYHteFbaJYdmdeMbTXk/s320/Inez.jpg" width="161" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGBlHCKotsSeteJixRkEjYzQsEpOe1m-w6ndFdYssO4EuaSbSlGmYWq034MNCRmM1ItMQtgZVns0PLY55jlF9kz6_yMsmEpd88RpSOWs4wNxkqM8cjDgJAv66muFnpc1k6UUL4duemjTU/s1600/Kajsa.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGBlHCKotsSeteJixRkEjYzQsEpOe1m-w6ndFdYssO4EuaSbSlGmYWq034MNCRmM1ItMQtgZVns0PLY55jlF9kz6_yMsmEpd88RpSOWs4wNxkqM8cjDgJAv66muFnpc1k6UUL4duemjTU/s320/Kajsa.jpg" width="161" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisvsmF14z79EDpfpFk4pI6sK976Lnago91Q1pIXMk1PnX7tq9JNPMCQyniNQafm6xUIJBwgQs1DP5TRhxthyphenhypheng2rkSz0J39-MgXPiG01aK_JN1J9kYFj2D5ZEyrmarXcP5eEn5Ld_x3j2o/s1600/Ljuv.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisvsmF14z79EDpfpFk4pI6sK976Lnago91Q1pIXMk1PnX7tq9JNPMCQyniNQafm6xUIJBwgQs1DP5TRhxthyphenhypheng2rkSz0J39-MgXPiG01aK_JN1J9kYFj2D5ZEyrmarXcP5eEn5Ld_x3j2o/s320/Ljuv.jpg" width="161" /></a></div>Ryan preferred the <a href="http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/60083318/">Anno Inez</a> (the one on the left), so I made a quick drive to our Ikea and picked up a panel for $9.99. I also bought two curtain rods ($7) at the fabulous <a href="http://www.fragersdc.com/">Frager's</a> hardware store just down the street. We love a thrifty solution! The rods will be mounted in place - we want the panel to be fixed, not swinging about every time we open the door. The width of the panel is the same as the door's glass, so I didn't have to make any adjustments there. I did have to hem the length and add a loop at either end for the curtain rod. Et voila!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho1t8VTl5GWTzczhQrUZ18KM06gVROeADIAAXQYaHHyyuHEfnMLzsbuO8l94id_ZOS7E-etHgyyXnzfivaIyOfbg5CTbos_c5TAv0U4QJDk9hDiVJmW5Pb0OAZTs7h6w-2nGZBg4nlunk/s1600/View+from+Inside+Sabi.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho1t8VTl5GWTzczhQrUZ18KM06gVROeADIAAXQYaHHyyuHEfnMLzsbuO8l94id_ZOS7E-etHgyyXnzfivaIyOfbg5CTbos_c5TAv0U4QJDk9hDiVJmW5Pb0OAZTs7h6w-2nGZBg4nlunk/s400/View+from+Inside+Sabi.jpg" width="262" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyfYYwSO1w4WEa39vfOz6EcyolfpLCoPzghcKhePhJbF1faBunQc5THGDQHRDwqMZMiIX1Gof1ouDTe5UrIng1X3plO430zh22ROwhrYgViGkO3S16CwzPi-865cl3QXZZAFcw-dNSThw/s1600/View+Outside.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyfYYwSO1w4WEa39vfOz6EcyolfpLCoPzghcKhePhJbF1faBunQc5THGDQHRDwqMZMiIX1Gof1ouDTe5UrIng1X3plO430zh22ROwhrYgViGkO3S16CwzPi-865cl3QXZZAFcw-dNSThw/s400/View+Outside.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br />
I'm quite pleased to have come up with a solution that lets in light, gives a bit of privacy, and still allows us (and the cats) to see who/what is on our doorstep.<br />
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The last part of my de-creepify was to sweep away all of the cobwebs and dead leaves. I finished up by wiping down the door and window bars. Easy peasy.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_pq7d4SKs41scBKzyg_rn9B46mbHlvpjrcmhLH0xyz0740o3l5qYBuItqfBwE7GhA9Rw08MfaccB3wOoy3JzgXMj8R35Gy2JFa7qEq8IDBIwxAbuHdy2uoSo6Mve5HBSDXgk-ZMoASV8/s1600/Cobweb+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_pq7d4SKs41scBKzyg_rn9B46mbHlvpjrcmhLH0xyz0740o3l5qYBuItqfBwE7GhA9Rw08MfaccB3wOoy3JzgXMj8R35Gy2JFa7qEq8IDBIwxAbuHdy2uoSo6Mve5HBSDXgk-ZMoASV8/s400/Cobweb+2.jpg" width="300" /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; color: black;"></span></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEievw7qDvWQKVeTnDZ1F_zBodlHwINP8GawBl7ZN8wSAcgyKmtCZArZT2WDfYlE20DOwIi90pk5kzyK5uihQGEdt2LDNLIqmiqv_Q2eI7fro2pQqi618HmyMNAB_YZlQ6-N4X-IEhZkuLU/s1600/Window+Cleaned.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEievw7qDvWQKVeTnDZ1F_zBodlHwINP8GawBl7ZN8wSAcgyKmtCZArZT2WDfYlE20DOwIi90pk5kzyK5uihQGEdt2LDNLIqmiqv_Q2eI7fro2pQqi618HmyMNAB_YZlQ6-N4X-IEhZkuLU/s400/Window+Cleaned.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br />
And the final before/after reveal!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTmjoDUrENYMPbmMv-449724OOsCbVHBtrBOfmSHpNuAbeQabGGkOc2J5aSdpnID6ZMHeWeZOlkuf3f1h25jNLziqxlv1NfobuBC-XWYARvH_Qc7F0Y87Dx0pfUV7hYiYmvGVejLi5mRA/s1600/Steps+Before+no+house%2523.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTmjoDUrENYMPbmMv-449724OOsCbVHBtrBOfmSHpNuAbeQabGGkOc2J5aSdpnID6ZMHeWeZOlkuf3f1h25jNLziqxlv1NfobuBC-XWYARvH_Qc7F0Y87Dx0pfUV7hYiYmvGVejLi5mRA/s400/Steps+Before+no+house%2523.jpg" width="215" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAVm-H09n031TSSA9IrHPuYycWe2uIpg-nRV9l4WHQo-Q8XZS6lp8YhtAEL9g6iLfFhsBP-qsl0o82ElAJg1Y7NbAr-rllRHD6vzYpwd_yjcCzmvtvZVRZfaixdIp6exF45JFgwb3E4V8/s1600/Front+Door+After+no+house%2523.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAVm-H09n031TSSA9IrHPuYycWe2uIpg-nRV9l4WHQo-Q8XZS6lp8YhtAEL9g6iLfFhsBP-qsl0o82ElAJg1Y7NbAr-rllRHD6vzYpwd_yjcCzmvtvZVRZfaixdIp6exF45JFgwb3E4V8/s400/Front+Door+After+no+house%2523.jpg" width="257" /></a></div><br />
Door painted, privacy instituted, steps cleaned. As soon as we get pumpkins, our stoop will be Halloween ready!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6306486382913291984.post-35297524267099493422011-09-18T20:46:00.008-04:002011-09-20T11:05:24.962-04:00How to Make a Decision on Flooring Material<div style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: left;"> </div>Most of the decisions we've made on the house renovations so far have been the result of careful weighing of options, costs, and the opinions of our trusty panel of advisors (hi Mom and Mom-in-law!). We'd been playing with the idea of leaving the tongue and groove wood flooring in the guest bathroom rather than tiling, hoping for a look something like these bathrooms found at <a href="http://www.decorpad.com/photo.htm?photoId=87298&index=13&searchQuery=foot%20stools&searchType=photos">DecorPad</a> and <a href="http://www.countryliving.com/homes/house-tours/contrasting-textures-colors-0206">Country Living</a>.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.decorpad.com/photos/2011/07/31/ecbd38124e62.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" id="il_fi" src="http://www.decorpad.com/photos/2011/07/31/ecbd38124e62.png" style="padding-bottom: 8px; padding-right: 8px; padding-top: 8px;" width="296" /></a><a href="http://www.countryliving.com/cm/countryliving/images/Bathroom-Plank-Wood-Flooring-HTOURS0206-de.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" id="il_fi" src="http://www.countryliving.com/cm/countryliving/images/Bathroom-Plank-Wood-Flooring-HTOURS0206-de.jpg" style="padding-bottom: 8px; padding-right: 8px; padding-top: 8px;" width="312" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div><br />
</div></div><div style="text-align: left;">Because our bathroom redo involves switching the location of the sink and bathtub/shower though, we had to pull up some of the floor today so that a plumber will be able to access the pipes. Yes, we're normally big DIYers, but we're gonna leave the serious plumbing to the big boys! Pulling up the floor boards wasn't a big problem project-wise because we had to patch a few holes and rough areas anyway. What were a few more boards to bang back into place?<br />
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We removed the floor without too much damage to the delicate tongues and grooves by taking a couple of steps. First, we removed all of the nails that we could see with the back of a hammer or crowbar (wearing our eye protection, of course!). Then Ryan applied upward pressure from underneath using a crowbar against the floor joists for leverage, while I used a 2X4 scrap and a hammer to force the boards apart at the seams.We started at one end and slowly worked our way down each plank. After each board was freed, I removed any additional nails by hammering them through from the back. The process was successful for removing most of the planks, and it looked kind of like this:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLrDlzpINGFXDIlblykAYmuEYB1dM8rTfrNFtuGob2RTe5qPAqflKNTw-bbyxKWe_3EAS94qOxdUIW_bqgPS27ebmDbN6UaqAcdTW9QMXDsNSV0VtH8diawkBvMFQT-CNmmw2OulvKLII/s1600/Floor+Diagram+Arty.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="246" rba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLrDlzpINGFXDIlblykAYmuEYB1dM8rTfrNFtuGob2RTe5qPAqflKNTw-bbyxKWe_3EAS94qOxdUIW_bqgPS27ebmDbN6UaqAcdTW9QMXDsNSV0VtH8diawkBvMFQT-CNmmw2OulvKLII/s320/Floor+Diagram+Arty.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Once we opened up the first few feet of floor though, we realized that a bunch of the floor joists had been cut, drilled through, partially sistered, shimmed, patched... it isn't pretty. And it made us really nervous to put our faith in the structural stability of the mess. I'm pretty sure that our clawfoot tub will need a little more support than these Swiss cheese joists and toothpicks.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: left;"></div><div><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdHyk056MuiKRQt11vV4z1TPN55obCAULhBupUih4mWObTlq3GPOZkTzJy_mhAzPfdVbSMjq3aKMkLjwndp-BLFvTDQWdP_eQDHM6Cz-aiLv9X61pRsfZ8kZTPIUCdILLR1eNh5yP7r-8/s1600/DSC00150.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdHyk056MuiKRQt11vV4z1TPN55obCAULhBupUih4mWObTlq3GPOZkTzJy_mhAzPfdVbSMjq3aKMkLjwndp-BLFvTDQWdP_eQDHM6Cz-aiLv9X61pRsfZ8kZTPIUCdILLR1eNh5yP7r-8/s400/DSC00150.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv0ALAy_VwX8qsi81QlA9ykRMOTQyKR7bpSAseOA07DK-3SAz65BbTAl_wsJm3bSAOnRmJeRFHEwg7xWvRgvF6MqL3WyihoIm0iW7VCQGmh5wpuL8m2ItkSy4oTQLCyOFYY6uWGPPK2No/s1600/DSC00163.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv0ALAy_VwX8qsi81QlA9ykRMOTQyKR7bpSAseOA07DK-3SAz65BbTAl_wsJm3bSAOnRmJeRFHEwg7xWvRgvF6MqL3WyihoIm0iW7VCQGmh5wpuL8m2ItkSy4oTQLCyOFYY6uWGPPK2No/s400/DSC00163.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">So, on to our flooring decision. It looks like we're going to need to put down a new plywood floor to help distribute the weight of bathroom fixtures more evenly across the holey joists. And if we're going to put down a plywood floor, it might be easier to just slap some tile down, since we actually know what we're doing in that department. Installing old wood flooring would be a totally new undertaking.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Now we're thinking that the floor might end up looking more like one of these bathrooms found over at DecorPad. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://cdn.decorpad.com/photos/2011/01/21/1b71b72438f0.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="bathrooms - Restoration Hardware Vintage Glass Shelf gray walls white pedestal sink glass shelf rectangular mirror subway tiles shower surround rain shower head marble basketweave tiles floor" border="0" height="400" src="http://cdn.decorpad.com/photos/2011/01/21/1b71b72438f0.png" width="292" /></a><a href="http://cdn.decorpad.com/photos/2011/05/09/84b47d89c14a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="bathrooms - skylight greige walls subway tiles shower surround frameless glass shower marble basketweave tiles floor white bathroom cabinet vanity glass knobs white carrara marble countertop white medicine cabinet mirror polished nickel sconces faucet chair rail beadboard" border="0" height="400" src="http://cdn.decorpad.com/photos/2011/05/09/84b47d89c14a.jpg" width="286" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It's so much easier to make a flooring decision when the decision is more or less made for you!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">At least we don't have to worry about the joists throughout the rest of the house. The cats have been under the floor a few times today, and they've assured us that all looks good everywhere else. They also found the great Northwest Passage between the guest bathroom floor and the kitchen ceiling, and it looks like one of them even did a little electrical work for us on the sly (he had a big strip of electrical tape stuck to his belly this morning). One can never have enough helping hands when it comes to the big home renovation projects!</div><img height="74" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLrDlzpINGFXDIlblykAYmuEYB1dM8rTfrNFtuGob2RTe5qPAqflKNTw-bbyxKWe_3EAS94qOxdUIW_bqgPS27ebmDbN6UaqAcdTW9QMXDsNSV0VtH8diawkBvMFQT-CNmmw2OulvKLII/s320/Floor+Diagram+Arty.jpg" style="filter: alpha(opacity=30); left: 615px; mozopacity: 0.3; opacity: 0.3; position: absolute; top: 1488px; visibility: hidden;" width="96" />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6306486382913291984.post-25109557427147161462011-09-17T17:02:00.012-04:002011-09-18T10:00:07.559-04:00Lincrusta?I'm thinking about using Lincrusta in the guest bathroom. The name conjures some kind of soap scum remover or industrial cleaner, but really it's an embossed wall covering made from linseed oil and wood flour invented in the late 19th century. It looks more or less like carved plasterwork, and we have some (or something Lincrusta-esque) in the downstairs hallway that I really like.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEwwHeq6obxXCox3vsKoSbipqUFOaVPM9JNeqxRi9bGFtdp3ve5I_5WOBT-xRhiLkGvY7A9BZJgTcCACSIqJpp_EwL1R1fbiA_elsz578xtWuOHKKbywTKTbcfIQRNkGVTl6jvLnlnxLQ/s1600/Lincrusta+Hallway.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEwwHeq6obxXCox3vsKoSbipqUFOaVPM9JNeqxRi9bGFtdp3ve5I_5WOBT-xRhiLkGvY7A9BZJgTcCACSIqJpp_EwL1R1fbiA_elsz578xtWuOHKKbywTKTbcfIQRNkGVTl6jvLnlnxLQ/s400/Lincrusta+Hallway.jpg" width="300" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzY5NmGz960r9gKPqlVRo1JvRiWJG9ULjXdf7lOM1TyG0DOOoz203eRTGCpBKCKZrVbqsjXFZbPuN0stKU1nyZ94MUufQ04GrgM2i-osEGBRBESEN1WxDDi2eNCgSGorecSkyd6bIf7QM/s1600/Lincrusta+Detail.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzY5NmGz960r9gKPqlVRo1JvRiWJG9ULjXdf7lOM1TyG0DOOoz203eRTGCpBKCKZrVbqsjXFZbPuN0stKU1nyZ94MUufQ04GrgM2i-osEGBRBESEN1WxDDi2eNCgSGorecSkyd6bIf7QM/s400/Lincrusta+Detail.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I think it could be a really fun variation on the more traditional beadboard wainscoting, but I can only find a couple of examples of textured wallcoverings in the bathroom (found <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Brewster-FD59001-Paintable-Solutions-Wallpaper/dp/B003CQJ75S/ref=sr_1_7?s=hi&ie=UTF8&qid=1316290786&sr=1-7">here</a> and <a href="http://thejoshuashivelyhouse.blogspot.com/">here</a>). </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM6Aywo9wVYBHwB6q8v8wyQgEn_BOsFC9MVBk3A2VEBLfWGFtKIwWCQ77qFbjT_hq5pVKT1d5QZnYnm78596ruwty7-VwFR8BL7kYqywhTaUdjyu3N-WYfMDYotOFp-ZhDh2zNEEN17GM/s1600/Screen+shot+2011-09-17+at+4.19.02+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM6Aywo9wVYBHwB6q8v8wyQgEn_BOsFC9MVBk3A2VEBLfWGFtKIwWCQ77qFbjT_hq5pVKT1d5QZnYnm78596ruwty7-VwFR8BL7kYqywhTaUdjyu3N-WYfMDYotOFp-ZhDh2zNEEN17GM/s400/Screen+shot+2011-09-17+at+4.19.02+PM.png" width="292" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOfGzt5Wn86IgRCc-lMKdZe57vbEQfsXLH8-s3PAtlT1bMSrP98VTXsCMPuA3_UgooVlDiQTJYMBlqR6XSiehZzXQ7kShFkLjlOBZh5r95w3mZDRyWdSN4XTMEPbuV0_5c9aIzHyKxxxM/s1600/Screen+shot+2011-09-17+at+4.53.28+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOfGzt5Wn86IgRCc-lMKdZe57vbEQfsXLH8-s3PAtlT1bMSrP98VTXsCMPuA3_UgooVlDiQTJYMBlqR6XSiehZzXQ7kShFkLjlOBZh5r95w3mZDRyWdSN4XTMEPbuV0_5c9aIzHyKxxxM/s400/Screen+shot+2011-09-17+at+4.53.28+PM.png" width="298" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Either I'm ahead of the curve on this one, everyone else thinks it's terribly ugly, or it's a lot more difficult to install than I'm imagining. In truth, we'd probably be using Anaglypta (a molded vinyl paper) rather than true Lincrusta because of cost, but either should hold up fine under the heat and humidity of the bathroom.</div><br />
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I've found a few modern styles of Anaglypta that I really like, all of which are made by <a href="http://www.brewsterwallcovering.com/">Brewster</a>.</div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-wNENczLY66Pl0uqNPuA781XXHi6zvl5KN3qqzuLbbCC61A4vLHPTdj1z3O0XLIwGoKIznexcszET6cwKvllCiIsFDBPQG8wqHsot1vaM7dcpsojx5mgUOaGcY3o4KnjkFhK5aizI4xw/s1600/Anaglypta+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-wNENczLY66Pl0uqNPuA781XXHi6zvl5KN3qqzuLbbCC61A4vLHPTdj1z3O0XLIwGoKIznexcszET6cwKvllCiIsFDBPQG8wqHsot1vaM7dcpsojx5mgUOaGcY3o4KnjkFhK5aizI4xw/s200/Anaglypta+3.jpg" width="198" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglcD1BEPLMBm4TO91UPY7mFs1RrU0vsB0ZVaKoNEAaAsiPO00f_nivjsg_eYiwhxwYzlZHmv3B3AigpoJyG4P3VvqrouVgW998vTCzJCHFNTm3dwDz1to0JYehGwq1ctv2cSskeiMCnLc/s1600/Anaglypta+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="199" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglcD1BEPLMBm4TO91UPY7mFs1RrU0vsB0ZVaKoNEAaAsiPO00f_nivjsg_eYiwhxwYzlZHmv3B3AigpoJyG4P3VvqrouVgW998vTCzJCHFNTm3dwDz1to0JYehGwq1ctv2cSskeiMCnLc/s200/Anaglypta+2.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe3a0BQAd-Y1mWGX9y80p_SGd5YmPutfLCP9HsdoQFojWLpyaK36ffBlfUaZ5NqyX-DN8ywcNaQPyINlyt-TP45tPM5YDdBzKowQ0HYYnSBzb8yY2T1FYxkbr5XILO8UTyCr0rySLb5Yc/s1600/Screen+shot+2011-09-17+at+4.29.55+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe3a0BQAd-Y1mWGX9y80p_SGd5YmPutfLCP9HsdoQFojWLpyaK36ffBlfUaZ5NqyX-DN8ywcNaQPyINlyt-TP45tPM5YDdBzKowQ0HYYnSBzb8yY2T1FYxkbr5XILO8UTyCr0rySLb5Yc/s200/Screen+shot+2011-09-17+at+4.29.55+PM.png" width="199" /></a></div><br />
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Should we go for something a little different, or just stick with the traditional beadboard?Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6306486382913291984.post-890951519539339562011-09-16T09:19:00.005-04:002011-09-28T10:45:16.570-04:00Past Projects... The Dining RoomSince we don't get many major projects done around the house during the week, I thought I'd share the details of the very first house project that we worked on - lightening, brightening and simplifying the dining room. The previous house owners were into the Victorian thing, but you know what? Just because we live in a Victorian-era house doesn't mean I have to decorate like one! <br />
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There was <i>a lot</i> going on in this room.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigzeAPf97CBE3WZwGVW72h4JVZrkfY5OZ5mTFL2lK0ILF_8BHjpbUVJOFB9pQHmQc1Yb44DVC5VcwvYwbdRfBSvmjxeQMtXS39w0wEM48ieaxXm9YVAb5EAC7HlpfB0cBuLNHpudrMI1Q/s1600/Dining+Room+Before.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigzeAPf97CBE3WZwGVW72h4JVZrkfY5OZ5mTFL2lK0ILF_8BHjpbUVJOFB9pQHmQc1Yb44DVC5VcwvYwbdRfBSvmjxeQMtXS39w0wEM48ieaxXm9YVAb5EAC7HlpfB0cBuLNHpudrMI1Q/s400/Dining+Room+Before.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Striped wallpaper, robin's egg blue paint, gold borders, textured ceiling paper surrounded by another border, wall mounted cabinets faced with book-themed contact paper, a fireplace whose trim had trim... It was too much.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYTemYHwla06FhUMQUdBR6qLflDBnoV9it-bypeMYd4qO8KDdEIdiRCfpjkCJ6ohyphenhyphenzWgEkk6j6X9Sb2X0lRPovlXSlwx8e0qbLvH6kwVWjxhd7o0wYCeVD3Z2iggs5qGe5aPWCVDgQqSA/s1600/DSC02568.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYTemYHwla06FhUMQUdBR6qLflDBnoV9it-bypeMYd4qO8KDdEIdiRCfpjkCJ6ohyphenhyphenzWgEkk6j6X9Sb2X0lRPovlXSlwx8e0qbLvH6kwVWjxhd7o0wYCeVD3Z2iggs5qGe5aPWCVDgQqSA/s400/DSC02568.JPG" width="265" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghbPHHXcFsaf8jZZrSysdVuc5NiwoML4wLjnFw9uJ6rxfcjfpF7DEGzuxuh6HKFbRBp6VDrvj7fKGEDL5BpIlvcQrjhrAtae6Uy5JiRpvYHoacJ-J0Ah_sycCvyUZ1cnnGc12O5sYDtaA/s1600/French+Doors+Before.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghbPHHXcFsaf8jZZrSysdVuc5NiwoML4wLjnFw9uJ6rxfcjfpF7DEGzuxuh6HKFbRBp6VDrvj7fKGEDL5BpIlvcQrjhrAtae6Uy5JiRpvYHoacJ-J0Ah_sycCvyUZ1cnnGc12O5sYDtaA/s400/French+Doors+Before.JPG" width="265" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Putting the chaos factor aside, this room wasn't someplace I could see having friends over to because it also felt sort of like a dark, creepy (possibly haunted?) attic. Because our house is in the middle of a block, we only have windows on the east and west walls - so it can be pretty dark inside. While we were fortunate enough to have the original molding around doors and windows, it had most recently been painted dark brown, which made the room feel even more cave-like than it really is. It needed serious brightening.</div><br />
Even though the dreary Victorian decor isn't my cuppa tea, I will say that the previous owners did seem to get the look they were going for. This drawing (found <a href="http://victoriandecorating.blogspot.com/">here</a>) of an 1880s Victorian dining room looks amazingly like ours did!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiugcvptAnlDpfNw5G7rNDXEAaYgiXS9j4MeodMZ9Y3VaehFJHzIhlF3k-5mjNgSb0eTFGMJp9vqamsx8qQWIAu6NAI8kyMWwuwU50ebDI1jEPEieLmZqDEy64CtHc4VSzcc0l6Do5u2qE/s1600/1880+DINING+ROOM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="280" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiugcvptAnlDpfNw5G7rNDXEAaYgiXS9j4MeodMZ9Y3VaehFJHzIhlF3k-5mjNgSb0eTFGMJp9vqamsx8qQWIAu6NAI8kyMWwuwU50ebDI1jEPEieLmZqDEy64CtHc4VSzcc0l6Do5u2qE/s400/1880+DINING+ROOM.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
Anyway, it didn't stay that way for long. The night of our closing, we ordered a pizza and started stripping wallpaper. Luckily, the paper came off pretty easily with a spritz of warm water mixed with vinegar.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzChWWEmszu0LS54l5qCiTad3f2BzSQK-g_5A1lHhDkJSRPIdIm46Gf17uT-gEqjIQiBCkjJk3RQGTBPYtr2c_Q9JrTuhA-8M3aQvu3ka4zKzOCm6g3MjVoQKDTGw0wNLUPYEzCf9PqzE/s1600/DSC02665.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzChWWEmszu0LS54l5qCiTad3f2BzSQK-g_5A1lHhDkJSRPIdIm46Gf17uT-gEqjIQiBCkjJk3RQGTBPYtr2c_Q9JrTuhA-8M3aQvu3ka4zKzOCm6g3MjVoQKDTGw0wNLUPYEzCf9PqzE/s400/DSC02665.JPG" width="265" /></a></div><br />
I won't get into all of the nitty gritty details since we did this almost three years ago, but here's what we did to the space:<br />
<ul><li>Removed wallpaper, trim pieces, and wall-mounted cabinets</li>
<li>Removed ceiling border (we left the textured paper)</li>
<li>Painted walls Benjamin Moore Soleil (eggshell) and the ceiling Ceiling White</li>
<li>Painted the trim and ceiling medallion Benjamin Moore Mayonnaise (satin)</li>
<li>Replaced the transom over the French doors with a leaded glass</li>
<li>Reversed the French doors so they open inwards and installed a storm/security door outside</li>
<li>Removed the excess trim from the fireplace/mantel/mirror</li>
<li>Refinished the fireplace surround and mantel, stained a lighter color</li>
<li>Tiled around the fireplace surround</li>
<li>Disconnected and removed a gas fireplace insert because the chimney isn't lined</li>
<li>Had the <a href="http://allfeaturesgreatandsmall.blogspot.com/search/label/Wood%20floors">floors refinished</a> to their natural color</li>
</ul><div>It took us months to do, but the work was so worth it - the dining room became so much brighter and calmer. I definitely prefer my rooms to be restful and infused with sunlight!</div><div><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7IHCGZRCdYJJWRRrXeoC0dHz6HHr9VwE1hSg3WiMY8JTFpLHeyykeu9vRKIh4Sq6PCvBmQksUdPzCI04VK2OId28RbKwjroz5Sp5XvJuA8heYvOBH5y8ZPNbiCnFYyr8BR_Dq-JMH4V0/s1600/Dining+Room+After.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7IHCGZRCdYJJWRRrXeoC0dHz6HHr9VwE1hSg3WiMY8JTFpLHeyykeu9vRKIh4Sq6PCvBmQksUdPzCI04VK2OId28RbKwjroz5Sp5XvJuA8heYvOBH5y8ZPNbiCnFYyr8BR_Dq-JMH4V0/s400/Dining+Room+After.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrdaz8pogi9g3Ry7wPNHcnP0kcpDLDB_1Tg60cDSm7uF83RHLC9YFN93C38rfkZxl3byr-KWlGDqdoENlDgaV99mKxsAIicsF1aXjoVnjrTHSGbW_kea55w6DZq7X379lNLjjy4UdqA7g/s1600/French+Doors+After.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrdaz8pogi9g3Ry7wPNHcnP0kcpDLDB_1Tg60cDSm7uF83RHLC9YFN93C38rfkZxl3byr-KWlGDqdoENlDgaV99mKxsAIicsF1aXjoVnjrTHSGbW_kea55w6DZq7X379lNLjjy4UdqA7g/s400/French+Doors+After.JPG" width="265" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Once we got it to a state that we could live with, we moved on to some even bigger, scarier projects (I'm looking at you, <a href="http://allfeaturesgreatandsmall.blogspot.com/2011/08/neighborhood-shower-party.html">master bathroom</a>!). The dining room is by no means finished, and here's the list of things that we still need to do:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><ul><li>Finish the mirror frame (paint or stain?)</li>
<li>Hang the new pendant light that's been sitting in its box for 3+ months (more complicated than it should be)</li>
<li>Finish installing the French door hardware, paint white to match the trim</li>
<li>Give the ceiling medallion and ceiling trim one more coat of paint</li>
<li>Reassess the possibly too yellow wall color</li>
</ul><div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">The room has filled out a <em>little</em> bit more over time. Here's where we are now.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF9mzdvgxZB1v-XIWlVZ1BEOjLdbmA8DiWHom0SA_-lokUouz-U5jTkUsVITco_S-i41ibo2J9Ace53uDLDLNalE8p8MYi8z9GG9IJxUQsyTxW6_qzxRjlkvZbB4TVSP_pDB5JEN1Y2_Q/s1600/DSC00007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" rba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF9mzdvgxZB1v-XIWlVZ1BEOjLdbmA8DiWHom0SA_-lokUouz-U5jTkUsVITco_S-i41ibo2J9Ace53uDLDLNalE8p8MYi8z9GG9IJxUQsyTxW6_qzxRjlkvZbB4TVSP_pDB5JEN1Y2_Q/s400/DSC00007.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE7fPJsjsC8ma1BHsP-l3DDHuzZfHv-J9k_mxK2Y9MS3Mth806-crpAbynOl5o0WTdCNbLlrotzJ7kGo5jO7vvI8XdRNdvMT7ezVA0PAoik1l_S-bBFtKs1g5bLIaA7HbXWJL8jLb9JJM/s1600/DSC00018.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" rba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE7fPJsjsC8ma1BHsP-l3DDHuzZfHv-J9k_mxK2Y9MS3Mth806-crpAbynOl5o0WTdCNbLlrotzJ7kGo5jO7vvI8XdRNdvMT7ezVA0PAoik1l_S-bBFtKs1g5bLIaA7HbXWJL8jLb9JJM/s400/DSC00018.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">I'd still like to hang more art to the left and right of the fireplace (in the two nooks) and organize the banjo/guitar/fiddle/bodhran corner we've got going on. And maybe, just <em>maybe</em> get rid of the light on the mantel with the electrical taped paper shade that's falling off? Slowly, but surely people.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">And these days, we're finding candlelit dinners so soothing and cozy, we may never get around to hanging that newfangled electric ceiling light. How very Victorian we feel...</div></div><img height="72" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF9mzdvgxZB1v-XIWlVZ1BEOjLdbmA8DiWHom0SA_-lokUouz-U5jTkUsVITco_S-i41ibo2J9Ace53uDLDLNalE8p8MYi8z9GG9IJxUQsyTxW6_qzxRjlkvZbB4TVSP_pDB5JEN1Y2_Q/s400/DSC00007.JPG" style="filter: alpha(opacity=30); left: 367px; mozopacity: 0.3; opacity: 0.3; position: absolute; top: 3689px; visibility: hidden;" width="96" />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6306486382913291984.post-66955463747692396312011-09-11T07:14:00.008-04:002011-09-17T17:07:11.348-04:00I ♥ Community Forklift!This weekend's guest bathroom work involved a trip to Community Forklift, an amazing local store that sells donated surplus building materials and architectural salvage in support of environmentally friendly construction and home renovation. We had a few things that we were looking for, but we also took the opportunity to donate a few light fixtures that have been kicking around our garage for the past couple of years. One man's trash is another man's treasure, and all that.<br />
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The store has a huge outside lot full of cast iron bathtubs, sinks, marble slabs, fencing materials, and tons of other large-scale stuff. When we were first designing the guest bathroom, we thought that we'd reuse our old sink countertop with a new base - turns out that taking that route would be way more expensive than replacing it. I'd searched a bit online for pedestal sinks, but we thought we'd check out what Community Forklift had to offer. Here's the sight that greeted us.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdRQlJqJhMmWBBq_D2NpMQxzYjDNlRtNtdnT1Zfxroj0RqRghX_Nf1OFNGEYtvGghETFdGBjJH6BHs8s-VigViyO2rCIze9lLxC_bcrhTxqXh83o8OH4fziY9bLpDmDceTsdRc4sPWvSA/s1600/Sinks2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdRQlJqJhMmWBBq_D2NpMQxzYjDNlRtNtdnT1Zfxroj0RqRghX_Nf1OFNGEYtvGghETFdGBjJH6BHs8s-VigViyO2rCIze9lLxC_bcrhTxqXh83o8OH4fziY9bLpDmDceTsdRc4sPWvSA/s400/Sinks2.jpg" width="300" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjmK85Fr4S6Ac6MhNxOmCnVnKuPydj4ipGstmx0R4DeopYHGs1sAQ8bNE82vXKSdwnDih_Z8NZvSwH6K5gprzwxWtz3GC5fDTtjGgURKSJZakirkb1Wipkxgodx7Zzg7bB3dQKznCDW_8/s1600/Sinks1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjmK85Fr4S6Ac6MhNxOmCnVnKuPydj4ipGstmx0R4DeopYHGs1sAQ8bNE82vXKSdwnDih_Z8NZvSwH6K5gprzwxWtz3GC5fDTtjGgURKSJZakirkb1Wipkxgodx7Zzg7bB3dQKznCDW_8/s400/Sinks1.jpg" width="315" /></a></div><br />
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Lots o' sinks! There were a few pedestal types that looked pretty good from afar, but up close were chipped and stained. I wasn't sure if chipped and stained = farmhouse chic or just pain dirty... Anyway, we decided to see what else they had in the way of plumbing inside. Here's Ryan looking thrilled in one of their sink/toilet aisles.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6IZ8-jcZF8E-1nJX_4FTgvWf42zHdAkLAqApmbRlpcT13R3swtn6Q7c6ug0rFWsBbqI1NkXWKLIQ31oOKj-TAw0Ph6LEf5mPDS-DnJQlvm-a0J_SDBrsBPRG-QTzsAEpe4_Sa-rMK8QI/s1600/DSC00157.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6IZ8-jcZF8E-1nJX_4FTgvWf42zHdAkLAqApmbRlpcT13R3swtn6Q7c6ug0rFWsBbqI1NkXWKLIQ31oOKj-TAw0Ph6LEf5mPDS-DnJQlvm-a0J_SDBrsBPRG-QTzsAEpe4_Sa-rMK8QI/s400/DSC00157.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We found one pedestal sink in great condition that we liked for $125. The price was definitely right, but we weren't sure that the design was exactly what we were looking for, so it was a no go.</div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk1O9g2fHQyTJs020hgf_9FJ6ChnviKgzrkFDYaz7SFsVkslgW7U0mGd1hJLMWWn_jJKEeO8Xn8_Bu-oymauYA8up_XtXwtcnAaNmJ810qVpJD07lGU_hitQhqAJ_p1kAX9ZUJdmJ-XtQ/s1600/DSC00155.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk1O9g2fHQyTJs020hgf_9FJ6ChnviKgzrkFDYaz7SFsVkslgW7U0mGd1hJLMWWn_jJKEeO8Xn8_Bu-oymauYA8up_XtXwtcnAaNmJ810qVpJD07lGU_hitQhqAJ_p1kAX9ZUJdmJ-XtQ/s400/DSC00155.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Next up, doors. We've been playing with the idea of putting French doors between the upstairs hallway and future office. That way, we can close off the room and the cats won't rub their furry little faces on the computer camera while Ryan is in the middle of Skype calls with business clients...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Community Forklift has rows and rows of doors, which can be kind of overwhelming. Since we'll be building the wall to accommodate the doors, we didn't require exact measurements, but we knew that we were aiming for somewhere around five feet for the pair. After some serious digging around in the French door aisle, we came up with a set in good condition, exactly five feet wide. They're different heights, but only because there's a 2X4 stuck to the bottom of one. How this pair worked together when one door was several inches taller than the other, I'm not sure.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGSi6Xs4ofvQsRpFA04BHisk4lzfD6Qq-91Karpxk8Flw3XxyMj2TLbOPKJ6Wldd5z8NScg0JG9O5xfCi0PFCqCBkpG3UOx8Nlxt1Wj0U58oQPh7UHqXF-wEqj4bOeoXWK1vh-CwLakOk/s1600/DSC00158.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGSi6Xs4ofvQsRpFA04BHisk4lzfD6Qq-91Karpxk8Flw3XxyMj2TLbOPKJ6Wldd5z8NScg0JG9O5xfCi0PFCqCBkpG3UOx8Nlxt1Wj0U58oQPh7UHqXF-wEqj4bOeoXWK1vh-CwLakOk/s400/DSC00158.jpg" width="300" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9oAox3u1YtrVQUtJapO3TXBEwtveDyzJtTKy8-fyo_F1o9qq6Tw0N7YIwIhMqQiDb9e1zZQl1rxjibMQAoGjIGV4TL2srrchXrtFudZCXkK3jSJ-rx45_7k6mmzbbjBwzoKi0hi_PqkA/s1600/DSC00161.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9oAox3u1YtrVQUtJapO3TXBEwtveDyzJtTKy8-fyo_F1o9qq6Tw0N7YIwIhMqQiDb9e1zZQl1rxjibMQAoGjIGV4TL2srrchXrtFudZCXkK3jSJ-rx45_7k6mmzbbjBwzoKi0hi_PqkA/s400/DSC00161.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
Now, let me start this off by saying that we are not those people that have good luck wherever we go, but I believe these doors were meant to come home with us! Each door was originally priced at $35 - and I feel like that would have been a great deal. A set of French doors for $70 when they normally cost $300+ at the chain stores? Yes, please. Well, this weekend, Community Forklift was selling all doors priced at less than $50 at an amazing 75% off! We scored these babies for s<i>eventeen dollars and fifty cents</i>! Add a couple of pieces of door hardware to our lot, and the grand total was $20.50.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I ♥ Community Forklift!</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6306486382913291984.post-32108389004441162202011-09-05T21:31:00.006-04:002011-09-17T17:06:41.854-04:00Bathroom DemolitionRyan and I spent the weekend taking apart the guest bathroom. We're talking serious demo here, i.e. walls came down. It's quite disconcerting to find a toilet and bathtub right out in the open, in the middle of the room at the top of the stairs. It reminds me of my cousin Scott's studio apartment in NYC where the bathtub was <i>literally</i> in the middle of the kitchen (he actually built a hinged countertop on top of the tub to maximize his usable kitchen space!). Here are the early stages of the transformation.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUJomsnCl_S4SsOc4FDR6Cr3casdKEx8vMiC1xw_bd7fOzVZG1LRB1o80Jk17IPa077ZnVrYa_JaG1axE9rNxod_b-eWO8xHRTgTgUQwGJ71a6fwzdgKbgRE5AllhgcpVCtN4MkQSHaVk/s1600/DSC09898.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUJomsnCl_S4SsOc4FDR6Cr3casdKEx8vMiC1xw_bd7fOzVZG1LRB1o80Jk17IPa077ZnVrYa_JaG1axE9rNxod_b-eWO8xHRTgTgUQwGJ71a6fwzdgKbgRE5AllhgcpVCtN4MkQSHaVk/s400/DSC09898.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRYr84tw0nz6s73QLAqI_nkOEUmO_Q4WMjZ670Jxo24Xsq5k7K9Tol-KwGXkYqSbezTZLb6J4D9LoCm2hzislJpmB_OdufvyfWQdJMhioN8FRUQKUQbK5vlZ2j73uRqDZol4rmqc1MM68/s1600/DSC09916.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRYr84tw0nz6s73QLAqI_nkOEUmO_Q4WMjZ670Jxo24Xsq5k7K9Tol-KwGXkYqSbezTZLb6J4D9LoCm2hzislJpmB_OdufvyfWQdJMhioN8FRUQKUQbK5vlZ2j73uRqDZol4rmqc1MM68/s400/DSC09916.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>We always wondered why there was a weird bump out in the wall of the bathroom (behind the ladder). Why hadn't they just built the wall two inches over? After pulling down the drywall, we discovered the answer - a beam. Hmmm. Ryan crawled around in the attic and determined that it wasn't structural, so he removed it, exposing the exterior brick coated in what appears to be a black waterproof coating. We considered leaving the beam exposed, but I think it would have looked really out of place. When we rebuild, the wall will be (should be, anyway) nice and flat.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3bWyRldHyxrKKhemW1b-Vf2Hgjt5g6ZGVl8UNaXKzZtJoQWSm7SBry972KCxv_uTSyVTMsMI2gLGUCxUYu_QY3pD74pbDH8ymQZFRpe-sUTTIjMyj_DCnfNBGtEsulJ7bHE9XiyOllDc/s1600/DSC09919.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3bWyRldHyxrKKhemW1b-Vf2Hgjt5g6ZGVl8UNaXKzZtJoQWSm7SBry972KCxv_uTSyVTMsMI2gLGUCxUYu_QY3pD74pbDH8ymQZFRpe-sUTTIjMyj_DCnfNBGtEsulJ7bHE9XiyOllDc/s400/DSC09919.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
Since we're planning on moving the clawfoot tub to the opposite wall and we have a bit of plumbing to do in the space, we decided to just bite the bullet and move it out now. If anyone's wondering (we definitely were) we're estimating that our tub weighs about 250 pounds without water. Heavy, but not so heavy that the two of us couldn't move it on our own. Our bigger concern was that we might damage the floor boards if the feet were placed on a weak spot... yes, we had visions of our tub falling through to the first floor a la The Money Pit. To make sure that the weight was evenly distributed across the floor rather than just in the four spots where the feet rested, we shifted the tub inch by inch on two long pieces of plywood that we repositioned as we went.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhunWmbhdO7qsBiqvW45T7lABIEaxazXRGVtlkbNzcWZLilL_BgpRDLHZ_gaxR8oYAKtIK_QfMImTuvZ83W9bXADax_hTEgi8Amo8_j4D7n_0yLu0GJRwjg0TNWn1LQRnAcp1Ox4kG8jHs/s1600/DSC09934.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhunWmbhdO7qsBiqvW45T7lABIEaxazXRGVtlkbNzcWZLilL_BgpRDLHZ_gaxR8oYAKtIK_QfMImTuvZ83W9bXADax_hTEgi8Amo8_j4D7n_0yLu0GJRwjg0TNWn1LQRnAcp1Ox4kG8jHs/s400/DSC09934.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
It took us about half an hour to move it out of the bathroom and into the future office/current junk room. I'll be able to clean/refinish/paint it there. And what made me even happier than not having our floor collapse? The realization that the backside of the tub, which will be facing outwards in the new bathroom configuration, has one thin, smooth layer of yellowish paint on it and that the legs aren't painted at all. Thank ye, tub gods! I think a good scrub with some paint stripper and a wire brush should do the trick. The feet are dirty and cobwebby, but see how much definition they have?<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1sk_xK1b0HxW9rDFxdbhiYZ3Nxx4EIZBQcvdZCz3Tx81SMrgWpdU1zz27CtRbBScMtRBDDg9WtFaoRMa3SVTIxxHAHYfPddApqeNnnwx5qw2sxBedZ9-aa0vCYCk3mqItohVGUXJ9Y5Y/s1600/Tub+Feet.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1sk_xK1b0HxW9rDFxdbhiYZ3Nxx4EIZBQcvdZCz3Tx81SMrgWpdU1zz27CtRbBScMtRBDDg9WtFaoRMa3SVTIxxHAHYfPddApqeNnnwx5qw2sxBedZ9-aa0vCYCk3mqItohVGUXJ9Y5Y/s400/Tub+Feet.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br />
All in all, it was a very satisfying few days of work.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw9p87fhFuCKIZ45j_GTzcojZdnsuhh-s10wzn15lzs9b5bUI9KtFIY8JT5WHQz4KGtNsI_Qy3z0RtrJbnqTJjiCdR_purTvQGcnA_PC4FTk4DKq3XxY1qHIxmmcbkrzaSBrzGA7vXS2w/s1600/DSC09931.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw9p87fhFuCKIZ45j_GTzcojZdnsuhh-s10wzn15lzs9b5bUI9KtFIY8JT5WHQz4KGtNsI_Qy3z0RtrJbnqTJjiCdR_purTvQGcnA_PC4FTk4DKq3XxY1qHIxmmcbkrzaSBrzGA7vXS2w/s400/DSC09931.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6306486382913291984.post-22024611487438947092011-08-29T17:59:00.003-04:002011-09-12T06:48:45.841-04:00Pardon Me, But...Why yes, we do happen to have a door painted the color of Grey Poupon! When we moved into the house, we also had a pink door, light brown doors, dark brown faux painted doors, orangey doors, white doors, doors covered with bamboo blinds, louvered bifold doors and unpainted French doors! Yikes! When we began painting our way through the house, we decided to pick one color for the trim and doors to make the spaces more unified. We chose Benjamin Moore Mayonnaise in a satin finish. It looks exactly like the color of mayo - off white and creamy - but the name is terrible! I've since taken to calling it "Creampuff."<br />
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Here's a selection of our doors from back in 2008.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqMDoxFuXa6Cmb5yGojPgltfS_mqnqQOeKmF2mYHy0WtRLorFa_tYdUCpTtYz2BLcglfWMUvcK2oiV2k4UplJ_mRbtnoA1-n0QZVP9RdDn5-L2E3A2cdMylAsU_n3rCXD7KRnnqXX5aLs/s1600/Doors1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="273" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqMDoxFuXa6Cmb5yGojPgltfS_mqnqQOeKmF2mYHy0WtRLorFa_tYdUCpTtYz2BLcglfWMUvcK2oiV2k4UplJ_mRbtnoA1-n0QZVP9RdDn5-L2E3A2cdMylAsU_n3rCXD7KRnnqXX5aLs/s640/Doors1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw_ZVXa6RB15BM0Pz9EV1H55g00c65ztTc8PCjcDRHcuxIRGW7dWkjSzeFvJMaY4GLuyk1crao547Zmkf58fbMwb1Ce3EAoL04CIVSthJoUtLJ-UH12pOrkoIMdLEMgv0R-kcdM2w-xas/s1600/Doors2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="274" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw_ZVXa6RB15BM0Pz9EV1H55g00c65ztTc8PCjcDRHcuxIRGW7dWkjSzeFvJMaY4GLuyk1crao547Zmkf58fbMwb1Ce3EAoL04CIVSthJoUtLJ-UH12pOrkoIMdLEMgv0R-kcdM2w-xas/s640/Doors2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I think after seeing that, anyone could appreciate the need to simplify! We actually replaced a lot of these doors with ones of the same panel design as the originals that we were lucky enough to find at an architectural salvage place in Washington, DC (The Brass Knob's Door Warehouse). At this point, most of the doors are painted, and today I tackled one of the worst offenders. It's the door to the future guest bedroom (currently our workshop) located at the top of the stairs. That means that it's visible from the downstairs hallway and it's the first thing you see when you go up the stairs. Uugh!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Here's a before shot in all of its mustard and BBQ sauce glory (I'm on a condiment theme here). I'll try not to get started on the Pepto colored bathroom door to the right.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg0WDDeym-fsH691dWMS6zi7aEnEKZF0Z_ObzjyW9bc7n99gEy7mNP0UQTlm9NIcS5vrV7EaAAwwUmi5arlgNpZ1fW96KeAqxDTy7aRwUu_AhraLGTey9LS3wHyIJJFUBJ2Wjiw6xzXK8/s1600/DSC09895.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg0WDDeym-fsH691dWMS6zi7aEnEKZF0Z_ObzjyW9bc7n99gEy7mNP0UQTlm9NIcS5vrV7EaAAwwUmi5arlgNpZ1fW96KeAqxDTy7aRwUu_AhraLGTey9LS3wHyIJJFUBJ2Wjiw6xzXK8/s400/DSC09895.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I primed with one coat of Zinsser 1-2-3 and painted another coat with the previously mentioned "Creampuff" (okay, Mayonnaise). It'll need one more coat before I can call it good, but I'm already so happy with the change!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpFZ0aDfcfLbxtZTiMghVqnGPFE8lxk7tMCCddR3acHQzCTFEsbIYjIgwRpGuUpz_Ve8mKHxSRMfXrgM25CqDNZjrb2bslhe9WGvh_IUiOkJjrNFcxgxQ6afW4U7mjtf-T1JBKQsAQWLo/s1600/DSC09899.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpFZ0aDfcfLbxtZTiMghVqnGPFE8lxk7tMCCddR3acHQzCTFEsbIYjIgwRpGuUpz_Ve8mKHxSRMfXrgM25CqDNZjrb2bslhe9WGvh_IUiOkJjrNFcxgxQ6afW4U7mjtf-T1JBKQsAQWLo/s400/DSC09899.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div>Why exactly did I wait over two years to do that? I mean, I guess I've been pretty busy painting all of the other doors/surfaces in the house, but really! So much more peaceful, and dare I say sane?<br />
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It fits so much better with the rest of the house (see the white at the top of the stairs?). No more mustard!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9fWToJSClKWHeovVtD1m6eJUn1JO1y-42Ln8QyVjB7rrcpn9KjyRV22xV8POuRm481xElAgOM5xPSZyctTXNMIPYVULQE-82xeV0SPfud3K24Cy0bz6xQ1SSSaLuO3fqHm2Lco1uPL4k/s1600/DSC09904.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9fWToJSClKWHeovVtD1m6eJUn1JO1y-42Ln8QyVjB7rrcpn9KjyRV22xV8POuRm481xElAgOM5xPSZyctTXNMIPYVULQE-82xeV0SPfud3K24Cy0bz6xQ1SSSaLuO3fqHm2Lco1uPL4k/s400/DSC09904.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6306486382913291984.post-33897153857545928962011-08-28T17:48:00.005-04:002011-09-17T17:06:55.347-04:00Guest Bathroom Dreaming<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The majority of work is done on <i>our</i> bathroom, and now that we've moved on to the next phase of our renovation, I can't help but dream about the <i>guest</i> bathroom. On the left is a drawing of the bath and office when we moved in, and on the right is how it will be laid out in the distant future (the rest of the architectural drawings of the house are under the tab House Plans).</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxXY6C-QeIr5BquJCNkLva_vZmnr8FrurKnAonV9WTZGvdK41UPrmLpAbv3Zb5r07doqQi_fHEt7BxcSGVX5Dyys42tXHAXk86Oji9692wtlKZGQpyFpulr2PLowCv2XtkviAWkhP1ucI/s1600/Guest+Bath+Before+and+After.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="339" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxXY6C-QeIr5BquJCNkLva_vZmnr8FrurKnAonV9WTZGvdK41UPrmLpAbv3Zb5r07doqQi_fHEt7BxcSGVX5Dyys42tXHAXk86Oji9692wtlKZGQpyFpulr2PLowCv2XtkviAWkhP1ucI/s640/Guest+Bath+Before+and+After.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We're shifting the wall between the office and the guest bathroom, and we'll probably switch the location of the sink and the bathtub too. Even though we're moving the wall in a bit at the back corner, we're also gaining some space at the front where the laundry closet used to be. I think the new layout will work much better because it will give more room around the bathtub and some storage space to the side of the sink.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Our tub is in pretty rough shape though. The inside has a few chips, which I can deal with (it is 100 years old after all), but the outside is really bumpy and s<i>ponge painted pink/orange</i>. Not okay! Here's a photo.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgro_ViQjAIpBmKEBpQlEClBMcbICE8_GWMRyuXC8frVERTOyvlX-AeVXoEaAFE6Ajg73hhd-IzplGjtcYVWecVqpXFUDT-WkloECner6s4DySzwwg-lM5q0O_BvVkeOjZ90F3SFNUIRWw/s1600/Pink+Sponge+Bathtub.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgro_ViQjAIpBmKEBpQlEClBMcbICE8_GWMRyuXC8frVERTOyvlX-AeVXoEaAFE6Ajg73hhd-IzplGjtcYVWecVqpXFUDT-WkloECner6s4DySzwwg-lM5q0O_BvVkeOjZ90F3SFNUIRWw/s400/Pink+Sponge+Bathtub.jpg" width="278" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Of course, if we do switch the tub to the other side of the room, the opposite side will be exposed, and who knows what that side looks like... Now that I've confessed that we've been living with a sponge painted bathtub for over two years, I can share some photos of the painted clawfoot tubs (found <a href="http://delightbydesign.blogspot.com/search?updated-max=2011-02-03T11%3A19%3A00-07%3A00&max-results=10">here</a> and <a href="http://www.annesage.com/blog/2009/09/magazine-lust-elle-decoration-france.html">here</a>) that are making me want to grab a paint brush immediately.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTvYPs7ccZlPRm3MPmjUvzml0A_JmE6ZfSqgzCiZ20GFHogZ2v9HyWc5yTZ0GUyrTQkaeCWiumafFaQKzMkAnacZnBpdCC4brbYl91bwC8MWCY1nRjfWorylmdgKyrbVj3iYKxcL6La0A/s1600/Gray+Bathtubs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="378" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTvYPs7ccZlPRm3MPmjUvzml0A_JmE6ZfSqgzCiZ20GFHogZ2v9HyWc5yTZ0GUyrTQkaeCWiumafFaQKzMkAnacZnBpdCC4brbYl91bwC8MWCY1nRjfWorylmdgKyrbVj3iYKxcL6La0A/s640/Gray+Bathtubs.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Interesting that both of these bathrooms have wood floors, like our bathroom does. Hmm... something to consider. Of course, I'll have to wait to paint until we're much further along in the process. It's fun to dream and plan in the meantime though!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6306486382913291984.post-63392265154071831492011-08-01T07:00:00.004-04:002012-02-08T06:59:55.954-05:00Neighborhood Shower Party!For months now, we've forced friends and neighbors to look at the progress we've made on the bathroom every time they come over, and now that it's DONE, we feel as though we should have an open shower party. Any takers?<br />
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It took us a couple of weekends to finish tiling, grouting and sealing everything. The glass people came about two weeks ago to take the final measurements, and installed it over the course of <i>four hours</i> on Thursday. The caulk used in all of the corners and edges needed 24 hours to dry, so our first chance to use the shower was Friday after work (and I really needed it after spending the day in 100+ degree weather on a platform in the middle of a river looking at a 19th century shipwreck site). Anyway, we couldn't be happier with the end result of our work, so without further ado... our shower!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw704rX1KIB-C5pAXAT9XjZm3I1I5p1S1cfzxfp9zKuTyYVG77quIxfdB9HD0RM35FFj_yLZt78Q9xNsIY-iOnchT5D2iMUYfX_ggXIi8gpAn05w0lJByZqI99UE5eyewFSgr00RZ_yAM/s1600/Bathroom+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw704rX1KIB-C5pAXAT9XjZm3I1I5p1S1cfzxfp9zKuTyYVG77quIxfdB9HD0RM35FFj_yLZt78Q9xNsIY-iOnchT5D2iMUYfX_ggXIi8gpAn05w0lJByZqI99UE5eyewFSgr00RZ_yAM/s400/Bathroom+1.jpg" width="287" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkO_tGHuPOzBcyNA6hC2AoX95m9yuFevtVkzLHt_fxOqMxA-oBTz9dS_GeilOLGYFY-N1FH0GabVWxUKeYx8KAFTAXnGdyWD0_7VYb1u_iRnSWL3CcwK5bKir9R_H_qdgyXqkoWcXDNQ8/s1600/Shower.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkO_tGHuPOzBcyNA6hC2AoX95m9yuFevtVkzLHt_fxOqMxA-oBTz9dS_GeilOLGYFY-N1FH0GabVWxUKeYx8KAFTAXnGdyWD0_7VYb1u_iRnSWL3CcwK5bKir9R_H_qdgyXqkoWcXDNQ8/s400/Shower.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br />
Now that you've seen it, don't you want to come to our shower party?! I love everything about it, and so far, we haven't had any floods or collapsed ceilings. I'm keeping my eye out for a ceramic stool to put in one of the corners like this one in Architectural Digest.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXw6DGt8LQda4qkk5qZqH6EMijLDVe1GDWc6VD0FUiv99cTV796fb0l0R2sxmB7OBPCx5dlFlRML3BLsHvqBNk5OCiFEBFVdGvr3rLlJmjwq6_oVLFJOOWxsmbi-HZxiXt15REXcZ8ivY/s1600/Picture+5.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="332" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXw6DGt8LQda4qkk5qZqH6EMijLDVe1GDWc6VD0FUiv99cTV796fb0l0R2sxmB7OBPCx5dlFlRML3BLsHvqBNk5OCiFEBFVdGvr3rLlJmjwq6_oVLFJOOWxsmbi-HZxiXt15REXcZ8ivY/s400/Picture+5.png" width="400" /></a></div><br />
Chic and spa-like, yes? We're also thinking of framing some of our photos for the walls, so I'll update if I ever get to that project. For now, it's back to the finishing touches - a little more caulking, trimwork, and painting!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6306486382913291984.post-16306698913465814472011-07-30T13:23:00.008-04:002011-09-17T22:31:39.296-04:00Nice Shower Niche!With the three day weekend over July 4th, we were <i>sure</i> that we were going to finish tiling our shower. Sigh. So close, and yet, it's still not finished. At this point, the few tiles we have left to put in place all require careful measuring and cutting, so it's slow going (at least for us first-timers). But we're moving forward, and we've scheduled the glass fabricators to come out and measure next week - that'll motivate us to finish for sure!<br />
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Even though we still have to make a few tricky cuts, the most difficult part <i>is</i> actually finished! We spent last weekend working on the niche, which took us way longer than I'd like to admit... The first step was to determine exactly where the niche would be located so that all of the tiles and grout lines would be matched up. We put two rows of tile in place to get the overall height, and then added in the thickness of the shelves and niche tiles to figure out how big the hole needed to be.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbAm3pDwlzoBy_2cVBw7vHjenAaDjcAkQurSrLY5fMFdqlHmzEPI-UHvLAvYUSYZWeGTRez3vnZTHrtgsMLtA0bdROHzpTq95KfkBO0cqFnhW4t1F_iMcjFFBuaIvwAwUM9ejnhA5RTnU/s1600/Niche1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="372" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbAm3pDwlzoBy_2cVBw7vHjenAaDjcAkQurSrLY5fMFdqlHmzEPI-UHvLAvYUSYZWeGTRez3vnZTHrtgsMLtA0bdROHzpTq95KfkBO0cqFnhW4t1F_iMcjFFBuaIvwAwUM9ejnhA5RTnU/s640/Niche1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
Don't mind the tiles on the left hand side that fell off the wall while we were cutting the hole - that's perfectly normal. Just kidding! We were still figuring out the whole thinset mortar thing. Next, we built out the niche walls using cement board so that it was the exact width we'd need. We waterproofed using the same Kerdi material that we used for the rest of the shower, following the instructions over on the <a href="http://floorelf.com/">Floor Elf's</a> tiling blog. After that, we made some cuts to our border tiles, slapped them up on the wall, and got to the pretty glass tile part. Finally.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFhG2jwj71AuytZhKJI5pkM_moBb1bR_VKYby3GgvjF8e7_Bw7toqHpFJG1Xq1boZ3bCjorS7BNVNxZvee25elXXxQNcqKmeH87AL4oyhDJzsFVvfI6X7o0eHmB3Rh_-JRzv7POHfhjGU/s1600/Niche2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="372" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFhG2jwj71AuytZhKJI5pkM_moBb1bR_VKYby3GgvjF8e7_Bw7toqHpFJG1Xq1boZ3bCjorS7BNVNxZvee25elXXxQNcqKmeH87AL4oyhDJzsFVvfI6X7o0eHmB3Rh_-JRzv7POHfhjGU/s640/Niche2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The finish line is in sight!</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6306486382913291984.post-15161564430164582122011-06-25T15:03:00.003-04:002011-09-12T06:49:35.103-04:00The Great Garden Taming of 2011I took a hiatus from tiling the shower the past couple of weekends* because 1. Ryan was traveling for work and 2. our back yard started looking like this:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVYhXiyCquB1FSTR4GZ4EmPL5MW1UAyNCYTmCwpEy40iHN5_NOKLOMVX-boj3uqCmIDss89W3pNdiTHajUlCiN7iAZAY5y39-6LNt76kZEE0QTqm-cwUYyjPFn_LYhnuIbSIrC2mT_tgI/s1600/Back+Yard+Before.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="252" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVYhXiyCquB1FSTR4GZ4EmPL5MW1UAyNCYTmCwpEy40iHN5_NOKLOMVX-boj3uqCmIDss89W3pNdiTHajUlCiN7iAZAY5y39-6LNt76kZEE0QTqm-cwUYyjPFn_LYhnuIbSIrC2mT_tgI/s640/Back+Yard+Before.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
Jungle-licious, yes?<br />
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Umm, no. With the potential for friends or neighbors stopping by over the July 4th weekend, we just couldn't put the weeding off any longer. We picked up some mulch for the front yard and some veggie plants for the back on Friday, and I got to work early this morning. The garage and crepe myrtle give us a little bit of shade in the morning, so I wanted to get out there while it was still somewhat cool. I rounded up my gardening gloves and the trowel and clippers that Ryan gave me for my birthday this year, heavy-duty trash bags, a rake, and a hoe - and yes, "Inch by Inch, Row by Row" was stuck in my head the entire time. Roughly five hours later, I have mosquito bites, blistered fingers, and thighs that can no longer move into the squatting position, but I also have my patio back!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC8HP6fZLvQ2uobiELftiseOUxYW8lnlVS0m0se4Xx3WtmfNMzxpa0uz2eGsqiPiqnxeea7qpM3cOavKR7ANAYiT8t1rUGhL-VXjmXv_Y_pj9qFVAKYw9o4g9L2q346aHEvTCoEzkSWKk/s1600/Back+Yard+After.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC8HP6fZLvQ2uobiELftiseOUxYW8lnlVS0m0se4Xx3WtmfNMzxpa0uz2eGsqiPiqnxeea7qpM3cOavKR7ANAYiT8t1rUGhL-VXjmXv_Y_pj9qFVAKYw9o4g9L2q346aHEvTCoEzkSWKk/s640/Back+Yard+After.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
I also finally planted our vegetable garden. This year, we chose four kinds of tomatoes (Early Girl, Taxi, Brandywine, and Beefsteak) and two hot peppers. We also have lettuce that carried over from last year, basil, and a mystery squash. We've never planted squash, so we're not sure where it came from. I guess we'll let it grow and see what we end up with. Our tomatoes are never particularly successful - neighborhood squirrels tend to steal them before we can get to them. But sun-warmed tomatoes fresh out of the garden are one of summer's great pleasures, so I'm determined to do whatever it takes this year!<br />
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As for the chimney pots used to border the raised beds, the Corinthian column, and the random fence door to nowhere, all I can say is that we've done the best we can with what was here when we moved in. When we decide to take on a more extensive patio renovation, these things will be among the first to go!<br />
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Now I can get back to tiling with a clear garden conscience!<br />
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* This seems to be a theme. Is this why our shower project is taking an eternity to finish?Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6306486382913291984.post-12498667700526653622011-06-04T06:50:00.000-04:002011-09-12T06:55:30.005-04:00Past Projects... Refinishing FloorsWe took a break from working on tiling today to focus on the important task of relaxing. It's been fabulous, and I'm confident that we'll get back to work tomorrow feeling all the more refreshed and enthusiastic.<br />
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I thought I'd take this day off to share one of the very first things we did with the house, back in the winter of 2008 - refinishing the wood floors. And by that, I mean we hired someone to do it for us. We're pretty into doing-it-ourselves, but this was one job that we just weren't prepared to take on.<br />
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The house's floors are the original 1897 heartwood pine, but over the years, they'd been stained dark brown on the first floor, and were mostly painted on the second floor. Our house can be pretty dark inside because it's a row house in the middle of a block, so we figured that restoring the floors to their natural lighter color could make a big difference in brightening things up.<br />
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And it made a <i>huge</i> difference. These are before and after photos of our guest bedroom and master bedroom (don't worry, these are old pictures - we've done a lot of work since these were taken).<br />
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The guest bedroom...<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyT1uK0c5oCOMD-vh0QsfvaCWdOAkjx89z_2zyoizyj2o_NQWtvMBCeym5xpYmDCwcWIiDWOzjSWHsOXQgK1Pjw9RoqXfQCQ-zfAAFap58MoKMcxJPj7Lzqw7tjZehOTnZS97zw_h2Zk0/s1600/Back+Bedroom+Floors2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="206" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyT1uK0c5oCOMD-vh0QsfvaCWdOAkjx89z_2zyoizyj2o_NQWtvMBCeym5xpYmDCwcWIiDWOzjSWHsOXQgK1Pjw9RoqXfQCQ-zfAAFap58MoKMcxJPj7Lzqw7tjZehOTnZS97zw_h2Zk0/s640/Back+Bedroom+Floors2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
And our master bedroom...<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij59LfkTsT2Z5VbgLjovMigbRd1p41cB4rQf-WTE0Z7YNsIUvWIoPJz2hvA1W5UM8Oc9wDabdMaQWKwmNmZQ7TcqFixY7eHtOUs7A0Z0JvC22JNcce2RGFeUHhS33XtpbKRQNyfO0_CDU/s1600/Master+Bedroom+Floors+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="185" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij59LfkTsT2Z5VbgLjovMigbRd1p41cB4rQf-WTE0Z7YNsIUvWIoPJz2hvA1W5UM8Oc9wDabdMaQWKwmNmZQ7TcqFixY7eHtOUs7A0Z0JvC22JNcce2RGFeUHhS33XtpbKRQNyfO0_CDU/s640/Master+Bedroom+Floors+2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The feeling of the whole house completely changed with this one relatively simple project. We've moved a few walls around since then, so we'll have to have those spots of the floor sanded down and polished in the future. But for now, we couldn't be happier with the new life breathed into some old wood!</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6306486382913291984.post-78203644023524588852011-06-03T06:50:00.000-04:002011-09-12T06:55:05.615-04:00Subway Tile LayoutOur first subway tile layout dilemma of this past weekend... do we go with butterfly or wrap around style corners? Ryan and I completely made these terms up, so I found a couple of pictures to illustrate what we're talking about.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtW2WvI6mEBbTNpjEQ-wfmbXzKstRomxMApaIYk8oXUHOYbQrSrh2pXTHrbzRYoPDEp3CxuAau7J5nLzg81WGzLdPc5weQE5D-Ml55Y56f7MbM0aV52ORdXgNV9sz6Tpbq9900lpOk_1U/s1600/Subway+Tile+Corners.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="243" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtW2WvI6mEBbTNpjEQ-wfmbXzKstRomxMApaIYk8oXUHOYbQrSrh2pXTHrbzRYoPDEp3CxuAau7J5nLzg81WGzLdPc5weQE5D-Ml55Y56f7MbM0aV52ORdXgNV9sz6Tpbq9900lpOk_1U/s640/Subway+Tile+Corners.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The one on the left is what we're calling butterfly style because the tiles are the same size on either side of the corner, and they look kind of like wings (at least to us!). The other type's tiles are cut to look like there's one full-sized tile wrapping around the corner.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We went back and forth on which way we preferred it. When we worked the math out though, we realized that we'd have the same size tiles in each of the four corners if we went with the butterfly style. That appealed to the neat-freaks in both of us. Here's a shot of our handiwork. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLyB_SPUosNKOEgA8rglAiDdCuw2Ec8LNoxM6C8FaX_2WaR_Q3kjt4pv1-tzjQleA48cjUpJRFdnV76idbg9TM_ki7WR7ehpC8gvqklsgNorORxv-92cUKISzgvvwOypnXoqHyGwgD8ag/s1600/Tile.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLyB_SPUosNKOEgA8rglAiDdCuw2Ec8LNoxM6C8FaX_2WaR_Q3kjt4pv1-tzjQleA48cjUpJRFdnV76idbg9TM_ki7WR7ehpC8gvqklsgNorORxv-92cUKISzgvvwOypnXoqHyGwgD8ag/s400/Tile.jpg" t8="true" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">As you can see, one of our cats, Sabi, is very interested in this project. She's been checking it out daily, but I bet that ends as soon as she figures out its true watery function. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We're really excited to finally see this project moving ahead!</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6306486382913291984.post-53762956580875455292011-05-30T06:50:00.000-04:002011-09-12T06:54:18.247-04:00Waterproofing TestWe tested our waterproofing membrane overnight, basically just to make sure there were no leaks before we put down any tile. Definitely better to find out while there's still a chance to fix it! For the test, we placed a filled water balloon into the drain to prevent any water from escaping, and then filled 'er up! We made a note of the water level and checked on it a few times before heading off to bed, just to make sure that there wasn't a massive leak cascading into our entryway below. Here's what it looked like as we got the test going.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjId5fgdRbEvuLkRYhj9pFeGlgd1o5ZDOqbvWa1CrjN6fqrXJ6pI9O8cxzj5xP3NKIfWInyNtYA0UBUXjB4MEKO2vyEBmniAzMTtCFNGnGDWX3I23qr7gcX8BFjitIKT1iaVRPvKKkCyMg/s1600/Water+Balloon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjId5fgdRbEvuLkRYhj9pFeGlgd1o5ZDOqbvWa1CrjN6fqrXJ6pI9O8cxzj5xP3NKIfWInyNtYA0UBUXjB4MEKO2vyEBmniAzMTtCFNGnGDWX3I23qr7gcX8BFjitIKT1iaVRPvKKkCyMg/s400/Water+Balloon.jpg" width="280" /></a></div><br />
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Ryan did an excellent job of color coordinating the water balloon to the waterproofing membrane. Very important.<br />
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After letting the water sit for about twelve hours, the water level hadn't gone down at all, so we decided that it's very likely that our shower is fully waterproofed. Although the test was technically supposed to go on for 24 hours, we wondered when we'd ever have standing water in the shower for that long. Twelve hours seemed sufficient.<br />
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On to tiling!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0