Address Permit

Did you know that you have to call for an inspection of your address number? Nope? Neither did I. When the City issued the building permit, it came with a new address. So, silly me thought that it was something they just *give* you. Well, you actually have to get a separate permit for the address, pay a $50 fee, call in and pass your inspection, and then call again for a final engineering inspection to confirm and close out the permit.

This not-so-little extra step put a kink in the schedule. That's okay because I wasn't ready to move yet. I'm still doing little things like switching out the draperies and shower curtain in the main house...now, if I could only get the doorbell to work.

While I try to find something I want within my budget, I painted this little thing. Jessi was kind of enought to help me with the swirls. My left brain was too focused on making sure the numbers looked even.

Punch Out

We're definitely moving on up. My painting work passed muster with the contractor, so yesterday they installed the stairs. This morning, I pedaled over to the lumber store with my wood sample to get some matching wood putty. The last little bit of gravel rock was spread today. There's no long punch list because we've been punching as we go.

Weekend Project

So, I've been carfree for almost a week and a half. That's made me very focused and productive on the weekends. This weekend I worked on my little project - prepping, staining, varnishing and painting the wood for the stairs. Boy what a difference it makes to have the right tools and materials!

The last time I did something like this, I used scraps of sandpaper and products off the shelf from the Big Box. This time I had some good direction from my contractor, a real hand sander and the good stuff from Sherwin Williams (thanks again to Kyle). I dare say it was almost fun. Having a garage made a world of a difference as the afternoon rains returned.

Here are my product raves and reviews. I highly recommend the Harmony paint by Sherwin Williams and Sanding Sealer by WoodClassics. The Harmony (also low VOC) paint did not have the coverage problem that I experienced with EcoChoice. EcoChoice is a thumbs down. For us gals, Sanding Sealer is sort of like Frizz Ease for wood. You apply before finishing to smooth out the frizzies.

Final Inspection Count: 3 Down, 1 To Go

I was home when the electrical inspector came by yesterday and we passed! Way to go electrician. The final termite treatment is scheduled for Tuesday. I also called the building inspector to give him a heads up on my "sparse" kitchen. He said that it should be fine. He'll just add a note to my records. All of my paperwork is with the bank and they will have the appraiser call me so that I can schedule it after I get my C.O. Last but not least, I put together the permit for my internal privacy fence. The end is near.

Here's a picture of power tools I do not have, nor know how to operate. The guys at work think it is funny that I post pictures like this and of material deliveries. Late last night, Dave and Charlie finished up the floors. They glued and nailed down the floor. Have I mentioned that it looks fabulous! I have some extra boxes and we decided not to go with the stair shoes, so I'm going to return those today. My quarter round was on back order, so I'll pick that up too.

Also on the to do list this weekend is:

• A trip to the Big Box Store
• Painting the Wood for the Stair Risers
• Staining the Stair Treads
• Fixing the Doorbell in the Main House
  

Status - More Driveway Gravey (aka I-4/408)

Here's the latest progress. Thank goodness we are primarily working on the interior. We have had rain non-stop the past few days courtesy of Faye. Walking to work in puddles reminded me why things were so stinky in NYC. You were bound to get wet walking to and from the subway station. I don't know when he did it, but the electrician installed the last few fixtures and wired up the box yesterday.

On a side note, I'm starting to think that the scale of my chandelier is off - given all the open space.

Design Concepts

Final Inspection Count: 2 Down, 2 To Go

At loong last, the final mechanical inspection passed today. The final electrical inspection is scheduled for tomorrow. I'll take some pictures as soon as there is a gap in the rain...it may be a few days. Final CO = FF&E Funds.

My goal is to start moving in Labor Day weekend.

Installing My Grass Floor

Yeah, yeah, yeah. Technically, bamboo is not wood, but a grass. The installation progress has begun. There is no way in holy heck that I could have done this myself. We hit a few roadblocks before we started. First and foremost, there were NO manufacturer installation instructions in the box. I called Lumber Liquidators to try to get a copy and all they did was refer me to their website. Really. Even IKEA has little cartoon, non-verbal instructions. After lots of sanding (be sure to tell your drywall guys not to splatter mud all over the floor) and vacuuming, the glue went down. A last minute phone call to Dave confirmed that he purchased VOC compliant glue.

If Hurricane Faye doesn't get in the way, we should make more progress tomorrow.

My Code Compliant Kitchen

I thought that as long as I had a sink, we would be good. Now I've come to find out that we need to have a range hood installed too? On Friday, I scrambled over to U-Save...again. Earlier this week I spotted a ductless exhaust hood there for less than $20. Don kindly donated a wall cabinet so that the hood could connect to something. I spent the weekend painting cabinets with Home Depot's low VOC paint, Fresh Aire. They tried to warn me that it would take more coats than their traditional Behr paint. Well, lesson learned after FIVE coats! I hate spending time and money on something temporary, but what can you do?

The good news is that plumbing passed its final inspection. One down, three to go.

Tina Conquers the Mountain

Today's activities include baby sitting. She's no longer a baby, so we call it Tina-sitting. It worked out well as the parents were attending a party down the street. I was carless, so we walked across the street for a good dinner at Logan's Bistro. Gotta love my neighborhood.

We ran up and down, and up and down, the mountains of gravel in my driveway. As soon as I figure out how to transfer a picture from my new phone, you'll see it here.

Dining Chandelier

This purchase was made via some internet shopping. I know it is not your traditional chandelier, but I like it and it costs less than $50.

Flooring Choices

...and the winner is vertical natural bamboo by Morning Star at Lumber Liquidators. Not that I have a tendency to over analyze things, but this purchase was based on aesthetics, compatibility with the floors in the main house, cost and availability. I loaded up the minivan yesterday and Tim, Nan and Tina came over to help unload the goods. It is recommended that you allow the flooring to acclimate in the installation area for 3-7 days. Well, we made it into the garage.

Yippe!

Bathroom - Done!

Bedroom - Fan Installed

Today was crazy. There were four trucks in my driveway as the plumber, electrician and contractor were on-site. I was trying to get ready for a meeting tomorrow at work, when the sink fiasco occurred. Again, thank goodness I have a good contractor and my resources at work. When I checked in after work, so much was done!

The bathroom is practically finished. You can see part of the fan blades in the bedroom photo. I cannot express in words how good everything looks.

Kitchen Update

Money is tight, so like many cities, I had to do a budget transfer to complete my project. The kitchen cabinets got cut so that I could do the re-roof. Now, that puts me in a pickle because I need a kitchen sink to get my Certificate of Occupancy. The good news is that the plumber is providing the garbage disposal, sink and fixtures. All I had to do was provide a sink base. Easier said than done.

I hate spending money on something only to replace it in the near future. So I went to IKEA - thank gosh we have an IKEA in town, and waited one hour only to find out that the 36" sink bases were up in the air. This meant that they couldn't get them down until the store closed. I would have to come back at 9 PM or the following morning. Why it took them an hour to tell me that, I don't know. Yoga classes while you wait would do wonders with their customer service. I returned my order and purchased a 30" sink base so that I could be on my way.

Another stop to the Big Orange Box and I landed a cut piece of 2x5 for use as a countertop. My direction to the very helpful employees was to cut the remaining portions of the 4x8 to any size, so long as it would fit in my wagon.

Last night was spent watching the Olympics, assembling the sink base and sanding, treating, staining and sealing the wood. This morning, I found out that the plumber brought a double sink. Oh, my! That's a 33" bowl. He's only going to be here one day. Another day equals another trip charge. Chalk another one up on the list of things I've learned on this project...

A co-worker was kind enough to take me over to U-Save where we purchased a 36" sink base and trucked it home.

More on the flooring and pictures tonight. I promise.

Hello Appliances

Oops. I forgot to add that the appliances arrived Friday. I missed the delivery, but here they are all boxed up and on the 2nd floor. From left to right, refrigerator, range and dishwasher. We'll save the boxes for the kiddos.

Decisions, Decisions

Front Door to Entry

Staircase - Painted Walls and Stained Handrail

Balcony - Installed Light Fixtures

Status - Painted, Lights and Fence

There was a flurry of work on Friday. The painting crew arrived and painted the balcony railing and stucco. The electrician installed some more light fixtures and my contractor built the privacy fence. We moved the fence back so that the yard is a little bigger. I really wanted to move the AC unit during design, but setback requirements prohibited me from putting it in the rear and other side yard. Code requires a 24" gap around the AC unit for service, so that is what you see.

I have lots of shopping to do this weekend. On the to do list: more light fixtures, light bulbs, fan extenders in chrome, bath fixtures with an 8" spread, a doorbell, sink base and countertop.

It's Not Easy Being Green

It is and it isn't. A few people have asked, so here's what we are doing.

My construction project clearly utilizes conventional construction materials and methods; however, I've tried to incorporate a few "green" elements. First and foremost, this is an in-town and infill project - utilizes less infrastructure because no new roads, etc. are required. From a material perspective, I chose Hardie siding, low VOC (Volatile Organic Compounds) paint and bamboo flooring. Hardie board is fiber cement siding that looks like wood, especially when painted. VOC's are sometimes recognized as that paint smell. It is stronger when first applied, but continues to emit VOC's and affect indoor air quality. Oh yeah, it also costs at least twice as much as regular paint. Last but not least, I'm loving the rock in my driveway. It is crushed concrete from the I-4/408 interchange.

Still working on the bamboo and formaldehyde free kitchen cabinets. I need a sink base by Tuesday because the plumber is coming.

Power It Up Baby

Kitchen

Living Area

Status - See Compressor by Door

The air handler and compressor have arrived! The electrician must have also made an appearance because wires and switches are installed. Last but not least, the trim paint is done and the stain on the handrail is drying. Pictures to follow once this proposal is out of my hands.

Stucco Monday

New Stucco Drying

Status - Stucco Application

The crew arrived a little before 8 AM. By the time I walked home for lunch, they were packing up. I can't wait for the painters to come back and finish this up. Then it will be time to hang the light fixtures and my super duper garage door key pad.

Weekend Assembly

I thought about laying the tile. I thought about installing the wood floors. I woke up and turned it over to the professionals. However, I did assemble the bath vanity this weekend. Here it is!

Delivery on Ferris

Delivery for me! Some 4x4's and caulking. See some of the new gravel rock that will soon line the driveway. UPDATE: The new-to-me rock is crushed concrete from the I-4/408 interchange. How cool is that.

Time to Paint

Sherwin Williams Harmony Paint - Zero VOC

The great guys at Sherwin Williams (thanks Kyle!) color matched the paint for me. We went with the Harmony paint because it is low VOC. The labeling says zero VOC, but once they add pigment, it adds VOC. The painter pointed out the color variation between the flat test quart and satin, but it doesn't matter to me. I also asked them to stain the wood handrail, rather than paint it. This had them scratching their heads because it was paint grade wood.