Homework for the Week

My homework for the week was to pick out a color for the balcony carpet and hang my Capiz shell light. Both are now done! For the most part, my bedroom is complete. I think next week's homework will be to finally hang a mirror in the bathroom and list the extra furniture sitting in my garage on craigslist.

Rumor has it that my countertop will be measured this week. I'm keeping my fingers crossed.

One Project a Day

The long list of things to do on the house continues to grow. It can be sort of overwhelming, so I've decided to adopt the one project a day mentality. The project can be big, it can be little. Yesterday, I switched out the bathroom light fixture.

The bathroom light fixture is a perfect example of why I shouldn't settle for something just because it is a deal. The former light fixture had a matching finish and at $20 was a good deal. The fixtures at the big box stores were in the $80-$120 range and just okay. I settled for the $20 fixture. As soon as I started living with it, I knew that I hated it - to the point where I wouldn't turn on the light unless absolutely necessary. Fast forward one month, I broke down and bough the Cade Sconce. I flipped the switch this morning and smiled.

Lesson Learned: Don't buy something just because it is cheap. You'll end up buying what you really want in the end and paying twice for it.

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.

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.

Le Tour de Grandes Box

I picked out the tile for the bathroom shower and agonized over the grout color. I decided to use 3x6 white subway tile, stacked in columns, and 1/16 inch grout lines with light-grey acid resistant non-sanded grout. Yes, I had help figuring that out.

Choosing the flooring was a little different. I went to the Orange Big Box to check out light fixtures and found some marble tile on clearance for $2.99/SF. Considering that the only other floor tile I like is $9.89/SF, I was ecstatic. Now the bad part - since it is on clearance, I had to go to FOUR Big Box stores to try to find enough. I'll measure in the morning and confirm.

The good news is that I picked out most of the light fixtures and kept within my budget! The Blue Big Box has nice light fixtures at a great price. This galvanized outdoor light fixture will go outside the french doors and is less than $20.