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Building a Home

Random progress pics

16 years ago

Hi folks-

I've gotta tell you, especially those who aren't at this stage yet, that the final stage is so very fun and exciting that you will forget the agony it took you to get there (not unlike finally popping that baby out after 9 long months). A few weeks ago we were convinced we had gone stark, raving mad and that they would cart us off to the special hospital any second. A weekend off from working on the house, some sun, sand and a few adult beverages helped our attitudes to improve immeasurably and we have gotten our house mojo back and expect to be in by the end of July (not "done", just "in", but we'll take it).

The fireplace, save for the mantel, is complete. We used drystacked Corinthian Granite (known in our house only as "fine CoRINthian Granite", said, natch, in one's best Ricardo Montablan accent), which is quartzy grey, green, blue, garnet and pink and the woodburner is a FXP 44 Elite. The granite hasn't been washed yet, but once it has, it will darken up a bit and the garnet in it really pops. I think we're going to use bluestone for the mantel, not sure yet, gotta pick that our next week. We are very pleased with the stone and the install.

As you can see, the kitchen is, ahem, unfitted, unfinished and a bona fide mess. The hutch was a Wood-Mode display I bought and am in the process of painting (painted in C2 "Fez", which is not a neon orange like it reads on my monitor, rather, it is a roasted tomato red). Hoping like hell to have the kitchen done by the end of next week.

FP

Balcony railing (vintage):

Kitchen:

The view:

sandyponder

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Comments (16)

arebella
16 years ago
Very nicely done! I can just feel the calm radiating from that last picture. Beautiful house, beautiful setting.
ajpl
16 years ago
Very nice.
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charliedawg
16 years ago
You have such a unique home, I love it. That view is priceless. Congrats on making it this far! Can't wait to see the finished kitchen.
amyks
16 years ago
Love it. Love all of it, the pendants, the railing, and that stone are to die for, but the view. Oh, the view. Thanks for sharing, sandy, I'm so happy for you guys, getting so close to move in!!

Amy
brutuses
16 years ago
The view is like a postcard. The house is coming along and looks really nice.
lindybarts
16 years ago
Sometimes I get confused with different posters and it's hard to keep track. But one could never forget that gorgeous barrel vault ceiling. It looks spectacular with the fireplace too. I was wondering how you were going to finish off the top part. Beautiful job. Great house and the view....oh la la!

Lindy
worthy
16 years ago
Looks great! (I didn't expect less.)

Here's the view from another perspective:
hmp2z
16 years ago
That is just beautiful! We're nearing the end of ours, too (hoping to be done by early August), and it really is the most exciting time.

Cheers!
Heather W

Here is a link that might be useful: Our ICF Home Construction Journal
fishpants
16 years ago
I still can't get over your barrel vault. It is just exquisite! The rest is looking really fun too. Love the colors you're throwing in!
luckymom23
16 years ago
Your home is wonderful, it looks to be very special and one of a kind...with your sense of humor I'm sure it will be filled with laughter (Ricardo Montalban...LOL!)-Congratulations! Can't wait to see the finished product!
Zoe52
16 years ago
Your home is truly unique and fun. I just love your fireplace and the barrel ceiling. Your tomato orange red cupboard is darling. And your view.. it is to die for! I would think I had died and gone to heaven with that gorgeous view.

I bet you are both finally beginning to enjoy it, especially now that you can put your own unique flavor on the remainder of your home. Have fun decorating and send us more pictures when you are done. I can't wait to see your completed kitchen
scwren
16 years ago
What a great, great house! I love the use of color, the design. It's unusual, eyecatching...smashing!

Well done and congrats on making it this far!
kelntx
16 years ago
WOW~ your house is so wonderful! I love everything in it! I adore all your lights! You did such a great job!

Kelly
arleneb
16 years ago
LOVE it all, especially the fireplace . . . the painted cabinet . . . the pendant lights . . . the barrel ceiling . . . It's going to be spectacular!!

And the view . . . makes me want to weep, because I'll be giving up a similar one when we move . . .

You've done a great job . . . look forward to seeing the kitchen finished! (I'll bet you are, too!)

Here is a link that might be useful:
totallyblessed
16 years ago
hey sandy,

I've been wondering how your house is coming along. So glad you shared photos.

It is BEAUTIFUL! I too love the pendants (both sets!), the ceiling, the fireplace stones, and that cabinet! It all looks so wonderful. It is going to be such a relaxing, lovely place to live.

Please share photos when your kitchen is finished. Since that is by far my fav room in a house, I can't wait to see how you finish yours out. (and don't forget to sneak in a photo or two of your RED windows!).

Looks great... congrat's on the amazing progress.
User
Original Author
16 years ago
Thanks to all of you for your kind comments, it really does help to share pics here (even of unfinished and messy spaces) cuz it gives you hope, which all of us home adventurers need. We thank all of you so much for all the nice comments and encouragement along the way.

amyks, you has asked on another thread about our glass pendants and I apologize for not responding promptly. Must have been during my bout of house incuded psychosis. They are from LBL Lighting, which carries many contemporary lights in blown glass. I saw some I loved that were, gulp, $800/each, but I could not justify that, so settled on the ones we have, which were in about $90/each (bought locally, online may be cheaper).

And totallyblessed, I will include some pics of the red windows, I promise. Also chuckled when I saw that you didn't get red windows, but a red home! WTG, it is lovely. Now I can see, hmmm, black or sage green windows pairing with that stunning red brick...

More pics soon!

sandyponder

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