Hi everyone~ AWWWW... you are all so sweet. Group Hug.... (( )). Well, this site is a bit faster for me tonight. Is it just luck for tonight? Anyhoo, I hope it continues. I've missed reading about everyone's latest and greatest on their progress. I know I need to catch up... especially with you, kygirl. Are you moved in yet? :o) I can't wait to see your finished project. I have some catching up to do with all of you, I'm sure. Yes, Allison, we are. Maybe we'll be "neighbors" (in a very broad sense of the word, he, he). We put in our offer, now we're just waiting. It's a long story, so I'll spare ya'll the boring details. Basically the house we want to build here on our current land just isn't working out in any way, shape, or form. The septic company (a plumbing company) would NEVER show up for our perc tests, the engineers wanted almost $20,000 to engineer the plans for snow load (before our builder could work up his final bid on a house that was already waaaaaay overbuilding for this area), the banks didn't think we'd get comps to build around here (most everyone puts in manufactured homes here now), etc. I finally gave up. I mean, you can only beat a dead horse for so long (okay, that was an awful word picture... sorry). So... those plans are in our fireproof safe and will wait for a sunny climate in a more affluent community someday. Uggggghhhh. :o( So, on the bright side of things, rather than building a smaller home (bank said 3,000 square feet at most... which is a tight squeeze for our large family) here on this land, and then just busting at the seams, we're looking at other options. This brick house we looked at 1-1/2 years ago (almost to the day!) is available again. Not sure if it's "meant to be" or not. We should know by the end of the week if they accept our offer. If not, we'll just keep looking for something until we find a good fit(it will be a 2nd home for us). If we do get it (crossing fingers wildly right now.... lol) I will be posting like mad on here because as I mentioned, it's just dried in. So we'll start on the crazy journey of electrical, plumbing, etc. Fun, fun. I'm sure you will all get tired of me.... lol. So, thanks for the sweet well wishes and welcome backs. :o) I will keep you posted on the outcome of this. And if we get it, I will surely let you know what we figure out with the crazy windows. Seriously, I'm embarrassed to admit I don't know what Brickeye is saying in above post. :o( I have no idea if it is a masonry house or veneer even. I think it's laid brick... so does that mean it's masonry? Oh goodness, we're probably getting in way over our heads....LOL! :op

On exterior work I prefer metal boxes. You need to locate a stud onto which you can affix the box. Depending on the type of fixture you may need a hexagonal box. There are usually holes in the side of metal boxes that you can use to drive screws through to affix the box to the stud. You need to use one of the knock-outs for the romex and use a romex connector to protect the romex and hold it in place. You will also need to bond the ground wire to the box using a ground screw driven into one of the holes on the back of the box.

i do have elevations. the design and asthetic are both very pleasing. my architect is a young lady who recently graduated with honors from architect school, but without her apprenticeship fulfilled yet. she's doing the drafting work, based on my wish list and ideas. the builder is creative and experienced, i like his ideas and cost savings suggestions. plus dh is a retired plumber and building code official, so i think i'm in good hands all around. but i'm still nervous and i keep counting and counting and worrying about being on budget. no way can i pull this off if we go over by double or triple the budget, which is what everyone tells me to plan for! guess i'll be sheetrocking and painting myself if necessary.

You have a lovely place! If you are doing the white cream siding I would keep the black gutter and facia, paint the garage door and entry door a black that matches the gutters add new more modern garage lights. I would keep the shake shingle porch it will provide a nice contrast. Landscaping will make a huge difference too! I think that would modernize your house it will be stunning! But if you’re open to other ideas I think your house with its architecture and geographic location would be stunning in a dark navy, charcoal or even black like in these examples!