November 30, 2008

office in a closet

Even though we try to keep our 'stuff' to a minimum, we're human, we're an architect and a structural engineer, we like books and projects and collecting things, so... we have a lot of 'stuff' and a lot of this 'stuff' still doesn't have a home, as seen in the photos above.

In order to maximize space, we decided to turn the smallest bedroom into a guest room / study, and while doing so, to maximize space, to turn its closet into an office...


... now our 'stuff' will have a home.

November 28, 2008

November 26, 2008

happy thanksgiving

Papercraft Turkey Dinner... for those of us who don't have a kitchen this holiday. hahaha.

November 25, 2008

floor stain mock-up

... and the winner is the clear coat finish. We think...

November 22, 2008

cherry sample

We finally received a nice sized sample of the cherry (finished) that will be used for the kitchen cabinets... see photos above. We're still deciding on which floor stain option to go with...

the start of wood floors...


November 21, 2008

November 15, 2008

November 12, 2008

November 9, 2008

wood floor stain survey updated

Image above: Rosewood Option
Image Above: Neutral Option

Image above: CHERRY used for kitchen cabinets
Image above: Floor stain options - Neutral or Rosewood

The installation of the wood floors is scheduled to begin in about 2 weeks, so today, we took another look at all the different stain options.
When we were doing the floors upstairs, we decided to go with the 'Rosewood' stain option. The floors turned out really nice - very rich and not too dark. At the time, we figured we would go with 'Rosewood' downstairs also...
Today, Bryan suggested we go with a lighter stain, like 'Neutral'. Reason being: the downstairs doesn't get as much natural light as upstairs and he's afraid it's going to be too dark. I can understand his concern, but I'd prefer to have the same floor stain throughout, especially since we have wood kitchen cabinets... I'm afraid we're going to have a mish-mash of woods.
However, after taking another look at the wood used for the kitchen cabinets (image above), the cherry is close to the 'Neutral' stain option for the floors. Plus, the kitchen is very narrow. SO, maybe it would be better to go lighter with the floors downstairs?
What does everyone think? Call out for suggestions...
UPDATE
Thanks to all for weighing in your suggestions and thoughts.
Here's the tally as of now:
+ Rosewood Option = 2 votes
+ Neutral Option = 3 votes
+ Not Sure = 3 votes

starting the drywall...

November 6, 2008

parapet wall = done (for now)


The front parapet has been on our 'to do list' since July 2007. We have been putting it off, knowing the repair will be costly, plus it's not like the roof is leaking, right?
WRONG.
Back in mid-September, we had 3 full days of pouring, driving rain. It was during that weekend that the roof started leaking in the front bedroom. Not a major leak, but a noticeable one.
We asked the roofer to come and check it out... Turns out, because the parapet was in such bad shape, rain was seeping in thru the deteriorated joints AND the flashing wasn't adhering at the back of the wall (since the plaster-patched brick was crumbling). PLUS, the stone could be jiggled with your bare hands (translation: it wasn't secure and could potentially fall = BAD).
This 'repair' was NOT in the budget for this year, but after some SERIOUS negotiations with the roofer, we agreed on a price and the parapet wall has now been rebuilt, re-pointed and re-flashed. Give it up for the roofers Walter, Wally and their other brother Wally. Woo hoo!

November 5, 2008

Election Night 2008







indian summer days...


... unfortunately, not for long. Friday's forecast calls for rain mixed with snow...

insulated and lit