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...

REVISED "to do" list...

drywall continued...

the start of drywall...

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...

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!

Election Night 2008

indian summer days...

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

insulated and lit

priorities...

... ah, the life of a dog... lounging on the couch, all day long (Charlevoix seriously sits on the couch like this for HOURS, I kid you not...), except for when the mailman comes by... then it's time to go all Cujo...

... and the door is in!

The door is in and everything has been sealed and caulked, so we are now ready to start installing the insulation this week.

Initially, we were planning on having an 8'-0" tall exterior door, with windows at the same height. However, during demolition, we discovered that the original back door and window had been infilled (very poorly) with brick, so we decided to use the original openings and size the new window and door to fit those dimensions. We lost height and ended up with a small metal transom above the door, since the original door was arched but an arched door wasn't in our budget. It's okay though since we now have great light in back AND, soon, a back door in the kitchen. Yippee!

the windows are in!

When we ordered the windows and door from Home Depot, back in September, Home Depot told us that they would be delivered October 14th. We figured no problem - we'll have everything in place and completed so that they could be installed starting October 15th.

Well, the first hiccup occurred when Home Depot 'accidently' sent the order to a 3rd party delivery service (surprise surprise). As a result, they were delivered a week late (October 21st).

Second hiccup was that the electrician was several days late in starting... and since the space is so small, the framers couldn't work alongside the electrician... someone would drop something on someone's head or foot or trip and fall out of a window opening and then we'd lose the house to a bunch of ambulance chasing lawyers... so, installation got put off ANOTHER several days.

In the meanwhile, Chicago turned into Anchorage, Alaska... and, of course, our furnace could not be turned on until it was serviced... and, of course, I scheduled the service appointment for today, October 24th because this is Chicago, and it would still be around 60 or 50 degrees. So even if we still have 5 huge gaping holes in our brick walls, no big deal. It won't be THAT cold...

Lessons learned this week:
1) Home Depot deliveries are guaranteed MESSED-UP.
2) Nothing is ever on-schedule. Except bills and that train you just missed...
3) Get your furnace serviced in August.

Anyway, long story long, the windows are finally in... the door goes in tomorrow... and the furnace has been serviced and can now be turned on.

revised first floor phase one plan

weekend masonry project - part one

In order to get more daylight into the house, we decided to install a glass back door plus a few windows in the new kitchen area - since we are completely gut-rehabbing the space anyway, why not cut some holes in the exterior wall while we're at it?

We purchased the door and windows (a double casement plus 3 awning windows) thru The Home Depot (all Andersen) about a month ago and they should be delivered this week... The door and double casement window also should be installed this week!!! The masonry openings for the awning windows will only be finished next Saturday, so we'll have to wait a week to install those...

dining room framing update

in progress...

first floor phase one is fully underway...

... yes, that 'fuzz' in the photos is dust from the demo. It's still settling...

compact living, southside style...

Demo started yesterday on our existing kitchen... as a result, we moved the kitchen into the living room. Just for a few months. At most. Really. I'm serious... Really.
Refrigerator, toaster oven, table... all we are missing is a sink. Hmm... maybe we should pull the garden hose into the house thru the mail slot? Or is that too much???

to do list...

... wrapping up just in time for Thanksgiving... hopefully.