Majors and Minors

Sorry it's been so long between posts - with the new job and insane travel between Neal, my family and our family, it's been hectic. I have been at the site almost every morning because so much is happening. As you can see from the photos, most of the tile work is complete and very pretty. We are pleased with our selections as well as the craftsmenship of Javier at Golden Gate Contractors in making sure it was well done. Although it's not pictured here, we have the most elegant laundry room (used up some old tiles).







The interior of the house is 90% painted with the exceptions being the brown windows and the brown dining room. The exterior has a coat of what I think is primer and the trim is getting painted. The roof is DONE. Deniz's team is now laying out the pavers in the driveway - all 54 x 10 feet of it. Once that's done, I suspect we will pour the concrete slab for the garage and install the garage door. We also haven't started the stone work - but it's imminent.

We are planning to move in on Dec. 23 - which is a little under four weeks from now and I need to start packing. Where are the little nymphs to do that for me...nowhere. But there is much less to pack this time - since 50% of the house is still packed and living in the garage of the apartment. I know it will all get done, but it's certainly a bit stressful to have it looming over us. Me, actually. Neal's traveling a bunch in the next couple of weeks. Ah well, it'll get done.

We also have 90% of the lighting installed and it's all working nicely. A few more trim efforts with the medicine cabinets and pantry shelves as well as the turret and playroom bath and we're in good shape. The carpet should be coming any day now, but we won't let them install until all other work is done in the rooms with carpeting. It's been fun and we are looking forward to living in the house and entertaining all our readers. Of course, the landscaping will not get done right away - the money tree refuses to bloom!

Tile and finish part 1

Now that the structural work is done and we've entered the rainy season, the focus is on the interior of the house. We'll finish the stucco, paint the house and install corbels and shutters in between rainy days. Meanwhile, the master bath is getting itself ready for Monday's installation of the vanity cabinet. Our goal was to create a grotto-like space in the master bath that feels sort of indoor/outdoor. Here you can see a picture of the two-person shower and then the bath platform.

In the second bath upstairs, we wanted to create something simple, but elegant. The primary users of this bath are guests and our live-in (hopefully we'll resolve that in the next 3-4 months). This picture shows the shower/bath enclosure. We've taken to accepting the tile layout/design advice of Javier, the tile expert installing everything. We figure he has done a lot more of this than we have and so far, his instincts have been terrific.



Finally, they've started installing the first floor hardwood floors. We are using a maple, pre-finished, handscraped engineered floor that requires no refinishing with a 50 year guarantee (or something silly like that). Deniz and the team want the floor perfectly flat, so extensive plywood has been installed and shimmed to ensure a level floor. This floor "floats" so the team is installing acoustic padding that will support the floating floor and reduce the amount of noise from walking on the floor. This floor - Vintage Chapparel in Sour Ghum - will be in the living, dining and family rooms.


I also spent time this week comparing carpet prices and have decided to go with our first store - Floorcraft/Carpet One. The esthetic we prefer is best available there, so we'll order tomorrow and in a few weeks, that'll be installed. Deniz and I discussed that the carpet is absolutely the last thing in the house prior to us...I also ordered the sectional sofa for the family/media room to be delivered on our moving day - December 23. It's going to be very cozy/comfy.

Meanwhile, our architect is designing the deck and hopefully we'll have that design by next week so that Deniz can build it once the final coat of stucco is finished.

Children's wing

The first rooms to have complete color - albeit no flooring - are the kids' rooms. We splurged on the walls of the boys room because they've lived through this craziness and we want them to be really excited about moving back in.




Plus, we're going to make prints of the handprints from the nursery and put them on the walls of the nursery to surround the baby with the hands of those that love her. But her room is sweet too.



As I prepare to start my new job at Engage, I am racing around trying to finalize finishes and materials - like the pavers, carpets, lights and window treatments. Time is precious.