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.