The History Quilter: Remodel 2013

Showing posts with label Remodel 2013. Show all posts

Sunday, December 22, 2013

Adventures in Remodeling Update #3 It's About To Get Warmer

Since my last post SO much has happened around here.

I have begun substitute teaching which I absolutely love. Here is me on my very first day with my older son as I subbed in his AP US Government class.

And of course the house has been changing. In my last blogpost I left off with this - demolition complete with new lumber in stacks ready for the walls to come up.

In early November the first wall went up facing the street. I remember thinking, "It's so tall!"

The huge beam went in which delineates the kitchen area from the living area.

Ceiling joists began to appear.

I was given a sign for the Garage Kitchen. My boy is so silly & awesome.

Roof line began and I was finally able to visualize what I'd seen on paper. Exciting day!

Then the beginnings of my new front porch.

Ugly original garage roof in process of demolition.

New garage roof to match. It's chilly in the garage kitchen.

View facing south: Roofer has arrived!

Then there were windows!

This is where things stand now. After weeks of inside rough work (electrical, plumbing, etc.) which makes it appear like things have slowed down, they are now ready to start wrapping the house.

Wrapping = warmth.

Inside facing east toward front of the house. Drywall has been delivered!

Facing north. My new range will be set directly in the middle of the sheer wall. Window on the left is my kitchen window and the sink cabinet will be centered there.

The doorway left of the kitchen window is the entry for my pantry.

Has there been a shred of sewing or quilting going on during this time? No time or space. That will be resolved soon enough in February/March when things should be done and we will be living in our new space. I commented to my contractor the other day that I still couldn't believe that this space would be mine someday and he was a bit offended as he thought I was complaining that they were taking too long. Quite the contrary I replied as I meant that it still seems surreal that this big beautiful space will someday soon be mine.

Wishing you all the Happiest of Holidays!

Susan

Friday, November 1, 2013

Adventures In Remodeling Part II

In my last update I left you with a photo that looked similar to this one. We were still living in the front part of the house and I was still cooking in my kitchen.

As of about an hour ago, it looked like this.

My 1950's kitchen

is now gone.

This is my new garage kitchen. It's a bit chilly but it does the job.

When I took this photograph I realized just how big the new space was going to be. This picture is taken from the vantage point of my old front door looking toward the kitchen, dining area and hallway to the back part of the house. With the stucco, drywall and plaster starting to come down it already looked so big even without the outside walls down.

In order to do all of this work on the house and still make it livable for us, the guys built me a wall. Dry walled on both sides and insulated. It's great as it is keeping the back part of the house warm and dust free.

These photos are taking from my south side yard looking into the living room.

Taken at 7:15am Friday, November 1, 2013

Taken at 4:00pm Friday, November 1, 2013

Old kitchen window and dining area from north side of house.

Taken at 7:15pm Friday, November 1, 2013

Taken at 4:00pm Friday, November 1, 2013

It is fascinating to watch it all come down so fast. In my next update I'll show you the new walls come up.

Ciao~

Susan

Monday, October 14, 2013

Adventures In Remodeling

It's finally begun - Phase II!

This is Phase I from 2002: we added on living space to bring the laundry facilities inside the house and added a second bathroom. This was all on the back of the house.

I love this photo of my youngest "helping put the brown coat on" (stucco).

Now in Phase II we are adding more living space to enlarge the front of the house, gutting the kitchen to open it up to the family space and remodeling the original bathroom. The exterior of the house, including the color is not reflective of my style at all and I'm happy that it will finally change.

These are BEFORE pictures taken September 29, 2013 of the front of my house:

September 30, 2013 Day 1: Removal of the landscaping.

My White Birch had to go....so sad. :(

By Day 3 we had a fencing and a beautiful new outhouse.

Day 5 brought the removal of my Air Conditioning unit just in time for the heat wave that weekend.

By today the forms (for the new foundation) are almost ready for the concrete pour later this week. It doesn't look like a lot, but the guys have dug out about five truckloads of dirt and concrete for the new foundation and crawlspace underneath the new part of the house.

My front door is no longer accessible and I heard that tomorrow they will start pulling off the stucco and by the end of the week my temporary kitchen in the garage will begin to take shape.

Next week things will really change as the walls will start coming down and we will be moving into the back part of the house. Next time I'll share inside photos.

Ciao~

Susan

Thursday, July 11, 2013

Photos For A Thursday

I'm currently working on a couple of projects to finish up my teaching credential and as I sit here listening to Coldplay and writing...the impulse to post a blog has popped into my brain.

Blogpost writing = another perfectly valid form of procrastination.

In Production: A maxi-dress made of Voile...buttery and yummy to work with.

Simplicity 2638 Robert Kaufman London Calling Voile

What happens when I'm beyond bored of my surroundings....

Dining Room late Sunday afternoon

Dining Room Monday morning

I shouldn't be bored because remodel plans are at the city and hopefully will be approved any minute now. Although I am not keeping the beautiful 60 year old hardwood, it will be salvaged and given away for someone else to use.

My new kitchen is in there!

So while I wait for those plans, I am out looking at things like this...

I'm in love...seriously.

My lovely little cave kitchen got a workout on the 4th when I cooked 15 pounds of Buttermilk Fried Chicken for our block party. My little range top got a good workout that day.

Buttermilk Fried Chicken

This morning's harvest: tomatoes, zucchini and one tomatillo.

Go have a great day everyone! Be safe and have fun.
Susan