Saturday, November 26, 2011

and the garage story unfolds

Well, it's time to update my blog.  I'm charging my camera to take some photos tomorrow. 

Since my last entry I had my electrical done.  I decided I wanted two extra plugs outside my house.  One at the back entry and one at the side of my house for the Christmas lights to be plugged into.  I wanted the electrician to make sure he would put my outside front lights beside the garage door evenly to the garage door.  When I arrived home that day they were off center.  One light was about 5" away from the garage door and the other side was about 12".  WTH,  I was mad.  Now if it was moved it would leave a hole in my siding.  I decided to be inventive and decided that because I have 5 numbers in my address that putting the address between the light and the garage would make it seem like it was supposed to be that way.  I had bought my address numbers before I had even done my house reno.  I originally wanted to put them under my outdoor lights but the lights are quite low on my house so putting them there would make the house numbers extremely low.

Now, what to mount the house numbers on.  I scoured the internet for days and was going to get plexiglass backing for them because that looked pretty cool from the pictures I was seeing.... but suddenly I thought about a teak shelf I wasn't using from inside my cabinet.  I quickly rummaged it up and placed the numbers on it.  That was it!  It looked fabulous!  Now if only the edges of the shelf weren't exposed.  Then suddenly I thought of what my contractor used for the edges of the tile when he did the installation.  Shluter!  (Metal trim).  I measured the depth of the teak and the next day made my way to the building store and purchased a piece of the metal trim.  Needless to say it finishes it off beautifully.  Now if I only had tools, I could put it together myself.  I have really had the urge lately to start building things.  In the new year, that's exactly what I'm going to do!  When one of the guys came to finish off my framing I got him to cut the teak into a 5 1/2" X 28" piece.  I can't wait to see it all finished!
The drywall guy arrived on Wednesday.  He ended up installing the drywall onto the beam on my far wall over the line of windows and also up the window posts to the beam.  Needless to say the next day I made him take it down.  I don't want any of my beams covered damn it!  That's one of the reasons I adore this house.  Don't touch the character features! The tapping and mudding has now been done so Monday should be the day it gets sanded.  That means by next weekend I will be painting again.  Then the trim will be put up next, then the lights will go in....then my doors (more on this in my next entry, it's a lonnnnggggg story.

I feel like I'm on the home stretch now and I've got to say I am glad.... because I'm really weary of living with the contents of my garage in my living space.

........more to come.....pictures to follow.......

Friday, November 4, 2011

I need some progress happening people

The garage is at a stand still at the moment and I've had some hiccups along the way.  A reno with hiccups?  Who new?  It does seem that the garage has been my nemesis out of this whole house reno experience.
First the ant infestation.  Then ripping down the ceiling tiles that were stapled to the ceiling.  Then pulling out each and every staple one by one.  Then trying to coat the ceiling with primer then paint...then ugggh, primer again and then paint again.  I think there is more paint on that ceiling than the whole house.  Drum roll please....I finally finished the ceiling painting last weekend.

My glass garage door was also installed last week.  I cannot tell you the excitement that was bubbling inside me the day it was being done.  I new that by the time I got home from work I would see what my house would look like with the prized glass garage door in.  As I turned the corner into my neighborhood I could  see my little gem with it's new addition.  All I can tell you is WOW!  It looks great!  I noticed when I got out of the car that the door was not flush which scared me a bit.  I decided to enter the garage via my kitchen.  As I opened the door into the garage the door hit something.  I thought someone left a box on the floor behind the door and it hit it.  I peeked behind the door.  Nope, nothing there.  I looked up and &%@*, the door was hitting the rail for the garage door!  No way!, You've got to be kidding me.  I called the garage door people to vent my disbelief.  Long story short, the garage door could not be lifted higher because of the beams in the house.  I would have to get a new kitchen door and have it swing in instead of out.  Definitely not what I wanted but at least there was a solution.  I received a discount from the garage door company.  It will help a bit with the new kitchen door and installation. 
 Before all this happened my plan was to get a new garage back entrance door because the one that is there is hollow core.  I had been scouring Craigslist for a full light double glazed french door.  I found one for $250.00 and tried to get the guy to come down with his price.  He wouldn't.  I mentioned it to a co-worker who told me he had a single french door and would sell it to me for $50.  I was going to do it until this whole out swing door problem occurred.  Now my plan is to take the existing kitchen door, which is a flush door, and use it for my garage entrance door.  The door back plate I never could use on my front entrance door can now be used on this door.  I also have a left over cracked window frame from Crestview doors (the originals for my front entry door arrived from their warehouse with cracks...but they did send me new ones). Now I'll take the cracked one, use some wood glue and fix it and have it installed on my back garage entrance door.  I got a price from a glass company to fit double paned glass in it for $25.  So now my front turquoise door will match my back garage entrance door...except it will have one window instead of three.  I will be getting the glass this weekend, along with sourcing out a chrome door knob to match the back plate I had chromed soooo many months ago (you have no idea how hard a polished chrome door knob is to find without special ordering it!).
Even though this whole door project is going to set me back more than I thought, in the end the result will be mid century amazing.  I'm all about the mid century amazing thing...or hadn't you noticed?

I have more to tell but I'll put it in my next entry.....

Monday, October 24, 2011

My oh my


Well, it's officially begun.  Josh, my contractor arrived on Friday morning at 8am with two workers to take out the sub floor and the existing glass sliding door in the garage.  I decided to come home around 1pm to see if they had finished.  I knew it wouldn't take long.  They had the proper tools and the muscle to get the job done quickly.  When I arrived at 1pm no one was there and everything was out.  The disappointing thing was, it looked as though they removed old vinyl commercial floor tiles that were existing on the concrete floor.  Now that being said, I have no idea what condition they were in and from peering into the garbage bin they looked to be a beige color which I am not fond of anyway.  Then began my journey...okay...my obsession to find a inexpensive but beautiful solution for my garage floor.  I was thinking it would be bare concrete with a sealer but now because of the old vinyl tile glue, my garage floor is now black from the old adhesive.


So many options.  Epoxy, VCT flooring, ceramic tile.  I decided to hit the internet full speed.  Wallas, I found what I wanted via forum message boards.  It would be VCT flooring (Vinyl Commercial Tile).  It was relatively inexpensive, it looked great and I was pretty sure I could reapply over the glue on the existing floor....at least that's what I though initially.  This is where it got really complicated.  Message boards galore, I found many opinions.  No you have to remove the old adhesive, no you don't have to remove it as long as the mastic is really really thin.  I tried acetone, as a few suggested, to see if I could get it off.  It did work but would take a lot of work to do the whole 264 square feet.  I've decided it will be fine to go over the residual adhesive, as one person who was in the same predicament as me had called Armstrong flooring and they said it would be fine to go on top. I'm crossing my fingers!

So now that I had decided what I wanted to put on the floor I looked up the cost from Home Depot.  It seemed I would pay about $1.00 per tile.  I decided to go on Craigslist to see if anyone was selling VCT.  Low and behold I found someone selling 9 boxes (45 tiles per box) for $12.00 per box.  I would need just over 6 boxes so I would get 7.  I quickly wrote the CL poster.  Yup, still available.  They were in a nice grey neutral colour which would work perfectly.  This works out to .27 each tile with no tax!!!  That means it will cost me $84.00 for the whole floor (plus glue, the rental of a roller and a piece of metal trim for the transition into the garage from the garage entrance and possibly cove base (not sure of the edges yet).  I then wondered if I should do this myself or get my contractor to do it.  Well kiddies, I have decided to give it a go and do it myself.  Luckily I found a number of "youtube" sites showing how to lay it (very helpful).  I have added a picture of the tile I've found on CL.

 I thought I was done painting the ceiling in the garage....wrong!....upon further inspection it looks like in some spots the original oils from the wood have come through the primer and paint and left a yellowing.  I guess I'll have to prime some of those areas again and then paint with latex AGAIN!!!  Every time I  paint I get a headache from looking up constantly.  I guess I'll be taking on more headache! I also changed my mind on the lighting I had purchased.  I had bought a bunch of lighting from Rona because I had gift cards.  I do still like it but I have decided I want the garage to match the interior of my home.....so,  I picked up two cool pendant lights from Home Depot that look a lot like my expensive lights in my master bathroom ($29.99 each) and the rest of the lighting I got from IKEA.  See pictures.  It's going to look spectacular.  I'm going to get Josh to box in  the wires and fan pipe on the one inside wall and when I'm ready to get my cabinets (who knows when) I will butt them up to the ceiling so it will be flush and look professional.  My cabinets will also be off the floor which I think will look cool and will protect them from any water that may accumulate, doubtful but you never know.  It will also make it easier to clean under them without the leg attached.

I am getting a new steel beam put in above the garage door because the existing one was too short for the glass garage.  This will be installed on Tuesday.  I will also get final measuring done the same day for the glass garage door. Speaking of which, the door came in and they made the wrong door.  They didn't opague the glass so now it has to be custom etched.  No biggie but just thought I'd mention it.  I can't wait for that to be installed!

Well that's all for now...stay tuned

Sunday, October 16, 2011

The Garage reno is now underway!

Ok, so it's in the beginning stages of the garage reno and right now I'm taking a break.  I decided to dye my hair during my break so I'm now sitting here looking like a dork with a plastic bag over my head.  Gawd, I hope no one decides to pop in.  I've been painting the post and beam ceiling.  Oh what a fun task that has turned out to be.  Abet of buying latex primer when in fact I knew it wasn't going to work prolonged the process on the first day.  The oil in the wood was leaching through the primer. After taking the latex back, the paint store employee began to  argue with me that the latex should work as well as the oil and that in fact the results would be no different.  I said, okay...should I use all the two cans up of latex and then come back when that doesn't work and get my money back or should we switch it out now.  He switched it out.  It worked like a charm like I was sure it would.  I'm pretty positive one coat is going to cut it.  It took me two long days of neck cranking and cutting in each and every slot in the wood.  I am now finished the primer and in the next few days I'll be putting the paint on top. 

I'm doing all this before my contractor actually begins.  Why?  because I want this to go fast.  The electrician is going to have to get the lights up and I don't want any delays.  The walls obviously are not up...in fact I ripped down the existing paneling trying to save money of course prior to the actual demolishing.  I didn't find any treasure in the walls but I did find an old wasp nest and some dried up larva of who knows what...but other than that it was all good.  I still have some heavy pieces of shelving etc. to get out of there.  My friend will be over soon to help me move it. 

Okay, hold on I have to go rinse out the dye...be right back....

Shower, done!  where was I? Ah yes, moving the rest of the heavy stuff out.  Once that's done I'll be ready for the contractor.  The bin is coming on Wednesday and it shouldn't take more than a few hours to rip the floor and insulation and odds and ends out. 

I have decided to wait on the cabinets for the garage.  I'll wait.  Trying not to spend too much.  Speaking of spending.  I ordered my glass garage door.  It should be here near the end of the month.

I have actually discovered a new addiction.... www.pinterest.com
I'm not sure if its heaven sent or from hell.  I've gotten loads of ideas but I'm also on it 24/7.  If you're not familiar with it check it out.  It's people posting pictures on every subject possible and you save it to your own site in blocks.  Kind of like a filing system at your fingertips with all your interests, projects, wants etc.  It's got my brain working on ideas for the garage and other crafty things.

Well, it's time to move that heavy stuff I was just talking about.  Be back soon!

Thursday, September 22, 2011

The Garage

Well, it's getting closer to finishing my garage.  I've tweaked the IKEA cabinets plan about 10 times and taken a picture of my house with different garage door scenarios plastered onto the front of it.  I've posted it on Facebook to get opinions only to find that everyone likes a different door.  I'm still edging towards a opague glass garage door, although I do like the idea of having two windows above a plain white garage door.  It would be more than half the cost and would be better insulated.  My contractor will be coming soon to give me a quote on the job.

Stay tuned......

Thursday, August 18, 2011

Bugz

Well, it's been an interesting couple of weeks here.  I discovered carpenter ants in my garage roof.  I walked in to put some recycling away and saw two mini piles of fine sawdust on the floor.  Damn!, carpenter ants! I knew immediately what it was, as our family cabin had had them at one time.  I was slightly freaking out.  I sprayed raid and tried to find where they were getting in.  I ended up making an appointment with a pest control company to come and spray.  They ended up finding two areas they were nesting.  Thankfully they are now history.  In the mean time I discovered a hornets nest in a tree in my back yard.  Unfortunately I had discovered it after I had been stung while mowing the lawn.  The sting proceeded to get larger and larger and more and more swollen until I had to make my way to the doctor.  I'm now on penicillin and it's much better.

So, weird thing is I was going to deal with the nest in the next few days and get it down (it was only 4 - 5 feet off the ground, so very accessible) but last night when I went to check on it it was smashed to the ground.  I had thought my friend had knocked it down for me but on further investigation I found out he didn't touch it.  It was now a mystery and the only thing I could think of is a predator ripped it down to eat the larva.  I looked online to see what could possibly be a predator of hornets and to my amazement Skunks, raccoons and black birds where listed, among others.  I've definitely had those critters in my back yard at one time or another. Wow, you learn something new every day.
I just wanna say thank you to whatever animal did that...and I hope you didn't get stung in the process!

Thursday, July 14, 2011

New Shed Roof...a smelly situation

It's finally replaced!  Yes, the rotting shed roof topped with tarp is now sitting pretty with a new roof.
My daughter's boyfriend and his roofing buddy replaced it with asphalt shingles.  I was so grateful. It cost me lunch, dinner and a couple of cases of brew.  The only mishap was that their dog got sprayed by a skunk that night in my back yard.  It seems those critters visit my backyard now and again.  After my daughter and her boyfriend left  I couldn't figure out why it still smelled in my back yard but I finally found out why.  Some of the spray went onto my BBQ.  That stuff is wicked to remove.  It's sticky!  I finally removed it and threw out the cloths.
Yesterday I got a call from my neighbor saying a family of skunks was making there way from her backyard into mine.  Interestingly enough I didn't see them, so they must of taken a detour down the side hedge out of sight.  I can't seem to shake the wild life.  My last home I had a raccoon problem and now skunks!
That stinks!!

Wednesday, May 25, 2011

I Heart My House

I'm obsessed, it's true.  I'll admit it.

I wish it was my job to be involved with all this retro, mid century marvelousness (I know, it's not a word).  I need to win some money so I can buy up all the run down mid century homes and turn them into pieces of art.  I can't think of anything better.  It fulfills some deep seeded need I have to rescue and beautify.
I just helped my daughter clean up after their move into a mid century split level just a block away and even though it's not my house, I'd like to rip that baby apart and bring it to life again.  But alas, that is their journey of which I'm sure they will do a great job!  How can they go wrong when they already have a cool original mid century door complete with a 50's icon door knob plate.

I've been playing with some ideas for my garage makeover.  I entered a contest on line for a new garage door (up to $10,000.00)  and yes, that includes glass garage doors, thank goodness.  I've also figured a plan of IKEA cabinets along one wall of my garage.  I think it will look great..hmmm...come on bank account, you can do it...grow damn it!  This cheap garage reno is turning into a money grabber.  I also snapped a few pictures of the back of my house a few nights ago which led me to think I may want more glass inserts from Crestview for my garage entry door at the back.  Speaking of Crestview Doors, they are going to be doing a case study of my reno on their website which I'm quite excited about.  They had also told me that Atomic Ranch magazine should do a spread on my house in their magazine.  Funny they should say that because that is a real dream of mine.  The book Atomic Ranch is what got me started with all this post and beam mid century stuff in the first place, God Bless em!...and since that time I haven't missed a copy of their magazine.  It's pure bliss when I find that peeking out the top of my mailbox.

Sunday, May 15, 2011

Spring is here and so is a Grandson and a new you tube link

Well, spring has sprung, it's just too bad the sun hasn't.  I'm wondering whether it would be more practical to sell my MCM and build an Ark.  Here on the lower mainland we are all wondering if we are going to be getting a summer or whether the rain has decided to stay forever.  I shouldn't complain.  The flowers are here and everything is bright green and healthy looking.  I've planted some of my flower pots and for Mom's day I received two hanging baskets....not to mention I also received the gift of a new little Grand baby.   He made his entrance here on Mother's day as a matter of fact.  I'd like to say the stork delivered him but I think my daughter would have a couple of words to say on that matter.  He's perfect in every way and not that he really cares.... except for eating, sleeping and pooping....he is well on his way to being brought up in a MCM home a block away from me.  I can hardly wait!

I've spent the whole weekend making a YOU TUBE movie about my house renovation.  It was so much fun.  Here is the link.  I hope you enjoy it as much as I enjoyed making it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pmlnwDOPkSk

Saturday, April 30, 2011

VIEW MY BEFORE AND AFTER PHOTOS

http://www.flickr.com/photos/60175349@N05/5495029477/
copy and paste into your address bar. To the right there are before and after pix. Click to enlarge.

Wednesday, April 27, 2011

Craigslist Again

Even though I'm trying to save money for my garage re-do I've had the itch to swarm over the postings on Craigslist again. The reason?, I've also wanted to get my old computer set up in my spare bedroom now that my daughter has moved out. The computer has been packed up since the move and I'm dying to be able to play some computer games, as I don't have any for my main computer which is a Mac. To get to the point...I need a desk to put it on. Not any desk will do however. I was looking for a cado danish wall unit but the one I found on CL was snatched up in a hurry. I did find a cute little mid century teak secretary with a pull out desk that has worked beautifully. It was pricey (the most I've paid for any piece of furniture off CL) but I'm allowed to splurge once in a while. I'd rather treat myself to something for my house than going to the spa or buying a new pair of shoes. I'm now in search of a shag area rug for the spare room.

Picture is attached.

Wednesday, March 2, 2011

Snowy wonderland

It's been a while since I've posted and although the main reno is done I still have my garage to deal with. I've decided to start the reno of the garage in October. In the beginning I really didn't care what the inside of the garage looked like but on further thought I have decided it's important. This will also be my storage area as well as a place to park my four wheels. I'd like to put a counter and sink in for garden cleanup. Hopefully this is possible without too much extra cost. I'm still planning on having a glass garage door. This will be a major expense but will have huge impact on the front of the house.
I have also been thinking of switching up my existing outdoor shed for a contemporary looking one to match the mid century modern look. This was not an expense I was planning on so if it's too much money I will forgo it. I'm waiting for my quote.
It's hard to think of summer at the moment. Even though I live in a part of Canada that is mild we did have our last blast (hopefully) of winter mayhem. It typically snows hard then proceeds to melt within hours. It was hard to believe that the snow drops (flowers) and crocuses where under this. The snow was basically gone 24 hours later but I got to catch the beauty in the wee hours of the morning.