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.
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
Tuesday, December 21, 2010
More Pix
Well, a quick update. I made my headboard for my bed from the teak coffee table. I was quite proud of myself putting it up all by my lonesome. I think women with power drills are dangerous. I still need to go and get some stain to tint the base of my bed frame to match the headboard but it still looks fabulous. I'm going to pick it up today and most likely do that as a project tomorrow.
I've posted some pictures of my back splash but the camera just doesn't do it justice. I've also added some new pictures to show more progress.
I've posted some pictures of my back splash but the camera just doesn't do it justice. I've also added some new pictures to show more progress.
Friday, December 17, 2010
IT PASSED
Well, it's been quite the week. Last Sunday Josh came and started my tiled back splash in the the kitchen. I of course ended up helping. I was delegated the task of cutting the wee bits of tile to fill in the little spots and of course my favorite pastime...ughhh...grouting. By the way, I am now a professional at caulking (Another big deal with the building dept!). I am still working on the computer area tile but the kitchen backsplash is finished! My goal really was to get my final inspection passed. Long story short it passed yesterday but not, of course, without trial. This is the third time I've tried to pass my final and like they say, third time's the charm. Some of the stuff they made me do was pretty trivial. I do believe that sometimes they are just justifying their jobs. Example Fail: because I didn't have my house numbers attached to my house (they were totally visible in my front garden)....Come On!!! First inspector said nothing about this but the second did.
When I finish my computer area tile I will post pictures of the whole thing. It is fabulous really and quite cost effective. Installation was free and the tile was about a $100.
Of course I'm still Craigslisting...I'm addicted. My newest find....a 5' solid teak coffee table. Price....FREE! Now, I knew I couldn't use this as a coffee table because it was just too long for the style of my sectional but...I knew I could either re-sell it on CL or take it apart and use the solid tabletop as a headboard for my bed. I googled the table and found the exact same one for $295. I opted to take it apart and make a headboard since that would make me most happy. I took the legs off and leaned it against the head of my bed...WOW! Looks great. Now I just need to figure out how to mount it. A trivial detail I know I can overcome!
My Atomic Ranch Magazine came yesterday and to my surprise someone from Maple Ridge wrote in about not being able to find a MCM home in the lower mainland...or if they did find one it needs too much repair or is in the wrong place. They said when they retire they are going to build one. I can't tell you how blessed I felt that I snagged this house. I feel like contacting them. Come to think of it I think I'll try. I feel some kind of strange connection to people interested in these homes. I think in 2012 I'll make my way to Palm Springs for Mid Century Week. Ahhh, Palm Springs.....Grand daddy of all MCM locations. Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin...martinis by the pool.
Today is my last day of work for the Christmas holidays. Two glorious weeks of freedom. My shopping is almost done and I'm going to enjoy my second MCM Christmas in my FINISHED MCM abode.
When I finish my computer area tile I will post pictures of the whole thing. It is fabulous really and quite cost effective. Installation was free and the tile was about a $100.
Of course I'm still Craigslisting...I'm addicted. My newest find....a 5' solid teak coffee table. Price....FREE! Now, I knew I couldn't use this as a coffee table because it was just too long for the style of my sectional but...I knew I could either re-sell it on CL or take it apart and use the solid tabletop as a headboard for my bed. I googled the table and found the exact same one for $295. I opted to take it apart and make a headboard since that would make me most happy. I took the legs off and leaned it against the head of my bed...WOW! Looks great. Now I just need to figure out how to mount it. A trivial detail I know I can overcome!
My Atomic Ranch Magazine came yesterday and to my surprise someone from Maple Ridge wrote in about not being able to find a MCM home in the lower mainland...or if they did find one it needs too much repair or is in the wrong place. They said when they retire they are going to build one. I can't tell you how blessed I felt that I snagged this house. I feel like contacting them. Come to think of it I think I'll try. I feel some kind of strange connection to people interested in these homes. I think in 2012 I'll make my way to Palm Springs for Mid Century Week. Ahhh, Palm Springs.....Grand daddy of all MCM locations. Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin...martinis by the pool.
Today is my last day of work for the Christmas holidays. Two glorious weeks of freedom. My shopping is almost done and I'm going to enjoy my second MCM Christmas in my FINISHED MCM abode.
Friday, December 10, 2010
The kitchen backsplash and Christmas things
Well, tomorrow is finally the day. The day my kitchen becomes complete. My contractor is coming over in the morning to start my tiled backsplash. I can't wait to see the result. I will then be able to get my final inspection called in.
My house has been decorated for Christmas with the white Christmas tree I retrieved off of Craigslist in the summer. It looks absolutely stunning. It really goes with the whole mid century modern look of the house. I think my goal now is to gradually source out vintage ornaments . I went through all my old Christmas decorations and most don't even go with my house anymore. I have decided that this weekend I will put them up on Craigslist and see if someone else would like them. Since Heather moved out on December 4th I did let her go through them to see what she would like to take with her. She took a small bag. I spent about an hour and a half hanging ornaments in every window of my living and dining room which looks lovely.
The pictures are forthcoming....
My house has been decorated for Christmas with the white Christmas tree I retrieved off of Craigslist in the summer. It looks absolutely stunning. It really goes with the whole mid century modern look of the house. I think my goal now is to gradually source out vintage ornaments . I went through all my old Christmas decorations and most don't even go with my house anymore. I have decided that this weekend I will put them up on Craigslist and see if someone else would like them. Since Heather moved out on December 4th I did let her go through them to see what she would like to take with her. She took a small bag. I spent about an hour and a half hanging ornaments in every window of my living and dining room which looks lovely.
The pictures are forthcoming....
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
This really is the fun part
My little bit of time off from work was just the ticket. I got to putter around the house at a leisurely pace and get those little things done from my reno I just didn't have time to do. I finally put the last shelf up in my closet and organized it perfectly. My spice rack is now completely done and up on the inside of my cupboard. (I really think some IKEA should be in every home) It's the best spice rack ever, even though I think it's a bit pricey, its sure saves on space!
Surprise!.....I spent a whole lotta time on Craigslist searching for deals. I found a bed frame (which I have been looking for for months) that is low profile. My dream was to have a teak mid century bedframe with a headboard and attached side tables but it would have been way to cramped in my bedroom. I opted for a bedframe that makes my bed look like it's floating off the floor. I snagged it off Craigslist and I've attached the picture. I definitely think it was the right choice for my room. I'm leaving the large Challignac Ceramic and Velvet framed art above my bed as a headboard (another great find on Craigslist). I also sourced another white shag rug of Craigslist for $25 for my bedroom. I now feel my bedroom is complete.
Another great find was a 1960's blonde headboard for my daughter's room for a measly $5. I couldn't pass it up even though what I really wanted was a teak or walnut one. For $5 I can still have it and if I want keep looking on CL for an alternative. When she moves out in December I will be decorating her room as a guest room.
My hand rail has been lifted on my glass stair railing to pass code, although I haven't called for final inspection as yet. I'm waiting until my contractor comes back to install my kitchen backsplash tile the second week of December and then I'll call. I figure that since my stair railing was supposed to be totally finished by June 1st and it's taken the railing company until mid November to get it done (and right) I'll take my sweet time getting my final inspection and he'll just have to wait for the final balance I owe him for the railing.
I put my Christmas lights up on the weekend, all white. I chickened out on putting them up on the top eave. I got vertigo when I tried to do it up top. I still need to pick up some more lights for my Maple tree and it should be good.
Well that's about it for now.
Surprise!.....I spent a whole lotta time on Craigslist searching for deals. I found a bed frame (which I have been looking for for months) that is low profile. My dream was to have a teak mid century bedframe with a headboard and attached side tables but it would have been way to cramped in my bedroom. I opted for a bedframe that makes my bed look like it's floating off the floor. I snagged it off Craigslist and I've attached the picture. I definitely think it was the right choice for my room. I'm leaving the large Challignac Ceramic and Velvet framed art above my bed as a headboard (another great find on Craigslist). I also sourced another white shag rug of Craigslist for $25 for my bedroom. I now feel my bedroom is complete.
Another great find was a 1960's blonde headboard for my daughter's room for a measly $5. I couldn't pass it up even though what I really wanted was a teak or walnut one. For $5 I can still have it and if I want keep looking on CL for an alternative. When she moves out in December I will be decorating her room as a guest room.
My hand rail has been lifted on my glass stair railing to pass code, although I haven't called for final inspection as yet. I'm waiting until my contractor comes back to install my kitchen backsplash tile the second week of December and then I'll call. I figure that since my stair railing was supposed to be totally finished by June 1st and it's taken the railing company until mid November to get it done (and right) I'll take my sweet time getting my final inspection and he'll just have to wait for the final balance I owe him for the railing.
I put my Christmas lights up on the weekend, all white. I chickened out on putting them up on the top eave. I got vertigo when I tried to do it up top. I still need to pick up some more lights for my Maple tree and it should be good.
Well that's about it for now.
Saturday, November 6, 2010
OK, it wasn't and isn't officially over
The railing is still an issue. Tried to get my final inspection on my house and unfortunately it failed. The reason?....the railing is too low. Unbelievable! After talking to Ron from Craftwell he said he knew it was too low but thought it would pass. News to me...thanks for telling me. He now has to make new brackets to raise the railing. They are still not ready. It's now November and still it's not completely finished. I haven't paid him and he won't get a dime until it passes. He has lost so much money on this project. The good news is it looks pretty awesome. There are a few things I'm not thrilled about but all in all its pretty cool. At least it's up and no one can fall off the top ledge.
I ordered my kitchen backsplash tile last week. I wanted penny tile but in Canada it's really hard to find. I settled on white tiny hex tile which almost looks like penny tile and the great news is it's relitively inexpensive. My contractor still owes me his time to install so there will be no charge for that. I'm hoping the tile arrives near the end of this week. I'd like it done before December if possible.
I'm off on holiday this week from work so I'll get some of the little things done I haven't had time for like organizing better and little things like putting up my spice rack on my inside cupboard.
Fall is definitely here. I mowed my lawn for the last time last week and it looked great until a little bit of wind came up and blowed all the leaves from the neighbors trees into my yard. I'm going to wait until they all drop and then do the raking.
I can't believe Christmas is almost here. I'm looking for white string lights to put on my white Christmas tree I found on Craigslist in the summer. It's going to look fabulous!!!
;)
I ordered my kitchen backsplash tile last week. I wanted penny tile but in Canada it's really hard to find. I settled on white tiny hex tile which almost looks like penny tile and the great news is it's relitively inexpensive. My contractor still owes me his time to install so there will be no charge for that. I'm hoping the tile arrives near the end of this week. I'd like it done before December if possible.
I'm off on holiday this week from work so I'll get some of the little things done I haven't had time for like organizing better and little things like putting up my spice rack on my inside cupboard.
Fall is definitely here. I mowed my lawn for the last time last week and it looked great until a little bit of wind came up and blowed all the leaves from the neighbors trees into my yard. I'm going to wait until they all drop and then do the raking.
I can't believe Christmas is almost here. I'm looking for white string lights to put on my white Christmas tree I found on Craigslist in the summer. It's going to look fabulous!!!
;)
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
October...1 year anniversary
It is now officially over....well, the railing that is. I will post pictures soon. It was completed last week and I recieved the papers from the engineer yesterday at dinner time. I can now call for final inspection. Never did I think I would have to wait this long for my final. My railing was supposed to be completed by June 1st. This company, Craftwell Construction, has been a nightmare. I will be phoning the city to get my final this week. The railing company wanted pictures of the railing which I will not be giving them. Why should I?
I spent last weekend powerwashing my front and back patios so I could coat them before winter. I did get the back garage area exposed agregate coated with glaze but the back patio I just didn't have time before the weather changed. My front walkway also got coated which looks great.
I finally had my real estate agent come in on Friday to look at my house after the reno. She hasn't seen it since I first moved it. Lets just say she was absolutely flabbergasted at the final result. I was pleased to hear that she thought I'd get all the money I sank into the house plus a lot more if I put it on the market. She also said it was the biggest transformation she had ever seen a house go through. She thought I should contact a magazine. I just may do that. Atomic Ranch Magazine are you reading this? That comment in itself made my night!
October 4th was my one year anniverary living in my house and I'm so glad I bought it! It's a pleasure to come home from work, walk through the door and heave a heavy sigh of contentment... :)
I spent last weekend powerwashing my front and back patios so I could coat them before winter. I did get the back garage area exposed agregate coated with glaze but the back patio I just didn't have time before the weather changed. My front walkway also got coated which looks great.
I finally had my real estate agent come in on Friday to look at my house after the reno. She hasn't seen it since I first moved it. Lets just say she was absolutely flabbergasted at the final result. I was pleased to hear that she thought I'd get all the money I sank into the house plus a lot more if I put it on the market. She also said it was the biggest transformation she had ever seen a house go through. She thought I should contact a magazine. I just may do that. Atomic Ranch Magazine are you reading this? That comment in itself made my night!
October 4th was my one year anniverary living in my house and I'm so glad I bought it! It's a pleasure to come home from work, walk through the door and heave a heavy sigh of contentment... :)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)