The Outside

Went by the house on Saturday 1/18 and work on the outside continues.

• All shutters are on
• The door is painted red (yea!) 
• The final column has been added to the porch 
• Foundation final coat is on ( a much nicer color gray) 
• Sidewalk is poured (tsk, tsk, tsk, somebody left a coffee cup sitting out there by the curb)

Still on track for final walk through on 1/31. Can't wait!

Almost There

Took a visit to the house on Saturday and it continues to change.  What's changed: 

• Another coat of boring builder white paint (can't wait until the 10 month inspection is done so I can change that)
• We have house numbers
• Staining is taking place on the stairs
• Bathroom fixtures are in 
• Floors are in 
• Wall ovens are in
• Granite and backsplash are in 

Because the stairs were being stained when we arrived, we were not able to go upstairs.  So, no pictures of any of the rooms upstairs but we do have a few from the other areas.  

We have house numbers :)

2 of the porch columns are in.  1 more to go (and the additional shutters on the windows that have the stone)

Stairs getting stained.  Messy stuff.  After the staining of course the white parts will need to be painted again

Lovely floors that are beautiful even when dusty

Taking a peek at the 1st floor bathroom shower

Someone in the finished part of the basement talking about how it's "all his kingdom"  We will see what Chino has to say about that!

Fireplace with the painters stuff on it  No worries.. these guys were working hard on the house (and Rob getting that photo of the stairs being stained)

Here is the dining room chandelier

Molding in the dining room with those lovely floors showing.  Eventually the walls will be painted so that the molding really stands out.  Can't wait for the 10 month time frame

Hello family room

And now... what I've been waiting for... my kitchen!  Double wall ovens are in, granite is in place, backsplash is done, I am loving the lazy susan and the pull out shelves and the pantry (although I think I'd rather have wood shelves instead to keep smaller items from falling through those wire shelves.  We shall see about changing that in time. In the interim, baskets and containers will be key)  Also there are knobs on the drawers instead of pulls.  Didn't notice that in the model.  I feel rather "meh" about those.  We shall see if I really hate them when we move in and put them to use. 

What's next?  A lot of finishing touches!  Also appliances and the deck.  It is clear that with the weather being harsh we won't have our driveway when we first move in so we will have rock until spring and no grass or landscaping either. 

Final walk through is currently scheduled for 1/31 with settlement around 2/10.   Another update and pictures to come after the 1/31 walk through.

As a side note, we started packing.  We hate it since it is very difficult to pack while still living here. Certainly don't want to pack something away and realize that you need it (like I did with the immersion blender when I made pumpkin curry soup!)

Getting Closer

Took a visit up to the house and things are progressing.  We did not get many pictures because we were too busy staring and touching things.  At the next visit, there will be more pictures!

What's happened:

On the outside...

• Siding and stone are done 
• Shutters are up 
• Lights on the outside of the garage are in 
• Outlet on the front porch is installed

Still need the porch completed, grading of the front yard, shutters on the remaining windows, grading of the side and back yard, deck, painting the front door red, driveway and sidewalk.

On the inside....

• Cabinets are up in all of the bathrooms
• Cabinets are done in the kitchen
• Counters are done in the kitchen (most of the counters)
• Interior lights (and I don't have to change the one in the dining room because I actually like it!)
• Cable TV lines
• Stone fireplace
• Crown molding in the living room, dining room, entry way and upstairs hall (we didn't know we were getting it upstairs so that was a pleasant surprise)

Still need all of the flooring, toilets, finished 1st floor shower, finish fixtures in all bathrooms, granite on the kitchen island, appliances, completion of the laundry room, staining the banisters and stairs, closet clothes racks, paint, outlet covers/switch plates and cleaning. 

Here is the stone fireplace.  I am sure Chino will spend much of his time sitting on the hearth

Dining room molding is in.. too bad we didn't take a picture of the chandelier 

Railing with wrought iron balusters.  I love love love these!

The kitchen 

Peek at the kitchen counters.  So happy they are not peach.  This granite can either be brown tones or peach.  Of course this is just a peek.  The rest is under plastic being protected since work is still occurring.  Fingers crossed that there is no peach.. if so it's Rob's fault for picking them and he will be in big trouble

Master bath tub.  Must cover that window so there are no surprises for the neighbors. 

Master shower with seat 

Bathroom light fixture.  This is in each bathroom but size changes depending on the bathroom

First floor bath.  This is the one that was a powder room that we converted to add a shower and shower seat 

Here is the arch.   On the other side is the first floor bathroom and first floor bedroom

I am sure there are still things that need to be done that aren't listed.  We will be going back inside in about a week and a half and then the final walk through will be on 1/31/14.  We will have the inspector come back in and do a walk through just in case.  Settlement is currently scheduled for 2/10/14.  We shall see if that date changes or not.

I guess we need to get serious about packing!