An observation from the third week: It takes about three weeks before I notice tea stains in the bathroom sink. This is in spite of the SanaGloss finish in the porcelain bowl. Oh well, baking soda here we go. We didn’t have much visual progress this week, primarily due to the rains. The framers installed […]
Tag Archives: house
The Grand Remodel: The Construction Phase, week 2
Tuesday, 13 October 2009
There are a couple things I learned by the second week of construction. First, the combination of house chaos and being sick simply won’t work for getting up really early. As much as it’s good to have the contractors in at 7am and out by 3:30pm, adaptation to such a schedule just did not work […]
The Grand Remodel: The Construction Phase, week 1
Wednesday, 7 October 2009
The first week of construction had a lot going: All of the demolition, excavation for the addition, some initial interior framing, and forms for the addition. The addition — the future dining-living room and part of the new kitchen — will replace for the Ugly Back Room, at the same location but with a slightly […]
The Grand Remodel: Pictures before construction
Sunday, 4 October 2009
Wondering what the remodeled portions of the house looked like before they were torn down? Go ahead and check out the gallery, but I’ve included some summary pictures here. The back yard (outdoors) view of the back room that was torn down. This region will be replaced with a Newer, Better addition that’ll include the […]
More photos of nature-y things and house fix-ups from last year
Monday, 21 September 2009
Finally got around to updating the online gallery, which includes: Resident Scrub-jay and lizard, having made themselves comfortable here this past spring and summer. My first uploads of insect pictures, including a green dragonfly and sleepy bees. Even more flowers: more Gilias, more Clarkias, Penstemon and Mimulus, Cistus, and a mondo sunflower. Garage improvements and […]
The Grand Remodel: Before the walls come tumbling down (pre-construction)
Sunday, 23 August 2009
We’ve signed our construction contract, and have about a month to prepare for the renovations. There are quite a few things to get done, such as: Removal of lingering debris in our yard, to make room for workers and materials. Likely to schedule a hauling service for this. Declutter our study, to make room for […]
The Grand Remodel: The Design Phase
Sunday, 9 August 2009
Wow! So we’ve got this complex project. How do we start designing it? What has been helping a lot is having a designer who offers sensible (and interesting!) options, as well as explaining jargon along the way.
The Grand Remodel: Resources, so far
Friday, 19 June 2009
Here are some remodeling resources, divided into organizations and books. It’s too early for me to lay down nitty-gritty advice on how to screen and handle designers and contractors. That might be more appropriate for a post-construction entry — y’know, after going through the experience? 🙂 Then again, I might omit much of that aspect […]
The Grand Remodel: The Prelude
Saturday, 13 June 2009
After nearly a decade, we’ve decided it’s time. Time to rid ourselves of another eyesore in the house, the ill-conceived, strangely constructed-with-permits Backroom of Doom. But in reality this project is complex, because of how our place is arranged and our usage patterns. Thus it deserves a more honest title: the Big, Scary Remodel, including, […]
Finally upgraded my theme…
Wednesday, 22 October 2008
Another hiatus ended! Two sets of reasons: Quite a bit of on-then-off-then-on-again housework being done within the last few months, which caused some schedule chaos. (But: New bookshelves in the living room! New garage door! Ancient, hazardous gas heater finally removed! New storage loft in garage!) And then I decided to not post another entry […]