Cabinets...Cabinets...We have Cabinets

Okay - we don't have all the cabinets installed yet, but we're certainly able to visualize what the rooms will look like once they are completed.

This is a quick walk-thru showing some of the cabinets.  It may be a little hard to get a clear picture of the rooms but I tried my best.

Before I get started on the cabinets, here is a picture of the French door that will go into our office/study.  There will be 2 more doors just like this that will go into the formal dining room.

Now...On to the cabinets.  Here is a picture of the bar cabinets (which, for some reason, is Harry's focus).  Once complete, we will have a beverage center, an ice maker, sink, and a wine rack.

Here are the cabinets that will be in my hobby area.

This is the desk that will be in the kitchen area (not really in the kitchen, but just around the corner).  This is where I'll keep my iPad so that I can be in constant communication with the world!

On to the kitchen.  We will have an island in the middle (but that cabinet is not yet complete). 

This is the picture of the cabinets that will face out the back window.  The kitchen sink will be directly below the window.

This is the set of cabinets that will house the double oven and the gas range top.

Now...we enter into the master bedroom.  The first picture is of the vanity in the master bathroom.  We have have 2 of these so that Harry and I won't have to share.

Here is the linen cabinet in the master bathroom.

Here is a partial shot of the shelving in the master closet.

Here is a photo of the utility room cabinets.  It is only one side (the side with the washer/dryer).  The other side will also have cabinets but I couldn't get a picture of them.

Just outside of the utility room is the "mud-room".  This is where Harry will come in and take off his dusty/muddy clothes after working on the farm.

Here are a couple of shots from the upstairs area.  The first one is of one of the vanities from the upstairs bathroom.

This is a picture of the storage cabinets.  We have 2 of these units (one outside of each bedroom).  This is where I'll have the toys for the grand-kids so that they can go upstairs and play.

I saw the painter come in and drop off his painting trailer this afternoon, so I guess he will start painting trim this week.   I'm not sure that the trim guy is ready, so this may move him along a little faster.

I hope everyone out there has an Awesome Week!

First Post of 2012

Okay - we obviously survived the holidays and were once again reminded how blessed we are.  The house is continuing to take shape as the cabinets are being installed, the sheetrock is textured, the trim is going up, and the staircase is be being assembled.  Here are a few pictures to document our progress.

Here is a picture of the cabinets in the utility room.  It was dark when we got out there this evening, so it's not a really good picture.

Here is a picture of the shutters that we'll have on the inside of the windows that are on the front of the house.

 They also dug the trench by the front entrance for the utilities.  They should install the new power pole next week.

Here is a picture of the trim that will be in the more "formal" areas of the house.

And...this shows the early stages of the stairway.  It's the bottom step, the spindles, and the view up the stairs.

Happy New Year to all!!!!!

We Survived Christmas...

Okay - we're between Christmas and New Years, so some of the contractors have been taking some time off.  But...the project is still making progress.

As an update on our status, the sheetrock is up, the tape and floaters are done, and the first coat of texturing is done.  The fireplaces are in place (but the accents are not complete), and the cabinets are supposed to be on the way.  We ordered garage doors today, and they will be installed next Friday.  The trim guy should be running full force next week and everyone's doing a Great Job.

Here are some pictures of the glass block around the shower in the master bathroom.  It turned out great, and I'm so excited about it.

The crew that taped and floated did a great job.  It was pretty cool watching them work.

And...I don't know much about the Child Labor Laws, but this guy looks pretty young (but he knew what he was doing!).

Harry & HB came over to move the front doors to the office (so that they are protected from the elements and the other workers). 

While they were there, they took a quick stop in the upstairs igloo.

And...because of the ongoing moisture (of which I am not complaining because it was very dry for a very long time), we have a muddy mess in what will be our backyard.  Oh well...it will all be dry again way too soon.

We had a little rain delay but we're back on track now!

Okay - we finally got some rain (and I'm not complaining that it shut us down for a few day), but the crews are back working, and we're completely dried in.  It also appears that we're actually ahead of schedule.  As long as I can continue to make the 50 decisions that have to be made daily, then we'll complete ahead of schedule (but we won't be in by Christmas).

Here's the current view of the house from the road (the house faces west).

They also started blowing the insulation this week.  That is one incredible process.  They start out by blowing the insulation onto the wall / rafters.  It is very liquid and thin.  Then it explodes and looks like lava spewing from a volcano.

Then they come back and shave off the excess, so that the sheetrock can be nailed to the studs. I don't know how these guys do this everyday for 8 hours.  But...it looks like snow to me, so maybe it's fun??

Once they got through with the blowing and shaving, it looked like the inside of an igloo (although I've never been in an igloo, this is what I imagine it would be like).

Craymon also came out and dug some ditches for conduit to the middle of the circle driveway.

Here is a shot of our Master Suite.  The arches are the doorways going into our bedroom, then into the bathroom, and then into the closet.  Pretty cool to watch the house taking shape!

And...here is a view of the front of the house as it stands today.  I'm so excited as we move to the interior of the house.

Columns, Roof and Front Entrance

The subs continue to make progress, and the house continues to be transformed into a home.  Every new little component adds excitement to the project.  I'm most excited over the main columns being set in front of the house this week.  It was quite a process to watch, and Greg Jordan and his crew did a great job setting them for us.

They also got started on the roof this week.  The roofing crew started yesterday, and they are making great progress.

They also delivered the front door and it should be installed this week.

We also have an electrical box installed on the exterior of the house, and the electricians should be running wire to the house later this week.

The bricklayers finished up the brick entrance.  They should be installing the cap-stones later this week or early next week.

And...as a finale - here is the current view from the upstairs front window.  I think it's absolutely beautiful.

We're back on the Blog

Okay...okay - I know it's been almost a month since the last update, but I had a new grandbaby who needed attention.  So...give me a break!  In fact - wouldn't you rather spend time with this precious baby instead of sitting in front of a computer?  Introducing Macey Kyle Brent . . .

Now...instead of trying to outline everything that's happened since October 23rd, I'll just tell you where we are today.  The roof is supposed to go on this week, and the insulation will be added soon after that.  Most of the wiring is done, including the sound system, burglar alarm and Ethernet cabling.

 The plumbers dug a hole and dropped in the propane tank.  They also added concrete to hold it in the ground in case we get a flood, and the tank is empty (flood - that would require rain).

One of the two chimneys is completed, and they started painting the siding.

Most of the gas lines have been run (kitchen, fireplaces, heaters, water heaters and front lights).  So...we're cookin' with gas...

Here's a picture of one of the fireplaces that has been framed in.

Here's what the back of the house looks like today

Here's a couple of pictures of the front of the house

Oh...and we had some out of town inspectors come pay us a visit.  I hope we passed...

Okay - you are now all caught up on where we are today.  So...stay tuned!