Finishing Touches?

Could this project really be close to being finished? The fireplace mantel was installed today. I wasn't sure what I wanted to do to make it look finished. We (Ken & I) decided that we would put a wood skirt up from the floor in the hickory, and then just have a 3" band of tile around the perimeter of the firebox. Someone told me when I built my house the first time that you make a thousand buying decisions when you build. I think when you remodel you must make at least 2000 decisions! I was a bit disappointed with the stain on the fireplace mantel. I thought it need to be a couple of tones darker. We are going to have the painter darken it up a bit! Just fine tuning. . .

I went with the vessel sinks & got the copper faucets on overstock.com. I don't know if you can tell, but the back splash has a lot going on. . .there is ceramic tile, glass tile, copper tile, and stainless steel. Ken did a beautiful job. . .it wasn't easy getting all those little tiles to line up!

This is the accent trim band in the shower. It is stainless steel and copper. The metal is much thinner than the marble, so my thoughtful builder put a lathe? band of wire in under the metal, so that it would be even with the marble and wouldn't collect water. He is thoughtful in his process. I appreciate it!

On Sunday, June 29th, I took my first bath in my new tub. I was starting to think the day would never come!! It was good. I need a shelf for my coffee & books. After all, its Bathtub Ministries!

Another view, it is really beautiful, I think! Carpet went into the bedroom on Friday. The closet package will arrive this week. I ordered it from Costco. I can't wait to move into my room! It still needs fans, and the chandelier hung in the closet. I got a box, and couldn't figure out what it was. When I opened it, it was the chandelier! It wasn't assembled! I don't know how I thought it was going to be shipped, but I didn't think it would be in pieces! Ken says its not a problem. . .I hope he's right!

New views

View of front of house.


View of garage side of house. There will be a little balcony railing under the window. It is yet to be installed. There will be matching metal flower boxes along the front also made of iron.

Something old. . .

I used to like all things old. . .not so much anymore as I learned they are sometimes more difficult to take care of and maintain. There are a few things that are really worth holding onto the old and you can't find new things that compare. One of these areas is in lighting. . .I love antique light fixtures. . .when they are re-wired and work like new!! I was able to buy a couple of these light fixtures on e-bay. These are some of the first things I bought for the house and it is so fun to see them up! They are even more beautiful than I remembered!!


This one is in the master bedroom.



This one is in the master bath area over the copper tub. I had them put a dimmer on it, so that if I want it not so bright!!


The other thing that is not quite the same if its new is stained glass. I bought this stained glass window about 30 years ago. I had Ken put it in when we built the house 13 years ago. Now it is relocated to its new home in my closet. The afternoon sun is amazing coming through the atrium windows & then through the stained glass. So, my advice is choose old things carefully. If you don't, you just end up with a lot of junk!! I know!

Around we go!!

This is my first try doing a mosaic! I need to get two more pictures and then I will edit it. I'm missing the front and the garage side of the house. At least it gives you and idea about how it is looking! Help Sarri!! How do I make it bigger? Oh, maybe I figured it out!!

All things water. . .

I am a bather. . .and a soaker! I have always enjoyed my morning bath time. While I was looking for a new bathtub to replace my $130 one that I have used for the last 13 years, I came across copper tubs. After much shopping, I decided on the copper one that was lined with tin. It has been in the garage since February. It is finally in the house! The drain was even hooked up after this picture was taken. Unfortunately, the freestanding faucet leaked and now we are waiting for parts. Grrr! Nothing easy! I was worried about it not being comfortable, but Jake climbed in it, and said it was good. I hope he's right!!




These are the body jets in the steam shower. The shower is all done now, except for the waterproof light inside the shower. I can't wait!



The vanity has the vessel type sinks with copper faucets. The backsplash incorporates both copper and stainless in it. Marian's frame shop made me a frame for the mirror that goes up to the ceiling. We are having holes drilled out for the light fixtures, and they will go on top of the mirror. I hope it works!




I have always wanted a hottub. Jake found this one for me on Craig's list. By accident, it just fit into the spot we had for it! Yay!! I absolutely love it!! The stars are so beautiful when its really dark. See my air mattress? When it is hot out, I turn the tub temperature down, and float on the air mattress. Who needs a pool?



Chad's grain looks amazing. I can study it from the hottub! Lovely! The Owyhee mountains are in the background.

A new project?

In November, actually on the day that I lost Checquers, we had obtained a permit for a 12 foot addition to the master bedroom. Later, I decided that it wouldn't be that much more money to extend it by an addtional 4 feet. This allowed me to have a huge walk-in closet. Ken didn't want to start it while the weather was so wet, and end up with a mudhole. Finally, in the middle of March, we were able to dig and got the deck on.




The three windows you see are where the closet is. . .




The new kitchen. . .we turned it and eliminated the wall between the kitchen and the dining room.




Ken built the cutting board for me out of maple. He did an amazing job. It was not an easy task for him as he was building it at a guy's house that wasn't easy to access. I am so thankful that he hung in there and got it done!

The weather was actually good enough this week to finish up the outside paint! I'm so glad its done! It makes me feel like it is really going to be finished sometime soon. . .

Getting close!

This is the redone living room with Jake's new furniture in it. His parents and I bought it from Marian's design company for his birthday.



When Ken originallu built my house in 1995, he had built the mantel out of oak for Bill and Sue Thompson. For some reason, it didn't work in their house, so the three of them gave it to me. I have loved it and wanted to reuse it in the remodel. After we added the rock to the fireplace, we had the mantel painted in my trim color. I was so glad we were able to re-purpose it!