Building, Creating and Growing

Hi All!

A renovation update...things are progressing!

I threw in a few 'before' and 'after' pics for your enjoyment! An FYI that I found out about this house from the friendly neighbourhood neighbours is that the most previous owner took out some customized upgrades that were done by the owner before her, since she didn't like them. I wonder what they were and why she didn't like them... Well, not like her taste was any good, as you will see by the wallpaper choice in the bathroom and the pink carpeting. Anyhoo, we are making our way through the house and changing all of the "stuck in the 80s" decor.

Below is a pic of the bathroom with wallpaper and then one without the wallpaper (note the faux marble sink...oooooh). Below that is a pic of how things have progressed--new vanity and sink, new toilet, tiled flooring (buh-bye linoleum!), new baseboards and shoe and a spiffy new cafe au lait paint job! A little stark right now, but once we put up the mirror, decide which of two IKEA lights to install and then put in the towel/toilet paper holders and some accessories, then that room will be smokin'!

Before:

Progressing...

And so far:

Next is the kitchen--I've included two pictures of "what once was" when we bought the joint as well as some pics on where we are now. I'm still waiting on 2 cabinets ordered from H-Depot (note the gaps--yeah, that's where they go), but Ron and friend have come by to work on the cabinets a bit more, install the dishwasher and install the tall cabinets. There weren't cabinets in that one spot before (you can see them on the left of the 4th photo down), but we think they tie in well with the rest! The countertop is on order and the sink will come with it, so we can hook up the d-washer, insinkerator and faucet when that arrives. What is left to do is to install the toe-kick, the handles (nice long sleek stainless handles a la IKEA), maybe do a tiled backsplash, put all of the stuff back in the cabinets and then cook us up a nice meal in our brand new kitchen! Can't wait! (tonight for dinner I had a microwaved baked sweet potato, peas, and cottage cheese--I usually eat whatever I can combine without needing an oven or a sink or a dishwasher! I need a casserole or even a stir fry! Ah well, sometime soon!)

Before:

Before:

As we stand now! New Dishwasher (stainless--the white part is just the protective plastic) and nicely tiled floors with new cabinets!

The full view below--note the table/work bench/countertop/junk collector/catch all table. Oh yeah, see that white kind of nook-y looking cabinet by the doorway to the dining room? That WAS the plan for the 9-inch gaps where the H-Depot cabs are going by the stove (top and bottom). That would have looked dumb, hence the plan for the special ordered cabs. They look just like the IKEA cabs (but at 3 times the cost...interesting, hey?) IKEA really needs more options for that type of predicament... Oh, we're changing the lighting in the kitchen too...the fan is outta there! And the other light, too. The plan is to have one more cabinet installed on the wall between the window and the sliding door (there's space there, it doesn't look like it from this angle) and then install a wood valance over the window and have lighting come from underneath the valance. We also have a plan to put under cab lighting in the corner areas and then find a nice light fixture or two to replace these hideous ones. :)

A close up view of a sample of our countertop below. White with white and brown flecks. It's a corion type countertop.

And now the bedroom. This past weekend was devoted to patching, masking, priming, painting and trimming the bedroom. Below are some pics: a 'before' (Yellow and pink. Nice) and then 'progressing' and then 'after' pics. Our plan is to return the bedroom to a neutral colour and then spruce it up with some colourful accessories. It looks stark right now, but it's still airing out (I'm sleeping on the pull-out couch this week so I'm not inundated with paint fumes). All along the wall opposite the bed (you can see this wall best in the first picture where I stood to take the photo all the way to the black chair) we are going to install IKEA (love IKEA can't you tell?) wardrobes. That's next weekend's job.

Oh an FYI as you look at this first photo--through the bathroom (which is the doorway by the black chair) is our walk-in closet and soon-to-be baby's room! (...hence the wardrobes mentioned above--we need somewhere to put all of our clothes!) It's about 8' x 11' with a nice bright window over-looking our courtyard and will be a good size for baby and handy being so close to the bathroom--ha! We can just hose him/her down when needed! Anyway, there's lots of work to be done on that room. Stay tuned for THAT post...

Before:

Priming:

Painting the baseboards:

And the end result--there are actually two shades that we used. Three walls are light ("Muslin" from Martha Stewart's collection) and the one wall behind the bed is a darker shade ("Homespun").

The fan is also on its way out. We'll get something that looks funkier.

And there we be! Phew! I'm tired just going through the last couple of weeks in photos! I think it's time to post this puppy and kick back and watch some TV.

Before I go, here's a quick update on the rest of the familia--Scott is in Portland this week, testing and working hard as always--which leads to winning!, but he'll be back on Friday for a good few weeks (nice!) and baby (26 weeks today--about 2 pounds and 14 inches of baby!) is doing well--kicking up a storm. We have our check up on Wednesday this week, and our "Childbirth Preparation Class" on Mother's Day weekend--awwww! :) and we are almost in the third trimester! Fun times! I'm doing fine--belly is growing, stretching and gradually taking up more room, but it's fun and everyone smiles at a pregnant woman! It's great! I'm taking a new prenatal aquafit class and it's awesome!

Hope all is well with everyone!

love

b