Color Conumdrums

Trying to leave much of this blog to Ty, but had such an experience with paint that I just had to post for those DIY peeps in the crowd.  Now Brent (our Builder) would laugh as we all know I over plan everything, but the paint - it just caught me by the tail end.  I'm behind on picking things and can't make a final decision.  I tend to consider myself good with color considering, but DANG, it is much easier when some designer somewhere has put together ten color schemes you must pick from.  So, I think I'm about $50+ dollars into samples right now trying to decide on window trim color and cedar shake stain color.  Oh, and then there's the $20+ quart of stain that I kicked over in its entirety this morning before I could even use it. Yes, I was dabbing up stain from the dirt to put on the sample shingles.  Oh well all I could do was cuss myself and laugh......  I can say that I have seen an improvement in my concern over such things through this whole process.  I must stay out of the looney bin to be able to move in for goodness sake.  

But, just so you know, some paint manufacturers sell sample cans - awesome idea and so easy.  They even have a screw lid (why don't they all?).  Actually, why don't all paint/stain peeps make samples of this kind?

If you want to try stain, good luck.  Some sell quarts, but places like Sherwin Williams doesn't.  So, that's where I am.  I find that the stain I like is not available in the finish I want and must special order.  But, that is $45 to just sample it first.  Really?  I know it must just be me - but, do I go searching for it or does it find me?

I laugh as I read this, as I am obviously unloading, but I remind myself too how unimportant such conundrums are to our daily lives and then at the same time - I must LAUGH at myself again, as so far everything being painted inside I've chosen to be pure white.  I'm painting that part and have more time to pick colors before I do it.  Not as quick a deadline there.  Go figure.....  :)   Mel

I Heart My Porch

Let me just ask, is it weird to love your front porch?  Cause I do.....

 Quick work by the experts this morning ------- Awesome Cedar timbers up .....

 Roof trusses begin.

 Oh porch, where have you been all my life?  We look forward to some morning coffee on the stoop.  The light across the front yard and trees is so nice early morning.  The rock will keep your butt cool, too, on a hot day.

 View from inside the foyer at the steps.

It's all in the details though.  We bought in two large 8x6 beams to use for all the beam details.  Well, the overall height on the pitch to the ridge was shorter, so luckily we had some saved 4x6 in the warehouse.  They were a better scale to the space.  This is the stuff that makes your brain flip around trying to plan for and react to.  Are we done yet????

Playing in the Dirt

 Ella loves all the construction sand.

Final grading complete.  This guy is so good and great to work with.  Thanks to Ralphie for coming out and lending his engineering expertise and opinion.  Hopefully we have fully functional drainage now.  And can I say there was so much cleaned up here and there it must have saved us five or six hours of back breaking work the little bobcat took care of in about 15 - thank goodness as we will need our backs for the rock wall we are going to put in at the cut slope around the back of the house.  Man this place looks so different than five months ago....

Just Checking In

For a week that will end filled with a lot starting, and about to start, it sure has been quiet the first part.  A lot of planning and ordering and tending to going on.  They pressure washed the entire outside today to prep for caulking the exterior starting Thursday.  I think exterior painting starts Friday (if Mel can figure out what color the trim will be).  Hope to get the front porch roof started by Friday along with some improvements to some old floor joist (that sag more than expected after layers of old linoleum came off).  Had to delay the floor installation a bit to make sure all the Old-to-New transitions are worked out as best as possible - so looks like at least next Monday.

Just a photo from today.

Oh, and the part Mel will enjoy - final grading - that happens tomorrow. Time to tidy up the outside and get ready to start PLANTING.    

Next weeks projects

Next week should be exciting, the trim guys are set to start, flooring is going down and we should have the roof installed on the stone front porch.

Phase two of the dramatic entrance

Wow!!! The stone guys started this morning and tonight we have our stone front porch.  There was some back and forth with the design but as always everything worked out.  The orginal plan had a different color stone but after a trip to the rock store and little work we have a beautiful shade of gray.  Mel had to head out of town before the guys finished, I know it was killing her.  This is for you babe, just as promised pics posted before 9 PM. 

The bottom is larger because we still have to back fill with dirt around the bottom to make three even steps. Go over three steps and you have to have a handrail - didn't want that.

This is the corner where it ties into the level of the old brick porch, which will be covered with stone, as well.

Exciting Arrival

An early arrival yesterday as our Master Bath cabinet made its debut.  A friend of the family has made custom cabinets for decades.  He made our mammoth media cabinet just before Ella was born.  Now he has scored again with our bath cabinet.  Designed to look as if it 'floats', it will be finished in such as way that the recessed kick board will blend with the coloring of the floor. Four 'HUGE DRAWERS' is all I can say, and no, I am not flirting with you.  Now we can customize inserts to maximize the storage and use per drawer.  Love it.

White. Light.

 Like light from above, a layer of glaze has been applied to the ceilings.  It helps even out the sheet rock applications and gives you a feeling of what everything will finish out to be.  The crisp, light feeling is wonderful.  Oh, can I tell you how good it feels to know you won't have popcorn ceilings?  Ahhhhhhhh.....

 See that little beam of light on the floor - Mel loves that.

 You'd think the column would be obtrusive, but it blends well from the entrance and makes it feel sorta lofty from the back hallway.  Here's the view from where our guests will stay - hint, hint.

More lofty - sorta tree house feelin' going on in the upstairs loft.

Hope to start work on the front stone stoop in the next handful of days and met with the flooring guy today. The next layer begins.

Taking shape

Still amazed!!!  You think that building a house takes time, but when you watch these guys work you find out that may not be true.  The sheetrock guys started yesterday and today the rock is on the walls and all the joints are taped and mudded.  Not sure if mudded is a real word but it sounds cool!!!!!  

Sheetrock delivery

Dude this truck is cool grabbing big stacks of sheetrock and dropping if off next to the house.  I bet it was tough when they had to move it one piece at a time.

Front porch

This time next week we should have a really cool entry to the house.   The plan had a porch with a wood deck and stairs.  Not at Gifft hill, we took the plunge and we are putting a stone porch on this baby.  Wood just didn't make the statement that we felt this place deserves.  

 I am going to have to brush up on laying stone, phase two has me putting stone on the old front porch to tie the two areas together.  Until then if you ride by on the weekend or during summer break you will probably see me having breakfast or coffee on the old front porch.

Expanding out and making a statement

Check back tomorrow for more pics, the front porch is taking shape.  Jose and the guys poured the pad for the stone front porch today.  Hopefully we will have part two to our grand entrance before the end of next week.

Inspections

We didn't pass the framing and mechanical inspection but it wasn't really that bad, only a few changes to make.  They are letting us proceed with the next step and make he needed changes before the insulation inspection.  

For all you HGTV junkies out there,  Holmes on Homes will drive you crazy if you decide to build a house.  You will look for all of those things that can go wrong and lay awake at night thinking about what might go wrong.   But for me one of the good things that came from this show, I decided to upgrade our insulation to blown in cellulose.

Clark Howard would be proud, a nice investment that will pay for itself in less than 4 years.  Unlike the old house we should have cool summers and warm winters.

Nanny you won't have to wear your sweat shirt in our house this winter.

Up Into the sky

The entry foyer has had it's share of problems, the wall were to tall to stand the test of time.   Two specialist were hired, one to develop a plan and one to put it into action, the walls are now supported with steel.  Papa and Jose the framing contractor were not really sure about the plan but it all came together.

The landing at the top of the stairs was designed to float in the sky.  We didn't want to have a post in the middle of our entry foyer therefore an engineer and steel specialist had to come together to develop a plan.  Mel still walks gently across the landing, I must admit it is hard to think that it can support itself but we have stamp of approval from an engineer.

Although they have years and years of experience in the engineering field, sometimes it tough for a couple UGA grads to completely trust one of those folks from downtown, you know a Georgia Tech guy.

OK, the engineer really knows his stuff, the wall is strong, stairs are installed, landing is floating in the air and only one small post was required, we have our grand entry.