Floors, Windows, Vanities...oh my!

We are excited to share that our new hardwood floors were laid upstairs yesterday.The picture above shows our master bath vanity on its side and a view into the new guest room at the back of the house. Below is a picture of the new Victorian molding on the window casements and a few options on crown molding. We are going with the smaller version to the left on molding. If anyone has the perfect neutral paint, please do share your favorite colors. We are planning to use C2 paints.

Plastered...In Part...

Upon my return from a three day biz trip to Chicago I was thrilled to see most of the upstairs plastered. It's fascinating (that adjective may a bit too enthusiastic) to see how the plasterers "see the big picture" noticing the unique character of our home from distinct ceiling heights to how the edges should be softened to take the eye from point A to point B. In the pictures above you'll notice the numerous angles in the ceiling that allow us to "capture volume" (that's architect speak for maximize every inch). It's interesting to see that though the footprint of our Master bedroom is exactly the same size as before, it feels much bigger due to the higher ceilings and the larger windows on the street side of the house. Now to start agonizing over what colors to paint it all!!

The top picture showcases our new windows - past visitors will recall our bed used to be in front of these windows, a visual reference for how much bigger the new windows are.

The second window is taken from the new guest room closet looking towards our neighbors and the property line. If you look out the window on the right you'll see why that window will be the first window treatment decision I make as the window is 5 or 6 feet off the property line. We now officially abutt both Gregory and Lee Streets and guests will have an excellent view of Lee Street "Wall Parties" from here on out. :-) Our Lee Street neighbors will on a whim spread the word on any given nice day during Spring, Summer or Fall that all should join for a "Wall Party". This is the signal to whip up an easy appetizer, grab your beverage of choice (wine) and commune with our awesome neighbors!

And There Is Blue Board! (Plaster Board)

5 Gregory Street is coming along slowly and life has been incredibly busy so forgive us for being M.I.A. I keep hoping to wake up and be home -- as Dorothy said one fine day in Kansas "there is no place like home Toto, there is no place like home!" Below are three photos to bring to life our new space. The "Plaster Board" (commonly called Blue Board here" actually will be fully covered by plaster making the walls smoother and harder than drywall used in other parts of the country.

The top photo is the former guest room (note full head height 7 "8" now and lovely "blue board") which will now be our Den for David's guitar sessions or "Connor & Jack's" room when they visit. :-) (Adult visitors will be in a wonderful, large private new room beyond this one.)

Photo #2 is our former living room at the front of the house which will become a wonderful space for dinner parties since we love to entertain. Past visitors may recall there was a chimney flue and bookshelves which we took down giving us a blank slate for our new dining room.




A partial picture of our new living room is pictured below. To the left of the fireplace is the secret closet we found during renovation and the new home of our new wine bar and pantry. The French doors let in wonderful light and lead out to a covered porch and the expanded garden area (since we had to sacrifice the garage to move forward with the project.) Gardening seems like it will never come!