Articles from October 2012

The Otto Renovation – Check it out edition

Every week, Monday-Friday from 7 am to 6 pm Otto cat spends in our bedroom, because we made the decision early on not to mix cat and construction, particularly since workers go in and out of the house, and while he is allowed outside, we are still trying to figure out the best approach to take on that front and for now prefer that we know when he goes out. All of that is a long winded introduction to the new and constantly changing world that Otto finds once we get home and let him out.… Read the rest

Color Decisions

This a single color at a time thing might be becoming a pattern. I never noticed that about myself. I have been thinking about the comment that my friend made about the color of the bathtub, which I have yet to finalize (thank you to everyone who voted!). I was thinking of mainly darker colors, but Adrienne suggested a soft baby blue. Hmm, with the dark ceiling in the bathroom and very masculine/ graphic feel of the space, that might be just the right touch.… Read the rest

Construction days 87-88

Think we will get to 100 days of construction? That’s very plausible. Anyway, we are moving right along, and its almost as exciting as the very beginning of this whole thing (we are just more tired, so emotions are dulled). But seriously, this thing is coming together and we likey!

I know, this looks like a mess – and no the counter is not staying on top the island. But to me, its a beautiful mess.… Read the rest

Construction days 83-86 – custom work edition

We are making progress on the west side of the kitchen, which will house our fridge ensconced in a frame with a cabinet on top – for uniform height purposes, custom built open shelves above a base cabinet, a custom built bench sitting area for the island, and finally a pantry unit – produced by IKEA, assembled by yours truly (with some help). Somewhat like so, although the fridge and shelf cabinet have since switched places, since we were able to move a duct that was taking up space in that back corner.… Read the rest

How to: Stain Butcher Block with Black Ink

So apparently my choice of colors for the house is a) monochromatic and b) goes in phases. I am in what Sergey calls a “black phase” which follows a “white phase.”

When the kitchen renovation started, Sergey was shocked and appalled at the idea of everything being white: cabinets? white, tin ceiling? – white!, what even the floor?? – yep, white (though featuring black rosettes and black grout.) Oh and yea about the exposed brick…also white.… Read the rest

How to: Reclaimed Wood Counter (part II)

This past weekend was all about house time for us, in large part because we have plans for every single weekend in October save for one. Life – it gets in a way of house stuff (or is it the other way around?) The big accomplishment was leveling out and putting the finishing touches on our reclaimed wood island counter.

Over the two prior weekends we had selected, prepped and put together the reclaimed wood for our island counter top.… Read the rest

Construction days: 77-82

And we are back to our normal pace. There’s lots of small (time consuming) things which are getting done around here. As you might have noticed we aren’t really putting time estimates on this thing anymore – it gets done when it gets done. the more important part – it looks good. Anywho – we officially have a kitchen counter:

There are two light boxes by the walls which are masking a little problem that we have — the brick surface is uneven, which means that there is a larg-ish crack between the wall and the counter.… Read the rest