Our House Building Adventure

Back Hall sheetrock

2011-11-25T16:48:00.000-08:00

Put up some more sheetrock in the back hall!

Thinking of Staining Doors...

2011-11-25T13:58:00.001-08:00

Here's a great resource for learning How To Stain: http://www.minwax.com/expert-wood-tips/wood-finishing/

Pine paneled door... before...

Accidents happen...

2011-11-25T13:48:00.000-08:00

On October 15th, I was busily applying tape to the sheetrock in the master bathroom when...

I took a step into a plumbing hole THAT I MOST CERTAINLY KNEW WAS THERE...

Oh my gosh. My leg went thru the hole into the family room ceiling.

I ended up with a broken shoulder... a bone graft, a fracture, surgery, and physical therapy.

It's been over a month since my accident.

Please don't step in any plumbing holes...

Matt's bedroom

2011-10-09T16:12:00.000-07:00

We're in the midst of getting our first bedroom completed. The mud work is done, the texture has been applied, and the room was painted Georgian Leather (Olympic One Paint).

This week we begin laying the hardwood flooring!

We will be using a wheat colored bamboo throughout the house except for the bathrooms and laundry room which will be tiled.

1st floor bathroom... it has doors!

2011-07-31T20:45:00.000-07:00

I'm getting ready to host a Shaklee Brunch on Tuesday... and I just really needed doors on that 1st floor bathroom!

So... that's what we did on Saturday!

this bathroom door opens up into my office

And this bathroom door opens up into the back hallway

We got that done... and then I really wanted to cut & install the soapstone for the vanity... but that'll have to wait till this week!

The Pantry...

2011-07-15T14:03:00.000-07:00

I'm pretty blessed to have the Pantry of my dreams! My pantry is my special work space for mixing up all kinds of yummy things.

It's here that the weekly whole wheat bread gets made... and the Wednesday night Pizza dough gets mixed... and the daily green smoothies... and we have tons of food storage in there... including buckets of wheat berries, oats, rice, flour, dry milk, and sugar!

Today we installed wire shelving in the Pantry closet!

Well now... the buckets have a home!

Last week we purchased this awesome 8 foot dry erase/cork board from the surplus sale of an old school that's being torn down... we hung that up on the wall too!

That's where I'm going to write down stuff that we need to purchase on our big monthly grocery shoppings.... and I'm going to post recipes and such on the cork board...

Next up... install the Pantry closet door!

1st floor bathroom

2011-07-09T17:47:00.000-07:00

The 1st floor bathroom has a walk in shower.

Last weekend Rich installed the shower doors and today... we got it all ready to use!

Yes... I did have the first shower! It felt more spacious than our tub/shower... I think because of the glass doors.

Front door gets painted

2011-06-22T20:40:00.000-07:00

The front door finally got a coat of paint! Next up... paint the door frame!

The work goes on...

2011-02-26T17:13:00.000-08:00

1st Floor Bathroom Update...
The tiling job was finished mid-January.. but boy did I have a bad reaction to the epoxy grout! 2nd degrees burns actually. It's been over a month since that happened and it's all healed up... thank fully!

The vanity was installed but the soapstone top has not been cut yet due to the cold weather and snow outside! The shower rod, toilet paper holder, towel racks and bathroom door still need to be installed!

Matthew's Bedroom...
I'm continuing on finishing the drywall working on the 2nd coat of mud.
Here are some really good drywall finishing videos...

Master Bedroom/Bathroom...
The master bathroom had the rest of the drywall installed today and is ready for taping! Drywall is now being installed in the master bedroom.

Some really good "How To" tiling videos...

2011-01-14T10:21:00.001-08:00

Here are some good "How To" tiling videos:
Tiling Videos, a whole step by step collection

Today I'm cleaning up my tile grout lines to get ready to grout... then jumping into grouting! A brand new 1st floor bathroom is in our very near future!

Laying tile in 1st floor bathroom... update

2011-01-12T11:36:00.000-08:00

I have finished ALL the needed cuts to finish my tile job! Yay!!!!!!!

Now for some left over cheesy ham & potato soup, a run to the Post Office... then I'm going to mortar those tiles in place. I will be finished laying tile in the 1st floor bathroom this afternoon!!!!

Have to mortar the tiles around the flange and forward...

Got all the cuts done.. now for the mortar!!!

Next up...
Clean up tiles and grout lines... then... GROUT!

Got the flange tile all cut!

2011-01-11T16:40:00.000-08:00

I cut straight lines thru the tile where pieces need to be removed.

Then, went to work using tile nippers to break away piece by piece.

I removed all the tile pieces using tile nippers.

Dry fitting... Looks good!

Here it is! Dry fitted... Before I mortar it in place I'm going to check with the Plumber... aka... my hubby!

1st Floor bathroom tile update 1/11/11

2011-01-11T14:41:00.000-08:00

I'm back to work on tiling the 1st floor bathroom! Toilet flange cut... that's the next step!

How to tile a bathroom

2011-01-11T12:31:00.000-08:00

Here's a good reference video for tiling a bathroom:

And even more step by step instructions with video:
http://www.ronhazelton.com/article/home/bathroom/UDE5Mg/How_to_Set_a_Ceramic_Tile_Floor_in_Your_Bathroom_

about half way...

2010-12-15T19:51:00.000-08:00

Got about half of the tiling done in the 1st floor bathroom. I'm at the point where I have to cut a few challenging pieces...

I battled the orange dragon and...

2010-12-15T09:11:00.000-08:00

I've got some new muscles today... ouch...

1st Floor Bathroom update...

Yesterday I cemented down the Ditra tile underlayment. Boy did I get a good workout! I felt like I battled the orange dragon... and won!

Today I begin laying tile!!! Now to set up the tile saw and mix up the cement!

I spoke to the cabinet maker this morning and next week he'll install the bathroom vanity... which means... we'll have a working 1st floor bathroom for Christmas!!! Yay!!!!

It's Marvelous tile Monday...

2010-12-13T07:05:00.000-08:00

I've been dreaming of this day since the summer!

Today I begin prepping the 1st floor bathroom for tile! I actually enjoy doing the tile work!

On my TO DO list:
-clean floor
-lay Ditra
-determine tile layout
-begin laying tile

Wish me luck!!!

House update 12/11/10

2010-12-11T16:24:00.000-08:00

I'm long overdue for an update!!!

Family Room

We have a wonderful family room right off the kitchen which is banked with windows facing west! And just hours before Thanksgiving dinner with 16 people... that room got a beautiful bamboo floor and sheetrock.

We ran three 6' tables north to south for our guest and used the kitchen island as a buffet table. It was AWESOME to have so much room for our gathering!

However... the walls & ceiling still have to be finished!

I can't believe how much lighter it is in that room with the sheetrock up and a floor in! I'm thinking about chocolate for the north wall....

1st Floor Bathroom

I applied the 2nd coat of beautiful earthy Willow Tree paint to the walls and ceiling today! Now I'm ready to put down the Ditra then will move onto tiling!

I want this bathroom to be done for Christmas!!!

Matt's Bedroom
I'm almost done putting the first coat of mud on the walls & ceiling. I want to finish Matt's room for Christmas too!

Master Suite

The master suite bathroom has been missing it's sheetrock... well... up till a few days ago. Rich and our teen son Matthew have been working away... it's NOT done yet but they're on a roll!

Busy... busy...

2010-12-04T14:38:00.000-08:00

1st floor bathroom...
Yesterday I painted the bathroom. It's ready for a second coat, but first have to buy the paint!

Older son's bedroom...
mud... mud... mud... Almost done with the first coat.

Master bathroom...
is getting sheetrock installed today! Yay!

First piece of ceiling board is up in the Family room

2010-11-14T19:44:00.000-08:00

We're getting the family room ready for Thanksgiving.

The first piece of ceiling board is in place in the Family Room... so much more to do... so little time!

I primed the 1st floor bathroom... again...

2010-11-09T19:27:00.000-08:00

I so didn't like my mudding job in the 1st floor bathroom....

This is what it looked like with one coat of paint... before I primed all over it!

The afternoon light just showed all the flaws. So recently I went after it again with mud then sanded.

Today I got back to it and applied "new" drywall primer all over. Honestly, what was I thinking when I bought that regular primer? Please... don't use regular primer on your NEW walls/ceilings! You won't be happy! Well, at least... I wasn't happy with the results.

Next up... I'm going to do a 2nd coat of drywall primer... then paint Willow Tree on the walls and ceiling.

M's Bedroom: wall work

2010-10-31T07:29:00.000-07:00

We began working in M's bedroom yesterday.

One piece of ceiling board wasn't installed correctly, so we fixed that then did some taping. Then the mudding began...

Pantry counter...

2010-10-09T18:40:00.000-07:00

Pantry News...
Rich cut the first piece of soapstone for the Pantry today. Then we all hauled it into the house and set it in place. Man that stuff is HEAVY!!!!!

with sink (dry fitted)

without sink

The hole for the sink has been cut... next up... cut the 2nd piece of soapstone counter!

1st floor Bathroom...
I'm back working in the bathroom. In the right light I'm seeing way too many imperfections in the walls. So today I begin filling those spots that would otherwise drive me crazy in the long run!

The Kitchen has a fridge now...

2010-09-13T10:00:00.000-07:00

The kitchen is coming together nicely... just in time for canning season!
I can't tell you how wonderful it is to have a kitchen after cooking on hot plates for 6 months! I'm loving our new kitchen!!!!

The prep sink complete with disposal is in and working!

Prep sink hole cut in soapstone

Prep sink all installed with garbage disposal... love it!

After fixing the hinges on our Leibherr refrigeration units due to a recall... and changing out the dented door (damaged in shipping) for the new one...

Rich installed our beautiful fridge/freezer/biofresh units in the kitchen! They are stainless steel units covered in a blue protective plastic... which we decided to keep on until we finish sanding the the seam in the island soapstone.

We even have the pendants lights up above the island! They are pretty stained glass... in keeping with our mission theme...

Adventures in soapstone hole cutting....

2010-09-02T06:52:00.000-07:00

So... we're going to have a small prep sink in the island. This is where I will wash my produce and prepare vegetables.

The sink is going to be "undermounted"... so it will be under the soapstone.

Here are some step by step photos...

I was so amazed at the jig my husband rigged so that the cut piece of soapstone wouldn't fall into the cabinet!

And here is the hole all cut! The edges now need to be sanded!

It's all about the Soapstone Countertops in Kitchen

2010-09-02T06:27:00.000-07:00

We've been working in the kitchen on the soapstone counters and island. First the huge slabs had to be lowered down from the pallet... then cut into pieces. Soapstone can be cut with a circular saw fitted with a diamond blade.

Here's the pieces surrounding the soapstone sink.

After we got all the pieces dry fitted, we then had to seam the pieces together using epoxy... then sand the seam smooth.

The last step is to apply mineral oil to the soapstone. The mineral oil turns the stone almost black and brings out the beautiful veining.

Kitchen Update 8/2/10

2010-08-02T20:59:00.000-07:00

Rich cut some more soapstone tonight! 2 more pieces!

Then Rich and our son Matthew (16) put the pieces in place... one on each side of our BlueStar range!

It looks so awesome! When we treat the soapstone with mineral oil it will become almost black and show off the beautiful veining!

1st Floor bathroom... PRIMED!

2010-07-29T15:27:00.000-07:00

No more dots & stripes!!!! This is what the 1st floor bathroom looked like this morning....

And here's what it looks like with the first coat of Primer!

Next up... Touch Up... then 1st coat of Willow Tree by Olympic paint.

1/2 an island...

2010-07-17T22:16:00.000-07:00

First I want to say that my husband is AWESOME! He's been working hard on putting our kitchen together... and it's coming out beautifully!

Today he cut one of the big slabs of soapstone...

Then.. with help... we hifted half of the island top into the house and placed it on the island. Man o man... was that piece HEAVY!!!

So here it is... 1/2 an island for now...

Here's a close-up....

When we put Mineral Oil on the soapstone it will turn black and you'll see all the beautiful white gray veins!

A view of the NEW Kitchen....

2010-07-14T22:13:00.000-07:00

Here's a view of the kitchen with the stove in place. The soapstone countertops have NOT been installed yet... and where that blue ladder is there on the left, that's where our fridge is going to go.

I called a plumber the other day to come hook up my stove. I'm really anxious to fire it up!!! I've been without a stove since October... so I'm really really really really ready!

Anyway, the plumber didn't commit to WHEN he would come this week... I'm hoping it's tomorrow!

This is the desk area of the kitchen.

To the left of the stove is a drawer microwave and beneath that is a warming drawer.

Hurry up plumber guy!!!

We'll be working on the soapstone counters this weekend!

1st floor bathroom

2010-07-13T07:08:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I got all the taping done for the 1st floor bathroom. Today I will apply the 1st coat of mud! My goal is to have the walls & tiling done before 7/22... just before our town's big Pioneer celebration... when classmates and family gather from near and far!

Our Kitchen coming together...

2010-07-11T09:46:00.000-07:00

Putting the vent exhaust hood in place. A big thank you to Matthew, Aunt Shirley & Uncle Tony for helping us hold up the hood (several times...) while Rich screwed it into place!

Here it is! The vent hood is all installed!

Wow... what a productive weekend!!!

On Friday, Wayne Moore Custom Cabinets (Deaver, Wy) installed the top cabinets. They come back on Monday to finish up the job!

Rich installed the microwave & warming drawer (and hood as mentioned above) then got all the wiring done!

On Monday, I will call the gas company to install my awesome BlueStar 60" gas range!

CABINETS!!!!

2010-07-09T11:21:00.000-07:00

The Pantry cabinets are all installed... just waiting on the doors to be installed!

The Kitchen cabinet above the sink (around the garden window) goes up!

The Kitchen cabinets surrounding the fridge/freezer area are in place.

The Kitchen Desk area is in place!

Hmmm... I am missing the photo of the cabinet above the stove! Will post that later!!!

It's cabinet install day for the Kitchen & Pantry!

2010-07-07T06:09:00.000-07:00

The day has finally arrived...

Cabinets parts are scattered throughout the 1st floor... awaiting installation!

I have dreamed about this day since 2003 when we decided to build our own home!

I have been dreaming about my new kitchen... the colors... the appliances... the cabinets... TODAY it all comes together!

I can't wait for the installing to begin!!!!!

7/7/10 is the Day!

2010-07-04T07:20:00.000-07:00

Kitchen...
Rich finished the Kitchen floor! It looks so awesome! I love the bamboo!

Pantry...
I finished putting the 2nd coat of paint in the Pantry. I decided not to texture this room. The mud work came out pretty good. The little texture there is on the walls came from the roller.

Cabinet install Wednesday 7/7/10!
Kitchen & Pantry will have cabinets installed on Wednesday! I am so excited to see them... and FINALLY have a kitchen!!!

Of course... we'll next need to install the appliances then cut the soapstone, then install it before the kitchen is complete! But... oh my gosh... I'm to have a place to store my kitchen stuff... and working appliances THIS WEEK!!! (Hopefully I'll be able to get the gas company out to install my stove this week too... Rich could it... but it's a "warranty" thing.)

Looking forward to....

-Pan-seared scallops with grilled veggies
-Rich's fabulous clam chowda
-Baking sour dough bread
-Cooking Pizza
-Having company over!!!!

Will need counter stools soon too!

Pantry 1st coat of paint...

2010-06-30T21:43:00.000-07:00

Update on the Pantry....

Just finished putting on the first coat of paint! I went with Olympic color Toffee Crunch. It's a warm golden color!

I really like Olympic paint! It says no VOCs on the label... the paint doesn't smell... and I can paint all day long without getting a headache.

Will finish up in the Pantry tomorrow!

Then it will be ready for the cabinet install on Wednesday 7/7/10!

Wed 7/7... I can hardly wait!

2010-06-29T20:45:00.000-07:00

The date for our cabinet install has been set for Wed, 7/7!

The Kitchen cabinets and Pantry cabinets will be installed! I'm going to have a kitchen!!!!

I am sooooooo excited!

Got to finish up the painting in the Pantry tomorrow... thinking.... boy's bathroom next... um... or... Laundry room... hmmmmm...

Pantry is Primed!

2010-06-28T22:01:00.000-07:00

Here's the Pantry with screw holes, seams, and corners covered in mud.

It took most of Saturday to do all the sanding.

Today, I sanded a little bit more then painted on my tinted primer.

This is a photo of the Pantry all primed.

I really LOVE working with tinted primer! It's so exciting to see color after looking at dots & stripes.

Great strides!

2010-06-26T22:05:00.000-07:00

The Pantry is ready to be PRIMED! I sanded and sanded for hours today. Yeah!

On Monday, I will break out the Primer and get to work... after priming, I will apply texture then prime again before beginning the final paint color! Once the painting is done... the Pantry will be ready for cabinets!

Rich worked all weekend to install the bamboo hardwood flooring. He did an awesome job!!

There's just a little bit left to do!

About 1/3 of the Family room floor is done as well... but we still need to put up sheetrock in there.

We pushed the Bluestar 60" double oven range into place and installed the stainless steel backsplash and shelf!

We'll be ready for cabinets very very soon!

Operation: "Prepare walls/ceiling for primer" in Pantry

2010-06-24T13:00:00.000-07:00

I'm back at it today. Taped & put the first coat of mud in the Pantry closet.

Just finished sanding 2nd coat of mud on the bottom half of sheetrock.

Now ready... after a short break... to put on the 2nd coat of mud on the top half of walls, corners, seams, and ceiling. Want to get the 2nd coat done TODAY!

Pantry Walls/Ceiling

2010-06-23T11:23:00.000-07:00

Work continues tonight on the kitchen flooring, but over the next few days... I will be transforming the Pantry walls & ceiling from unfinished wallboard... to ready for cabinets with paint!

Here's a short video that I took.

Kitchen flooring has BEGUN!

2010-06-21T19:15:00.000-07:00

The hardest part of laying flooring is getting your starting point, well that's according to our experience.

The first 2 long rows are down, should go pretty fast now.... "she says... : ) "

I got the beautiful new Pantry floor covered in cardboard then layered on top with thick brown construction paper to protect it.

Now I'm ready to put more mud on the walls.

But first... got to mix up a new batch of mud!

Bamboo flooring done in Pantry!

2010-06-21T13:51:00.000-07:00

The Pantry floor is DONE!

It's a beautiful natural color bamboo... and... it's going to be throughout the house with the exception of the bathrooms, porches, and back hall.

Still to be done, as you can see... are the walls and ceiling. I will cover my beautiful new floor with thick construction paper while I finish up in there.

And now... onto the KITCHEN floor...

Beautiful Bamboo flooring!

2010-06-21T06:15:00.000-07:00

The cabinets are ready! Our cabinet maker is waiting on us to finish up so that he can do the install!

We decided to start installing the bamboo floor in the Pantry first... as this is our very first time laying hardwood floor.

First we layed down tar paper... then layed the very first pieces..

Next we layed out some pieces to figure out the cuts. After we were happy with the dry fitting, we used the floor nailer to set it in place!

So, 5 more feet to go in the Pantry... then MOVING ON into the Kitchen!

Kitchen painted... bring on the floor!

2010-06-17T22:23:00.000-07:00

I put a 2nd coat of Red Red Wine (Olympic brand, no VOC) paint.

Rented the sander today too. We've got to sand the seams on our subfloor.

Tomorrow is a big day for us! We will prepare the subfloor for hardwood bamboo flooring! It's going to be a new experience for us!

Our cabinets are all ready... the cabinet maker is just waiting for us to give the OK for install!

And now... 2nd coat of Red Red Wine!

2010-06-11T07:39:00.000-07:00

Well, we had a family emergency that put us back a bit this week.

I'm gearing up to put the 2nd coat of Red Red Wine on the walls!

Color in the kitchen...

2010-06-08T07:08:00.000-07:00

It was a bold move to put Red Red Wine on the north wall AND the Breakfast Nook. Many people warned against it...

But, I must say that I ABSOLUTELY adore it! I love this combination of colors!

You can feel the richness... the warmth of these two colors when you walk into the Kitchen.

Today coat # 2 goes on!

Later this week, we lay the natural color bamboo flooring... then later this month the Red Oak stained cabinets will be installed followed by appliances... then soapstone counters and island.

I can't wait to have a functioning kitchen!!!! I've been dreaming of pan seared scallops !

Ordered cabinet knobs/pulls...

2010-06-06T06:35:00.000-07:00

After going back and forth between oil-rubbed bronze and satin finish for my Kitchen cabinet knobs and pulls... I have decided to go with the warm color of oil-rubbed bronze.

My kitchen cabinets are stained in Red Oak... a beautiful deep warm brown color. Can't wait to see it all come together!

Oh... last night we pulled out our kitchen/breakfast nook light fixtures... that I ordered last year. I wanted to check the colors with my paint choices... They go PERFECTLY!

Adding Color to the Kitchen...

2010-06-05T22:20:00.000-07:00

Kitchen Progress

How exciting it is after all these many months of dreaming of my new new kitchen... to finally buy paint and get to it!

After thinking long and hard on a color scheme for my house, I decided to go with the beautiful earthy colors of our incredible Bighorn Canyon. I have always loved these deep rich colors!

So, when I saw Olympic Paint's Audubon collection of paint I fell in love with the colors!

Just finished the 2nd coat of Toffee Crunch in the kitchen ceiling, west, south, and east walls.

Next up is Red Red Wine on the north wall... my accent wall... with the same luscious color all over the breakfast nook! Can't wait... to paint on Monday!!!

My inspiration...

Tuesday & Wednesday will be kitchen flooring days! We'll be laying down our beautiful blonde bamboo!

Then... Thursday... fingers crossed... hoping and praying... CABINET INSTALL!!!

Finished priming the kitchen...

2010-06-04T21:00:00.000-07:00

Rich and I worked together today to finish priming the kitchen and breakfast nook. I decided to use tinted primer... THAT is so the way to go!!!

Here's what we did to get to this point....
1. Primed the walls and ceiling.
2. Textured the walls and ceiling.
3. Primed again...
4. Applied yet MORE texture to cover a few "places."
5. Primed over texture AGAIN!

Tomorrow my kitchen will be awash with beautiful color!

2010-05-29T09:39:00.001-07:00

I'm priming the kitchen today!

2010-05-26T11:59:00.001-07:00

I'm thrilled to report that I am PRIMING the kitchen walls and ceiling today!!!

Wow... sure looks a whole lot better without stripes and dots!

Can't wait to put color on the walls.... but... will have to texture first.

Kitchen ready for priming...

2010-05-25T13:45:00.001-07:00

Got the walls & ceiling all sanded down. I thought that I would texture first then prime... but after googling discussions on this subject, I've decided to:

Prime
Texture
Prime

Then finish with 2 coats of paint.

And now... back to work!

Getting ready to texture the kitchen...

2010-05-22T21:26:00.000-07:00

I'm getting ready to texture the kitchen!

Rich put up plastic sheeting over the doorways and windows. I'll be using wide painter's tape to cover all the outlets, light switches, and can lights.

Still thinking about colors for the kitchen...

Have pushed the cabinet install out to 6/7... but... will be done by my birthday!

Kitchen update 5/18/10

2010-05-18T13:49:00.000-07:00

I'm very pleased to announce that the main kitchen area is all sanded and ready for texture!

And... I'm almost done sanding the breakfast nook.

Breakfast Nook...

2010-05-11T12:58:00.000-07:00

Well, I'm off to spread some more mud way up at the peak of the cathedral ceiling of the breakfast nook. Up the tall ladder I go with mud pan & mud spreader thingy.

NOT looking forward to sanding up there...

Kitchen progress...

2010-05-01T10:11:00.001-07:00

I'm sanding the kitchen ceiling this morning. I'd post pics... but it doesn't really look like much... yet!

Sore muscles...

2010-04-28T18:32:00.001-07:00

Worked most of the day sanding drywall in the kitchen. Boy am I sore tonight!!!

Now... got my feet up on a pillow while I look at color scheme books!

I've got all stainless appliances and black soapstone for counters/island... so I'm going to go with warm, rich, earthy colors.

Can't wait till I can put paint on the walls!

Cabinets... mid-May....

Kitchen cabinets to be installed

2010-04-13T18:27:00.001-07:00

Heard from our cabinet maker... our cabinets are just about ready!

I picked the install date of 5/13... mid-May!

As soon as I'm done preparing Taxes... I'll be finishing the walls/ceiling in the kitchen!

Rich is working on the Master bathroom... doing plumbing and creating a platform for the antique bathtub.

Wow... time flies!

2010-03-13T06:50:00.000-08:00

I can't believe that it's been almost a month since my last post!!!!

We've been putting up sheetrock and mudding...

Rich has switched gears a bit and put on his "plumbing" hat for the master bathroom. He's in the midst of running water & sewer lines for that area.

The main sewer line for the master bathroom (on the 2nd floor) will run down the north wall corner of the living room. So, once that's done... we'll be able to sheetrock the Living Room!

The water lines will be coming up thru that same section and running into the ceiling of the Family room... once that's done... we'll be able to sheetrock the Family Room!

I'm happy to report... honestly... that mudding is going easier for me and I can now envision myself finishing the house!

I promise to take pictures today... and some video!!! Will update this post later tonight.

The Office... progress

2010-02-17T09:07:00.000-08:00

Rich and Matthew continue to work in the Office by night... hanging sheetrock.

The Ceiling is up and the Walls are started. Two walls are up!

I spent the afternoon working on preparing the kitchen for primer. My work goes like this... mud... sand... mud... sand... mud... sand... Off I go!

The Office...

2010-02-07T17:06:00.000-08:00

Sheetrocking continues....

Big changes! What a difference it makes to have the sheetrock up! I can't believe how much brighter it is in the back hall.

The Office

Worked on the Office yesterday. Ceiling is all sheetrocked. Began the west wall but didn't get much farther than that.

While Rich & Matt installed sheetrock, I worked on taping the back hall.

Back Hall progress....

2010-02-06T06:55:00.001-08:00

I ended needing to devote quite a bit of time to my business this week... so didn't get the kitchen painted... sigh...

The house is feeling better and better! It was so awesome to come downstairs this morning into the back hall... with walls and a ceiling!!!! Very strange that the ceilings actually feel taller now with ceiling board on them.

Back Hall

So the back hall and ceiling have sheetrock!

Office

Today the goal is to put up ceiling board and get as far as possible on the walls!

Taping

I taped the back hall and closet yesterday... oh my gosh the closet... it's going to be a challenge finishing walls in there... I did not like it.... very claustrophobic!

Pantry-finished wallboarding and...

2010-01-30T07:13:00.000-08:00

Friday was a productive day. We feel as though we made some good progress! Here's a little summary. Sorry no pics or video. I'm borrowing Rich's computer because my Macbook is down... sigh...

Pantry

We finished putting up the wallboard in the Pantry. It's all taped and ready for mudding.

Kitchen

I continued to work on mudding. Mostly yesterday I sanded the ceiling. It's official... my skin does NOT like sheetrock dust. I've got the red bumps today to prove it. Will have to protect my skin... maybe buy a special suit.

Breakfast Nook

Almost done... a few more sheets of sheetrock to go... of course... in the most difficult of places... the cathedral ceiling!

mud... mud... mud...

2010-01-26T17:30:00.001-08:00

I'll be mudding the kitchen over the next several days!

Graying all over!

2010-01-25T15:32:00.000-08:00

I've just finished work for the day in the kitchen. Made some awesome progress...mudding & sanding!

Oh my gosh, you should see me! My hair is no longer golden light brown... but is GRAY! I'm covered in drywall dust!

I feel really good about how work went today. Guess that I'm getting into the groove with my "Mud Artiste" hat on!

But seriously... tomorrow I will dawn a bandana on my head!

A Video of How To Apply Mud to Finish your Sheetrock Walls

2010-01-25T13:15:00.000-08:00

This is what I'm up to NOW!

Here's a video of how to get your walls ready for primer! Mud... Mud.. Mud..

Video: Tape & Mud Walls

Our Kitchen has walls!

2010-01-25T07:11:00.000-08:00

We've been working hard... I mean... with great determination!

KITCHEN

Rich and our oldest son Matthew finished putting up the wallboard in the kitchen on Saturday night. YEAH!!!!

BREAKFAST NOOK

However... the adjoining breakfast nook is still without walls/ceiling board. It's going to be a little tricky to finish because of the cathedral ceiling. We hope to get that done tonight!!!

MUD

Today, I will continue mudding & sanding the ceiling & walls in the kitchen. Can't wait to get to the priming stage!!!!

And...

I made a video to share with you so that you could see our progress... but alas... my macbook didn't like that last software update... and is... well... incapacitated right now... sadly... Can't post any more pics/video until I figure out how to fix it! Sorry!

More sheetrocking going up in the kitchen

2010-01-22T14:43:00.000-08:00

SHEETROCK WALLS - KITCHEN

Well the kitchen is really taking shape!

Rich and his unwilling teenage helper (our older, almost 16 year old son) are putting up the walls today!

It's looking pretty good!

WARNING: MUD ARTISTE at work!

I'm doing a 2nd coat of mud in the dining room.... mudding... sanding... I AM a self-proclaimed MUD ARTISTE!!! I AM!!!!

Celebrating each step....

2010-01-19T20:23:00.001-08:00

Goal... be ready for kitchen cabinets by the end of January!!!

So to that end...

-I finished the first coat of mud on the Kitchen Ceiling!

-Rich added bracing to the studs to support the stainless steel vent hood.

-And... another the top piece of the west wall went up!

Progress!!!!

Kitchen Ceiling.. Mud begins

2010-01-18T18:33:00.000-08:00

Today I taped all the joints in the Kitchen Ceiling and began filling screw holes and seams with mud!

Tomorrow all seams will have their first coat of mud!

Rich is planning on starting the walls tomorrow.

Kitchen Progress!

2010-01-16T18:50:00.000-08:00

KITCHEN...

Rich ran the wiring for the Vent Hood this morning... then the rest of the day was dedicated to putting up ceiling board in the kitchen.

I am very... extremely... happy to report that: We have a ceiling in the kitchen!!!!

MUD...

While the guys worked in the kitchen... I did some mud work in the dining room. It actually went really good today! Having the mud the consistency of sour cream really makes a huge difference in how smooth you can apply it!

I'm finally starting to feel more comfortable with it!!! Which is a good thing... because I have LOTS & LOTS of mud work yet to do!

Color Scheme...

2010-01-16T11:02:00.000-08:00

I seriously have to decide on a color scheme!!!!

The ceiling is going up in the kitchen NOW!

-The stove vent has been wired....

-The cabinets are being built...

Colors???? I love warm earthy colors.

Taping & Mudding... Mudding & Taping...

2010-01-11T20:01:00.000-08:00

I worked in the boys' bathroom today putting on another coat of mud.

On Saturday I finished taping the front hall & tonight I began taping the kitchen.

I'm afraid that is going to be my life for a while yet....

I'm done for the day now.

Video Kitchen Update 1/9/10

2010-01-09T22:36:00.000-08:00

Video update of work in the kitchen... sheetrock!

The beginning of a Kitchen Ceiling with photos 1/8/10

2010-01-09T11:57:00.000-08:00

The beginning of a ceiling in the kitchen. Photos taken 1/8/10.

Ceiling sheetrock in kitchen

2010-01-08T10:26:00.000-08:00

The sheetrock for the kitchen ceiling has started to go up!

Houston, cabinets are a GO... I repeat...

2010-01-08T07:05:00.000-08:00

Got the final drawing of the cabinets!

Way cool!

They will be Oak with Red Oak stain. I'm going with a simple look for the doors to go with my theme of Antique Mission for the whole house.

I've decided on Red Oak stain because we love antique furniture... so whatever we pick up will on future antique adventures will "go" with the kitchen!

OK,,, so let's get to work now!

The Cabinet Maker is coming tomorrow!

2010-01-02T15:38:00.001-08:00

Heard from our cabinet maker today. He's coming tomorrow for final measurements!

I'm dreaming of a white Christmas...

2009-12-09T10:32:00.000-08:00

It's Christmas time! I love this time of year!

I'm dreaming of decorating my new house... next year...

And of cooking Christmas goodies to share.. next year...

And... of Christmas dinner in the dining room... next year...

Maybe even a Christmas party... next year!

But until then, the work continues! Rich is out getting 2x4s to prepare the walls for wallboard in the kitchen.

The dining room is all sheetrocked. And the foyer has quite a bit done!

Today I've been taping wallboard joints... and dreaming... of Christmases yet to come!

OK.. .enough blogging... back to work!

Walls in the front entryway

2009-12-01T12:21:00.000-08:00

Inside the house continues to take shape! More walls!

Over the long weekend Rich & Matthew put up wallboard in the front entryway.

I've escaped for a short break...

2009-11-13T12:41:00.000-08:00

Wait... Do you hear that noise? NO?

It is the sound of progress!!!!

It's Richard, and our sons, Matt, & Aaron hanging sheetrock in the dining room! Yeeeehaa!

And me? I've covered in mud... Been slinging mud in the boys' bathroom!

Caution... Mud Artiste at Work!

2009-11-11T07:04:00.002-08:00

Finish work begins in the Boys' Bathroom

The Boys' bathroom is being mudded... butt joints are disappearing, corners seamed, ceiling blended nicely... Caution... the Mud Artiste is at work!

Much work to still do...

I'd post a photo but my camera is being fixed!

Guest Bathroom Update

The Guest Bathroom now has a toilet paper holder... and a towel rack. The mirror has been installed and a 4-light light bar illuminates the bathroom nicely! This is the main bathroom right now... but it will be awesome when I finish the boys' bathroom... because even now... one bathroom is not enough!

Ah... running water in the Vanity Sink!

2009-11-06T21:35:00.000-08:00

Rich has been working on some electrical work on the 1st floor porch. The outlets for the Christmas lights is now working!!!! Time to pick up some more LED Christmas lights!

Guest Bathroom Update

The vanity in the guest bathroom has just been sitting there for a couple weeks. Well today we picked up the couple parts that we needed to do the drain. So... as of tonight... we now have one sink with running water in the vanity.

I ordered a pretty shower curtain from Overstock.com. I chose the Morocco one, isn't it pretty?

We also installed the 4 globe light bar and went to install the bevelled edge mirror... but found that it had a chip in one of the corners... I'm so disappointed... BUT... being able to brush my teeth with running water in the vanity sink... puts a smile on my face!

I'll tell you, I've come to truly appreciate life's simple pleasures... like toilets... hot showers... and now... running water in the vanity sink! Wooohooo!!!

The Boys' Bathroom

Mudding... I got quite a bit done today!!! Tomorrow... more mud in corner joints & ceiling joints...

Wayne, if you're out there.... I'm dreaming of cabinets... installed before Christmas!!!

Guest bathroom almost complete... and my spotted self...

2009-10-21T19:48:00.000-07:00

Today our bamboo stair treads were delivered... and late this afternoon the balusters arrived!

I'm taking a bit of a house building... I mean... finishing... break. After stressing out over the soapstone delivery... I broke out in a massive hive attach... so bad... that I looked like a monster with puffy eyes and mitts for hands. My mother made me promise that I would go to the doctor....

Pushing myself forward... like a spotted lizard with bulging eyes... swollen all over... but full of determination... I finished texturing and painting the guest bathroom!!!

Took my swollen, red-purple, spotted self to the doctor on Monday. The doctor said... whoa... you have hives! 3 medications and two days later... I'm finally looking somewhat normal... well... except for my spotted reddish hands.

Some of the young women from church came by to see me... they were doing a fundraiser... and exclaimed... as they backed away... WHAT HAPPENED TO YOU?

So as I wait for my skin to heal... I'm planning my next attack... the BOY'S bathroom!

Painting the Guest Bathroom!

2009-10-17T09:25:00.000-07:00

Wow... does this Wagner Power Roller Max work slick! I had to put it on slow speed to keep up with it... no slacking... got to move fast!!!!
Got the painting started! Here's a little video to share with you!

It's time to finish! Bye for now!

Finished priming the walls in the Guest Bathroom

2009-10-14T19:32:00.000-07:00

I'm slowly making progress in the Guest Bathroom!!!

I finished priming the walls/ceiling today... even put together my new texture gun and gave it a go!!!

It took a while to cover everything that I didn't want texturized... light switches... lights... outlets... heating vents... the tub/shower... then... I didn't have any light to work by!!!

Well, actually... I made due with one light...

First, I practiced on some odd pieces of sheetrock... then I started in on the toilet area.

Works great!!! Next... need LIGHTING... and finish the texturing of walls and ceiling!

The Soapstone Arrives!

2009-10-08T12:53:00.000-07:00

Our soapstone is delivered... thanks to the careful forklift maneuvers and Larry the delivery guy running his lift gate!

Man did I stress out over this delivery!!! Why didn't I take this stuff? I really really really needed it!!!

Soapstone is being delivered... Thanks Nash!

2009-10-07T12:45:00.000-07:00

Tomorrow our soapstone will be delivered!

A big thank you to Nash of High Plains Roofing for helping us get these heavy pieces off the truck!

Nash installed our gorgeous antique bronze metal roofing... and the beautiful country red siding! Ok... let's just say that he's awesome! We've so enjoyed working with him!

Got my texture gun yesterday!

2009-10-07T09:08:00.001-07:00

I got a texture gun yesterday! I'm trying to decide if I should prime the walls first... or texture first... if you have any strong oppinions... please post a comment!

Well, I'll get it figured out!

Here's a photo of the house!

Soapstone is heavy...

2009-10-05T09:09:00.000-07:00

Soapstone is heavy...

Our soapstone is waiting for delivery to the house. It's at the local trucking place.

They called to say that they have NO WAY to get it off the truck... and that we're responsible for that part... umm... OK... ya... right...

Dealing with this issue today!

10/7/09 UPDATE ON SOAPSTONE SHIPPING ISSUE:

Our soapstone folks, M. Teixeira Soapstone of Denver, have been awesome to work with! I didn't realize that I'd need to have a fork lift to get it off the truck because of the size of our slabs!

Texture Sprayer...

Tracked down a texture sprayer that has good reviews. It's available at Home Depot. Will be going to get it tomorrow.

Texturing walls in Guest Bathroom

2009-10-03T21:11:00.000-07:00

I started to texture the walls in the guest bathroom using a roller... ummm... I think that I'm going to track down or buy a hopper gun... and spray it on... will be much easier!

Just posted a great video in the drywall reference section on how to use a hopper gun over there... on the right!

The work moves forward... but for now... bed!

Finishing walls...

2009-10-02T16:28:00.000-07:00

Finishing walls... I mean the mudding & sanding... is an art form...

Anyone in this profession... deserves every penny... dollar... bucket of dollars that they earn!

I now dub myself... Mud Artist... there... I feel better now.

Update: Washing machine was just installed with brand new stainless steel lifetime warranty hoses. Yeah!!! Onto clothes washing!

Final mudding & sanding of the guest bathroom?

2009-10-01T12:10:00.000-07:00

Well, I'm totally wiped from moving yesterday... and boxes are everywhere...

But, I am a woman... on a mission to finish the walls in the guest bathroom! So!

Back to work I go... a sanding... a mudding... and hopefully... a texturing! Whooohoo!

How to finish your drywall... step by step.

Reporting from the dust cloud within the guest bathroom...

2009-09-29T11:51:00.000-07:00

The work continues on perfecting the walls in the guest bathroom.

This is my first time working with mud. I've found out the hard way that "less is more..."

I've decided to lightly texture the walls using a roller.

Back to my dust cloud for now.... soon... drywall primer...

Finishing walls in the guest bathroom... mud work part 1

2009-09-24T13:11:00.000-07:00

Got the tiling job all done the other day... now I want to finish the walls!

I know... I know... I'm doing things a little backwards... but at least now... if we want... we CAN install the toilet!

I've picked a sage green paint... so better GET TO WORK!

Grout done in Guest Bathroom!

2009-09-22T11:50:00.000-07:00

Just finished grouting the tile in the guest bathroom! Yeah!!! It took 3 buckets of Mapei OptiColor to do the whole bathroom.

I was a little scared to get going on the grouting... it was my first time. But honestly, grouting was the easiest part of the tile whole project!

It looks really nice!

Now... to finish the walls! I had to switch gears and get the tile done so that we could install a toilet.

Back to mudding...

Grout almost done in Guest bathroom!

2009-09-21T16:24:00.000-07:00

Wow... I've been putting off doing the Epoxy Grout. OK... I was scared based on what I've read and what my Lowes sales people shared with me.

The most important thing when doing epoxy grout is to make sure that you get all the epoxy off the tiles.

I just applied 2 buckets of Mapei OptiColor epoxy grout. I think that hardest part is the clean up.

The great thing about epoxy grout is that it's waterproof... and the grout color stays.

If you're about to do Mapei OptiColor epoxy grout, you may find this Mapei video helpful... I did!

Saturday... 9/19/09

2009-09-19T16:49:00.000-07:00

-Door installed to storage space under porch! Under porch storage

-Extra thinset cleared from between tiles in preparation for grouting.

-Some things moved to new house including 2 cabinets from kitchen.

-Basement organized so that we can move the rest of our things from the rental this week.

I had hoped to get to grouting today, but looks like that's on for Monday!

Gas Meter Installed - We Have Hot Water!

2009-09-18T10:20:00.000-07:00

The Gas Meter was installed this morning... and now we have HOT WATER!!