Lucky finds...

I have been a huge blogging slacker over the last few weeks, due to a couple factors. One, I am working insane hours and the "blogging bug" miraciously hasnt bit Steve, two, we were down in Kalispell ( which I love!!) last weekend picking up some last minute supplies. But we are back at it again.

Our goal is to have the house on the market before we go down to Echo, thats in two weeks. I know, I know, the whole two week thing has been said before, but we really are going to push for it. When we were down in the States we had to return some pendant lights that we absolutely loved, but unfortunately were too big. I had looked EVERYWHERE in Calgary for pendants and did find some that were nice, but neither Steve or I are making enough cash to shell out $350 per pendant. I may start an online poll to see what professions people are in to be able to spend $1000 on three pendant lights. Anyways we lucked out! While down at Lowes, we saw the exact same pendants that we had returned in a smaller size!! My cousin Kellie was with me, she can vouch for how excited I was, one because I loved them, and two because they were a great deal ( I may have a little more Ady in me than I initially thought). They were the last three available, besides the floor model, I was stoked! I showed Steve and he was just as excited, but pointed out to me that they were plastic so we didnt have to package them up. I didn't believe him insisting they were glass, so he proceeded to bang them together saying "look they're plastic." By the shards of glass that remained after Steve's demonstration, it went to prove that I was right, but now down one pendant. Luckily Lowes returned the one Steve had demolished ( I think the guy wanted to spare Steve some grief) , and we were able to get the floor model.

We also got handles installed on our kitchen cupboards, which turned out great! I found a website online, and was worried the quality wasn't going to be there, but we are really happy with the end result!

After much discussion we decided not to rip out our old vanities in the washrooms, but instead just change the countertops out to granite, and paint the cabinets. They turned out WAY better then I had imagined! Thanks to some help from Rae!

So, now for my next couple of days off I get to start DECORATING! As soon as Steve uttered the words "I think we are done on the main floor", I hauled chairs, rugs, and tables in, I just miss feeling like I live in a home, rather than a 24-7 construction zone.  We just recently bought a couch and loveseat from Costco. I have always loved Costco, as someone once said " I'm big, I'm not fancy, and I dare you to not like me." Well two days ago I was in Costco and saw our couch and loveseat, but they just happened to be half off! Luckily, being Costco within fifteen minutes I was $450 richer!!! Here is some of the furniture we have hauled in so far...

More to come next week!!

Two weeks...and counting....

So it is crazy to me that we have only been at this renovation for a month a twenty four days...not that I am counting. At the same time I have never had a month and twenty four days be packed with so much change. The house as we knew it has been completely transformed, and everything has gone smoothly...until

now.

It first started with us connecting our new bathroom fixtures upstairs, which happened to leak, luckily not for too long before Steve caught it. But it still managed to leak onto our newly textured ceilings below, staining large patches a very lovely yellow color. Fortunately, we were able to repair the damage, and we didn't have to rip all the drywall down and start over. That was what I thought we would have to do, but at the same time I have been know to catastrophize from time to time.

Next was our beautiful travertine floor, some of the grount lines began to crack. That really wasn't the look we were going for, so now we have to have our tile guy back to try and brainstorm how to fix it. My guess is a lot of dirty work involving scraping, scraping and more scraping and re-grouting

EVERYTHING.

I then found some gorgeous pendant lights for above our island, they looked perfect online. It was even more perfect when my parents were already headed to the states and could pick them up. So when we did get them, I had told my mom only two rather than three, opps. Upon opening the box the picture and the actual size also varried a bit. Each pendant was about 6 inches too big...one more set back....

When we first started the reno I definately knew there would be some set backs; I was just hoping that I could of anticipated those set backs and avioded all of them:) Didn't exactly work, but we are still going at

 it.

When I asked Steve when he was hoping to have everything wrapped up he said "two weeks" which sounds great but then I realized everytime I ask him how long until we have things done he says "two weeks." So I really have no idea.... I actually feel like two weeks ago we were further ahead then now, but I think that is because we are knee deep in demolition up stairs....

So if you see me out and about and I am covered in drywall dust, don't judge me...

You have no idea how excited I am to paint over this blue!!!! The granite ( which Steve REALLY pushed for) looks great, we are still planning on painting out the bases and putting on new hardware...

Our new carpet goes in a week from today!! I think its going to look awesome. I had no idea how expensive carpet is, but after shopping around I think we ended up with a pretty good deal. Thanks to my Grandma blazing a trail there is now something known as the "Ady discount."

This is the main floor bathroom. Steve has started installing the wainscoting which is looking great.

After much debate, we decided to pain the banister out white, I am really happy with the results, and with the new carpet it should really look good...or so we hope:)

So I think these past couple weeks I have realized I can't control everything that happens, there are going to be bumps, and probably more to come (unless I can figure out a way to avoid them) but there is nothing you can do, just ride it out. So I guess I will ride it out for another "two weeks" and see how it goes...

Don't forget the schlueter and the nipples....

With these reno's we have experienced a HUGE learning curve. Well maybe a little bigger for me. Its not simply ripping some walls down, slapping on a coat of paint and calling 'er good. For instance, something I did not know prior to renovations is that you need something called "schlueter trim" to finish and protect corners of installed tile... who knew?!? At the same time, me even knowing that something called schlueter exists means that our tile is almost complete:) Nipples are also necessary in renovations which I was also not aware of. In order to attach the gas line to the actual gas range there is a rubber piece referred to as a "nipple." These are now purchased, which means I will soon after one month and ten days of no stove or oven, be able to boil water again. I love progress.

Steve has been working exceptionally hard here, while I keep plugging away at the hospital. I come home from work and feel exhausted after my twelve hour shifts, but atleast when I come home I can relax(kinda with the soothing hum of an air compressor in the background). Unfortunately, Steve is always "at work" here, which I can't imagine how tiring that would be. He installed our kitchen backsplash, which I LOVE! It should be getting grouted today:)

Steve continued his handy work with something he knows well, our sound system. He almost has all of our speakers and wiring installed throughout the house. They look great and will be awesome to have!

Our hardwood is also coming along, and looks incredible! I may be slightly biased because I picked it out, but judge for youself... Its solid Acacia and "hand scraped" so pre-distressed.

Find Joy in the Journey

            So I am truly fortunate for a few things in my life... a great PATIENT husband, family, friends, employment, Church, my list could go on and on. Within all these sectors of people I have the great opportunity of drawing on all of their experience and knowledge. All of these same people have contributed to our renovations thus far either from helping with packing, moving, encouragement, a place to escape the madness:) I read a talk the other day that made me stop for a second and really reflect; it focused on finding joy in the journey.

          I can say with certainty that I am a "Type A personality". Wikipedia states... "Type A individuals can be described as impatient, time-conscious, controlling..., highly competitive, ambitious, business-like, aggressive, having difficulty relaxing; and are sometimes disliked by individuals with Type B personalities for the way that they're always rushing. They are often high-achieving workaholics who multi-task, drive themselves with deadlines, and are unhappy about delays."  In contrast Steve is definately a "Type B personality" Wikipedia goes on to describe them... "Type B individuals, are described as patient, relaxed, and easy-going, generally lacking an overriding sense of urgency" When I read these definitions it was pretty much like Wikipedia came to our home and interviewed Steve and I and asked how we would describe ourselves. This kinda sums up our renovation thus far, which, if I really think about it is too bad. Steve and I have taken on a HUGE project, a project that to this point I have been wishing would hurry up and end, so we could move on to the next. We have both already had the opportunity of learning so much about not only renovations, but also about each other. Instead of me taking this opportunity to do so, I have been looking forward to the tomorrows instead of enjoying today.

                        I am still human and still a type A personality so I am not going to sit here and say that I am not going to still count on deadlines, and at times possibly nag for things to continue to get done.....(sorry hunny) and I am still SOOO excited for the day when we are done the renovations and can put the house on the market. I will say though that I am going to try and stop and enjoy what we are experiencing and creating today, and enjoy tomorrow when we get there.....

                                                                  The granite getting installed!!!

We started painting this week, as well as installing granite, travertine floors and our new kitchen cupboards!

We hope tomorrow to finish up with paint on the main floor and start on the hardwood:)

          

It's not as fun as it looks

So........... we are still renoing. The plumbing, electrical, "behind the scenes" stuff took a while. But all the pot lights are in ( and working) and all the plumbing has been re-routed and we even have a functional sink now! I know, don't be jealous. 

The drywall and first coat of mud and tape are on!
I love how bright the space is with all the pot lights.
And yes, you better believe those are base cupboards...
My kitchen is in sight!

While changing up some of the piping, we came accross a NEST, kinda crazy,

don't worry all you tree huggers out there, Steve just transplanted it out of our house. We didn't think potential buyers would enjoy this particular feature....

We have only been at this a few weeks and I am already exhausted. Its difficult not to have a working kitchen and take out gets old REALLY fast. Its crazy how you budget your time and money and think you have it all figured out, and then you start your renos and realize you had no idea.. haha oh well I guess live and learn. I think the most difficult thing both Steve and I have incured is trying to decide where exactly to stop. We would love to redo everything but unfortunately our money tree is non-existant and expenses sure do pile up! We may not have a money tree but the flowering something tree ( I am not a gardener) in our front yard is absolutely gorgeous!!!

We finished the travertine tile in our bath surround and floor in the main bathroom and we love how it is turning out!!! Word of advice if anyone is renovating, travertine is gorgeous but because it is such a thick natural stone it takes a special saw and probably double the labour to cut and install. We are extremely happy with the end result though:)

Men are from Home Depot, Women are from Pottery Barn....

So we are about a week and a bit into our renos and things seems to be progressing well. Steve has been doing an incredible job facilitating everything at the house. This week has been what I deem "boy week." Ill explain what I mean. I like seeing big change i.e walls coming down, cupboards coming out, flooring ripped up. I hope in the next coming weeks that drywall will be going up, cupboards will be going in and new amazing flooring will be getting installed...but regardless I really don't give enough credit to the behind the scenes things like plumbing and electrical.

I like picking out nice light fixtures, choosing where pot lights will go, selecting the finishes and shapes of bathroom and kitchen fixtures but I have absolutely no interest in wires and tubes. I really have given it a shot but its not nearly as fun as the design side of things. I think I am officially 100% girl. Steve's number one concerns center around prepping sub floors, and the intricate involvement of the plumbing and electrical behind the walls. All I can do is envision where I will place the furniture, what accent colors I will be using and deciding which baseboard profile to go with... haha my poor husband!! I guess you need both sides of things to totally finish a house.

The stone continues to go up on the exterior, slowly yet surely it is coming together. I really did not want to put money into the exterior because, well, I'm like a budget Nazi, but Steve was right, it definitely is making a drastic improvement for the curb appeal. This past week again has been full of lots of challenges and changes, this next week the kitchen cupboards go in!!!!

The before pictures of the rock installation.....

This is the beginning of the rock being installed, we hope to have it all completed this weekend!

The kitchen continues to get demolished, every day there is less....

They have been prepping the sub floor for the travertine and cupboard installation. Lots and lots and lots of sawing, nailing and noise! The combo with my night shift schedule is definately making for interesting sleep patterns....







We cant get over well, how dirty everything ALWAYS is, and how much the house has been transforming!!

The Reno's begin....

Well, we have been living in our reno for five days now, and the exterior and interior are already taking on drastic transformations. We began taking down the dry wall yesterday, we started banging down a couple walls, and, well you will see the final outcome. I have a feeling that I won't be hosting any dinner parties for the next few weekends....

I got to take the first swing at the drywall!!!

All my handy-work....

Steve going to town on the wall, in my defence he also had a big hammer, if you notice I was only given the little one

You can see by these pictures how the house was quite closed off, both of us have been excited to open it all up!

Really starting to see how things are going to be looking

Such a disaster, right now we call it home, we are both really excited to have things moving along

This is with all the studs down, I cannot believe how much it has opened the house up. We walked in yesterday and it felt like we had walked into someone else's house! Its definitely a mess right now, but both of us are excited because we can see the possibility of what it can be. There is no turning back now:)

Our plan for this next week is to get all the plumbing and electrical fixed up, which I guess is important, but I am more excited at the prospect of our new kitchen going in next week!!! Steve has been doing an incredible job at keeping things on track. Im going to brag a little about him now. He truly can do anything, he seems to somehow understand how everything needs to work and go together. His endless patience is a huge asset in this reno. I think tip number one for renos would be marry a patient man....We will see what next week brings:)