Bath tub to the stars...

I think I may be getting a tub like the one above. Actually, I think the one I may be able to get is a foot or so longer than the one in the photo. The only way I am able to get it is because a friend's design firm has one that they can't use so I may be able to buy it cheap. Hopefully it works out...

End of August update

This is from yesterday after work - I wasn't able to stop by the house tonight because I stayed later than expected at the office. Anyway, they are finally taking the plaster off the brick walls which is a good thing.

In terms of the over-all status of things, the tuckpointing is underway on the outside. The electrician, plumber and HVAC have provided estimates and should get started next week. While they are doing their thing inside the house the new steps & sidewalks, piers for the privacy fence and deck and (perhaps most importantly) the concrete pad for the hot tub will be poured. Then the privacy fence and the deck will be built (partially to deter thieves).

The plan is for the outside work to be finished about the time the electrician, plumber and HVAC get finished so the sheet rock can then start going up. According to the contractor this all should happen in the next six weeks.

Hopefully it does.

Another comparison

The first photo is what the back of the west side of the house looked like on August 7 and the second photo was taken today (August 26). While it isn't a huge difference it does show that some work is being done. If you take a close look at the lower photo you should be able to see that the mortar has been partially removed between a lot of the bricks in preparation for the new mortar to be applied (if that is what they call it).

View out the big window on the second floor

These photos were taken out of the hole in the wall where the second floor bathroom used to be. The replacement window will almost be the same size as the hole although the wall at the bottom will be built up to comply with the codes. Lovely view of the church's parking lot, don't you think? I am also hoping to convince the neighbor to let me cut down the tree that is leaning on the garage's roof...

Something being FIXED instead of demo'ed

This is hte first thing to be fixed (I think) on the house as opposed to being torn down. It is the fascia of the roof over the master bedroom (a horizontal piece (as a board) covering the joint between the top of a wall and the projecting eaves -- called also fascia board).

Also, the contractor is getting the construction permit from the city tomorrow so full-scale renovation will be starting soon.

Exposed staircase

Now that the plaster and lathe is all removed, the house has a different feel to it. It seems more open and loft-like in a way. Something that struck me tonight while at the house is that it might be interesting to leave one side of the stairs open to the floor below. The photo at the top shows the view towards the front of the house while the second photo gives a small view of either side. Leaving the front open would also mean that putting in the wall to create the study/first floor guest room would not happen. It would also mean that almost all of the first floor would be more or less open. The back could also be opened up although this would provide a view towards/into the first floor bathroom. At the least I may see if a foot or so on the back can be opened up so the stairs are less claustrophobic. As noted below, however, the shower will be above all this so none of these options may be able to be pursued as the stairs may need to stay the way they are to provide support for the second floor.

Fireplace

The brick above the fireplace is going to be left uncovered once it is all removed. It is in halfway decent shape which is a good thing.

Master bath shower

This is a view from the top of the stairs. You can see the side door down on the first floor. The master bath shower will be on the second floor - over the stairs. Sounds kinda weird but it was the best place to put it and the space is just about perfect.

New front stairs

I need to decide what kind of steps I want in the front. These two examples from other houses are what I think I want.

More demo

There is new stuff in the pile outside the back - old kitchen cabinets, radiators, etc. The brick man will be closing up the holes soon so everything inside that is coming out needs to be tossed out.



This photo was taken from the first floor, old kitchen (will be a bathroom) towards the front bay windows. Notice that you can see completely through the walls around the stairs...

And this photo was taken from the second floor bay windows toward the old kitchen (will become the master bath). You can also see through to the windows on the back of the house.

Second floor sans refuse

Compare this photo to the one below that shows the mounds of insulation. Looks MUCH better.

My future bedroom

My bed will be approximately where the wheelbarrow is sitting.


The photo was taken from the front towards the back where the master bedroom will be located. To the left of the half-french door is a sheet of plywood covering up the actual door opening. The wall between the master bedroom and the guest bath is where the framing is currently.

Update

The latest on the house is that the exterior demolition is mostly finished. On the inside the plaster is still on the exterior walls and the old bathroom walls still need to be taken down. Dumpster number four has been delivered. The tuckpointer has set up scaffolding on the back of the house and he will be starting shortly. Tomorrow I am meeting the contractor at the house to discuss the near final plans from the architect. I also think that the tuckpointer and the electrician may be there to discuss their parts of the project.

Things are moving along although I can’t really gauge if things are on schedule for an October finish. Probably not but I can hope…

Back of the house

Piles of insulation

This is a photo of the mounds of insulation on the second floor as of last Thursday. A lot of this is now in the huge pile behind the house.

Second floor - front bedrooms

This photo was taken looking from approximately what will be the second/guest bathroom into the east front bedroom. Where the studs are will be a wall/closet separating the two bedrooms. Plus there will be a small foyer at the entrance to the front balcony so both bedrooms have equal access to it. You should also be able to see that there aren't huge piles of insulation on the floor anymore (although I think I need to post that photo).

What is left of the sunrooms...

This photo is of the "foot print" of the former sunrooms. A couple of things to notice:
-the two spots of darker foundation is where the holes in the basement wall were patched.
-in the right middle you can see a small portion of what is left of the sunrooms' foundation. It is only one layer of bricks thick.
-the rectangular block in the bottom right corner is the pier that was sinking. It is no wonder the foundation wasn't holding as the pier was only about a foot underground.

Insulation

This is only part of the masses of insulation from above the second floor ceiling. Still more upstairs to dump out.

First floor

The wall between the living room and the new kitchen is completely down. The area seems huge - this photo doesn't quite convey the feeling...