Backyard Project #1.5 - The Gravel Path

 After much sketching and staring at the dirt, I finally decided upon a path shape that will meander from the gravel patio, through the wildflower meadow, and down to the deck.  Since the pond and the deck are still just pipe dreams, and knowing the land upon which I stand to be a veritable rock quarry, I'm not sure where the exit path will be.  I know where I want the pond and the deck, but that doesn't mean they'll actually be where I want them.  For now I've laid the entrance path and the loop, and edged the area I want to be my meadow (vs. the area beyond it, which is whatever happens to grow in craptastic soil).

I've used the no-dig edging that wouldn't work for the patio, and while it's fairly easy to create circular patterns with that, it's a little more difficult to curve the straight landscape fabric.  I did the best I could, and tried to keep the path equal in width the entire way.  Unfortunately - see the above description of my property - pins don't always pound in where you want them, even on ground that's been excavated heavily. 

Close enough.  I'm hoping once the dirt is down and plants are growing, the path won't be such a focal point.

I must have miscalculated for my pea stone, because it's very thick on the patio and makes walking a little tricky.  Since I obviously had some to spare, I skimmed a layer off the patio and used it for the path.  This section is thinner, and I didn't need to use the base gravel. 

I used the remaining edging to define the perimeter of the meadow, which isn't an exact geometric shape, either.  Perfectionists will lose their minds if they enter my back yard.

Before my loam arrives, I need to dig up that last bit of stubborn stuff invading my meadow, and I need to finish the edging on the patio ends.  

I'm debating whether to hire a fence company to install the short bit of privacy fence that will run from the house to just beyond the bathtub (still covered for winter...I knew I wouldn't be using it this year!) or to do it myself.  I've done so much fencing in the last six or seven years that I'm pretty much over it, but I need to save my pennies, too.  I have a feeling I'll end up doing it myself, and my back will hate me even more.

Vanity Blues

 Day 122 had me near tears with the plumbing issues.  When the builder sends me a text that reads, "Hey Jen, do you have a minute?" it usually means I'm about to be disappointed.  Well, it turns out the bathroom vanity I bought on Craigslist to save myself some money is pretty much junk.  Not the vanity itself, but the faucet wouldn't stop running.  A steady thin stream of water kept pouring out no matter what the plumber tried.  Guess what?  New faucet time.  *sigh*  The builder tried to cheer me up by firing up my super duper old lady Pat Boone-made-me-buy-it tub, which promptly began to leak through the floor.  I walked out before I burst into tears.  Ten minutes later I was informed there was something that the factory hadn't tightened, but it was all set now and the tub won't leak again.  Hopefully.  Oh, by the way...did you pick up some hoses for your washing machine?  You know they don't come with them anymore.

No, I was not aware of this.  *tears up*

So I have about ten different parts orders that I'm waiting for now, and I can't get an occupancy permit until all plumbing is finished and working.  Bummer.

BUT...

 The toilets are in, and even Roo is impressed.  The downstairs toilet is a bit of a monster.  It has to pump up to the septic tank, and there's a pump/grinder behind it that ensures only tiny particles are being moved through the dispersal pipe.  When that grinder comes on, it's very loud, and a little frightening.  But hey - I hadn't planned to have a downstairs bathroom, so I'm not going to knock it!  How nice will that be when I'm gross from doing outside chores and don't want to go all the way up to the main bathroom?  Wicked.  Wicked friggin' nice.

I've started pickling the inside of the front door to take some of the yellowy curse off of it.  Hopefully one more coat should do it.

My garage is clean as a whistle!  I actually pulled Clementine, my truck, in there last night.  I didn't think she'd take up as much room as she does, but it'll still be nice to have her high and dry come winter.  There should be room enough for Reputa the tractor and some other equipment in there, too.  

And here's the backyard pièce de résistance.  Remember the ugly sewer vent? 

That horrible pipe I was going to have to live with in my backyard and look at day in and day out?  Well, check this out.  

How cool is that?!?  It's a solar light on an upright vent attachment that allows the pipe to do its job, but in a not-so-ugly way!  Once I get some loam in there and start building my gardens and lawn area, you'll barely know it's a functional ornament.  

It's all about the little victories.

Once Again...The Doors

 Days 118 and 119...it's down to the wire!  

The kitchen faucet is now in...I went crazy and bought one of those touch faucets. 

Also note the cabinet hardware is on.  I absolutely love it!  Here's a closeup of the beautiful Celtic knot detail:

The "front" door is now up, but needs to be trimmed.  I'm painting the porch side deep blue and am just going to polyurethane the kitchen side, I think.  I'm on the fence between leaving it natural or pickling it (white, of course).  It feels like a lot of natural wood in this corner.  I need to live with it for a little longer before I decide.

The builder went above and beyond with the downstairs doors.  I'm so in love with these!  I plan to give them a light whitewashing or stain, so you can still see the woodgrain.

bathroom/utility room door

A little bit of trim, the last of the plumbing and electrical, and some paint touch-ups, and it should be ready for the final inspection. 

So close...

 The house progress came to a slight standstill last week, but it's back on track now.  Days 115 through 117 saw my dryer and my kitchen stove arrive, finally!

...and my stair railing went up (so fancy!)...

...and the front door arrived.  

But the best thing was today, because today my countertop finally arrived and was put in and I love it - definitely worth the wait.

The plumber was here and set up the sink and dishwasher, so that part is finally underway, too.

Happy belated birthday to me.  😊

Risers and Treads

It's been pretty much just putty and paint and more little things here and there for days 103,104, and 105.  Well, except this.

Holy crap, my stairs are GORGEOUS.

I almost don't want to cover them up.  They will, however, get a coat or two of grey stain.  

...in which we catch up with construction doings.

 Days 96 through 102...we're back to little stuff that doesn't make you go WOW!  Things like patching drywall, putting up trim, painting trim, zzzzzzzzzzzzz...kinda boring.  I mean, the builder's doing a great job, it's just not the most exciting phase.  Unfortunately the countertops have been delayed, which in turn delayed the plumber, which set a bunch of stuff back a while.  Although the propane company was out today, which is a week earlier than expected.  They did a site survey and should be back with my tank soon, and I'll be ready for all my - as Hank Hill eloquently says - propane and propane accessories.  

But the antique barnboard has been put to use.

And the downstairs fire rated doors have been installed.

And my washing machine has arrived.

My range hood has also arrived.  My dryer and oven should be here within a week or so, but unfortunately my refrigerator delivery has been pushed back to June 8th.  It was supposed to be here this coming Tuesday, April 20th.  Bear in mind, I ordered it in February.  Covid delay?  Suez Canal blockage?  ALIENS?!?!?  

How frustrating.

Ladies and Gentlemen...the Doors

 Day 94 the builder worked on door trim upstairs.  I was surprised to find that even with the trim, the French doors still open flat against the inside walls when fully opened. Very cool!

My interior doors were delivered on day 95, and I'm absolutely in love with the style!  I'm so glad we were able to get them in a Shaker design rather than the traditional colonial style; I think the Shaker feels more cottage-y, which is the kind of vibe I'm going for.  

The closet doors are all hung, as well as the bathroom and bedroom doors.

bedroom closet - Shaker style in bypass doors, no less!

bedroom door

Even a super skinny door for the broom closet!

There are two fire doors in the same style for downstairs, as well.  The only door that hasn't shown up is the front door, which the builder ordered in pine.  I plan to stain the exterior face in a deep blue, and clear coat the interior face to leave it natural wood.  I can't wait to see them all with the final hardware, which should be black. 

The plumber showed up the other day and apparently it'll be next week before he comes back.  My floating shelves are on the way, as well as my washing machine.  Sooooo close!

Floored!

 Day 92, and the rest of the kitchen flooring is down, as well as the middle room.  The only flooring touch ups left are the thresholds.

After talking with the contractor, I've decided to forego the crown molding on the cabinets.  Since the cabinet sections are small and broken up, the molding would look foolish.  Instead I'll leave them as is and I'm sure I'll find some dust collecting items to display on top of the cabinets.  

I've ordered two natural wood looking floating shelves to put between the cabinets above the sink.  I still haven't settled on a hood vent, and that space on the right-hand wall looks awfully bare right now.

Day 93 was the flooring in the media room, and I am so in love with this color that I almost wish I'd done the main house in it instead of the grey.

Without windows the media room will be darker than the rest of the house, so I wanted a flooring that would warm it up and brighten it.  Plus, all my existing furniture is dark wood or in the brown/beige family, so I needed a room where it wouldn't look out of place.  It will work great with this flooring choice...that is, if my furniture is even usable at this point.  Nearly three years in a storage unit that isn't exactly sealed means I'm probably going to have to throw out quite a few things.  The last time I was over there, I noticed some mouse droppings on some of the boxes.  I'm sure they've been having a field day inside my couch and mattresses.  We'll see how bad it is soon enough; I'm hoping next month will be the big clean out, and I'll finally have all of my stuff back.

Let There Be Light!

 The electricians were back on days 85 and 86 installing pot lights, outlets, and switches.  My kitchen/dining room area looks like a landing strip.

All of these lights are on dimmer switches.  They're nothing like the giant button style dimmers I'm used to; these are tiny nubs next to the switch.

The garage is well lit, too!  I'm so excited to be able to have a year round work space.

 

My bedroom ceiling fan and the center mount light for the media room were also installed, as well the outside porch lights.  They'll be back in a few weeks to finish up the rest of the lights/outlets.  

On day 87 the Heat Guy was back, and he hooked up the mini split.  They're running as I type, keeping the house warm for floor installation.  The contractor finished flooring the bathroom, hall, bedroom, and closets.  I can't wait to see the main living area all done...maybe by the end of the week?  Fingers crossed.

Addendum

 I forgot to post a photo of the pasture side of the house all sided and purdy lookin'!

I'm debating whether or not to paint the cement white or leave it as is.  Maybe I can try my hand at veneer and put some stone up?  

That sounds like something I could screw up beyond belief...

In other non-house news, we've had a bobcat wandering through every week or so.  What a gorgeous animal; I have to wonder if it's the same one I photographed a few years ago.  This cat is pretty big, though.  You can just barely make it out in the center of this photo:

I'm hoping to be lucky enough to get a photo of it when it's in the open.

Drywall 'n such.

 Days 67, 68, and 69...I'm not really sure what went on.  A little siding, a little clean up, and what have you.  But day 70 was all about drywall.  And yes, it DEFINITELY makes everything brighter!

from the main house into the middle room

kitchen and dining room area

looking back into the kitchen and middle room

living room with lots of equipment in the way

  

looking into my bedroom from the little hall

down the stairs

the utility room in the basement

garage area in the basement

All of these photos were taken at dusk, so that shows how much lighter it really is upstairs.  Downstairs I had to use a flash, unfortunately.  Not so many windows, you know.  And a lot of the photos were hard to get in small rooms.

The crew will be back to mud and tape soon, and the electric company was here to hook up power to the three outlets that have been installed in the new house.  I'm getting more and more excited about the end closing in.  Maybe I'll be in by my birthday, wouldn't that be cool?