Day 324

Lottsburg, we have Approval...
Thursday the county inspector came through the cottage and left this wonderful green sticker that gives us approval to move in to the newly renovated "Cottage."
Barbie is seen putting the most important items into the kitchen, wine glasses. We are first concentrating on getting the kitchen up and running. Next will be the bedroom.
Guessing that may be able to spend the first night next weekend. I have a shoot on Wed. and Thurs. in DC.
As you can imagine this has been a real journey from last November. For Barb and I we have enjoyed all the encouragement from everyone who has followed along. The blog has been eye opening for me to keep up with the progress of the project. The completed project took just under the eight month estimate. Four months now seems very, very optimistic. Barb and I both agree that the "product" is certainly worth the wait. Walking around the Cottage and working in the kitchen has convinced us that we will be very comfortable.
We will keep folks informed of our progress through Emails and Facebook but the blog is to be retired.
Thanks to all and we hope to see y'all soon.
All best!

Day 320

We have counters and tile...
The tile work on the surround of the gas fireplace was completed today. Can clearly imagine sitting in the living room on a winter evening basking in the warm glow of the fire, and no splitting or carrying wood.
The granite came today for the kitchen counter tops and was installed in under two hours. The top is not highly polished but has a "leather" finish which comes through as matte. There is a subtle texture to the top as you run your hand over it.
With these two events completed we can now have the county inspector come by, hopefully tomorrow, to give us the OK for habitation of the abode. Hardly seems possible we are that close...
When asked about when we will move in I have been saying "in about two weeks" for what seems to be the last three months.
Our friend Patrick has been an absolute jewel to tolerate us for as long as he has. We will welcome him frequently but this time in our house.

Day 316

Inching ever closer to Move In!
Lights are important, especially at night so we have most of the lights wired and working...
The county inspector breezed through and told the contractor that all we needed was the mantle around the fireplace tiled and the counters in the kitchen installed for a final inspection.
Tile work to be done next Monday and Tuesday...
Kitchen counters to be installed next Tuesday. Then there will be some little things done and with the final inspection we can begin moving back in the New and Improved Cottage.
The tedious nature of getting the final steps scheduled and accomplished can be nerve wracking but now we're able to see the final product.
I feel confident in saying that we are certainly in the "home stretch."

Day 306

We have closet, we have door knocker, we have fireplace, we have gutters...

Today the job site was abuzz with activity getting the gutters installed. Certainly will help move the water away from the "cottage."
The gas fireplace was installed in the living room which will help provide heat on cold winter nights, if we have any of those in the future. Now we have to get the surround tiled which will look a lot better than the 2x4's you see in the photo.
Derek installed the Elfa system in the walk in closet so that we may hang our clothes, a really modern, 20th Century concept.
The "red" front door now has a brass sailboat knocker that Barb gave me for my birthday five years ago...some things take a bit longer than others...
We do have a glitch in the counter installation...seems to have been by a couple of days...waiting for a call from the salesman...
Think we're waiting for the county inspector to sign off on the mechanicals and then begin moving in. William Cooke hasn't heard from him...
Getting close.

Day 302

Getting ever closer...
Big week for progress...Second floor is essentially finished with a working bathroom, carpeting in the bedrooms, etc.
Entrance is now on a real step, not the two concrete blocks from three feet...I'll really miss that exercise step...
Kitchen is coming into place...counter top guy was here to measure and should return with the final install mid next week...
County inspector is expected for final on utilities...
Next week the propane guys come back for final install of gas fireplace, cooktop, and a line for the grill on the deck...
Boogie down!!!!

Day 299

Tallyho Tuesday...
Big crew working today, inside and out...
Connecting the plumbing for the bathrooms and kitchen...had a third coat of polyurethane yesterday to set the floors.
Top pic crew is beginning to set the form for the entrance from the valet parking lot...cement to be poured tomorrow...
Lower right is the new 12' wide deck which will have "sock hops" on a regular basis...
Contractor will try to schedule inspector for Friday...Then, with permission, move in...
"Right on schedule."

Day 294

Very important events...
First: Yesterday the stain was applied to the wood floors and today the crew is back to put down the first coat of polyurethane...Tomorrow they will come back to apply the second coat...The dark walnut stain really sets off the entrance foyer. The stair risers will be painted gray, like the upper back wall of the foyer.
Second: The guys on the right are checking out the septic system and setting it to run automatically. They finished and pronounced it operating very well, and that's a very good thing. Now remember this was a "dry" run with fresh water. I will take their word for the good operation. There is a red light and alarm on the control box should anything go wrong. I will have the technician's number at the top of the list on my phone.
A lot will be happening next week so stay "tooned."

Day 291

Deck, Lights & Carpet...
We're rollin' now...
Little things take a while to finish. Work is progressing on connecting the water to the house and getting the outside faucets put in, reconnecting the line to the dock.
Tomorrow the appliances will get moved around off the living room floor to get ready for the stain and varnishing that starts Wednesday...
Are we ready yet?

Day 287

Electricity and into the 21st Century...

The Electric Coop crews came in this morning and jumped all over the install of the poles and lines...By 2:00 pm there was power to the "Cottage" and the lights were on in the kitchen...

The top right pic Ricks is trenching for the water line from the pump house to the cottage...he is also running the electrical line from the house to the pump...

The middle left pic is William and Robbie talking over and laying out the deck on the "front" of the cottage...

We're moving now...

Day 285

               

         


             

Tree, I think I won't see some trees any more...
The crew came in to clear the way for the new electric service poles from the road...they came in about 8:00am to clear three big trees and a bunch of smaller pines. The top left pic is the beginning of the process. The bottom right photo is the penultimate felled tree while the tree in the middle of the frame will be felled tomorrow morning. There will be no excuse for anyone passing by the place by saying they couldn't see the house...Note that the Boston Red Sox flag was ceremonial removed from the back on the studio with due respect...
The bottom two pix are of the vanities in the Master Bath and the 2nd floor Bath...
Let's keep the momentum going...

Day 284

Stairway to the 2nd floor....
Really looking good and coming together...
Much as I thought things were going to accelerate a couple of weeks ago, now I think because the Elec. Coop will begin clearing the property line to get electric service back to the house, they say weather permitting by the weekend.
Robbie, the finishing carpenter, has done a really great job on the balusters and railing for the stairs. It's take about two days but the results will be stunning after stain and finish...
Stay tuned for the posts should be coming a bit more often...

Day 278

 


Doors and trim...
We got the doors and trim installed and ready to paint...
When the paint gets done the wood floors can be stained and finished...
Gonna try to keep on the faster track...

More stuff coming...

Day 274

Doors hung...
The start of the door hanging commenced today...progress
Painting is finished, remainder of lights will arrive early next week...
More doors and baseboards...then the finishing the floors...
Have a great weekend...

Day 271

Ever closer...

We almost have our "air moving" equipment installed (upper left)...tomorrow should finish up the instal...

The kitchen cabinets have been moved out to be flush with the refer and the counter will cover the top to the wall...

Stained trim is being installed in the foyer...you are getting an advance peek, the beams and the floor will be stained the trim color...

The "exhibit ledge" in the foyer is being trimmed out...

Just this afternoon the crew from "Asplendah" (tree trimmers) stopped by to scope out the job they will begin next Wednesday...

Interior doors are to arrive in the next day or so...when they are hung and the baseboard is installed the floor guys will return to sand, stain and finish the floors...

OK, I'm now getting too far ahead of myself and certainly don't want to spoil the surprises that lay in store over the next couple of weeks...

We're gonna start a lottery for the "move in" date... Anyone with the closest guess without going over will get an 8x10 glossy Cralle as a puppy. Email your guesses...

Happy guessing...

Day 264

We have Lights (fixtures)...
Finishing touches being put on the painting...Electricians have been busy putting in switches and outlets...
News from the NN Electric Coop is that they will begin August 1st to clear right of way (about two days) and then begin installing poles and electric power to the house...it a bit later that expected but then can't expect too much more...
Bit of confusion from supplier on the interior doors whether they are in stock from manufacturer or not...maybe will arrive Tuesday or next Thursday...trim and baseboards have been delivered and primed...wood floor finishing should be completed sometime in the near future...
Did have a hope to get in before the end of July but that has been dashed...
We will move in...

Day 258

Really big show at the job site today...

The cabinets arrive and work has begun on the stair treads and risers...painting in the living room and dining room to make ready for finishing the floors.

Derek jockeyed the cabinets into place with a bit of cajoling and urging (I was too far away to hear the language used)...Remember this is the wall that was part of the old building...the new part is good and plumb but the old part, well you understand getting old, right?

Millwork (that's trim for civilians) and doors will be next...Floors will be stained and finished, maybe that will be first...I'm never quite sure of the schedule until it happens...

Setting the appliance in place, carpeting, and the counter tops in the kitchen...

Somewhere in there the electricians will come back in and install the lights, switches and plugs...

Oh, yea, cannot forget the Northern Neck Electric Coop to put in the poles and connect the house to the  Power Grid...then the gas company will install the tank, line and fireplace.

We're close but still have "stuff" to do...