Day 289 - We've Got Mail.....Almost

As we slowly creep toward the completion of the house (December now seems the likely move-in month), new structures are being erected to finish out the project.

We have had an address from the county for over a year and now we have a mailbox!!  This structure holds the mailbox, a spot for newspapers, and a rear niche to stow the garbage can before we haul it back to the house on garbage day.  We gave the masons a sketch and they did a great job of executing our idea!!

The mail carrier already left us a note.

Another set of masons has been hard at work building the firepit and placing flagstone on the pool walls and steps.

Finishing the fire pit

Oklahoma Flagstone pool wall

Can't wait until the pool is plastered and filled!!!!

The third outdoor structure underway is the arbor at the end of the back porch.  The crew is doing a great job of following the curves of the porch arch.  They still have a lot of work to finish the arbor, but we are hoping it will be finished soon.

Beams cut to match porch opening

View into porch

Looking out from porch.  Landscaping will hide electrical boxes.

Ivan the Magnificent (aka our trim carpenter) returned and installed the newel posts, balusters, and the hand rails for the staircase.  I am really looking forward to the finished stairway with stained wood and carpeting.

Large newel anchors the bottom of the stairs

Simple, plain landing newel

Handrail on the back wall

The tile crew is waiting for material, but they have made a great start on the tile trim in the master bathroom.  

Onyx seat in the master shower

Onyx mosaic frame for middle vanity mirror; electric plate will be mirrored

Wooden framed mirror will be placed at pencil lines

So, that's all the news for now, but much more to come before we are done!!!!

Day 283 - On the Surface

Work has been progressing on installing different kinds of surfaces.  The wood floors are being laid, the pool deck was poured, and the tile crew started installing the back splashes in the kitchen.

Installation of our wood floors should be finished tomorrow.  We found out today the job has taken so long because the crew is missing one guy.  The lead floor expert apologized to me about the length of time to complete the job - one of his crew just decided to quit coming to work!!!!  I am learning it takes a certain kind of patience to work in the home building business.....not to mention being the customer on the receiving end of the work.  That philosophy aside, here's a tour of the wood floors to date.  Try to imagine the floors cleaned of all of the dust!!!!

Kitchen facing mudroom hall

Between cooktop wall and middle island

Great room

Great room facing fireplace

Another shot near fireplace

Nancy's Study

Guest room

Foyer with tools

Bruce's study

Master bedroom in work

After many delays caused by rain and the corresponding disruption of schedules, the pool deck was poured yesterday.  We were a little worried the longhorns might decide to roam over the concrete before it cured, but there was enough activity around the house to keep the cattle at bay.  So, we don't have any interesting hoof prints around the pool!!!

Fun to see big, heavy equipment again!

Pouring the "mud"

Moving the "mud" around

Troweling the concrete smooth

Side view of steps to patio

Steps down to fire pit area

Another view of steps to patio

Salting the concrete

Starting to "cure"

Fire pit area

We met with the tile subcontractor and his crew the other day to go over the design for the backsplashes.  It was an important meeting because we were able to clarify a few confusing details.  It is a lot of fun to see selections we made so long ago become reality.

Working on baking center wall

It is a messy, detailed job

Cooktop wall covered in "Speckled Dove"

Another view of cooktop wall

Corner detail of "Speckled Dove: and travertine

The kitchen perimeter of same tiles, just reversed

At the apartment, Skeeter wanted to be a part of the action, too.  So, he helped Bruce approve a request from a neighbor to build a stable.

Day 276 - Woulda, Coulda, Shoulda

It's been raining off and on for several days here in Central Texas. The rain is really needed since this area has been in drought conditions for a number of years.  The wet weather has stopped the outside work on the pool deck, but the crew installing the wood floors was able to get started.  They had to drive over a huge mud hole at the end of the road base forming our driveway.........ah, the joys of a construction site!!!!

Before we go out to the house, here are a couple of views of the balcony/patio at our apartment.  We have enjoyed our location looking out over a backyard of trees leading to the dry creek bed.  And the apartment kitties love the location as well.  They hang out together on the patio lounging on chairs, tables, and flower pots.  They peacefully share
(for most part) share food and water bowls.  To the left are Raven (black kitty) and Skeeter who is now a true part of our family.

In every construction project there are "oops" moments from time to time.  The plumbers discovered one of those moments when they delivered the bath tub.  It seems the frame for the tub was not built correctly.  The opening is too big for the tub and there is no place to put the faucet set.  So, our pretty tub will sit in its box for a while longer until the framers can correct the mistake.

Not ready for soaking yet!!!!

Another "oops" moment was related to the staircase components.  There was an "LOS" - loss of signal as my space buddies know it - regarding the design of the newels and balusters we requested.  So, the hardware to hold the handrail is in place while the correct components are ordered.  When the right stuff (catch my space theme today?) is delivered, work on the staircase will resume.

Handrail will go here

Meanwhile, the wood was delivered in between rain showers and is safely housed in the master bedroom.  That is a lot of wood!!!!

Engineered Wood

The wood flooring crew placed on top of the wood pile a variety of tools required to do the job  including painters tape, mineral spirits, rags, a tool chest, and a chalk snap line.  It has been fun to see the types of tools the different trades bring to do their job.

Wood flooring guys tool chest

Snap Line Kit

The chalk snap line was used to mark the cement for the placement of the wood flooring pieces.

Dot in circle is starting point.

Note floor plug in right background

The wood flooring guys also set up a couple of saws in the garage.  We have seen many types of saws used on this project.  Some of the trades have invested a lot of money in very sophisticated saws.

Simple table saw

Mitre Saw

Here's a shot of the start of the wood layout.  It will be great fun to watch this puzzle of wood get put together.  I hope to have progress shots very soon!!!!