Day 269 - The Fourth Quarter of the Game

We were thrilled to see the Delta Granite installation crew yesterday.  The guys were able to install almost all of the granite with just a few pieces slated for later installation.  The cuts had been made at the granite yard, so there was a minimal amount of fine tuning cuts done at the house.

Very Important Cargo

Slabs and sinks before installation

The crew didn't want their names on the blog :-)

The installers began their work in the master bathroom with the honey onyx vanity.  It was so exciting to see the stone installed.  The honey onyx was also installed on the peninsula in the master closet.  The guys put protective cardboard and paper on top of the peninsula before I was able to get a shot.  They were very thorough in cleaning the various pieces of granite and placing protective coverings before they left for the day.

Honey Onyx Vanity

The crew also installed the vanity sinks.

We selected black granite to cover the coffee bar in the master bedroom.  Black will be much more forgiving than the honey onyx for the inevitable spills of coffee by sleepy people!!

Master bedroom coffee bar

 The crew then installed the granite top for the lower cabinet in the master laundry room.  My challenge is going to be keeping this area clear of "junk" so we can use it for laundry room chores!!

Giallo San Francisco granite

We selected the same granite for the mudroom and the secondary laundry area.

Set down area in the mudroom - another place for junk!!

Utility sink area of the mudroom

Black Pearl granite was installed on three sides of the perimeter of the kitchen - the baking area, the microwave wall, and the cooktop wall.  I failed to get a shot of the cooktop wall, but here are the other two views.  The same granite was used in the upstairs bathroom.

Baking Area

Microwave wall

Upstairs bathroom vanity

Next up for installation was the granite for the two islands.  I managed to get one shot of the fellas working on the the outer island before I needed to break off from camera duty.   This is the granite we selected a few weeks ago to replace our original selection.  The new selection really goes nicely with the rock wall and we are thrilled with the look.

Nettuno granite on the outer island

 I was interrupted from camera duty to walk through the house with the door hardware representative form Ferguson. It was really instructive to go through our door hardware selections again.  We made some minor changes to improve utility as a result of the walk.

You might have noticed a toilet in one of the preceding pictures - we have potties!!!!!  Below are some random shots of three of our new "johns" and some of the plumbing fixtures.

Other action has been occurring outside with some of the flat work being poured - including the space for the arbor off of the patio.

Wood arbor will be built over this slab

The slab will be covered with same flagstone used on pool deck

And, the pool and firepit area are really taking shape - here's a shot from upstairs giving a pretty good perspective.

Pool and firepit deck area

We are really excited with the progress and now have a move-in date of late November.  So, we are in the "fourth quarter" of the game!!!!

Day 260 - Take Nothing for Granite

We are now officially 20 days over the estimated time to build the house and we are probably still 2 months away from the finish line.  But, good things take time and we are not in a hurry - we want the same care taken with the remaining phases of the project as with the previous phases.

The other day, Richard from Delta Granite, came out to measure the "templates" for the granite cuts and we discovered the slab of Alaska White granite selected for the two kitchen islands was too small.

Richard taking measurements

So, we went out to the granite yard and selected a new piece of granite - Nettuno.  We both are very happy with the new selection and think it may, in fact, be a better choice.  Being flexible is a lot less stressful than fretting because an earlier decision won't work!!!

Back to the granite yard again!!!

New granite selection - Nettuno

Ivan and his trim work crew (actually his Dad and brother) have completed installing the cedar beams across doorways and on two ceilings.  The beams will be stained the same color as the other trim work. These guys pay so much attention to detail and are very creative!!  I made them a burrito lunch the other weekend as a thank you for their beautiful work.  I felt funny taking shots of them while they were eating........

Entry Beam

Bruce's Study

Upstairs Bonus room

The deck around the pool has been formed and should be poured late this week or early next week.  As you can see, the layout is very "organic" with the intent of blending into the natural landscape.

Deck forms and steel rebar

Another shot of pool deck and start of waterfall structure

Firepit will be in the right rear

Waterfall is taking shape

Last year, I joined a bookclub at the local library and really enjoy chatting with the other members before we start our serious book discussion.  In early September, one of the members asked how the house project was progressing.  When I told her we were at the cabinet hardware selection stage, she whipped out her cell phone and called her son while simultaneously telling me he had a cabinet hardware business on wheels!!!!!  After a later discussion on the phone, Jonathan, of Push Pull Open Close brought his "hardware van" to the house for a consultation.  We had a great time putting hardware up against the cabinets and making selections for each room.  Jonathan is very, very knowledgable and has great design savvy.  Just goes to show ya, you can learn about wonderful sources in the most unlikely places.

Jonathan at work

Trays and trays of hardware to consider

Kitchen Pulls

Pulls for Bruce's study

Array of Selections

We were thrilled to have visits from family and friends this weekend.  My niece Stacy, her husband JJ, and daughter Jaysa came to see us Saturday morning.  We had a lot of fun going through the house and taking a Ranger ride so Jaysa could see the longhorn cattle up close!!  It was great to see them and we look forward to their next visit.

JJ, Stacy, Jaysa, Nancy on the front porch

And later in the afternoon, our friends who just finished building a home in Mystic Shores dropped by for a visit along with a visiting aunt from Oklahoma.  We had a fun time walking around the house and swapping "building issues" stories.

Gary, Neva, PJ, Bruce on the back porch

We are still making progress and there is more to come soon!!!

Day 247 - Worth the Wait

I've been promising cabinet pictures for at least two weeks, maybe more. Well, the cabinets have arrived and they have been worth the wait.......but you have to wait a little longer.

We had an "incident" at the house requiring a visit from one of Hays County's fine law enforcement officials.  The responding officer was quick to arrive, efficient and thorough in the investigation, courteous, and professional in every way.

Very quick response for non-emergency call

A criminal or cretin or general scumbag kicked in the unlocked front door - very stupid on so many levels and so unnecessary!!!!  The damage is being repaired quickly and the alarm/surveillance system activated.  So if the criminal tries again, the creep will get a big surprise.

Officer inspecting door frame

The damaged door was discovered by the cabinet installation crew who has been hard at work for days.  They set up "shop" on the back porch and garage to cut pieces for the finished cabinets.

Cutting crown molding

Garage "work stations"

I'll take you on a tour of the house with cabinet work still in progress.   We'll start in the mudroom and work our way around the house.  I apologize for the poor lighting in some of the pictures.

Mudroom sink area

Kitchen refrigerator surround

Kitchen work island

View from "barrier" island counter

Prep/bar/baking area

Cooktop Wall

"Barrier" island for serving and storage

Nancy's study understairs bookcase

Nancy Study desk area

Bookcases either side Nancy's desk

Great room - left of fireplace

TV will go this area

Guest room vanity

Bruce's study - fan will be raised to clear view of window

Bruce's study TV wall

Master Vanity

Very bad shot of master closet - no flash!!!

Master Laundry

Upstairs guest bathroom vanity

Upstairs window seat - needs thick, comfy cushion!

And you might have noticed some of the light fixtures and fans in the cabinet shots.  The guys aren't done with the fixtures yet, but here are some interim shots.

Banquette area fixture

Dining area fixture

Great Room Fan

Master bedroom fan in cove ceiling

We are thrilled with the progress and are looking forward to the finish of the cabinets, trim work, and the start of the granite process this week.