The Final Few Weeks.

The past few weeks the crew has been installing wall and floor finishes  in the bathrooms, laundry and first floor.  Ceramic and porcelain tile was selected and installed in the two second floor bathrooms and marble was used for the powder room.  The master bathroom shower area came out looking very clean and modern through the use of 6" x 24" plank tiles stacked vertically with 12" x 24" planks for the floor. 

Due to the age of the building, the first floor had a few areas which were uneven and slightly sloped.  A condition which is pretty common for vintage buildings.  This was fixed by placing wood sleepers (cut with a slope) and new 3/4" plywood over the entire floor area.  This level sub-floor was then ready for the pre-finished, carbonized bamboo flooring.  It is now installed and it looks great! Slate and marble tile was installed in the front entry. The existing stair was refurbished with new oak treads and painted risers.  All the floor and wall finishes have come out exceptional.

first floor w/ new plywood subfloor.

new bamboo flooring

The exterior siding is installed but some of the corner trim boards still need to be completed.

I'm working on the finalizing the Family Room fireplace / storage design.  The west wall will have a modern gas fireplace with built-in shelving and a raised, horizontal concrete hearth.  Mosaic tile will surround the firebox and wood trim will finish off the entire area.  Painted wood shelving will provide areas for accessories, books and electronics.  There are provisions for a  flat-screen television which could be placed directly above the fireplace.

The interior will be primed tomorrow and painted by the end of the week.  The cabinets and vanities will be installed Wednesday.  Set-up for the terrazzo counters will begin Thursday with the concrete pouring to take place on Saturday. 

The lighting and plumbing fixtures will be installed this week.  The deck and trellis will be completed next week -- just in time to enjoy our Spring weather.  Carpet installed next week.  Finishing touches and staging the second week of February.

Dry wall up.....finishes to follow.....siding being installed.

Dry wall is hung and should be taped, sanded and primed by Friday afternoon.  The first floor  plan appears even more  spacious than the actual square feet it occupies.  The abundant amount of sunlight from the large side yard and minimal interior walls are two reasons which contribute to the open feeling.  The bamboo flooring will be installed next week.  Cabinets will follow.  We're assembling materials for the concrete (polished terrazzo) kitchen countertops.  These will be poured in place which is different from the mold formed countertops I fabricated for my home.  Pouring in place eliminates the need to move the heavy counters but also requires exact formwork and involves more work for the polishing phase since its in a finished kitchen area -- lots of plastic tarps to cover walls, cabinets, floors, etc.  



view from family room looking south to kitchen and living room

Siding and exterior trim are being installed and will be complete by the end of the week.  The side deck and trellis will be started next week. That will wrap up the majority of the exterior work.  We've been very fortunate with the mild weather so far.....I think that's about to change. 
The front exterior entry will have a standing seam metal roof in a orange / red hue to provide some color for the front facade.  



exterior siding installed



Plumbing fixtures and electrical fixtures are 90% purchased. The floor and wall tile selections are being finalized.  Paint colors will be selected - - mostly white wall with a few accent colors.

We're quickly winding this project up and have about three weeks of intensive finishing left.