Installing the last window is momentous!

Last window house #1 2007- Last window house #2 2010-
So, I know it is 2011 but this was one of our last projects of 2010. It was 9 pm and I was in my slippers, standing outside in my robe, hoisting a giant window into the giant opening in the wall. Hoping that the neighbors would not mind our construction noise for just 30 more minutes. After which, Greg said "Got it?" And I prayed the weight of my head would support the mass long enough for him to place a few nails! It did.

Since installing this window a lot of people have asked us why we wanted to put a giant window in our homes most intimate space? I get it, I really do. But my first thought is, "Why not?" I can think of about a-ga-gillion reasons to do it, natural light being my first and most prominent reason. My second is good design. My third, natural light. Fourth, balance. Fifth, have I mentioned natural light? Because really, it's reason enough for me!

Insert clever hearth title here

We tackled the removal of the family room hearth and were surprised to discover that the bulk of it was filled with sand! This of course is understandable and made disposal a lot simpler. Greg constructed this nifty strainer out of the mesh grate to filter the sand into our wheelbarrow so we could til it into the garden. Surprisingly, this ingenious idea was mine. For the record.

A few more...and the wall came tumbling down

This event really does deserve multiple posts. It was a very big deal that the wall was NOT load bearing and that it came down so effortlessly. It has also been a very big deal to have a big room since it left us.

I found It!

So, remember how I told you I couldn't find the picture of my paint drama in the living room? Well, it's a new years miracle! See? A picture really is worth a thousand words.

now you see out of it | now you don't...and a wall update

So, the twin window seats are a dream come true, or at least they will be! Here is the former window situation and a shot of the twins together, with that silly wall in the way. We have submitted a request to an architect to determine if the wall is load bearing. Initial reports are good which is hugely exciting! Once we have a green light the wall will come falling down and we will sheet rock our great room! This week?

Yay} foyay

The stripes were applied with a meticulous hand. Greg graphed the area to determine the appropriate width of each stripe to ensure a perfect circle. After applying the bottom coat, he marked everything off as shown using a green painters tape and a guide he made out of a ruler. Then before applying the darker color he used a small hand brush and saturated the tape with the base color.

The great paint debate

I am completely stumped! I have been sitting on this post trying to locate a picture I am sure I took of the living room with all of our samples splattered all over the walls. The picture really would have said it all. We invested about $30 in $5 paint samples trying to figure out what color to paint the living room. I must humbly admit that this is the first time I have ever been so indecisive with paint. But, this room is vaulted and has lots of changing light. Paint on the wall would look one color by the window and then look completely different just 12 inches away! Needless to say, it was a challenge and the finished product is a story in and of itself.

Along the way to this color we tried various Benjamin Moore golden hues. Good news is, we now have a color for the great room. Then we explored taupe, and various yellowish greens. Not loving any of these we both recalled a Ralph Lauren color, Cotswold Breechest which we had used in my mom's kitchen. So, we tracked down a sample of it, thinking with all the light it would be just a shade lighter than we recalled the kitchen-perfection! Until we put it up and were surprised by how dark it was. We added white. Perfect! Greg heads out to Miller to match it before the sale ends at 5. When he get's back he admits he changed his mind at the last minute for a greenish taupe: Devine - CRUNCH. I looked at him in utter disbelief and secret jubilation. Now if it's wrong it won't be my fault! So, without further ado...our living room in Devine Crunch. What do you think?

Jumping for Joy } Tile's In

Tile: American Olean Hennesey Place 12 by 12

Store: Interstate Flooring Co.

We felt something glossy was right for this space. We wanted the look of marble but the price and durabilty of ceramic, so we decided on porcelain. We also chose a light color to open it up and make it feel bigger. Some words we hope will describe this space when it is complete are: spacious, formal, welcoming. Cheers to step 1 complete!

Look for step two...PAINT!

Greg and I are especially proud of this crawl space cover he designed in the closet. It is perfect!

First Window In...barely

When you are installing your own windows you have to do it in order of priority. For us, the first window to change was easy to select. Just listen for the one that rattles when you walk down the hall, has no screen and gets full afternoon sun. It will lead you to bedroom number three, aka the office/guest room.

Greg installed all the windows in our last house, this should be cake, in theory! The caveat, as there always is with these sorts of things, was a miscalculation in the size of the window. The fin on the former 1969 window had a step down that is no longer used, and was not anticipated. Long story short, the new window's are approximately 1/4" too large all the way around for the allotted space.

{Insert me panicing}

Fortunately for me, I married an engineer who found a solution by making the space mildly larger. Seems simple enough but is mildly involved. At least they'll be snug! Nice save babe!

Windows have arrived!

Windows: Milgard

Store: Parr Lumber } Windows and doors

It is a happy day when the window truck pulls up and loads 13 glorious double paned windows into your garage. You have to embrace the moment and play a little.

Hello beautiful kitchen bay window, oh, how I love thee!

Move over Hoover

Some housewives, like my mother prefer a traditional vacuum, a Hoover or a Kirby. Not me, give me the power of a Ridgid shop vac any day. Us remodeling mom's with toddlers know a real vacuum when we see it!

Bell Jar Lanterns have arrived!

Fixtures: Crystorama Camden Clear Glass Pendants

Sometimes you have to stand your ground. If a space calls for a bell jar, it shall have a bell jar! As with all relationships you have to give and take and this was a house decision I was not willing to budge on. This space needed a bell jar. Did I mention that? Anyway, we shopped forever and finally settled on two of these little beauties from Crystorama.

Bell jars are timeless and the antique brass finish will complement the creams and greens that will be used in this space. The light bouncing off the rippled glass jars and glossy flooring will also create an enchanting effect.

Stay tuned to see them in their up and working in their new space!

Date Night ~ Late Night

It's 11:27 pm and he lays the first tile. The crowning moment of one of our recent date nights. I bring out the camera because I think this moment might be one that will challenge my ability to create art and beauty with my camera.

He is so loving with his tile, gingerly inspecting each peace before placing it. He measures and re-measures and in the stillness of this moment I am reminded why I love him.

Front Door

Door: Lowe's

Hardware: Emtek

So, here is the front door on day one. The door itself is hidden by the screen, so I will just tell you it was a plain, white, wooden door. Given it's age and the weather, it had warped and lacked energy efficiency. Of course we planned to replace it. I must confess, it has been a journey to reach a decision about what exactly to replace it with.

I am a huge fan of light and really wanted a door with glass but really couldn't find one I loved and that I felt worked with the obscurely shaped window above the door.

Okay, what if we take out the window? And replace it with what? This went on for a while and the search continued. Putting in side lights seemed impractical, especially given the plans for the interior. So, in the end we settled on a classic, solid, fiberglass door. We ended up getting it from Lowe's as their molding had the most definition and offered the door at the best price.

The hardware was another lengthy debate. I can't count how many times we went down to Chown Hardware hoping to find one we both agreed on. We ended up with an Emtek product in bronze.

Of course white is not the end color here, but phase two of the front door will happen when we paint the house!