Sunday, February 17, 2013

Ahead


Although we did have a spurt of house completion before the wedding last fall, it seems to me that the past year to year and a half has mostly been focused on improving the garden and getting the chicken's digs completed and such.  Now, while that is still not totally finished, it's far enough along that I want to switch back to a serious effort to finish the house in this new year.  Really I don't lack much and with this being the first year that I've ever been sure I would not go back to work in construction (or out of town for same) I feel like I can really get this done.
So, this is my list for 2013:
1.  Finish the dividing wall in the living room. (both sides actually).  I have already purchased the slate tile that will cover this so it's just a matter of doing it.
2.  Construct and finish the small hearth that goes under the gas fireplace.  That is what that is on the wall there by the way, not another TV as a lot of people think.
3.  Finish the sheetrock on either side and make or have made the built-in bookcases for each side.
4.  Install the hardwood floors throughout the living and dining area.


There are a few things left to do in the kitchen but not an overwhelming amount.  Maybe.
1.  Pour concrete countertops and concrete bar tops on dividing wall.
2.  Finish running dark metal wall covering through living area.
3.  Trim out pantry cased opening.
4.  Install cork flooring throughout kitchen.
5.  Install dropped lighting over countertops by stove.  (wiring is there already).
6.  Install dishwasher.
7.  Finish dividing wall/ back splashes on this side with glass and stone tilework.

Hmm, that does seem like a lot doesn't it?  Oh well!  ha!



I would really like to finish the exterior stonework and landscaping also; or at least get the landscaping started!  A lot of people think this is finish and it is far from it actually.  So, this area would include:
1.  Finish the stonework around the basement area.  I started this a couple of years ago and have never finished.  Once that is done I can build the concrete retaining walls that will form planting beds around this end and cover all that blockwork (that you can't really see in this photo).
2.  Finish the stone planting bed on this end that will also contain a solar batch-style water heater.
3.  Pour the concrete curb 2 feet out from the length of the house that will form a planting bed next to the house.  This curb will absorb the fall of the rain runoff from the roof and also form the interior edge of the stone walkway leading to the parking area.
4.  Get rid of the ramp at the deck and install at least part of the flagstone patio there and permanent steps leading onto the deck.
5.  Install proper stone and wood columns under the overhang by the deck.

Basically, the stepstone walkway you see here will go away and be replaced with a 4 foot wide flagstone/ brick walkway, a large flagstone patio and probably a water feature of some sort.  I would like a shallow pool with a fountain maybe.  The planting bed next to the house will evergreens and possibly fruiting plants of some sort.  The planting bed formed in that inside corner of the house (far lower left) will be a kitchen garden with herbs/ medicinals and possibly fruit of some sort.  More flower beds and the tea grove are off to the right.

So, that's quite a lot of stuff!  I will admit it is fairly overwhelming when I think about it but the trick is to just take one project at a time and not think about the others for the time being.  I had thought I might do some craft/ art shows this year but really, I don't have time if I want to do all this other.  It takes a lot of effort and time to build up enough stock for a show and I really need to get this house finished if I'm going to enjoy it before I croak.

Do any of ya'll have any big projects in the works for this year?!

12 comments:

JMD said...

Like your projects! Right now new flooring is going down in the remaining bedrooms. The rest of the house is basically re-floored. Ugh, when we bought it the floor was nasty and stained carpeting. I look forward to not looking at it anymore.

Island Rider said...

Sounds like a good plan. I hope you feel better soon.

Beatrice P. Boyd said...

If we wanted to, we could think of many projects for this old house, but our focus now is on maintainings vs. renovating further. Our goal is to sell this house and relocate to NH before the grandkids grow up.

Swamp Dog said...

Looks like you have a lot on your plate for the coming year. I have a lot of yard work and clean up to do. There never is enough time to do everything is it?

Woody said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Anonymous said...

I am really looking forward to your counter tops hitting the blogosphere. You do great work and such a good job at getting the right photos and instruction to emphasize what is important in a project.

Pablo said...

You really need to get this work done. You never know when I might show up, and you wouldn't want me to be disappointed.

Your oldest reader.

Ed said...

Your list is like eating a large elephant, imposing at first but not bad if you eat one bite at a time and space it out over a year. Good luck.

I'm about finished with my kitchen project. Once that is out of the way, I want to spruce up our two bathrooms upstairs and then begin redoing our basement. First on that list is building some more custom bookcases so I can unpack my dozen or so boxes of books that are filling up the underside of my stairway.

MamaHen said...

Hey JMD! oh yeah, carpet...bleh!! glad you're able to replace it.

Hey IR! thanks! I am feeling a good bit better this week.

Hey Bea! Yeah, I remember you saying that; have you actually put your house up for sale yet?

Hey Swampy! Yes, it is a lot of stuff, that's for sure. I probably won't get to all of it but listing it does help me stay focused.

Hey Woody! thanks!! hopefully the countertops will be underway soon!

Hey Pablo! I know!!! I'm trying!!! lol! you're never going to let me live that phrase down are you? haha!

Hey Ed! Yeah, I knew you would have about as many projects as me! ha! From what I've seen of your kitchen so far it looks great!

Deb said...

Looks like we're in the same boat! Lots of finishing up stuff I want to get done around here, plus gardening, and going fishing with the kids.

Sandcastle Momma said...

I have a pretty daunting list here at my place but seeing yours makes me realize that it is indeed one project at a time. I can't wait to see your concrete countertops.

MamaHen said...

Hey Deb! yeah, we are at about the same place! and I'd like to do some fishing myself this year, now that you mention it.

Hey Momma! yeah, it's like Ed said about eating an elephant; one bite at a time.