Wednesday, October 17, 2012

Basement Update: Insulation & Hanging Drywall

 
Well, things are going about as planned in my last update.
 
I had the basement insulated and inspected by end of day last Thursday, drywall was delivered yesterday, and three guys showed up today and hung it all in between 9:00a-3:00p.
A guy is showing up at 8:00a tomorrow to start taping and mudding.
 
The following are views from this morning and then {roughly} the same views this afternoon.
It really is amazing the visual change of making the walls solid.
 
...standing in the bathroom looking down the hallway...
 

 
 
...standing in the alcove in the bedroom looking into the closets...
 

 
 
...standing in the bedroom closet looking at the alcove...
 

 
 
...standing in the storage area looking toward the hall {on the left} and the bathroom {on the right}...
 

 
 
...the bathroom...
 

 
 
 
 


Tuesday, October 16, 2012

a Fall walk

 










 
It was a beautiful day outside today.
 
 
 

Tuesday, October 9, 2012

Basement Update: Pre-Insulation

 
I last updated you on plans to finish the basement clear back in February.
Well, first let's go over some before pictures.
 
Coming down the stairs...

...looking at the space that will be a hallway and a bedroom... 
 

 
...slightly shifted view, the heater and the electric panel will be in the utility room...

 
...the small window to the right of the heater is the window for the bathroom...
 


...and the sub plumbing sticking up out of the concrete for the bathroom...
 

 
...and finally, the view of the area we are not finishing, the storage area.
 
 
 
Curt helped me put up the top and bottom plates of each wall, and then I completed the framing by installing all of the vertical members and the doorways.
 
Then I had to think.
I want this project to be done before the baby comes, so that I don't need to worry about it anymore and so that our guest capacity is increased.
I had planned on doing all of the electrical and plumbing...but judging by how long it took me to get the framing done while being a mom to Des this plan looked to be in direct conflict with the deadline I wanted.
 
So I gathered estimates from contractors.
Sidenote: always get multiple bids for every trade...you save a lot of $ that way
Rough electric, plumbing, and HVAC were completed in the last couple of weeks.
I've passed the municipal plumbing, electric, and mechanical inspections.
I'm insulating today and tomorrow, getting that inspected Thursday or Friday, and hope to have the drywallers in next week.
 
Here are pictures that were current as of this morning:
 
In the bathroom looking down the hall...
 
 
...in the bedroom looking at the closets...


 
...in the bedroom with my back to the closets...


...utility room...


 
...view from the storage room looking into the bathroom, the end of the hallway, and the utility room...


 
...bathroom...

 
...am I the only one who thinks rough plumbing and electrical are pretty?...yes?...just checking...
 
 
 
After the drywallers it's all back on me (and Curt, when he has time to help).
I've ordered and received the flooring.
I've ordered and received the subway tile that will line the shower floor to ceiling.
I've got an old, beautiful buffet that I'm turning into a vanity and I've got the bathroom mirror.
I'll prime and paint.
I'll do the finish plumbing and HVAC.
 
I take it back...the electricians do come back and install all of the outlets, switches, and can light trims. Sweet.
 
I have right around a month to get this all done...I think I can do it, but I'll keep you updated.
 
 


Monday, October 8, 2012

October in Michigan

 
I am a super huge fan of trees, they are my favorite aspect of Michigan.
October...man, October brings out the best in trees.
Very very beautiful.
 
These are some scenes I snapped on a short Sunday drive just minutes north of our house.
 






 
 
Curt was out of town for a bit last week and brought me these pretties to have while he was gone.
 
 
 
And Des loves exploring the out of doors.
I'd like to let him explore more often, but he's a fast little bugger and the energy levels to chase him in an unenclosed space are somewhat lacking at the moment.
 
 
 
 
 


Monday, October 1, 2012

33 weeks

 
 
 
 
 


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