Hardwood Floor and Primary Bathroom Update!

Hi Everyone,

This is a two-part post with lots of news about the hardwood floor and several new updates with the primary bathroom.

If you’ve already read the post, please click the link below to go to part 2.

 

Part 2 Begins Here

 

This is a photo I took through my living room window of dark skies overhead at 4:15 on Thursday, just before a storm hit. But look at those reflections of the kitchen and the lamp DOWNSTAIRS!

 

Before I begin with today’s topic, Thank you doesn’t begin to cover how grateful I am for each of you who took the time to share your experiences and extend your support as I navigate this floor and other issues.

 

I can’t tell you how much it helps me cope.

In fact, your words of encouragement gave me the strength to reach out to Gary at 2:15 last Thursday to clearly explain the issues and what I would like to happen. That includes him seeing to it that the immense amount of trash his guys left on my patio gets removed. What if there were no patio? What then? Do they just leave it in a heap somewhere inside the home? Yeesh!

Unfortunately, he did not respond. Well, that is, not until Friday morning. He’s away but will come over on Tuesday to see what can be done. I’m not holding my breath. We had discussed it when there was still an opportunity to do something about it.

 

So, Iet’s move on to more joyful topics.

 

Thursday, the painters also returned after a two-week break.

I will have to share what they are doing in the den. It’s amazing.

They also covered my lovely new primary bathroom floor with thick brown paper.

If you missed the beautiful new floor, you can see it here.

 

 

That’s because Brendan and Eugene, the two wonderful carpenters, were back on Wednesday to patch up the hole in the wall and replace and repair the mouldings in the primary bathroom.

 

Since my bedroom had been B&E’s workroom since last October until only a few weeks ago, I put a sign on my bedroom doors to remind them that this was no longer their domain. ;] ;] ;]

 

haha. (and held up with painter’s tape, natch.)

Okay, let’s take a closer look at what B & E did with the baseboards in the primary bathroom. (After consulting with me.) I think it looks about the best it can be for the circumstance.

 

But, first let’s look at the baseboard as it was a couple of months ago.

 

I don’t have any close-ups of how it was, but I think you can see that the plinth blocks didn’t flow with the baseboard as it wrapped around.

 

Typically, when there’s a door casing, there’s a door jamb. But since this is a niche, the jamb wasn’t necessary, so we have a somewhat unusual situation.

Also, please notice the shower curb which should’ve been six inches to cover the baseboard, not five inches.

 

Below is a close-up to see how they did the baseboard after it went back on. (after the new floor installation)

 

We tried it without the piece added on the left, and it looked terrible. While it’s still a bit convoluted, I think this is a cleaner look, and the shower curb is 100% better. It will look fine when painted, and the seam and nail holes will disappear.

 

Anyway, most people don’t have their faces on the ground. lol

 

We also eliminated and replaced the shaped plinth block with a straight plinth block that dies into the baseboard.

 

Above is the other side of the vanity niche. That seam will get spackled here, as well.

 

Okay, brace yourselves for a terrifying progress shot from June 10th!

 

I want you to see how the panel moulding/wainscoting and adjacent cabinet looked only ten weeks ago. That got fixed, too.

 

Holy disaster area in the bedroom! If you missed it, you can read about the paint catastrophe here.

Also, if you’d like to see how the hidden doors work, please go to this post.

 

I am not quite sure how it’s possible I didn’t have a nervous breakdown!

I was just scrolling through the pictures and can’t believe what I saw!

 

Ahhh… so much better. It might be a little difficult to tell, but the WC panels were smaller and better matched to the hidden door cabinet by the entrance. The doors will go back on during the painting phase.

 

Laurel, what on earth will you store in those skinny cabinets?

 

Is that a trick question? That’s where I store the whips and chains. Duh. ;]

I know what you’re trying to say. You’re trying to say those cabinets are awfully skinny and deep. Yes, indeed, and it’s one of those things that if one of us knew what they were doing, we could’ve gotten about four more inches in the width, but alas, it’s only 8″ of clear space. That’s why God invented pull-out shelf storage that comes in widths as small as 6″.

 

Of course, there are zillions of companies that make these or one could use a company that specializes in custom cabinetry and closet storage solutions.

Looking into the bedroom now… (Please scroll back up)

 

Of course, most of that furniture isn’t staying. However, I adore the Chinoiserie cabinet so much in that location. It looks gorgeous and so at home there!

 

 

My new bedroom is already bringing me immense joy. Despite the paint color issues, I am so enjoying hanging out down here. And I sure am getting my exercise running up and down the stairs all day long.

 

I realized today what has gotten me through the last eight + months since I returned after moving out.

 

It’s my beautiful kitchen, and it was fully functioning less than three weeks after I returned, even though not fully finished.

 

 

Yes, it’s almost otherworldly and all the more so in real life. And yes, we are still planning to do the harlequin pattern on the floor.

 

 

I’m so lucky! I have to get some shades for those lamps.

 

They are so beautiful in the kitchen. I got them at Stenella Antiques. They’re a design by Mario Buatta for Frederick Cooper.

The microwave is not staying there. I’ve had it for about eight years, and unfortunately, it’s refusing to die.  Normally, these cheap things don’t last too long. Not this one. Oh, it looks darling, but it’s not very powerful and has the most annoying, piercing beep. Plus, I want to put a microwave in my pantry; the one above is too large.

 

After the kitchen is painted, a beautiful milkglass pendant light will be installed.

 

Well, that’s all for now.

Again, many thanks for your wonderful messages! It’s not just the kitchen that’s gotten me through all this. I daresay I couldn’t have done it without all of you!

Coming up there are going to be a few posts discussing the final choices for paint colors! I began working on the final colors in this post. Chris is going to make some more big samples for me.

 

*********************************************************

Part 2 Begins Here

 

Hi Everyone,

So far, this is a relatively quiet week in renovation land, but no less eventful.

 

Can I say I am bloody sick of living like this?

 

However, there are moments when I’m not obsessing about looking at paint colors, that I find myself walking around and marveling at what has been achieved. It’s beyond my wildest dreams. I just want everything to be done.

And, to be clear, when I say “everything,” I mean everything that’s messy or requires that I share one toilet on a different floor with 25 men. Well, not all on the same day. lol

 

Well, a miracle happened on Monday.

 

But the miracle isn’t spelled M-I-R-A-C-L-E.

No, it’s spelled:

 

K-O-H-L-E-R

;]

 

I’ve always wanted a Kohler Memoirs toilet. For the price, it’s the prettiest toilet on the market, and the vitreous china is beautiful.

 

The plumber was so funny.

 

He said in a slightly panicked voice, “Did you know the toilet seat is black?”

Uh, huh. It’s actually a very dark walnut stain with a multi-step piano finish—very retro. The only thing is that they did an old-fashioned, non-soft-close lid. Oh well. I now have my very own toilet that I don’t have to share with anyone! And the best part is that it works!

 

Guys, I know the mouldings are eccentric, and the toilet is about a half-inch off-center.

 

Well, me too! Me Too!

That’s life. It won’t be noticeable in real life, but it is in the photo.

Please excuse the yellow tape. I don’t know what’s taking so long, but the bathroom isn’t completely painted. I’ve spoken to Chris that the guys need to step it up. They are doing too good a job. haha

Oh, there’s more.

No, only the console is installed. Hopefully, the plumbing will be done next week. Don’t ask. We’re waiting for parts that should’ve been ordered ages ago. I tried to order them but was told it was the wrong type every time I shared what I wanted. Then, when I found the right type, there was a six-week backorder. In the meantime, the plumber is getting what I need.

 

Of course, those lamps are only temporary.

 

However, it’s giving me a better idea of how lovely the lighting will be. It will be even lovelier when the light is installed in the WC niche.

Below are some links to the sink, toilet, and toilet seat.

 

Over the weekend, I returned to Johnson Paint and got four quarts of teal paint colors.

 

Ed suggested Aura would be my best bet. Yes, it was expensive, but less expensive than getting it wrong.

But, get this. Remember the photo I shared of Beau Green?

Below is the sample in the background compared to the paint chip.

 

Do you see how much more green the paint chip is than the sample? Below is their paint chip online. It, too, is more green. Since it’s so off-color, I eliminated that one right away.

 

I have to have the new paint schedule complete sometime tomorrow. The prep is nearly complete, and I’ve told Chris the guys need to be finished painting by mid-September.

I should be able to share the paint colors on Thursday evening.

 

xo,

 

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