Merry Christmas 2023! + Happy 3-Year Bostonversary!

December 24, 2023
36 Comments
Posted in: interior design, Laurel's Renovation

Hi Everyone,

Merry Christmas 2023!!!

I began writing this entry on Thursday, the 21st, which was my 3-year Bostonversary, but I could barely focus on the screen, much less write a coherent sentence. It was an intense day; you’ll see why in a sec. So, here is the post as it began last Thursday, the 21st.

***

Yes, today, December 21st, is the third anniversary of my move to Boston.

And, today, I have some small surprises and one that’s quite shocking. (in a good way)

I was going to continue with the crown moulding, but really, ~~I’m about to fall~~ have fallen on my face. In fact, I was supposed to go out tonight.

Nope. Not happenin’.

Now, it’s after midnight. Oh well. (Give it up, Laurel!)

The small surprises are upstairs.

There’s a new air switch for the disposal. Yes, it’s a tad darker than the deVOL. It shouldn’t be because Rohl is, the parent company of Perrin & Rowe that, makes the deVOL faucet. Oh, well, again.

However, it works very nicely, and I like my new Insinkerator disposal.

The guys have installed some of the hardware and the 12 glass shelves. You can see shadows in the image.

And yes, I made them clean each shelf and had them wipe down the cabinets, too!

Laurel, it seems like there’s more stuff in the living room.

Yes, it grows. ;]

No, it was from the front hall closet.

See that big piece of plastic covering the stairs?

That’s the big surprise. Well, not the plastic. It’s what’s underneath the plastic.

Let’s go and have a look.

Guys, we have walls!!!

Now, I had to work on these pics for about an hour or more. It was dark out, and there were only two bare bulbs, one ice-cold bulb in the bathroom and one warm bulb in the stair hall.

The distance is distorted. I will take more photos during the day, which will be better.

Anyway, two guys did all of this in one day!

The bathroom. Oh dear, I never showed you that they did an awesome job of fixing the framing. However, you can see from the sheetrock that they did create a lovely niche for the vanity.
The niches will be paneled with hidden doors.

Oh, I just have to show you the original shot.

Please bring the prisoner down to the interrogation room.

lol Right? The dimensions are a little distorted because of the cell phone camera lens.

The next day, in daylight hours, I took more photos with somewhat softer shadows. Still, it was only two hours before sunset, and the plastic also diminished the light.

I love this view of the stairs where we can see the living room wainscoting, currently just underneath the plastic.

That is not a handrail. It is a leftover LVL beam.

Another thing I love is that when coming down the stairs, there’s an entrance into the bedroom suite. With the old spiral, with the last step, it was a sharp right through a doorway, and to the immediate left was the bathroom. To the right was the bedroom.

This way, it’s a far more interesting journey.

Also – remember this image when we were working out the guard rail?

The post for this is here, “Renovation News and Deets,” but you’ll need to scroll to the bottom. It was in the first entry out of dozens.

The embrasure hall. This is reminding me of an enfilade of sorts.

Remember this rendering of the hall from the post about how to spice up a boring hallway?

We changed the bedroom doors, but the hall concept is the same.

The above image shows the embrasure door pockets.

Thank you, Furlow Gatewood, for your endless inspiration. And to my friend, photographer Rod Collins, for capturing so beautifully Furlow’s genius for us to enjoy. (and emulate!)

I can’t wait to see the cabinet with the strip LED lights on. They are completely hidden. You have to stick your head inside and then contort your neck to seek them.

The guys said I couldn’t do the latches. I was too tired to argue. So, we’re doing knobs on all of the doors. I’ve decided (I think) to do the cup pulls on the big drawers. I wanted some variety.

The hood is hooked up, and the Zephyr Monsoon hood insert is whisper quiet on the lowest setting.

I will be discussing the appliances in subsequent posts. They are getting mixed reviews. However, Zephyr hood is superb.

Tomorrow, they’ll board up the entry. I’m hoping they’ll do their cutting downstairs. It isn’t a lot.

***

It is now Saturday, December 23, 2023

Well, someone showed up yesterday for an hour. I don’t know what they did, but they were gone by 9:30 AM and didn’t return. So, the entry hasn’t been done yet. But, the closet is totally cleaned out.

Anyway, It’s Christmas, and everyone is off this week. I’m going to take advantage and get things more organized.

While there’s still a long haul ahead, I’m happy to have the respite.

The kitchen, now fully functional with the basics, reminds me that the rest will get there, but it might be April or May.

Guys, even with the walls torn up and many details not yet done, the kitchen is more fantastic than I ever imagined.

It is very spacious but also enveloping with its 10′-2″ ceiling height and cabinets built to the ceiling. The rounded cabinet is pure joy, as are the marble, sink, and faucet are incredibly delightful; washing dishes is almost fun.

The cabinetry from Crown Point is sublime.

The glass doors with the Cremone bolts from Wilmette Hardware.

Sometimes, I just go over and open them for no reason. It’s an endorphin rush for days. haha. I mean, the heavy, gleaming, polished nickel bolts atop those heavenly 66″ tall doors. Well, I have never experienced anything so luxurious.

But even more than that, I feel instantly transported back to another place and time. It’s a time when no one ever uttered the word transitional unless they were talking about clothing.

The only thing is, I have no idea where the butler is hiding out. I need to discuss the menu for New Year’s Eve. ;]

Guys, a few things before I sign off.

Merry Christmas to all who celebrate!

AND time is running out to take advantage of the special offer on my rockin’ interior design guides.

***Laurel’s Guides Special Sale through December 31, 2023!

Please check it out here,

And find out how to get a free 333 Rules & Tips AND Etsy Guide for 2024!

The guides’ prices are going up January 1, 2024!

Gifting is available and easy.

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