First Day Cottage Walpole

Firstly, I don't ever want to paint concrete again and I'm not even done.  After complaining about this in the last post it hasn't gotten any easier.  After consulting with the Sherwin Williams guys (who I see more than my family) we went with their Prep Right Primer for max coverage. I got the deepest nap roller available and I still have to muscle it in and use what I call a "smearing" technique to try and fill all the holes.  It probably should have been sprayed but being the cheapskate I am and not having the equipment, I used what I have.  My arms have never been so toned so there is that benefit. It took two coats of primer (6 gallons) and two coats of satin top coat (color: Simply White) to get it this far.  There are still some holes which bug me but all in all it looks pretty good and sealed. Having the walls lightened and actually having the lights installed transforms this space.  These Metalux LED lights are awesome.  It is like d...

I have finished a bunch of siding and am ahead of the carpenter guys so I started in on painting the concrete walls in my basement studio.  It is hard!!  I probably should have a sprayer but I am rolling it on (two coats of primer) and the surface which I thought was kind of smooth is nothing but!  It is like trying to paint the surface of the moon with all its craters and pock marks.  Still, I persist and I am finally getting some sort of painted finish even if it isn't perfect.  It certainly brightens up the space.  Today the electricians will install the LED lighting and that will be great!  No dark corners. And this will be the bathroom.  The plumbers had a heck of time dealing with the trap in the tub.  I don't think it was prepped correctly when the slab was poured but what do I know?  The layout was also not done right (we were not consulted) so the toilet will have to be turned and a little half wall built so that we have...

Some external work these past weeks. Our septic system was installed and approved by the state.  It was left exposed for inspection and next week will be covered up and graded. Some backfilling was done and stones set to create a small retaining wall near the walk out basement entrance.  We are just using stones that were excavated at the site.  I think they will look nicer when I pressure wash all the dirt away.  Top soil will spread over the top of all this gravel at the end.  We have great top soil because cows have been roaming this field! Lots of rocks in this soil! The pad and footing wall for the garage was poured.  It is certainly easier than the pour we did last fall in the freezing cold weather. The pier was set to support the small porch that will be added to the backside of the house off of the laundry room.  Future site of my much awaited clothesline.  Of all the things I miss about our old house the clothesline ...

Our tile work is done and it turned out beautifully.  To keep it simple I chose the same tile for the master bath and the guest bath.   Large white subway tile on the shower walls, concrete type mosaic tiles on the shower floor and natural black slate on the floors.  Grey grout throughout.  It is very neutral but should look nice with white washed walls and the vanities that were chosen.  Devin Brown of DB Tile did the work and he is meticulous.  Would highly recommend!

Every day passes and we get a little closer.  Some big milestones this week:  The septic tank has been delivered.  Next week the leach field will be installed and then we wait for the state inspector. You can see my red board siding for the garage here. The concrete gets poured for the garage today (fingers crossed)! And progress continues on the tiled shower in the Master Bath

More progress at the house this week.  We have a porch!  The roof and railings were constructed. There is an opening for 6 foot wide stairs that will come down off the front.  We were concerned that the roof would slope too low and block our lovely view from the inside but Mike worked it out so it did not do that and we are thrilled! It is going to be a lovely place to hang out and enjoy our beautiful pastoral view. And they started putting the roof on yesterday.  Now that all the rough wiring is done through the roof for the overhead lighting the roof can be installed.  It will be good to get the house completely weather tight. It definitely gives the house a whole new industrial sort of look.  It is charcoal and the siding is light gray so very neutral. Will definitely need to add some flowers to get some color in there!  The garage will be barn red and I began working on those boards this week.  Still very cold here for May.  We ...

The furnace went operational today and the basement slab is starting to warm a little and not feel like a tomb down there.  This set-up in the boiler room looks intense.  I think the whole house will be hooked up tomorrow. One of the manifolds for the radiant heat in the basement. In other news the electricians have been doing their part and we officially have a light in the boiler room. They have got a good amount of the rough in electrical done is one half of the upstairs and have all the heating and water appliances wired in.  Getting there.