Finished product

There are now only 2 things on the renovators 'to do' list. (Many more on mine). After many years of dreaming, months of planning and weeks of craziness, I am pleased with the final result. Thanks for following my progress. Please come have a cup of tea with me sometime soon. I'd love to show you all my favorite things.

Plumbing detour

Superior Cabinets came Friday and added all of the finishing touches to the kitchen It looks amazing.
However, on Thursday night we had a plumbing emergency which  overshadowed all of my joy.

Somehow our kitchen drain became clogged. May have been a lack of use over the last 2 months or a garburator issue. No one seems to know. However, after doing the usual plunging, liquid plumber and prayer routes, there was no change in the clog. The problem was the water was going down somewhat slowly. Hmmm does this have anything to do with the water running down the wall in the basement. Ahhh yes it does. There is a crack in the drain pipe under the sink. Which had the clog not appeared we would not have learned about. Thankfully the clog happened on a day we were all here not gone with the dishwasher running and draining into a clogged pipe and out the crack all over my new floor, cabinets etc. Thankful for the clog on a convenient day.

Of course this is hindsight talking - I was not so grateful that day.

Emergency plumber rates apply on Thursday evenings and by the time they arrived we had borrowed a snake from Steve and Kris and mostly cleared the clog, diagnosed the crack and stopped the water running.

The very expensive plumbers sent their snake down and throughout the house at 1 am just to make sure there were no further clogs. Things no longer seemed like an emergency so I asked them to leave and we would reassess the next steps when the clock wasn't ticking at their overtime rates.
Friday my contractors plumber came to assess the plan and said he would return on Sat. to replace the pipes.
Sat he finally arrived and he once again marveled at this very strange crack in the pipes. The cracks in these pipes were installed with a vertical crack which we never found because we never had a clog in the drain before. It would have had to be replaced at some point. Now we have replaced 3 sections of this pipe. We are not putting the drywall back but an access panel. Undoubtedly we will not need access again if we do that. Saturday evening my kitchen was finally workable and ready. Just in time to have people over for the Grey cup.

Living in my kitchen

After my many weeks of waiting, I now have a mostly workable kitchen. There are still 24 things on the finalization list to complete but the biggest parts are available for use. It is so wonderful to linger at the table and chat after a meal. Both nights we have still been sitting at the table with our dirty plates at 9 at night. Eating on a couch in front of the TV is nice for a change but can't be compared with a conversation around the table with my handsome men. My stovetop is not yet working so our meals are still a slightly sketchy but I still love it. I will probably stop posting pictures for a while now as the final changes are small. By the end of next week they hope to have all things completed so probably one final photo shoot.

Ridiculously close

This is so close to completion - I can taste it now. Kitchen pun intended.

There are approximately 40 details left to complete but as of tomorrow I will be able to cook a meal in my kitchen, watch TV in my family room, sit at a table to eat a meal and have a glass of juice without a trip to the garage.

However, I committed to going to NB to help out with the YP weekend. I have waited 3 months for this day. I can wait one more weekend. And of course all of the details are not completed so perhaps more of those will be done by Monday. In your time Lord.

It is looking quite amazing and not like my house at all. But perhaps in a few weeks and a whole lot of moving back in - I think I will be very happy here.







Painting day

After a very trying day yesterday of many small finishing details failing. The painters came and rolled paint on the big walls making a significant difference. It is now a totally different looking house - well the dust is the same.

Once I quit looking at the small problems and focus on the big things - I shall begin to enjoy it.

Unfortunately they didn't finish today so they need to paint again on Monday. Which means we have another weekend of no further advances. Undoubtedly next weekend when we are gone to NB I will finally be able to move some of my things in. Patience Jane patience.

Tiling

There is a lot of work happening this week but everyday becomes a bigger mess than the day before. This is due to painting issues. Much taping, covering, priming is necessary to get this job accomplished; its a good thing I didn't attempt it, as I would have gone stark raving mad by now.

However, the tile guy showed up and gave me a small ray of hope that this may someday look lovely.

Backsplash tiles

Wall tiles - this is an alcove for a computer screen

 These are the pictures of what our house really looks like.

This is the entranceway looking into the living room - now filled with all of our furniture.

Beautifully draped stairwell

Family room aka Tom the painter's office

Staining the oak

 Staining has been going on in our house. It has been a bit of a nightmare except for the wonderful friends who invite us to get out of the house. The painting should start today or tomorrow.

Few last touchups on the stain. Loving it.

This is the entertainment unit in our family room. It was a lovely honey oak color which set the color of my whole house. Now it has a whole new look to it. Ignore all the overspray, taping and paper on everything.

Likewise the staircase is now in this 'cranberry' color. I would call it
Dark Chocolate myself.