Random Update

[Cami A]

We're still moving along on the house...slowly. The trim downstairs got the final coat of paint and next weekend I hope to finish the upstairs. Jack's been working on the tiling- all that's left is the two showers.

We listed the house with Century 21 last week- guess I should take down the fsbo description this week. :rolleyes:

Here's a few pics- this is the master bathroom.

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[Cami A]

Jack put in the kitchen cupboards this weekend- he's going to laminate the countertops next weekend and put in the sink... one of the last few steps for the occupancy permit. :)

'Course, I'll never live there, but it would prolly make the bank happier if we ever finished up construction...;)

[Cami A]

The other side of the kitchen...not the black cupboards and stainless shelving I originally envisioned, but the arched niche for the pot rack is still there....

[Cami A]

One last one- the living room. The mantel is getting replaced, as I think it looks a bit out of scale. Jack's happy...:rolleyes:

[John Bridge]

How'd you let him get away with tiling in those two wall urinals in the m. b.? Patti would never let me do that.

;)

[tomtuttle]

:rofl: :D

Cami, that is a beautiful home. Too bad it's in Michigan ;) I am in awe of people who have the talent and discipline to complete these kinds of projects while still having "a real job" on the side.

btw, *that* home with that much land anywhere within an hour drive of Seattle would be $400k easy.

What's wrong with the Mantel?

[Cami A]

John, John, John.... :rolleyes:

Those "urinals" are 40 inches high. Maybe Rob.... ;)

Tom, thanks. If this house was downstate, we could get another 50-75k for it, even if we are in Michigan. ;)

The mantel...wellllll....it's open on the ends. I love Jack dearly, but for the life of me, I can't figure out how he's going to finish that off without tearing the whole thing apart. I'm the "putty and paint" brigade, and there's not enough wood filler for that. :D

[cx]

Perhaps you could add on to the ends, wrap it around the corners some, call it a feature, paint it, charge extra. You know, like General motors does with stuff they can't fix. :)

Actually, I bet you could figure a way to extend it and make it look like it belonged. Yep, you could do that.

[IBJT]

Originally posted by cx
Perhaps you could add on to the ends, wrap it around the corners some, call it a feature, paint it, charge extra. You know, like General motors does with stuff they can't fix. :)

Actually, I bet you could figure a way to extend it and make it look like it belonged. Yep, you could do that.

Methinks you oughta listen to CX!

I bet he's better than GM! :D :D :D

[IBJT]

Cami:

I think the place looks wonderful! Congratulations! ;) ;)

[Cami A]

The onliest thing I could think of was to build a box that wrapped around the corner, and continue the mantel. But...the mantel ends only a few inches from either side. And that still doesn't solve the whole problem of it top being puny compared to the rest of it.

The sides are fine, though. :D

[cx]

I think you've got the right idea, just do the same with the top. Just think of what you've got as the fireplace opening and make an overmantle that surrounds the whole thing. Makes the top higher and wider and the sides wider (that's what looks too skinny to me) and the whole thing look bigger. You could use similar profiles to what you've got or something different but complimentary. Hell, pewt knick-knack shelves onna sides, even. :yeah:

And it ain't gonna be no problem for your "putty and paint brigade", eh? Just remember the ol' saying, "do your best and caulk the rest." :D

[doitright]

Cami,

What a wonderful project! I see you're getting some enjoyment by using them lounge chairs. :)

I thought the old saying was "Do your best, and GROUT the rest."
:D

If you do any changes on the fireplace - Something to narrow the tile on the sides (overlay of some kind). That should bring some balance. Just an :idea: . If that place were mine, that would be the least of my concerns! ;)

[Cami A]

The scale on the whole thing (side tiles, mantel, etc) bugs me (never surprise your wife with things that can't be returned....or at least easily removed), but you're right , John, it is one of the lesser worries. A lawn would prolly be nicer...

In all fairness though, it's a big area to balance out without the 8x5 foot book cases that were originally planned for both sides. The fireplace and hearth actually extends out about 4 feet from the wall.

I like the "overmantel" concept. I'll have to put a pen to paper. ;)

[tileguytodd]

Looks great Cami!!
Be sure to incorporate a little Uplighting in your overmantle.Gonna want to shed some light on that big ol moose hangin there ya Know!!! :D

[Cami A]

Elk... :rolleyes:


We just race the moose around here... ;)

[John Bridge]

I can tell Jack does really nice work, but it's plain he hasn't had a lot of experience in restrooms. He could have gotten them down into the strike zone.

:)

[davem]

He's a three point shooter. :p

[Cami A]

Um...er...ah...nah, I'm not going there. ;)

[bbcamp]

Doncha just love mixing sports analogies?







"...the water's cold.


Yeah, and deep, too!"

[flatfloor]

You clowns! Cami is just being polite, those are bidets.

Damn! Maybe $700K around here. Think we can tow it?

I feel bad about you selling every time I look at the pictures. Betcha you shared more than one bottle in those chairs in front of the fireplace. :(

[Cami A]

Thanks for telling 'em, Jim....;)

Don't feel bad, though- it's the family inside the house that counts, not the house itself. :)

[cx]

As a practical matter, Cami, the best thing to do with that fireplace is probably nothing at all. Hell, the buyer might think it's just wonderful the way it is, eh?

And, as for convincing the bank that construction is completed, well, that's a pretty subjective thing, too. First house I ever built when I came to this area was ready for the customers to move in, but they never could decide on exterior light fixtures at the two entry doors. Bank inspector wouldn't approve it for permanent loan because it wasn't "finished". I pewt porcelain keyless fixtures in those boxes with bare light bulbs stickin' out - bank inspector was quite pleased and pronounced it completed. :rolleyes:

But the best part of the story is that house was completed in 1986. They still haven't decided on an exterior fixture for the back door and that keyless fixture is still there. :D

[tile dale]

Wow Cami, nice looking place. I wish that I were in the market for a summer home! I love Michigan in the summer! I grew up in Traverse City. It's getting to be the time of year when I start to miss it!

[Cami A]

Thanks, Dale. I wish you were in the market for a summer home, too. ;)

The lilacs are in bloom right now. :)

[tile dale]

Now I'm really home sick. I can almost smell them!:cry:

[Cami A]

The apple trees are looking great, too. ;)

[John Bridge]

Buck up, Dale. Lilacs bloom out on the Coast, too. And remember those winters when you couldn't get your car out of the driveway? And you couldn't even get the snow shovel out of the tool shed? And even if you could, it would have been too damn cold to shovel anyway?

:D

[flatfloor]

Yeah and the Lions, Tigers, Pistons and Red wings were still losing. ;)

[tile dale]

Oh yes, I remember! Snow is what made me move to CA! Who needs lilacs?

[IBJT]

My stepson just bought a new house in Dewitt, MI; just North of Lansing. His neighbors have two or three Lilac bushes on the side of the house. There are few things that smell as nice! ;) ;)

Jim: The Red Wings usually are winning this time of year! :D :D

Can't say anything positive about the current Tigers & Lions! :confused: :mad:

Pistons are geting a new coach! Yeah!
:shades:

[flatfloor]

John, you're absolutely rightabout the Wings but somehow it seemed appropriate to lump them in there. :D