Domus Dulcis Domus

Stairs are Done!

2009-12-03T07:02:00.001-08:00

Curing

2009-11-24T05:54:00.000-08:00

Big progress / Minor mishap

2009-11-23T17:14:00.000-08:00

No pics yet...but the progress is that the concrete was delivered today! It was poured late in the day so no walking/rolling on the sidewalk until tomorrow night. It's so new and shiny...I want to touch it...but alas, no.

The mishap was the concrete truck pulling down our neighbor's cable line! I went ahead and called it in for him from work so he could get in the queue, but the earliest they can get to it is tomorrow. So no cable TV for Mr. Roland tonight. In return he let his dog loose and the contractor had to chase it out of our yard before it ran through the fresh concrete! Arg!

Now to connect them!

2009-11-22T12:38:00.003-08:00

First step of deck stairs

2009-11-22T12:38:00.001-08:00

Landing for deck stairs

2009-11-22T12:37:00.001-08:00

2009-11-22T12:35:00.002-08:00

2009-11-22T12:35:00.001-08:00

2009-11-22T12:34:00.001-08:00

Changes...before

2009-11-22T12:28:00.000-08:00

So we're making some more improvements...and once again I forgot to take a before pic so this one will have to do. It's actually from before the landscaping project but you can get a good idea of the sidewalk before demolition.

All fenced in!

2009-08-22T17:27:00.000-07:00

We finally got the yard fenced for the dog! She loves being able to run free. We went with the black vinyl clad and I think it looks really nice. Now we just need to get the steps built on the deck.

Azaleas-a-blooming!

2009-05-11T08:27:00.001-07:00

The Azalea bushes from the November '08 Landscaping job are BLOOMING! I'll take some more pics of the other plants soon, but these are too pretty to ignore at this point.

Guest Bathroom Faucet

2008-12-02T07:46:00.000-08:00

Ever since we had to use the guest bath during the main bath remodel there's been a problem with the sink faucet. The cold side when turned off would still run a small stream of water. Backing off the faucet a bit would make it stop and so that just turned into a routine...no problem. However, this week the hot side started doing the same thing only no amount of faucet adjusting would get it to turn off all the way...so there was a drip, drip, drip sound and hot water loss!

I used some of our Lowe's rebate cards to get a new faucet and DH installed it last night. It's Awesome!

New Thermostat!

2008-12-02T07:39:00.000-08:00

I installed a new programmable thermostat! I can't believe we waited this long to finally do this. Our electric bill is not too bad and since we added better windows and a more efficient furnace and A/C unit over the last year or so our monthly bill has dropped a little bit. Still the idea of running the heat or cold while no one is home (except the dogs) is just crazy in terms of wasting energy. So I used some of our Lowe's Kitchen and Bath rebate cards to buy this and a new faucet for the guest bath.

Some Pics from the iPhone

2008-12-02T07:28:00.001-08:00

Here are some pics from my iPhone. DH didn't get around to taking any pics and now it has snowed and you can't see the changes very much.

We're really happy with how it turned out!

Early Birds...

2008-11-26T06:25:00.000-08:00

Okay, no pics AGAIN today because the workers showed up at 7:15 am and started putting in the PLANTS!!! I think they are trying to get it all done by TODAY! They had a truck load of river rock sitting in the front yard, ready to go. It looked like they had almost all of the plants in place when we finally left for work. I wish it wasn't going to be dark when we get home tonight...we'll have to wait until tomorrow to see the full results. I can hardly wait!

The Plan!

2008-11-25T07:34:00.000-08:00

Here's the "Landscaping Plan" as drawn by the Landscaper, Phil Klemme. DH didn't have time to get pics this morning but we will try to get some tomorrow.

It's Begun!

2008-11-24T07:39:00.000-08:00

The landscaping crew started today. They've already torn out the scallop cement edging and are removing all the old plants and debris. DH will try to get pics in the morning. I will also post "the plan" picture tonight.

Survey Says...

2008-11-20T08:27:00.000-08:00

The surveyors came! Now we have 6 tall wooden stakes in our yard with little orange ribbons flapping in the breeze denoting the boundaries. DH spoke with our neighbors to let them know we were planning to fence the backyard...the boundary at one point is within 2 feet of their house so I'm not sure how well that is going to work as far as fencing. May have to move in a bit to make it reasonable.

Our other neighbor will probably be out there to move the stakes around, he's a bit old & crotchity like that! Plus we've had a few recent issues with his new dog and when I spoke to him about it he got mean and nasty....but hopefully things will work out.

"Dig Right" hase been by to mark the location of underground cables and pipes for the lanscaping crew. The crew should start this coming Tuesday. I still need to post...the "plan". DH will take a photo of it tonight.

Before Landscaping...

2008-11-16T18:18:00.000-08:00

Here is the ugliness that is our current planting areas....we need help!

Overgrown mess! Can't wait to get this ripped out.

More renovation coming soon...

2008-11-07T07:02:00.000-08:00

Yes folks, after a bit of a hiatus we're back to improvement-ville. I will post some before pics really soon...well as soon as DH takes them, processes them, and gives them to me!

Anyhow, we're having a boundary survey done, deck stairs are in the plan, as well as some chain link fencing...but the biggest change will be the improved grade and some landscaping in the front of the house! Now I know that late fall is probably not the "best" time for this sort of thing but...you do what you can. We're going for a low maintenance design, with some suggestions for improving drainage from the landscaper. ETA in the next 30 days so that will be exciting!

Front Door Before & After...

2008-05-05T20:38:00.000-07:00

We decided to paint the front door and install new hardware. We still need to replace the light fixture and mailbox (note my feeble attempt to paint it, but I just had to in order to hide the nasty weathered "brass" metal).

For those of you paying attention, you'll quickly realize that the before pic is not "actually" our door. I totally forgot to take a "before" picture. I'll have to locate a actual photo (like on paper and everything) and scan it (horror of horrors).....maybe. Hell, who am I kidding, that is never going to happen! Just trust me when I say that the door was in need of an overhaul. There were rust spots from many a doggie nose pushing it open and dings from a certain durable medical device (ahem) and ground in dirt, grease, and dead spiders and...anyhow you get the point.

The nice people at Lowe's gave me my painting advice (tsp wash, kilz, exterior semi gloss in acrylic latex) but I picked the color - Valpar Bardast...WTH is a Bardast??? - some kind of blueness, not colonial, not navy, not gunmetal, not a name I would pick but there you go...

---Note, we have not published a final on the bathroom because I am STILL LOOKING for a cabinet to fit in the "nook". May have to either settle (what?!) or have one custom built.....still debating that one!

Details....

2008-04-05T15:10:00.001-07:00

Just a look at a few of the details in this room!

Nearly done...

2008-04-04T15:04:00.000-07:00

The bathroom is nearly done! The toilet we picked up at Lowe's was broken so it has to go back on Monday. There's just a final piece of drywall needed in the nook, some painting on the shower ceiling, toilet install, and grout sealing...oh and towel racks and a bit of decor and we'll be finished.

My Euro-Style Sink!!!

2008-04-02T21:51:00.000-07:00

Another favorite feature is the euro-style sink. This is the sink that I went looking for at 3 different Lowe's. Uncle Ed was finally able to get one from his store....................and it is beautiful!

Grouting is done!

2008-04-02T21:49:00.000-07:00

The grouting is done. We ended up special ordering the matching caulk from a tile distributor in Earth City (Luckily they deliver to Mars & Venus). UPS should deliver it by Friday.

Grouting has begun!

2008-04-01T18:32:00.000-07:00

It's hard to tell in a photo but the grout really brings all the tile together. The tub surround should be grouted tomorrow. There's still a bit of a haze on the tiles, but nothing a little vinegar can't fix!

We're struggling to find the matching caulk, but once again I've enlisted reinforcements.

More tile...

2008-03-31T17:55:00.000-07:00

The remaining tub surround has been tiled. There are still spacers so no photo today (too ugly). I forgot to mention that the new door was installed and I L...O...V...E the white 6-panel door & molding! I cannot wait to get the rest of the doors & molding replaced! Although, my wallet sure can...

Anyhow, we are hoping that the grouting will begin tomorrow. There is a lot of it so that will be a multi-day job.

I'm sure we'll have some photos tomorrow.

Wall Tile...

2008-03-29T20:16:00.001-07:00

This is a close up of the wall tile, pre-grouting. My favorite part is the "fossil" accent tile. Click on the photo for a close up view!

Floor Tile In!

2008-03-25T19:36:00.000-07:00

Tile ready...

2008-03-24T19:27:00.000-07:00

Tomorrow is another plumbing test on the tub, another coat of paint, and floor tile install! Jeremy suggested we "stagger" the floor tile and we are considering doing the same on the wall tile. Stay tuned!

The Tub is in!

2008-03-20T23:43:00.000-07:00

Lowe's called this morning at 7am to say they would deliver the tub in 30 minutes!!! It arrived unscathed!

We now have everything we need to finish the project. Things should progress pretty quickly this next week!

Progress....

2008-03-13T11:34:00.000-07:00

There has been some progress while waiting on the replacement tub. The walls and ceiling have been primed, patched, & painted. Some plumbing has been done and the wall between the closet and shower was widened to support the 6" tiles.

Uncle Ed saved our project! He was able to procure the sink and faucet at his store! He even delivered them to the house personally! Awesome!

Cracking up over the Tub!

2008-03-12T23:30:00.000-07:00

We've had a slight delay in our progress due to the arrival and subsequent return of a CRACKED BATHTUB. It was a special order too so another 5 days must pass before a new one arrives.

Also, the sink & vanity that I spied at Lowe's is nowhere to be found. I hit 3 different stores and they are all out with no ship date in sight. To add to that the sink faucet that matches the tub faucet is also on backorder.

Tim to call on reinforcements....Uncle Ed to the rescue!

Phase 1 - The bathroom from Grey to Soon-To-Be-Great!

2008-03-05T20:29:00.000-08:00

domus dulcis domus

2008-03-02T21:25:00.000-08:00

Welcome to our blog about our home renovation!

The blog name is Latin for "Home Sweet Home".

We've lived in our house for 17 years, we "remodeled" it just after we moved in. Some things we completed, others have remained incomplete since then! Work, school, our business, work, then more school have all taken up our time & focus. We're finally at a point where our new goal is to live in a house that is completely finished!

Keep an eye out for updates!