Reality Check

Well the framing for the master bathroom is done as well as the electrical and plumbing.  Hooray!  That means we're closer to the stage that is the most fun for me.  Decor.  My husband could live and breathe all the other stuff which might as well be rocket science to me.  I mean plumbing what?  Electrical who?   I want to get it (not really), but I just can't.  Sorry, too boring

In preparation, I've been reading a lot of design blogs and diligently searching the internet for things that I may one day put in my new home.   I realize I'm jumping the gun a bit since we don't even have drywall up but what can I say?

As I was telling my friend Jules I recently read an article suggesting places online to shop for various things.  The article suggested a website called 1stdibs so my little fingers typed away expecting to see all kinds of goodies.  I wasn't disappointed in what I saw, but my eyes about popped out of my head when I saw the prices.  It was a reaffirming moment.  I mean there really is a whole world of "things" that are completely unattainable to me.  What?  I mean I always knew this but it was a slap in the face when the prices of said "things" were staring me in the face.  I knew that "things" could be pricey but I never imagined how pricey.  Seriously there are rugs on the website selling for $300,000.  Really?  We are talking about a rug that you stand on, right?  With feet?  Does this rug do something special?  Actually it doesn't really matter, unless it could open a portal to another dimension where I look 10 years younger and don't have vertical wrinkles on my forehead from the way that I sleep. 

So my search continues for pretty AND reasonably priced things for the house.  Unfortunately for me 1st dibs will not be my 1st choice in the hunt.  

Anyway here's some pictures of the new framing (stretch), plumbing (yawn) and electrical (Zzzzz).

Entrance to Master Bath with pocket door

Linen Closet to immediate right

 Shower to the right of the closet

Enclosed Toilet across from shower

Vanity area to the immediate left of entry

 

Cue The Jackhammers

The wood shingle bump out on the left side of the house is not original.  This was added on as a master bathroom.  And when I say that's the bathroom I mean that's the bathroom.  It doesn't extend much beyond what you see.   In truth the existing master bathroom is about 3.5' x 6.5'.  

This is where it is on the inside.  The door on the far left is a tiny closet and the one to the right of it is the entrance to the master bathroom bump out.  The door on the far right is the existing entrance to the room.

Check out the wallpaper.  Fun eh?  It's a damask...FROM HELL!!!

Then came the demo crew and...

(Sorry, these next couple of pictures are a bit blurry.  My husband took them with his lover, the iphone.  Not so amazing now is she?) 

So apparantly they tried and tried and tried to remove the concrete floor with sledgehammers before they realized how thick the floor was.  Enter the jackhammers.  Approximately 22 tons of concrete and plaster were removed from this tiny bathroom.  Are you kidding me?  Once the concrete was removed it turned out that some of the joists that were supposed to be supporting the bump out were a tad defunct.  What a surprise.  So the joints will have to be sistered to add support so that the structure doesn't land on the neighbor's driveway.  Hmm, I almost sound like I know what I'm talking about.   

Until next time...

Bring The Noise

D.E.M.O.L.I.T.I.O.N.  Not for the faint of heart though great for anger management issues.  Don't ask me how I know this.  Anyhoo, demo has begun and it's like a dust (and lead) filled cloud has descended upon the second floor.  One thing I love about the demolition phase of a project is the speed.  It all happens so fast that you think to yourself that perhaps the project really won't take the months that you later realize it will take plus a few.  It's instant gratification.  Then when the dust settles you realize that  everything has to be rewired, replumbed, rebuilt. (Reconsidering?)

The wall between the two front rooms is now down and I have to say that it has made a huge difference.  The light in the room is incredible.  Unfortunately it's going to cost a pretty penny to filter said light.  I know you're not supposed to do pretty before plumbing, but...well I've already started looking for what type of window coverings I'm going to do, you know, just to get an idea of prices.  I hate to sound like a tween but OMG.   Of course it's going to be even more expensive since the windows are not your standard height.  I guess I'd better start saving now so that I can afford them in ten years when the house is done...Ha!

                                         

 BEFORE

AFTER

The New Master Suite

Since the house was designed for a completely different time we've decided that a few tweaks are necessary to make sense for our lifestyle.  The master bedroom and bath are a case in point.  I'm really not sure where the bed went since no wall seems big enough to frame anything more than a twin, maybe.  The bathroom is another concern.  We've lived in historic houses before and are quite familiar with the petite size which is typical of the bathrooms.  However, that being said, we're going to stretch it to the max to try to squeeze every inch we can to get our version of a dream bathroom.  It won't be big.  It will be bigger.  

We decided to leave it to the professionals since we're going to be moving walls so here's the new layout for the master bedroom/sitting room/bathroom:

So we're knocking down the wall between the original master bedroom and the room next to it.  We're going to have pocket doors between the two rooms to make the front room a sitting area to the adjoining new master.  The original bathroom is getting pushed out into the original master to enlarge it.  Demolition here we come!