Our Big Amazing Renovation

Reflective Glass

2010-07-11T16:51:00.000-07:00

In the last moments before we left our beloved Applewood Farm, I walked around from room to room drinking in every square inch. There was a hole in my heart that day because not only were we leaving what we thought was our forever home, but the first place that actually felt like home to me in a very long time. Other than bittersweet memories, the only thing I could physically take with me that day, was the mirror hanging in the bathroom.

That mirror now hangs in the main floor bathroom of Glenaura and I have come to realize that it is one of my most cherished possessions. It is really nothing special, it is just a handmade frame with plywood backing and twisted old wire to mount it, the glass has imperfections and a little of the paint flakes off every time I give it a good clean........ but it is has reflected our lives since that day........ all the changes and life lessons that makes where we are today in this home that much sweeter.

And it is sweet. And finished.

http://glenaurafarm.blogspot.com/

One Year Ago.......

2010-07-02T12:30:00.000-07:00

Split Screens always show the true transformation, and as we started this project approximately a year ago, I thought it was fitting to have a flashback.

Landscaping

2010-06-19T12:01:00.000-07:00

I realized it has been awhile since I posted, things have definitely slowed down in the reno department, but work has definitely continued on the outside space. The grass is growing around the house, the deck is filling up with flowers and furniture, the veggie garden is thriving and our "north side" landscaping project is almost complete.

Our original plan was to create a stone patio on the only side of the house where we did not build deck, however we switched gears wanting to create a space for shrubs and perennials and we are glad we did. Other than adding some more greenery, setting the flag stone into the mulch a bit more and creating a flat surface with sand and grade correction for the hose and reel, we are done.

The old house has come a long way in a year.

Another Check on the To Do List.

2010-04-28T07:29:00.001-07:00

The deck is done and looks incredible, Jay definitely knows what he is doing and it is shown in his attention to detail and insane craftsmanship - thanks for a job well done!

We decided not to do a top row of pergola boards, for a couple of reasons. When we did the initial plans for the house, removing the small window (for code reasons) from Hanna's bedroom, changed the look of the front of the house, we had the option of doing a dormer or even a wrap around porch - but we opted out of both, in retrospect we should have gone for the dormer. The front of the house has always been a bit of a thorn in my side, driving up to the house it seemed to be lacking something, looking very plain and well, quite frankly *blah*. There is no way I wanted a covered porch (which would have solved the problem) because I didn't want to lose the lovely morning - mid day sunlight, winters are long enough without purposefully eliminating natural light - therein came the decision to build the pergola. It allows plenty of light in the windows and adds a certain architectural appeal to the home that it was lacking, but from the far distance - it is hard to see the definition of the profile, so my bareness factor isn't completely remedied but much improved. So rather then spend more money on lumber, the single row boards will more than suffice!

So, now comes the rest of the outdoor space projects some of which include building the grade up around the deck to conceal the piers, laying grass seed, building flower, toy storage and garbage boxes, the all important patio furniture selection and then the rock garden on the north side of the house........it is shaping up to be a busy season!

Since I know that a lot of you have appreciate the financial honesty, I will share the deck material costs with you, I am not sure of the exact cost of installing the deck piers as it was bulked in with the cost of contractor's bill, but the lumber and hardware was "approx" $5000.00, no that does not include labour - but that is one figure we are keeping to ourselves ;)

Who's Ready For A Deck Party??!!!!

2010-04-22T16:52:00.000-07:00

Wow - that is all I can say!

Here You Go Chris....

2010-04-22T09:12:00.001-07:00

Chris is at work and is slightly excited about the progress this deck is making, so here are some midday photos.

I Can Almost Taste The Cocktails!!

2010-04-19T14:06:00.000-07:00

After three days of work, the deck is really coming together! The footprint in laid out and the surface boards are beginning to go down, I was even able to have a sit and enjoy a coffee.
This weekend we are shopping for a new bbq and patio set ;)

Getting Started on the Deck!

2010-04-16T04:31:00.000-07:00

The arrival of this incredible weather has enabled us to start work on our outdoor living space sooner than we anticipated. Chris has been working diligently at leveling out the terrain around the house and bringing topsoil up to encourage grass growth where the deck will end and lawn will begin.

So here's the plan, the East side (front) and South side of the house will have 10' wide full length deck wrapping around to the West side (entry) where the deck will be approx 4 1/2 ' wide with a pergola on the East side to not only add a shady escape, but mostly to add and eye pleasing attribute to a currently blank canvas. All will be done in pressure treated deck board and expertly crafted by my brother Jason, we are SO lucky to have been able to hire him for this project!
If all goes well, construction should commence on Monday!!

EceEnergy Audit - Totally Worth It!!

2010-03-15T17:06:00.000-07:00

Well, a nice surprise met us in the mailbox today! A $5000 cheque from the Federal Government! So, we got back far more than we thought we would and not only that, but the Ontario government matches that $5000 with a cheque that should follow in about a month. Yippee!! I think our deck is easily paid for and maybe a nice patio set.

So, all my belly aching about our poor rating was not worth it. Our house seems to be quite energy efficient based on our winter heating and hydro costs, so between that and the all mighty buck, we are quite happy with our renovation choices.

The Smell of Spring!

2010-03-08T14:11:00.000-08:00

With spring in the air (almost), we are getting anxious to start up our little farm. We have been organizing some of the things in the barn setting some items aside to be included in our family yard sale, some designated to the burn pile and some being reassigned a place in our lives.

Chris has been adamant about building me a tack room in the barn, I resisted at first using the excuse of extra time and supplies needed for the project however, now that it is taking shape I am finding it to be a much needed space for some of the items that just don't fit in the house and that I don't have the heart to part with. So aside from the obvious saddles, bridles and grooming equipment, my grandfathers desk will have a new home.

Our chicken coup is also taking shape! I won the battle that earned me a larger space for our birds and put the order in for 10 Plymouth Rock laying hens and 12 White Rock meat cockerels! April 9th we should have 22 fuzzy peepers for a certain little girl to adore. We also intend to get some ducklings, but that will happen later on in the spring.

The glorious mud kept us entertained this morning and the deck piers around the house peaking through the melting snow has reminded us that we need to start making deck plans!!!!

Back Splash!

2010-02-22T11:56:00.000-08:00

After the arduous task of selecting a back splash, we stumbled upon this amazing tile store in Barrie called Desert Tile, wow, they had a great selection and my perfect fit!! The colours pull out the flecks in the quartz countertop and cupboards. The painter is coming later this week to do touch up paint and I am finally getting to "girlifying" Hanna's room so stay tuned for pics!

The Energuide Rating

2010-02-18T11:57:00.001-08:00

Well, I am disappointed to say the least. After having gone through the EcoEnergy Audit and performing a HUGE amount of renovations, our score was lacking.

The original house scored a 69% efficiency and now we score a 75%.... not even in the "Most Efficient" category. I am not sure how foolproof the test is and what the possible variables could be for a faulty test, because I mean we have EnergyStar rated windows and doors, and the entire house is sealed with spray foam insulation, what does it take to create a thoroughly efficient home?

I think I will do a little research into this.

And This Is What We Should Have Done In The First Place!!

2010-02-08T14:38:00.000-08:00

I wince at the cost of labour when it comes to tiling, but man oh man our guy knows his stuff. As you know, the jacuzzi originally had a painted pine tongue and groove as the surround, we never liked it and resisted but caved........ so maybe the malfunction of the tub was for the greater good, because the tile "entombment" looks awesome! It still needs grout (and I am still on the fence about that damn tile colour we chose) but it made the world of difference!

Before

After

EceEnergy Audit - Part Deux

2010-01-25T04:34:00.000-08:00

Today we completed the second stage of the Energy Audit offered by the federal and provincial governments. The process itself isn't as riveting as I had expected, I was under the assumption that this "fan" you hear about would suck all of the dust and pet hair out of my house and collect in a nice tidy ball on this contraption....... no such luck, you barely hear or feel it.

The initial audit rated the original house at a 68% on the EnerGuide scale provided by Natural Resources Canada, that is based on how much air can by pulled through your house. When Chris was present for the first audit, the fan moved quite quickly, this time - not so much, however until the magic numbers are punched into the sophisticated computer software, we will not know our exact Energuide rating and how the renovations we have performed have improved that number.

So, we have submitted our figures and now we wait and see how much we will ultimately qualify for in rebates, as our auditor put it "Now all you have to do is take the cheque to the bank".

The Cost of Renovating

2010-01-12T16:34:00.000-08:00

When we initially took on this project, we had options - we could have torn down the original structure and built new, but any quotes we received for building new, started at $200/sq ft and that was only base finishes........ laminate floors and counter top, standard tubs and shower inserts etc. etc...... not what we wanted and certainly not the budget we were thinking of. So after seeking the opinion of a home inspector and contractor, we decided to salvage the original structure to be able to concentrate our hard earned dollars on the finishes that we wanted. However, when you are taking on such an endeavour the costs are not purely tiles, windows and paint. There is the cost of drafting/engineering any structure changes or additions, permits, equipment rentals etc etc etc. So, as a point of interest we will share the true cost of this project. Happy reading!

Home Inspection $378.00
Energy Audits $500.00
Hydro One Upgrade $960.75
Blueprints $441.00
Appliances $5151.92
Home Depot $3441.41 Lights, knobs, bathroom vanity, faucets, kitchen sink etc
Home Hardware $8986.70 Kitchencraft Cabinets (Maple in Espresso/anti slam)
Home Hardware $4226.20 Silestone Countertop (Quartz in Ivory Coast)
Home Hardware $1179.73 Water Softener & Misc
Rona $980.33 Toilets, lights
Dufferin Flooring $3774.93 Tile
Ikea $1614.30 Bathroom vanity, medicine cabinet, furniture
Canadian Tire $134.00 Sump Pump
Centre Grey HH $41485.20 Materials For Build
Fleshcon $1045.25 New Foundation Concrete
Stephens Rental $840.00 Waste Bin
Shouldice Block $966.69 Blocks for New Foundation
GW Masonry $1426.00 Mason work in showers and stone fireplace.
Brampton Hardwood $3529.72 Hardwood Flooring
B&R Stoveshoppe $3628.01 Propane Fireplace
Andex Steel $2536.88 Steel for Roof
Northern Heating $10620.41 Furnace, Air Exchanger, Duct work and installation
Harrison Interiors $9667.35 Spray Foam Insulation
Eagles Painting $6720.00 Interior priming and painting
D.V. Electric $9920.40 Complete wiring/switch & outlet covers/pot lights
M.T. Ceramic $3914.66 Installation of ceramic tile
Paul's Carpetry $4080.91 Carpet installation upstairs
Fines HH $745.67 Deck Piers
Barry Vaine Wood $5741.25 Maple Stairs and railing
Kinsmen Eavestrough $835.80 Seamless Eavestrough
Orangeville Glass $2599.00 Shower glass
Russell Drywall $4678.00 Labour to install & treat drywall
Mulligan Builders $71880.00 Labour
Mulligan Builders $18686.00 Management Fee

Grand Total of $237,316.47

Yup, ouch.

We are about $25,000 over budget - sort of - as we didn't have to do certain things in the original quote (ie:septic) and added some projects (ie: spray foam), so really we didn't come out too badly.

As for deadline, the start date was July 6 with an estimated completion of September. They came "most days" other than the entire month of September and we spent our first night at the house on November 23, the contractors were not done until December 16 and still not everything is completely done as of this moment, though our builder is done his part. We still have the backsplash tile in the kitchen, the jacuzzi tub tiling and, of course, the all important outdoor space which will include 3 sides of deck and pergola as well as other landscaping. So, although done is not done, it is done enough to be enjoying it......and that we are!

Preparing For The Final Payment!

2010-01-04T18:14:00.000-08:00

The last basement window went in today, so that means that our builder is pretty much done and is working on preparing our "final" bill to receive payment. We have a few things we hope to get done as an aside from work our builder is/was doing, such as a backsplash in the kitchen, re-tiling the tub upstairs and of course in the spring/summer a deck, a rock garden, a vegetable garden, interior barn configurations for small animals etc. etc. etc., all in good time!

So, in the next week or two, we are considering sharing some of the numbers of this big amazing renovation, we realize real figures are usually not spoken about, but it is something we are always interested in and it shows the reality of home improvements and the costs involved.

And A Seized Defrost Motor.......

2009-12-22T10:29:00.000-08:00

Well for starters, the tub is repaired and works well. Bonus. However, and yes there is a however, upon closer inspection since the enclosure had to be removed, we have noticed that the tub has been improperly braced.

In order to support the load of the large tub full of water including a person (or two), it should sit inside a "cradle", unfortunately our tub only has supports in the front and butts against the wall. This has nothing to do with the pump failure, this just adds insult to injury and needs to be pulled out and re-done.

As for our air exchange system, it seemed to be running constantly and we noticed condensation in the basement around the units ducts and even frozen areas within them. Not good. So, a repair man came out today and it seems that the defrost motor is seized, so the part is ordered. He also noticed that the seal was improper between the two ducts and will replace that as well.

The laundry room is done now, we just need to put the light fixture back up and put the outlet covers on, otherwise it is re-drywalled, re-painted and re-ready for laundry doing.....oh wait, you would need an operational dryer for that....... that's right folks our brand new gas dryer has gone on the fritz, some error F70 code that the internet comes up with as a computer/control communication error, the repair person can not come out until Dec 30.

It could be worse, I am not complaining, just sharing. :)

Eaves Trough Is On.

2009-12-11T12:14:00.000-08:00

The eaves trough was finally installed this week, and it looks pretty nice. It is a seamless product and rather than the standard tin, they used steel because of the steel roof choice. We buried "big O" to drain into the field to the south of us and the eaves drains directly into that, so we hope that there will not be a huge amount of drainage mess in the spring.

The laundry room has its last coat of mud and should be ready for paint on Saturday, hopefully next week we can get the final coats on in the upstairs hall as well. The shower glass for the upstairs bathroom should be finished this week as well.

And The Mess Rolls On.

2009-12-04T07:30:00.000-08:00

Well, we are pretty much moved in, and by pretty much I mean the only things that is preventing us from being totally settled is this laundry room/jacuzzi re-work. The tub is now officially fixed (and tested) and we had to rip the pine off for the repair to be done properly so we have decided to tile around the jacuzzi and build in a "secret" access panel, will look much nicer. The drywall board is up in the laundry room and the drywaller should be out today or Monday to do the first coat of mud, not looking forward to this mess and therefore I am holding out on the main Christmas decorating (the tree). The shower glass is due tomorrow and for that we are very excited, as we are enjoying our shower very much but will appreciate the added warmth the glass will add to the enclosure. The back of the house (main entry) is almost complete and the eaves trough should be here Monday as well - next week is shaping up to be a busy one!

We have managed to find a home for "most" of our furniture, though going from 3000 sq ft (Chatsworth) to 1500 sq ft, poses some space issues for bulky items........ Ikea has been wonderful! We are still making some configuration changes as we go, but for the most part things are relatively organized, it has been a lot of fun after waiting so long.

For This There Are No Words.

2009-11-25T17:05:00.001-08:00

After a long (hard) couple of days, I decided to enjoy my jacuzzi tub for the first time.

I lit the candle. I readied the iPod. I added the bubbles.

A few blissful moments of bubbly heat, the tub filled and filled and filled. "Wow, this IS a big tub" I thought to myself. I turned the jets off to communicate to Chris that it was wonderful, when I noticed the bubbles getting lower. "Hmmm" I thought. I called to Chris to come and check things out, by the time her got upstairs even I knew it wasn't the drain plug stuck open or the bubbles reducing, he confirmed my suspicions.......... the floor was covered with water.

It is amazing how quickly water finds an escape, we can only assume it is leaking at a jet (experience tells us so) and the plumber and contractor are on their way over to diagnose the situation. I can tell you this much....... the upstairs bathroom floor and the laundry room ceiling are seeping water......... we have not seen the end of this renovation, it isn't through with us yet.

The jacuzzi "guts"

Before the "incident" - getting things set up.

TV is hung, mantle is oiled

Main floor bathroom - looking great!

Just like Christmas Morning.

2009-11-22T03:10:00.001-08:00

I gave up this morning. After tossing and turning since close to 3am, I gave up shortly before 5am and dragged my husband with me. It is almost as exciting as Christmas morning, and maybe a little more right now.......today we start the process of preparing the house to move into. Although most of what we will be doing today is prep work to move in, it is one more stage in this very emotional journey.

So off I go to drink coffee!!

Ladies and Gentlemen, We Have Heat!

2009-11-19T15:55:00.000-08:00

The furnace is officially working! The appliances will have to wait until tomorrow to be hooked up as we have to replace the flex lines???!! OK. Other than that, the carpet is in and looks (and feels) really nice, as much as I am a hardwood fan, it is nice to have carpet on the bedroom floors. The inside of the closets are all painted and the one side is ready for hanging clothes and the built in shelves are coming along on the other side, also some walls have had their second coat of paint. The stairs are being urethaned this weekend, so we will have to hold out on putting things upstairs until at least Monday........ doesn't mean I can't start cleaning downstairs and filling my kitchen and the basement ;)

Lights, Trim Paint and Some Carpet!!

2009-11-18T16:23:00.000-08:00

Well, the place is that much closer to liveable, the carpet installers came a day early and the painters and electrician were on site all day. It is really looking good........maybe this is really going to happen!

Counting Down The Days

2009-11-17T16:05:00.000-08:00

Things really progressed today. The stairs are exactly what we had in mind and they look awesome. The downstairs bathtub is tiled and ready for a bit of finishing trim and silicone, the upstairs tub enclosure is ready for paint and silicone and underneath the stairs is finished up and ready for its coat of paint as well........ looks like it is all up to the painters now!

So far there is only one thing I would change and that is the upstairs tub enclosure. I wish I had stuck to my guns and asked for tile rather than wood, its not that it looks bad but the downstairs tub looks really really good, this is something that can be done later on, we just want in!!

Tomorrow we put more appliances in, in anticipation of the propane hook up on Thursday!

Loving The Stairs and Railing!

2009-11-17T07:13:00.000-08:00

So, the railing upstairs has begun to take shape and it is looking awesome!! Glad we went away from popular choice of colonial spindles, the square is just right! Also, we have made the decision not to put carpet runner down the stairs, they are too pretty to cover and it will make cleaning them that much easier!!

After another disappointment in regards to hoping for a move in this weekend, we may not be that far off after all. The tiler was able to squeeze us in to finish the downstairs tub, the painters are on sight, the stairs may be complete today, the carpet goes in Thursday (yes Monday was the original deadline), furnace hook up Friday, finish up plumbing this week and the electrician is due to show up today to put our fixtures in. Lets hope the weather holds out so we can make the journey from the POD to the house with our stuff.

Waiting.....impatiently!

2009-11-14T05:01:00.001-08:00

We are on the last few legs of the race and it feels like that ribbon is miles away........ it's worse than waiting for Christmas when you are a kid (or me)........ everything is "almost" ready. Water is hooked up but turned off for final tests........furnace and propane are ready, but they have yet to make the "love connection" and everything is just waiting for it's last coats of paint, but these are all things that prevent us from moving our stuff in!!!!!!!! Oh well, carpet is coming on Monday and that will mean the world of difference, not sure why the painters didn't completely finish up there BEFORE, but oh well.

Toilets look good :)

The Mantle Is Ready For Stockings!

2009-11-12T16:15:00.000-08:00

Our stairs were installed today and they are nothing short of beautiful!! They take up less room than we thought and will allow large furniture to go upstairs with ease. Most of the trim is painted upstairs and the downstairs tub is framed and ready for tile, and the piece de resistance of the day, the mantle. We decided to use a slab of wood from Chris' Grandpa Brown's barn, it is very old walnut and it is the perfect accent in our old meets new renovation project...... the Christmas stockings have a place.

Bigfeet!

2009-11-10T15:44:00.001-08:00

Well, the deck piers have been "installed" (not sure if that would be the correct term) and it is so very tempting to just take the plunge and do the deck this year, but we will wait until spring. The exterior of the house is complete except for the little entryway covering, that will likely get completed once the interior is done. More hardwood is down, more doors are hung and the trim is really coming along! Even the temporary stairs are gone in anticipation of the new ones coming on Thursday.

On another note, as beautiful as our counter top is, the installation job left something to be desired, for interest sake I will post the pictures. Even though the company came out and did a precise measure, the slabs came square ......... and the house is not.
Problems Being:
1. A gap in the corner between the quartz and the wall was filled with the adhesive they use for the seam........ it dried a bright orange.
2. There is a noticeable area of silicone missing on the inside seam of the sink mount - not a good thing with it holding water and all.
3. The centre of the sink does not line up with the center of the cupboards underneath it
4. The sink hole was not cut symmetrical and they covered part of the "Blanco" emblem - not life threatening, but for top dollar it should be perfect.

So, the ball is rolling to have it "remedied"

Other than that, the progress is awesome and we are excited!

Starting To Come Together!!

2009-11-09T16:43:00.000-08:00

This shall be a week!! The soffit was finished today, the corner trim on the siding is being installed, the propane lines are dug and installed ready for the propane to be hooked up when they bring the tank later this week, that = heat! They continued installing hardwood in anticipation of the stairs coming on Thursday, the closet doors are installed and ready for paint and the trim is coming along nicely.

The only word that relays this feeling is euphoria, we are so close!

Closet doors in master bedroom - yes they will be painted white

Microwave is in, it even has a flap on the top that opens when you turn the fan on!

Hall closet doors are on

More hardwood being laid

It's Plumb Exciting!!!

2009-11-05T17:08:00.000-08:00

The plumber came in like a knight in shining armour and restored this damsels hope of completion, it is amazing what some faucets and shower heads can do for the soul!! The deck piers and propane lines should be dug on Monday and there should even be toilets by the end of the week!

Tiling is Done!!!!!

2009-11-03T16:54:00.000-08:00

The tile is officially complete! I really liked our tiler and think he did an awesome job. So now the glass can be measured and ordered! The rest of the house seems to be at a stand still, there was only two other guys working and they did get some soffit done, but we would like them to concentrate on the inside of the house to get us in!

The "new" house had its first snowfall, looked kinda pretty.

Showers Are Looking Good!

2009-11-02T17:50:00.000-08:00

The shower stalls are tiled and other than a bit of edging around the bathtubs, the tiling. We are beyond anxious to get in and even though things are moving at a good pace, it seems so slow!

When The Cat's Away.......

2009-10-30T17:12:00.000-07:00

The mice they played. It seems as though our builders wife may be in the midst of having their baby as he didn't show up today, his 2 employees did but we can only see that one door was framed and installed. The tiler on the other hand, got the entire tile laid in the entrance/laundry room and finished the downstairs bathroom floor........ so, all that's left is the downstairs shower and all of the grout!! SO exciting!

A close up of the countertop and sink.

The first inside door is now hung

Hall/Laundry Tile

The Countertop Is In (Or On)!!

2009-10-29T13:52:00.000-07:00

I had a tough time choosing the countertop. I had narrowed it down to 4 colours, my first instinct was not the end choice, and after going against the majority vote I believe I made the right choice!! I am in love with it and have far more counter space than I originally thought, I cannot wait to cook.

The front hall and laundry room were being prepped with scratch coat today and tile should be laid out tomorrow, the upstairs bathroom shower and floor tiling is totally done and just ready for grout, as for the colour choice that we made for upstairs....... I am not convinced. The tiler, the contractor and even Chris are doing their best to reassure me that it doesn't look pink, but I see a pink hue..... waaaaaaa!!! Now, the light in that bathroom is an unfiltered bulb and the room isn't complete, but right now I am a bit dissapointed...... tile was definitely the hardest choice and I didn't want to pick a light colour but knowing that the upstairs bath is a darker room, we gambled.

Unfortunately the crew ran out of siding today and were almost done the last side of the house, so we have to wait until at least Wednesday, but they were working on the soffit etc., and Chris assembled the vanities today, and we discovered our one choice of faucets is not going work for that basin......... so, another trip to the big box store and another choice to make.

And Then There Was Tile!

2009-10-28T16:25:00.001-07:00

The tiler is making quick work of our bathrooms, the upstairs floor is laid and ready for grout and the downstairs floor is also well on its way! All of the windows are framed and trimmed and only the two hall closets upstairs and doors need to be done, progress is a wonderful thing!

Downstairs Bathroom - it is a more "chocolatey" colour than it appears.

Upstairs bathroom - this colour is not pink, it is a neutral tone with brown veining.

Almost Ready for Tile!!!

2009-10-27T15:51:00.000-07:00

The bathroom floors are ready for tile and the cement board is installed in the showers, the shelf/divider has been framed in between the living/dining area and the first truss for the entry overhang is mounted! We purchased a couple of the final light fixtures and gave our builder the 3rd installment cheque today, so we are officially feeling like an abused bank machine spewing out the cash :)

I Can Picture The Stockings Hung For Christmas!!!

2009-10-26T15:54:00.001-07:00

The stone mason did the fireplace today, and it looks awesome!!! I am so looking forward to the first time we can relax with a glass of wine in front of the flickering flames!! Also, we have a furnace (no propane yet though) and there is only one side of the house left to have siding put on.

The Outside is Taking Shape

2009-10-24T14:04:00.000-07:00

Despite the less than favourable weather, the siding is almost 3/4 done. The deck and pergola will definitely dress up the bare front of the house, but it will have to wait until the spring as we are only concerned with getting the inside ready.

Progress!

2009-10-23T16:33:00.000-07:00

Well, we have seen some serious work being done this week! Almost all of the windows are framed and trimmed, the downstairs bathtub is in place, the fireplace is framed and the stone has been selected and best of all, we can go and look at the place at night.....yes, we have seen the light!!!
Furnace is set to be installed on Monday and just in time, as it is feeling like winter is coming! Pics of the outside will follow this weekend as I haven't shown up on time with my camera!

It's Like Waiting For the Water to Boil.

2009-10-19T10:21:00.000-07:00

It is a frustrating day. After brief meeting with the contractors this morning, we are coming to realize that we are not the exception - we are the rule. We thought we had chosen a builder that would provide quality workmanship and complete the job in a timely manner, luckily so far the place looks great.......... it just isn't on schedule. We look around at the untrimmed windows, unfinished floors and un-started tiling (new word), and with the main man expecting a baby any day, we are getting disheartened and concerned. We are now at the point of considering rolling up our sleeves and pitching in........ you think I am kidding - I am not.

A Side of Siding

2009-10-17T05:07:00.000-07:00

Well, things didn't progress like we had hoped, but we have siding on the South side of the house, so it is something. It must be an arduous task as one side took two guys, two days. However, I must say that the house has a warm feeling already (and it's not just all that spray foam!), the colour choices, wood floor and large number of windows is making it feel inviting and comfortable.....even without furniture and finishing touches!!

It's Actually Going To Be a Real House!!

2009-10-14T16:14:00.001-07:00

So much is happening! The kitchen is installed, (knobs will be here by Friday) the countertop should be measured and ordered tomorrow, the first coat of paint is on all of the walls and the siding has begun to go up!! It is certainly looking, and feeling, like home...... our visit tonight made us want to stay and definitely inspired me to want to start filling cupboards!!

Kitchen Is Being Installed!!

2009-10-13T14:35:00.000-07:00

After a horrible dream about the cabinets arriving completely wrong and a yelling match with our "kitchen lady", it turns out that everything is A-OK...... so far! Even though the 130 + year old house presented a challenge with uneven floors and ceilings, things are looking good...... should be done tonight. The rest of the week will be filled with paint colour going on the walls, bathrooms being prepped for tile and possibly even siding! Stay Tuned!

Primer and Hardwood!

2009-10-08T16:33:00.000-07:00

The walls are now covered with primer and the hardwood installation has begun, I picked up the last of the door knobs today and now we keep our fingers crossed that the momentum continues!

It's amazing how much the flooring changes the look of the space!

Drywall is Done..... Painting has Started!

2009-10-07T09:49:00.000-07:00

As promised, the drywaller finished yesterday and did the texturing (no, not popcorn!) on the ceiling. This morning, the painters were there by 9am and are confident there will be the first coat of colour on the walls by Friday!!

We were feeling inspired with the momentum of our project and were able to make our final selections for tile, we were able to once again stay local and avoid the big box stores and got a bit of a deal to boot, we also found our toilets, kitchen sink and interior door knobs! A very productive day all in all and it is only halfway through!!

Foremost "Europa" from Rona 4/6L Flush

Downstairs Bathroom

Upstairs Bathroom

Laundry & Entry Tile

Textured Ceiling

The Ball Is Once Again Rolling!

2009-10-01T17:13:00.000-07:00

After a very long month on virtual stand still, our project is once again gaining momentum.

The drywaller has returned and is making quick work of the mudding and sanding, the painter is ready to go as soon as the walls are ready, the kitchen is set to be installed on October 13 and the hardwood floor is delivered and waiting! The final colour choices have been selected and virtually all of our fixtures are purchased. Phew!

The Inevitable (and Anticipated) Completion Push Back

2009-09-18T13:01:00.001-07:00

Well, we knew the momentum was too good to be true, and it was. It seems that sub-contractors have lives too! (who knew???!!) and our drywaller has taken a trip to Cuba. So, the drywall should start getting finished late next week. We have been assured the painters are going to be ready as soon as the walls are ready, and that the hardwood and tiling will follow, so in the meantime I will busy myself with final colour, tile, carpet and fixture selections.

On a good note, the basement will be getting a good clean and a fresh coat of paint...... should evict some spiders.

Drywall Baby!!

2009-09-09T17:00:00.000-07:00

The drywall is up and ready for tape and mud, it is unreal how much of a difference it makes and how the rooms have taken shape and actually look like rooms!!

Upstairs hallway in addition

From the bottom of the (temporary) stairs

From the bottom of the stairs looking up

Kitchen

Dining Area

Living/Dining Area

Front Entry/Cloakroom Area & Stairs to basement

Laundry Room

And So We Wait.......

2009-09-01T11:25:00.000-07:00

Now that the house's interior is ready, we must wait for the drywalling to begin which will "likely" be within the next week or two. Our contractor is gone to finish a job in the meantime, so it is going to feel like time is standing still...... we will use the downtime to get our final colours and tiles picked out!

Starting The Steel

2009-08-27T17:17:00.000-07:00

They started laying the steel on the roof today, gives the house a completely different look.

Ready For Drywall!

2009-08-26T16:43:00.000-07:00

The vapour barrier was put up today and all the nooks and crannies were sealed up inside in preparation for drywall! Our "oh so awesome" gas fireplace was installed today and it looks like there will be steel going on the roof tomorrow, loving the momentum right now!

POD

2009-08-24T17:20:00.000-07:00

In other news, we have moved out of the Schoolhouse as our closing day is this Friday. Seeing as our house is a "tad off being liveable", my kind in-laws have taken us in. We needed a home for our stuff, so we rented a POD, they are so cool and their transport and moving process is unreal, I suggest checking out YouTube to see a video.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d_wfOt628Ww

Windows & Doors!

2009-08-24T17:15:00.000-07:00

Well, now that the weather is supposed to be nice for almost a whole week, we have a (nearly) sealed house. All the windows and doors were installed today and our shower and tub faucets are roughed in. The house is so much quieter inside with windows!!

A Few of Our Selections

2009-08-19T18:48:00.001-07:00

I thought I would post a few pictures of the house "things" we have purchased so far.

Ready For Winter...... Almost

2009-08-19T18:01:00.000-07:00

The spray foam was done today and looks great! The exterior of the existing structure and the interior of the addition is covered, we should be warm this winter! The roof and exterior board prep should be one this week and even some windows!

We went out tonight and picked our shower and tub faucets and shower heads....... too many choices out there! So for the downstairs shower we decided on a top and side head and a side head for the upstairs. We also went for a tap/faucet/retractable shower faucet for the jacuzzi, to make it easier to clean!

Rain, rain and oh yeah..... more rain.

2009-08-17T18:00:00.001-07:00

Well, if nothing else, the house is getting a good wash with all this rain!

The roof is ready for steel and the framing inspection was today, the majority of the plumbing is complete and the sub floor upstairs and downstairs is laid! WE should see some serious progress this week!

Walls, Vent Pipes and Gas Lines .... oh my!

2009-08-11T18:34:00.000-07:00

The crew really moved today! The addition walls and roof are almost complete, the bathroom venting is coming together and some gas lines have even been installed.

As an aside, we decided to go look at "stuff"...... faucets, vanities, paint colours etc., we even let Hanna pick the colour for her bedroom, the choice was Disneys "Once Upon A Time" - a pale lilac......I can work with that :)

The faucet we purchased

Duct Work and Rain

2009-08-10T16:41:00.000-07:00

Almost all of the duct work was installed today, the electrical is almost finished, framing is just about complete and my whirlpool tub arrived on site! Even with all the rain we had the basement is just wet not flooded and although the house is a little soggy, the forecast looks good for the rest of the week. The contractor hopes to have the roof on and things sealed up other than windows this week!

Appliances

2009-08-08T17:20:00.000-07:00

After much research on Consumer Reports, we purchased our appliances today, thought I would post our choices.

Refrigerator - Kenmore Elite 21.9 Cubic Ft. Stainless Steel

Range - GE Profile Convection with Warming Drawer Stainless Steel (already owned similar to picture)

Dishwasher - Kenmore Simple Care Stainless Steel

Washer/Gas Dryer - Kenmore HE3

OTR Microwave - Samsung

Glenaura

2009-08-08T16:52:00.000-07:00

The farm needed a name.

For years it has been referred to as "The Bull Barn Farm"...... that just didn't have that certain ring to it. Coming up with the right name has proven to be a challenge. So, when the cupboards were being removed we noticed the name "Glenora" written on the backside....... we are unsure whether it was the style of the door or the name of a labourer who did the work when the original reno's were done, but it stuck.

With having the farm gifted to us from Chris' parents and their farm name being "Glen Osprey Farm", we thought it was neat that the Glen portion was incorporated, and seeing how our farm is located not far from the home farm, combining "Aura" rather than "Ora" just fit.

So, the farm has a name. Glenaura.

Kitchen Is Ordered!

2009-08-07T10:53:00.000-07:00

So, I ordered the kitchen cabinetry today! Very exciting. We decided to go with Kitchenkraft for a few different reasons

They had a contemporary door style and colour we fell in love with 3 years ago.
They are solid wood design, both the doors and drawers.
They offer anti-slam sliders
Our local Home Hardware is a supplier/installer and our kitchen designer Shelly, was very patient, courteous and friendly!

The bonus was they had a 10% off sale if ordered by Aug 7....today.

Door/Drawer Style: Newhaven
Wood: Maple
Colour: Espresso (quite dark)

http://www.kitchencraft.com/door_style_guide.aspx#paints

Unfortunately because the kitchen is small, I couldn't get as many pots/pans drawers as I would have liked, but there is a spice pullout to the left of the stove and we were able to go with 36" uppers because we have ceiling height and a "super susan" is making full use of the corner cabinet also, the plan is to incorporate a decent sized chef's cart with storage.

As for the counter surface, we have chosen a quartz product by Silestone, the exact colour is still up in the air (3 contenders), but it doesn't need to be ordered until the cabinets are installed.

http://www.silestoneusa.com/colors/colors.cfm?ColorID=382

Top 3 Colour Choices:

1. Bamboo
2. Ivory Coast
3. Crema Urban

As of this moment, Bamboo is the choice.

The kitchen sink and faucets are yet to be chosen, but we definitely have designs in mind. Tomorrow we are off to choose our fridge, dishwasher, microwave/range hood, washer, dryer and maybe even the TV....... this will definitely be a week of spending.

Taking Shape

2009-08-06T17:10:00.000-07:00

Trusses and framing on the second level is well on its way to being done. The kitchen plans are pretty well complete with the final measurements taken and only a few last minute alterations before the order is placed tomorrow, it won't be the largest kitchen but I hope the plans have made it useful! The bathroom plans have been changed slightly, as it turns out there is more room in the upstairs bath than originally thought, thanks to our contractors alterations of the trusses, so the corner jacuzzi will be upstairs with a separate shower as well as the large walk in shower downstairs and a standard tub for Hanna......a bit of a pain to bathe her downstairs, yes, but well worth the benefits of added space.

We also chose our propane insert http://www.regency-fire.com/Gas/Contemporary/P33S/ we chose the P33 Model in black with Natural River Stone inside. We have decided where all of the pot lights and fixtures are to be located and the electrician has been busy getting everything wired so the spray foam can be completed on the outside.

Hmm, what else, oh yes! I have been busy researching appliances and electronics on Consumer Reports (obsessed yes), and we will likely go make the selections this weekend. We purchased our new king bed for the master bedroom and had a lot of fun testing them out and getting advice from our Sleep Country Canada Salesman, we bought it now to take advantage of their annual sale and lucky for us they will hold it until move in date.

Seeing as we have to be out of the Schoolhouse in 22 days, I have rented a POD which is to be delivered on Aug 21..... I should have it packed and loaded by the 22 :)

Beginning To Seal Things Up

2009-08-05T11:06:00.000-07:00

Roof trusses arrived yesterday, spray foam was put in the roof, new board and aspenite was laid and the final electrical plans were made! We definitely have a busy crew! My internet has been down (as in went down the stairs lol), so posts have been sparse, I should be able to keep up now.

No Roof Over Our Heads

2009-08-02T11:51:00.000-07:00

Well, the roof and chimneys came off and the old insulation has been removed in preparation for the addition upstairs and the spray foam insulation that is to be completed this week. It seems as though we have a fluffy lawn right now, thanks to these Melancthon winds it was nearly impossible to remove the cellulose without it blowing away. So, this week we shall order our kitchen, pick the appliances and see more progress!

A Second Storey Floor

2009-07-28T16:02:00.000-07:00

Despite the rain, a lot got done today! The moat is now back filled, the sub floor is down on the main level, the laundry room, mudroom and bathroom are framed in and the second storey has a floor. We received the quote for our kitchen, and we are pleasantly surprised (we are think high hope low kind of people), even the quartz countertop is keeping us within budget!

A Day Full of Action!

2009-07-27T15:55:00.000-07:00

Today our hydro was upgraded to 200amp service, the new wiring started in the house, spray foam went on the foundation, the floor joists are coming along for the second story addition and more sub floor went down! Tomorrow they will back fill the earth and later in the week the rest of the house should be insulated as well..... it was a full house this morning with all the trucks and people there! We changed the configuration of the bathroom to allow for a third window on that side of the house (where the window has been covered up will be re-exposed and sized to match the one beside), this will also allow my jacuzzi tub to sit under the window for a view :)

On the weekend, Chris and I did a walk through and played out various scenarios to see where we would like sockets/switches/fixtures..... Example: Handy placement of a light switch to turn lights on if someone were to knock on the door at night, entertainment centre cables etc etc..... it was pretty exciting to think that the current shell of a house is going to be a livable space.

A Moat and Drawbridge

2009-07-24T17:35:00.000-07:00

Things sure happened today! The foundation is exposed, prepped and ready for spray foam we even have a little bridge and if we get enough rain maybe a moat...... but hopefully not. The stairs have been removed and temporary stairs are in facing the new direction, some of the sub floor has been laid and we have been instructed to make decisions on pot light, fixture and outlet placement this weekend as the electrician will be there on Monday wiring the for the 200 amp service upgrade.

Schoolhouse Is SOLD!

2009-07-23T17:56:00.000-07:00

As an aside, the schoolhouse sale conditions were waived today and the deal is firm. It is actually an odd feeling, almost unnerving if that is possible, this concept of building a permanent home. We have been sort of transients the past few years.

The eventual move to our farm will be number 7 in 11 years, 4 homes of which we have owned. When we bought our farm in Walters Falls, we thought it was "the" place, it had plenty of charm and leaving pulled at our heartstrings. We have really only "borrowed" the last couple of properties, houses that inevitably turned into homes because of the people in it and the memories made, but places that were never meant to be the real memory holders.

The next couple of months should be interesting, we will be living with the in-laws until our project is complete, we have a lot of decisions to make on finishes for the house and more important than all of that our little girl is growing and changing everyday and it is the most incredible experience.

So here is a little reflection of our homes....

"Applewood" Walters Falls, ON

Chatsworth, ON

Shelburne, ON

The Framing Has Begun.

2009-07-22T17:52:00.000-07:00

Today we had to make the decision on the exact sizes of the shower and cloakroom/mudroom, as they will be laying out the placement of walls this week or next. The laundry room looks quite spacious and the shower in the main floor bathroom will be built for two

Kitchen Plans

2009-07-21T15:48:00.000-07:00

Working around a small kitchen space is a challenge, these are some of the ideas.

Energy Audit Report

2009-07-21T14:58:00.000-07:00

For interest sake I thought I would post a portion of the energy audit, the full recommendations etc. is too much to post, but this gives the general idea. This is not letting me move the images around and I am not re-uploading, take it as it is :)

Ready For Framing

2009-07-20T16:17:00.000-07:00

Well, today's visit found framed windows, the windows being removed are covered with plywood and the floor is poured on the foundation.... looks like they will be framing the addition any day.

Prepping For Spray Foam

2009-07-16T18:31:00.000-07:00

Well, the addition foundation is almost complete, the new sump hole is ready, gravel is laid and the concrete should be poured in the next day or two. We saw some window framing started and they have begun strapping the exterior walls in preparation for the spray foam.

We had a Certified Energy Audit performed in April in order to qualify for some of the government grants on home improvements. It was an interesting process and we learned quite a bit from the auditor. Specifically, that it is more efficient to insulate the outside walls rather than the inside walls of the foundation, in fact the grant will not assist with the cost of insulating the inside. This is so that the frost cannot penetrate the foundation walls, makes sense.

I will scan the results for the energy audit some time next week and post it, it is interesting how well the old house did, how it is broken down and what is covered and how much.

In The Nude

2009-07-13T17:20:00.000-07:00

Well, the house is officially disrobed. With all of the siding and strapping stripped off it is ready for new insulation and re-facing. It is definitely getting a raired out and as Chris pointed out, the Melancthon winds should surely blow away the mouse poop. The concrete block walls are complete on the addition foundation and a doorway has been created ..... so no Pease children, there will not be a "secret" room :)

As a footnote, I took the crew some fresh baked cookies today, here's hoping it will make them take the high road on any possible short cuts ahead.

What A Difference A Day Makes

2009-07-09T04:25:00.000-07:00

We have decided to take a daily trip to the house to document progress. The cement truck poured the footings for the addition today and they have begun to take down additional drywall upstairs in order to remove the old chimneys. Our heat source will be propane so we will only have a small vent pipe out the wall.

Catching Up

2009-07-09T04:13:00.000-07:00

Well, I have decided to try and keep up on this blog, there are non-facebook users and facebook restrictions in workplaces so this is an opportunity to allow everyone to see the progress.

We have our permits and the builders came on site Monday July 6 and I must say, they are making quick work of this project so far. Here are a few shots of the "destruction"

The Existing Space

2009-06-10T06:47:00.000-07:00

In the attempt to save money, we (meaning Chris) is doing the demolition.

Here are some before pictures, they pretty much speak for themselves.

The Plan

2009-06-06T06:13:00.000-07:00

OK, a brief history.

After having our daughter, we realized that living an hour from family made weekends hectic with travel. There was a piece of property that Chris had always been fond of on his family's farm, but after some research on permits, building a driveway, septic, well, hydro etc etc etc, the cost was going to be far too high. The option of using another property that already had the services and even an old house and large barn, became very appealing. Originally we thought of tearing down the old structure and starting fresh, but the old house had life in it yet and after professional inspection and contractor opinion, it was decided to salvage and completely remodel this century old home.

The footprint of this storey and a half house is 29'x30', not a huge space. The second storey has 2 decent sized bedrooms and no bathroom. The main floor had a large bathroom/laundry combo, a very small centrally located kitchen, a small dining area and a modest living space. Everything was outdated, everything needed to go. We decided to make this small space more suited for a family, we needed to add a third bedroom/office, a second bathroom and a laundry room with plenty of storage cupboards.

Having owned three homes and lived in six in the past 11 years, we have a pretty good idea of what we want. Years ago, I started a scrapbook that we would put magazine clippings or paint colours in and it has helped us with many a decision over the years. All this made our visit to the Draftswoman, a smooth process. We had ideas in hand and our plans were in motion.

The process of choosing a Mulligan Builders as our contractor was relatively easy for us. Some may critique our decision process and advise that we should have interviewed more companies than we did, but Chris feel that we made the right choice.

So, this process started in March with the beginning of our plans. The house became vacant on May 1 for Chris to start demo. The plans have been approved by Melancthon Township and are now in the hands of Dufferin County. Our contractor has given a completion date of September/October. I hope that the momentum will continue and that deadlines will be met, but naive we are not!

So here begins our journey on our own big amazing renovation.