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Post by Allyn on Apr 15, 2011 7:27:32 GMT -5
woohoo! we turned the water on to the house for the first time. No leaks at any of the cold water connections. The hot water is not being allowed to flow through yet because I do not want to fill the water heater until we are near ready to use it.
Thursday we washed all the downstairs wood work to get ready for painting. We still need to stain and varnish the floor so that will happen before painting. We haven't decided on the floor color yet but I will work on that today. We are having a snowstorm right now so it may postpone some of this that I had planned for the day.
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Post by Morris on Apr 15, 2011 12:45:21 GMT -5
We are having a snowstorm right now so it may postpone some of this that I had planned for the day. Hmm, I wonder if that's part of the system that I here is coming up our way? Hope not! |
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Post by MoGrace2U on Apr 15, 2011 13:12:01 GMT -5
In my house (circa 1930) I used a dark stain that was a blend of colors. Which is probably not the best idea (blending, ie.) because it will be harder to match than a standard color in case of repairs. But I saw this article in Architectural Digest of Diane Keaton's old spanish style house that she renovated and she used an almost black color that was very hot. Older homes usually have darker floors due to age, and somehow a light oak color just didn't seem right to me. I also used a finish that was not too shiny and now wish I hadn't. The floors need a shine and wax is not a good way to achieve that. The higher gloss will eventually achieve the right patina, whereas the lower gloss just looks too dull.
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Post by Allyn on Apr 15, 2011 16:09:43 GMT -5
In my house (circa 1930) I used a dark stain that was a blend of colors. Which is probably not the best idea (blending, ie.) because it will be harder to match than a standard color in case of repairs. But I saw this article in Architectural Digest of Diane Keaton's old spanish style house that she renovated and she used an almost black color that was very hot. Older homes usually have darker floors due to age, and somehow a light oak color just didn't seem right to me. I also used a finish that was not too shiny and now wish I hadn't. The floors need a shine and wax is not a good way to achieve that. The higher gloss will eventually achieve the right patina, whereas the lower gloss just looks too dull. Thank you for that advise, Robin. We hand sanded the entire dining room floor today. We picked out the stain after experimenting a dozen different ways. We selected minwax early american color finish which on pine looks great and very period style for our house. I then cleaned the floor and applied the stain using a soft cloth. Taking it slow I stained with the grain of the wood applying it liberally and then took a second cloth and wiped out the residue. Pine can look blotchy but the sanding was the ticket and it came out looking very uniform and the knotty boards were not excessive of knots. I will get some pictures and I am very happy up to the step completed. Next I will use a low gloss poly finish coat intended for floors. That should give the grain a deeper look and will brush on 3 or 4 coats. |
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Post by Morris on Apr 18, 2011 12:48:39 GMT -5
We are having a snowstorm right now so it may postpone some of this that I had planned for the day. Hmm, I wonder if that's part of the system that I here is coming up our way? Hope not! Sorry for the slight thread derailment... But yes, we did get that snowstorm. It was tremendously windy and we saw the yard go from white in the morning, to fully green, back to covered in white, and return to green before the day ended. It was one wild day! Back on topic, I look forward to seeing those new pictures, Allyn. |
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Post by Allyn on Apr 18, 2011 14:57:43 GMT -5
Hmm, I wonder if that's part of the system that I here is coming up our way? Hope not! Sorry for the slight thread derailment... But yes, we did get that snowstorm. It was tremendously windy and we saw the yard go from white in the morning, to fully green, back to covered in white, and return to green before the day ended. It was one wild day! Back on topic, I look forward to seeing those new pictures, Allyn. Our lawn had its usual April green color before the storm but it became even more lush and deep after the snow. We had about 3" of rain before the snow and it thundered and lightninged so that probably is the reason for the rich look since lightning adds nitrogen to the moisture. |
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Post by Allyn on May 10, 2011 15:35:23 GMT -5
Progress report:
The main level is ready for paint. We primed the kitchen today (Tuesday) and tomorrow the top coat. I want the kitchen painting done first so that I can begin to lay tile and then install the cabinets.
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Post by Allyn on May 13, 2011 7:35:27 GMT -5
The kitchen is all painted. I am installing lights today and then will bring in the Island cabinets in order to center them under the lights so that I can place the blocking needed to secure them. And then I will take those cabinets out again and start laying the square tile flooring. We went with a red tile from Armstrong. I am looking forward to sharing photos of the kitchen.
June is right around the corner and my wife and I are hoping to be in the house by the end of June. That may not happen but we have set it as a goal.
I took on a job as maintenance man for an apartment complex and I start on Monday. It is my road to retirement but it will take me away from all the time I have been able to spend on the house. We'll get there, Lord willing. Its amazing how God has provided. We started praying for a slight career change without even knowing what the possibilities were. Monday I got a phone call out of the blue asking me if I woould accept the position. Overnight consideration took place and I decided to do it. For one thing my truck gas expense will be reduced considerably.
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Post by Morris on May 13, 2011 9:05:16 GMT -5
Cool story about the Lord providing, Allyn!
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Post by Allyn on May 15, 2011 9:54:24 GMT -5
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Post by MoGrace2U on May 17, 2011 21:23:27 GMT -5
Allyn, You made me feel better about my decision to use a lower gloss finish on the hardwood floors.  thanks! |
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Post by Allyn on Jun 14, 2011 19:28:49 GMT -5
Here are the latest 3 photos taken in the first hours of the morning. The sun is a cheerful and welcome guest through our windows. These photos show the flooring pattern and finish. I put on 2 coats of stain and 3 coats of polyurethane. We won't make the June move-in goal but it will be close. The first floor is 95% done but the upstairs is not yet painted and the floors need work.    |
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Post by Once4all on Jun 14, 2011 19:49:32 GMT -5
Those floors look awesome, Allyn!
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Post by Allyn on Jun 14, 2011 21:35:48 GMT -5
Those floors look awesome, Allyn! Many thanks. Lots of hard work and happily with very little having gone wrong. |
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Post by knipwa on Jun 14, 2011 22:57:14 GMT -5
Man that looks good... totally custom!
You do nice work.
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Post by Allyn on Jun 15, 2011 6:27:50 GMT -5
Man that looks good... totally custom! You do nice work. I wish you all could see it in person. My wife has been allowing me to decide much of the detail work so whenever she comes over to see the progress she just beams with joy. Her and I both are anxious to move in and start enjoying it. |
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Post by Morris on Jun 15, 2011 8:42:39 GMT -5
Just love the pattern and look! That's my kind of floor! Beautiful.
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Post by stephenpatrick on Jun 15, 2011 8:49:15 GMT -5
Allyn, very nice job.
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Post by Allyn on Sept 23, 2011 19:51:59 GMT -5
The move in day was Sept. 4. It was a long hard week trying to move ourselves out of the home we had for 10 years while Shelly moved in to the house we were vacating. However, it is absolutely wonderful over here. Knowing all the work and planning that went into our new home I can't help but move from one position to another just to admire how it all turned out.
We have some trim work and stair work to finish on the first level and some painting and floor work in the hall and 2 rooms on the second level. Oh, and the bathroom upstairs is not done either. But I love it and more importantly my wife loves it. Everyone who has come in has had nothing but good comments on the floors especially and the openness of the house. The natural lighting is spectacular as the sunlight stretches over the floors. Obviously I just can't say enough on how happy I am with the results.
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Post by Once4all on Sept 23, 2011 20:31:03 GMT -5
That's wonderful, Allyn! And it was a pleasure that you allowed us to share this journey with you, in descriptions and photos.
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Post by Allyn on Dec 6, 2011 8:36:42 GMT -5
We have had our first Thanksgiving in the home and Christmas decor is being set up (not overdone). Photos soon.
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Post by Once4all on Dec 20, 2011 14:23:29 GMT -5
Don't forget to post photos, Allyn.  |
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