Archive for the 'downstairs' Category

loft meets new england farmhouse-before and after downstairs

so i’m still adding this post and the downstairs isn’t all done, but its taken me 3 months to get these up, so better some than none.

essentially when i took down all the walls i decided not to put any back up again….and have the upstairs work as the private space, and downstairs as more public space.   the passive solar design actually works (more about that later in the heat section)  – I get so much solar gain from the giant south facing window, i don’t need the heat on if it is sunny and the house maintains at 68.

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is it wrong to love a kitchen sink and cabinet this much?

I realize I’ve been quiet lately in blogland and need to post a ton more pictures, but had to get these up out of sheer excitement.  This is a joyous time — the first floor is almost done and the fellas came to install the sink and cabinet yesterday.   It is so so beautiful I could cry.   The sink I designed and had made at Stonecraft they also made the counters (but I scored them used at ReStore) and had them cut and fit to match the sink.  The frame and drawers and secret back well, I designed with Nate Deyesso.  The frame is steel and the drawers and backsplash are Kirei board from Maine Green Building Supply.  Faucet is a Moen from FW Webb.

living room demo is underway

who knew a stinkpipe could be such a pain?

I started off with no stink pipe and plumbing upstairs, so progress is being made. I wish Mark, the plumbing inspector felt the same way!

was your house renovated by a jackass too?

I’m thinking of holding a photo contest of the most ass backwards renovations discovered during demolition. I mean really – are all these layers necessary? I started in on the downstairs bathroom demolition so a new wall could go up to house all the upstairs plumbing. In an effort to have at least one bathroom operational, I didn’t do the whole room (thank god). Not asking for walls or a sink, just a shower and toilet.

Behind the wall that held the door, were layers of sheetrock, particle board, and paneling. No studs.

Behind the north facing wall where my toilet is and pipes to the kitchen addition, was a layer of faux beedboard, sheetrock, plastic faux tile in sheet form, sheetrock, white plastic in sheet form, plaster and lathe. I’m guessing I just gained about 3″. No insulation except in one sketchy corner and I think that was a bed for critters.

Beneath the “tile” floor was an insane amount of glue, piece of plywood with brad staples ALL OVER, nother piece of plywood, original floor. It took about 1 1/2 hours to get up 5 sq ft.

So we did manage to get a little wall up, as square as we possibly could, but not only was the floor not level, one of the beams appears to be sagging a good 3″.

might as well take them all

My sister Amanda hit the Portland ReStore with me on Saturday, and after a week of eyeing the 4×4″ tumbled marble tiles, I decided to get the whole lot. Initially I thought I would pick out enough to make a back splash for the stove, but after it became to difficult to choose which ones, I decided to just take them all. And I’m glad I did because every time I walk by them I get excited all over again.

new washer, old dryer

Who knew a spankin’ new washing machine could make a girl so happy? After months of the back and forth (thanks to Wayne at Gediman’s for his patience-actually I might as well shout out to anyone who has to retail deal with me, well maybe anyone who is involved in this “project”), I finally decided on the Whirlpool Duet. If only Bosch made the stackable units….

is it possible to love restore more than i already do?

I scored this fantastic concrete counter that i was about to have custom made. I just need to cut in pieces to go on either side of the sink and stove. Anyone know how to cut concrete?

Thanks to Elizabeth for her brute strength and listening skills. At least we celebrated a hard days work with a swim in Range Pond, Hodgman’s Frozen Custard, and Margaritas by the fire pit.

weekend loot

I’ve decided after much research and some heartache about budget that the only way to really go green is to buy used. So I hit the restore in Portland and the one in Bath this week and got some great stuff! Thanks to Elizabeth for her truck and Sarah for her sweat labor!

can’t wait until this bathroom goes away

can’t wait until this kitchen goes away

living room isn’t much of a living room

old entry ceiling down

dining room is the new office


 

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