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.

So there is still some touch up work to do  and more art to hang … but … here she blows.

the location of the bathroom was a bedroom, i blew threw the wall to my bedroom and created walkin closet and bathroom. the downstairs bathroom is now the kitchen and 3/4 bathroom (well soon to be).

downstairs bathroom before it got demo’d

guest room before it became a bathroom

this post is a work in progress … but was dying to get some pictures up.  more details to follow ….

Quadra light fixture from Y Lighting

Joe Wardwell

Integrity Casement windows by Marvin

Biasi radiator with radiant heat design by Rob at Northeast Radiant Technology

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.

This pine is newer than the barn board that is now in the master bedroom.  It was my old bedroom floor, but I took it up and flipped it over (it had a hideous brown stain on it).   I hand sanded this as well – which was a major pain in the ass.   It took about 5 times as long as bedroom which is twice the size.  And I’m not as happy about the imperfections because they aren’t as old.  However, the Osmo looks great and in general the floor kicks ass.  We leveled it out, and it beats that god awful pergo that was there before any day.

So I finally got the master bedroom painted and the barn board I ripped up from the loft of the barn to make the floors (hand) sanded and treated with Osmo Polyx Oil from FW Horch.

Love love love the oil.   It’s a nice matte finish that goes well with the irregularities of the old wood.  I applied it with a cheap brush and then rubbed it in with an old t-shirt.  I’m so pleased to almost have a bedroom!

In our excitement at the sheetrock farm last week, Andrew and I loaded up 10′ sheets instead of 8′.  (Well we watched the front loader, load.)  So I got to tag along again to pick up a ton (literally, we figured out 40 sheets ways about a ton) of 8′ pieces.   I also got to photograph with my real camera and real film – I am so thankful to the Restore for the great loot and for getting me excited about making pictures again.

Not only did Moira give me the best birthday present (a whole day of her work crew to come on over to my house) she also joined team sand sheet rock for an afternoon. I am so close to finishing the upstairs I can taste it….