Back steps

There's this odd little deck at the back of the house that was part of the original house and we had to keep it because the back of the house was across the line. Now we call it it The City Patio. It's covered, painted and leak free but what we are going to do with it is still a mystery.

For months, we've been jumping off the east deck down to the back yard. Finally, there are real steps and they're curved. Great stuff.

Window Trims

The window wraps and trim got a coat of something that smelled really bad but brought out all the grain and then they got sprayed with this way groovy stuff that makes them look stunning. Now that they have been installed, they have added so much to the feel of the rooms - too cool!

Molding and Door

The garage door got installed today. Once again, Michael picked the perect color to go with the rest of the house - he's really good at this stuff.

The crown molding went up in the kitchen. It sure makes everything look fiished; well maybe not quite ready to fix dinner but we're close.

Kitchen and window wraps

The window wraps are Fir that's been stained. What used to be very long boards that were in everyone's way are now great looking windows.

The upper cabinets in the Kitchen are now all installed so the Kitchen is ready for counter - if we could just agree on the material :)

Outside the house

The colors Michael picked out for the exterior are really turning out to be beautiful (some of us had our doubts). The body color is called French Press with the trim called Barrista - sense a theme here?


We are finally seeing evidence that we will eventually be able to get into the house from the front door. It's been a struggle to get the carpenter to understand what we want.

Master bath tile and counter

The sinks are undermount - which means they go in with the counter. The cabinet finish is called Mullberry - so it has a bit of a purple tinge but it's delightfully dark to stand out from the calm, ivory of all the tile.

The enormous shower (what were we thinking?) is mostly large ivory tiles with glass mosics placed randomly - thanks to Michael - around to break it up. There's a soap nich on the back wall that also breaks up the large expanse.

Guest bath Tile and counter

The counter is honed black with flakes of cream. Next to the green tile, it is stunning. There will be a vessel sink here with pebble backsplash and probably a large mirror.

This, to me, is the best unexpected surprise yet. We didn't want to spend the money on the accent tile I originally picked out and the tile guy suggested pebbles beause they would go so well with the field tiles (the big ones). Then the installer suggested a "wave" of pebbles down the back of the shower wall. Stunning - got to see it in person to really capture the Zen'ness of this bath.

Bathroom tile work

The master bath will have a glass block shower - doesn't look like much but at least now, there is a floor and the base for the glass block. The light wasn't too good so the floor doesn't show very well, but trust me - it's stunning.

The guest bath has a tub with tile all around and the floor is now set.

On the back wall of the tub will be a wave of river rock to break up all the tile.

Kitchen Cabinets - day 2 and 3

This has to be the most exciting thing ever! After a couple days of measuring and calculating and making noise... when I walk into the kitchen, there are cabinets - enough so you can actually tell what its going to look like.
The one on the left is a space for the frig with cabinets above. There is a Super Suzan on the bottom and a corner cabinet on the top - next to the frig.

The sink is in the corner -with a view of the water (when the leaves are gone from all the trees). The one that was ordered left a lot of space that couldn't be used so we had the carpenter make some major revisions - now there is tons of room for tons of stuff under the sink.

This is the east wall - a wonderful long uninterrupted stretch of counter. There is a wine rack too.

Kitchen Cabinets

It seems like years ago we picked out the cabinets and they finally arrived this week. I got to pull all the cardboard of and it almost brought tears to my eyes. They are even more beautiful than I imagined.

A bit of color

Michael picked out the colors for the interior - all shades of green, what a suprise. The ceiling is called overcast - appropriate for Seattle, don't you think? Most of the walls will be Paris Rain with a couple walls darker for accent. It all looks wonderful with the Fir doos.

More exteriors

We finally have the first landing on the front porch and a front door.

All the posts get wrapped with cedar and stained - way too many posts in this place.

There are cedar shingles on the porch overhang - like upstairs.

August Exterior

I've gotten behind in posting pictures but not taking them. Here's a few from the exterior.
There is now a little room under the front porch for the garbage cans and that forms a landing for stairs going to either deck.

Here's the painted facia boards: