Driveway Work

Finally starting work on the driveway. A couple of weeks ago we received approval from the HOA Board for the plans for the driveway. Joe Fazio, my excavator isn't available right now to finish up the grading for the driveway, but Keith Potter and his crew were able to to do 2 pours by the garage and steps to the front porch while waiting for Joe. Joe should be able to start in a week. Weather is starting to get iffy. This weekend will be the first snow in the mountains.

Fireplace

This took a lot of figuring out and head scratching. Plus quite a few calls about delivery.

The hearth was the first and easiest decision. We had leftover black slate from doing the entry, and carrying the color into the living room seemed the right idea. But we still hadn't figured out how to surround the fireplace and all I knew for sure was that we had to put in a mantel. Keith Potter and I bolted a piece of dug fir to the framing and I finished it the same as the entry door (same wood). But after we installed it, everytime we walked by, you were forced to duck you head. Not because you would hit your head, but the board was right in the corner of your eye. We had some leftover material from framing out the windows and doors. So Ed was able to fashion pillars to dress the ends of the mantel, no more ducking. And it made it easier to continue the same tile pattern from the floor onto the wall.

Basement Stairwell

The railing material is hemlock. It took the finish carpenter (Ed) and his friend a day and a half to install.

Start of House Tour

Start with the entry way. We don't use it yet. The steps will be installed when we do the driveway. Inside the entry, for the flooring we used black slate tile. The first photo was taken before the door hardware and stair railing was put in. But it shows very well the layout of in entry.

Start of Landscaping

The next major project is the landscaping. We have a year (from May) to finish it, but we had to rough-in the irrigation system so we can pour the driveway. So mind the ditches until we get it covered back in.

Yes Mary, Lyle did work while he was here. Maybe not that hard this day. I think he was really playing here.

The Garage

The garage is 1200 sq ft. Enough space to park two cars so you can open the car doors and they won't touch. It includes the golf cart area, an 8 X 20 shop area, and Eileen's hobby room.

Outside Painting is Done

We moved in in May. But the work continues. It only took three days to spray the body of the house and garage, but almost a month to finish the trim.