and quoted (well 2 of 3 of them have)... It has been an interesting experience seeing how different the recommendations and process of the 3 contractors have been - all three are comparable in terms of reputation, standard jobs and all are based in our town. - so I expected somewhat less variance.
Steve and I have also redesigned the layout ourselves about 5 times - adding a 1/2 bath, removing a 1/2 bath, adding a closet, not adding a closet, moving the washer/dryer, not moving them etc. I think we finally decided on a really open, flexible layout. Due to our changing ideas, we have to get new quotes from the 2 that already quoted since we changed our mind on some substantive issues. The third should be back to us in a few days. All three come highly recommended so we will probably pick by their ability to start quickly. One looks like it is going to higher than the others too, so he likely is out.
We hope to have this decided by the end of the week (realistically the end of next...)
Monday, April 06, 2009
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
The contractors are coming, the contractors are coming..
We had the first of 3 (planned) contractors come today and look at our basement. He had a lot of good ideas and Steve thought he seemed very nice, knowledgeable and trying to be a good member of the community as well. We will have an estimate shortly.
We shall say what the other have to say on Friday and Monday.
We shall say what the other have to say on Friday and Monday.
Friday, February 20, 2009
Major changes in the planning stages..
So I think we have at least figured out WHERE things are going and what is going to change in terms of furniture for the arrival of #2. As I previously mentioned our current office will be the new nursery. It is sort of an L shape room on our second floor. It has the stairs leading to the 3rd floor in it. The second picture is the short length of the "L" shape. Storage will be an issue as there is no closet. These pics are from when we looked at the house, when it was being used as a guest nursery.
The basement is where the office is moving. The pics below are from awhile ago so in reality there is a lot more "stuff" being stored down there that will need to be reorganized/trashed/donated etc. The actual space where the office will be (you can see that area - it is the picture where the TV is) is pretty finished off. There are real walls, ceiling, a door, a closet and trim in that area. However, like the rest of the basement the floors are concrete.
We plan on removing the weird shower and replace with at minimum a large "work/laundry" sink and possibly a tiny half-bath. We also think we will closet off the furnace/hot water heater. And, separately, closet off the washer / dryer and finish the walls behind those. Shelving for detergent and platforms to raise them higher are planned for in the large closet too.
We also will add a door in a long wall where there isn't one to add easy access to some valves.
We also plan on finishing the floors in some way. This will require some work as the floors are not at all level. The ceiling in the presently unfinished area also needs replacement - it is cracking and crumbling in places.
A workbench area will be retained for tools/projects etc.
As I am sure some are concerned (knock on wood) there has never been water in the basement since we have lived here, nor is there evidence there ever has been. The old owners had a child sleeping down there, so I can't imagine they had any issues either.
Lastly, I am slowing reorganizing and cleaning the 3rd floor and making a play space up there. Jack and I are already spending at least an hour a two a day there and I think we may be heading in the direction to make it the main play space. This would be great as a) there is no TV there so no temptation for either of us, and b) would allow our living room to be slightly less toy-cluttered. Much of the floor needs to be retained at this point for storage, but it is a big room, thankfully!
At some point soonish we plan on replacing the carpet and painting the walls.
For memories sake, here is what the 3rd floor looks like empty(ish):
The basement is where the office is moving. The pics below are from awhile ago so in reality there is a lot more "stuff" being stored down there that will need to be reorganized/trashed/donated etc. The actual space where the office will be (you can see that area - it is the picture where the TV is) is pretty finished off. There are real walls, ceiling, a door, a closet and trim in that area. However, like the rest of the basement the floors are concrete.
We plan on removing the weird shower and replace with at minimum a large "work/laundry" sink and possibly a tiny half-bath. We also think we will closet off the furnace/hot water heater. And, separately, closet off the washer / dryer and finish the walls behind those. Shelving for detergent and platforms to raise them higher are planned for in the large closet too.
We also will add a door in a long wall where there isn't one to add easy access to some valves.
We also plan on finishing the floors in some way. This will require some work as the floors are not at all level. The ceiling in the presently unfinished area also needs replacement - it is cracking and crumbling in places.
A workbench area will be retained for tools/projects etc.
As I am sure some are concerned (knock on wood) there has never been water in the basement since we have lived here, nor is there evidence there ever has been. The old owners had a child sleeping down there, so I can't imagine they had any issues either.
Lastly, I am slowing reorganizing and cleaning the 3rd floor and making a play space up there. Jack and I are already spending at least an hour a two a day there and I think we may be heading in the direction to make it the main play space. This would be great as a) there is no TV there so no temptation for either of us, and b) would allow our living room to be slightly less toy-cluttered. Much of the floor needs to be retained at this point for storage, but it is a big room, thankfully!
At some point soonish we plan on replacing the carpet and painting the walls.
For memories sake, here is what the 3rd floor looks like empty(ish):
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
PS
The picture in the prior post is from a catalog - thanks to all who thought we might be that organized or talented to make a room that nice in this time frame. Our nursery is still very much an insanely messy office.
And no, we don't have a name yet - not even remotely close.
And no, we don't have a name yet - not even remotely close.
Thursday, February 12, 2009
Long time..
And not much happening around the actual house...
However, with baby #2 on the way we have a lot to get done and very definite timeline:)
Our "office" will have to become a nursery which means a lot of cleaning, organizing and probably some contractors to fix up our basement to make it more habitable for office use.
I bought our first real item for #2 this week - bedding and decor. Our walls are already a baby blue, which isn't my absolute favorite, but I found cute stuff to match so it will save us the hassle of painting the room. It is a touch hard to see, but it has blue and orange monkeys on it and is accented by polka-dots.
Now we have to find furniture to fit the small, odd-shaped room with no closet!
However, with baby #2 on the way we have a lot to get done and very definite timeline:)
Our "office" will have to become a nursery which means a lot of cleaning, organizing and probably some contractors to fix up our basement to make it more habitable for office use.
I bought our first real item for #2 this week - bedding and decor. Our walls are already a baby blue, which isn't my absolute favorite, but I found cute stuff to match so it will save us the hassle of painting the room. It is a touch hard to see, but it has blue and orange monkeys on it and is accented by polka-dots.
Now we have to find furniture to fit the small, odd-shaped room with no closet!
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
Guilt Trip
My (Lauren's) presents are hidden under the blanket. Sadly, these warnings are necessary...
Friday, October 31, 2008
And safer too!
We now have radiator covers in all our rooms - they still need to be painted or stained (depends on room) but they are already a huge improvement over the metal we think. Plus, now we don't have to worry about Jack burning himself!
Sunday, October 12, 2008
More artwork..
This time it is a real vintage poster, not just a print/reproduction. Yikes we are old!
Steve and I bought it for ourselves as an anniversary gift yesterday. It is from 1955 and we went to Iguazu on our honeymoon to Brazil. I also visited Iguazu in college when studying in Argentina - the falls are on the border of Argentina & Brazil. I would say it is the most amazing natural site I have seen so far... You just can't get its scale (or even all the falls) in pictures. The main drop isn't even in any of these photos!
Luckily now they don't have steamboats spewing black smoke, though they do still have boats that bring you as close as is safe to the falls.
In one of the modern rubber rafts in '98 during my FSP to Buenos Aires...
Steve and I in '05...
Rainbow in '98
View in '05
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Spicy Lamb with Tomato and Cilantro
Ok we made this recipe with beef, but it was still very tasty and pretty easy..
Finally, a new post!
We finally hung our Mucha prints from Prague. No matter what, the wall colors still come off a little odd but you get the idea! The buffet isn't "styled" or anything, just some random stuff still. Unfortunately, though I love the prints, they seem to just draw attention to that outlet on the wall!
We still need things to hang on the other walls...
So now our front porch trim/stairs is boring "deck grey" which honestly makes the house look much crisper than the red that preceded it. I am so impressed that a small change makes a big difference... This is what it looked like when we moved in.
We are still in serious need of a new screen door- hopefully one of these weekends we can figure that out!
We still need things to hang on the other walls...
So now our front porch trim/stairs is boring "deck grey" which honestly makes the house look much crisper than the red that preceded it. I am so impressed that a small change makes a big difference... This is what it looked like when we moved in.
We are still in serious need of a new screen door- hopefully one of these weekends we can figure that out!
Tuesday, September 02, 2008
New Updates
We framed and hung 4 8 by 10s from our travels and hung them on the stairwell...
We bought a random Chicago travel poster already framed at a discount store and hung it in the front hall...
We have a coat of deck grey paint on our "new" front stairs - It replaces the barn red..(We haven't started the risers yet, thus the sloppiness..)
Sunday, August 03, 2008
Dining room...
Ok, so it isn't done being decorated, but this is a somewhat better pic of the colors...We have some nice prints from Prague at the framers - should be back in a week or so.
Monday, June 30, 2008
Dining Room Preview
We finally had a weekend totally free. It is a little brighter than I expected, but I like it. I am excited to see once all the tape is removed. "Painter's Tape Blue" adds nothing to the color palette.
For those interested the Freshaire choice paint (available at Home Depot) no-VOC paint experiment - it did a great job. It covered well and was just as easy to work with as other brands. It is also has almost no smell which is fantastic. And as it has no VOCs it is even healthier for the air (and the baby).
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
Friday, June 06, 2008
Our Esteemed State Senator
Has checked into a psychiatric facility after a series of "lewdness" claim against him...
My favorite part(s) of thestory...
"The state senator made the woman uneasy by asking her questions about her body, so the woman went into a nearby building and informed the staff what had happened, the prosecutor said. Police arrived and spoke to Marzilli, who allegedly gave them the name of Martin Walsh, which happens to be the name of another state legislator, and said he lived in Medford.
As police dispatch checked out the false name for warrants and an officer went to speak to the victim, Marzilli bolted, running the wrong way up a one-way street, while locals, including a bank teller using a loudspeaker, alerted police to his whereabouts, Mucci said. Two men outside a city parking garage flagged down police, where the officers found the state senator, Mucci said.
While speaking to police, Marzilli began to cry and told the officers they were destroying his life and that his life was over, according to the police report.
As police attempted to handcuff him, Marzilli allegedly tensed up until officers convinced him to relax his arms by threatening to use pepper spray on him, Mucci said.
Once cuffed, Marzilli admitted he had given the officers the wrong name and lamented that he was a state senator and his life was over, the police report said.
In the backseat of a cruiser, Marzilli said, “I can’t believe this is happening … She was flirting with me … I was flirting with her … I can’t believe this is happening,” before an officer told him to stop and informed him of his right to remain silent, the report said.
“I really screwed up,” Marzilli said after that, according to the report."
On the other hand, I have to say I am impressed with the Lowell locals who apparently take their crime seriously!
Also - the comments on the story are fascinating - apparently Arlington has some bizarre (and new to me) dynamics. I didn't know that there was vast "socialist" group trying to ruin Arlington.
My favorite part(s) of thestory...
"The state senator made the woman uneasy by asking her questions about her body, so the woman went into a nearby building and informed the staff what had happened, the prosecutor said. Police arrived and spoke to Marzilli, who allegedly gave them the name of Martin Walsh, which happens to be the name of another state legislator, and said he lived in Medford.
As police dispatch checked out the false name for warrants and an officer went to speak to the victim, Marzilli bolted, running the wrong way up a one-way street, while locals, including a bank teller using a loudspeaker, alerted police to his whereabouts, Mucci said. Two men outside a city parking garage flagged down police, where the officers found the state senator, Mucci said.
While speaking to police, Marzilli began to cry and told the officers they were destroying his life and that his life was over, according to the police report.
As police attempted to handcuff him, Marzilli allegedly tensed up until officers convinced him to relax his arms by threatening to use pepper spray on him, Mucci said.
Once cuffed, Marzilli admitted he had given the officers the wrong name and lamented that he was a state senator and his life was over, the police report said.
In the backseat of a cruiser, Marzilli said, “I can’t believe this is happening … She was flirting with me … I was flirting with her … I can’t believe this is happening,” before an officer told him to stop and informed him of his right to remain silent, the report said.
“I really screwed up,” Marzilli said after that, according to the report."
On the other hand, I have to say I am impressed with the Lowell locals who apparently take their crime seriously!
Also - the comments on the story are fascinating - apparently Arlington has some bizarre (and new to me) dynamics. I didn't know that there was vast "socialist" group trying to ruin Arlington.
Friday, May 30, 2008
Long time no blog..
We have been super busy doing everything but home stuff! Actually that isn't quite true someone rebuilt much of our front stairs about 2 weeks ago - hopefully we finally (and by we, I mean Steve) will get them primed and painted this weekend. We also still haven't yet painted the dining room and living room, but I did manage to buy something for the dining room walls in Prague. Two matching size Moet et Chandon posters by Mucha (bought at the Mucha museum)... They should complement the paint colors well - I actually had my paint chips with me!
One
two
One
two
Thursday, April 24, 2008
Friday, April 18, 2008
Update: Dining Room & Yard
My mom picked the exact colors as I did out of a pile of paint chips without prompting, so I think that is a sign. The space under the chair rail in the dining room and the living room will be blue, and the area above the chair rail will be the beigey color. It isn't so bright in person as it appears in these pictures. We are going to give this brand new paint a try, especially since Jack and I spend so much time in these rooms: FreshAire I will let you know if it is any good. It just started being sold April 1.
We have some daffodils about to bloom and some tulips on the way. One lonely hyacinth is already blooming.
Our new dining room curtains - they are semi-sheer and have super subtle stripe effect.
We now have lilacs, that eventually will hide our neighbor's cars. Right now they just look like sticks poking out of the ground though.
We have a trellis which makes our garage look much nicer from the kitchen table. I had just watered them which is why the garage looks like it is of varying colors. It is hard to see as the ground is black but the pots are black at the bottom. We thought having a black/white combination would extend the kitchen colors.
We have some daffodils about to bloom and some tulips on the way. One lonely hyacinth is already blooming.
Our new dining room curtains - they are semi-sheer and have super subtle stripe effect.
We now have lilacs, that eventually will hide our neighbor's cars. Right now they just look like sticks poking out of the ground though.
We have a trellis which makes our garage look much nicer from the kitchen table. I had just watered them which is why the garage looks like it is of varying colors. It is hard to see as the ground is black but the pots are black at the bottom. We thought having a black/white combination would extend the kitchen colors.
Monday, April 14, 2008
Dining Room & Yard
We have been very busy in house land. Our new dining room table, chairs and buffet arrived. It looks great and fits the space perfectly. We also got curtains for the room though they haven't been hung quite yet.
Now we just have to finalize paint colors and get to painting!
Steve has also put in some serious time in the backyard raking some icky dead stuff out and putting down some new seed. I also finally put together a trellis we bought last year to go against the part of the garage that faces our kitchen sliding doors. We will plant some sort of climbing plant.
Wednesday we are having some generous visitors (my mom and stepdad) visiting and they will plant some lilacs so as to block our view of our neighbors garage.
For posterity, we are hoping this is the worst the yard will ever look!
Now we just have to finalize paint colors and get to painting!
Steve has also put in some serious time in the backyard raking some icky dead stuff out and putting down some new seed. I also finally put together a trellis we bought last year to go against the part of the garage that faces our kitchen sliding doors. We will plant some sort of climbing plant.
Wednesday we are having some generous visitors (my mom and stepdad) visiting and they will plant some lilacs so as to block our view of our neighbors garage.
For posterity, we are hoping this is the worst the yard will ever look!
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