Home Renovation

Main Bath

2007-07-12T11:35:00.000-04:00

Too many times has the bath vanity bitten, punched, or otherwise poked unassuming parts on the human body -especially Lisa's. So, now it's time to destroy the unused double vanity for something a little more in line with our, er, her needs.

The bathroom at present. Our predecessors felt the need to add a double vanity since they had kids. We merely painted the bathroom 6 years ago to cover the 'smokers white' they had going on. Just wait until you see the evolution of time revealed at a later date! Oy!

After the vanity was unceremoniously dismantled, one can see layers upon layers of nauseating colors. One set of owners thought by hiding the paint with hideous wall paper was an improvement -we don't happen to agree. The result looks (and smells) like a 1970's NYC subway terminal -God awful.

Oh, take a close look (enlarge) the photo where the mirror was removed... now take a closer look at the holes in the floor & walls: begin by finding the alien tentacles we humans call 'wires' projected from the floor (just under the white PCV spiget), now find the hole just lower left of the water valve... find it? Now find the hole (wedged in the red space between the former placement of the mirror & torn area) where the receptacle box used to be. Yeah, that's it.

Evidently, our high-functioning predecessors thought by taking the wire from the floor and pushing it thru the wall up to the receptacle box was a 'smart thang.'

It's positioned right under the water!!

Oh, and this reveal is a doosey... the light affixed above the mirror? Well, that gem actually was the main hub for many a switches in the house. We couldn't understand why suddenly fans in the house stopped working and our masterbedroom (it's across the hall!) was dark. Through some of the renovation, we popped a breaker and had to replace it.

This house is scary -very scary.

Summer Solace

2006-07-16T22:27:00.000-04:00

Finally, after a hectic and extremely busy Spring, we've had a chance to enjoy the deck. A balmy 91º and a bit of breeze made it perfect.

Personal Branding

2006-01-21T12:20:00.000-05:00

Lisa's been shopping for a personal branding iron for me and voila! A great Christmas Gift. Now she wants me to put it to good use -immediately!

One one-thousand, two one-thousand, three one-thousand, lift!

10 down... 90 more to go!

Studio Door

2006-01-21T12:17:00.000-05:00

Having picked up a few core doors a year ago, I've finally managed to incorporate some old corrogated plastic sheets into Lisa's new studio door. Our inspiration came from several mags, but more importantly, from our friends at Eidolon.

Necessary Evils

2006-01-11T19:50:00.000-05:00

Looks like we've just been told how to spend that extra 600 whammies this month.

Fortunately for us, I took a different path to get to my home office this morning via the laundry room. If I hadn't found the meandering tributaries forming throughout the backroom and workshop, Lisa would still be screaming for that hot shower.

Casegoods & Countertops

2005-07-25T13:58:00.000-04:00

Casegoods were installed sans doors. We purchased unfinished oak cabinets (not my favorite) but removed the doors since I know I want to build something simplier and streamlined. They've been eurathaned but I'll go back and apply veneer to the exposed sides

My wife has a sense of humor. She used my legs as a candid shot for a photo assignment.

God, I've got great legs.

Installing Support Brackets for Counters

2005-07-25T13:54:00.000-04:00

Mark, nail, and install brackets is all part of the fun and games -specially when the molly bolts decide to escape by pushing themselves entirely thru the wall!

Time to find those studs... next to yours truely.

Nifty Trick with the dowel rod. After drilling pilot hole for the molly bolts, insert dowel to keep bracket from slipping!

Building Cabinet Boxes for Floor

2005-07-25T13:47:00.000-04:00

Had to build 3 cabinet bases to support the cockpit countertop. These will hold my PCs, filing cabinets, and battery backups.

I'm too sexy...

2005-07-23T13:20:00.000-04:00

for my face!

Desktops: Varnish

2005-07-23T12:24:00.000-04:00

Sanding, applying varnish, sanding s'more. My brain finally kicked into high gear and I discovered a valuable tool: the floor applicator to use instead of the brush!

This method takes me all of 15 seconds to apply. Love that!

Desktops: Cut & Sanding

2005-07-22T20:49:00.000-04:00

Desktops are now cut. Sanding, then apply varnish. Oh yes, tonight is date night.

July 18

2005-07-18T22:16:00.000-04:00

Applied second coat of Varathane to floor. Began working on designing desks.

July 17 - Installed Floor + Varathane

2005-07-18T18:35:00.001-04:00

Installed new floor and applied first coat of polyeurathane.

July 16 - Purchase Expedition

2005-07-18T18:34:00.002-04:00

We bought wood for the floor & desk and trim paint. Painted first coat of trim.

July 15 - Date Night

2005-07-18T18:34:00.001-04:00

Didn't get too much accomplished tonight as my wife insisted on date night.

July 14 - Ceiling Fan

2005-07-18T18:34:00.000-04:00

Still waiting for storms to subside. Hung the ceiling fan.

July 13

2005-07-18T18:21:00.000-04:00

Much to be done, like pick up wood from our local home improvement center. However, surrounding storms threatened our expedition as the wood would be hanging out the back uncovered.

Worked on the trim molding on the ceiling and inside the trey ceiling. I'll wait to apply the trim against the wall.

July 12 - Color

2005-07-12T23:11:00.000-04:00

Deliberations over paint chosen for the room were narrowed down to blue, blue, and blue. Naturally, we chose red -claret red. We were amazed at the how little paint it took to cover the walls. We anticipate 3/4 coats, however, with the quality of paint we accidentally received and the grey wall, we needed only 1/2 coats. Doubly amazed with the little amount the panelling required inside the inset bookcase.

That was easy -too easy.

Ceiling Installation

2005-07-12T23:08:00.000-04:00

Once the duct work was rerouted around the perimeter of the room, the framing was installed. I chose to install lauan and eurathane it as my ceiling. We've got this hideous support pole standing in the center of my office, thus, we had to choose a short-blade fan for circulation.

I installed the task lights tonight, too.

Home Office

2005-07-11T12:11:00.000-04:00

Had to tear out the ceiling and redefine the space.