Basement Close-In

We are reaching that point ... close-in inspection is scheduled for Friday so, really, we are there!  Let me catch you up on progress in the basement.

1. Plumbing - We shifted the waste pipes for the shower and toilet.

That required chipping concrete, digging around the waste pipes, and adding/shifting the pipes.

Adding gravel back and pouring concrete.

Then pouring some leveling compound in the shower area to level our wonky concrete.  This will ensure our shower drains correctly.

Lets not stop there ... we had to modify the vanity waste pipes and hot and cold water supply.  We also added lines for a laundry sink (opposite the bathroom vanity)!

We bought our shower diverter and added hot and cold water supply off the lines to the washer machine.  I also was able to add a nice Grouper bath-time feature.  Basically an outdoor spigot that you can connect a hose too!

2. HVAC  - 

We finished insulating all the supply ductwork.  

Cutting in two registers for the family room.

And running ductwork for the bathroom (no picture ... oops).

3.  Carpentry - we added blocking in the laundry room and storage room.

And then ...

4. Drywall - we started one-siding interior walls.  The inspector needs to see all the rough-in, but he can still see all that jazz with one layer of drywall installed.  We got a little antsy for the next step, and also wanted to see if we had it in ourselves to install all that drywall.  Conclusion - Yes!

Family Room

Storage Room

Spare Room

Earth Shattering ... Or Not

Hubs worked on Saturday, which meant I had time to tinker and get little odds and ends done at the house.  One being this oh so difficult and time consuming project ... or not.  It was one so simple but always pushed to the back burner until I decided enough was enough.

Ladies and gents, behold some clean and paint free door glass (both horrible and quick iPhoto pics) ...

Before

After

Total Paint Re-do

I have mentioned it before, but I really want to re-paint the entire upstairs.  Not to mention that I will soon have to pick out a paint color for the basement.

After several too many hours spent googling the best greige-y colors out there and painting some samples on our dining room and bedroom walls here is what I have almost picked out.

1. Revere Pewter for the upstairs
2. Edgecomb Gray (a lighter version of Revere Pewter) for the basement

Revere Pewter

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Edgecomb Gray

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Basement Bathroom Inspiration

It is time to start nailing down finishes (I wish literally, but until then I gather inspiration).  I am going for what I like to call a 'modern rustic' theme for the basement.  

Googling that theme surprisingly brought up a plethora of photos I like!  If you want to get an idea of where my head is at, I rated the inspiration photos below by making them different sizes:

Large=Super Like

Medium=Like

Small=That's an idea

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The Basement Craze

Since returning from our vacation, the past 2 weekends have been spent full force on the basement project.  We finally (I think) have made it to a turning point.  We can feel the progress, smell success, and know we are almost over that last hurdle.  Rough-in is so close to being done and then we are on to finishes!

Lots to catch you up on:

1)  I built that wall, all by myself, yup you heard it!

2)  We insulated the supply ductwork.

3)  Moved the water lines (which were in the middle of the room) over next to the ductwork.

4)  Ran new insulated flex duct for the rooms upstairs.

5)  Installed framing for a bulkhead to cover the return and supply ductwork as well as the water lines.

6)  Removed the metal track at all the door openings (still have to do this at the head of each door, but the bottom required a grinder and takes a little longer).

7)  Demolished part of the wall on the other side of the stair.  We demoed the wall from the metal stud to the left a few weeks earlier.

8)  Finished demoing drywall in the laundry room, installing lights, and building the last wall for the entrance into the laundry room.

A nice little status photo from the corner of the Family Room.  From right to left the rooms are Stair, Laundry Room, Bathroom, and Storage/Brew Room.

 Status photo of Laundry Room assembled back for use.

From right to left, Bathroom and Storage.  You may notice the nice bike rack on the wall to the left.  If we had to play musical chairs with those things one more time while working on the basement ... well, it may be the end of some bikes.  Got it from Home Depot (shocker) - it is made by Husky.

Status photo of Bathroom.

Status photo of Storage/Brew Room.

One end of the Family Room.

And the other end ... looking at our entertainment wall!

Say what!?  Of course, for a movie watching fanatic like myself an Entertainment Wall (in caps, that's right!) was a must.  Blocking and boxes for speakers, HDMI, a wall mount TV ... and whatever we can think of!

Looking at the 'Spare Room' (it isn't a bedroom per the permit).

And a little closer look (the walk-in closet which extends back and under the stairs is behind that piece of furniture.

And as always ... Hey Grouper!  What you up there for ...

Oh, hey there bud.

Almost the Holidays

The holiday season is right around the corner.  I am typically the worst shopper ever ... so last minute and scrambling for ideas.  I say I will work on this each year, but really, I just pretend that time flies super fast and "really, it is Christmas already!".

I also have a terrible time buying for the parents and in-laws.  Hubs and I are super minimalists and are presents are typically practical purchases.  So, for parentals that have nicely appointed homes this can be tough.  I also worry about buying the wrong gift for all the friends out there.

I came across this though, on A Cup of Jo's blog, and can find it a very practical gift for everyone.

Now, who doesn't love a little scratch and sniff book and loads of wine!  You can find it on Amazon if you so incline.