Rug Fail

This rug

Didn't fit the kitchen.  Cue sad face.  I just guest-imated the size needed for our kitchen and the West Elm rug pictured only came in 3'x5'.  I went with it, but I really need a 4'x6' rug.

So, back to the drawing board.

The Dash & Albert rugs, all the stripe ones, was my original inspiration for the space.  The West Elm rug was luckily on sale and I thought I scored at $39 for a 3'x5' rug.  Now that I am regrouping and have skimmed the D&A options, here is what I am thinking

Catamaran Stripe

Trimaran Stripe

You can search all the options {here}

Up Next, Ductwork Shift

We didn't wait long to tackle the next step in the basement reno - shifting the ductwork.  Hubs has been sick most of the weekend, but, as usual, he doesn't have a 'resting' gene in him and starting taking down the ductwork bright and early Saturday morning.

First, we removed the return duct

Then Hubs decided to remove the supply duct (return is the left duct and supply is the right duct)

All gone ...

And laying on the floor.

I washed all the duct out with a hose.  Lets remember, this duct is probably from the 50s.  A little dirty is an understatement.

Then we started reconnecting all the pieces for the return duct

 And hung it up with straps against the wall in the front of the house.

I started working on reconnecting all the pieces for the supply duct.

And as always, Grouper was there to supervise.

That pretty much summed up Saturday.  We tackled some more work on Sunday and more pics will come!

You may be wondering, why?  Well, when you walked downstairs you were greeted by a lovely beam then about 2.5' of ductwork at a whopping 6'0" above the floor.  Since there are plenty of people 6'0" and taller it was totally in your face.  We figured it would be nice to put this duct up against the wall where there wouldn't be much foot traffic.

Here's a recap:

I think it is way better!

Electrical Work, Yes, More Of It!

It seems that the electrical work never ends on the basement fit-out (that's what we call it in the construction world I come from).  Not that I am complaining, I just get antsy to 'get on with it!'

We've done some cable management - basically lots of tidying up.

Tidying up the wiring at the floor joists

Zip tying all the wiring through the walls

 Then came fire alarm install.  This was a little more involved.  Code requires that fire alarm devices be wired together so that when one sounds, all of them sound.  There are also specific requirements for first floor and above and basement levels.  What we did:
1) Used approximately the same location of our existing fire alarm in the hall outside the bedrooms (Hubs does want to add a device in each bedroom though upstairs ... so this may change)

2) Wired a device up in the attic, that will have to be removed though after reading the instructions in the box (oops)
3) Added a new device in the stairs to the basement as required by code (plus added a recessed light, nice!)

4) Added a fire alarm + carbon monoxide detector in the mechanical room.  We have a furnace and definitely want a CO detector at the location of combustibles

5) Added a device outside the 'extra room' (not an official 'bedroom')
6) Added a device in front of our electrical panel

Hubs likes to press the 'test' button often (yes, he is like a kid), Grouper and I just give him 'the look'.  :)

Artwork

I peruse One Kings Lane and Joss & Main often, but I have yet to purchase anything from it yet.  Not that I don't want to, but I always have pre-buyers remorse, especially when it comes to buying things online.  It is just too simple.  But, as a result and over course of time, I have accumulated some some fave artists.  

Gray Malin (view his awesome work at www.maisongray.com)

Chicago Harbor

Coogee Beach

Snowmass

Kevin Russ (found here at www.society6.com/artist/KevinRuss) 

Horse Friends

Mt Rainier

Street Walker 

Teton Tips

Three Meadow Moose

Amy Hamilton (also found at www.society6.com/artist/AmyHamilton)

Moose

Red Deer

Finish the House ... ?!

I got home from work yesterday and after finally getting through the whole mattress ordeal (long story) and having some space back Hubs says matter of factly "we need to work on finishing the house".  In context with the situation and what we were looking at at the moment - a pretty empty guest bedroom which is pretty much Grouper's room and Hubs closet - that meant filling some rooms with furniture!  Uh, yes please.  But, of course I know that is a verrrrry long process.

I would say, at least furniture wise, our bedroom is next on the list.  And, headboard/bed frame first so I can finally feel like a grown-up.

What I am working with (Grouper goes to bed super early, this was at 8 PM).  A nice new mattress but an ugly box spring (that at least needs a bed skirt)....

Here are some of my inspirations....

Colette Bed from C&B

Alison Headboard from Ethan & Allen

Fairmont Bed from Ethan & Allen

Quincy Bed from Ethan & Allen

I am still pretty split down the middle on overall type of bed  - wood bed vs upholstered bed.  I love the intricacies of the Quincy Bed as well as the softness and simpleness of the Colette Bed.  Now just to find something cheaper

Cabinet Hinges Conquered

I searched high and low this weekend (online) to find polished nickel overlay hinges.  Sadly, I couldn't find anything.  I couldn't even find hinges that cost gazillion dollars, not that I would pay that.  So, I settled on satin nickel hinges in hopes that it will match.  We went to Home Depot on Saturday (of course) and I looked at how much HD's hinges cost.  I was happy to find out that they pretty much cost the same as online at all the discount places so I picked up (3) 10 packs of the Liberty Self Closing Overlay Hinge.

Once we were home I could't wait to to get those suckers installed.  Unfortunately, the existing holes didn't line up exactly with the new hinges.  Womp womp.  The exterior side lined up (thank goodness) but I had to redrill new holes on the inside of the cabinet door.

Scribing the doors for new holes

Drilling and screwing in the new hinge

All the doors with new hinges!

Yeah baby, new hinges!

Another set

Lets just say it wasn't all 'fun'.  I had my fair share of breakdowns when the cabinet doors were not level once installed.  It took lots of patience and a fair share of foot stomping to get me through those minutes (or hour?).  Luckily Grouper was only witness to the breakdowns.

Sparkey's At It Again

Sparkey aka Hubs (a nice name for an electrician courtesy of my bff).  He's the electrician, I'm just the laborer, but I listen really well.

Here's where we are in the basement.  Lights, switches and outlets are pretty much wired!  That's right. Hubs says we are about 90% complete.

Switch at Stairs ... It keeps me from falling

Guest Bedroom and Closet

Thumbs Up, Yeah! 

Family Room on Left, Stairs on Right

 Now for the next part.  Replacing the rag wire upstairs.  This is quite the tedious process as it requires that we re-feed new wire blindly up through the wall to the existing switches and outlets.

Pulling the existing wires out

 

And here is what we are left with.  New wires and lots of holes to patch...