The Final Product....

Here are a few... we are still buttoning up some details - screened porch, yard, and driveway... but the outside is finished and we moved in on Valentine's day.

From the kitchen towards the den...

From the den towards the loft....

From the side.....

From the front....

Moving Day

It was actually a weekend but here are some highlights....

My co pilot.....

The Duplex....

Both the boys were a great help....

Relief.....

counter tops and flooring

Well it is getting close and as I am writing this I have already moved in so I am working backwards. After a long discussion and much research about countertops we decided to go with granite. This decision was based more on economics than anything else as the recycled material tops that we found were both beautiful, exciting and a bit more expensive. As for the flooring we went with horizontal bamboo flooring... we have always loved this look and the idea of bamboo. Seeing them down was amazing. Both of these decisions were aided greatly by Mark and his colleages at Build it Naturally in Asheville. They have great knowlege and an amazing showroom in downtown Asheville. It is definetly worth the time to stop....

Kitchen Counter top...

Kids Counter top....

Flooring....

Mantel (using recycled wood from my sister and brother in law's house)

colors -and the amazing creator of cool

The walls are getting pretty - Molly did an amazing job of picking out the colors for the house with the Creator of Cool - Heidi Ruehl. Molly and Heidi made quick and thoughtful work of the colors on the wall. One of the green lessons we have been constantly reminded of is trying to minimize our impact - this includes using what we have. Molly and Heidi took into account current furniture colors and made fantastic decisions. Ricky Brannon and his crew have been painting away.... We are using some really cool paint products from ICI paints. We are using Dulux paints and here are the types...



On the exterior Fortis - (should be going on this week)

DULUX. FORTIS™ Premium 100% Acrylic Exterior House Paint (6201, 6403, 6407)
Dulux Fortis provides lasting beauty and protection, with exceptional weathering resistance, easy application and quick curing, resulting in long lasting uniform finish, at temperatures as low as 35F.
- High solids for outstanding hiding and coverage
- Thick, rich, high-build coating
- Apply 35?F and higher to extend your painting day and painting system
- Fade and chalk resistant
- Gives a mildew resistant coating
- Early moisture resistant
- Excellent adhesion: resists peeling, blistering, and flaking -



On the interior LifeMaster

Dulux® LifemasterLifemaster 2000 was launched in 1992 as the nation's first VOC-free paint. Initially developed in response to growing concerns about air pollution, the product was quickly embraced as a friendlier paint for indoor environments, especially where concerns about paint vapors and fumes exist. Stain resistance and scrubbability have increased 75%.


As the name suggests, Lifemaster represents longer paint life cycles. Some in the industry have claimed that NO-VOC paints give up durability, negating the VOC-reduction benefits because painting is needed more often. This is definitely not the case with the new Lifemaster. In fact, Dulux Lifemaster will now become ICI Paints' only interior product line made with 100% acrylic resins.



It is so cool to use green products and have wonderful colors. Look below at the first coat.



Bathroom





Master Bath




Kitchen / Corner of Color




Kid's Rooms

Red Sanders - the cabinet man!

We met Red one day before thanksgiving and gave him out thoughts on kitchen cabinets, bathroom vanities, built in shelves, and some lockers. Red calmly took notes and in about 6 weeks made our ideas reality. see the pictures below. most of them have been primed for painting which explains the colors.

Kitchen

Master Bath

Boys Bath

grindzilla comes to town

so for the longest time I have struggled with what to do with my left over lumber. A lot was recycled and turned into other things. I built a bike rack, a friend built a compose bin. But there was still a bit left. That's when I learned about Grindzilla. Based out of Atlanta, Grindzilla builds trucks to grind construction and building material. After learning about the truck, I was interested, as both an end to my construction waste, but as a potential business venture as well. Grindzilla came to town and was an impressive machine. Here is what is left of my wood pile....

fast forward to january

So the last two months were a bit busy. I didn't have much time to blog - but luckily I will bring you up to speed on the work. What you will not see is pictures of the sheet rock going up. Albeit fun, there weren't many pictures.

so here we go with a brief recap. the sheet rock went in sometime after thanksgiving. after that we got the trim going on... Chris Jakubowicz with TrimCo took on the job and made quick work of it. Hanging the doors, shelving in the closets, stair steps, base boards and window boxing... Chris did an amazing job - see some of the pictures for yourself...