Stud Sisters

We're waiting for the plumber, electrician and HVAC people to

come and do their thing but let me show you what's been going on.

The rough framing for the back porches has passed inspection so work

can now proceed to finish those up.

 

Inside, the new subfloor is installed.

 

On the window wall--this is where the stove was--the wall has been

pumped up with 2x6s.  This is not only to get a nice plumb wall... 

...but also to get the plumbing stack to from the upstairs

bathroom to the basement without having a bumpout in the wall

along with a nice bit of foam insulation.

You can see the new sill and header for the kitchen window that is being moved

up above counter height.  The new sink will be centered over this window.

 

 

All of the other studs are getting a 2x4 sistered alongside them.

Every single one.

 

 

None of the studs are vertical or on the same plane so

these 2x4s will correct that mess which should make

cabinet and countertop installation much easier.

 

Before the electrician comes to do the rough wiring, I

need to finalize my lighting plan.  It'll be exciting to have more

than one light fixture in the middle of the room!

Kitchen and Porch Update 9.14.13

Things are moving along.  The old back door has been removed and covered up

and the new French door has been framed in.  I may leave the upstairs door

until spring.  I'm over budget and need to make cuts.

The first floor porch is framed and the forms for the piers and new stairs were made...

...and poured the next day.

I planned wood stairs but switched to cement at the last minute.

I get huge icebergs that form along the edge of the porch roof that

eventually come crashing down and I thought the concrete would

end up being a lot less maintenance.   I thought this was a concession

but I really like how they turned out.

The edges of the cement were softened with a 1/4 round edger before the

cement was totally set .  I think it makes a big difference.  They look very similar

the steps on the old townhouses in Back Bay and the South End of Boston.

Inside, the new kitchen joists and subfloor are in.  Just like brand-new.

Having a new solid, level floor made me consider doing a tile floor in the kitchen

but I really think I'm going to stick with wood.  I'll probably use the same

white oak flooring I have in the rest of the house but bleach and/or pickle it.

The new floor joists span the second (inner) foundation so blocking was put in

so foam insulation can be sprayed in the unheated space between those two foundations.

The plumbing and electrical should start next week.

The new plumbing stack has claimed a new victim:  the upstairs bathroom.

To get the plumbing stack and vents tucked back into the kitchen wall, they'll

need to pass through the upstairs bathroom.  It just seemed easier to open

up those walls to do the plumbing.

This bathroom is also going to be renovated but it

had to get cut from the budget in this phase. 

Notice the wall where the sink was mounted under the window.

It's an historical document to all the colors the bathroom has

been painted in the past.

And one small section makes a wonderful abstract painting.

I'll be busy this weekend picking my appliances and light fixtures.

It feels like such a commitment. 

Kickin' Back

Thank you for all your well wishes, chanting and candle lighting.  I was able to get

my building permit late last week which came at the perfect time to enjoy the weekend.

Blogging friend Flower Jane, hostess of the world-famous Flowers in the House party, 

was passing through town so Shelley and I gave a tour of our favorite Maine and Boston

haunts over the weekend.  Here are a few of the weekend highlights from Instagram.

Vintage boat fenders/bumpers at York Antiques in York, Maine.

When was the last time you saw mermaid boat fenders?

I'm a sucker anything with eagles too.

Great dragon chandeliers at Pier 77, Cape Porpoise, Maine.

There are so many pretty things at Snug Harbor Farm and not

wanting to  be repetitive, I'm finding it fun to find beauty in 

the things that many people wouldn't look at.

Stairs in the barn, Snug Harbor Farm.

Wall in the potting shed, Snug Harbor Farm.

Algae-covered pots, Snug Harbor Farm.

I love the variation of color in the succulents, Snug Harbor Farm.

Yellow golden pheasant, Snug Harbor Farm.

Trophies at Restoration Hardware, Boston.

Acorn Street, Beacon Hill, Boston.

George Washington, Public Garden, Boston.

I hope you all kicked back and enjoyed the holiday weekend.