The Biggest Project Yet

In order to move forward with our kitchen remodel, we needed to get the mudroom addition started. We debated and debated about whether we were going to dig a basement underneath the addition or not. We loved the idea of the added value the extra square footage would bring...even if only for storage. Our architect, being almost completely unhelpful, got some bids for us but didn't request the companies to come out and see the site. Well, when they did we got hit by a huge estimate because of the small space they would have to work in and the concrete they'd have to remove...over $10,000 just to dig the hole. After that jolt, we decided we didn't need the basement that badly.

The process to get the permit from the city was extremely stressful. We waited for more than two months while the architect submitted, fixed, and resubmitted the plans. So frustrating! Eventually we got the OK at the beginning of December. Not exactly perfect timing when you live in the cold and snowy state of MN. But, God has been on our side throughout the construction process and we have got most of the outside work complete!

The addition of the mudroom will change the flow into and out of the house from the back. We will add a door from the kitchen into the mudroom where the window now exists. We will extend the stairway leading up from the basement and relocate the back door you see in the picture so that it is on the same level as the mudroom. With this change in location for the doors, we will add a great deal of counter space in the kitchen.

Tomorrow Mark will move the existing door...keep your fingers crossed for us. This will be a BIG day!

Oh...and a big shout-out to Mike O'Brien who helped Mark get the plywood on the roof. I sure as heck was not climbing up on that roof! Thank you!!

Enter at Your Own Risk

We knew when we moved into the house that we'd need to replace the front door...it looked like an original from the 50's. But, we weren't prepared to do it in the first few months after we moved in. Then came that fateful day...the day Mark locked himself out and he had to break the front windows to unlock the door and get in. He did put a band aid on the door (see the plywood over the window on the "before" pic) for the time being AND put in a lock box, but replacement was inevitable.

We were counting on the weather man's prediction and decided to stay home from the lake one weekend when the forecast looked good. We managed to get the project done without any rain...and without any major injuries (just a few cuts and scrapes).

There's something weird about opening your house to the outdoors and to all the neighbors. I didn't like the feeling...wanted my door back on right away! I don't know if it was a sense of vulnerability, but whatever it was I didn't like it.

If you look closely at the "during" construction picture, you can see our FABULOUS dining room light fixture...OK, maybe not so fabulous. It is actually one of the ugliest I've ever seen. Oh ya, you can also see our hole in the ceiling where we had to rip apart the house in order to get our couch inside the day after moving. Can't wait until we get to the living room part of this remodel and we get to close it back up.

For those who know me, you can tell that this project is taking every ounce of patience I have (which admittedly wasn't a lot). I think I'm doing pretty well...but you'll have to ask Mark. On second thought, don't ask him...I don't want to know. I'll just live in my little land of make believe for a bit longer (with the front door deadbolt locked tight).

Closet = Office??

Our previous home had a very large office with big and clunky furniture, and while we didn't need that much room we still needed a place to pay bills, file stuff, and for me to work from home every once in awhile. So, I saw this picture in a magazine and decided that we could do something similar in our extra bedroom. It would allow us to still have a room for guests and a mini-office.
Here's the pic that gave me my inspiration...

Here is what the closet looked like before we started.

Mark tore out the closet door, expanded the opening and then he was ready to start finishing things off.

Mark constructed all the shelving by hand, installed some under and over cabinet lighting and even made a handy little rolling cart for our big printer.







I had another wild idea...because our house was so much smaller than the last, we didn't have much room for hanging pictures or setting picture frames anywhere. But, I still wanted a place to showcase some of our favorite trips and photos. So, I decided that Mark should take a stab at creating a shadow box desk top. It turned out great! Every box is a bit different and they can hold momentos and pictures from our trip. Now, each time I work at the desk I can remember our great trips together.

We also wanted to add some more storage options and again I wanted something unique. With travel the theme, we found some old US state postcards and mailboxes. I aged the postcards and decopauged them to the base and then Mark attached the boxes and the tacks. Now we have a place to put our checkbook, bills, envelopes, etc. Pretty handy!






I LOVE the way our unique little office space turned out. Way cooler and more unique than the inspiration piece was. We have enjoyed using this space.

It's Been Awhile...Finished Pics of the Bathroom!

OK, let's take a trip down memory lane and look at where this glorious bathroom remodel started back in April 2011. We had textured wall paper on the walls (brown and gold), psychedelic gold, bronze, and silver wallpaper on the ceiling, blue plastic tiles on the walls, dingy tiles on the floor...and I don't even want to think about the condition of the tub, sink, and toilet. It was a ROYAL mess...plus, it smelled really bad.

Every time I look at this picture I think to myself, "Why, oh why would I buy a house with such a horrible bathroom?" But then, I remember...I have a vision. And oh, am I glad that my vision and Mark's mad skills created this marvelous bathroom! It really couldn't have turned out any better.

Here are the AFTER pictures. I can't even believe it is the same room. We (well, Mark actually) tore the walls and floor down to the studs. The only original thing left in the room is the bathtub.

Mark tiled the floors and walls with ceramic tile we found at Tile Liquidators (a great buy). The little pencil tiles are actually made of a resin material and are very hard to find. Mark had to be VERY careful making his cuts, because we only had one extra left when the project was finished and couldn't get any more! Mark had a great idea to take the tile from the floor and bring it up onto the walls, which I think ties everything together nicely.

Because the bathroom is pretty small, we decided to forgo the big towel bars and are using robe hooks for our towels instead. Seems to be working very well.



Instead of pulling out the tub and replacing it, we decided to have it refinished. It turned out really well. Unfortunately, it is a bit "softer" finish than the original, so we've already created a nick when the curtain fell down one day. We will have to be very careful in the future!






All in all, it was totally worth it. The house was a mess while the construction was going on, but the finished bathroom makes me happy every time I walk in it (except, of course, after Mark's been in it...ha!)

One of my favorite things in the bathroom is the sink. We searched and searched for the "perfect" one. We even bought one that was "OK" but came broken. God's way of telling us that wasn't the one for us. In the end, we found a hammered copper vessel sink that is perfect!