Finally

We've been waiting for quite some time to see how the roof line would look after the entryway was completed.  Here it is!  Now we just need to find someone to start building out our (overly complicated but extremely cool) soffits.  So far, four companies have said no.  Hmmm...

Entryway

If you've ever wondered what "pin piles" look like (and you probably haven't)... well, here they are:

These "pin piles" saved us from having to put a 4' by 4' concrete footing in our finished basement.  Actually, I think we would have needed two footings.  Since our structural engineer never actually visited the property, he assumed that these footings wouldn't be an issue.  Well, they were.  The "pin piles" ended up being a great solution (even though they required more engineering, their own inspector and special drilling equipment), and finally, they are in and they have passed their special inspection.  We can start building the new entryway!

The entry should be finished this weekend.  Electrical will go in next week.  And now, we're just a couple weeks away from drywall.

Beautiful Seattle Day!

It is beautiful day in Seattle to be building a house.  I had to stop by to see the progress and get a long-awaited answer to my question.  Can we see Mt. Rainier from our new 2nd story?  Answer:  Yep!  Although it's a bad picture and a bit hazy, the mountain is definitely there.

Now, could someone please come and trim that tree?

Here is the "Drink Wine" part

It's so pretty... just needs some wine.  Donations accepted.  It's the Electrolux Under-Counter Wine Cooler.  We choose it because of the pro handle to match our new appliances, the UV light filter, the hidden (child-proof) controls, the slide-out drawers... nah, actually just because of its good looks.  Although, now that I've listed all of it's qualities, it does seem like a good buy.

Sure wish we had room for two of them!

The good news about our new and improved wine cooler is that we have an excuse to make a trip to Walla Walla, as if an excuse is ever needed.

First fixture in!

The first fixture is in!  It's the kids' bathtub - the Kohler Villager bathtub - a great selection for kids because the side is lower than usual and the tub isn't quite as deep.  Another great suggestion from the Build LLC blog - http://blog.buildllc.com/.  If I could buy stock in a blog, that's where I'd put my money (and this one, of course).  We've relied on their blog numerous times throughout our project.  

Railings

Love, LOVE this look, but particularly interested in the railings...

I know glass can be a huge PITA to clean but it looks so fabulous and creates more openness.  I'm a big fan of the glass railing without a wood rail on the top.  It looks fragile but I've been assured that an adult can lean up against the glass or knock into it fairly hard without any problems.  It would be commercial-grade glass.  Although we're waiting to hear back from the fabricator, our plan is to steal this idea.  The "posts" are more squared off too which creates a modern look.  Per code, we will need a railing... it will go on the opposite (non-glass) wall.

I'm curious about the corrugated steel over the fireplace.  I like it.  Antlers... very cool (!)... but it's been done.

Carpenter Ants!

We're back from sunny and beautiful Tucson and we were welcomed home to a colony of carpenter ants.  Yuck.  They apparently decided that the South side of our house was the perfect venue for a little dinner party.  

I emailed this photo to Ben with the title, "They found carpenter ants," to which he responded, "well, maybe they can help get the project done faster.  The more carpenters the better, right?"  Ha.  Dad joke.

The ants seem to be gone now after some type of chemical application.  I can't say the ants really bothered me though.  I usually head to Tucson concerned about tarantulas and scorpions, but that was before last week when I learned about (and ducked to avoid) large, flying tarantulas hawks.  They aren't hawks at all... but extremely large, slow-flying spider wasps that have a sting ranked 2nd in the world on the Schmidt Pain Index.  And they hunt tarantulas.  Yikes.  They must have a good PR team.  

Windows and Stairs

Eventually we'll have floating stairs... but this is the current view with the original stairway wall opened up and the temporary stairs going to the new upstairs.

And, the first of the windows are in!  They are Anderson 100 Series - antique bronze on the outside and white on the inside.

HVAC and plumbing will get started tomorrow.  

Happy 1st Birthday Julesie!

You are so sweet and cute and special to us.  Happy 1st!  

Full Court Press

This is going to be a busy, busy week.  There were about 8 men at the job site today!

The windows should get delivered today and will be installed over the next 2 days.  We are so excited about how large the windows will be, although apparently they will require a special contraption to hoist them up.

The roof, fascia and gutters will be completed this week.  Our funky, angular soffits still won't be designed until the siding team gets started.  

Our first inspection was completed today... and so the new foundation for the entryway should be poured tomorrow.  The framing of the entryway will happen on Wednesday.  This is when the exterior of the house will really take shape.  There will be another extended soffit over the entryway as well.

There are temporary stairs up to the second floor now so we can go upstairs and walk around.  Now I can finally get up there and determine if our hallway is too small... although nothing I can do about at this point.  If it feels too small or narrow, we may have to consider a special wallpaper or design idea (maybe different lighting?) that will make the space feel larger and more open.

It seems like the perfect time for a trip to Tucson - with low 80s and gorgeous views - so we're off.  Hoping to finally spot the (mythical?) javelinas (also known as a skunk pig).  My dad says, they are so ugly that they are cute.  But anything with the nickname "skunk pig" can't have much going for it.

Build house, drink margaritas.  And as Quinn says, "Can we have some of that green stuff?" (AKA guacamole)