This blog is solely about the start-to-finish construction of a house.
It is recommended to start at the earliest post and proceed chronologically.


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May 11, 2015

Front Door Landing Spot

Installed the steel box that serves as our "landing spot" by the front door - a place to drop your keys, sunglasses, etc.

May 08, 2015

More Metalwork


Working on metal supports for the Kitchen & Breakfast Nook

May 07, 2015

Master Bath Mirror


Got the large mirror installed in the Master Bathroom.

Super tight clearances getting it into the room, but it made it.

The room suddenly feels so much larger, and the natural light from the skylight fills the room.

Breakfast Nook Seating Mockup

We wanted to make sure that the bench dimensions were optimal, so we made an adjustable mock-up. 

Got the back angle dialed in, and tested table overlap and seat-to-table heights.

May 05, 2015

South Fence

Completed the South property-line fence today.  A welcome change.


May 03, 2015

Post Posting Post

Spent this weekend starting on the fence along the South property line.

Took one full day, with energetic help from friend Bryan, to remove 80' of chainlink fence and posts.  Broke a heavy duty webbing strap and a nylon rope trying to pull the old posts.  A lot of grunting labor.

Today Lisa and I got the post holes finished, and set the new steel posts in concrete.

Put the old fence on Craigslist, and managed the swarm of sketchy metal scrappers who descended.

Tomorrow the wood infill begins.






May 01, 2015

Heavy Metal Bath

Working today on our experiment for the upstairs guest bathroom - a steel countertop.

It wraps up the wall and forms a backsplash and small shelf for the mirror to sit upon.
The cutout is for the undermount sink, and a hole for the faucet.

Now we just have to decide what to finish this with - we are considering a color in this location.

Behind it, you can see steel bars awaiting their turn to get cut and welded for the kitchen.

Steel Wall Surface in Kitchen


A steel surface beside the door in the kitchen; a place for magnets or chalk notes and doodles.

The wood is temporary bracing to hold it flat while the mastic dries.

Can't wait to replace the door with the glass and fir door. 
Oh yeah - I'll have to wait.

Mirror Moves


The first of the mirrors got installed today - downstairs bathroom.

And look - the glass shower door is now in place (3 days later from previous post)

Shower Door Standing By

Shower door arrived... but with the wrong hinge. 

Lets just lean it in this doorway for a few days.

Light Leafing


Adding a touch of gold leaf to the old light fixture we refurbished previously.

April 26, 2015

Kitchen Cabinets

This week, the kitchen cabinets were installed.   

After much experimentation, worry, anticipation, and a few setbacks, these cabinets have lived up to our hopes.  We are very, very pleased with the beautiful workmanship and finish.

Lots of pictures below.