It's all coming together!

October 1, 2013

Valerie came for a quick visit and managed to catch my last flight to Dallas so we could ride home together.  We love having her visit and welcome her back as often as she can fit us into  her busy schedule.

After the gutters were added and the dirt was cut away from the foundation in preparation for adding the retaining wall footing, we received our first rainfall since May - and boy, did it rain.  It poured for a day and a half bringing 6 inches of much needed moisture to the area. Unfortunately, no one connected the flexible pipe to the newly installed downspouts and as a result all the water easily eroded the newly cut dirt.  But have no fear, it did not damage the foundation despite the way it looks.

When I discovered the erosion, I sent Marcus a text message describing it so he would be prepared to move the dirt back.  I noted 'a wise man built his house upon the rock' and his reply was very assuring.  He said, "The wise did for sure.  We don't have a lot of rock here so we use lots of piers.  Not to worry.  You can lose all the dirt under the house and have no issues with the foundation.  Everything is fine.  We will backfill."

In the last two weeks the painters have completed their work inside and outside the house.  They will be back one more time to touchup any areas which may have been marred by other workers.  Marcus said they will be the last ones to leave the house.

They stained the mahogany front door a beautiful rich brown shade and coated it with varnish to withstand the elements.  They also painted the columns on both the front and back porches an earthy green that is slightly darker than the rest of the house trim. 

Now that the painters have finished, I have been able to get inside and begin working on those projects that I have the skills to complete.  I began by hanging lighting fixtures and ceiling fans.

Library ceiling cans and wall wash

Dining Room cans

Porch can light with bronze trim

Game Room fan

Over the summer Dawne Stewart, owner of Signature Floors and More in Corsicana, has become a dear friend.  She has been instrumental in helping us choose colors and patterns throughout our house.  I charged her with making sure I didn't stray too far from the traditional craftsman style and she has not failed me.  She has a great eye for color - suggesting the tones of the walls, ceilings, and trim as well as the stone, brick, and outside paint.  She helped us choose the marble, granite, and tile which will be laid throughout the bathrooms and kitchen.  She also helped with the flooring and fixtures.  In short, she has been a godsend when it come to design.  We cannot thank her enough, although I'm sure purchasing so many items from her company may come close.

Guest bath with clipped corners

The bathroom tile is being installed by Augustine and his crew.  They are using warm brown natural colors to make the bathrooms inviting.  The precision and craftsmanship is remarkable.  An example can be seen in the Master shower photograph below.  They've mitered the corners and insured each course is straight and centered.  Also they grind many of the edges of the tiles to create smooth rounded corners that will be stained to match the grout.

Master tub

Master shower floor

In the coming weeks the electrician and plumber will return to finish connecting their fixtures. Bobby Burke will complete the retaining wall. And the septic system and propane gas tanks will be buried.

It is all coming together!