the not so big house

Recently, thanks to Carol, Eva and several other readers of the infamous New York Times Dream Home Diaries, I’ve discovered the work of architect Sarah Susanka. She promotes the “not so big house,” which defies the current McMansion trend of more is more and bigger is better.
Instead, she promotes a more sustainable model, in which families [...]

construction day 19

Magicians indeed!
Note from the general contractor:
We have made a new front door opening appear at Kasper, the neighbors are going to call us magicians!!
Everything is looking great; electricians will be doing their thing next week; garage doors are ordered; entry doors are on their way, all is well.

construction day 17

The concrete block is up, the windows came out today, and the framers are finishing the front porch.
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rainbow over the lake

sunrise over the backyard

This is the view from the back porch in the morning.

a column on, well, columns

Details. Details. I’ve decided to go with foam columns and exterior window trim to avoid Florida’s wood-rot/termite issues. My current house is stick construction and, well, let’s just say the exterior has had to have a good bit of work done to rehab it after six Florida rainy seasons.
I never thought I’d want concrete block but [...]

dream home diaries continued

John and Belle have an update on the New York Times Dream Home Diaries blog, which continues to drive readers batty. If you’ve not yet tuned it, it’s both fascinating and excruciating by turns. Sort of like a train wreck you can not look away from.
Yesterday the bloggers decided in mid-construction that they may want to flip [...]

construction day 12

Note from the Godsend general contractor: Things are going very well. We accomplished much of the block today, we should finish it on Saturday. My framers started today and should be finished today with the exception of a small shortage of decking board that I will take care of myself and not require them to [...]

the teeny tiny powder room

I’ll be adding a small half bath to the house and have chosen this vanity from Overstock.com. It has arrived, and it is adorable. When I purchased it, it was $499 plus 20% discount and free shipping. It’s back in stock and the price has increased but it’s still lovely at either price.

construction day 10

The rainbow yesterday foretold good news on the home renovation front.
Although you can’t see too much yet, we’ve had great progress. I tried to download pix but it isn’t working tonight for some reason. However, you’ll see links to the photos below.
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Concrete block was delivered. New piers dug around the garage, old supports moved, temporary [...]

emtek coupon alert (with new Oct. 15 deadline)

I was searching for pretty, bronze garage door handles/lifts. I looked and looked (and looked) and found very little, and nothing with an arts and crafts, craftsman or mission style.
So, then I thought, why not purchase two 8-inch door pulls that match the entry set, put them sideways, and pretend they were meant to be garage [...]

bronze (age) appliances

I have been yearning for Jenn-Air’s new oil-rubbed bronze collection since they first mentioned them about a year ago.
They aren’t cheap. In fact, the refrigerator is $3K, dishwasher is $1,200 and the double oven is $3,400.
I think I was willing to splurge if I could find it in the budget but as I’m planning the [...]

construction day 3 (with update)

Note from the general contractor: All is going very well. We are set for our inspection on Thursday, I had hoped for an inspection today but it was not in the cards. I am going to be pouring the new concrete on Friday morning so if pictures are part of the plan, good photo opp [...]

construction day 1

Finally. Sept. 10 marks day 1 of external construction. The concrete sub will be beginning the process. Stay tuned.

pop the cork

I’m investigating cork as a flooring product. It has many advantages, as it’s durable, sustainable, insular and kind of bouncy. It can be applied to concrete or a subfloor, and it comes in tiles, planks and sheets.
On iFloor.com I found dozens of different varieties as far as color and texture. I’m going to have to see [...]

i’m floored

Hello: As I’m watching the New York Times Dream House Diaries commentors go into nuclear meltdown with the bloggers’ lack of attention to detail and planning ahead, I’m amused and befuddled.
But more importantly, I am reminded that I need to make some final decisions on interior finishes because when one house sells, the interior of [...]

breathing room

Sunrise over the lake. Makes all the renovation drama worthwhile.

Twilight on the ocean. Makes everything worthwhile.
It has been a lovely day! I am counting my blessings.

headed to the coast

Good morning. I am headed to the beach (with 24 textbooks in tow) to write my final papers and finish my final projects for the quarter. I hope to have a little time to reflect in between. Have to be back in town Saturday afternoon, so we’ll see how much reflection I can squeeze in, [...]

links to the external plan and elevations

kasper-front-elevation.pdf
kasper-side-elevation.pdf
kasper-outside-floor-plan.pdf
These are the PDFs for the outside floor plan and the elevation from the front and side. Before photo is below:

What do you think of the changes?

on to permitting

The architect finished the owner revisions last week and the plans are ready for the new GC to pick up to submit for permitting Tuesday. Wonderful news!
I shall share the floor plans and elevations soon.
Happy labor day — in honor of all the laborers who will soon be toiling at the new house.