Our grey-water BRAC tank is in the news
Mon, 23rd January 2012
The Ottawa Citizen ran an article on our system, ‘When grey turns to green‘, by Patrick Langston in the Jan 21, 2012 Saturday Homes section. http://t.co/dKJO4kX2
The story ran with this photo of Isla and me (credit: Bruno SCHLUMBERGER, The Ottawa Citizen)
build status, Products
Lots has been going on, no we’re not in yet, but we’re a lot closer now that the countertops are installed in the kitchen. Hearth is also now installed on the fireplace. More updates to come, assuming I can carve out time from sewing draperies, packing, and a bazillion other things…
soapstone countertops, 2011-07-09
waterfall edge, 2011-07-09
island cooktop and rangehood, 2011-07-09
fireplace hearth, 2011-07-08
Products
Trying to find a modern mailbox is tricky, but thanks to Dwell, my husband and others on a similar mission, I’ve been able to track down a surprising number of options – provided we can somehow justify the cost…
From Mailboxes.co.nz, a division of Heartlands Outdoor Living
NuBox, $135 CDN
Comparto, $192 CDN
Contempo zincalume, $163 CDN
Aspiring marineply, $123 CDN
Sefton, $123 CDN
Cadrona, $143 CDN
Radius powder coated, $106 CDN
Morba small red Euro poste box, $38 US
Letterman 1 Mailbox, $419 US
Knobloch Hollywood Yellow, $359 US
Knoblock Long Beach, $359 US
NB-1 mailbox, $199 US
Envelope, $78 US
Nuovo, $320 US
Blomus SIGNO with window, $480 - 620 CDN
SKY Stainless, $59.95
Spira, $149 US
Davinci, $350 - 650 US (list $425)
Torgen European Stainless Mailbox, $253.50 US
From Morba, also available in Ottawa at Domus
From Radius Design on YLiving
From Knobloch, also available from Modern Mailbox Designs
From Neutra
From Chiasso Simply Modern Designs
From Blomus
also available from Lumens for $342 US
From SKY on Buy.com
From HouseArt, available from many sources, including Expressions-Ltd
From Budget Mailboxes
build status
Tile is now grouted in the children’s bathroom…
children's bathroom, 2011-06-04
Love the glass accent tile, 2011-06-04
… and the MB ensuite
shower wall, 2011-06-04
Our walnut vanity in the ensuite, crafted by Frank
MB ensuite vanity, 2011-06-04
Children’s vanity, crafted by IKEA
children's bathroom vanity, 2011-06-04
Base coat for the silver leaf on the dining room tray ceiling (left over from our previous kitchen make-over at Cunningham)
diningroom tray ceiling, 2011-06-04
could almost leave the diningroom ceiling as is..., 2011-06-04
First inhabitants at the new house (and soon to be evicted)
2 baby starlings in MB ensuite vent, 2011-06-04
a 2nd nest by Chris' office, 2011-06-04
Overhang provides shelter in more ways than one, 2011-06-04
build status
Tiling has begun in the MB ensuite…
MB ensuite, 2011-05-28
shower enclosure, 2011-05-28
… and the children’s bathroom
12x12 honed and polished quartzite verde in children's bathroom, 2011-05-28
white subway tiles for children's bathtub surround, 2011-05-28
Vanity to be installed in the children’s bathroom
IKEA vanity for children's bathroom, 2011-05-28
Lovely gray owl on the trim
trim in basement, 2011-05-28
Clean, crisp dry-wall returns
foyer, 2011-05-28
2nd floor landing, 2011-05-28
Will's round window, 2011-05-28
My round window in the studio, 2011-05-28
view from studio, 2011-05-28
build status
First order of the day is prepping the cannons
Final coat, 2011-05-25
Installation, 2011-05-25
Lock and load, 2011-05-25
Painting the basement has begun (nice job, Andrew!)
basement painting in progress, 2011-05-25
basement, 2011-05-25
recess in tool box makes a great runway (guest room), 2011-05-25
Now that the protection has been lifted from the floors, one can start to get a sense of the finished space
floor revealed and dry wall return on round window in my studio, 2011-05-25
Chris' office, 2011-05-25
livingroom, 2011-05-25
Will’s closet doors are now installed
Will in his closet, 2011-05-25
I think the children will enjoy their rooms…
Isla peeking out of her closet, 2011-05-25
Will checking out Isla's closet, 2011-05-25
Scrap pile now in Isla’s room
Isla's room, 2011-05-25
Checking out the tile surround for the MB ensuite bathtub
MB ensuite tub, 2011-05-25
build status
Templating the chimney – turns out that some adjustment needed to meet the 2 inch clearance required by code. So long as the arch is maintained, I’m happy.
chimney template kitchen side, 2011-05-24
chimney template livingroom side, 2011-05-24
Will investigates the shower wand in the MB ensuite
shower wand, 2011-05-24
Wood blocks make the best toys
Isla plays with scrap wood, 2011-05-24
Isla has a rest in Daddy’s office
Isla, 2011-05-24
build status
Fireplace receives it’s outer skin
fireplace kitchen side, 2011-05-21
fireplace livingroom side, 2011-05-21
Admiring the floors
Study / common area, 2011-05-21
Isla's room, 2011-05-21
Will's room, 2011-05-21
MB, 2011-05-21
Lovely pile of scrap wood leftover from the floor install. Kids enjoy constructing roads and houses, I am imaging various projects… dining room table perhaps? Or at least a tray.
scrap wood, 2011-05-21
gosh, she's cute! my lovely daughter the carpenter, 2011-05-21
Some closet doors
Isla's closet doors, 2011-05-21
Linen closet, 2011-05-21
Plumbing rough-in for the MB ensuite tub – was not sure I liked the placement as it had been drawn in the corner by the shower; however, after much consideration by the plumber, architects and builder, the expert opinion was that this was the best spot to allow for easy access in and out of the tub. Also, was not convinced about the shower wand placement being on the rim of the tub, but again, this was the plumber’s opinion as the best spot to avoid dripping onto the floor. A valid point, I suppose, although I’m still not convinced from an aesthestic point of view. Likely to be forgiving once I’m soaking in the bath with Grand Marnier in hand.
Isla has no reservations about the shower wand, 2011-05-21
hmmm... must think of Grand Mariner, 2011-05-21
Floor tile now on site
honed and filled ivory travertine 12x24, 2011-05-21
build status
More exciting developments to report…
The hardwood appears to have been installed throughout the top floor, to be finished once the painting is complete.
Hardwood, 2011-05-19
Hardwood advisory, 2011-05-19
The fireplace is receiving its skin so one can now get a real appreciation for its volume and shape.
View of fireplace as you enter the livingroom, 2011-05-19
Walking around the fireplace, 2011-05-19
Fireplace as seen from livingroom, 2011-05-19
Painting has begun, notably with some test patches of blue. I love the idea of blue ceilings, and have painted my ceilings blue in previous homes, but these are not the right shades. The plan will be to go with the same white that is on the walls, then should the mood and energy strike us down the line we may paint some of the ceilings blue afterwards (so not very likely).
Blue test patches, 2011-05-19
Blue test patches in kitchen, 2011-05-19
The other exciting bit is that the garage door guy was here this morning installing the garage door. I got a peek from the inside, but the protective shed doors are still covering the exterior.
Garage door from inside garage, 2011-05-19
Exterior, 2011-05-19
Products
Never a moment to stop – must consider window coverings. Anyone bought any solar shades / scrims / blinds?
What I’m looking for should:
a) provide some daytime privacy
b) be visually unobtrusive
c) decrease solar gain in the summer
d) possibly provide some insulation
I expect to need additional window treatments (curtains) to provide night-time privacy.
The plan would be to install these on the South face. Something with a black-out function is required in the bedrooms so am not planning on initially installing solar shades in those windows.
So far, I’ve come across the Krumpers Climate Control Solar Blinds, and plan to scope other local options at blinds stores and big box stores. Would appreciate any thoughts or recommendations.
build status
Hardi-board panels all up to one side of tower on the street-side, plus some of the cedar. Galvalum trim around the round windows. Love, love, love it.
Street-side, 2011-05-15
Street-side from tower, 2011-05-15
Hardwood installed in Will’s room
Will's floor, 2011-05-15
Trim around some of the doors and remaining windows
Foyer closet and powder room, 2011-05-15
Studio, 2011-05-15
Studio as door storage, 2011-05-15
Sill and trim in guest room, 2011-05-08
Baseboards in guest room, 2011-05-08
Super W
At rest in the restroom, 2011-05-15
In disguise, 2011-05-15