First sketch.....

Of the kitchen!

Ensuite shower

Purchased this one at Rona for the ensuite today. Hoping to have enough air miles to take a trip at the end of all this renovating =).

Pictures

This is my quick sketch for you of our bathroom situation: before and after. Sorry for the quality =). The dark line shows you the barrier between the two washrooms.

Before: Ensuite vanity

Before: Main Bath vanity/closet/toilet

Before: ensuite toilet

Before: Main bath again

Demo: wall down between the main and ensuite

Mark beside the hole where the main bath tub used to be (he is standing in the hallway, which is being widened.)

Some wall paper found behind the main bath mirror. This stuff is pretty cool!! Totally back in style. Maybe I should frame a piece....maybe not.

Main bathroom open to the ensuite. Everything out!

The framing is mostly done for the new walls already. Ill snap a few more photos tomorrow. Oh, and the gate is in! And it looks good!!

Day 6

Today the bathroom demo began. The bathrooms where exactly what you would expect from a house built in 1980. A 2 piece "ensuite", and a large looooong main bathroom. We have decided to re-configure them, after my dad threw our house on AutoCad, and drew up a few different options. This will give us two nice sized bathrooms on the main.

Having the washer/dryer on the main floor was also something that was important to me, so we have found the best place for it will be in our ensuite. It was that, or the main bath. And I think I will like it out of the way. I picture many hours of folding laundry on my bed....and I'm ok with that =). Not having to drag it all downstairs, just to drag it all back upstairs will be wonderful!!

Today we are also getting the gate installed at the top of our deck, making it a safe place for our kids to run around! Can't wait to use that deck!!

I'll be heading over later this afternoon. Pictures are coming later today =).

Day 1 - Pictures

Some samples of carpet, vinyl, and paint we were looking at today.

Kitchen and walls gone!

Hey, remember this?

Well......this photo was taking in the same place.

The kitchen: gone

The walls between the kitchen

and dinning room/living room: gone!

(if you look on the ceiling, you can tell where the walls were.)

I love this house

when you go in the mornings

the light that pours into the house

from all of the east facing windows

is refreshing.

We ate one of our first of many meals on the deck today at lunch.

I look forward to making many memories here.

Day 1

The people....I didn't forget! I'll introduce you to our all-star team =).

My brother-in-law Mark, owner of MTM construction, will be, basically.....doing, umm, everything. We have hired him as our contractor, and are very confident in his abilities! He is a perfectionist. What more could you want from your contractor??

Luckily, I also have a dad who has knowledge of basically everything home/reno/building. His specialties are plumbing and electrical (bonus!). So he will be around to support, help, and advise in any way he can!

A previous co-worker of Mark's, Cy, will also be on call as Mark's right hand man. The two of them together are quick, and have done many reno projects.

Of course, John and I will also be around to help however we can. Unfortunately life (work and kids) get in the way of us being there all the time. I will also be the runner/shopper. Fun and stressful all at the same time.....oh, and the budget keeper...even more stressful!

I have pictures from today's work so far....unfortunately there is no way to get them onto this computer at the moment. I will go back at the end of the day, and take some more. Stay tuned - I'll try to post them tonight.....

the start....

Today we got the keys!

Tomorrow first thing, the renos begin.....so stay tuned for pictures and updates....here we goooooo!

First purchase.

This morning on an impromptu trip to Home Depot...I walked out with flooring for the main floor. I have looked a few places, and decided to do either a hardwood, or engineered hardwood. When I saw a palette full of dark birch hardwood flooring on for a smokin' deal, I couldn't resist. Other comparable hardwoods were a few dollars more per sq ft. So, under budget, I have hardwood!



(The picture doesn't really do it justice...)

The house:

I thought a renovation blog would be a fun way to document our upcoming renos! So, if you think so too, feel free to check back often for posts and pictures.

Let's start with the house:

A 1980's rancher with walk out basement, just over 1300 sq ft. on each floor. The major renos will be taking place on the main floor: 3 bedrooms, 1 full and 1 half bath, kitchen, living room and dining room.

The front entrance

The major selling feature for us was the quiet cul-de-sac it is on,

and the deck!

...and not so much the wallpaper =).

Next up: the people.