Skylight Prep

Cutting the hole and placing the curb. Yes, it rained the minute we started cutting.

These photos make it look like Chris did eveything. Not True! I helped a little (passing tools, holding stuff)

 

 

View from the inside, tarped and waiting for the roofer. stay tuned for the 'after' shot.

 

Zoning! Approved!

Three months, 3 sets of revised drawings, $800, we're finally through zoning. 

While this is boring, it's a very important step. We've got permission to proceed with our addition now, 

which will take us from ugly and little, to ugly and medium-sized!  

Help from friends

It's amazing how a little help can go a long way!

Especially from skilled friends like Chris who built this amazing skylight curb in an afternoon!

and Diana who demo'd and insulated this whole wall in a few hours.

Thanks guys, one step closer to a brighter and warmer house.

Heat

New furnace!

It's been a while I know.. But not that much has been happening aside from the major hurdle of getting heat in the house before winter.  So, exactly one year after moving into the house, we've got a gas furnace up and running. No more space heater!

Oil tank. Gone now. thank goodness.

Now you see it..

Now you don't!!

One hour, 4 guys and few hundred bucks.

Appliances!

The kitchen is coming together. We recently acquired (and moved) A newer subzero fridge!

A garland gas stove!

And a Bosch dishwasher!

Back to back posts for the fanclub. let's start seeing some encouraging comments!

Skylight Rough-in + Curtains!

Curtains!

Erika and I at the transfer station on date night.

Skylight demo:

First I built scaffolding above the stairs so we could reach the 2nd floor ceiling

then Ryan and I smashed the walls and ceiling. (thanks Ryan!)

Then I moved the temporary floor up so i can reach the roof from inside...

This is a 16' long 2x8 I was trying to move into the roofspace, it gives you an idea of the height above the stair. once the skylight's in it will be dramatic..

Kitchen Progress 2

The kitchen is coming.. not sure what's wrong with the photo..

Roses

The Rose fence is really taking shape.

And... smelling great!

Also, this was a weekend of firsts for us:

First Barbeque - this classic weber came with the house, we just finally decided to try it out.
First loads of laundry done in the house. Amazing. Thank you Onne and Guido for the Washing Machine!

Sanctuary

Before - nice old lady room.

During retrofit - removed plaster+lath, installed insulation, vapour barrier and fire rated drywall.

After. white white walls + all the electrical outlets you could dream of.

Waste Stack

Latest Project - Cutting and replacing the existing cast iron stack with ABS drain so we can plumb in the kitchen sink.

Joey, thanks for your help. It was definitely a 2 man - full day job.

We're simultaneously insulating and refinishing the east bedroom.

Catching wind

I saw this guy take off and land in Riverdale park. That's about as high up as he got. Looks like equal parts of fun and fiddling with ropes.

Our latest craigslist find.. but how much energy does it use..?

The removals and exploration continue. It's a sort of therapy.

4 leafs games.. 4 wins. Thanks Uncle T!

Make that 5 for 5! booyah!

Kitchen Progress

I've been painting the kitchen cabinets and doors, which, like most things, took longer than i thought it would.. and it's messier too. oh well, it's starting to look good.

basement spray booth

kitchen rough in.

While pulling up the floor in the kitchen yesterday, i came across yet another artifact, the oldest paper yet, confirming the house is at least 103 years young.

Some of these floor boards are as long as the house is wide! 15.5 feet! wow. We will be reusing this material on the second floor.

Easter Kitchen

April Flowers. Our backyard looks much happier, these just started popping up through the leaves from last fall.



Making cabinets in the backyard.

thanks for all your help bud!

design, drawings, details

The drawings for the reno are starting to take shape. Here is where the kitchen design is at the moment. We WISH we had those appliances..



I've put the stair out for pricing. We'll see how it comes back.
This is the fun stuff, but it can certainly be tedious at times.

Narrow Stairs

Last night I mocked up some stair railings where the stair gets thin. It's preeety narrow stair to begin with, but i think it will work.
Note: these are not the final railings. i hope that's obvious.

Light

We have light now. What a relief. Thanks to all who helped us get this far.

Winter Progress

Erika - Insulator extraordinaire

Holy Sink Craiglist!

Leveling the ceilings

My new drywall Hoist. Worth every penny.

Check out this orderly panel layout! Thanks for your help Dad!

My luck with Leafs games has been a perfect 3 for 3 so far!

Back to back shutouts for me and Giguere!