Samma's got a brand new Blog

Wide Open Spaces

The floors are finished (ok, 1 more sanding and layer of shiny stuff) and they look MAHvalous!  The color is rich, warm, and homey, and suddenly we don't look like we're a destruction zone any more. 

 

Doesn't the copper look great with the new floors?

WhoDat?

And, remember a long time ago, when we found the steal of a deal while doing good for Habitat for Humanity at Restore?  Well, the sink installed really opened up that cramped guest bathroom, and it's going to look GREAT!  And, now you can see the faucet you kinda helped us choose, as well. 

Since we're keeping the plumbing exposed, we had the pvc replaced with chrome. 

Another addition today was the garbage disposal under the sink.  By having the plumbing and disposal on the left, we gain the whole right side of the under sink space.  Cool!

Ooops! Someone stained the floor!

The biggest thing my non-visual brain has been struggling with is the floor.  What will it look like, all sanded, refinished, and done?  Getting the repairs done was helpful, but still not enough.  So today, we met our color options.

These colors look pretty close on our monitor.  Richard liked the 2 outside colors (natural and early americana)  I liked the two left colors (early americana & providence).  Both of us thought the dark walnut was way too dark. 

So, Early Americana it is!  Tomorrow is Sand & Stain day.  WOOOHOOOOOO!

 

Here it is playing nicely with the maple cabinet color. 

Both in this image are washed out in this image.

I see you've met my ... faithful HANDYman ....

Richard took all my copper dreams and turned them into an amazing reality. Introducing our beautiful new copper backsplash!  It's turning into a big, exciting finale week at the house.  We're not counting our chickens, but it's POSSIBLE we move next weekend. 

 

First the cuts and line the players up, this was yesterday.

Measure twice, cut once

 

He's PERFECT!
 

This is the copper H joint, to make the seams all pretty and coppery and sealed.
 

Liquid Nails on the copper, and then on the wall.
 

   

Takes 30 min to set, 24 hours to bond.
 

Now that's set, and the (temporary, don't worry) switch plates are back in place.  This is today's work.

Oh, copper sink, how I love you!  Your new home is coming together!

Last chance. Copper in the back corner, we're leaning toward 'yes'.  We have the copper, and Jean's point about possible mess on the grasscloth wall paper is well taken.  

Tomorrow, the countertop plywood templates go into place.  Friday, plumber and hardwood floors.  Saturday &/or Monday more hardwood floors, but no pics cause Richard & I are gone diving. 

Next week, countertop install.  Some minor electrical, paint trim, and other detaily stuff (and kitchen stone tile install).  If all that actually comes together, we can move in next weekend!

Copper Craze

We brought the copper to it's new house today

And after looking at it, we decided it needed a few more whacks

Then, I decided to give it the Ketchup treatment to even the pieces out so the patina will develop at the same rate.  

Before:

Ketchup Splatter:

 

Ketchup Spread:
 

Shiny & new
 

All cleaned up and ready for next steps:

Copper Kraft

First, here's the views Ellenor asked for, literally from the front door Portrait then Landscape. 

We spent tonight after work cutting and taping craft paper into our template for making the copper back splash.  We'll see how far we get with the rest of the process this weekend, but since the countertops are (hopefully) close to ready for install, we need to get them in sooner than later.  Here's the overview.

Check out the LED pendant bulb Richard found at Home Depot!  And yes, since one of the shades for those got broken, we found a fun way to get a new matching set to replace since we couldn't find a duplicate shade.  2 - 3 weeks lead time, but we're excited!!! 

Everywhere you see Kraft Paper, here, picture copper.  Most of it will be mallet hammered, but there will be a show piece over the cooktop of smooth, fun patina'd copper in a hammered copper frame.  That's the little sketch you'll see. 

And now, if you're still with us, a question.  See this original heinous yellow wall spot under the microwave cabinet?  Should we extend the copper backsplash to the edge of this cabinet?  Counter top here will be maple butcher block, and we're currently planning a natural grasscloth wall paper for anything not copper, cabinet or window/door in the kitchen.  So if that place isn't copper, it's grasscloth.  What do YOU think?

And, for Ms Melear, here's a map  :)  We're the 'A'

Things I haven't told you

We are waiting for the counter tops, but meanwhile, the under cabinet lights went in. 

We went LED.  Also notice the microwave and convection oven are installed, and of course, Richard set the clocks. 
The HAC vent also moved from the threshold of the new doorway to under the oven. 

Here's a view into the kitchen w/ the counter lights.  LOVE it!  And, there's a surprise brewing for the breakfast bar pendant light shades .... pretty excited about that too!

We decided since we're getting the super awesome glass countertops, it'd be fun to have led lights running the sides for a very cool glowy effect.  (I am SO lucky my husband indulges my whims!) Any rate, I can't show you that, but here is the transformer and switch for them, hiding under the cooktop base

Outside, there's now lighting for the funky little alcove that got covered up by the new roofline.  And, since the kitchen sink window looks out onto it, we wanted a fixture we could put full spectrum lighting into -- we're thinking either plants, or an aviary, or both out there.  Not sure yet, but whatever it is, we can turn the lights on!

 

and yay, power box in the bottom right corner!

Here's a closer look at our fun Ikea fish light for the guest bath.  And 'someone' found a really great sea urchin door knob to round out the theme on sale at Antropologie -- can't wait to see that whole room come together, but that's much much later!

This window also looks out onto the funky alcove nook w/ the new light, btw.

Here is a couple of better shots of the bedroom ceiling fans now that they and their pretty little collars are fully installed.

 

We had a couple of visitors

And, check out the shutters.  Front Door was painted to match, too!  Next up, all the fun trim bits, but that'll come much later.

Swoon!  I love this porch!

Trying again, there are more pictures from the Electrician's recent visits.

Living Room Ceiling Fan

Fish Lights!

Master Bedroom Ceiling Fans (and new hardwood floors)

Porchlight moved

Testing the new SammaBlog location, since Vox is shutting down/moving. Look for house updates, here.

You've got Mail ...

and our copper sink gets to test it's new home. 

Can't WAIT til it's all done!
 

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Gutters came today, we decided not to go copper clad $tainless yet .... maybe later!  Same re: the rain chain.  I know I want at least one, but not sure 'where'.
 

And, if you're looking at this through VOX, it's shutting down at the end of the month.  I'll move everything but not sure how it'll look in past Facebook posts.  But Facebook doesn't really support a true blogging format, so I don't think that will be my primary place to write/post/put pics, I'll just link to where ever I end up.