today was a good day! the handymen are DONE! pics

[NMDemDist2]

we left early this morning to hit an estate sale to try and find new end tables that won't block the floor vents and SCORED! we got two solid rock maple end tables for $40 each



we we got home, the guys were here working on putting the power outlets on the deck. they replaced all the trim pieces and did the final round of grout and were gone by 3PM. they only have to come haul the trash out from the yard tomorrow, but they are DONE!!! :woohoo:







it's starting to look like a home and now I can finally finish unpacking. thanks for all your moral support everyone, it helped a LOT!

:woohoo: :bounce: :woohoo: :bounce: :woohoo: :bounce: :woohoo: :bounce:

[NMDemDist2]

1. the Fed EX man just brought the last light fixture!!!

before:



after: (and it matches the ceiling fans too!

[Lugnut]

2. You're right!

It really does look like a home. You've done a beautiful job, AZ. I hope you and DH enjoy many happy years there. :toast:

[NMDemDist2]

3. thanks Lug and HIYA!

:hi:

[Lars39]

8. Ya'll have worn me out just looking at the before and after pictures.

:D It's simply amazing how much you two have accomplished in such a short time!
Everything looks sooo good,AZDemDist6. :thumbsup:

I did notice something, though.
The first thing that caught my eye with the top pic was the trim near the ceiling.
It kinda brings the ceiling down. You *might* gain some visual height by painting that trim white.
I know...I'm bad for suggesting more work.:spank: :D

[NMDemDist2]

9. it's plastic moulding so it won't take paint well

we actually expect to pull it all down when we come in to paint each room except for the peak moulding.

that'll come down when we attack the popcorn ceilings LOL

we hoped by changing all the light fixtures and getting them higher it would help and we think it did a lot

progress not perfection at this stage LOL

[Lars39]

10. lol I should have known you'd already planned for that. :^)

[Warpy]

42. you're going to find a gap at the top of the wall boards

where they meet the ceiling. Either you're going to have to take on the job of getting rid of the cottage cheese on the ceiling and then taping and mudding the joint, or you're going to need to put that trim or a white substitute back up.

Personally, I find that brown stripe down the middle of the ceiling a bit more objectionable than the narrow trim at the top of the wall. That's the one I'd paint over.

[NMDemDist2]

43. thanks for the head's up

we will find a way to work around the crown moulding then

it doesn't really bother me, this house is so light and bright now

[Warpy]

12. HAHA! The first thing I ripped out of my trailer

was a light fixture remarkably like the one you trashed. I'd found two 70s era wicker shade fixtures in great shape, used them over the dining table and swagged over a peninsula. It made a great improvement.

I don't know why they insist on fake glitz in those places.

I am so jealous. I'm still living in a pit and will be until I can get somebody to do the damn work.

[NMDemDist2]

13. :hug:

it's tough I know, and the remodel will get on your last nerve. you think it's a mess NOW!

I searched and searched for a pendent to match the ceiling fan glass and kept finding these ghastly expensive things that were so busy and ornate

finally I found a place in Utah with an affordable alternative. I got that pendent for less than $30 and it came with a total of three drop sections. we only used one, but kept the other two in case we ever need to move it. I also got a really nice floor lamp with the nickel and same glass for behind my chair.

since you are remodeling, check out this lighting place, they were really helpful on finding styles for a good price. I just can't understand paying $200 for a freaking light fixture!

www.rlights.com

they are updating their website right now, but should be back up next week sometime

edit to add, another nice thing about them is the webprice includes shipping so you know exactly what the costs are upfront

2nd edit, here's a pic of the floor lamp (excuse the mess by my chair and the weird window covering I have to get a shade there for DH's TV so the glare won't drive him nuts)

ROFL 3rd edit-- they all accept CFL bulbs too which is something we really wanted. the DR one doesn't have one yet, I have to get a lower wattage over there, but we rarely use it so the incandescent can stay for a while

[Warpy]

14. Thankee!

I've only done minimal surfing for fixtures. I'm thinking seriously of making my own cabinet hardware from polymer clay, something in keeping with an updated 50s era kitchen. I located cabinets I like at (ugh) Home Depot, should be able to find them elsewhere.

Alas, they've discontinued my wonderful Formica, always happens when I find something I like.

Thanks for the site. I'm sure it'll come in handy when I get somebody's butt in line to do the work.

[NMDemDist2]

15. check for the 3rd! edit LOL n/t

[Catshrink]

16. WOW!!!

That is amazing. I love the floor -- mine is just a bit lighter than that. It's amazing how it's opened up the rooms. Congratulations!!

[NMDemDist2]

17. thanks cat! how's that new heat pump?

bet you are loving it already eh?

[Catshrink]

19. Oh yeah!

The house actually gets cool now. I didn't realize how bad the old one was.

[NMDemDist2]

23. LOL I knew it! a new A/C unit in PHX is a GodSend

:applause:

[Stinky The Clown]

4. That looks great. And follow da poochie .....

.... da Poochie's modeling contentment. Follow his lead. :hi:

[NMDemDist2]

5. almost but not quite

Mr K has the brad gun out for the bathroom trim, I have about a brazillion square feet of grout to seal today, toilets to caulk, re-org my closet, grocery shop and laundry

then on to the guest room to unpack all the linens and the rest of the kitchen stuff and hope I find my good knives :cry:

but it's a good day for sure!

[Mist]

6. Looks great, AZDem. I love your "picture shows" ! I love the openness

of your all's house; so much "movin' around space." I LOVE that pottery (?) fish atop the dish cabinet. I've been meaning to ask: What's the tambourine-looking item on the end of the kitchen island? (hope that's not a dumb question).

[NMDemDist2]

7. that is my big cutting board on the island

and yup everything we've done has made this space look.. well ... spacious LOL

the old owners had huge heavy pieces of rustic style furniture in front of all the windows and it just made it look tiny

and we love the big fish too, it is ceramic and we scored it at a garage sale 10 years ago in PHX for $5. we love it LOL

the "tamborine thingie" in it's element from the old kitchen

[Mist]

11. Wow, that's some sturdy-looking cutting board! nt

[TygrBright]

18. oh, jeez, NMDem.... that is just yummy!

It is all the things I look for in a living space: Inviting, homey (in the best sense, you feel you can relax there,) clean and spacious-seeming without being cold, individual without being busy or chaotic, fun and restful both. I love the glass-block-and-plank bookshelves, I will probably steal that concept for the DVD storage space I desperately need to expand! And the end tables are great. I love used-and-loved furniture, it's always kind of a defeat to have to buy new, except in upholstered.

What's the octagonal wood gadget under the "Elixer of Life" sign?

curiously,
Bright

[NMDemDist2]

21. it's a hand made drum from Sedona

DH is an old Rock n Roll drummer and that little wood drum is very very versatile. he sticks it between his knees and can get about 5 different drum sounds out of it. he swears he can do every thing but cymbals on it

it's a one of a kind piece too

and those tables are Used but Loved indeed, they are in beautiful shape and fit perfect


thanks! :hi:

[lavenderdiva]

20. AZDem- the transformation of your new home is just beautiful!

thank you for sharing all these wonderful pictures! I think it does 'feel' like home; I am looking at the pictures including your 'babies' and they look REALLY comfy!

[NMDemDist2]

22. thanks Ldiva! and the furbabies are "home" for sure

they are diggin it big time now too :bounce:

[wildeyed]

24. Looks great!

Very homey, very "you". Does it feel like home yet?

Now on to the garden, lol!

[NMDemDist2]

25. oh GAWD

it's been raining for a month, the weeds are HUGH! i'm SERIES!!!1111!!!!!11!!

[wildeyed]

26. I have hugh weeds, too!

Plus I am trying to go organic with the lawn. Not working. At all. It is really hard to try to be a good person. Way too much work, IMO.

[NMDemDist2]

27. lol, it is a lot of work. to recycle here, I have to seperate my trash and

haul it myself to town. luckily I have some containers I can put on the deck (once the deck is cleared off of construction crapola)

and organic isn't an option here, bugs galore and they BITE! DH has declared Nuclear War on bugs

I think his Xmas present is gonna be a riding lawn tractor

our push this week is to get the fences moved so the dogs can access the whole back acre. and clean the deck, and finish out the trim in the house, and start in the guest room AND I should be starting work sometime in the next week or so

:banghead:

[wildeyed]

28. Congrats on the new job!

I saw that you were interviewing, but didn't know that you actually got the job :hug:

Sounds like you still have a lot of work to do. Give us some pics when you get the outside updated.

[Warpy]

29. I heard noise outside yesterday afternoon

and found my next door neighbor had fired up his old mower (he'd xeriscaped 3 years ago) and was mowing my weeds!

I'd tried to go over the yard with a weed whacker, but it's been so soggy that the thing would just knock 'em flat and they'd spring up again after I'd gone by.

They were no match for the lawnmower, though.

So I went inside and baked him a cake!

[NMDemDist2]

30. that was so nice! I'm thinking of asking my neighbor if I can borrow his

goat(s) for a few days LOL

[likesmountains 52]

31. You did an incredible job...wow!

[NMDemDist2]

39. thanks! we can finally start to relax a bit and enjoy it

not so under the gun anymore. until we get the in laws arrival date which will send me into another tizzy

:rofl:

[Grateful for Hope]

32. "NMDemDist2"...your place looks absolutely beautiful!

I am astounded at how much work you and your husband have done. The floors look spectacular, to say nothing of your kitchen, bathroom, and new light fixture.

When I do buy my own mh, be prepared for many, many requests for advice!

I am very, very impressed!!!!!!

[NMDemDist2]

33. thanks so much and don't hestitate if I can help! n/t

[Grateful for Hope]

35. Thank you!

:hug:

[Grateful for Hope]

34. PS

The laptop stand you have is very unique. I have never seen one like that. I have a desktop computer at home (laptop for work), and, I have been wondering what I will do with my larger computer (even though it is on a rather small, unique stand itself), if I find a place that will not have enough space for my current configuration. What I am thinking is that I should invest in a personal laptop, and also invest in something like what you have. I could always try to sell my current computer, which is only 1 1/2 years old.

Can you tell me where you got that stand?

[NMDemDist2]

36. we searched and searched for this

http://www.airdesks.com/

it's spendy but works great!

[Grateful for Hope]

37. It's a bit spendy

but nowhere near as much as I spent on my current computer "stand". Thank you for the link! I was so worried about what I would do if I moved into a smaller space that would not support my computer. And, all I found for laptops (thinking I would have to buy a laptop) were not esthetic. This one is!

Thank you again!

[NMDemDist2]

38. that desktop unit is new, they didn't have it when I got mine

that would at least save you the cost of a new laptop too

[AutumnMist]

40. Beautiful!

I love the open feeling in your house. And all the wood? Gorgeous!

[NMDemDist2]

41. thanks!

I have guests coming the end of Sept so I spent all day yesterday emptying boxes in there

sigh

[Grateful for Hope]

44. I have a question about molding strips around the floor perimeter

AZDemDist6,

The mobile home I am thinking of buying has all new floors and carpeting. As a consequence, there is no molding at all around the floors or the carpeting.

From your pictures, it looks like you used very narrow strips of molding around the floor. Is there a reason for this? Is it easy to install? What about the bathrooms...will these same strips stop water from seeping down to the sub-floor?

If I can get away with these narrow strips, this will, I think, save me a lot of money, and, I think it will be a lot easier!

Thanks in advance!

[NMDemDist2]

45. they are just quarter rounds. cheap, easy to install and come in

8 or 10 foot lengths. we plan on painting them the color of the walls when we paint everything

as for waterproofing, a caulk line along the floor will seal it from water

[Grateful for Hope]

46. Thank you very much!

I sure appreciate easy fixes, particularly when juggling finances to come up with a down payment!

The inspection is tomorrow evening. I mentioned the under-belly thing to my son who will mention it to my son-in-law. Thank you very much for your help, AZDem!

[NMDemDist2]

47. good luck on the inspection!! let me know how it went! n/t

[Grateful for Hope]

48. Thank you. Will do! n/t

[I_Make_Mistakes]

49. Just my two cents, go with the 3/4 round. it looks so much more

finished and costs literally, a few bucks more. I did two bath rooms and a 10 x 10' Florida room with it and I can truly say it makes a difference.

[NMDemDist2]

50. our quarter round in 3/4 inch. is that what you meant? n/t

[I_Make_Mistakes]

54. Yes 1/2 " looks so tacky and cheap! I should've known you

wouldn't put that in! Your place really looks great, have you started your gardening yet?

[NMDemDist2]

55. we have moved and changed the fencing and added gates for cars

we are moving the shed tomorrow

we've pulled out the tree that blocked the view from the deck to the mountains

I have the old "garden" tub set and a couple bags of dirt to start my herb garden at the side of the deck stairs. we also ordered and assembled the new patio furniture. It's really starting to look open and nice out there. I'll spend the winter working up a plan for planting next year

now the big push is to finish the guest room as I have guests arriving next Thursday :scared:

I have a bunch of bedding I don't have a spot for so I pulled in my big steamer truck today and i'll use it as a "coffee table" and storage for the comforters etc in the guest room

It's funny all those years I lived in PHX i had two footlockers full of sweaters I just couldn't get rid of and now they all can come out again for the winters here and I feel like I have a whole new wardrobe :rofl:

[I_Make_Mistakes]

56. Oh, one week before company.. pressure is on. Just an idea

I had a little herb garden, but I find that basil is good for a natural room freshener (if you like the smell!). I had it in the Florida/parrot room. My birdie was so good, the cat would eat the herbs, but the bird minded her own business. That was until one day (in less than two hours, she snipped all the tops off and then pulled every last one out by the roots). I couldn't believe it! She destroyed the whole bed in one quick swipe, thus one of her nicknames "The Destroyer"!

By, the way, Basil is so hard to kill, it grew on my window seat (leaky and chilly) during the winter here in NJ. I have to grew it again, I actually was able to grew it from the basil in the vegetable section (roots and all) at the grocery store.

[NMDemDist2]

57. I'm almost there, I got lots done today inspite of the cold I'm nursing

and I have a bunch of herb seeeds. i'll mark off areas, throw in the seeds and see what pops up :evilgrin:

[Grateful for Hope]

51. I am so excited!

The inspector spent two hours inspecting the home, and his overall assessment was that it is in very good shape. It is a 1994, so this could account for some of this.

He said the underbelly was tighter than most homes he has inspected.

There were a few issues (a leak under the kitchen sink, holes in the skirting, smoke alarms do not work).

The real estate agent thinks that all of these things will be fixed by the owner.

All-in-all...a very good buy, I think.

I will be making an offer on Friday after the agent has a chance to speak to the owner.

I am so psyched!!!

[NMDemDist2]

52. great news Hope!! Congratulations!

take lots of pics for us :bounce:

[Grateful for Hope]

53. Once I get back to NY

I will take tons of pics!