All Systems Go...Decision Cannot Be Far Behind!

Despite everyone on the Cape having either the flu or a really bad cold, all the systems are in, inspected and the insulation work began on January 21, 2013.  This makes me a bit crazy as I was planning on staying in Florida until the middle of February but Russ assures me that it will be fine and he does have another job he can work on until I return. 
Wallboard will go up next and then the floors will be put in.  I cannot believe how quickly it seems to be going.  Dare I even say...and how smoothly?  This will be the kiss of death for the project, I am sure!
While I have been away from the cottage I have spent endless hours looking for lighting and plumbing fixtures, hardware, and design colors.  Here are a few of the fixtures I really like and my idea for the color palette for the great room. 
I have put off ordering anything online as I really do need to see the space once the walls are up to get an idea of the size of the space and to use my handy tape measure to be sure the scale is correct.  The kitchen cabinets should be arriving soon too.                                                                       


Mercury Glass Pendant that I like for over the island and the sink in the kitchen.
I also like this pendent and if I go with rubbed bronze knobs on the cabinets and the doors this would blend in well. 
(In looking at my choices, at least I seem to have decided on a shape...one decision down, a zillion more ahead.) 

I love the look of these vintage faucets but am wondering if I should go with the lever type handles or the single lever type.  As we age, it would make more sense to have a single lever, hmmm.
Then there is the decision as to kitchen faucet type: pull down, which is the latest trend, or the pull out.  I know too that I should get the faucet in a stainless finish as all the appliances are stainless but I don't like that look.  I am leaning towards a chrome finish.  Who would have thought so much time could be taken up by a kitchen faucet!  Anyone who might help with the clean-up of a dinner party, chime in as to your preference, I am all ears! 
I like the look of the dark knobs against the off white cabinets and plan on using the oval knobs I had in my PA kitchen in the cottage.  I will have to spray paint them as they are brass but what do I paint them.  Rubbed bronze, chrome or maybe I just throw caution to the wind and paint them a bright color.  As I said, decisions, decisions. 

I want to have some treatment of the walls in the great room to make it look cottage like and appear as if it has been there for a long time.  I like this but would put it up 5 feet not traditional chair rail height.  Maybe a three or four inch shelf on top to give me more room to display my "treasures".

Color Scheme:

There are many color schemes I could use to incorporate my mother's Blue Anchor Hayward-Wakefield furniture and my cottage pieces along with my dump finds, aka "treasures"!  The couches have already been recovered in a coral fabric and two barrel chairs are in a coral and green stripe.  After finding a beautiful floral print while shopping in Lynn, MA. this fall, I am leaning toward a blue and coral color scheme as seen above.  I don't want the space to be too formal and at the same time I want that cottage feel.  I also don't want to give up some of the "treasures" I had found, rehabbed, and used in the old cottage. 
Having one larger great room has its advantages as well as challenges.  All the furnishings have to coordinate but I don't want it to look to matchy-matchy either.  I am finding that I am having a more difficult time deciding colors on my own project than I ever had on our other jobs.  Then I think, it is only paint and if I am unhappy with the decisions I will just repaint!
So that is how I have been spending my time in Florida this year, on line, overworking my brain and trying to decide on what exactly I want.  Will be very happy to get back on Cape to see the space and hopefully tht will help me in the final choices.  Any and all suggestions from you my blog followers would be appreciated. 

Things I have Learned:
1.  If you go on line to order fixtures and you are told that it is on back order, look for something else.  Back order means that it is still in China and will take forever to get to you. 
2.  You can spend a fortune on a single light fixture or faucet.  Don't.
3.  When you build a walk-in shower with glass doors you should have a  shower head on a rod which detaches so you can clean the walls and doors.  Also, have the glass doors swing in as well as out so you can reach in to turn on the water without getting wet.  Who would have thought there was so many decisions just on the shower. 
4.  Also, and I learned this just last night, have the plumber slant the shower floor down toward the wall with the shower head and put the drain there.  You will not have the drain underfoot; now that is a clever idea.  Apparently they are doing this in the Far East and the Middle East as well.  Don't think we did this in my shower.
5.  Talk to as any people as you can when doing a project of this size and scope because you will never think of all that you need to and many minds are a good thing. 

Systems Are a Go!

The heater/air conditioner unit is in place and the duct work, all shiny and new, is almost ready to bring heat to the cottage.  We decided to use the old section of the basement for all the heating/air conditioning/electric and plumbing units, freeing up the new basement for me as a work room.  The basement in the old cottage was really a dungeon, I am so excited that it is cleaned out and looking organized and functional. 

Such a small electric box for so much more power.  When I had guests in the cottage we would have to be very careful about having the lights on when someone wanted to use the hair dryer.  If we forgot the entire back end of the house would blow.  Now we can probably run two hair dryers at the same time, luxury!

On demand hot water unit.  Small, efficient, and cost effective, so they tell me.  I am trying to make the new cottage an energy efficient home.  NStar, my electric company, will do an audit on the efficiency of the house when all is done: windows, hot water heater, appliances, heater/air conditioner, and then they will pay a portion of my costs if we meet their standards.  I understand it is difficult to do but we are trying.                                                                               FYI, 2013 is the year to make efficient energy changes to get these funds BUT the electric and gas companies must come out first to see how inefficient you are and then come back to see how much better the changes have made in your energy use. 

 

 

 

The hateful tub insert!  I did not want to do this but the practicality of it made too much sense and I figured that most if not all guests would shower outside anyway.  I already have the two shower curtains ready to be hung so it will hide the plastic.  The tub is in its own space, out of sight from most, so it will not be too bad.  I still hate it!    Looks a little dirty to me right now.                     

 

Things I have Learned:

1.  Compromise can be a good thing, especially if saving in one area can get you what you want in another. 

2.  Not visiting the work site every day is very sad.  I LOVE the sun and warmth in Florida, but I really do miss not seeing the progress first hand.  As much time as I have been spending on looking for fixtures, I love doing this sort of project.  Check in with me at the end of the job to see if I feel the same way.

3.  As many of you know I designed my dream cottage more than a year ago and the cost of building that was just too much.  As a result, I asked my plumber, Brian, from Cape Cod Plumbing and Heating, who they might recommend as far as a local builder was concerned.  I can only say that I would recommend that route for anyone considering renovations or building or just a small project around your homes.  I have been so pleased with all who have worked on the cottage and it keeps the local economy going. 

4.  Even after Brian's recommendation, I did take the time to go and visit two jobs that Russ Hamlyn, the builder, had recently completed.  We saw how well the houses were finished and could see first hand the quality of Russ's work.  Don't forget to ask to see recent jobs too

FINALLY, Some New Pictures!

These might have been some of the more difficult weeks for me as I am not visiting the cottage each day.  I had gone home for Christmas and now am in Florida.  (BTW, sunny and 75 the last two days, but cloudy this morning!)  Fortunately Brendan, master builder helper, has just sent me some pictures.  The rough plumbing, electric and fireplace are being worked on and then we wait for the inspectors.  The longer they take to inspect, the longer I get to stay in Florida.  Now that I have made the decision to head south, I am sure the inspectors will all be available and inspections will be done in no time.  Am really torn as to whether or not I want that to happen as I am having a great time in Florida!

Amazing!  The cedar siding in done!  Front door is on, just waiting for flower boxes and, oh yes, landscaping.  Cannot wait!

                                                                              Master Bedroom window, love it! 

 

Windows and doors are in, trim done and siding ready for the deck. 

I think the decision to keep the cottage and just add on was a great one.  The inside space is going to be amazing and the new footprint looks appropriate in the neighborhood. 

 

 

 

Fireplace set in place, mantel and flat screen to come.  Wonder if I can watch the Masters here in April, hmmmm.

Keep the pictures coming, guys, or I will have no other choice but return and be there every day!