The past few weeks have truly been a whirlwind. After getting the cabinetry just right, we moved on to selecting flooring. Because Patrick loves it, we've selected a prefinished handscraped Golden Teak for the main level. Personally, I'm not crazy about the handscraped finish, but he really had his heart set on it. I'm sure I'll come to like it in once I've lived on it. For the basement, we've selected a bamboo. I really wanted to install cork in the basement, but it was prohibitively expensive. It's not that cork is badly priced, but we had initially wanted stained concrete in the basement, but that was when we were laying radiant heat. Without the warm radiant heat underfoot, the concrete wasn't at all appealing. Cork was. But the budget was a mere $3K. I actually found a cork on sale that would've come in on budget, but it was nearly black and with our tan-colored dog with long toenails, it didn't seem like the best combination. After much back and forth, we found a bamboo that comes in under budget (at least until you consider installation, but it'll still be close). However, we did put cork in the master bedroom closet because that'll feel nice and warm on cold winter days. Besides, it's the sale cork.
I think I spent about 30 hours online last week looking at plumbing fixtures. The plumbing game seems to be a complete racket. They don't tell you what you have for a budget and have this arrangement where everything requires a change order. Why do we need a change order when nothing has been changed, I wonder? Just to bump up the cost?? Anyway, you go down to the supplier and spend hours selecting your products, keeping your fingers crossed that you'll end up on budget. Quelle surprise when you don't.
After finding very little that I even liked (on budget, that is) at the showroom and feeling overwhelmed by the cost of it all, I spent a day-plus on the Kohler website picking out the faucets, shower sets, tub sets, toilets, sinks, and kitchen faucet and sink that I want. I received the quote today and it's high--at least I think it is since I don't actually have a budget number from the plumber. The thought of going through all this again makes me feel a little ill, but if I find out I'm horribly over, I'll probably take another stab at it. I did manage to find a cast iron claw foot tub for just over $1K, which if you've been looking you'll know that's an incredible steal. Really. I'm sure it'll require a change order since I'm not going through the local supplier.
What else? I've ordered ceiling fans for the master bedroom and living room and am looking at fans for the kids' rooms and the deck. I figured I'd let the kids have one that they want instead of me choosing a plain one. Hey, it's their house, too.
I did the electrical walk-through last Friday. It was such a crazy week last week that I was completely unprepared for the walk-through. Thankfully, it was Friday afternoon so I had the weekend to think about it some more. I sent my GC an email with about 20 changes on Sunday night and ended up taking my Sharpie to the house early Monday morning to make changes before the electrical crew started. BTW, it killed the electrician that I wouldn't let him put a recessed can in the guest room, which I found pretty amusing.
Other things: the fireplace has been installed. The plumbing has been laid. Insulation should go in later this week, and I'm hoping that we'll have a front door very soon. What's next? Tile and countertops.
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