Landscape Planning is Underway

Today we began to put our thoughts about the future garden down on paper. We met with a landscape architect who provided us with some terrific ideas to make the most of our outdoor space. Despite the cold, we discovered that if you stand in the right spot on a sunny day you can actually be warmed by the solar energy bouncing off the big curved window! Here are three unlikely sunworshippers: Jim Hall, our contractor; Jeff; and Dan Nelson, our architect, catching a few rays!

There were a couple large icicles hanging where the downspouts will go. Jeff took a couple videos to capture the moment. Click on video #3 first!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BnZzxe7JOrw&feature=autoplay&list=ULwb9GXjSXve0&index=2&playnext=1

click picture to enlarge

Inside all was toasty.  The pantry door was unveiled and it's a hoot!


Jeff gave Dan a little tour of the house while I tended to the outdoor work at hand. We picked Dan's brain about the railing that looks down to the entry from the family room. Apparently Jeff's and my compromise rail idea is going to look fine.

Dan also provided some great feedback for the mantel and the exterior trim. Thanks!

There's a little less room on the back and front sides of the house. But there is also less lawn, so less mowing!

Tomorrow another consultation and then we'll be on our way!

Snow Geese Visit Camano Island!

What a surprise to come across a flock of snow geese right on our road! We pulled over, turned off the engine, and grabbed our cameras. According to folks on the island, this is very unusual...  and convenient for us!

Progress continues at the house. The doors are in and look magnificent. We met with Rick Wesley to discuss railing designs. He had good suggestions and I'm sure we'll be happy with the results.



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Bamboo is being tempered for next week





Pantry door- unveiling will be very soon!







Our neighbor's son Rusty, his wife Shannon, and their adorable kids dropped by to check out the fort!

And then our friend Laura and her sister Carla dropped in to to invite us to see the house down the street that Laura and her hubby David just made an offer on.  We're keeping our fingers crossed!

Our house is starting to blend in nicely.

Closing in....

In  July I realized that we were going to have to make decisions on over 90 different items, colors, or materials that would eventually become the new house.







My tendency in these situations is to create a spreadsheet which I did. The list gradually grew to 99; but by September I posted that we had whittled away at it significantly, down to 23!


I'm happy to say that as this project gets ever closer to completion,  there are only three left:

railings, interior and exterior;
 front door color (or not!); and
 landscaping.

It feels like Spring!

Our friend Bill D met us at the house today. He was enroute to Mt Vernon and made a little side trip to see the house. What a great day for a fieldtrip!




 

 

                                        Eagle and mid-day moon

Our first stop was Cascade Lumber our neighborhood building supplier. Debbie walked us through our options for decking material. As with so many  building materials, things have really changed since we did our deck in Seattle about twenty years ago. We went with a Fiberon product, fiberondecking.com, out of North Carolina. Hope this deck will serve us well, until we're too old to know the difference :).

              You'll have to visit to see the one we selected!

Next stop, the world-o-tile, where Eric was working away, laying the last few pieces. Our mission was to decide on the kind and color of grout, and finalize our plans for the backsplash. Grout has changed quite a bit as well. There now are synthetic brands on the market that need little or no maintenance, and no sealing. With  help and encouragement from Cameron at Green Home Solutions, we were able to go with this more durable product!

Choosing the grout colors was another matter.... Fortunately, Jeff took the pictures while I fretted over the grout!

The backsplash tiles from Fireclay Tile arrived today. They are so beautiful! My original layout was vetoed by all in favor of one that Eric came up with. Thank you Eric!  We decided to use a few of these to spruce up the fireplace surround.



Eric's pattern

      Bonney's pattern  

                                      

Meanwhile the doors and shelves are ready to go. But that's for another post!

Scandia anyone?

We're heading into the home stretch!

After not seeing the house for a couple weeks, it was wonderful to check in today and see all that has happened!

First of all, the big dumpster is no longer in the driveway! Bet the neighbors like that!

The tile is almost finished.

Grout comes next.

Eric is doing a great job!

The exterior is 99% done!

Countertops will be arriving in about 10 days!

Appliances and lights are on order.

Won't be long now!