Sunday, June 14, 2009
Sunday, June 7, 2009
HURRY UP! SLOW DOWN!
The bathroom is almost done - and thank goodness. Do I really need to write any more about this little bathroom. For those purist, know that we didn't get rid of the sink - the original sink. I couldn't bare to part with it. We are keeping it for the basement when we add a bathroom down there. So there!
Under several layers of paint we found what we think is the original color of the bathroom - it's a green color. We are painting the plaster portion upper 1/2 the same green color. I can't wait! The tub reglazer ran out of materials and had to reschedule otherwise we'd be done this week. Nope - no such luck. He is coming this Friday so over the weekend we'll be without a shower - but it should be the last time we are without a shower - hopefully forever in this house.
We're still going through the motions of looking to make an offer on the other property. I'm not really in any hurry and think that if it is meant to be it will happen very easily. We wanted to have the crumbling bricks in the front stoop rebuilt and the bathroom completed before we'd put a FOR SALE sign in the yard. Ugh, just the idea seems a little off. Part of me thinks I'm off my rocker to even consider it.
The deal is we want a place in Chicago again. It's been interesting being back in town here because I'm not attached to it. I'm not involved in the community and most of our friends are in Chicago. Nothing is really keeping us here aside from the house and my parents. I have to change - get involved - be part of this little town. We'll see what happens next.
Under several layers of paint we found what we think is the original color of the bathroom - it's a green color. We are painting the plaster portion upper 1/2 the same green color. I can't wait! The tub reglazer ran out of materials and had to reschedule otherwise we'd be done this week. Nope - no such luck. He is coming this Friday so over the weekend we'll be without a shower - but it should be the last time we are without a shower - hopefully forever in this house.
We're still going through the motions of looking to make an offer on the other property. I'm not really in any hurry and think that if it is meant to be it will happen very easily. We wanted to have the crumbling bricks in the front stoop rebuilt and the bathroom completed before we'd put a FOR SALE sign in the yard. Ugh, just the idea seems a little off. Part of me thinks I'm off my rocker to even consider it.
The deal is we want a place in Chicago again. It's been interesting being back in town here because I'm not attached to it. I'm not involved in the community and most of our friends are in Chicago. Nothing is really keeping us here aside from the house and my parents. I have to change - get involved - be part of this little town. We'll see what happens next.
Monday, May 25, 2009
Temptation
Our 1926 Bungalow is very special. I'm having a great time with it. The bathroom is nearly done, the landscaping is beginning to happen, the kitchen - it's going to be awhile before anything happens there. I'll have 'dish pan hands' for awhile more although I really don't mind. We're makng this our own little piece of heaven.
When we came to the conclusion that renovating the attic would just be too much expense to have one more bedroom and bath, especially with the fact that we felt that the exterior would be ruined with the type of dormer it would require to make it how we'd want it on the inside completely destroying the integrity of the outside, we were okay with that.
Although we would like to have one more bedroom and bath, it seemed that it wasn't going to happen. We began plotting to do a bathroom in the basement and refinish that a bit more to get us the extra space we want.
So, Sarah says go check out this house. Not even considering anything we did. It's a Tudor with another bedroom and a half bath on the main froor. It's got the original 1920's bathroom fixtures, beautiful tile in the upstairs bathroom, a fireplace in
the master, a kitchen custom renovated and another bedroom. It's on two lots, gorgeous landscape, a quiet street, corner lot, two car garage......
There is nothing to be done to this place. It's a show place. I see myself entertaining in this house. It's gorgeous! It's for sale by owner. It's a temptation.
Many things would have to align for it to make sense to go for this house including giving up our sweet little bungalow. Our house is on a busy street, the houses neighboring are pretty close, the landscaping needs lots of TLC and there is that space issue.
When we came to the conclusion that renovating the attic would just be too much expense to have one more bedroom and bath, especially with the fact that we felt that the exterior would be ruined with the type of dormer it would require to make it how we'd want it on the inside completely destroying the integrity of the outside, we were okay with that.
Although we would like to have one more bedroom and bath, it seemed that it wasn't going to happen. We began plotting to do a bathroom in the basement and refinish that a bit more to get us the extra space we want.
So, Sarah says go check out this house. Not even considering anything we did. It's a Tudor with another bedroom and a half bath on the main froor. It's got the original 1920's bathroom fixtures, beautiful tile in the upstairs bathroom, a fireplace in
the master, a kitchen custom renovated and another bedroom. It's on two lots, gorgeous landscape, a quiet street, corner lot, two car garage......
There is nothing to be done to this place. It's a show place. I see myself entertaining in this house. It's gorgeous! It's for sale by owner. It's a temptation.
Many things would have to align for it to make sense to go for this house including giving up our sweet little bungalow. Our house is on a busy street, the houses neighboring are pretty close, the landscaping needs lots of TLC and there is that space issue.
Win or lose the other house, I'm happy, but I think if I don't try at all, I'd be disappointed that I didn't go for it.
The saga will continue.
OFFICIAL SUMMER BEGINS
Cookouts, warmer days, the sound of lawn mowers in the distance....it's Memorial Day!
BATHROOM
Tomorrow begins the tile work! The bathroom will be complete this week. Thanks to all here who gave me advice on working with the sink and toilet. In the end our advisor said that with the expense we would have reglazing the sink we'd be better off replacing it. They said that since this was our only bathroom that the reglazing could get messed up really easy in a sink. We chose a sink that resembles the one we have but is actually 6" taller. Back in the day the sinks were pretty low. A tall guy would have to really bend over to do anything. We're not the purist renovators although we are pretty close. Respecting the integrity is coming into play in every decision we make.
We did decide to keep the toilet. The floor is the original floor with all its flaws and character, the tub is the original tub. We did make one little change. It seems that it WAS usual to have the spout within the tub. We have seen a couple tubs with the original fixtures and neither had a water return feature. I was told that it was changed so that there was a return because water from the tub could go back out into the faucet. That just doesn't sound good no matter how much we want to keep the integrity of the original design. Let's face it - there are some things that modern technology has improved. So, with that in mind, our faucet is above the tub and we'll have a return water thingy ma jig. I haven't had a bath in this house, yet. I've owned it 8 years. It will be divine! I had the pleasure of two places in the past where there were deep, deep claw foot tubs. This won't be so deep, but a nice bath on occasion can't be beat.
BATHROOM
Tomorrow begins the tile work! The bathroom will be complete this week. Thanks to all here who gave me advice on working with the sink and toilet. In the end our advisor said that with the expense we would have reglazing the sink we'd be better off replacing it. They said that since this was our only bathroom that the reglazing could get messed up really easy in a sink.
We did decide to keep the toilet. The floor is the original floor with all its flaws and character, the tub is the original tub. We did make one little change. It seems that it WAS usual to have the spout within the tub. We have seen a couple tubs with the original fixtures and neither had a water return feature. I was told that it was changed so that there was a return because water from the tub could go back out into the faucet. That just doesn't sound good no matter how much we want to keep the integrity of the original design. Let's face it - there are some things that modern technology has improved. So, with that in mind, our faucet is above the tub and we'll have a return water thingy ma jig. I haven't had a bath in this house, yet. I've owned it 8 years. It will be divine! I had the pleasure of two places in the past where there were deep, deep claw foot tubs. This won't be so deep, but a nice bath on occasion can't be beat.
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
Spring Update
Last time I blogged about this old house there was snow on the ground. Now the leaves are finally blooming and the birds are singing away. I had forgotton how nice it is to hear the birds singing in the morning. Being on the 30th floor in a high rise isn't good for hearing anything but the traffic on Lake Shore Drive and occassionally the El announcements on the Bryn Mawr stop when the windows were open and the wind was just right.
I learned a little about the street. Welty Ave is named from the Welty Family Farm and the streets parallel are named after Welty's sons Dawson, Robert and Calvin. I love learning history about the neighborhood.
This weekend we put up the screens and put away the storms. I'm in awe of the workmanship with the little numbered plates corresponding with each window. On the frames of a couple of the windows is the date "October 10, 1967" and the year written alone 1973. There is also an architectural drawing labeling each window. It's this sort of history that just warms me heart. We worked in the yard on Saturday, cleaned out the gutters and put up the screens. I haven't felt so connected to the house in ages. It's a good feeling.
Our bathroom is in progress. After my Dad tried to turn the leaking faucet off at the tub and broke the stem while we were on vacation, I called our contractor and said we needed something done now. He came over and assessed that they could put in the cement board and put in the hardware to get us by until the tile expert is available in a week or two. We've had to wait for the contractor and the Italian Tile Man these last couple months. We're next in line after they finish one more bathroom. I see this as a good sign. I was beyond delighted with the work so far. Seasoned professionals who do it right can't be rushed. I could leave town while they do the work and be worry free.
The fact that the water is no longer running is a huge relief. It had well passed the point of a drip and was a steady stream of warm water. It was a matter or ordering parts for the old plumbing fixtures which required special order or just replacing it with the new plumbing which seemed smarter. Unfortunately the wait to do the plumbing fix was taking longer than we had hoped. I tried to ignore it, but it was torture - a constant audio of wasting money and water both from a green perspective and a financial perspective. I hadn't realized how tortured I was feeling until it stopped. The silence is beautiful. We are able to take showers in the interim with the plastic wrap over the board, but there is very little water pressure and the hot water temperature is not exactly hot. Alas, by June we should have a finished product. I can't wait!
We've done a few little things for the betterment of the house. We had a electrician fix some outlets and clean up the garage issues. Now we have lights on the garage which look really nice and add a sense of security. It was terribly dark walking from the garage to the house and the alley has no lights nearby. We also have a new light fixture for the front stoop. It was merely a bald lightbulb before.
Progress is coming slowly, but everything is good. There is a squirrel in the big tree out back as I write this. The branches have filled back in since the Microblast that occurred on July 5, 2003. We lost lots of trees in the whole area. I am very grateful that our one big tree in the back yard didn't fall on our house. We lost big branches that had kept us secluded from the neighbors behind us. The blast was so bad that nearly every street had several trees knocked across the road and into houses and over cars. It was a sad day to lose so many trees. The neighborhood looked bare. Nature prevails and now it is looking much greener and lush again after nearly 5 years. Our goal is to put up a privacy fence and take out the old rotting wood deck. The deck is too small to be useful and now it is just an eye sore.
Those are the currently updates for the moment. Before and after photos are soon to come.
I learned a little about the street. Welty Ave is named from the Welty Family Farm and the streets parallel are named after Welty's sons Dawson, Robert and Calvin. I love learning history about the neighborhood.
This weekend we put up the screens and put away the storms. I'm in awe of the workmanship with the little numbered plates corresponding with each window. On the frames of a couple of the windows is the date "October 10, 1967" and the year written alone 1973. There is also an architectural drawing labeling each window. It's this sort of history that just warms me heart. We worked in the yard on Saturday, cleaned out the gutters and put up the screens. I haven't felt so connected to the house in ages. It's a good feeling.
Our bathroom is in progress. After my Dad tried to turn the leaking faucet off at the tub and broke the stem while we were on vacation, I called our contractor and said we needed something done now. He came over and assessed that they could put in the cement board and put in the hardware to get us by until the tile expert is available in a week or two. We've had to wait for the contractor and the Italian Tile Man these last couple months. We're next in line after they finish one more bathroom. I see this as a good sign. I was beyond delighted with the work so far. Seasoned professionals who do it right can't be rushed. I could leave town while they do the work and be worry free.
The fact that the water is no longer running is a huge relief. It had well passed the point of a drip and was a steady stream of warm water. It was a matter or ordering parts for the old plumbing fixtures which required special order or just replacing it with the new plumbing which seemed smarter. Unfortunately the wait to do the plumbing fix was taking longer than we had hoped. I tried to ignore it, but it was torture - a constant audio of wasting money and water both from a green perspective and a financial perspective. I hadn't realized how tortured I was feeling until it stopped. The silence is beautiful. We are able to take showers in the interim with the plastic wrap over the board, but there is very little water pressure and the hot water temperature is not exactly hot. Alas, by June we should have a finished product. I can't wait!
We've done a few little things for the betterment of the house. We had a electrician fix some outlets and clean up the garage issues. Now we have lights on the garage which look really nice and add a sense of security. It was terribly dark walking from the garage to the house and the alley has no lights nearby. We also have a new light fixture for the front stoop. It was merely a bald lightbulb before.
Progress is coming slowly, but everything is good. There is a squirrel in the big tree out back as I write this. The branches have filled back in since the Microblast that occurred on July 5, 2003. We lost lots of trees in the whole area. I am very grateful that our one big tree in the back yard didn't fall on our house. We lost big branches that had kept us secluded from the neighbors behind us. The blast was so bad that nearly every street had several trees knocked across the road and into houses and over cars. It was a sad day to lose so many trees. The neighborhood looked bare. Nature prevails and now it is looking much greener and lush again after nearly 5 years. Our goal is to put up a privacy fence and take out the old rotting wood deck. The deck is too small to be useful and now it is just an eye sore.
Those are the currently updates for the moment. Before and after photos are soon to come.
Friday, February 6, 2009
When You Ask
I finally reached out to Sarah Bell and her husband Kurt. Sarah was my high school art teacher who was a wonderful contribution to my childhood. They have a gorgeous Victorian House near the river which she and her husband restored. Kurt is a general contractor himself and does residential work. They have an appreciation for historic architecture.
Before leaving for Chicago I spoke with her and told her that when we moved back that I'd want to talk to Kurt about the house.
Instead of calling her first thing when we moved back, I did some research of my own which was fun. I think talking to a bathroom and kitchen designer helped me learn what I don't want. The experience was well worth the time. Kurt and Sarah are coming over to assess what we're doing and give me a punch list. I completely trust anything they would tell me. To have trust is probably one of the most important pieces to this whole deal. Who do you listen to? Had I listened to the one guy, I'd be ripping out the whole bathroom and replacing my toilet. I knew that he wasn't right for the job.
When I mentioned my concern about the toilet and wasting water she said to look at it another way; we're not putting a perfectly good toilet into the landfill and there are only two of us here so perhaps the water waste is outweighed by keeping the toilet we have. I will not be giving up my Rockford Brass Works toilet after all. I let her know that we bought the subway tiles for 19 cents each she didn't say anything. I still think that was a pretty good deal. I don't think there is anything wrong with researching and learning a little on your own before going to the experts. It especially helps to know what you want.
They'd be helping with the attic expansion. My thoughts are two dormers and make a master bedroom and bathroom up there with a sitting area/library. I've been looking at lots of pictures and have an idea, but nothing concrete.
I'm very excited that they're coming over next week. It feels like its coming together!
Before leaving for Chicago I spoke with her and told her that when we moved back that I'd want to talk to Kurt about the house.
Instead of calling her first thing when we moved back, I did some research of my own which was fun. I think talking to a bathroom and kitchen designer helped me learn what I don't want. The experience was well worth the time. Kurt and Sarah are coming over to assess what we're doing and give me a punch list. I completely trust anything they would tell me. To have trust is probably one of the most important pieces to this whole deal. Who do you listen to? Had I listened to the one guy, I'd be ripping out the whole bathroom and replacing my toilet. I knew that he wasn't right for the job.
When I mentioned my concern about the toilet and wasting water she said to look at it another way; we're not putting a perfectly good toilet into the landfill and there are only two of us here so perhaps the water waste is outweighed by keeping the toilet we have. I will not be giving up my Rockford Brass Works toilet after all. I let her know that we bought the subway tiles for 19 cents each she didn't say anything. I still think that was a pretty good deal. I don't think there is anything wrong with researching and learning a little on your own before going to the experts. It especially helps to know what you want.
They'd be helping with the attic expansion. My thoughts are two dormers and make a master bedroom and bathroom up there with a sitting area/library. I've been looking at lots of pictures and have an idea, but nothing concrete.
I'm very excited that they're coming over next week. It feels like its coming together!
Sunday, February 1, 2009
BATHROOM RESEARCH
Keeping with the integrity of this old bungalow is a constant challenge.
THE SINK
The sink in our bungalow is a great pedastol sink. There is rust by the drain and the water overflow (the rust is in the same spot as a very similar sink at the Kohler Museum in Kolher, WI) so first step will be talking with the pros who do re-glazing. If they tell me that my sink is not fixable, then we have a whole new set of questions. Do we get another pedastol sink or do we do something with a cabinet underneath? Do we start to make the bathroom more contemporary? We do like the asian style sinks....but then will this wreck our mission of keeping the integrity of the bathroom. It just seems keeping with the style of this house is the way to go.
THE TOILET
We have the original toilet (I think). It's working great accept for some minor issues with the flapper slides up and causes the water to run. We just slide it back down and its fixed. Bad news is I just learned that to flush this toilet it takes approximately 5 gallons of water! EWW! Contemporary toilets only take 1.6 gallons of water. Talk about leaving a carbon footprint!
The good news is I found a contemporary toilet that looks identical to the one we have. Instead of 'Rockford Brass Works' it will have 'Lydia' from deabath.com. It is about $900. I'm glad to know its there.
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