tile

It's amazing to watch this space -- which used to be a little scullery off the kitchen -- become a bathroom! The tile is amazing! 

Black tiles on the floor (large format, same as kitchen), "antique white" small subway tiles on the walls, and penny rounds on shower floor and in feature (behind shower hardware) and inset.

The tiling guys, like all the subcontractors, are amazing. Smart, exacting, dedicated to their craft. They got the level out for every single row of this floor-to-ceiling subway tile!

The penny rounds in the shower basin (mix of gloss and matte, quite lovely).

One of the things Keith called us about the other day (or was that just yesterday?) was the grout. They were going to use a different brand than we'd originally chosen, and would I come over to pick a colour? There were several light greys and off-whites to choose from, but none were quite like the original Mapei "Frost." Keith said, no problem, we'll find the Mapei Frost (he went out himself and bought it)...and it looks perfect! 

At the risk of sounding like an advertising cliché, the thing about Keith is that he does not compromise. With every little detail, he has made sure we get what we want. And we are so happy with everything!

The stairs are coming along beautifully.

This is an earlier stage, but even then they were starting to look great!

Amazing detail in the hardwood at the bottom of the stairs! Couldn't see it before!

The treads have also come up beautifully.

We couldn't find a stock handrail we liked, and custom would've been expensive, so the inimitable Keith devised this plan: a stock piece customized to match the original (and now the height is to code).

I think it's teak? They and the newel posts will remain unpainted.

New rails, which will be painted.

These stairs are going to be a lot of fun!

Getting close!

Looks like we'll be moving in next Tuesday or Wednesday. Very exciting! As it gets closer, the place is buzzing with activity!

lots of busy guys everywhere.

and more plastering (and note the new wainscotting, which had to be rebuilt in places).

 

Keith and the crew are also working their magic on the finer woodwork: custom mouldings and things. Lovely, lovely work.

 Windows and window hardware are being repaired.

Somebody's working on a complicated electrical plan.

Meanwhile, new things are arriving every day!

The back door frame, with transoms above. Nice choice, Steve! Or was that Keith?

Bathtub, which Fifi thinks will go in her room!

So many new things, and Andrew's pressuring me to make more decisions about lighting. Whoa! Enough already. I just finished deciding paint colours for 10 rooms! The decision-making centre in my brain is exhausted!

Meanwhile, we demonstrate some fine parenting by letting our kids play around in the construction debris. You can see the nails from here!

But, as kids will do, they find fun and creativity everywhere. Here's today's sculpture. 

They have a collection of treasures they excitedly gather and bring home almost every visit: lengths of copper wire, chunks of wood, bits of tile, lumps of grout: it's all good! The best was the visit to the stone slab store where they scrounged for beautiful pieces of granite and marble (or, rather, "crystals and diamonds." 

A couple of purchases I though I'd show you. A vintage Chinese apothecary chest (from Antique Market, of course! Half that ticket price, btw) for my makeup cabinet. Do you think it will hold it all?

While we were in there, I spotted the antique desk I've been coveting over in the "sold" corner and I gasped with disappointment....

.... but then Andrew reminded me that it was actually us who bought it. Oh, right! There's just too much going on at once!

Decision-making.

The designing and shopping for this project have been extremely fun, but all the decision-making has been stressful. In the last few weeks, we've made hundreds and hundreds of decisions. In the heat of the moment, each one seems to take on monumental importance.

The builders call us almost daily about something they need a decision on: should this shower inset go here or there? Where do you want wall sconces in this bathroom? Do you have a design for the entranceway closet? We're also making decisions about purchases we'd normally consider for weeks or months (or, in fact, for us, even years!)

Like this one, made in a snap.

(Praying it wasn't a bad decision, Martha!)

This one, agonized over (have to keep reminding myself: it's only a house, for heaven's sake!)

Lots to think about:

So, what the best way to make decisions? Well, Andrew came up with a plan for deciding about lighting. (We had 54 lighting fixtures to choose!)

  Step 1: print up Pinterest pictures.

 (there were 8 pages like this)

 Step 2: get some help cutting them out.

 

Step 3: sort into stacks, according to room.

Step 4: get out floor plans.

Step 5: process of elimination. Yes, no, maybe.

Step 6: scotch-tape to floor plans.

Step 7: enlist visiting Grandparents to babysit.

Step 8: go shopping! Haven't counted, but I think we bought about 25 fixtures today, both vintage and new. Here's a selection.

(for front entranceway. The middle bit is wooden, quite lovely)

(Train lamps for the built-in buffet)

(French hall light for the staircase!)

(couple of sconces, chose the glass on the right)

(hallway nook)

All with the help of this lovely fellow from our favourite East Van store, Antique Market.

After playing with Grandparents, the girls came to help load up.

and a few purchases from Restoration Hardware....

task lights for either side of the kitchen sink.

Three of these, I think.

Downstairs bathroom, and, in a different finish, little wall that leads from dining room to kitchen, if I recall correctly.

"Vintage Barn Pendants" for front porch.

 (We had lots of fun at Restoration Hardware. They're lovely there.)

Big spending day. Yeesh!

We even bought a couple from Etsy, including this one:

(I forget where that one goes; I'm overwhelmed and tired!)

Andrew sent me the list of what's left to buy. Oh well, we got a good start today anyway!

main floor

Front porch 2x sconce (glass only)

Back porch 2x sconces

DS bath flush mount

dining –chandelier(s)

3x bar pendants

kitchen 2x sconces

upper

powder – overhead

bath

overhead

2x sconces

1x pendant

girls room 2x chandeliers (lighting warehouse)

master bed 2x makeup sconces