Clip Show

Things have been happening at the Akron almost-mansion. The raccoons are gone and the roof is secure. The garage roof is mostly done (Long story. Don't ask). Work is commencing on the second bathroom, and the kitchen is in progress. Major appliances have been delivered. Tile is being bought and fixtures are being procured.

Unfortunately, I've been doing a pretty terrible job of documenting this recent progress, so this post is something of a clip show. That is, progress told in the form of pictures other people had the foresight to take.

Let's start with "Appliance Saturday". Since it's not always easy or convenient for me to be on site for deliveries, I tried to bunch all the major appliances to be delivered the same day in July. That included a washer, dryer, refrigerator, stove, range hood, and dishwasher. I feel lucky to have family in the area who are both supportive and flexible and who were able to be at the house and accept delivery for the earliest arrivals. Happily, things went off without a hitch and we got everything in the house as planned. 

 

An unboxed Samsung refrigerator stands next to a boxed Kitchen Aid oven.

I know this isn't cutting edge technology, but I've never had a refrigerator with ice and water that comes out of the door, so I'm looking forward to this. As for the Kitchen Aid oven; the price was right and we went with gas. I know there's been a lot of chatter about gas v electric, but in the end gas is what I've known, and I'm a creature of habit.

Two delivery persons carry a washer and dryer at once using shoulder dolly moving straps.

While there were a lot of great helpers on "Appliance Saturday", the biggest heroes were the two Lowes delivery techs who arrived in the middle of a torrential rain. Working to save a trip, they brought the washer and dryer in together, back to back as if one item. I'd never seen the like. Further, they got both through some narrow doorways and down our winding steps and into the basement. Hats off to these total pros!

I mentioned the kitchen, and things are moving along there. The electricians are preparing for 21st century code compliant power, and our contractor is shoring up some water damage from the bad garage roof. The ceiling and joist above the window weren't just cosmetically compromised, they were structurally compromised. That meant a surprise call to the architect, a surprise change order, and the deployment of laminate veneer lumber (LVL).

A kitchen has been demoed and is being prepared for electricity, plumbing, drywall and insulation.

The brand new LVL can be seen holding the frame straight above the window, and holding the ceiling straight along the run of the room. The kitchen is one of the darkest rooms in the house right now. We hope to remedy that by increasing the window size here. What we have on order will at least double what's there currently.  

Electric cable are shown being installed along a plaster wall.

Speaking of the kitchen. Our cabinets were delivered. Our contractor works with a company that does custom cabinets, but ships them ready to assemble (RTA). That means with the exception of the drawers (which are assembled with dovetail joints), everything is delivered flat on pallets for assembly on site. 

Kitchen cabinets are seen in their flat packaging in a living room while they await assembly.

Currently the cabinets are being staged in the living room as they await assembly. And while you're checking out the cabinets, note the lighting in the living room. That's new. This house, like many older homes, didn't have ceiling lights in the living room. Rather, lights were operated from wall switches that turned outlets on that turned floor lamps on. Being someone who's respectful of the past (and older homes), I did wrestle with the idea of adding ceiling lights. Obviously lights won out. The fact is the room is pretty dark without the lights, and we have a modest collection of artwork we'd like to be able to see and enjoy. Plus, I'm old and my eyes aren't what they used to be. I really need well lit spaces!!!

A man sits on a wooden bench at the end of a garden path.

Of course the upside of getting old is that it's perfectly acceptable to drop what you're doing, sit on a bench, and just relax. My wife and I have envisioned a woodland style garden with some wood chip paths for the backyard. And if you have paths, you have to have a destination. This path leads to a bench that looks out over the ravine. It really is the perfect place to relax.