Sorry to the masses of bloggers plowing through busy internet signals to finally reach Chris and me at A Design Build Studio blog only to find nothing new. My blog-ability has been quite limited as of late. The whole family has been super busy working on the house trying to get it “livable” prior to Christmas. I have not bought or mailed out one single gift and it is looking like I’m going to have to take a day off work in order to fulfill my associate Santa responsibilities.
I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving and for those of you who were unable to meet for the holiday at Shannon and Erina’s house, you were missed! Plus you missed-out; great food and company were in abundance. Also, Shannon almost set the neighborhood on fire, it was awesome!
Oh, the house! My cabinets and appliances are set, the kid’s rooms are painted along with the hall and the living/dining area and the bead board in the kitchen is up and it too is painted. It is starting to look like an inhabitable structure rather than a storage area and workshop.
We are hoping to get some clean-up started and the moving-in and around of furniture. The shower surround for the claw foot tub is ready to be installed and the plumbing on that bathroom will be completed this weekend. Remind me to never refinish an old tub and then try to find plumbing parts, hardware and a shower surround, ever again. Commit me first!
Next we will tackle the existing sheet rock (mud, sanding, and clean-up) on the addition and even though I said I did not want to move in until all the sheet rock was finished I’m going to anyway. WHATEVER! I’ve done a lot of things in my life that I really didn’t want to do, this too might as well go on my list.
Gotta run and we’ll chat soon!
Thursday, December 10, 2009
Thursday, November 5, 2009
More Renovations
Exciting stuff is going on in Belspring! We have or Chris has been very busy with renovations. Our exterior and interior door handles arrived and let me just pass this info on to you. We ordered our door hardware form ebuilder.com and paid just a fraction of the price that we would have if we purchased them from Lowe’s. So, if you are looking for new door handles, check out their web site. The hardware for our kitchen cabinets arrived, gorgeous, and the article in which gave me the very most problem regarding the decision making process, the counter top.
I agonized for almost two years over the counter top. I really wanted a solid surface but really did not want to invest the, at a minimum, 2 grand because of all the many needs of the project. So after much deliberation I chose a Formica brand laminate called Oiled Soap Stone. I love it! We chose a double rounded, flat edge cut that gives the laminate a real solid surface look. Chris hates those seams that you always see in a laminate.
The counter top itself looks like a chalk board that has been written on with white chalk and then erased. It is a matte finish and looks great with our white bead board cabinets. I’m not going to say much more about it because I want it to be a surprise when you come to visit. I do want to tell you about one more project. The window
Chris, when he was working at Balzer, did some design work for the Roanoke County Court House. Chris, somehow, got away with one of the original windows and has always said he was going to incorporate the window into the re-design of the house. I wasn’t so sure about this project but on Saturday we took the window to the glass shop and had the necessary repairs done and Chris went by to pick it up today.
What do you think, I think Chris was right. This window will go in the family room, which has a modified vaulted ceiling, above two sets of French doors. This window is about five feet in diameter and will just shower the room with light. We are going to finish the repairs and paint the window on Saturday and if it is dry, we will try to install on Sunday. Wish us luck!
I agonized for almost two years over the counter top. I really wanted a solid surface but really did not want to invest the, at a minimum, 2 grand because of all the many needs of the project. So after much deliberation I chose a Formica brand laminate called Oiled Soap Stone. I love it! We chose a double rounded, flat edge cut that gives the laminate a real solid surface look. Chris hates those seams that you always see in a laminate.
The counter top itself looks like a chalk board that has been written on with white chalk and then erased. It is a matte finish and looks great with our white bead board cabinets. I’m not going to say much more about it because I want it to be a surprise when you come to visit. I do want to tell you about one more project. The window
Chris, when he was working at Balzer, did some design work for the Roanoke County Court House. Chris, somehow, got away with one of the original windows and has always said he was going to incorporate the window into the re-design of the house. I wasn’t so sure about this project but on Saturday we took the window to the glass shop and had the necessary repairs done and Chris went by to pick it up today.
What do you think, I think Chris was right. This window will go in the family room, which has a modified vaulted ceiling, above two sets of French doors. This window is about five feet in diameter and will just shower the room with light. We are going to finish the repairs and paint the window on Saturday and if it is dry, we will try to install on Sunday. Wish us luck!
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Renovation
I know, I know, did you think I'd quite on you. No, I've just been super, duper busy. Chris and I are making that final push to finish the house. I know many of you think that our house is nothing more than an urban legend, well, your about to meet the Michael Myers of residential living.
Things are coming together quite nicely. We have, I think, everything needed to finish things up and soon. Our original move in date was Halloween but our sheet rock guy, Carl, who comes in at 9:30 and works until 12:30 has pushed back our date by a week or so. I’m not going to complain about Carl, he was one of the few willing to take on the job and he only smokes on the porch.
The counter top came in last week, very exciting! Chris and I or I agonized over the counter top for quite a while, like at least, two years. The door hardware and the hardware for the kitchen cabinets arrived and I have to say the kitchen drawer pulls are absolutely gorgeous.
It is the little things that make me happy, thank goodness, or I would be in sad shape.
Hope to see everyone soon!
And PS: Thanks Mom! You know what I'm talkin' bout.
Things are coming together quite nicely. We have, I think, everything needed to finish things up and soon. Our original move in date was Halloween but our sheet rock guy, Carl, who comes in at 9:30 and works until 12:30 has pushed back our date by a week or so. I’m not going to complain about Carl, he was one of the few willing to take on the job and he only smokes on the porch.
The counter top came in last week, very exciting! Chris and I or I agonized over the counter top for quite a while, like at least, two years. The door hardware and the hardware for the kitchen cabinets arrived and I have to say the kitchen drawer pulls are absolutely gorgeous.
It is the little things that make me happy, thank goodness, or I would be in sad shape.
Hope to see everyone soon!
And PS: Thanks Mom! You know what I'm talkin' bout.
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
A Rock Star IS Born!
The OK Feeling, featuring Elizabeth Owens
Busy, busy, busy! Chris the kids and I have been running here and there all weekend long trying to squeeze as much fun in as we can. The big news from this past weekend is Elizabeth performed with local band The OK Feeling at a small venue in beautiful downtown Pulaski on Friday. Her first public performance went GREAT!
Elizabeth was a little nervous, there were four other bands to go on before her and the OK Feeling, because they were the headliner, so she had to stand around and wait for the other performers to go on stage. The OK Feeling are four very talented guys, the drummer did not make this performance it was an evening of acoustic music, that Elizabeth has know since high school. Grant Back, lead singer, Gabe McFarland and Justin Doyle who both play guitar, were there and it was awesome!
The OK Feeling performs, mostly, original music and after they played three songs Elizabeth was brought up on stage to sing with them. Elizabeth sang four covers: Mary Jane’s Last Dance by Tom Petty, Love Is What I Got by Sublime, my favorite, Kurt Cobain’s, Where did You Sleep Last Night and the Foo Fighters, Everlong, Elizabeth’s favorite.
It was so much fun to see her up on stage and I think she was living a dream at that moment. I’m not really sure where she is going with all this but she isn’t quitting school or her day job anytime soon. But there was one promise I did make to her, if and when she receives a Video Music Award or any other for that matter, Mr. Kanye West will NOT be interrupting her acceptance speech!
Friday, September 11, 2009
Fred Sanford goes to Hillsville.
Doesn't the theme from Sanford and Son just play in your head when you see this photo? This is one of two truck loads of treasures we hauled to Hillsville. Along with the Expedition slammed to the point that when I tapped the breaks, Elizabeth had to hold her arm across the opening of the front seats to keep everything from going through the windshield.
A Change In The Way Things Are Done Around Here
Ok, ok, ok, for those of you who drop by every now and then to see what’s up, sorry. I’ve been super slammed with getting ready for our super duper yard sale and all. Doggie update, it’s a no go on Bugsy. Bugsy found a home much better suited for him; I hope he will be happy. Again, seriously, does that face just make you want to cry he is so cute?
Back to my excuses for not updating my blog, yard sale, oh yeah Thomy started his first semester at New River and Elizabeth, hopefully, will complete her last semester at New River but both are now back to the educational grind. That was a fiasco, but dealing with schedules and financial aid always are. So enough with the excuses, I have an idea to run by you. Chris and I have been chatting and I think we are going to separate. Don’t get too excited, one way or the other, separate our blogs that is.
When we first started our blog we wanted it to be a place where Chris could send his clients to review his sketches, designs, work, etc. It was also a way for people to look at projects we were working on, interesting “junque” we had come across and stuff like that. Instead it has become my little way of letting everyone know what we have been up to and a blow by blow of what Chris and I have had to eat that past weekend. So, the focus has gotten away from our original plan.
adesignbuildstudio@blogspot.com will be up and running until New Year’s Day, 2010 and at that time Chris will debut his new blog, as well as, mine. So make sure you check in at adesignbuildstudio@blogspot.com on January 1, 2010, to find out how to follow our blogs. My blog will probably be a continuation of our current blog but Chris will use his blog, more so, as a marketing tool. I hope everyone has been doin’ fine and dandy and the yard sale was a great success. The kids will have Christmas this year.
We would like to thank Mama Nita and Poppy Ed for the use of their yard, hope we didn’t make too big a mess. And I’m sure the two of them will be glad to know, that as of this moment, that will be the last yard sale I ever have. I’m getting too old for that s*!t.
Keep checking in, I’m still going to keep this blog up and running until the big move. See you soon!
Also, please remember 9-11.
Back to my excuses for not updating my blog, yard sale, oh yeah Thomy started his first semester at New River and Elizabeth, hopefully, will complete her last semester at New River but both are now back to the educational grind. That was a fiasco, but dealing with schedules and financial aid always are. So enough with the excuses, I have an idea to run by you. Chris and I have been chatting and I think we are going to separate. Don’t get too excited, one way or the other, separate our blogs that is.
When we first started our blog we wanted it to be a place where Chris could send his clients to review his sketches, designs, work, etc. It was also a way for people to look at projects we were working on, interesting “junque” we had come across and stuff like that. Instead it has become my little way of letting everyone know what we have been up to and a blow by blow of what Chris and I have had to eat that past weekend. So, the focus has gotten away from our original plan.
adesignbuildstudio@blogspot.com will be up and running until New Year’s Day, 2010 and at that time Chris will debut his new blog, as well as, mine. So make sure you check in at adesignbuildstudio@blogspot.com on January 1, 2010, to find out how to follow our blogs. My blog will probably be a continuation of our current blog but Chris will use his blog, more so, as a marketing tool. I hope everyone has been doin’ fine and dandy and the yard sale was a great success. The kids will have Christmas this year.
We would like to thank Mama Nita and Poppy Ed for the use of their yard, hope we didn’t make too big a mess. And I’m sure the two of them will be glad to know, that as of this moment, that will be the last yard sale I ever have. I’m getting too old for that s*!t.
Keep checking in, I’m still going to keep this blog up and running until the big move. See you soon!
Also, please remember 9-11.
Pray for the victims, their families, our soldiers and my cousin Brad.
Monday, August 17, 2009
I'M IN LOVE, I'M IN LOVE, I'M IN LOVE!
Guess what? I've fallen in love over the Internet. I know what your thinking, these things never work out but look at that face, come on now. Have you ever seen You've Got Mail? It worked out for Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan.I want to introduce everyone one to Bugsy Malone. Bugsy is a French Bulldog and he is four years old. He is ready to be adopted and has relatively few medical issues that are associated with the breed. Bugsy has been in foster care awaiting adoption and when I saw him my heart just melted. Just melted I tell you and I can hardly stand it!Our home has been without a pet for over a year now, after Miss Kitty ran away to join the circus. I have heard that she rides on the back of a pony wearing a feather head dress and jumps through hoops of fire. How exciting for her, I guess she was a rambling kitty and needed to see the world, we were just simple country folks and she wanted more. Although, I am torn because we have been without "animal responsibilities" for quite sometime and it has been nice, I still miss having a pet.I am going to ponder this decision over the weekend and will try to convince Chris that we need another man around the house. I'll keep everyone updated as to what we have decided but seriously I could cry this dog is so cute!
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