Before and After

It's difficult to see just how substantial the changes have been with these incremental posts so I decided to provide some before and after photos.

Kitchen Appliances

The kitchen appliances are installed--I went with Jenn Air throughout. I think it's the best intersection of quality and price. Also, it's one of the few American brands with more contemporary styling. I was concerned about finding a range that would fit the specs--dual fuel with a down draft vent due to the window.

Kitchen looking toward the backyard

Kitchen looking through to the dining room and living room

Counter depth refrigerator with trimmed out cabinets

Dual fuel (gas range with electric oven) range with down draft vent

Kitchen cabinets

Hardwood Floor Refinishing

The original floors are solid 2 1/2" red pine throughout the house. There were a few areas that needed to be replaced or repaired with new wood. My builder was able to find new flooring made from old red pine boards that matches perfectly. The replacement wood is very expensive though, so it wouldn't be practical to install this style of floor in a new home.

Master bedroom floor after sanding. The discolorations are piles of sawdust.

This area was repaired with new/old red pine planks. The discoloration is wood putty, which will be sanded prior to staining the floor.

Master bedroom red pine floor refinishing

Bedroom red pine floor refinishing

Staircase after considerable sanding.

Upstairs hall with sanded red pine floors and several replacement planks

Original condition of the floors throughout the home

Color swatches for floor stain on red pine. I'll go with the lower left.

Living room floor

Dining room floor

Master bedroom floor

Upstairs hall floor, satin finish

Back bedroom floor - this room had significant water damage, but the floors turned out fine after a lot of sanding, stain and finish.

Kitchen and Bathroom Countertops

I went with granite for the kitchen and master bathroom. The small area in the kitchen on the wall opposite the kitchen sink was originally planned as a island, but space didn't permit. I was worried that the dark granite along with the dark tile wouldn't be bright enough, but it turned out great.

Master bathroom granite countertop -- dark gray

Kitchen granite countertop

Kitchen countertop (this was originally the island)

Kitchen cabinets and countertop

Bathroom fixtures

The bathroom fixtures are starting to go in--one of many finishing touches around the property.

Upstairs hall bath

Upstairs hall bath

Master bath

Wall Paint

The first coat of paint is on the walls, so it's beginning to look like a house. I was concerned with the old plaster walls, but they turned out great. We coated the surface with a thin layer of spackling compound, then sanded the surface. After two rounds it looks nearly perfect. The old wood moulding will be sanded and repaired before the final coat of paint is applied.

Master bedroom - SW 7022 (Alpaca)

Master bath - SW 6249 (Storm Cloud)

Upstairs hall - SW 7024 (Functional Grey)

Living room - SW 7022 (Alpaca)

Kitchen - SW 2851 (Sage Green Light)

Cabinet Installation

The last few weeks have seen considerable progress. Once we overcame delays related to the double meter box, the drywall was hung, plaster repaired and first coat of primer applied to all the walls. Today, the basement and main kitchen cabinets were installed. I went with Kraftmaid cabinets for the main kitchen and pre-made Home Depot specials for the basement rental unit.

Kitchen Tile

The kitchen tile turned out really nice. I went with a silk black porcelain tile by Kaska. The herringbone pattern works nice on this floor, making the space feel larger with the movement of the pattern. The cabinets and appliances will be installed over the tile for a smooth and level finish all around.

Kitchen tile

Kitchen tile - Kaska Silk Black Porcelain Field Tile

Kitchen tile

Kaska Silk Black Porcelain Field Tile

Basement bathroom tile

Master bathroom tile