Sunday, October 30, 2016

post 34: final thoughts

We want to thank Custom Design Homes, Inc, for making our project such a success! For the past 8 weeks, Dmitry and Alex have been our new best friends - the people we correspond with more than anyone else. They took Garrett's design and shepherded it from a concept on paper to an actual space. Along the way, it was so clear that they understood what we wanted, and shared our concerns about the integrity of the design as well as keeping things on time. They told us in the beginning that we would be able to move back in in 6 weeks and we actually moved in in 5.5 weeks. When does that EVER happen??
Needless to say, Garrett and I wholeheartedly and without any reservations at all recommend them for your remodel project.
Their contact information is:
Custom Design Homes, Inc.
Dmitry Onishchenko
cdhinc@comcast.net
P.O. Box 1006
Clackamas, OR 97015
Many people will wonder when embarking on a project like this:
How long will it take?
How much will it cost?
From start to 100% complete, we were at 8 weeks. And it was only that long because our closet doors took AGES to complete. Minus the doors, we were complete at 6.5 weeks.
Cost is tricky. I can tell you a range: a project of our scope (1 new bathroom, re-doing an existing bathroom, and re-doing a kitchen) could cost anywhere between $90k-$150k. It really depends on the existing conditions of the house and the finishes you pick.
I CAN tell you that our custom kitchen cabinets cost $14,000 since I know a lot people will want to know just that little cost detail.
Did we stay on budget?
We did-ISH. We added a lot of stuff as we went along (surprise!) For our changes and our changes only, we went over the original budget. For what Dmitry and Alex originally priced, the budget/cost did not move. 
Lastly, Dmitry's cast of subs were all stellar - each and every one was a professional through and through. If you only need a certain trade, Dmitry says to feel free and email him with a question, and he'll get back to you a name of someone. Isn't he the best??I honestly don't have enough words to say how much we appreciate him, Alex, and all of the subs that came through here in the past 8 weeks.

Alex Onishchenko, Garrett, and Dmitry Onishchenko posing in our kitchen

post 33: 100% complete!

We are 100% complete and completely settled back into the house!
The last things to be done were getting the doors for the master closet - special order doors from Western Pacific that took a long time to get made and installing Flor tiles in the back of the kitchen for a walk off area from the back deck.
Here are some photo highlights. Because there are just so many photos, I added them to a Flickr album:
https://flic.kr/s/aHskKW3cDJ
View them all there!


Sunday, October 2, 2016

post 32: 98% complete and moved in

Sorry for the late post but Garrett and I have been so busy packing up the bunker and then unpacking the pod. It's been crazy over here!! There are still some small things to do like bathroom mirrors, master closet doors, stair railing, and upstairs shower glass but we are at 98% or so complete.
Dmitry and his crew busted their butts so we could get in here on time! We really can't thank them enough!! 
Moving: ain't it fun???
Unpacking: in the thick of it.
Are you really taking my picture right now???
We haven't found everything its permanent home but it's good enough for now. We can think hard on usage and ergonomics when we aren't exhausted!




Mirror will go above the shelf where it says NO PAINT. Vanity lights will be cut into the mirror.
I never thought this couch would a) be able to be moved into this small room and b) fit in here. I'm happy to be proven wrong on both counts!
View from couch

Radiant floor heating control panel. My favorite new thing!!!!
Closet moved into. Just need doors - they are on back order and will arrive around 10/10

Thursday, September 29, 2016

Tuesday, September 27, 2016

post 30: drawer pulls, flooring, plumbing fixtures, laundry chute

While posting last night's post, I felt REALLY sick. And sure enough, a few hours later I was experiencing the full throes of food poisoning. I won't go into details. Garrett says he's never seen me so sick or laid so low. The good news is that I'm feeling much better! 24 hours can make all of the difference!
So today, Vlad was back and he finished all of the cabinets with drawer pulls and everything!
The painters were killing it too.
And Valentin was back to finish the flooring.
Tomorrow will be a light day, as the flooring needs time to cure and requires light foot traffic.
Thursday, Val returns to do the electrical finish.
Friday, Garrett and I MOVE HOME!

Hello laundry chute! Tell me that's not the slickest laundry chute you've ever seen!
Open chute. <3

Valentine installing the "white cliff" marmoleum plank. About 5 minutes later he had almost the entire floor laid down.

Downstairs bath vanity with drawer pulls installed. Plus it's hard to see? But the back splash is 2cm counter top
Hey hey! Upstairs bath has a sink (it works too!) and a toilet!

Monday, September 26, 2016

post 29: paint, plumbing finishes, counter tops, flooring

We are in the FINAL WEEK. We move in this Friday!!!!
Last week, Garrett and I left town on Friday afternoon and didn't see much of the house since the painters were inside painting the cabinets with white lacquer paint that off-gassed lung-burning fumes. When we got back Sunday afternoon, it looked like the painters had also started painting some of the walls.
Today, COUNTER TOPS were installed! WOW.
And Arnold the plumber came back to begin fixture installation. He did some today and will return tomorrow to finish.
Valentin the flooring guy came in late today and completed the flooring in the master bedroom. He will return tomorrow to do the bathroom and kitchen floor.
Sorry for the bad photography - it was dark when I met Garrett at the house and I took some of these in the complete DARK.
Downstairs bath: shower head!
Downstairs bath: counter top!
Downstairs bath: laundry chute
Downstairs bath: trimmed window to tile
Upstairs bath: shower fixtures!
Upstairs bath: TOILET!
Upstairs bath, vanity + toilet
Valentin is filling out the closet with cork!
Closet got painted today!

This closet got painted too!
Kitchen: counter top, sink, faucet, and soap dispenser!
Kitchen: south elevation long view



Kitchen: north elevation long view.



Flooring: the darker color will go into the downstairs bathroom and the lighter color in the kitchen.

Placing one kitchen plank for effect!
 

Thursday, September 22, 2016

post 28: staining cabinets

I walked into the house today and immediately FELT the strong effects of staining chemicals off-gassing. My eyes and lungs were BURNING. That said, I was still able to snap some photos before running out of there.
In more project news, Dmitry says we will be able to move back into the house on 9/30 as planned. There will be at least 1 working bathroom by then. YES!!!! Garrett and I are SO READY to get out of this bunker. We are out of town this weekend - escaping to Black Butte - so no posts while we are gone but expect some major progress next week because by the end of it, we'll be BACK!!!

Kitchen: drawers stained in rich walnut.
Kitchen: more walnut stain
Kitchen: close up of walnut
Downstairs bath: custom vanity drawers painted white. That taped up hole? That's our laundry chute! There's going to be a walnut lid that goes over the top.

Downstairs bath: custom vanity painted white

Upstairs bath: custom vanity painted white

Wednesday, September 21, 2016

post 27: cabinets and doors

Today's job site report contains many more heart stopping moments. Vlad and his helper are making magic over at the house. Plus, the doors were hung (but the floor tracks not installed yet.)

Upstairs bath: custom made vanity by Vlad has been mounted on our gorgeous tile.
Upstairs bath: peeking inside the vanity.
Upstairs bath: long view inside. All of the elements are there: vanity, skylight, medicine cabinet, TILE ALL DAY.
Upstairs bath: look! we have a bathroom door! Not that it'll be shut that often but nice to have the *option* of privacy.
Upstairs: many elements in view: my gorgeous banister, skylight shining from above, barn door, coast tile peeking out
bedroom 2/office: barn door
Downstairs bath: this is a tough photo to take in the afternoon without an overhead light. But this is the walnut window trim in the downstairs bath. No further pictures today of the downstairs bath: Vlad was working on the vanity and upper shelf when I got there and I didn't want to crowd him.
Kitchen: Vlad's helper installing walnut faces on the cabinet doors. That gap to his right is where the stove will be.
Kitchen: south cabinets. Gap to the left is where the dishwasher will be. Far cabinet is where the sink will be.
Kitchen: long view from the back of the house.