Quick Update: drywall is nearly done. Our project manager told us it would be done by May 15th, which was yesterday, but it will definitely be done by the 18th. We don't know what will be next, but we hope it will be paint then cabinets. Our cabinets have arrived, but we can't see inside the boxes yet. It is so exciting to be so close to the end! We had a minor/major freakout during the drywall process as they cut out drywall for the heat pump mini-split facing the wrong direction. Of course, we took it as the worst case scenario, and assumed they'd have to rip the whole ducting out to turn it the right way. Luckily, super easy fix, and all they had to do was patch the drywall and cut the correct side. Most of the mistakes have not been that easy, so we were happy about that.
Anyways, we have been reviewing our finishing touches, and we decided to make some changes. Choosing flooring, countertops, lights, etc like eight to nine months before you get to see them is a loooong time to sit and think about something different to do. So, these are the changes we decided to do:
1) The lighting. We figured it would be worth an additional $300-500 to get exactly what we want for chandeliers, pendants, etc. We hate flush mount lights that look like boobs, so it was important for us to get better flush mount lights for our hallways, kids' rooms, etc. We already have a few semi-flush mount lights from our old house, which we plan to use in the playroom (they're a little fancy for the playroom, honestly, but I want to get personalized lighting for the guest room and master bedroom when we have more money). One complicating factor is the sloped ceiling in our great room and kitchen, so everything had to be slope-compatible. The sad thing is I found a chandelier that I loved, but we couldn't hang it parallel to the slope, only perpendicular, which didn't work with our furniture placement. I had my co-worker help me pick a new one. I really like it, but it wasn't my first choice. We were happy to get some discounts on lights from Coscto, and then I found Seattle Lighting online, which I loved. I couldn't find a better deal on globe pendants other than from West Elm.
Flush mount lights from Costco:
Foyer light from Seattle Lighting:
Dining room light from Seattle Lighting:
Kitchen island globe pendant lights from West Elm:
Kids' bathroom light from Seattle Lighting:
Master bathroom lights from Seattle Lighting:
Outdoor lanterns from Costco:
Outdoor flush mount lights for front and back porches from Seattle Lighting:
Playroom fancy lights from Wayfair (no longer available from them):
2) Laundry room floor. We originally were like, well, I don't want to pay for tile right now, so we will stick with the vinyl and just change it ourselves later. Tip: when it comes to flooring, it's probably easier to do it yourself before a flooring is already placed. So, bye bye cheap vinyl.. Here is some dark linen-style tile for the laundry room and the kids' bathroom (might as well, right?).
Metro Gris tile from Home Depot:
3) Closet organizers. We decided to go with Easy Closets (such a deal!) for both the master bedroom and the pantry. You give them the dimensions, they help you with the design. It was really great working with them. The only con--you have to install yourself.. Or you can pay somebody. So, now we have 39 boxes in our current rental waiting to be installed. Also, I wasn't into the cheap wire shelving for the kids' bedrooms, so I went with Modular Closets for an easy and affordable closet design. I am super excited to use both of them!
Master Closet:
Pantry (not shown are the connecting corner shelves):
Kids' Closets:
4) Kitchen desk unit. When we originally inquired about doing a custom desk niche in the dining room with Lexar, we were told to do it ourselves or they'd probably charge us $10K. So, we looked into buying the same Procraft cabinets for our desk, but in white instead of the espresso for the rest of the kitchen. But, they do not sell to non-contractors. We looked online instead, and I found Cliq Studios online from their Facebook and Instagram ads. They sent me samples, and I found the quality and design to be the same as the ones of the rest of our kitchen. Again, we gave them the dimensions, and they gave us a design. We do have to install the cabinets and shelves ourselves, but we are up to the task. I am so excited to have a place to make shopping lists, use the computer, and store my cookbooks all in one place!
That is it.. I don't think we will do any more changes until we are done. We do have a lot of work ahead of us, such as finishing the rock wall, painting the master bath blue, painting the master bedroom stencil, installing the pantry and the closets, the tile accent in the kitchen desk back splash and the kitchen island wall, and some minor landscaping stuff. But, we are ready for the challenge. I don't know when the completion date will be. I'm hoping by the end of June, but we are leaving for a week-long vacation on the 30th, so that's not the best time for us. I'm thinking we will probably move the second week of July.. which isn't too bad. It would put us 10-11 months since the foundation was poured. I just want the air conditioning before August!! Anyways, keep checking on my Instagram for more updates. It will all be happening quickly. :)
