A Little Something Awesome

S is a prolific and proficient finder of the good stuff - retro treasures to restore our (and sometimes D's parents') home to the way it might have been.  A prime example is the two crosshatch vintage doors S nabbed from impending trash collection, and we've held onto for over a year.

Pre-framed doors.

Front door, before (without storm).

Garage door, removed.

We knew replacing the front door, and the "people door" of the garage were imperative.

The front door was a fiberglass big-box store special, and just didn't go in either style or color.  It also didn't lock easily, and the storm door wouldn't latch.

The garage door  frame was too small for the trash and recycling carts to fit, and then the door's window glass shattered in the bitterly cold winter (replaced by ever-so-classy particle board).



This project seemed like a good test run for a contractor (who will eventually be doing our kitchen and main bath remodel) and an excellent way to get some stuff out of the garage, by doing a project we would not be able to efficiently address ourselves.

S sanded, stained, and sealed the doors, and then sent them off to be pre-framed, and have the holes added for our locks.  We had already ordered replacement door knobs (Schlage - to match the original hardware's insane backsets) and escutcheons (Rejuvenation) to match our existing locks.

The garage door required a larger opening, which in turn made finding matching bricks very critical - and after a couple "eh, close enough", the subcontractors came through with a perfect match.

Old door out.

Larger opening, temporary storm.

New bricks going in.

The front door was installed on the first day, and the subsequent trim work occupied the rest of the time.  There was some minor issue with the 9" backset extensions not quite working with our new knob, but D's refusal to accept reality paid off, and she got it to work.

Front door opening.

Front door rough exterior.

The in-progress product was very impressive, inside and out.

Garage door interior.

Garage door exterior.

And we even got a functioning doorbell, like real people!

Yes, a little bit of awesome goes a long way at Skyline.

Front door interior

Front door exterior with storm.

Windows... again.

Yes, I know Pam is generally not in favor of replacing windows, and I do pretty much anything Pam says.  But in our defense, we were replacing already-replaced windows (not originals) and were doing so for improved function.
See, the front windows of the house - in the living room, office bedroom, and master bedroom - were picture windows.  This meant we couldn't get any cross-ventilation in the main living area and the office bedroom did not have an egress.  There were also broken latches and handles on other windows.
So, we opted to replace most of the windows (excluding only the half-bath and the doorwall) with the same Marvin Infinity with which we were so pleased in our first house.  We also got pet screen this time - we are teachable!

Traumatic and cold - the living room window was out for most of the day.

Installing the sliding end windows.

Living room - done!

Guest bedroom has two double-hung windows.

Office bedroom has Everwood casement
The bathroom in the back has obscure glass double-hung.

The vastly enhanced air circulation has improved our lives considerably, and lowered our summer electrical bill a lot, even accounting for a unusually cool season.
Window replacement might not be for everyone, but it was definitely a good idea for Skyline.

Introductions

When we shopped for our first house, it was about nine months of open houses, scheduled showings, constant internet searching, and seemingly unending frustration.
Then, once we had it, the renovations started before we even moved in - a huge kitchen gut, followed almost immediately by a massive basement project.
The second time around, we knew more about ourselves, and the kind of house we wanted.  We were able to find and close on our house in less than 3 months, but have continued to "live with it" for over 18 months now before embarking on any major projects.
Yet, we're about to start some, so this is the perfect time to catch up on how Skyline was before it was ours, and what we've done since.
We have made some minor changes to the exterior, but nothing structural.
Here is the outside in Fall 2012 - photographs from the listing.

Here is the "before us" bedrooms, half-bath, living & dining rooms, and screened porch (hereafter "veranda").

Master bedroom

Guest bedroom

Office bedroom

Half-bath - part of the "addendum"

Dining room, with doorwall to veranda, from the living room

Veranda - covered, screened porch

Living room

Kitchen

Main Bath

We have made minor changes to the main bathroom, kitchen, and basement - but here's how it started.

Main Basement

Formally Open Floor-Plan

One of the most unique and wonderful features of the house is the combination of a formal living room, and an open floor-plan for the kitchen and dining area.

Hosting guests in the living room gives the chef privacy in the kitchen, but it's also great to have family sitting at the table or lounging, while keeping out from underfoot while cooking.

The curtains on the left conceal the patio doors to the deck.

There is also a wonderful built-in with five large shelves, and a large cabinet below.

Perpendicular is the closet with access to the attic.