Windows and Doors

We really like the classic, original wood-and-aluminum windows that are throughout most of the house.  However, the two large picture windows in the dining area were not the same style (as the rest of the house or each other), and were not nearly as energy-efficient, which is really saying something.  During our first winter, slabs of ice would form on the inside of the window panes, which would then melt and drip into the wooden windowsill.

The left window was fixed; only the right window could open

With all the incentives for "green" upgrades, we were able to replace these two windows with Marvin Infinity fiberglass EverWood gliders, installed by Nu-Vu Builders, who worked very quickly to install the windows, and replace the damaged wood frames and sills.  Another great experience!
With my parents' help, we stained the frames to match the woodwork in the rest of the house - Sherwin Williams was able to match the 50+ year-old color perfectly.

One of the first things we ever did with the house was to replace the driveway side door with a fiberglass model.  Locks and handles on all three 'people doors' (front, side, and garage) were installed by Strauss Security Solutions, the only Medeco retailer in the area, who provided exemplary service.

 

One of my favorite changes has been replacing the sliding glass door to the deck.  The old door, which we also have kept, was incredibly heavy, and the screen frequently came off the track.

The replacement, Pella hinged patio doors, are easy to use, beautiful, and very easily facilitate the moving of large furniture into or out of the house.  Plus, I totally have the princess "fling open the doors and let the birds sing" moment every time I open them.  The interior was stained the same as the windows.

Last but not least - Basement ceiling: Part 4

Installing a drop ceiling seems like it ought to be an easy project.  I can assure you with a great degree of confidence that it is not.  Or, maybe it is, but only if you're less obsessive-compulsive than I am.

We selected a tile based on a few clearance boxes available at a big box store.  We then special-ordered the rest of it (still saved a bundle, since they gave us the special order at the clearance price!) and embarked on a long, long project.

Hearing about the tedium that is installing tiles is, well, probably as tedious as doing it, so let's fast forward:

In progress - the grid is attached, now just add tile.

Added light fixtures half-way through to help with the dimness.

Getting the tiles to line up just so, even when the ceiling height varied, was a challenge.

The three-day basement bathroom: Part 3

The rest of the bathroom was finished in about three working days.

From framing and drywall: 

 To shower installation and tile:

Mudding the new drywall and painting the block walls:

Floor tile and fixtures for the bathroom:

And oh-by-the-way we were simultaneously installing the laminate:

After appointing the closet, adding the baseboard trim, and some inspired painting - we were done!
(with everything except the ceiling... sigh)

Untold horror (or, There's a hole in the basement floor): Part 2

One expects changes when finishing a basement; that's the point, after all.  However, returning to your beloved home after a long day at work to find an enormous, water-filled hole spanning half your basement...

 That was a bit of a shock to the system.  Fun fact: the hole actually featured prominently in a 48-hour Film Project submission as the place where a character buries another character (it was a comedy horror flick)

However, the hole was soon filled with plumbing and gravel, and my nerves were soothed.

When the cement was poured, I couldn't have been happier:

What to expect when you finish a basement: Part 1

As has already been noted, I really, really like demolition.  So when we decided to finish the west half of the basement, I was very excited to rip down the acoustical ceiling tiles and tear up the sticky tile flooring.
This is the basement before we moved in:

The plan was to do all the demo ourselves, then get the pros at AIM Kitchen & Bath to install a second bathroom and walk-in closet, then we would paint and lay laminate flooring, install a new drop ceiling, and call it done.  No big deal, right?

Getting the ceiling tiles down was easy, if very messy (continual vacuuming required to keep down the dust and dirt that fell from untold years of the old tiles).  Poor SB then removed all the clips that held the old tiles to the furring strips.

Removing the floor tile was a much bigger deal than we expected.  The sticky vinyl tiles were really hard to get up, and there was another layer of tile beneath, which was tarred to the cement.  However, I got really good at zipping along with my oversize crowbar, and we put down rosin paper to cover the sticky bare surface.

In no time at all we were envisioning the finished space (please take time to admire my lovely artist renderings - blue is shower, green is vanity, yellow is commode)

Finishing the Kitchen: Part 3

The kitchen actually stayed the way it was for quite a while, but then three separate projects gave it that final polish.

First, a tile backsplash was installed behind the stove.  SB found a lovely robin's-egg blue tile at Home Depot and we had it installed.

Then we added cabinets around the fridge on the east wall of the kitchen, with matching stainless steel counters (thanks again, Ackelson Sheet Metal, Inc.!) 

Finally, SB and a friend added more tile to the existing white (formerly backsplash from the old kitchen stove location) behind the fridge.  It's like lingerie - most people will never see it, but it makes me happy to know it's pretty back there.

So, there you have it: how to get a perfect kitchen in several not-so-easy steps.  But for us, the price - blood, sweat, and tears well beyond the money - has been worth it.

We hope you'll enjoy it, too.

Living the Kitchen Dream: Part 2

After the new kitchen floor (Red Oak, to match the rest of the house) was installed, the kitchen started to really look like something.  The cabinets were installed, and the template for the countertop was built.

Then the floors were finished (professionally) and the countertop installed.

A few notes on our counter choice: we have stainless steel, the same as any professional kitchen.
Stainless steel is the only recycled and recyclable material for counters.  Nearly any cleaning compound, including bleach, can be safely used on stainless steel.  Scratches can be buffed out easily, and it cleans up beautifully.  Also, very hot dishes directly from oven, stove, or microwave can be placed on the counter directly - no heating pad or trivet needed.  This is a feature we use all the time - 500 degree F loaf pans, boiling pots of pasta, and fresh-baked lasagna all go straight on the counter without a second thought.
Our counters were fabricated by Ackelson Sheet Metal, Inc. in Altoona - and I cannot say enough good things about the wonderful people there.  We received top-notch service and the highest quality results thanks to their efforts.

 The refrigerator, faucet, and OMNI Filter water purifier all came with the house, the range hood is from Home Depot, the sink is Ikea, the dishwasher and stove (and washer and dryer) were ordered from Factory Direct Appliance - which was another really great experience.

First Things First - a little background

LOT 6 THELMA PLACE was a 3-bedroom, 2-bathroom "mid-century modest" home on the Western edge of the Des Moines neighborhood of Beaverdale.

We spent 9 months searching before finding this house - and it was love at first sight.  After attending the FSBO open house in April 2009, we immediately put in an offer, and closed a month later.  We immediately started the kitchen renovation, and moved in by the end of June.  Since then, we've done other projects on the house, both by ourselves and with the assistance of fabulous contractors, friends, and family.

It's been a wonderful experience, and we want to share our stories with prospective new owners, as our sellers were able to do with us.

So, without further ado - a brief tour of the house.



EDIT 2014-01-14

We sold the house in November, 2012 - congratulations to the new owners!

2824FortyEighthPlace is now MidCenturyMakeUnder.blogspot.com, dedicated to "retro-storing" our next 1950s ranch.