Lots going on around the swamp the last month and a half. I've been working hard to get things done so I can get my occupancy permit. First of all, for those of you who didn't get my hints on what my island top is made of: its recycled bowling alley. You can see the inlaid dots and arrows if you look closely. Pretty much everybody who has seen it thought it was really a cool idea. Those who didn't, well they don't have to live with it so who cares!
Now onto the new stuff. The kitchen is pretty much done at this point. There is still some trim items to finish such as the toe kicks and some trim panels on the island, but its all up and running including the double oven. After the oven was installed I called in the inspector and passed my electrical with flying colors. The only "problems" he found was a couple of the outlets were a little loose and he suggested that I give the screws an extra turn or two. He did tell me what I knew; I over built it. Of course he also said he would do the same thing.
I also have been working on the slate flooring. I finally finished laying all the tile from the kitchen into the dining room, entry, and stairs. Took me longer than I thought it would but that's what I get for being fancy and doing it on the diagonal. Then I had to start grouting it. Due to the
heated floors I could only use about a quarter bag at a time so it also took a little longer than it should. I finally finished last week. I also did the master bathroom floor and shower floor. The walls start this week.
heated floors I could only use about a quarter bag at a time so it also took a little longer than it should. I finally finished last week. I also did the master bathroom floor and shower floor. The walls start this week.
On the outside I've finished a couple of projects. It started with the deck railings. I have wanted to use cable railing from the outset, the big problem the price. The components are expensive and hard to find, and most take special crimpers to fasten the cable to the end connectors. After a lot of looking on line I found a Tacoma company that sell the cable with one end fastened on and then rents the equipment to field install the other end. This reduces the cost somewhat, but still expensive. I started with the dining room deck, then moved onto the master bedroom deck. After doing one side I stopped and finished the siding on the 
backside of the house. Not having a railing there made it easy to step right off the deck onto the scaffolding. Once finished with the siding I finished off the railings. Last but not least I did the front entry
deck. This included wrapping the 6x6 post with cedar so now it looks like a 12x12. I will eventually be trimming out below the post with a stone veneer.
backside of the house. Not having a railing there made it easy to step right off the deck onto the scaffolding. Once finished with the siding I finished off the railings. Last but not least I did the front entry
deck. This included wrapping the 6x6 post with cedar so now it looks like a 12x12. I will eventually be trimming out below the post with a stone veneer.
That's all for now. Hopefully next time I'll be telling you about how I passed my final inspection and showing pictures of my finished mater bathroom.
