BEFORE Pictures
DURING Pictures - Demolition and Prep
AFTER Pictures - The Transformation
To see more bathrooms we've done, click HERE to see Bathrooms under the Project Photos section.
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A 1920s Vintage Bungalow Bathroom Renovation
We recently transformed this 1922 bungalow bathroom from a small dark space to a bright, spacious-looking bathroom fit for 21st century living! Just shy of 35 sq. ft., we extended one wall out an additional 2 ft. and removed a ceiling soffit to fit a new shower with shower seat, new toilet and square pedestal sink, and a new medicine cabinet (that matches the original medicine cabinet). Combined with all new but period-appropriate subway and hex tiles, vintage-styled fixtures and faucets, and classic lighting, this bathroom turned out beautifully! See before, during and after pictures below:
Upcoming Julius Shulman Exhibition in Fullerton
Coming soon to Fullerton....an exhibition of some of the famed mid-century photographer's work of Fullerton.
Fullerton Museum Center
Forever Fullerton: Julius Shulman
April 9 - July 19
"Julius Shulman is one of the best known architectural photographers in the world. In the 1950s and 1960s, he did extensive work in Fullerton documenting houses and other buildings in town. The 40 images in this exhibition come from his massive portfolio, now housed at the Getty Research Library, and will include scenes from mid-century interiors and exteriors."
The exhibition will also include period furniture and decor provided by Out of Vogue (a vintage furniture and decor shop in Fullerton). If you want to experience mid-century living style, you don't want to miss this exhibit!
Fullerton Museum Center
Forever Fullerton: Julius Shulman
April 9 - July 19
"Julius Shulman is one of the best known architectural photographers in the world. In the 1950s and 1960s, he did extensive work in Fullerton documenting houses and other buildings in town. The 40 images in this exhibition come from his massive portfolio, now housed at the Getty Research Library, and will include scenes from mid-century interiors and exteriors."
The exhibition will also include period furniture and decor provided by Out of Vogue (a vintage furniture and decor shop in Fullerton). If you want to experience mid-century living style, you don't want to miss this exhibit!
2009 Floral Park Home Tour, Santa Ana, CA
We're advertising again for the 3rd year in a row in the Floral Park Neighborhood Association Home Tour (check out our ad below). However, this year, for the first time, we will have a booth where people can stop by to chat with us and see examples of our work.
For more information about this year's home tour, go to http://www.floral-park.com/index_files/page0004.htm.
Another Custom Wood Gate and Fence
After building the side gate (see our earlier post), we came back to build another custom gate with two fence panels on the other side of the house. 
To see more gates and fences we've done, click HERE to see the Gates and Fences section under the Project Photos section.
BEFORE Picture of the Old Fence
AFTER Picture of the New Fence and Gate (Front View)
AFTER Picture of the New Fence and Gate (Back View)
Close Up Picture of the New Fence and Gate (Back View)
To see more gates and fences we've done, click HERE to see the Gates and Fences section under the Project Photos section.
Reconstructing Craftsman Bungalow Pillars on the Exterior
Sometime back in the 1980's, this gorgeous bungalow had a 2nd story added on. While the addition was well-done and blended with the architecture of the bungalow, the pillars had been turned into straight posts. So, we were called in to reconstruct them back to the way it looked, prior to the addition.
BEFORE Picture (Circa 1978)
Picture of House (Prior to Pillar Reconstruction)
Close Up of the Straight Post (Prior to Reconstruction)
To see more Exterior work we've done, click HERE to see Exterior work under the Project Photos section.
BEFORE Picture (Circa 1978)
Picture of House (Prior to Pillar Reconstruction)
Close Up of the Straight Post (Prior to Reconstruction)
Close Up of Post During "Deconstruction"
Close Up of "Reconstructed" Pillar
Picture of House with New Pillar Reconstruction
To see more Exterior work we've done, click HERE to see Exterior work under the Project Photos section.
Michigan Green Building Tax Credit
A bill has been introduced into the Michigan legislature to provide tax credits for "green" residences or renovation (to your primary residence). These have to be certified by Green Built Michigan, National Green Building Program, or other similar program. Presumably as an income tax credit, it will not apply to carpetbaggers like us that do not pay income taxes to the state of Michigan (our primary residence is in Illinois, sigh, where our employment is). For Michiganers, the tax credit could be carried forward up to 4 years. If the bill passes!
Site visit
Went out to Michigan on Wednesday and met the builder, designer, and augercast-pile guy at the site. It was great to be back, as we haven't been in 3 months. There were sandhill cranes, deer, turkeys, and the marvelous trees. A chickadee landed on the empty feeder and called, as if to say "how come you're not filling this up right now?"
Anyway, we looked at the lay of the land, the position of the septic and well, the condition of the driveway (sketchy), and discussed what was needed to minimize damage as the building comes down and the pile foundations are laid. We also labeled all the things that we want to re-use or to remove and donate to Habitat for Humanity (they take building materials and sell them in their "ReStores.")
On Thursday we visited a couple of cabinet makers in Grand Rapids. Some cabinet lines are using FSC wood and low volatile glues, non-formaldehyde plywood and take other measures to make them greener, like using locally-sourced materials. Van Beek's can incorporate pieces of sunflower board (made of sunflower shells, they have an interesting pattern as well as being a use for what would otherwise be waste). They seemed to be very environmentally conscious. We also visited William's Kitchen and Bath, a larger operation with a wider range of products. Here you have to ask carefully to find the greener things, but they do have a line that is more environmentally friendly. All of the cabinets are solidly constructed and should have a long lifespan.
It is worth it to track down the green cabinet makers in your area!
(And today I called to have the septic tanks pumped, so there should not be a nasty surprise when they take the old one out ...).
Anyway, we looked at the lay of the land, the position of the septic and well, the condition of the driveway (sketchy), and discussed what was needed to minimize damage as the building comes down and the pile foundations are laid. We also labeled all the things that we want to re-use or to remove and donate to Habitat for Humanity (they take building materials and sell them in their "ReStores.")
On Thursday we visited a couple of cabinet makers in Grand Rapids. Some cabinet lines are using FSC wood and low volatile glues, non-formaldehyde plywood and take other measures to make them greener, like using locally-sourced materials. Van Beek's can incorporate pieces of sunflower board (made of sunflower shells, they have an interesting pattern as well as being a use for what would otherwise be waste). They seemed to be very environmentally conscious. We also visited William's Kitchen and Bath, a larger operation with a wider range of products. Here you have to ask carefully to find the greener things, but they do have a line that is more environmentally friendly. All of the cabinets are solidly constructed and should have a long lifespan.
It is worth it to track down the green cabinet makers in your area!
(And today I called to have the septic tanks pumped, so there should not be a nasty surprise when they take the old one out ...).
Solar panel promotion
The New York Times has had a couple of articles about places with a high rate of photovoltaic panel adoption over the past couple of days. There seem to be three escalating levels of promotion:
1) net metering: excess energy you generate is credited to your account by the local electric company at their normal cost
2) bonus net metering: energy is credited at a higher rate than you would pay for it. This accounts for the high adoption rate in Germany and Spain. There is also a program in Gainesville Florida.
3) municipal loans that cover the cost of the panels. The loan is secured by taxes, and attaches to the house, not the owner. The program is found in several municipalities in California, Arizona, Texas, Virginia and Colorado, and comes on top of the tax credits.
All of these required political will to make reality.
1) net metering: excess energy you generate is credited to your account by the local electric company at their normal cost
2) bonus net metering: energy is credited at a higher rate than you would pay for it. This accounts for the high adoption rate in Germany and Spain. There is also a program in Gainesville Florida.
3) municipal loans that cover the cost of the panels. The loan is secured by taxes, and attaches to the house, not the owner. The program is found in several municipalities in California, Arizona, Texas, Virginia and Colorado, and comes on top of the tax credits.
All of these required political will to make reality.
Solar panel prices down
I missed this from a couple of months ago, but it is likely still relevant. Solar photovoltaic prices are down because of relaxed demand (mostly in Germany and Spain), according to a story in USA Today . High demand had been inflating prices.
Good Home Construction on Remodeling Magazine's Website
One permit down, one to go ...
We have the promise of a DEQ permit, assuming the measures the builder has outlined to protect the site during building are acceptable. So we will move to the next permit set, the township & county's construction, soil erosion, health and demolition permits. We hope they will not take more than two weeks.
So I emailed the bank just to let them know we are likely to move forward soon (they still remember us!); and we have the preliminary drawings from Porter SIPs. It's kind of neat, it comes in a "package" with the screws and sealants and all -- kind of like when I built dollhouses for my nieces (except much better insulated).
Another change is that the builder is proposing a concrete floor -- Lite deck. This is an insulated form onto which concrete is poured to make the floor. It has a high thermal mass and the concrete can be stained various colours. It's great for laying the radiant heat floors too.
I think we have settled on the U-shaped kitchen but are moving the bathroom wall a bit to be sure that a wheelchair can turn around in the bathroom.
Things are likely to accelerate over the coming few weeks.
So I emailed the bank just to let them know we are likely to move forward soon (they still remember us!); and we have the preliminary drawings from Porter SIPs. It's kind of neat, it comes in a "package" with the screws and sealants and all -- kind of like when I built dollhouses for my nieces (except much better insulated).
Another change is that the builder is proposing a concrete floor -- Lite deck. This is an insulated form onto which concrete is poured to make the floor. It has a high thermal mass and the concrete can be stained various colours. It's great for laying the radiant heat floors too.
I think we have settled on the U-shaped kitchen but are moving the bathroom wall a bit to be sure that a wheelchair can turn around in the bathroom.
Things are likely to accelerate over the coming few weeks.
Anything Left at Expo?
So, as you've all heard by now, The Home Depot - Expo Design Center is finally closing. This past weekend, we stopped by the Anaheim location to see what was left. It looked like they cleared out quite a bit of inventory, although we spotted a few interesting vintage-styled reproduction items left such as:
- Clear Glass Knobs and Handles in Mint Green (Yeah!!), Pink and Clear
- Chrome Bathroom Hardware with Old-Fashioned White Porcelain Detailing
- Kohler Memoirs Line of Toilets and Square Pedestal Sinks
Looking for Vintage Furniture and Decor?
Coming this week are 2 local area estates sales, filled with a variety of vintage furniture, houswares and decorative items ranging from late 1800's to mid-century.
Victorian Mansion Circa 1888 Estate Sale
4811 Brockton Ave., Riverside, CA
Thursday, March 12 to Saturday, March 14, from 9 AM to 3 PM
Special Preview Sale on Wednesday, March 11 from 9 AM to 3 PM, Numbers at 8 AM
Estate Sale conducted by Nancy Pretty & Associates
Highlights of Items for Sale: Intended for B & B conversion but owner wishes to sell entire contents and the house. Overflowing with so much period furniture, bedroom sets, dining sets, Hunter’s cabinets, armoires, etc. Many with French influence. Cranberry glass. Bisque and porcelain figurines. Sterling flatware. Prints. Post cards. Oriental rugs. Lamps. Clocks & garnitures. Pianos & organs. Rosenthal & Limoges china. Crystal sets. Kitchen primitives. Armoires. Many carved English pieces. Several sets of chairs. Linens & drapes (old & modern.) Violin and beautiful melon back vintage mandolin. Table topVictrola and standing Victrola.
Anaheim Estate Sale
541 N. Dwyer Dr., Anaheim, CA
Friday, March 13 and Saturday, March 14, from 8 AM to 3 PM
Special Preview Sale on Thursday, March 12 from 8 AM to 2 PM, Numbers at 7 AM
Estate Sale conducted by Aversa Estate Service
Highlights of Items for Sale: Lots of vintage tables, cabinets and furniture, Danish Modern Table Lamp, vintage glass and pottery (Hull, McCoy), sterling silver flatware, vintage trains and artwork, cut crystal, and clocks.
541 N. Dwyer Dr., Anaheim, CA
Friday, March 13 and Saturday, March 14, from 8 AM to 3 PM
Special Preview Sale on Thursday, March 12 from 8 AM to 2 PM, Numbers at 7 AM
Estate Sale conducted by Aversa Estate Service
Highlights of Items for Sale: Lots of vintage tables, cabinets and furniture, Danish Modern Table Lamp, vintage glass and pottery (Hull, McCoy), sterling silver flatware, vintage trains and artwork, cut crystal, and clocks.
Kitchen options
I had posts on the kitchen back in Jan. and Feb. And I'm still thinking about it.
I'm soliciting feedback from friends on facebook. Most are agreeing that it is essential that the sink have a nice view. In this case that means a short peninsula so that standing at the sink you can see across the Dining room and out the sliding door to the lake. Click on any images to see a larger view.
So now the question is whether to have a wall between the kitchen and foyer. This adds some counter space and storage, but in a corner which is always awkward (see this U-shaped layout above). Taking out the wall will bring in more light (from the west window) and make the kitchen seem larger. To the left is the L-shaped option without the wall between the foyer and the kitchen.
Another thought:
This swaps the bathroom and foyer locations. (Tiles look funny in these because I just cut & pasted to move things around).
The 3-D image below shows where I would put stuff, in the U-shaped version. (It doesn't show the open shelves above the sink). (Done with Ikea kitchen planner)
Local Artwalk and Exhibition this Weekend
In the mood for "art" this weekend? Check out the Grand Central Art Center's 10th Anniversary Exhibition in downtown Santa Ana, for a fun-filled day of art, festivities and gallery tours. Free Admission.
For more information, go to http://www.grandcentralartcenter.com/ArtGallery_gcartgallery.php.
Photo Credit: CSUF Grand Central Art Center
For more information, go to http://www.grandcentralartcenter.com/ArtGallery_gcartgallery.php.
Photo Credit: CSUF Grand Central Art CenterDEQ & a cabinet quote
We had a message from the DEQ inspector ... saying they want more information. I sent the construction set and contact info for the engineer and designer. Talked briefly on the phone, but did not really get an indication of whether the permit is likely to be issued or not. Probably will have more contact later today.
Meanwhile, a quote on kitchen cabinets has come in from Van Beek's. Now my turn to ask for more information as I wasn't sure which of several layouts it was based upon. There is quite of range of prices out there. Ikea cabinets are cheapest, on the order of about $4000 less for our small kitchen, but they are not particularly green. Typically not as solid as many custom cabinets either.
We had a quote about six months ago from GreenMaker Supply in Chicago that was about $1500 less, but left out some items (i.e. there was space for a dishwasher that we are not going to have. More quotes may come in.
Meanwhile, a quote on kitchen cabinets has come in from Van Beek's. Now my turn to ask for more information as I wasn't sure which of several layouts it was based upon. There is quite of range of prices out there. Ikea cabinets are cheapest, on the order of about $4000 less for our small kitchen, but they are not particularly green. Typically not as solid as many custom cabinets either.
We had a quote about six months ago from GreenMaker Supply in Chicago that was about $1500 less, but left out some items (i.e. there was space for a dishwasher that we are not going to have. More quotes may come in.
Custom Wood Gate
We just finished building this custom designed wood gate for a side yard entrance way. The gate is made out of redwood lumber and painted with Dunn Edwards Swiss Coffee paint color.
BEFORE Picture of the Gate
AFTER Picture of the Gate
Close Up of the Gate - Front View
Close Up of the Gate - Back View
To see more gates and fences we've done, click HERE to see the Gates and Fences section under the Project Photos section.
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