Monday, December 01, 2008

The Big Reveal: Our Home Remodel Is Finished! (Mostly)

Our Home RemodelHow many months have I been stringing you along? You've listened to me cheer and whine and grumble and sigh but if I can get a drum roll and a crash of the cymbals I'll introduce you to our new house.

It's finished! Well, kind of.

At least, the outside is finished--do you know how many times I've told Andrew he was a genius for insisting we paint the outside at the beginning of the project rather than waiting until the end? If we'd waited we'd still be stuck with our dirty gray house all winter but instead all we'll need to do is the tiniest touch-ups in the spring.

As it is I finally got outside to take a picture (you can click on it for a better view) right before the weekend blizzard hit and we got another foot of snow dumped on us--the kids were good sports because I insisted on having the driveway and front steps shoveled before I took the picture so they threw their backs into it and cleared out the snow just so you good people could have a clear shot at what things look like. Just as a point of interest, that dusky picture was taken at about 3:45 pm--welcome to life in Alaska.

Please note that we still haven't got the rain gutter over the front door replaced yet, that's still a grumbling point, the front doorknob isn't the right one and is still on order and next week the glass on the front door will have a film put on it so that it matches the lower halves of the large windows upstairs to look sand-blasted.

Our Home RemodelI love the way the pine on the walls and ceiling of the addition glow from the floor lights--when I come home at dusk and see it lit up like that it's so beautiful and inviting it's just what a home should be.

If you missed it before here is the "before" picture from last summer just after we started painting and the earlier parts of the saga can be found here:

* Black + White in Alaska
* Paint It Black
* Architecture in Alaska Part II
* State of the Union Address
* You'll Never Find a More Wretched Hive of Scum and Villainy
* Things I've Completely Let Go

Home RemodelNow that it's pretty much over I can breathe again. My furniture is back in place, the kids are sleeping on beds rather than the floor and I can finally feel as if my life is back on track--I may actually be able to get back into the blogging groove again instead of feeling as if my mind is as cluttered as my surroundings. Does anyone else have that problem? When my environment is cluttered and disorganized I have a hard time concentrating on tasks that require any sort of brain power because all I want to do is straighten and dust.

Our House RemodelBut as promised here are some pictures of the inside. I'll be doing a video tour on Thursday. Why Thursday? Well because there are still some things that aren't finished on the inside (such as the cabinets you see there in the picture) that I'm really really hoping will be done by Thursday. Really hoping.

If you'd like to see a video tour I made for my parents while we were still under construction you can see it here on Vimeo.

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Technorati tags: remodeling, home, architecture

63 comments:

Anonymous said...

Wow, it looks awesome! You must be so excited! We are living out of boxes at the moment and I am so uninspired! Good luck with the rest!

One Mom said...

It is so worth all inconvenience of the past months, isn't it? Love the light streaming in the new windows and the light as it welcomes you home. Lillian seems happy with it too!

Robin said...

Oh wow, what a fantastic space! I bet it makes your heart just sing.

(See, I told you it would be done eventually.)

Edi said...

I love all the built in cabinets and huge windows!

I'm sure you are excited to have it all ready in time for Christmas.

illahee said...

oh wow, it's beautiful!!

Anonymous said...

Oh, my GOSH! You've built our dreamhome! When can we move in? I'm serious, we pour over the modern architectural books and magazines looking for this sort of thing. I can't believe the changes you've done. Congratulations!!!

Anonymous said...

Bet you are glad that is finally over! It really turned out great.

Anonymous said...

Wow! That is gorgeous!

Amy said...

Wow! It looks AMAZING! I don't know how you survived all of that, but I hope you have found it is worth it. It looks soooo beautiful!

karen said...

Hooooooray for the end (mostly) of construction! We're at about the same point with the kitchen here, a short punch list that I'm really (REALLY) hoping won't take the whole season to finish. Such a relief and joy to be able to use the space again, though - and your new place looks amazing!

Patois42 said...

What a sense of elegance and style you have. It's looking fabulous.

Claremont First Ward said...

It looks fantastic~

ewe are here said...

Wow! What a difference... it's gorgeous!

Tammy said...

Wow, it completely changes the whole look of the house! Very nice!

Janet said...

I love it. Our walls are pine also, and I love the way they glow at night.

Anonymous said...

I LOVE IT!!!

Michelle, the home looks so Scandinavian with it's clean lines and modern windows. I'll bet you are all super excited to see this remodel come to an end.

Congratulations!

Montserrat said...

Looks wonderful! And the dark carpet looks great too against the lighter wood of the cabinets.

Melissa said...

I also love the glow from the new windows! Looks so welcoming and cozy! Congrats on the remodel!

threesidesofcrazy said...

I can't wait for the video tour - it looks awesome!! And you're right he was a genius for painting when the sun was shining! LOL

Mayberry said...

Wow, Michelle, it is just GREAT! Can't wait to see more!

Patty Williams said...

Yay !! It looks wonderful ! Love the glow from the windows for sure!

I know you'll be enjoying it for many years to come (hopefully!)

Now you can get back to ?normal?..if there is such a thing.

Sweet Dreams :)

Heather said...

Oh I love it. The wood is lovely. Lucky you. We need to add on to our house too.

Kelly @ Love Well said...

CONGRATULATIONS! My mental outlook also suffers from a cluttered environment. If I can't organize my surroundings, I can't organize my thoughts.

So here's to better organization! And to enjoying your new home.

Mrs. O said...

The warmth of the wood and lights together is so cozy. I also love your steps!

Mia said...

It is beautiful! I love the floor lights as well. Enjoy all the new space.

Kim said...

Really, really interesting! We recently moved into a larger but older home that we're renovating slowly. We are thinking seriously about tearing down the garage and rebuilding it with bedrooms on top, so it's inspirational to see what you've done.

Love the windows, radiant heat, and the LIGHTS IN THE FLOOR!! And the pine is beautiful.

Also, your little girl playing the piano cracked me up because I have a daughter who does the same thing. Pick the phone up to make a call? She jumps on the piano. Videotaping someone? She starts playing the piano. Friend comes over to visit? That's right--she decides to practice her piano.

Brandi said...

Glad you guys are done with the outside! So glad you noted the time, now when people ask me about the day night thing...I'll just send em to yoru blog to have a look for themselves! LOL It looks wonderful Michelle, and it really fits in with Alaska...if that makes sense.

shaz said...

very cool! congratulations! :)

I can't find my blog said...

Beautiful! I know you're thrilled to have it mostly done. Such a relief!

Dawn said...

Looks great!! I cannot wait to see the finished product video tour!!!

Heather said...

Looks totally fabulous!!! I envy those large windows! Think of all the light they let in!!! Thanks for sharing!

jean said...

I love it. Is it what you wanted (except for the door handle)? Those windows just make it so warm and inviting. And I am so jealous of all that snow. How do you like the carpet?

Anonymous said...

Yay, you guys - can't wait for the video tour - am totally coveting your natural lighting!

Michelle Glauser said...

That is really cool.

Anonymous said...

Beautiful with the contemporary changes. I love the floor lighting. Hope you'll be able to breathe easier now and enjoy the holidays in your "new" home.

carrhop said...

Congratulations! We also live in a area of the country that delights in unique and clean architecture--minus the snow! Everything looks beautiful--so glad you are getting settled back in!

Blessings!

SarahHub said...

I love it! It looks so open and light and contemporary!

Two Mittens said...

What a beautiful addition!
Congratulations.

M said...

Those windows are gorgeous! Can't wait for the video tour. GO black carpet!

Superdumb Supervillain said...

What a dramatic difference! It really is beautiful. I love the built-ins. What are you going to put in them? I would, sadly, fill them with so much junk that they would lose their spare gorgeousness much too quickly...

2xmom10xgma said...

so-o-o- happy for you! Yes, very Scandinavian..much like your parent's home. Good Job. My son has good taste in architecture and women. Mom M

Mandy said...

That is amazing! I love it!

Stephanie said...

WOW! I love the renovation. Your house looks so modern now. I especially am a fan of those huge windows. I look forward to seeing more interior shots as you take them...

Kristen M. said...

Your house looks awesome. What do your neighbors think?

Tassi said...

Very cool! What a great holiday present to yourself! I love it. Enjoy.

CountessLaurie said...

Wow, it does glow! You must be so excited to see the end in sight! By the way, here in Massachusetts, the sun is setting at 3:45 too! Looks gorgeous! Congrats!

CountessLaurie said...

Wow, it does glow! You must be so excited to see the end in sight! By the way, here in Massachusetts, the sun is setting at 3:45 too! Looks gorgeous! Congrats!

Anonymous said...

I love the remodel! Can't wait to see the rest of it all!

MT said...

Well done! Looking forward to the tour!

Stephanie Wilson she/her @babysteph said...

Wow! It's awesome!

Steph

Sonja said...

Congratulations! We are all taking a collective sigh of relief for you. Your house looks beautiful. I love the lighted "troughs" and all the wood finishing. It does look inviting, warm, and bright.

And what good kids to go out and shovel the snow for you!

Anonymous said...

Wow! It looks fabulous! What a wonderful present for the holidays!

Anonymous said...

Wow! What an extensive remodel! Looks fantastic, and I love the snow sleeting down too :)

Anonymous said...

That looks great! I am the same way if its disorganized I cant do anything.

Killlashandra said...

Your organization tactic with all the shelves looks good to me. I love the wood too. Makes for such a light look and feel to the room which must be great especially in the dark months. :)

Ally said...

That looks great! I can't wait for the video tour. Our house looks like the same floorplan and I was wondering how we could add on. Thanks for the inspiration. Congratulations on the completion. It will be worth it.

MommyTime said...

Wow is that beautiful! The glowing wood and lit windows look so warm and inviting. I love it. I hope you all love it too!

SabineM said...

WOW!!!!! REALLY WOW! I Love iT!

sweetlifeinthevalley said...

Those desks the floor lighting and the large windows look so dreamy it almost makes me want to get a modern style home. It is beautiful.I cant wait to see what your black carpeting will look like.

Sarah said...

Yes, I'd love one. Thank you!

Oh, you're not giving the house away? Darn. Looks lovely, though- very chic and glowy and I love the natural light.

Jennifer said...

I love the glowy look of the addition and can't wait to see it in spring. I'll be honest though... I can't see how the black siding on the rest of the house ties in with the warm glowy addition.

Maybe it just needs to grow on me...

37 Questions said...

Looks amazing. I can't even believe it's the same house.

Jthemilker said...

I love the modern look of your new addition. Congrats! Enjoy!