Author name: hunter@hlwimmer.com

Renovation // Transformation

Locksetsonly.com

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Getting to report a good experience is a high-point of blogging about the renovation. So many times, it's the opposite… but all-in-all, we've been quite lucky: Anderson Heating, Abril Roofing, All-Pipe restoration and All-Bright Electric (lots of "A" names) have all been rock solid.

Previously, we'd purchased doorknobs and deadbolts from Home Depot — their Defiant brand (which I think is a house brand). They look good, but they don't quite "feel" solid and some recent YouTube snooping made me doubt their security.

Schlage locks have a good reputation and a nice feel… but they're generally more expensive than your average Home Depot special. I priced them out online and found LocksetsOnly.com to have a good price and a easy-to-navigate website… so I rounded up the order: 3 locking knobs, 3 deadbolts, 4 bed/bath and 2 closet knobs… I had a question about the deadbolts and keying the locks alike and Jerry answered by question via email within the hour.

The only thing that bothered me was that the locks were coming from out of state… preferring to patronize REX, our local locksmith (who's very cool), I stopped by his shop to see if he could come within 20% of the price… As he said to me: "Somehow they're selling these to you cheaper than even I can get them. As much as I'd like to help, I'd say, just go with them."… Saddened, but reassured, I went home to place the order. No sales-tax and free shipping was a bonus.

That was Monday afternoon — about 4PM.

Today, Wednesday — about 6PM — the locks showed up at my door via UPS. All locks keyed alike. Packed well. All seemingly good-to-go.

Amazing.

I'll report later how the install goes…

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(Edit: One year later)

The install went so well, a few neighbors have also ordered form Locksetsonly and I've ordered a set of locks and knobs for a friend's house in Marin.

One thing to note: We used the Schlage B560 deadbolt which has a rock-solid design and a nice simple aesthetic. However, the standard 5in deadbolt backset will not fit this lock. Make sure to contact Jerry to get the correct part (Schlage/12-663).

Uncategorized

Unica Home

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Over the holidays, we ended up in Las Vegas — a guilty pleasure.

In between visiting most every thriftstore in the area, we found and stopped by the Unica Home showroom… we didn't even know they had a bricks-and-mortar presence, but we were amazed with the space.

So much great stuff… and the place is huge. The pictures tell the best story.

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Renovation // Transformation

Framed Out

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One of the last things we want to do in the dining room is to install a hanging credenza. We're planing to use more IKEA cabinets — they worked so well in the kitchen and laundry room.

For a mock-up, I measured it out and taped it off — the cabinets come in quite a few configurations and we wanted to see how each size might look (we ended up with 5 options total — from 30 to 36in wide and 18 to 24in high). we taped out the depth on the floor so we wouldn't build something that ended up hating knees and thighs.

We decided on 3-up at 30in wide (90in wide, total) and 18in high (and mounted at table height) — the wide and thin profile looked the best… thoughts?

(The blue tape is the frame, the green is the doors and side panels and the black is the top)

IMG_0523 IMG_0527 IMG_0528 IMG_0531 Final Fin2

Uncategorized

Photo Finish

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Our friends Stephen and Katrine used the house a few weeks ago for a photoshoot. While it was a bit of a production with the models, stylists and assistants, the house handled it well and they got some amazing shots.

One of the nice things about the architecture of the house is that it needs very little to compliment it. Even living in it, we're reluctant to clutter it with massive pieces of art or decoration — the house simply doesn't need it. Fortunately, even without an overabundance of art, we've some picturesque furniture, so that's a bonus.

With Katrine's help, we hope to be able to host some more shoots like this… so, if you're looking for your next location, drop us a line.

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This Modern Life

Foster Art?

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Since the major renovations are mostly behind us, the posts sometimes might become a bit random, here's one:

Growing up in the antebellum South and going to art-school in the hometown of Edgar Allan Poe gives one a certain aesthetic point-of-view — at least until they move to California and into a Mid-Century Modern home. We've traded Faulkner for Eames.

And since the move, we've toted much of my college-art around and are now hoping to find good homes for these pieces. Maybe that's you! If you happen to be a friend on the east coast (Kate? Erin? Dana? Rob?), I'll even box them up and ship them to you knowing that they'll have a warm home to reside it. Otherwise, they'll end up in my mother's barn.

From left to right and top to bottom:

  • Peter Borman / Alkyd, Epoxy and oil on linen … Peter was an older classmate at VCU. This is a portrait. He was a nice guy with an amazing face and towering stature. (24X36in)
  • Clockwork / Gelatin Silver Print … This is a photo of a wind-up chicken in action. Taken with a Kodak Brownie camera as far as I recall. Framed in a unique, aged frame. (15.5X19.5 / framed size)
  • Portrait of the Artist / Alkyd and oil on board … This was fashioned after James Joyce, who's pictured in the group-image below. When I had hair and vintage round glasses, it was actually a decent resemblance. Framed in a gold-tone, aged frame. (21X27 / framed size)
  • Mr. Wilmore and his Wife / Alkyd, Epoxy and oil on masonite … This is a portrait of my grandparents fashioned after the Arnolfini portrait by Jan van Eyck. … (18X24)
  • Spanish American War Regiment Roster … This is a document from 1898 listing the troops in the Forth Regiment. My Great Great Uncle Bill is in there somewhere. They misspelled his name. It is archivally mounted in a great maple frame (28X32 / framed size)

Peter Chx PoA Wilmore Saw Saw2

Uncategorized

Time to check your radiant heating… (a recommendation)

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It's that time of year again… time to turn on the heat.

Fortunately, thanks to Glen at Anderson Radiant Heating, our boiler and pipes are in as good of shape as they can be.

Last week, they were able to make a last minute run to our neighbors Chris and Laura who've had some horrible luck with termites, funky electrical and a leaking pool. Thanks to Anderson, at least they won't freeze. Within a few hours, a malfunctioning boiler came to life.

We've worked with a number of service companies — and only a few that are worthy of repeated recommendations… Anderson certainly fits that bill and are likely the best we've had the opportunity to work with. Thanks, Glen.

This Modern Life

Heath: Open Studios

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This weekend, a few friends and neighbors headed to Sausalito to visit Heath Ceramics during their Open Studio weekend. Founded in 1959, Heath was recently purchased by designers Robin Petravic and Catherine Bailey who have interjected some much needed design and marketing acumen to the iconic brand. They've done well, in my humble opinion, and it's always nice to visit.

Robin lead the tour and spoke eloquently about Heath's past and their values — and walked the tour group through the process… from clay-making to final glazing. It was neat to see.

The openness of their facility and the honest, humble building is quite photogenic… so I snapped a few pictures.

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