Todd’s Dutch Door — Part 1
Todd was able to snap some in-process photos during the installation of his door (and a few more that are on the way for part-2).
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Renovation // Transformation, This Modern Life
Renovation // Transformation
Renovation // Transformation
Todd’s Dutch Door Preview
Todd contacted me through the website to ask: "Have you ever done a dutch door on an Eichler?"… My answer, "No, but I don't see why we couldn't…".
Fortunately, he was patient enough to wait until the schedule cleared — and this week we tackled the project. Here's a sneak peek at the results.
Renovation // Transformation
Looking Back…
I'm helping a neighbor with a laundry-room conversion this weekend and wanted to see what we did on ours (it's been a while). I started going through old photos to see what I could find. Looking back, we've been down quite a road…
Paint stripper and organic tomatoes — no big deal:
The front of the house was a forest:
We had to live in the garage for a week when the floors were laid.
Demo party! (Christopher and Tim ripping out the old kitchen):
When you discover that your bedroom wall is structurally unsound.
Old vanity:
Old office:
Renovation // Transformation, This Modern Life
Pool Pix
On Monday, we passed final inspection on the pool… which means I feel a bit more comfortable writing about it. One of the side-effects of growing up in the American South is a predisposition for silly superstitions.
It's still an unfinished project, but having a final visit from the inspector is a good milestone. I have to admit, though, our inspector (Ron) was one of the most helpful folks in the entire process. Aside from the immense expense of the permit (a double-digit percentage of the budget) and the general anxiety of the process, it was generally good to see him so that I could ask questions, etc.
Oh, on to the pictures. Remember, the deck isn't finished and the white tubes in the ground are for the deck supports — worth noting, too, is that we took out quite a bit of concrete around the fire-pit, too… eventually, benches will go there. More pictures after the jump.
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Renovation // Transformation, This Modern Life
Pavers — Take Two
We were finally able to backfill the trench which houses the new gas lines, electrical for the pool, storm water drainage and irrigation — and get the pavers back in place. We also took the opportunity to renew the side fence (straighten some posts and replace the redwood).
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Renovation // Transformation, This Modern Life
Four Feet Deep
The liner went in today… woohoo — there's water in the pool (I can officially call it that now). I'm still keeping my fingers crossed that the pump and filter system will hold water, so to speak. That will go live (or not) tomorrow.
Greg Ross of Vinyl Pool Systems came by to install the liner. It's the sort of thing I could do myself after seeing a pro do it, but I'm glad I had him stop by — it's the thing that you'll notice the most and it's nice to have it done right.
Next up: Deck…
Renovation // Transformation, This Modern Life
New Pool Plan: Update 8/11
Update 8/11
We have plumbing… well, more than that. We have a big hole, walls and plumbing. I've held off posting some of the in-process photos here, although my FaceBook friends have seen a few stages along the way. The yard is starting to look like a serious construction zone with random stuff all over: clothing, rags, duct tape, rebar… you know, the fun stuff.
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Renovation // Transformation
Bentley Electric
Today, Richard Bentley from Bentley Electric stopped by to install a new subpanel and hook up all of the electrical what-not in the pump-closet. I joked that I have more shots of people's backsides working in this room than most any other type of picture.
Because of the nature of electrical codes and pool installations, things need to be installed just right (and by a licensed electrician), so this was not a good DIY job. Liquid-tight connections and bonding can get a lot more complex than just running a new lighting circuit.
Pictures of very neatly run wires are only so exciting (so I'll hold off) and he's not yet finished, but so far the job is shaping up to be as clean as Glen's work in the same location. Richard is this side of the Caldecot, so if you need electrical work in the East East Bay, give him a shout — while he can't seem to bring himself to give up his 510 number (510.367.9247), he's right here in the 925.
Renovation // Transformation, This Modern Life
Glen and Molly’s Front Door
Another front door install… and while they get a little blog-monotonous after a while, each is a little different and worth of pointing out a few things — and validating a few more things.
(Shameless plug: We've gotten pretty good at these and they're looking damn-fine. If you're in the market for a new door in the East Bay area, drop me a line… soup-to-nuts, these run about $900-1000 installed (depending on options) provided there's not a ton of reconstruction to do on the jamb).
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