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It’s Getting There.

Our definition of ‘getting there’ used to be much more lighthearted. A-ha! This pillow is just what we needed for the new bedsheets! Yes, it’s definitely getting there, we’d say. Or, hey, should I move this potted succulent to a different shelf? Ooh, much better. Yup, the shelf styling is getting there.

Those were good times.

Now, ‘getting there’ means that the contractor’s have begun loading some of their tools back in their truck! Gone are the days of no longer seeing our hardwood floors, rather, we have little paths notched out by the crew at the end of the day. Walkways! Our light switches are finally at a normal height, and we can turn them on. We’re getting there!

Our last update had us breaking things down by room, but this time, let’s piece it out by project.

ELECTRIC. It’s finished! Last week we had 4 can lights in the dining room, but now we have 4 more in the living room, 2 new centered junction boxes (prior to us, the former ceiling fan was hung without a junction box – safety fail), and switches on the wall in places that make sense. (No more running through a dark room to tun on the lights!) We’ll be putting everything on dimmers; you know we love them so.

THE FOYER ARCH. After uncovering this original arch, we knew – hands down – we wanted to recreate something similar. (We didn’t want to keep that one, because we’d be widening and raising this doorway, so an imitation, so to speak, was put in the works.) Thinking it would be best to mimic the arch upstairs in the studio, our contractors built out an exact replica:

Truth be told, we saw it and said, huh. We noodled on it for days (and days!), and we still weren’t sure that we liked it. We wondered, if this was here when we moved in, would we like it? Would we have demoed it from the beginning? This question might seem a little odd since we really love the one on the second floor, but something felt… off.

We discussed it endlessly. (Which got us nowhere.) We asked for our friends’ opinions. (They loved it!) Were we unable to see past the plywood, unfinished walls and subfloor? (Yes!) Were the dark ceilings and spackled walls throwing us off? (Yes, yes, they were!)

Finally – finally – we realized that we should stick with our initial instincts. Without the arch, what would we have? A regular ol’ doorway? Big deal! We’ve had regular ol’ doorways our whole lives. This felt right; it’s different and interesting and (as my friend Julia pointed out) adds character.

Character? We’ll take it.

THE TRANSOM WINDOW. The day UPS delivered that big, fragile box, our contractors put it right up. It’s perfect. It adds height, allows more light to pass through the entryway and it’ll be extra sweet with gilded gold address numbers. The old warped siding was also fixed, new insulation installed and vinyl replaced. And see where our outdoor lights will go? For the first time since move in – well, for the first time since the original door + sidelights were taken out – they’re spaced evenly from the door frame.

THE LAUNDRY HOOK-UP. It’s happening. Our laundry room! Never have we been so thrilled to see exposed studs and drain pipes. (Never mind that we’ll need to build up the funds to purchase a washer and dryer, but just knowing that we can when we’re ready is a beautiful thing.) You might remember that this was a last minute decision on our part, but seeing it now makes us wonder we ever took it off the table. (Oh, right; money. It’s not the most affordable expense, but well worth it.)

Progress is being made, and as I hear them downstairs knocking, drilling and hammering, I can only imagine what I’ll see at the end of the day. (Truly, my heart skips a beat, and it it’s starting to feel like Christmas every time I walk down the stairs; what’s new? Was that there yesterday? OMG, is that drywall?). Scott and I have already started daydreaming about our future bathroom makeover, rugs for the studio space and should we order a new duvet cover? (Okay, those last two are all me.)

The point is this: we’re finally seeing the light. We’re allowing ourselves to think ahead and get excited again. Say it with me, we’re getting there!

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  • Marie from France10.22.13 - 6:58 AM

    We are getting there, I mean you are getting there, three cheers to both of you !ReplyCancel

  • Julia @ Cuckoo4Design10.22.13 - 8:27 AM

    LOL, it’s getting there…
    The foyer arch is awesome!ReplyCancel

  • Kim10.22.13 - 8:39 AM

    Thank you, ladies!ReplyCancel

  • Laura at RatherSquare.com10.22.13 - 9:18 AM

    I do like the arch, glad you decided to keep it. And is it weird that I noticed you have pumpkins on your porch in both before and after shots of the front door/transom window? I think the new trend in home design should be… “when in doubt, use pumpkins!” ;-)ReplyCancel

  • ann10.22.13 - 9:19 AM

    We can’t wait to see the progress in person next month. Love the touch of the pumpkins on the porch.ReplyCancel

  • Kim10.22.13 - 9:41 AM

    Laura and Ann, the pumpkins are VERY important. It is fall, after all!ReplyCancel

  • Elisa10.22.13 - 6:15 PM

    Yay arches! I agree with you – TOTAL character!ReplyCancel

  • YAY! You are definitely getting there and I’m so excited for you. Isn’t it amazing how things come together when the contractors actually start working ;) It’s looking great (all things considered).

    Speaking of moving plants, did the terrarium (were we up to 6.0??) finally die?

    I’ve been keeping a selection of drought resistant plants alive for about a year. This is a small miracle, especially because in the move they went from in the kitchen (and in my face) to the extra bedroom. Thankfully a weekly reminder means they (normally) get watered.ReplyCancel

  • Kim10.25.13 - 7:07 AM

    Heather, oh, it’s LONG dead! That was 100% our fault… after moving in and all the chaos that went with it, we put it outside on our patio table and just let it… well, wither away. Sadness.ReplyCancel

  • You’ve had just a few other things on your mind ;) Maybe you can redo it once things are a bit more settled.ReplyCancel

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