Basement Update

I'd like to do some more step-by-step updates on the basement, but I've been so swamped that I haven't gotten around to it and I'd like to post some kind of update. I'll hopefully get to this with actual photos within the next few days/weeks.

We are on track to meet our "finish the basement before Christmas" deadline. Our sheetrock mudding and texturing got finished yesterday. Our doors and trim were delivered today. And tonight we plan to tile around the fireplace. The doors and trim came many hours later than we hoped, so we'll likely spend tomorrow installing them (instead of husband doing it today during his day off). We were hoping instead to rent a paint sprayer to spray all the trim, doors, and ceilings. I wonder if that is still realistic? Probably not because I still have to paint prep. :(

Next week we'll be painting the walls with color. We've decided on a light blue; who knows for the bedrooms and the bathroom, though. It is hard to make color decisions, especially when you don't know what you plan to do with the decorating scheme yet! Volunteers are certainly welcome.

Next Friday the carpet is coming. After that we'll simply have to put the vent covers and light fixtures in. Oh, and get a mantle for the fireplace, tile the bathroom, install the toilet and find a vanity for the bathroom.

I can't wait!

Chalk Lines

Step 3: use a tape measure and chalk line where your walls will go (use your plans/blueprints). Our chalk seemed to get dumped out so we have a great big red mess--be careful that the chalk doesn't get tracked upstairs--it can be permanent or semi-permanent!

By the way, framing before plumbers come is way easier! We have a few big pipes that we are having to problem solve some solutions to work around. We also decided last minute that we might as well add a fireplace in the corner (gas). Better to do it now than have to rip things out. If you have any clever ideas of how to work around this pipe, let me know!

Bathroom/bedroom closet wall (with tub box on top).

Prepping for more framing

Step 2 on the basement project: take down all the insulation so we can build the walls. Wow was there a lot of insulation. Reminder: insulation is not comfortable near your nose, eyes, or skin! After we are done framing we will have to cut the insulation into strips and place it between each stud.

Back to Construction

We planned from the beginning to finish our basement as soon as we could. After taking a longer break than we anticipated and finishing projects outside, we finally got started. Step number one was to finish the HVAC, which husband and dad-in-law were able to successfully complete themselves. It turned out great and I even helped fill in the gaps so no air leaked. I am simply amazing! And hurray for DIY projects that save money!

Mystery

What do people do with the space above their kitchen cabinets? It looks so plain and dull, but I also do not want to make it look cluttery, either. I bought a few vases that coordinated perfectly with my color scheme for a few bucks each at Thai Pan and threw them above my fridge. But now what?

Oh, and what about plant shelves? I only have ideas for Christmas decorations--garland and statues of Santa, maybe?

Plates

I knew all along I wanted to put a plate rack in the kitchen, but didn't know what plates to use. I acquired the retro apple pie plate from Russell's grandmother, made use of a Christmas gift card previously unused to Thai Pan where I picked up the rack and the blue plate, and found the yellow at Wal-mart. I like how all of the plates have the tan/brown complement.

This is how much I love you all--posting a terrible photo of myself because I am sure you are all dying to know how big my belly has become. Maybe my excuse is with all of this decorating and sewing I am worn out--look how tired I look! This is me and baby at 23 weeks.

Painting

I went back and forth about hanging this painting in the kitchen. It just doesn't seem like anyone ever has a large painting in their kitchen, but after deciding on my curtains, I thought it coordinated too well. Plus, it matches my cabinets and I didn't know where else to put it and I really like it (or maybe that it IS so big).

Husband did a great job hanging it for me. It was challenging because the studs were not centered (obviously) but I think it looks pretty good. The frame got a little scraped up in the move, so I need to either use some leftover stain from the table or a wood marker to touch up the scrapes.