Sweet Dreams

Our bedroom (almost) complete

Last night was our first night in the new bedroom. It took us all day to put the room together (mostly because I had forgotten how heavy all that furniture is) and by the time we fell into bed, well past midnight, we were just happy that the pillows were soft and the sheets were clean. It was a looooong day!

So now that I have had a few hours to stand back and just look at it, I can honestly say how happy I am with the way this room turned out. The wood furniture looks beautiful next to the blue walls. I was a little worried that it would be too dark, but it worked out well. You can see that we haven't put any pictures up yet - that's what's under the bed. We have to live in it for a few days to see what will go where (and which ones will be relegated to the attic). The other thing you probably have noticed is that the bed isn't centered on the wall. I just didn't want to roll out of bed in the morning and immediately fall into the bathroom. Plus, the dresser would have been a little too close to the bed and that would guarantee me several skinned ankles and stubbed toes. I know for some people this lack of symmetry would put their teeth on edge; I'm hoping Darryl and I aren't those people.

With the "official" part of the remodel over, now we have to finish fixing up the rest of the house. The bathroom got pretty smashed up while the plasterer was working on the outside of the house. There are cracks on the walls and around the light and the mirror inside the medicine cabinet shattered. One of the windows now faces a brand new wall, so the window has to come out and shelves will go in its place. Then it has to be repainted of course. After that the rest of the house will get the new floors to match. After that . . . party!

Banner Day

This afternoon we had an awards event at school. Four times a year we honor students who have gone above and beyond in service to the school, and today Julia was one of the students chosen. Darryl had told me he'd try to make it, but he had scheduled the final inspection and it really depended on when that would happen and how long it would take. So I didn't think he'd be there. Keep in mind, of course, that "final" inspection is a loose term. After all we have had about a dozen inspections since this remodel started and we have never passed any of them first time. So in my mind I had already figured we'd have the inspection, get notes, Tom would work on them, we'd have another inspection Monday and then we could move in to the new rooms.

As I was waiting for parents to enter the library, Darryl walked up. I was surprised to see him, but happy that he could be there. "Well?" I asked. "We passed."

That was it. Two little words, but oh how happy they made me. I couldn't help it, I started crying, more from relief (and surprise) than anything else. It was more than a little awkward because I was in the middle if a conversation with another teacher, who must now think I'm a little crazy (OK, maybe he already thought that . . .)

Now my part of the work kicks into high gear. I have to clean the floors, dust the bed, wash the sheets and comforter, polish the night stands, empty the dresser and move it all into the new room before putting it all in just the perfect spot. The spare bedroom gets the bed, along with all the bits and pieces that don't have any other place; the china hutch, the bookcase, the craft box, the extra dining chairs. Not to mention putting all the rest of the floor into the bedroom to get it acclimated to the house and figuring out where to put all the DVDs and CDs that need a new home. (I took photos of stuff on my to do list when I realized that "finished" is a misleading word.) Busy weekend ahead I guess. But oh so worth it.

All Clean

The most luxurious soak

Darryl and I took our first baths in the new tub this morning. Separately, people. Get your head out of the gutter! Now I'm not usually a bath person. In fact, if you remember an earlier post I mentioned how little I cared about this tub, besides the fact that it put the entire project back by several weeks. So this morning, when Darryl emerged from the bathroom and was positively crowing about his bathing experience, I was a little skeptical. I mean,  how much difference could a tub make really.

I'm not embarrassed to say that he was right and I was wrong. It really was a life-altering experience - or at least a Saturday-morning-altering experience. It was soooooo relaxing, almost as if I were on vacation at a spa. I took a magazine in with me, but I didn't even read. I just closed my eyes and sunk under the water. I could have stayed in there for hours, and when I finally got out and dried off, I felt totally invigorated and ready for the day. Which was just as well, because I spent the next six hours cleaning the new windows, dusting and filling the bookcase and transporting clothes from closet to closet.

It's pretty cool how the tub and tile reflect in the mirror

While the rooms are still a little sparse, I can confidently say that things look wonderful. We can't move furniture in until we have cleared final inspection - we are not allowed to show signs of occupancy. But we are ready to make the rooms our own. Watch this space!

Closet Case

My side of the closet

Darryl's side, plus the shelves at the back we share

Tom has spent the last few days holed up in his workshop and today we got to see the fruits of his labor. Suddenly we have the most beautiful closets in our master bedroom. Each shelf, each rail, each piece of molding looks perfect. And the best part is, soon it will be full of clothes! Tom did a great job taking my idea and making it a reality. I had found several photos of closets on the internet and shared a few with him. We talked about finish and height and utility. Darryl just sort of stood by and nodded. He figured he was out of his league at that point! Now that it's done, I think he realizes we actually knew what we were doing.

I like the shelf on top that goes all around the closet

Big shelves for big storage

Not only is this closet finished, but so is the one in the spare bedroom and the linen closet in the new hallway. We plan on using the one in the spare room for a few of our coats, plus we built in a space for storage boxes. You know, those things that you hardly ever need but when you do, you want them close at hand. That's why the shelves are so big. Just enough room for one of those big Rubbermaid tubs. I'm also planning on keeping all my craft supplies in there. It would be nice if I could use that spare room as a room to work in from time to time. The yellow walls just make me smile every time I step in.

Now I'm anxious to get the rooms set up. We can't officially "take occupancy" until after we have passed the final inspection. In the meantime we wait and dream.

Already filled with bed linens

Yes, the duster will be replaced by books . . .
eventually