Prepping for Stained Concrete...

Grinding and polishing the concrete floors in preparation for the stain and sealer is messy work.

Rock On...

In other words, sheetrock is now on the walls and ceilings.  And polishing the concrete floors is underway with stain and sealer to be applied over the weekend.

Ready to Rock...

Last week we finally got the "okay to rock" with the final framing green tag.  Unfortunately, it was after a slight delay to correct a "red tag" on the dryer vent pipe material.  It was fixed within hours; however, it required calling-back both the Mechnical and Framing inspectors which took most of a week.  Some work was able to continue, but we were only able to really start (sheet)rockin' on Dec 22nd.  Sheetrock rough-in should be done by Dec 29th.  The stained concrete will be done next before continuing with tape, bed, float, and trim the following week.

Almost time for sheetrock...

Sealer was applied to the stained concrete ceilings and columns over the weekend.  A/V wiring wrapped-up yesterday as sheetrock was being delivered.  In preparation for the inspector, hardie backer has been applied to the showers and all the walls sealed-up.  We've called for the framing inspection today.  If all goes well, sheetrock will start going up immediately after the inspection.

Green is beautiful...

Especially when it's three "green tags" for Electrical, Plumbing, and Sprinkler inspections.  Also, AC work completed today... and A/V wiring starts tomorrow.

Latest update...

As you can tell, blog posting energy has been limited lately.  Work took our brains and... condo progress has not been as visible in the last few weeks.  There's not as many photos to share, but work is continuing.  Electrical rough-in is complete and Plumbing rough-in will be complete next week.  Last week the Sprinkler Head moves were done.  And patching and grinding the concrete ceilings, columns, and floors in prep for staining is underway.  The spa tub was delivered last week and is now in place.  Here are photos that show that progression from the start.

Doors galore...

This is the wine room door from ETOdoors...

View ETO’s ETO's Interior and Exterior Wood Doors

And here's an example of the pocket wall for the master from Raydoor...

Framing is complete...

With the exception of a few details, framing is complete for the new walls.  We added photos on Flickr and they are grouped by vantage point and we have attempted to order them as if you are moving through the space.  Here's a video tour to help put it perspective.

Here's the view from our balcony a few days ago when we got home to check progress.

Two become One...

The entry is reconfigured so that there's one door where there was two.  Now it feels like one unit when you walk through the door.  And framing is going up for some of the walls so it's starting to take shape.

Implosion over the weekend...

Framing the new walls started last week and we'll be posting more photos and video footage soon.  In the meantime, take a look at the view we had of the implosion over the weekend.  Several old First Baptist Church buildings were imploded on 10/30/10.   Below are links to videos and more information.

First Baptist Dallas implosion

Like the song says - "Get a New Plan, Stan"...

Here's our new floor plans...

Everyone Loves A Parade...

How about a Contractor Parade?  On Friday we burned a perfectly good vacation day to meet with contractors from 8am until 5pm (without time for lunch) working-out details on various aspects of the project.  Here are the trades we met with... welding (stairs & railings), stained concrete (floors, columns, ceilings), electrical, plumbing, fire suppression (sprinkler head moves), and construction (new wall framing).  It looks like we'll be able to start seeing some real changes this week.

Demolition is complete...

For the most part, all of the deconstruction and demolition is complete.  We have re-ordered the photos on Flicker so those from a similar vantage point are grouped to show progression.

Why we live here...

Our front yard... a nice view of downtown dallas.

Our back yard... easy access to the Katy Trail and creeks of Highland Park.

Dozens of dining & shopping options within walking distance... just to name a few.

• Bodega Bar / Chateau Wine Market
• Café Toulouse & Bar
• Momo’s Pasta
• La Duni Latin Cafe
• Adelmo's Ristorante
• Little Katana
• Kozy Kitchen
• Farnatchi Gourmet Oven
• Trece'
• Villa-O
• Taverna
• L'Ancestral
• Ziziki's
• Cafe Madrid
• Sangria
• Abacus
• Hibiscus
• The Porch
• Old Monk
• Starbucks Coffee
• Highland Park Pharmacy
• Restoration Hardware
• Sur La Table
• Pottery Barn
• Crate & Barrel
• Apple Store
• Weir’s Furniture Village

Saving $$$ on CraigsList...

We have been able to find some great deals for appliances on CraigsList.  We already have three (it's 4 if you count the Oven/Microwave Combo as 2) with only two to go -- we have our eye on a Refrigerator and still need the Island Vent Hood, which may be the only one we have to buy retail.

Appliances in "storage" (in our guest bedroom)...

Attack of the wasps

We came home tonight to a swarm of red wasps inside our unit.  Yikes!  Hopefully they can be cleared-out tomorrow so work can continue.

Floating Stairs...

Here's an example of the concept we are planning for the stairs.

Looks like things are changing...

Below are photos showing progression in selected areas.

Undo to Redux...

We expect to complete the majority of demolition this week.  Take a look on YouTube at this video of us celebrating the first day of deconstruction.  More before and after photos to follow.

Home Automation...

We are working with Advanced Electronic Systems to design and pre-wire for a home automation system that provides Audio/Visual, Lighting, and Environmental controls.  Lutron will provide the lighting and window shade controls.  NetStreams will provide the IP-based A/V controls.  The heart of the system is a centrally located DigiLinX Ethernet Switch.  A wall-mounted iPad or handy iPhone will direct audio sources to the room of your choice and control lighting and shade settings.  Sounds fun... can't wait!

Granite Choices...

Here's a few of the granite choices that we are considering for the bathroom vanity counters.  More than likely we will choose something different for each of the three bathrooms.  Vote for your favorite... or not.  Thanks for playing... or at least following along.

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