Tuesday, November 24, 2009
Monday, November 16, 2009
Thursday, November 12, 2009
November 11 - Construction Progress
The contractor, owner and I walked through the house to discuss all aspects of construction progress. At the entry, the finished floor at the ledge has been carefully removed in preparation for the custom-framing and mounting of the owners' antique wood screens. Throughout the house, most walls have been primed, along with the existing living room bookshelf - I confirmed with the contractor that the ladder will be primed as well. In the kitchen, all rough electrical and most rough plumbing is in place. This includes the installation of recessed lighting and location of pendant wiring in the ceiling. Framing of the built-in bench and shelving has also begun. Cabinets have been assembled but still require installation - for now they are conveniently stored in the living room next to the kitchen. Throughout the stairway, wallpaper is stripped - already the stairway looks more updated! The upstairs have been cleared out in preparation for upcoming carpet removal. In some of the rooms, the contractor also removed smoke residue left from previous owners. After the walk-through, the contractor and I discussed framing and mounting options of the wood screens. Due to their nuanced conditions, the contractor will test out our assumptions (widths of gaps, order of screens, height of screens from floors, etc) on site then call me back in a couple days to examine the rough framing. Once we agree on framing, the contractor will produce samples of the mounting mechanisms, which I will also examine. Upon the owner's final approval, the contractor will adjust the framing as required, enclose it with drywall, and mount the antique screens.
Monday, November 9, 2009
November 5 - Construction Photos: Living Room
Photos of the living room (with the previous construction debris removed!), living room entry area (closet with mirror panels removed, ledge with railing removed) and living room flooring (with carpet removed):
One item I'd like the clients to notice is the slight gaps in the existing wood flooring. Preserving and refinishing it rather than covering it with new carpet will expose these imperfections, but it can be argued that they add character and reveal the natural age of the home. I'd like to discuss possible techniques for filliing these gaps with the contractor at our next onsite work-session.
One item I'd like the clients to notice is the slight gaps in the existing wood flooring. Preserving and refinishing it rather than covering it with new carpet will expose these imperfections, but it can be argued that they add character and reveal the natural age of the home. I'd like to discuss possible techniques for filliing these gaps with the contractor at our next onsite work-session.
November 5 - Construction Photos: Kitchen
Photos of tools, cabinets (still in pieces and awaiting assembly) and demolished kitchen with exposed wiring, ductwork and plumbing:
November 5 - Construction Prepwork Begins
Demo is coming to a close, and prepwork for construction is beginning. The bulk of demo debris has also been removed from the living room, which provides more storage space for construction materials including kitchen appliances, which are all scheduled to arrive over the next few weeks.
I first spent some time on site with the contractor to survey the overall progress. Then we went to specific areas of the house to discuss construction details, especially how the work of different subconcontractors would need to be coordinated.
The contractor already had several subs (electrical, tile, cabinetry) there to give them a preview of their work, so they knew what to expect (locations, measurements, etc.) when they return to do the actual work at a later date. With me on site, it made it easy for the subs to ask the contractor questions then for him to relay them to me immediately. We were able to resolve a few issues on the spot. Most of the discussions happened in the kitchen.
With the electrician, we specified outlet and phonejack locations along the backsplash (aligned horizontally, low, and centered between specific cabinets) and at the bookshelf, island, and bench. The idea in all cases is to keep locations visually discreet yet functionally convenient. We also specified device locations (along wall opening: 1 switch for pendant, 1 for recessed lights, 1 for undercab lights, all with dimmers.)
With the tile installer, we discussed the need for me to approve grout samples prior to complete installation. This is for the purpose of approving both grout color choice and grouting technique (backsplash tile has rugged edge and requires grouting before rather than after tile mounting.) In terms of grout color, the installer has a light beige in mind that could pick up the tones of the brown-beige floor tile. That seems to make sense for our first grout sample. I also asked the contractor to ensure coordination of electrical and tile at the backsplash, so that the tile is cut appropriately around each outlet.
As for the cabinets, they were ordered but still in pieces, awaiting assembly. The contractor and I discussed the alignment of the soffit to cabinets both in depth and in height, and will resume the discussion once cabinets are assembled and we can check measurements to precision.
The contractor and I also discussed built-in elements, especially how the kitchen windows will be framed out and will align with the bench. We also discussed how the bench would be built to maximize comfort and storage practicality. For the seating surface, we discussed using cherry or mahogany, which I requested samples from the contractor in order to show the clients. The contractor and I discussed that a custom dining table made of the same material could really cohere out the space - this is a decision left up to the clients, outside of the current design and construction scope.
The contractor and I also began discussions on the living room esp. the overall framing of the antique wood screens, and will resume in more detail at our next work session.
I first spent some time on site with the contractor to survey the overall progress. Then we went to specific areas of the house to discuss construction details, especially how the work of different subconcontractors would need to be coordinated.
The contractor already had several subs (electrical, tile, cabinetry) there to give them a preview of their work, so they knew what to expect (locations, measurements, etc.) when they return to do the actual work at a later date. With me on site, it made it easy for the subs to ask the contractor questions then for him to relay them to me immediately. We were able to resolve a few issues on the spot. Most of the discussions happened in the kitchen.
With the electrician, we specified outlet and phonejack locations along the backsplash (aligned horizontally, low, and centered between specific cabinets) and at the bookshelf, island, and bench. The idea in all cases is to keep locations visually discreet yet functionally convenient. We also specified device locations (along wall opening: 1 switch for pendant, 1 for recessed lights, 1 for undercab lights, all with dimmers.)
With the tile installer, we discussed the need for me to approve grout samples prior to complete installation. This is for the purpose of approving both grout color choice and grouting technique (backsplash tile has rugged edge and requires grouting before rather than after tile mounting.) In terms of grout color, the installer has a light beige in mind that could pick up the tones of the brown-beige floor tile. That seems to make sense for our first grout sample. I also asked the contractor to ensure coordination of electrical and tile at the backsplash, so that the tile is cut appropriately around each outlet.
As for the cabinets, they were ordered but still in pieces, awaiting assembly. The contractor and I discussed the alignment of the soffit to cabinets both in depth and in height, and will resume the discussion once cabinets are assembled and we can check measurements to precision.
The contractor and I also discussed built-in elements, especially how the kitchen windows will be framed out and will align with the bench. We also discussed how the bench would be built to maximize comfort and storage practicality. For the seating surface, we discussed using cherry or mahogany, which I requested samples from the contractor in order to show the clients. The contractor and I discussed that a custom dining table made of the same material could really cohere out the space - this is a decision left up to the clients, outside of the current design and construction scope.
The contractor and I also began discussions on the living room esp. the overall framing of the antique wood screens, and will resume in more detail at our next work session.
Monday, November 2, 2009
November 2 - Demo Progress Photos
This is how the living room currently looks. The living room is serving as temporary storage of demolished material including carpeting from throughout the house, and all kitchen items such as drywall, cabinets, appliances. 
Time to part with that old Caloric stove...
Here are some examples of areas where carpeting has been removed: third floor hallway and stair to basement.
Last but not least, here are some images of the kitchen as it currently stands. Now that the "bones" of the space are exposed, the contractor and I can really coordinate the electrical, plumbing and ductwork routing, and confirm room dimensions (based on the anticipated depth from structure to the new finished wall.) I asked the contractor to order cabinets soon so that we can measure actual cabinet dimensions against site dimensions to ensure good fit.
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