New gate

After we completed the deck we were no longer happy with how our gate and fence looked. The gate itself was leaning now, there were gaps in the fence which we never took care of when we originally built the gate/fence and we just were not happy with how it looked from the deck. We decided it no longer functioned how we had intended and we knew it was time to remove and rebuild it completely. I took a few hours one day to carefully dismantle the fence and gate. I wanted to reuse as much as possible. To my complete shock when we started removing the posts from the ground they completely sheared off at the concrete footing. Each post had rotted through. We hadn't even built this fence that long ago and it was already being destroyed by Mother Nature. We assume when we originally built this we didn't buy pressure treated lumber. This would explain everything. 

 

Once all the original fence was removed we began the rebuild. It took a bit more thought as to how we were going to layout the new fence and gate but we finally had a plan and started on it right away. Our neighbor Art had noticed us working on the rebuild and offered his help like he always does. 

Soon we had the new posts set in concrete and we moved on to building the gate. 

Dad and I created a frame out of 2x4's and attached the fence slats to this frame. We bought big bulky gate hinges and screwed those through the slats and 2x4's. We also cut the bottom of the gate to allow for a ramp that we are going to build and to make it level with the extended deck.

We also decided to extend the deck up to the fence and make extra room for using the gate and maybe to add storage areas.

I decided it would be a good idea to stain the fence and gate right away and it turned out great. I used the same waterproofing stain we used on the deck. I love the darker color. In these front view pictures you can see how we cut the gate for the eventual ramp. Hopefully we get to that sometime year next year.

Finishing the deck extension to the fence, adding the grilling area, and building the ramp are the next stages of this side yard. 

Building a deck

Our side yard has come a long way since we bought the house 5 years ago. We have slowly made it more our style and more functional.

Lets start at the beginning, shall we.

When we first bought the house back in April of 2009 there was a giant overgrown honeysuckle attached to the fence, a pointless stone pathway and a lot of gravel.

2011 we removed the honeysuckle, stone path and started moving gravel.

2012 we removed the wall when we filled in the pool.

2013 we added our garden.

2014 we added a big 200 square foot deck.

We also added some ranch rocks and more flowers.

We still have a lot to do to finish this deck but it is starting to come together. We are going to be adding a roof, a grilling station, a built in bench and we are going to redo our gate and fence section at the end. Also, on the to-do list is to build an 8ft table and possibly a sofa. Things are finally looking nice on that side of the house to match the beautiful courtyard.

A little kitchen update

I was just showing the kitchen to a friend using the blog and realized just how much more we have accomplished since I last made an update. It is crazy how fast things change without realizing it or I just need to pay attention to this blog more. Maybe I will make myself a little reminder once every couple days to write a new post, we'll see how long that lasts.

We have tile, a few new drawer fronts and doors, a functioning sink(!), installed dishwasher and trash compactor and a fun chalkboard.

Geoff and I laid the tile with help from my brother and father. SO much easier than I ever expected.

We are incredibly happy with how the tile turned out. The picture below is just after we finished grouting so there is a bit of haze going on there, but what a difference. We are so happy with our decision to lay the tile in that direction, it makes the room fell bigger.

Here is  our awesome sink and faucet, we lover the single basin!

I was able to install all the baseboards, and on the right I started building the shelf.

Dishwasher and Trash compacter are installed.

Still have tons left but we will get there one day!  ;-)

Slowing down

We have been working hard trying to get the kitchen finished before moving on to any other projects. We have finished: tile, appliances, cabinets, counter tops, sink and faucet. Now I am working to get the breakfast bar with shelves built.

The shelf has started off with a few issues. I am having a hard time getting my brain back into building mode again. I have felt very defeated the last couple of days because of this shelf, it has been very frustrating. I forced myself to walk away from the project for a few days because I feel like I am trying to rush the project just to get it done. I need to slow down and look it over more.  Luckily, I am forced to stop for a bit until some items I ordered come in. It is probably a good thing, I am now forced to reconsider some of my decisions. I rushed installing the base pipe supports and definitely paid for it. Garrett and I got them installed  fairly quick and I was so excited to have it finished. I placed a random board on it to make sure it was level and this happened...

We forgot about the outlet and did a perfect job of splitting it in two.  I have considered  lowering the shelf (Geoff says no), raising the shelf (I don't really want that) and finally notching out the shelf for access. We will most likely be doing the third option.

While we kill time waiting on the shelf pieces I have been working on other small but important items for the kitchen. I can now focus on the finishing touches that will make the kitchen unique and feel complete. Garrett and I removed the center of one of the old cabinet doors, that way we can have glass cabinet doors for two of the upper cabinets. I am pretty excited to get these done. 

As you can see here, I still need to sand it down a bit and stain the frame to match the cabinetry. Additionally, I need to route out the back for the glass to sit in. I really feel like this will add some character to the kitchen, well at least some visual interest. 

Kitchen update...

Happy New Year!  2014 holy mole I can't believe how fast 2013 went. I swear I just started on this kitchen... O WAIT! that was 2012.. OOPS!

Well yes I am still working on the kitchen but I have made ridiculous progress on it since the last time I posted about the kitchen. (Sorry for the iPhone photos I will get better pictures up when I am done with this project. Hopefully that is soon.)

We completely rearranged the whole layout. Moved the fridge, moved the range over so that it was centered with the window and sink that are across from it, moved the pantry cabinet and added a new appliance. Thanks Joyce Ann for the trash compactor. 

Yes those counter tops are concrete and yes we made them :) They have been awesome so far!

This is where the refrigerator used to live. Now we have the pantry and a little wine cubby that we built.

We moved the drinking cabinets  to the left of the microwave and now you can see where we moved the refrigerator. (Excuse the messy counter tops I am in the process of painting the interior of one of the cabinets.)

I promise that sink is not really going to be blue! that is just the protective cover on it because we have yet to install it.

 There are 2 blank spaces on either side of the sink, the closest one is for the trash compactor and the other is for the dish washer.

I have a bunch more photos to so you but I thought a quick little update would be nice. :)

This weekend we are planning on doing our tile so once that is going I will try to post more pictures!