Windsor Terrace Reno

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January 28, 2008

Happy Accidents and Other Progress

While most "surprises" of renovation, are negative, this one has a positive spin. You may remember one of my earlier posts where I mentioned my adoration of this doorknob.

Actually I really loved all the door hardware. I spent a lot of time painstakingly removing them from the doors using putty knives and dremel followed by boiling the old paint off and cleaning each with toothbrush and toolpicks. I was quite happy with the cleaned up versions because they still had their patina without the dirt and paint.

After many months of sitting in bins, I gave all of the old hardware to the contractor to re-install. Imagine my surprise when I saw them a few weeks later completely stripped of the patina and shiny?

This isn't at all what I would have asked for but I can't imagine how much time and elbow grease must have spent getting these so clean. So while it isn't what I thought I wanted, I think these look pretty good. I even like the mismatch of silver knob and brass plate. In fact, I was planning on using those shades as accents in the decorating so I guess this gets filed under"happy accidents".

In other progress, our washer/dryer have moved into its home on the second floor closet. Its inaugural wash is in the works.

The island has been fully installed, sink installation in progress and the recessed lights that were in the wrong place have been moved.

Lastly our appliances arrived! Here is the giant fridge.

I went appliance shopping thinking I would end up with a counter depth refrigerator but ended up going with this one. It juts out quite a lot but when I saw that even the counter depth ones jutted out and I would have had to give up crushed ice in the door, this one came out on top. Its a Ge Profile. I've had Ge Profile appliances before and figured it was good to stick with what we're happy with.

Went with the Ge Cafe stove, microwave and dishwasher. This is a new line but I really liked how the slide in range didn't have a big control panel on the back as well as its double oven feature. Since its new, there weren't a whole lot of reviews on this so keeping fingers crossed its not going to make me rue this decision.

Countertops are scheduled to arrive this week. Fully functioning kitchen soon to follow.

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Comments

Love those lights over the island! Where are they from?

Posted by: dt at January 28, 2008 6:28 PM

I love your posts -- keep them coming. I'll miss you when you are done -- which it looks like it will be very soon!

Posted by: guest at January 28, 2008 9:53 PM

Thanks dt. They are made by Hinkley and are called "Knickerbocker" ( http://www.lightingcatalog.com/products/Hinkley__4187NB.aspx )

Thanks guest. Yes, Im hoping to have a goodbye post really soon. I didn't know if it would ever happen at the pace were were going for a while but Im happy the end is near. Even after the reno is done, I still have a lot of more decorative things to do but I will end this blog. I don't think this audience has much of an interest in anything as "soft" as fabrics and furniture. :)

Posted by: Mrs. Limestone at January 29, 2008 7:56 AM

i'm interested. i like you and your husband's taste. and if you have a yard, i'd like to see what you do with that as well. thanks.

Posted by: guest at January 29, 2008 9:18 AM

I'm interested too. I'd love to see all of the finishing touches also.

Posted by: guest at January 29, 2008 1:42 PM

I hope you continue, as well. I've enjoyed your posts, and envied your progress. You have a great writing style, great photos, and great taste. Keep it coming, down to the fabrics and doodads!

Posted by: Montrose Morris at January 29, 2008 3:25 PM

Just curious- you're not living there yet, right? Or have you been able to occupy the place while renovating for the past year? We're about to take on a real doozy of a house, and we're trying to gauge how we'll be able to live in the place while renovating.

Posted by: guest at January 29, 2008 3:53 PM

Your posts are definitely what keeps me checking this blog. I always learn something and can't wait for the next one. Really wonderful. Would love to see how you decorate the place, even though that's not technically renovation work.

What brand is your W/D? I've got a small W/D unit in a hallway closet that I'd love to update.

Posted by: guest at January 29, 2008 4:24 PM

I'd love to see the "soft" stuff. My husband and I were so sticker-shocked after our renovation, we didn't spend the last 10k that it probably would have cost for a few things at Room and Board or whatever to finish it off. What can you do?

Posted by: guest at January 29, 2008 7:21 PM

While there still is a lot of "soft" stuff to do before the place is truly finished, I don't think I could deal with the harsh critism about my personal belongings. Case in point, this thread, while completely hilarious, would not be so funny if it was a daily occurance about my life's treasures.
http://www.brownstoner.com/forum/archives/2007/12/art_appraiser.php

Guest@353: It really depends upon the current shape of your house as well as the quality of life you need. You can't live in a house without heat or running water but after that its mostly a matter of living with dirt/noise/lack of personal space. It can be done. Once the water/heat is functioning, the only time you really need to be out of the house is when the floors are being poly'd because that stuff is toxic.

Guest@424: Our W/D is a Whirpool Duet "sport". Its as big as would fit in that closet at 27x27

Posted by: Mrs. Limestone at January 30, 2008 7:55 AM

Thanks for the W/D info!

Posted by: guest at January 30, 2008 10:15 AM

I think it's so important to escape the chaos of the renovation at the end of the day, just for sanity and for productivity in your job. We both got depressed in our house surrounded by dust, debris and huge cabinets for the kitchen constantly for several weeks. And we're not depressive types. If you can rent even just a studio apartment and put everything in storage, yes it's pricey but do it.

Posted by: guest at January 30, 2008 11:30 AM

I am doing the same thing to the original brass door hardware in my reno, however it occurred to me the other day:

Do I want to have to use keys to lock the doors? For instance, the bathroom door has a key-based lock. Not sure I'd want to have to search for a key each time some needs the lavatory..

What were your thoughts on this issue? Did you have similar concerns? Also, it won't be cheap to have locksmiths examine the lock boxes and make replacement keys. I think I was quoted $15 per lock?

Posted by: guest at January 30, 2008 1:21 PM

I really loved the original hardware so we'll have to add latches for privacy on the bathroom and bedrooms. Its definitely a compromise but its worth it (for me) to avoid the new door hardware.

Ive never found anyone who can make keys. If you know anyone, could you please post their information? That would be so much better than the latches but I didn't think it was possible.

Posted by: Mrs. Limestone at January 30, 2008 2:22 PM

I'll definitely let you know if they're able to do anything. I was told to bring in the original lockboxes (which seem to be in fine condition) so the staff could examine them. Here's to hoping!

Posted by: guest at January 31, 2008 9:46 AM