Timber Frame Hybrid Home - Owner Builder

[BitChin1]

As soon as the painting is done and cabinets are installed we should be ready to move our hardwoods into the house so they can acclimate before installing. I'm hoping to get them down as well as tile finished by the end of this month. All of our lighting fixtures have arrived as well. I'll start getting the wall sconces up as soon as the paint is wrapped up. It seems like there is an endless list of things to do but the end is near. We are hoping to move in around the end of March or first part of April if everything comes together as planned.

Great feeling as you enter the "home stretch"
I really liked getting color on the walls as the house quickly started to look finished :thumbsup:

 

[BitChin1]

Hey there JK how is your progress over the last week?

 

[jk96]

Hey there JK how is your progress over the last week?

Been busy and just now checking in. We've made some good progress. All of the painting is done. We wrapped up on Monday. I ended up hiring a retired union painter to give us a hand. He worked with us on an hourly basis and was worth every penny. It was almost embarrassing how fast he was able to cut in and roll paint. He outpaced me and my wife combined with much better results. . A big thanks to Tom for helping us out. Super nice guy and enjoyed his company and conversation.

About half of the cabinets are in. The kitchen cabinets turned out just as we had hoped. They measured Monday for the countertops. The remaining cabinets should be installed on Thursday. We did run into a some hiccups with a couple of outlets and switches. I had to raise two outlets slightly for side splashes (my fault). Also had one switch that had to move left an inch and a half and another that had to move from inside the master closet to outside (cabinet mfg fault). Also don't know if I mentioned from my initial post but we added a built in bench in the master and also cabinets in the master closet.

Stonework on the fireplace has started as we'll. I didn't care for the thickness of the mortar joints on the first couple of feet that went up so we had them tighten the stone up a bit. I'm hoping it's not noticeable when it's all done or we are going to have to tear out and redo a small section. I think it's going to look really sharp when it's done. The choice to use real stone is going to pay off. All of the variation in size, color, and shape is hard to replicate. Also there was some concern about weight and the smooth back of the stone but is is sticking really well and holding with no issues.

Finally I've installed the wall sconces in the entry, master bedroom, living room walkway, along with the pendant lights over the kitchen island. Tongue and groove is finished in the kitchen and just have a small section left in the dining room and close to the entry. I'm hoping to finish it up tomorrow and be ready to move on to the bedrooms. I still haven't been able to get my tile guy to show up to get an estimate. He's supposed to be really good but is also really busy right now. Waiting on him may push us back a bit but I'm willing to wait based on some of his work I've seen.

I'll try to get some updated pictures this weekend.

 

[BitChin1]

I agree with your impression of real stone - generally most people won't know the difference, but once you've used real stone or worked with it you can spot the difference rather easily.
Did they put up lattice and scratch coat? That is how mine was installed and we have no issue (1" - 1.25" thick is what we used)

It is amazing how quick professional painters can work for amount they charge (I always hire the person actually doing the painting - so small contractors)

Glad to hear you are making progress

 

[jk96]

Did they put up lattice and scratch coat? That is how mine was installed and we have no issue (1" - 1.25" thick is what we used)

Yes - metal lathe then scratch coat. Our stone ranges from about 1-1/2" to 2". Looks like they should have the fireplace done this week. Good progress being made today. The kitchen wall will be done after the countertops are set.

 

[jk96]

The fireplace is done. All of the scaffolding is still up and the stone needs to be washed but here's a pic of the lower part. I'll get some better pics when everything is cleaned up. I couldn't find any hearth stone that I liked so I ended up picking up some flagstone from the local landscaping company. I cut it to size then used a rock hammer to shape the edges.



Scratch coat is on the kitchen wall. Stone will start there today. I spent time last night trying to get holes cut in a few stones for outlets. This turned out to be not so easy however I finally found three stones flat enough for cover plates and was able to get them cut. Just need to extend the outlet boxes now.



Here's a couple of pics of the kitchen. Still waiting on a few doors. Countertops will go in on Wed. All of the tongue and groove in the living room, dining room, and kitchen is finished with exception of a small area where the kitchen hood will go. Hardwoods have all been moved into the house to acclimate as well.

 

[forgeblast]

Wow!!!! Congrats on getting so much done. I like the way you did the hearth stone, ties in nicely.

 

[EddieWalker]

I'm just in awe of your ceilings. Those big beams with the T&G wood just looks amazing!!!!!! You have the WOW factor there for sure

How thick are your exterior walls? Your kitchen window picture makes it look like it's a foot thick.

Eddie

 

[emanaresi]

looks really great. What size are most of your posts?

 

[farmer2009]

Looking nice. Fire place turned out really well.