Tile

We were at the Arizona Tile store to look at their brand new- amazing line of wood-look floor tiles, and I didn't like the new amazing line.  It was cool looking, but not what we were going for.  While we were there we found a few other things we liked.  They had this tile (Eclipse Beige) in a wall display, and I loved it, so I think we're going to do this for our master shower.  It will have a line of accent tiles around it too, (that we haven't picked out yet) but we're thinking we'll have them match the decorative tiles in the floor.

We're thinking this one (Skylights Cafe Melange) as the backsplash in the kitchen, but we're not sure yet, since we didn't have a sample of the granite to see if it looks too busy.  We may end up going with something simpler.

The floor tile for the kitchen and living room (and maybe the master bedroom) is from Daltile (Timber Glen Espresso).  The website had a picture of it installed on the floor, but a really light grout was used and it looked terrible.  If you're going to install tile that is supposed to look like wood, don't use a light grout.  

We still need to pick tile for the bathroom floor and accents, and the laundry room and maybe our bedroom. but it's starting to feel like things are coming together.  I'm deating wether to go with something like this (Marazzi Montagna Belluno) for the shower and floor accent tiles (except these are 6x6 and I think that would be too big for the floor- it would work for the shower...)

Or, do I go with something more stone looking with more color.  Too many decisions...

And then they did.

They finally put up the stairs, but not until the end of the day.

Cutting the stair's treads

One of the cut treads

We were hoping that we could have some type of secret passageway underneath the stair landing, but with how low it actually turned out, we may not be able to. I still harbor hope that we can do it, but it will be kind of challenging.

Stair landing

Finished stairs

 They didn't put the final tread on the stairs because they didn't want it to be ruined with all of the subs and everything.  We can finally get downstairs without a ladder!

We finally have stairs!

Interior walls completed

 The interior walls were completed.  We are kind of worried about the size of the great room sitting area. We will have to see when all of the furniture is placed.

Looking from the guest bedroom into the master bath

They still haven't done the stairs...

It's become a joke, that the stairs seem to be the last thing the framers are going to do.  It's okay because they've got a lot of other things done.

Roof extended over gable

I don't think the scaffolding is OSHA approved

Cooling chimney

Cooling chimney from inside

Finishing sheathing

Last sheathing to be placed

Sewer Line

The sewer line got back filled yesterday - finally.  The dog has had lots of fun climbing in and out of the trench - as did most of the kids.  We are glad that it is covered now.

Sewer lining going down to Main

 There is still some left to do in the in-law's back yard.  We are excited to get the fence up for the dog.

All covered

Right next to the corner of the house

Clean-out next to the house

 I am really excited about this part of the house.  We are planning on having a sewer dump line for the camper.  We won't have to go anywhere to dump the camper after our camping trips.  Also on this side - the port side - we'll have a frost free valve put in so we can fill the camper up with water, too.  Unfortunately, I won't plumb a 30 amp plug on that side - or maybe I will.  I am doing the electrical.

Sewer dump line for the camper

 There isn't a p-trap on this part.  Is that a mistake?  Should we put one in?  I have both thought of that it is needed and not needed.

Sewer dump line

Basement Framing Finished (almost)

"All we need is paint!"  That is what CP exclaimed when we were putting all of the tools away Saturday night.  We had finished for the day and he was excited that we were that much closer to finishing the house.  Unfortunately, it is going to take a little more than paint to finish!

CP's Bedroom

He'll only get sunlight in the morning with this being a northeast bedroom. We are OK with that.

Hallway with Linen Closet

So I have a question for anyone who reads this: Should we make all of the door heights in the basement the same?  The doors to the left side of the hall are lower because of the beam needed for the load bearing wall.  The doors to the right are about 6 inches higher.  Should we worry about the difference in height? Would it look funny to have doors in the same hall different heights?  What about closets in the bedrooms?  Should they have the same heights?

Storage Room

One of the three storage rooms.  This will be a toy storage, for now, to keep the toys out of the family room (yah right - like THAT will happen).

Fmaily Room Looking at Hall and Bedrooms

I like the angled bedroom wall - it opens the hall a little bit and gives it more character.

The reason that the framing isn't complete is because we have yet to find out what we need to do to support the fireplace on the main floor.  It is going to go in between the two kids' bedrooms in the last photo.  So until we have the calculations and drawings from our engineer on what we need to do, this will have to suffice.