Lots of Action

We are getting nearer to the end of this renovation, people.  Nearer to the end!  I couldn't believe how much had happened in the house when I got home from school this afternoon!

First and foremost, Joe's lover (his Italian double-barrelled espresso maker) was delivered at 7:30am.  After all these months of waiting, she is finally here.  Sitting so proud and pretty in Joe's 'coffee corner'.  There is still work to be done before the machine is operational.  Holes need to be drilled through our beautiful countertop (ack!) for the plumbing and the electricity on that side of the kitchen needs to be turned on.  So no coffee yet from 'Big Bertha'.

I said to Joe, "Wow....this machine is waaaaaay over the top."  His response?  "Absolutely!"  "Did you really need two levers instead of one?" "Absolutely!"

 Big Bertha even warms the cups on top!

Arnold Bayer (604.815.9587), master tiler, has almost finished his work here.  He has re-surfaced the bottom section of our fireplace, tiled both landings in the stairwell, and tiled the bit of floor that the free-standing gas fireplace will sit on in our TV room.

Slate being set on the front door landing.

Slate set on the basement landing.

Here is a story that illustrates how amazing Arnold is:

The lower portion of our fireplace needed extra stones after the ugly shelf/hearth got knocked off back in November.  Joe went down to Ames Tiles in the city to buy a few replacement pieces.  He gave the stone to Arnold and left him to work his magic.

The new stone pieces were totally wrong.  Not the right colour.  Not the right texture.  Not right.

Arnold pondered the situation and asked himself, "Where could I get some rock that would match the fireplace?"  His answer?  Our garden.  Arnold went into our backyard and found some stone in the field behind our fence.  He cut it and fit it into place on our fireplace.  It is perfect.

Arnold is a genius.

And speaking of fireplaces, the gas insert came today!  Hurray!  Mind you, they shipped the wrong metal trim, so we have to wait for the correct trim to be delivered and installed.  But while we wait, it is very cozy and warm in the living room now!

Gas insert installation.

I love a burning pile of rocks.  And see what I mean about Arnold's brilliance?  Look at that stone along the floor!  Is it a perfect match or what?

Little things thrill me as much as big things.  Like door knobs on the hall closets!  Yippee!

Door knobs to match the kitchen cabinet hardware.

Well, folks, that's it for now.  We are striking things off of our 'to do' list left, right and centre.  Keep up the momentum, I say.  I can see the finish line now.  It's off in the distance, but it's there.  Not much longer now.