Married and....

Yes, Steve and I are married. I thought I would show some proof since I think there is still some disbelief. I'm also growing something inside of me. Hopefully a most beautiful, hairy, creative, quite, thinker who will bring lots of joy to our lives.

Exposed Third Floor Ceiling

In the meantime Steve has taken down the third floor ceiling and exposed the beams. This was a lot of work and not sure how it is going to turn out. We've always wanted to live in a barn and this is the closest thing to it at this point in our lives. Steve took all the old insulation down and he will have to put new insulation and dry wall in. Too much work? Maybe. The third floor is huge and has a large bedroom which will be my walk in closet. It also has a master bathroom with shower and tub. The plumbing is done but it was never finished. I am not sure when the third floor will be done, but I am super excited to see how it will turn out. 

Chestnut Bar!

The space between the kitchen and sunroom is now our pre-blight chestnut bar. Steve found this lovely man in Latrobe, PA that posted an ad on Craigslist. He lives in a log cabin on a farm and sells barn wood and farm tables. He had some pieces of Chestnut, which are extremely rare. Steve's had this in the wood shop for about a year and we finally have a reason to use it. I am so exited to have this rare wood in my house. It will give the room so much character.

Wooden Baluster from Mars Lumber is in!

Yeah! We just need to paint the baluster and change the color of the blue around the windows and the porch. Any ideas?

Slate Tile!

We'd been trying to find tile that would look good with the black granite and the limestone and nothing seemed to work for us. We originally wanted white subway tile, but it just didn't seem to go.
I suggested we use a black tile which would go with both looks. Of course, Steve had stored slate in his wood shop. He purchased it from Construction Junction a few years back. It came out of an old school in Tarentum, PA. We decided to use the slate for our backsplash. I think its coming out great. We wanted our kitchen to feel like a restaurant. A place were we would like to go everyday to drink our tea or coffee and read the NY times. That's about all we need.....

It's getting there!

We are basically working from what Steve has either found over the years through construction jobs, craigslist, etc. Let's just say we are on a major budget. We do like quality things and wish we could buy anything we like in a design magazine, but that is not the case. First of all, it is a challenge for Steve to find a deal. It is just what he has grown to know all these years. Re-using is somehow in his blood now. I sometimes call him cheap, but I know that's not true. As the pictures show, Steve has installed the appliances including the Viking Range!!! Yes, did I mention we bought the whole kitchen for the price that a Viking costs. Even though the kitchen is not something we would go out and buy if we had the money I am growing to like it. Hey, someone paid $50,000 just for the cabinets, so we can make it work. 

Installing the Craigslist Kitchen and Sewing Factory Floor!

The time has come! Finally, Steve has gotten to the point were he has somehow managed to take a kitchen that belonged to someone else and fit it into our space. Talk about something pretty masterful. Our new Craigslist kitchen belonged to a wonderful and generous family in Fox Chapel who decided they wanted to renovate their own kitchen. Steve was quick in his reply on Craigslist and we happen to know the family. They even included their leather couch and needle point rug, along with appliances and all cabinetry for a steal. 

Where does the time go?

I realized it has been a really long time since I've posted. October has been a really busy month with work and family things going on. In the mean time Steve has gotten a lot accomplished at the new house. The heating and cooling is done and I have to say I am so excited about the efficiency of this system. We put the heat on 65 last week and it was nice and toasty. Unlike, our place in the city were I am practically wearing my snow suit. The plumbing is done which includes putting our laundry room on the second floor and a new small bathroom off my studio. From the photos you can tell Steve was busy for weeks dry walling and priming the sunroom and the kitchen. After all, he has to live up to his 83 year old Grandfather who still works construction and is an artist when it comes to drywall and coating.

Dad

My crazy Dad. He comes out once a week to cut the grass. Looking good for 67!

Slate Window Sill

Steve has started working on my studio again. He's decided to use slate as the window sill. I'm excited to see the end result. I am so excited to use this space! Slate is from Construction Junction. Steve cut it up to use for the sill.

Replacing wood

 Steve has started replacing the wood under the sunroom on the exterior of the house. The painters are at the house this week and this needed to be done asap

 I'm beginning to realize Steve should be the spokesperson for Alternative Apparel.

My man hard at work

Labor Day

We were able to spend some time in Donegal for Labor Day. It was great to get away even if it was only for 1 day. Back to work this week!

Middle of September

To the left of this photo is where our pantry/ovens will be. Steve will be removing the windows and installing drywall. In the middle of the photo we will be attaching a few shelves with antique brackets Steve found at the Flea a few weeks ago. I will get my shelves one way or another even if it is two.

This is the sunroom in the back of the kitchen where Steve has begun insulating and installing the lighting. I was very specific in that I want to be cool in the summer and warm in the winter. Our current building in the city is pretty much the complete opposite. 

This is me playing around with color. I'm in the Springhouse behind the door. I'm still unsure if we should paint the brick. Next week the painters will be at the house to paint the trim. We will see how things look after that.

 The track lighting is installed by Steve. Learning something new everyday

Here is Steve taking nails out of the reclaimed flooring. 

Apple Picker

Today was my first Saturday off in I can't remember how long. I spent the day at the house coming up with ideas and picking apples while Steve worked on taking nails out of the reclaimed floor.

Inspiration

My friend Cassandra is a great inspiration to me. Her and I are both in the process of renovating our homes except she will be moving an hour away to a tree farm with many many acres of land, barns, animals, etc. Cassandra is an artist who owns a church in the Southside of Pittsburgh. This is where her studio/home is where she designs and sews a line of clothing, shoes, and accessories inspired by the 1800's. She most recently started making baby clothing and botties from her line name Auld Lang Syne and sells them in boutiques in NYC and at bloom skin care.
We've recently been working on small organic skincare line based off of her historical apothecary research and my knowledge in esthetics. It may take years to create, but Cass has already began her recipes with her first body and face cream which can also be found at bloom skin care. We are hoping to incorporate fruit and berry trees since these our abundant on both of our land.

The Lodge and Oak Table

Steve made this table for his families lodge in Donegal a while back. Hoping to spend some time there over Labor Day. We need some rest and relaxation and a distraction from the house renovations