Modern Plans

This won't work where we are because of the floor plan we have, but it would be cool to remodel to a modern design like this home. Something about real clean lined modern urban design on a forested piece of land is appealing to me. As apposed to the so common cabin style home. Our floor plan is more cut up, but if I were starting from scratch, this would be a cool design with the expansive wall of windows to take in the view.

New Foundation

The new foundation is finally in and hopefully this week the house will be set back down on the new foundation and get buttoned up for the winter. When spring comes we'll begin working on the cosmetic type remodeling. Snow started falling soon as the foundation was poured so hopefully we'll have enough time to get it all framed back up and closed in. Replacing the foundation is going to be much nicer in the long run, but not as much fun as remodeling cosmetic things because with items like flooring and cabinets you can see immediate improvement on the property. Still, i'm excited about the new foundation.

Barn Door Hardware

I'm on the hunt for something a little different for the wyoming house. I found this barn door style hardware for couple of doorways where I'd like to save some space, but don't really want a pocket door. This sliding track is pretty cool, but not cheap. There must be a better deal to be had. Still, probably cheaper than tearing the wall out, buying pocket door hardware and reframing and finishing the walls.

You have to look at the overall expense when making decisions in construction. Building several homes over the years has taught me that a decision seemingly less expensive now, may not the most cost effective in the end.

Commercial Siding

I'm digging the siding on this place. I like the windows too, but I'm sure they are more expensive than I want to pay. The siding may be too since it's commercial, but I'd rather not have to paint a house over and over so I'm leaning towards some higher than residential quality siding. I just need to locate where i can purchase it.

Wood Burning Stoves

I'm learning some things I didn't know much about fixing this old place up. I have been on the lookout for a cool modern style wood burning stove for our wyoming house. I have found several options but none of them are matching up to what was already there before. At first I thought I could just tear into the wall and move the fireplace flue up or down to accomodate the stove that I had purchased - oh how nieve I was. Apparently when a fireplce flue is built they start at the bottom and work their way up. As a result, it's pretty difficult to modify the existing flue since all of the weight of the chimney pipe is bearing on the bottom fittings. So I have had to look at other alternatives for our stove that aren't quite like my original plan.

Option 1: built a small platform (about 6" high) and install this stove:

Option 2: No platform, and go with this round design.

The rounded design isn't my favorite, but I think we're going for a modern style interior so either one would fit with the decor. These Morso stoves are apparently really nice. My parents have one in their home and [after owning many over the years] say that it is better than any they have owned. The glass stays clean and the convection design puts out a real even heat and burns longer than other stoves. I was hoping to get one installed before winter, but I don't think it's going to happen. I'd have to have all of the tile behind the stove done and with the home being raised 6' in the air right now with no power, it will be difficult to get it done. Priority is just getting the home back on the foundation and closing it up for winter.

No foundation

Well, the old foundation is officially gone. Now the excavation work begins to dig deeper so that the new footings and foundation are below frost depth. The old one was just few inches under ground which just doesn't fly in this part of Wyoming where the winters are fairly harsh. I hope they can get it all buttoned back up before winter hits.