Chad and I never originally set out thinking doing home improvement (or rather in our case, tear it down and build it back up) would be our thing. Other couples do movies, nature trails, sports, well, for us, we just destroy and build it all back up. We have done this many times over and upon many requests from family and friends, have decided to chronical what I’m calling our “forever home”. We recently bought this home in Victoria, Texas and for me, this is our last project home. Chad laughs, our daughter laughs and pretty much anyone I tell this to laughs as no one believes this to be our last project home, maybe forever “home” city, but not the house. We will see! Come along and join us on our journey of remodeling every aspect of this this home from the outside in. This is one house that there isn’t a single thing we are keeping the same, that is a first! I’ll try to make sure to include tips and tricks as we go and if you have any questions of us, just ask!
I really hate this piece of the remodeling. Let me explain, when you are putting up walls, the sheetrock, mudding, dry time…seems like it always takes forever and zero progress. This is why nothing got posted last week and as we wait for mud to dry, we have done a little bit here and there. The shower, unfortunately is at a standstill because the shower pan will not arrive until the end of the month, which means we cannot build the one wall. So while I patiently wait for days to go by and mud to dry, here is what we have done.
Remember the atrium? We purposely left that “undone” because it is so much easier to make a mess with mud and sanding all at one shot. Happy to say, while we wait for mud to dry in the master bath, we did get the atrium all mudded/sanded and first coat of paint on. You can do some imagination as soon there will be benches, coat hooks, and some storage bins.
We also FINALLY finished the backsplash by the stove. What I wanted originally, no one was selling it anymore. Tried some that was similar and was not a fan. Used copilot to get some ideas and still nothing was hitting me and we ended up with what you will see below. We do have the caulking and trim work to do. I’m not sure I’m really happy with it, but that will give Chad something to do in a couple years if I really don’t like it.
I did order all of the master bath flooring this weekend as well, and if all goes as planned this next weekend, we should be able to put the tile down in the tub area. Fingers crossed! I say this as everyone knows, this house dictates what it wants done when it wants it. Meaning, we had a detour this weekend from what we thought we would be doing. I’m thinking we pissed off someone in the universe as Friday morning, we hear this nasty bang/crash. The washer decided to go ballistic and crashed forward (so beyond repair, broken tile, and a couple holes in the wall). Due to the running water, Chad picked it up before I could get a picture of it laying down, but hopefully you will get the gist. We were told one of the drum shocks broke, causing this chaos. So we have a laundry room to repair, but it is going to be at the end of everything now.
forgot to mention above – the washers will be removed, but we wanted to ensure the mortar would dry completely without incident. After the washer chaos, I’m not really wanting to get a new stove or countertops.
Chad took Thursday and Friday off this week, so we (ok he) got a lot done this weekend. Thursday and Friday were his time to paint the new additions and the chimney as we did not paint the chimney when we painted the rest of the house. Saturday was a demo day in the bathroom and Sunday all about plumbing getting routed for the tub and shower. We have more plumbing to run on the shower wall but waiting on the shower pan to be delivered. We need to make sure we have the wall where it needs to be and can center the shower head appropriately. You will see where we have not taken down some of the 2x4s as we will be moving those, but again, a waiting game on the shower pan.
I did get the samples for the shower over the week and believe we know which one we are going to go with. We have the flooring in the master picked out and only need to make up my mind for the tile in the bathroom for the floor. I have two that I am going back and forth on, but I was told I need to make a decision soon…so thinking that is something I’ll figure out this week.
Forgot to mention this – there were 3 areas that had holes like this. Tell me, do you think this is a problem? YES!!! So, these holes are now sealed up. Critters be damned…you must stay OUTSIDE!
I know I said things would stop and go this year due to the wedding (which is fine) and that was this type of weekend. We had only 1 day of housework as 1 day was all about wedding invites. (meaning watch your mail) Basically, very happy to report both things are progressing well. LOL!
The shower ceiling has insulation, lights and start of sheetrock. We cannot build the outer shower wall until the shower pan kit arrives. Should be here on Wednesday (fingers crossed). The shower should be 4×7 but we need to have the pan down and built before we can do the wall (to ensure it is where it needs to be). I have some sample tiles for the shower and some samples for the bedroom wood floor on the way. I know seems weird as I need tile for the bathroom but need to know what I’m putting on the shower walls and bedroom floor so I can make sure the bathroom tile flows nicely with both.
You will see in the pictures, we still need to tear down the walls (as it still has the windows) but wanted to get the shower ceiling put in before tearing the walls down, otherwise it would be impossible to keep it cool.
We have the skylight covered at the moment, which will not stay, so if it looks funny, you are correct.Had to include my new office clock! Ciera and Dylan gave this to me for Mother’s Day as my wall clock broke. This is perfect and it even lights up!
First, there is a method to our madness… so as you start to read about the bathroom remodel, we do have a plan but so many things depend on something else being done that it will seem like chaos to anyone not hearing all of our side conversations. Trust me, there is a plan so stick with us as the ultimate vision (at least in my head) is absolutely gorgeous.
The new tub is here (not in) but so that we knew where to move the drainage from the side wall (under what was the big window) to the center, we had to get the tub (it is a middle drain). We were hoping there would be a template on one of the cardboard sides and unfortunately there was not. We were not super thrilled about this knowing we could be off an inch one way or another (from side to side) we are good with longways. You will see in the picture then that we have the actual drainpipe buried but we put a 4″ pipe around it which will allow us to move the drainpipe from side to side as needed. Genius! (the only reason Chad keeps me around as I like to think outside of the box).
Since that needs to cure AND we have to tile the floor and still need to move the plumbing to the back wall, we could not sit idle. Ok, really, we had to move to the next step as we need to run electrical and cannot move the plumbing for the shower until electrical is ran so we can close the ceiling…otherwise that area of the house would be HOT. We installed the shower fan/vent and happy to say, it has an automatic dehumidifier in it so that will be super nice as long as being able to change the color, brightness and will play music. Super fancy, lol! We also got the back wall all insulated and the cement board up. We did go with the jean insulation as it has worked really well in the kitchen expansion.
I did have to chuckle this weekend as Elise, and I were talking about shower heads and I did admit that is one thing that is stressing me out. I don’t know what I want so I end up just not looking. I did tell her I won’t worry about it until Chad tells me or rather asks…where is it. Well…that happened this weekend as he wants to start prepping in his head. I guess that is on my to-do list for this week (figuring out what I want). Suggestions? Let me know!
We have been back at it and feels like we got some good accomplishments done this weekend. That kitchen and all the tile were a killer, but that is behind us, we had a couple weekends of wedding stuff, but a couple weekends of great progress. To catch you up, we are now ready for the master bedroom, master bath and naturally, that means we need to move walls. Make sure to stay tuned as it is gonna get exciting!
Where the shower is going to be, we tore down all of the siding and opened up the ceiling. We also pulled out the old swan window and were able to take the old tub out that window opening. Since that all got taken out/down, we got all of the outside new siding up and new windows in. Chad is taking a couple days off the first week of June to paint, so the outside will be complete and then we can spend the summer months inside.
This is going to be the new shower area – so beforeCeiling after We will be removing these windows as this will become a shower wall.I couldn’t find my pic of the tub area before…. this was when they had it on the market and trust me, this is photo shopped as it NEVER looked like this!This is where a swan picture window was – it needed to go as well as the tub and all the floor around it.Tub is out and new window is in
I can say, I’m happy to report all of the tile in the kitchen, hallways, atrium and entryway is DONE! We have some grouting left, but it is finally all down. The grouting won’t take long and then we can do the finishing touches. Then we will be onto the master bedroom and bath. We have water lines to move again but should not be as bad as the kitchen. There will be some walls getting moved and we plan to do some unique things with the front windows, but all in all, we don’t think it should take that long. The kitchen was definitely a killer!
Finishing touches to expect over the next couple of weeks: install and paint the trim, build the atrium benches, scrape the hallways popcorn ceiling and re-texture and paint. Then onto the FINAL room!!!
Remember from a LONG time ago where we found that one side of the atrium had an interior flowerbed? This was the same on the opposite side, so getting this removed and re-concreted. Atrium tile – both sides look like this.
I think this year is going to be full of go-go-go with the continued house remodel and Ciera & Dylan’s wedding, there isn’t going to be much down time. I’m not complaining, just being honest that things are going to seem like it is slow, but that is because life is more important than the house at the moment. Please be patient and I’ll make sure to update the blog as much as I can, just know it is going to be at a much slower pace right now.
The last you all knew tile was down in most of the kitchen, it is now grouted, one of the hallways are completed and we tore out where the original ‘bar’ was and have it framed. We did not put up the walls as we can do that later and have kept the old sink in there to use for all of the remodel clean up. However, we needed to get this framed so we knew where the tile should ‘sit’. This is going to become a closet and wine storage, so walls and a door were needed.
I’m also adding a picture of a gator. This gator resides in the creek that backs up to our neighborhood. The city tries to relocate them, so it is special when you actually get to see one this big. Starting in April they will be replacing the bridge that we saw him by, so I’m sure they will find him and relocate him. Sad, just because he is cool to see from afar.
You can see in this picture where we framed the old bar areapicture a full wall and frame around the door – this will become a closet and wine storageNormally doors are pretty easy to hang. This door was not pre-hung so took a little more time (more than we like to admit) as we had to router where the hinges would be, etc. I do have a really cool door handle but that is still sitting here. Chad is putting it off as he is not wanting to mess it up (have to drill/cut out all of that) and with it being glass… I think he will put it off until as long as I let him.
Hi all! We are back, holidays are over, so we must get back to work (reality). We spent this first weekend in January starting to lay the tile in the kitchen. This tile will end up being in all of the kitchen/pantry, main-level hallways and as you enter the front door, meaning there is a TON of tile to get laid. Since you are to stay off the floor for 48 hours to let it set and no grouting for 72 hours, we are having to be strategic on what is getting laid and when. The extended kitchen area, main part of the kitchen and part of the pantry are tiled and drying. Next weekend we will at a minimum get the grout under where the refrigerator sits so it can get back to its normal ‘home’ vs by the laundry room. LOL! Soon the kitchen will really be complete. In the one picture you will see what I think I’m going to use as my backsplash. I have 4 more samples coming. Once I get that decided, then we can get the backsplash done and FINALLY get the pot filler installed. I cannot wait!
Ciera did “book” us for this coming Saturday as they need some electrical work done at their house, so next weekend, is going to be limited, but as long as we can get the fridge back in its rightful place, I’ll be happy. Happy New Year All!
Happy Holidays to all! Like I mentioned in earlier posts, we were going to slow down and not do a lot until first of the year. However, I’m happy to report that the countertops are in! When you look at the pictures, you will see the faucet (both sink and pot filler) are still missing and doing those tonight. Also, I know the TV is not centered – that is where it originally hung and going to see if I can cash in on a Black Friday deal for a little bit bigger TV. The pantry picture, the shelf looks CRAMMED – it is as the installers did not want us to put the 2nd shelf up until they installed the countertop, so yes, there will be a 2nd shelf AND it will look much better.
I hope you all enjoy the holiday season and take a moment or two to just breathe and take it all in. Even with the chaos the season brings, remember it is the little things that mean the most. Love to all!
We have actually made good progress on the kitchen and the pictures will give you an idea of what the finish product will look like. I titled this one as Imagination Land, as you do have to do some imagining to visualize the final product. Why? Because what you will see is a temporary sink and countertops (plywood with dry erase board on top). You will see concrete floors as that cannot be laid until the countertops are in (you cannot get quotes for the countertops until all of the cabinets are in). We still have one wall (by the fridge) that we have to put in upper cabinets, but I’m 1 short…so yeah that is gonna be a week or two out. When you look at the pictures, think of very glossy black granite countertops with a sliver back tile backsplash where the stove is and a beautiful black stainless-steel sink. The pantry is ready to be stocked! YES!! but you will see the toaster there – giving you an idea of what should be on those countertops. I think I want to add a shelf above the cabinets (about halfway up) and put those snacks (that we all know I love – thank you Little Debbie) in baskets.
Enjoy going back to your childhood and using your imagination. It will be hit and miss for postings for the rest of the year as I don’t know what time schedule the countertop folks will have and then the tile, toe kicks would follow. I did promise Chad we would just stop and enjoy life for the rest of the year…so just know we are on a break (so to speak). We will definitely be back at it hard first of the year as we will have 1 room left and I so want that pool to start to be in April – May 2026!
PantryPantryIf you look to the right, you can see one cabinet and that is where the “bar” area will be – again imagine
Bones to Beauty 