Reel Renos

We're back in action...

2007-02-13T13:18:00.000-08:00

I know, I know...it is been way too long. As if people even read this blog anymore. The truth is, the work that has been done over the last few months hasn't been that exciting to share. Trust me, you don't want to see pictures of the muddy hole we like to call our basement. That is until now...

We've hit a fairly significant milestone, and Jay tells me this means we're going to have a finished basement in no time. For those of you that are good friends with Jay, you know that 'being finished in no time' means at least 3 months ;) He is great...

So...the big milestone is that we had our basement floor repoured. It was far from being level, and having this done will help us in the long run to get this project finished. Last week Jay started framing in walls, and hopefully in a few weeks we can start running the electrical. It's looking good...and nice to see the needle moving in the right direction. I'm going to take some pictures over the weekend - so check back next week for another update.

Toasty warm in our newly painted house...

2006-09-25T15:47:00.000-07:00

This weekend Jay & I finished insulating the attic...a bit of a dirty job as you can see below...but well worth it for the warmth I felt when I got out of bed this morning! We rented an insulation blower and rigged it up so that I loaded the machine from the basement, the hose weaved through the floors of our house up into the attic, and Jay was let lose Ghostbuster’s style...very entertaining.

The house painting is also complete. What a huge difference this makes!

We're going to take advantage of the nice weather over the next few weeks and get cracking on downstairs. Stay tuned for more pictures!

No more ghetto house!

2006-09-20T14:53:00.000-07:00

Yesterday was a huge turning point. I came home from work and realized...our house is no longer ghetto! Now, it just looks like a nice house that is still a tiny bit under construction. The painting isn't quite complete (all the white trim still needs to be added and the bottom is still waiting on a second coat), but here is a sneak peak on the improvements made over the last week. It really is so exciting!

Other milestones this week include plumbing in the kitchen. Yes, it's true, we now have a working kitchen sink and dishwasher. This is also incredibly exciting. So exciting that when Jay called to tell me while I was working in Toronto last week, I actually ordered a bottle of champagne to celebrate.

Jay's been working like crazy since we got back from vacation...and it's really paid off. He's also enlisted the help of Darren Gilbert, who has moved to Vancouver just in time to help us through the home stretch (Gilbert - it's about time...where have you been the last 6 months?).

This week's projects include finishing the attic so we can empty our storage unit and start putting things away. Then it's time to get crackin' on the suite downstairs. Stay tuned...

Big news...we're getting hitched!

2006-09-08T11:26:00.000-07:00

I was tempted to add this post while we were still in Italy to see if anyone actually every reads this blog but didn't want to give the big news away until we actually got to tell our parents!

So...Jay popped the question on our first night in Venice...moonlight, champagne and a gondola ride...he thinks this gives him enough romance points to bank until we are old and gray ;)

Such an amazing vacation...we'll share some of our 700 pictures very soon (Jay is a bit camera happy...).

Sadly we now have to trade board shorts in for work clothes...back to home renos...we're hoping for a working kitchen sink and dishwasher by the end of the weekend. Stay tuned...

Last update before September 7th...

2006-08-18T23:33:00.000-07:00

We're leaving for Italy in 7 hours...so this will be the last update until we are back on September 6th. It's really hard to believe that this trip is already here...but the much needed R&R will be key in getting us through the final stretch of this project (and by final stretch I mean between September and December ;)

Despite the hard work of Jay & Mike Kelly, the painting has been postponed until we get back in September. We have chosen the colours (pic below) and the new siding is very close to completion. Jay is extremely happy that the new siding and stucco repair makes our house look level (two of his favorite tools are the level and the plumb bob). My Dad would be proud that I even know what that is!

This week our friend Simon installed our new concrete kitchen counter...and it looks fantastic. Simon did an awesome job...they look great...and I promise to be careful with the red wine ;)When we get back we're going to have a kitchen sink too! This is very exciting...

So stay tuned as the chronicles continue in September. For the next 18 days we're going to be drinking good wine and soaking in amazing Italian culture. Lindsay, my roommate from university, is getting married in Sicily on August 25th...so wish me luck on my Italian MC gig...and wish Jay luck for having to wear linen 'Don Johnson' pants ;)

Ciao!

New siding on the front, stucco repair is now done, new windows are all installed.

Jay and his new siding ;)

Paint colours are a blue/gray on the top; olive/brown on the bottom/white trim. A little darker than we thought, but after 10 test patches, this is looking good...

Jo's weekend art project ;)

New concrete kitchen countertop...very exciting.

Updates, Updates, Updates...

2006-07-26T12:32:00.000-07:00

Well, it's been nearly a month (as some of you have reminded me), so it's time to update you on our progress. We've had some camera issues - so I'll apologize in advance for the photo quality. This will be improved by next week's entry.

The upstairs is coming right along. Our friend Simon is working on the concrete counter tops which should be ready in a few weeks. We still need to do all the trim, finish the cabinets (handles and dark wood panels), install bedroom doors, closet doors, prep the attic for storage and insulate.

Jay has been busy prepping the house for painting. New windows for downstairs will be installed this weekend, the dormer installed at the from entrance, and siding replaced in spots. Hoping that painting will be completed in the next couple of weeks.

The downstairs suite is on the priority list (this list never seems to get shorter).

It's hard to believe that we are almost half way through the summer. With wedding season in full swing, we only have two weekends left to work on our house before September. It's moving right along though. Housewarming is pushed back to November ;) I joked at the begining, but it's looking more and more like it will be a Christmas party!

Here are some pics...

Jay working on the dormer...

Jay enjoying some quality time with the couch...

Dining area & kitchen...

The vision - picture concrete counter tops instead of plywood. The corner sink will be diamond shaped by the window (looking forward to not doing dishes in the bathroom anymore).

Updated bathroom shots...
Note the angle on the toilet paper holder - Jay is very proud of this ;)

I taught an old dog new tricks...Maggie loves her new dog bed!

Our new bar area is currently serving as a dish drying station...Picture wall...

And the Golden Shovel goes to...

2006-06-26T09:20:00.000-07:00

Mike "Goon Spoon" Kelly...wow...what a digger extraordinaire...and super hard worker. Because of Mike's skill and determination, we were able to have a working toilet the day we moved in. For some of you that might not seem like much. For me, from the bottom of my heart, I thank you!

Mike in the trenches...

We're finally in!

2006-06-26T08:53:00.000-07:00

We're not done yet...but after nearly 4 months of hard work...we are finally in. Jay pulled off a working toliet at 2 am on Friday night (well, technically Saturday morning). We've moved in some furniture, appliances have been delivered (the beer will now be cold!), and we are in the midst of putting together our new Ikea kitchen cabinets. It feels so nice to have our things again...and to sleep in our own bed!

I'll keep updating with pics as we move along. It's really starting to look like a house vs. construction site ;)
The kitchen...

The living room...
The bathroom ...
Bathroom vanity...
Finally...a good sleep in our own bed...
This will be the colour of the cabinet doors (hoping to install tonight!)...
Maggie is adjusting fairly well to her new digs...but the old girl clearly doesn't like change! She's sticking close by to us until she's used to the new pad. So close by that she actually crawled underneath our bed on Sunday morning...and got stuck! She's not as slim as she used to be!

T-2 days...we hate tiling!

2006-06-21T10:26:00.000-07:00

T-2 days until we move in. I'm sure there are some bets going around that it's not actually going to happen (and given our track record, the odds are in your favor), I'm happy to say that it looks like we're going to make it.

Last night we finished grouting the bathroom...and while I must say...we have both developed a very strong dislike for tiling...the end product looks fantastic! I'm very proud of this one and I can't wait to get to use it soon!

Here are the pics...

Jay was happy to be taking action shots...

Just look at how straight those grout lines are... ;)

Jay is officially a plumber...

2006-06-20T11:26:00.000-07:00

I had made a promise yesterday of adding more pics today. It was a busy work night last night...so I only have two...but I think you'll like them. More to follow tomorrow...

CORRECTION NOTICE: Mike Kenney (Mr. Holmes for those of you that read the comments on the blog) was instrumental this past weekend in the 'shoveling of the poo' as he liked to call it. My apologies for not highlighting that...I'm sorry...Jay left that part out. He shouldn't make you shovel poo...that would have never happened if I was there...you deserve the golden shovel...

I'm going to give you both the password to the blog so you can update as you wish and make sure the facts are straight. Enjoy everyone...Reelrenos has two new editors.

Here are the pics from last night...

This is Jay working on connecting our plumbing to the street...

Jay is officially a plumber...I'm lucky ;)

The race is on...T-4 days until we need to move...

2006-06-19T14:44:00.000-07:00

Now the excitement/panic begins...we need to move out of our current furnished rental by Friday morning by 10 am. It scares me a little that I'm including the 10 am part, but I have a feeling it's going to be that close. Any wagers? The good news is that so much work has been done...and we really are getting there.

Since our last update, the shower has been tiled, bathroom, hallway, and kitchen floors have been tiled, the hardwood is refinished, and with a very special thanks to Mike 'goon spoon' Kelly(Jay had me add in the goon spoon part), there has been some serious digging action going on in the basement and it looks like we are ready to tie in the plumbing.

I'm hoping to take more pictures tonight, but I'll leave you with this pic of Jay, showing off the new tile floor that Joe & Mike helped him with this weekend.

We promise all of our great friends that have helped so much a really great party! Soon...soon.
The home of our new kitchen...

The ball just keeps on rolling...

2006-06-09T09:55:00.000-07:00

It's hard to believe the progress over the last 10 days, walls are up, painting is done, hardwood floors have been refinished (with the exception of one final coat that will go on two days before we move in)...there is no stopping us now!

This weekend is tile laying weekend. Jay will be on a house boat for the boys stag...so we'll just have to see how well I do without his handiness ;) Our good friend Joe is hoping to be on hand to help - here's hoping you come back next week to see pics of completed flooring!

As you can tell from the pics below - we haven't had an opportunity to discuss landscaping yet ;)

Kenney - my apologies for the lack of updates...your 'updates,updates, updates' email clearly should have started a fire under me...and yes, Mr. Holmes is the hardest, strongest and savviest of Foreman Jay's crew. He also likes to be called his 'first mate' but that is an entirely different story...

Jay's brother Matty helping fix the floor before we start tiling...

Living room...

The hardwood is being refinished...closet in our bedroom...

Our temporary garden...As you can see...we haven't has much time for landscaping...

Someone pinch me...we finally have walls...

2006-05-31T09:51:00.000-07:00

It's really amazing how excited one can get from something as simple as walls...but after such a long wait...it is a huge feat to have reached this milestone. I know it still probably doesn't look like much to most of you...but just watch how quickly things start to come together now!

In addition to walls - the beam in the basement was also recessed on the weekend. A huge job! Unfortunately, I don't have pics of that yet...but it has made a really significant difference!

Jay's brother Matthew and his wife Lisa are in town on vacation - Jay put them to work...but took Sunday afternoon off to take them out crabbing and we had a huge crab feast! Well deserved for all the hard work! (Except for me - I skipped out on the entire weekend. Unfortunately, wedding season has begun and we didn't get the house finished in time for stags, stagettes, dress shopping, showers and nuptials!)

Kitchen...

Living/Dining Room...

Front Entrance...

Matthew, Lisa & Mags on the boat...

Matty & Jay...with dinner ;)

Did we get the stamp of approval?

2006-05-24T15:27:00.000-07:00

Sorry for the lack of updates...we appreciate all of the emails...wondering if everything is okay and asking why we have no news...it means that people are actually reading our blog!

We have had some delays due to lack of permits with the city and seemingly nosey neighbours (ahem, yes Kenney, we know, you told us so ;)). Given the circumstances, I have to say if we had to do it again, we probably would have preceded the same way as this time (if you are from the City of Vancouver please disregard what you just read). Hopefully we won’t be faced with that decision for at least a few years to come!

The good news is that we got our building permits last week, passed our electrical inspection with flying colours, and are well on track to have drywall start on Friday. We are going to have walls come hell or high water!

Last night we put up vapour barrier…and tomorrow is our last inspection before drywall can begin.

Check back soon for more pictures...still a lot of exciting stuff to come! And stay tuned for the house warming invite - the must attend party of December 2006 ;)

Drywall...starting today?

2006-04-25T10:54:00.000-07:00

Well...it's suppposed to...so fingers crossed! Here are some pics of the updates over the weekend.

New kitchen windows...Jay & Kenney installed the new kitchen windows...they fit like a glove...
Our new bathtub is in (woo hoo!), plumbing is done...

Jay the plumber...

Great progress...

2006-04-24T11:40:00.000-07:00

I'm afraid we were so busy working this weekend...that we don't have any pics to share. We did however make some real progress this weekend - upstairs plumbing is done (Jay is a new star plumber), the place is all cleaned up and ready for drywall to begin, just a few minor things left with the electrical and we are all set. We'll share new pics really soon! Kenney is the MVP for fitting some quality reno time in between golf lessons and the Vancouver Sun Run - such a star! (token action shot to be posted soon ;))

I'm sorry for the lack of updates...this one is a big one...

2006-04-20T10:55:00.000-07:00

I'm sorry it has taken so long to update (thank you for the reminders Kenney)...it has been so incredibly busy! As you can see from all the pictures below, we are definitely making progress. Jay has been over at the new house every night this week working on the plumbing...this weekend we're finishing up loose ends...and Monday...yes Monday...drywall begins. Anyone want to wager on that?
Our new bathtub...she's pretty comfy...soon it will be in our bathrrom, instead of the living room ;)
Kelly up in the rafters...
Scotty...the happy helper after a long night at the casino...(he was the big winner)
Kenney has perfected his floor patching and reinforcing skills...I think this hole is the most solid spot in the entire house...
And more holes in the floor...
Jay installed our new attic stairs...
Dad...doesn't this make you proud?
Handyman Kenney made the bathroom floor nice and secure for our new bathtub...
The home of our future bar...
Ceiling joists have been reinforced...
It still looks like a war zone...but that is supposed to change soon ;)

Jo's building closets in the spare room...
Kenney got a new tool belt...look who's ready for the handyman challenge now?
Jay loves doing renos....
Scotty wanting to participate is some 'plumb' action...
Jacking up the floor...and using Jay's favorite tool...the plumb-bob...
Scotty & Kelly working hard...
Jay hanging out in the attic...
Our first landsacping! Jay got to use his tow rope...and Joe got to make himself a parking spot...

A glimmer of light...

2006-04-05T11:47:00.000-07:00

We're getting there...slowly but surely. This past weekend we worked hard to prep for drywall...which (fingers crossed) will be early next week. We saw the first construction begin - adding new plywood to the hole in the kitchen. The bathroom is completely gutted, the old carpets have been removed, and we've almost filled another bin. Kenney has been there every weekend we've done work on the house...such a trooper! This week, while I'm away in TO, Jay, Joe and Kelly have pulled off late nights installing electrical boxes...such hard workers...it will make the housewarming party that much more enjoyable ;) There is going to be another work party this weekend - so feel free to drop by if you're in the hood!

The bathroom...completely gutted...
Looking out at the kitchen from the living room...
Looking out at the living room from the kitchen...
The first sign of re-construction...
Jay - loving that he has a reason to wear a toolbelt...but wishing he would have splurged on the one that holds the right kind of pencils...
Isn't this beautiful? It's the vinyl floor we found under the carpet in our bedroom. Lucky for us, it's not glued down and there is hardwood underneath. Jay thinks we should keep it...
Kenney...hard at work in the basement...

Mags...exploring her new digs...

Eventually, this will be the view from our deck. I know it's through powerlines, but we have a great view of the northshore mountains!

So much for putting this place back together...

2006-03-30T15:08:00.000-08:00

This past weekend was supposed to be all about 'putting up walls'...but then our very good friend Joe came over...and more walls came down. The good news is that there are almost no more walls to come down, which means we have no choice but to start putting this place back together! Hopefully by next week's blog entry we'll see some reel progress...

Walls and cieling were taken out in the main floor living room...

Kenney's token 'action shot' which we'll let him get away with now that he has celebrated the first anniversary of his 30th birthday ;)

Mike's join forces and take down the ceiling...Kelly is in the attic, drop-kicking the drywall...he will be sad for the destruction phase to end...

Chillin' in the attic...waiting for a Blue...

Bringing down the house...

2006-03-14T16:24:00.000-08:00

We put Zac to work taking down the chimney...
Token sticking out the tounge shot...

Joe's moving so fast he's blury...the chimney is gone!

Demo pics...

2006-03-06T10:53:00.000-08:00

Yet another truck load to the dump...
Smaller crew on Sunday...
Why have a truck if you can't fill it with junk?
Jenkinson hard at work...
Kelly finding Brockville memorobilia...

Jamie & Kenney with the downstairs insulation...

Jamie attacking the downstairs...
Continuous trips to the dump...

Jo working on the best built walls in the house...the closet

Lindsay taking out the closet wall...

The Kenney's taking apart the upstairs kitchen...

Before ...

2006-03-06T10:34:00.000-08:00

Upstairs kitchen

Upstairs bedroom #1

Upstairs living room

Downstairs bathroom

Downstairs bedroom #2 (partially gutted)

Downstairs bedroom #1

Downstairs living room
Downstairs kitchen and entrance

We have the best friends ever!

2006-03-06T10:25:00.000-08:00

Thanks to our amazing friends and fam...demo day was a HUGE success. The entire basement suite is gutted, the wall between the kitchen and living room is torn down, closets are ready to be expanded...we are well on our way to start putting this house back together. Thank you to Kenney, Jill, Kelly, Parker, Taryn, Lindy, Joe W., Lindsay, Luis, Jamie, Dallas, Tyler, Chris, Gill & Joe

A little piece of Brockville...

2006-03-06T10:20:00.000-08:00

Who would have thought that buried deep in our walls, more than 5000 kilometres away from where we grew up, would be a little piece of Brockville, Ontario. We believe Smart's used to be a hardware store back in the day...anyone know what this is?

Let the demolition begin...

2006-03-03T12:48:00.000-08:00

419 East 19th Avenue, Vancouver, BC

Our first house! We decided to start a blog where we could chronicle our renovations and share our experiences with our friends and families that aren't here to take down a wall for themselves.

March 4th, 2006 is the official demo day. Check back on Monday for before pictures...and some pics of the hooligans with sledgehammers.