Here is a revision of the landscape plan for the house.  At this stage we are still moving items around.  Shown here is our response back to our designer Jerob from Terra Nova.   He is doing a great job.

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The weather finally was clear enough for Tony to get back on the window replacement project.  Today he and Jim replaced both windows in our room plus started work on enlarging one of the dinning room windows so it matches the size of the other one.  Here are some pictures from today.

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Timmy wanted to know what the insides of our new kitchen cabinets shelves looked like so I am posting two pictures (click on them for larger version).
Timmy – According to Tony no need to install shelf paper.  The wood has been treated to withstand stains.  So far they have been great.  For the drawers we [...]

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Pictures of Tony in action….

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Tony has started installing the new windows.  In total we are replacing eight  double hung wood windows of various sizes with new Jeld-Wen cottage style double hung AuraLast® wood pocket units.  We selected these windows because they keep the existing wood look of the windows, plus the glass will be Dual Coat [...]

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So far I have received one quote for design, a second company has committed to do a quote but I have not seen it, and the third and fourth company’s have not gotten back to us.
Spent the better part of today at various nursery’s in the area including UCSC Arboretum and Far West Nursery.  I [...]

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We have begun to get bids for our new drought tolerant landscaping which we are breaking into three areas: front, back, and driveway.   Since we will not be working on a new driveway until we remodel the Dude Shack (date yet to be determine), the major emphasis right now will be the front and back [...]

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Now that the back of the house remodel is complete, it is time to begin phase 2 of the remodel.  Originally this phase was intended to focus on the Living and Dinning rooms of the house in terms of replacing the windows, door threshold, painting and refinishing the wood floors.
Now that we have gone through [...]

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Now that the 1/2 bath that the Dude Shack regulars use is up and running, it is time for some new art work.  The theme I have selected is “Infamous Invitations / Events” from my past.  So far I have completed 4 of them.
Ok, so my definition of “art” is different from most people, but [...]

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The kitchen remodel is 99.95% complete.  We are just waiting on the painters final touch ups which happens this afternoon.
This morning, Tony installed the late arriving pendant lights.  They look fantastic!

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Kitchen at 7:30 am this morning.  Yup, that is Mr. Muggins standing outside wondering why he is not in the house, or why I am not out with him.

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As part of phase 1 of the our house remodel, we ordered two rather expensive pendant lights from Riverside Lighting.   Now Riverside Lighting has been around since 1954 and is a family-owned local business here in Santa Cruz.  My wife and I were happy that we could buy locally and were pretty happy with the [...]

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Some before and after pictures of the kitchen remodel that is 99% complete.
click any picture for larger version

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The remodel is getting really close to completion with the final items list dwindling down.  Today the painter is here working on the vaulted ceiling wood and once completed, the painter is all done.
Tony had the plumber in on Saturday night until 7:30 pm, so we now have working 1/2 bath, laundry and kitchen sink.  [...]

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The end is in sight as the final items are coming together.  The tile floor has been sealed.  The second coat of paint is almost complete with the third coat coming tomorrow (Saturday).  Lights and sink fixtures are almost complete.  Check out the pictures!

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