Button Up!

Today was exciting. After two days of quiet, the plumber, electricians and carpenters were back to begin "buttoning up" our renovation. Scott referred to the last two days of activity this way. I like it. I'm glad he didn't say "that's a wrap" yet, as even after tomorrow a few loose ends will have to be tied up. Some by us, some by our kitchen designer. The guys say that clients love to see them at the beginning of the project, but can't wait to get rid of them at the end! We'll miss our crew, but we know that their absence means our new space is finally ours and ours alone .... to pay for!

I thought one contractor was arriving at 10 a.m. today, so took my time getting ready for work. Lo and behold, Toby the plumber showed up at 8:15 a.m. We chatted while I ate breakfast and he installed my kitchen faucet. I learned that he lives in Pennsylvania, not far south of here; that his wife works for the Vet College; and that they found a human foot in Seneca Lake over the weekend. Needless to say, that last bit of information made me lose my appetite.

After my meager breakfast of oatmeal (I only ate half the bowl), Andy the electrician dropped off a dimmer switch. On my way out the door, I bumped into the guys from a seamless gutter company. When I returned home again to drop Wilson off from an appointment, two electrician's and two carpenters had arrived.

Upon our return home from work many additions to the renovation were complete. The dining room chandelier was rehung, the new kitchen pendant lights were installed, under cabinet lighting was added to the "pass through" cabinet, and the outdoor lights were up and no longer blew a fuse when we flipped the switch. We now have running water in our kitchen sink and master bath sink and the kitchen back splash is exquisite. Wow! These are what I would call details. And they make all the difference, including the fixed circuit upstairs. Now I can plug in the vacuum cleaner without setting the new smoke alarm system off. Phew!

Tomorrow our master bath cabinet gets hung, the grout in the back splash gets applied, our oven is properly installed and the yard debris and equipment is moved out. The items on our punch list (that's contractor talk for the "to do" list) are quickly being checked off, although I need to add one new thing - a toe kick for the dishwasher. I just noticed it was missing when I posted the pictures here!

Once we move ourselves back into each room, clean up and settled in, we'll be inviting our missed crew over to help us celebrate our new digs, This Old House style. We can't wait!