Turning up the heat

We've had a great deal of fun building a unique house that suits our style and likes but there is a serious side to the project as well. It was our intention to build a house that is efficient to operate, as green as possible and that will last a long, long time. Janis and I did a lot of research for each system and sought out reliable contractors who would bring our unique dream to life.

The heating system was one of the key components. Richard's Plumbing and Heating was recommended to us by our framing contractor. Richard does nice work. He recommended a top quality hot water heating system for our dream house - the same one he put in his own abode.

It was fascinating to watch as he put in the many pieces of the complex piping system and the many controls. Richard patiently explained each piece to me, what it did and why it was good. It is a carefully crafted work of fine art!

Tomorrow the heat gets turned on.

-grampa dan

Shortcut to grandma's new house

More than a year ago at the start of the new house project we removed the front stairs of the old house. The new building would be less than four feet from the old, with the roof lines actually overlapping. Since then the front door to the old house as been unusable, because of a four foot drop right outside the opening. 

With the new house now almost complete it was time to remedy the situation. This week and next we'll use the front door to transport food and supplies to the new house to feed our workshop guests. In coming weeks we'll use the shortcut to the new house to begin our move into the shiny new digs.

Big Matt was tasked with the job of building an elevated platform that goes to the front carport and rear deck of the new house from the front door of the old which was about in the middle. He needed to build it extra strong as all manner of heavy things would cross this threshold as we move.

Inside the new house the plumbers and electricians were busy today. The heating system is due to go live tomorrow. The kitchen sink is now operational and to ease the workload of serving meals in the new house the dishwasher will also be functional. Janis and her helpers will be glad! Anything that makes grandma smile makes grampa smile too.

-grampa dan

Dream kitchen

If you talked to a hundred people you would get a hundred different ideas of what would be their dream kitchen. After endless versions on the drawing board through the last years and then a flurry of last minute alterations as we considered our options we pushed the go button about six weeks ago. The kitchen is now in, complete with countertops. The reality is everything we dreamed of - our particular flavor of dream kitchen.

The tiled floors will be the next step along with final paint on the trim. We will take the workshop meals in the dining room in the next couple of weeks, test driving the space just a little. We can hardly wait to actually live there.

-grampa dan