http://ranchredo.blogsome.com Renovation of our 1951 Ranch Home in Oregon Tue, 30 May 2006 01:18:09 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en Hey all - our new site is up! ranchredo.com Also, if you have any clue how to add RSS feeds, please let me know. I’m stuck on that one!! http://ranchredo.blogsome.com/2006/05/29/new-website/ Hey guys, I just put 4 things on ebay that might interest other housebloggers. My user name is oregonlaurie72 on ebay. I put up two retro Pottery Barn telephones (we’ve switched to cell) and 2 pairs of Ikea curtains which are cream and red striped (never opened and ... http://ranchredo.blogsome.com/2006/05/27/shameless-self-promotion/ Hi all, Just wanted to let you know that I haven’t been posting as routinely because I’m working on the domain switchover. I probably won’t post again for a couple of weeks, because next week I’ll be in Chicago at a conference. Maybe Eric will finish the ... http://ranchredo.blogsome.com/2006/05/24/new-domain/ I’m sitting in bed, working on an assignment with my computer notebook cradled in my lap. Outside rain splashes against the skylight and a 1,000 small droplets slap repetatively against the window. I can hear the hard thud of metal hitting dirt, as Eric sends the pick ... http://ranchredo.blogsome.com/2006/05/21/crazy-man/ Check it out! I finally finished the kitchen window. Hooray!! And, another picture just because I feel like it. A picture of me and my friend Karen (I’m on the left). Karen is a friend from college and I got a chance to see her while ... http://ranchredo.blogsome.com/2006/05/18/kitchen-window-done/ So, I’ve wasted some time trying to switch my domain over to ranchredo.com. It’s not working quite yet. Tonight I got some good advice from Merideth over at House Made and I’m hoping I might get a little further with my efforts in the next week. ... http://ranchredo.blogsome.com/2006/05/17/update/ Last night, after I’d updated the blog at 1 a.m., I climbed into bed and flipped through the pages of the new edition of Domino, my favorite magazine. I was looking for the “restore” section and when I got there I thought to myself, “Josh Shear.” And ... http://ranchredo.blogsome.com/2006/05/14/domino-magazine/ Well, Eric spent at least 10 straight hours working on the yard. He was walking around like a little old man before going to bed tonight. Of course, I’m still up…really I need to go into business for myself so I can fully pursue my night-owl habits. ... http://ranchredo.blogsome.com/2006/05/14/100-am-and-another-day/ Remember when you were a kid and if you really loved something your friends would say, “If you love it so much, why don’t you marry it?” Well, I’d marry these tiles, ‘cause I am in love love love love. Of course, as usual, they are out of ... http://ranchredo.blogsome.com/2006/05/11/im-going-to-marry-it/ I know that photos always make a houseblog more fun, but it’s almost 11:30 pm and I’m up and just felt like writing, and so photos are out of the question. I’m not about to get out of bed (laptop) throw on some shoes, and run outside to take ... http://ranchredo.blogsome.com/2006/05/09/rocks-and-racoons/ Don’t tell Eric I said this, but I think he’s going to have a psychotic break - over weeds! Because we were in Nebraska last week we had to leave the yard in-process, which meant it stood all week in a sort of “chaotic state” (the neighbors however, might ... http://ranchredo.blogsome.com/2006/05/07/eric-is-freaking-out/ This is not related to the houseblog at all, but I had to show you these hip toys! We don’t have kids, but I’m saving this link for future gift ideas. These adorable and quirky vintage inspired toys are from Mahar Drygoods. http://ranchredo.blogsome.com/2006/05/07/hungry-anyone/ Well, I haven’t written much this week because we were visiting our homestate — Nebraska. And, of course, our ranch was never far from our minds, and we spent some time driving around neighborhoods in Lincoln and Omaha looking for ideas. However, instead of getting ideas, we were ... http://ranchredo.blogsome.com/2006/05/05/house-prices/ Thought you might be interested in the bouncy chairs available for sale from Plow & Hearth. I’ve been looking for awhile, and these are the cheapest ones I’ve found at only $29! And they have some in red!! http://ranchredo.blogsome.com/2006/05/02/bouncy-chairs/ It’s official. I love Amy Butler Fabrics! Every single fabric is wonderful! The only glitch is a lot of them have green as the dominant color…and you know how I feel about green, I just don’t like it. However, I think I like the Belle ... http://ranchredo.blogsome.com/2006/04/27/i-love-amy-butler-fabrics/ Underneath the green and peach and pink there is a house. Underneath the bricks and rocks and logs There is a yard. Above the wooden floors and creaking boards There is a home. Above the cracked cement and moss filled yard There is sunshine. Inside the peeling mahogany exterior walls There is an eccentric couple with two lazy cats and ... http://ranchredo.blogsome.com/2006/04/26/house-poetry/ Yesterday Eric and I got into a heated discussion about the screen door while we were outside. I was making a point, that maybe it would be a good idea to *consider* hiring a professional to cut the wooden door and hang it for us, and Eric wouldn’t hear ... http://ranchredo.blogsome.com/2006/04/25/how-to-make-a-marriage-last/ Yesterday we had the pleasure of turning on our retro Vornado fan for the first time…we bought it with our Christmas money back in January. It packs a powerful punch for such a small fan. It’s just too cute! They also make a really cool retro colored Vornado. http://ranchredo.blogsome.com/2006/04/24/vornado-retro-fan/ Today was a gorgeous day in Corvallis. I think it might officially be the time of year that lasts 6 months and keeps us here the not-so-great other 6 months. Tige and Ellie came over to pick up some rock. We’re somewhat amazed at how easy it ... http://ranchredo.blogsome.com/2006/04/23/rocks-paths-and-sun/ As you’ll recall, we had a vote on the outside lights for our house. Light number two won with 42% of the vote: Eric and I will be heading up to Portland in two weeks to pick up the lights from Schoolhouse Electric. We’ll most likely get the ... http://ranchredo.blogsome.com/2006/04/23/outdoor-light/ There is nothing more frustrating than finding a link that’s broken, when I’m *sure* it would have had just what I wanted. Anyway, right now I’m on a break and searching for information on padded headboards. The time has come to replace our bed, which we’ve now had ... http://ranchredo.blogsome.com/2006/04/22/retro-bed-headboard/ Be prepared for a rant… As usual, I’ve piled much too much on my plate. As you know, I’m a graduate student part-time, and I have a full-time job, I’m working on this house, and because that just wasn’t enough, this week I took on the development of a website ... http://ranchredo.blogsome.com/2006/04/22/will-someone-come-and-paint-our-house-please/ Someone recently posted a comment about Elmira Stoves, which reminded me to take a look at the model I’ve been drooling over for at least a year. I’ll never own one, since they’re priced for Hollywood movie stars, but I can dream. http://ranchredo.blogsome.com/2006/04/20/the-stove-of-my-dreams/ I love this fun retro 1950’s bathroom faucet! I found this image on HGTV, and the site says the faucet is sold through Lefroy Brooks. I cannot find this faucet anywhere on the Lefroy website…but I think it’s splendid! http://ranchredo.blogsome.com/2006/04/18/retro-bathroom-faucet/ It’s true. I don’t like pink. The idea of pink bathrooms and toilets scares me. I have, for the most part, avoided popular colors of the 50’s for the renovation of our ranch. However, I thought it might be useful to make a list of ... http://ranchredo.blogsome.com/2006/04/17/colors-for-a-1950s-home/ Yesterday it rained buckets here in Corvallis. I’m so tired of the rain. The sun will peak out, like right now, only to go into hiding for 24 hours. Oregon is one of the most beautiful places, however, we really have to put up with a lot ... http://ranchredo.blogsome.com/2006/04/16/im-tired-of-the-rain/ Today we entered our house into a contest. The contest is to win a landscaping makeover and a new garage door…second place is to win a garage door. The contest asked for three pictures of our house (with emphasis on the garage) and a 50 word entry. ... http://ranchredo.blogsome.com/2006/04/14/contest/ Remember a couple weeks ago when I was hemming-and-hawing about the purchase of this fabric from Reprodepot? Well, after all the enthusiasm for the fabric, I went ahead and ordered it an had it sent to my mom (in Nebraska). She already finished them and sent me ... http://ranchredo.blogsome.com/2006/04/12/pillows-are-done/ I recently received this question on a post: “Has anyone heard of the Palo Alto architect Marcus Steadman? He designed our home and apparently many other, Eichler-type homes in the Bay Area?” The sum of my knowedge is that Cliff May and Eichler were major designers for “mid-century modern” homes, while ... http://ranchredo.blogsome.com/2006/04/11/who-are-the-major-architects-of-ranch-homes-and-what-are-the-different-styles/ I’m only okay with photoshop, but not great, therefore everything looks very flat since I’m not able to preserve the molding/trim contours with my skills…however, I wanted to ponder the future door. I bought the paint today for the trim and began sanding (house paint is much more expensive ... http://ranchredo.blogsome.com/2006/04/09/front-door-renovation/ Today is jackhammer day. Because it’s difficult to capture the jackhammer activity in a photo, I made this dizzying collection… http://ranchredo.blogsome.com/2006/04/08/jackhammer/ When you live in and love a ranch house, you begin to wonder, “Why do so many people hate ranches?” Which brings to mind all the developments of tract homes, especially those built in the 1970’s, that were poorly built and are now in sad disrepair with paint peeling ... http://ranchredo.blogsome.com/2006/04/07/ranches-gone-awry/ Blogging is so interesting…we’ve had 124 unique visitors since midnight, however, only one person has given feedback about which light they prefer. Therefore, I’m going to make the task of giving your opinion much easier. Please vote below for your favorite light on our garage (light options and ... http://ranchredo.blogsome.com/2006/04/05/vote-on-the-light/ On schoolhouse electric’s website we like the following shades: with this post (ignore the shade) Which do you prefer? I like them all. Eric picked the post (I showed him a different one but he thought it was too mid-century modern for the house and I after I thought ... http://ranchredo.blogsome.com/2006/04/04/help-us-decide/ Today I got one of my books from ebay in the mail, “Home Painting, Wallpapering, and Decorating” published in 1951. There are not any photographs, only sketches, although I assure you even those are quite fascinating (all sketches of tall white men with angular faces and dark hair). ... http://ranchredo.blogsome.com/2006/04/04/how-to-fix-victorian-furniture-and-decorate-a-1951-house/ This weekend I finished painting the baseboard in the kitchen. Another project done! I am maintaining my goal of wrapping one thing up in the kitchen every week. And because I’m celebrating every accomplishment, no matter how small, here are some photos: before after (the color is correct ... http://ranchredo.blogsome.com/2006/04/03/weekend-and-other-things/ I am dedicated to procrastinating a paper that is due tomorrow…thus all my postings today. haha. Found this great article about the rising popularity of “ramblers” (I guess that’s a minnesota term for ranches). Humble, prolific rambler becoming retro chic By DARLENE PROIS, Minneapolis-St. Paul Star Tribune It’s time to stop ... http://ranchredo.blogsome.com/2006/04/01/article-on-ramblers/ I had to post this before I lost it. Have you ever seen the lists, otherwise known as “listmania” on Amazon, that show people’s favorite books? Today I found a great retro list of books! I know I’m going to be buying a few books off this ... http://ranchredo.blogsome.com/2006/04/01/retro-a-trip-down-memory-lane/ Following the poll as it developed was interesting, because once the four-square pushed to the lead, it never lost ground! Looks like the majority of folks who filled out the survey are living in four-squares, followed by bungalows, and in third place ranches trail with 26%. There ... http://ranchredo.blogsome.com/2006/04/01/the-votes-are-in/ Finally one of the books I found on ebay has arrived. Most of the photos are in black and white, so I’m hoping the others I won will have more color. However, I am happy to note that we’re on the right track with our decorating. There ... http://ranchredo.blogsome.com/2006/03/31/complete-book-of-interior-decorating-1951/ If you just read the note in boingboing, you can find the conversation about 1940’s and 50’s bathrooms here: Link. http://ranchredo.blogsome.com/2006/03/30/welcome-to-my-site-looking-for-bathroom-information/ I took the day off to work on the house…and also to dream about things that we can’t afford. I’m currently thinking about our garage door. It’s an odd door, I’m not sure how it came to be. The backside of the door looks original, while the ... http://ranchredo.blogsome.com/2006/03/29/garage-doors/ Yesterday I got my book Working Windows in the mail from Amazon. Of course, I couldn’t wait to read it, so flipped through the pages and read for about an hour before going to bed last night. The book is written by a guy from Seattle who is ... http://ranchredo.blogsome.com/2006/03/28/this-and-that/ Well, we had a productive weekend! Amazing. Not only did I finish painting the blue in the kitchen, I continued into the hall to the garage, and the back wall of the TV room. Here’s a picture of Eric helping me by adjusting some light switches in ... http://ranchredo.blogsome.com/2006/03/26/we-actually-do-some-work-on-the-house/ I finished painting the final coat of blue in the kitchen. Hooray! Tomorrow I’m painting the baseboard or working on the scribe molding, I haven’t decided yet. Tomorrow I’ll have to take some pictures because Eric started the front yard deconstruction today. He’s insane! I can’t believe ... http://ranchredo.blogsome.com/2006/03/25/i-did-it/ I thought it would be interesting to see what type of house my blog readers live in! So, I created this poll using dpolls.com. It’ll be open for a week. The poll only allows 7 options, so if your house isn’t listed, please add it to the comments ... http://ranchredo.blogsome.com/2006/03/25/what-type-of-house-do-you-live-in/ You heard it here first. I’m seriously going to buckle down and work toward finally finishing up the kitchen. I’ve promisesd myself that I would put on the last and final coat of wall paint in the kitchen this weekend. This will require taping off all the ... http://ranchredo.blogsome.com/2006/03/25/buckle-down/ Today I figured something out. If I type “1951 decorating book” in ebay and then select “search title and description” I can bid on some great books! I tried numerous years, 1949, 1950, 1951, and 1952. I purchased a 1951 book and have a bid on a ... http://ranchredo.blogsome.com/2006/03/22/1940s-and-1950s-decorating-books/ I can’t sleep so I’m up feeding my sick and twisted obsession with home interior by surfing the net. Which does remind me of a story. On Friday my boss, myself, and two of my coworkers went out to lunch. I asked everyone we were with, “Name ... http://ranchredo.blogsome.com/2006/03/21/sick-and-twisted/ If there is one television personality that always annoyed me it was Lynette Jennings. I don’t know why - one of those things you just can’t explain. Maybe it all seemed too rehearsed. Kinda like Martha. However, if there is one decorating book I would recommend ... http://ranchredo.blogsome.com/2006/03/19/how-to-paint/ It’s done…I’ve finally finished the first draft of our friend’s website. I noticed some minor mistakes I’ll be fixing in the next few days, but overall I’m excited because it turned out even better than I thought it would. Take a look, there are some great landscaping ... http://ranchredo.blogsome.com/2006/03/18/website-up/ Mary-Frances over at Meanwhile Back at the Ranch has asked if I’ve found anything on 1950’s landscaping. I have not. I did, however, watch the movie “Far from Heaven” this week, which is set in 1957, and I was watching specifically for landscaping ideas. Nothing ... http://ranchredo.blogsome.com/2006/03/17/1950s-landscape/ Well, we just ordered the plans for the art studio. We chose the 12x16 Sonoma . Granted, we have a lot of saving up to do, but at least we will now have the plans since Eric needs to get them approved by the city. It ... http://ranchredo.blogsome.com/2006/03/16/art-studio-in-the-works/ Tonight we had bookclub at my house - the smallest club meeting in the two years we’ve been getting together. The book was “My Sister’s Keeper” - not one of the best selections we’ve had, but it was okay (if you want recommendations let me know - some books ... http://ranchredo.blogsome.com/2006/03/14/bookclub-paint-colors/ Today I finished up the window shelf. Before taking a look, please note that the window is not done being painted - the peach is out of here as soon as the weather is warm enough to pull down the top part of the double-hung to paint white. ... http://ranchredo.blogsome.com/2006/03/13/window-shelf-in/ Today was another day at the ranch. I worked on a the blog a little. I wanted to add a third column, but quit that attempt after at least an hour of failed attempts to figure out how the code works on this thing. I did, however, ... http://ranchredo.blogsome.com/2006/03/12/another-day-more-work/ I really enjoy living in our ranch house. Reasons? Because our house takes up the entire width of our lot (and our lot is a smidge larger than the new-house lots available today in Corvallis, Oregon), Eric can be in one bedroom, and I can be in another, ... http://ranchredo.blogsome.com/2006/03/12/sunday-life-in-a-ranch-house/ What does a high-end 1940’s/50’s bathroom look like? Does it look like this? I have no idea. I’m just pondering the future of our bathroom, which currently looks like this. Our clawfoot tub is staying, although I realize it’s not 50’s - we have no ... http://ranchredo.blogsome.com/2006/03/09/1950s-bathroom/ My blog is facilitated through a program called wordpress. I really like it, because it offers the ability to “tinker” with the look, etc, more than other blogging applications. However, right now I’m a bit frustrated. I really want to add a page of links. Nothing ... http://ranchredo.blogsome.com/2006/03/08/blog-wordpress-gurus/ I plan on finishing up the sink window within the next couple weeks, so I’m posting a picture of it “in process” so you can see how it is coming along. I had to take the picture at an angle, because if I stand in front of the window ... http://ranchredo.blogsome.com/2006/03/07/over-the-sink-window-in-process/ Eric went rock climbing today and I made a stop at the bookstore and made some “investments”. This is how I justify all the books we buy about home improvement…if we read a book and teach ourselves how to do it, we’ll save a lot of money. And ... http://ranchredo.blogsome.com/2006/03/05/bought-some-books/ Today we went to Heritage House Parts in Philomath, an architectural salvage shop. They do carry some new products, and today we were lucky enough to find a screen door for only $35! We chatted with the owner while we were there, and he also informed us that ... http://ranchredo.blogsome.com/2006/03/04/screen-door/ Wow! I wrote a note last night to the author of design*sponge asking her about 1940’s design. Since our house was built in 1951, it really has a 1940’s feeling, with some “hints” of the 50’s. But, as my mom said when she visited, “This house is ... http://ranchredo.blogsome.com/2006/03/04/note-from-designsponge/ Lately, whenever I see something I like and want to buy on the internet or in a magazine, I notice that the designer is Angela Adams. At the same time I also realize the item is WAY out of my price range. However, I’m so enthusiastic about all ... http://ranchredo.blogsome.com/2006/03/02/designer-angela-adams/ I’ve been searching high and low on the internet for a nice simple ceiling medallion. Why? Well, in our house a ceiling fan was installed in the guest room (I’m guessing in the 70’s because it has black blades and gold trim). When the ceiling fan was ... http://ranchredo.blogsome.com/2006/02/27/ceiling-medallions-2/ My parents are visiting this weekend from Nebraska. My mom is an amazing seamstress and made these Roman Blinds for our Kitchen. It took many hours to install them (it seriously required a lot of patience so I’m glad they were also here to install them, because my ... http://ranchredo.blogsome.com/2006/02/26/tada-roman-blinds-installed/ As you are probably aware, we’ve been going back and forth about paint colors for the house. However, we had finally agreed we like Durango, by Benjamin Moore. So, now we have more input because my parents are here. They also agree on the Durango color, and ... http://ranchredo.blogsome.com/2006/02/24/house-paint/ Here is the before and after photo (although in the after photo I still need to paint the trim, caulk the toilet, and as I mentioned in my previous post, figure out what that leak is all about!) You can see in the before picture that it was almost ... http://ranchredo.blogsome.com/2006/02/23/found-it/ Okay, we’re getting further in projects, but not taking pictures, because I’ve apparently lost the digital camera. I know it was in the corner of the bedroom…where has it gone? My poor husband, how many times in his life will he hear: “Have you seen ____?” Onto the status ... http://ranchredo.blogsome.com/2006/02/23/houston-we-have-a-problem/ Our house is in no kind of shape to do this now…but I found this website, and I think the idea is ingenious! It is obviously a European idea…they really do know how to take a vacation. I’m wondering if anybody out there has done a home exchange ... http://ranchredo.blogsome.com/2006/02/21/home-exchange/ As spring approaches we are talking about all the plans we have for the outside of the house. One of our biggest dilemnas is the front door. It’s a solid Mahogany door. I like it, but on the other hand it’s kind of boring and doesn’t exactly ... http://ranchredo.blogsome.com/2006/02/19/doors/ I’ve written almost nothing in a week, just because things are busybusybusy around here. I’ve actually been doing some homework. And, of course, cleaning, since my parents will be coming for their first visit to the house on Thursday. I have to say I’m doing some major ... http://ranchredo.blogsome.com/2006/02/19/busybusybusy/ I’m somewhat bummed ‘cause I’ve had no time to do anything to the house in the last few days, and I’d at least like to do some cleaning… But, I have been very busy with a paper for school, which I handed in last night. And, one of my friends ... http://ranchredo.blogsome.com/2006/02/15/this-week/ It’s been a very busy weekend, because I’ve been procrasting my homework! As they say, “If you want something done ask the busy person.” It’s true - I have a huge paper due on Tuesday, therefore I thought it was the perfect time to redo the bathroom floor. On ... http://ranchredo.blogsome.com/2006/02/12/busy-weekend/ It’s official, this weekend we are going to dedicate a day to finishing the kitchen. AND with the weather as it has been, I think I’ll be able to pull down the top of the double hung window. Once I get that painted, I can add the plantation ... http://ranchredo.blogsome.com/2006/02/09/stay-tuned/ Well, we’ve now had two full days of sunshine, which means I am once again dreaming of the T@B teardrop trailer I would love to have. It always comes up to the same problem, they’re WAAAAY out of my price range. But they’re just so cute and would ... http://ranchredo.blogsome.com/2006/02/08/tb-dreaming/ Hooray! A day of sun - the perfect opportunity to take a photo of the outside of the house before Eric begins the landscaping and painting projects. As you can see in the photo, a corner of the garage and a link between the house and garage that will be ... http://ranchredo.blogsome.com/2006/02/05/house-and-couch-photo/ I hate to pay full-price for anything and I love high quality furnishings. I will spend considerable time scouring ebay, craigslist, and the outlet and sale sections of websites looking for the best deal. Finally my searches have paid off! While craiglist always lists numerous couches on ... http://ranchredo.blogsome.com/2006/02/01/crate-and-barrel-sofa-2/ I’m stuck at the airport and my plane is delayed…so I thought I’d do some research. What are the current trends in Ranch real estate sales and design? Maine Today says, “The once-popular home of post-WWII baby boomers is making a comeback as more people discover that, believe it ... http://ranchredo.blogsome.com/2006/01/28/articles-ranch-trends/ Two things: 1) We’ve lost all motivation. We probably have 5% of the kitchen remaining and have no desire to finish up. Luckily my parents (hi mom) will be visiting at the end of February which means we will find the motivation before then. And 2) We cannot ... http://ranchredo.blogsome.com/2006/01/26/painting-the-house/ For years I have hunted high and low for a coffee table. I love the idea of a coffee table. I want a coffee table. But I never see anything I like. It’s either too modern, too traditional, too victorian, too oak, too square, too rectangle, ... http://ranchredo.blogsome.com/2006/01/24/coffee-table/ I noticed by our stats that folks might be looking to see what Eric and I look like (I know I do the same when I visit other people’s sites…it’s nice to put a face with a blog). In Flickr pictures of Eric are among the most viewed. ... http://ranchredo.blogsome.com/2006/01/23/etc-2/ Today I continued with the trim. I have to say, the advice I read online, about just painting the window trim and not taping up the window - was BRILLIANCE! It looks great. I scored a line around the edge between the glass and trim before scraping ... http://ranchredo.blogsome.com/2006/01/22/trim-continues-2/ Modern Phoenix: The Neighborhood Network> Motel Signs Wow, I love these signs. Sometime when I’m procrastinating on homework (like I am doing right now) I am going to redo our blog banner to match this style (although Eric says he doesn’t want me to change the banner). http://ranchredo.blogsome.com/2006/01/21/mid-century-modern-motel-signs/ I spent the last few days at graduate school (I’m a distance student). Yesterday I arrived four hours early for the train ride home, and rather than focus on homework (because I am a champion procrastinator - as clearly shown through my hours spent blogging) I decided to buy ... http://ranchredo.blogsome.com/2006/01/21/why-american-decorating-magazines-annoy-me/ Current Studio // rwalters // American Gothic> American Gothic Lately, I’ve been thinking a bit about this documentary made by my friend, Rob. This is a short film about his treck to find the house featured in the famous painting, American Gothic. For some reason, it makes me think ... http://ranchredo.blogsome.com/2006/01/19/documentary/ That’s what I tell myself whenever I enter our main bathroom (actually I also tell myself when I go into our other bathroom too - because it has a 1970’s fiberglass stand-up shower which I hate - I can never get it clean enough - but that bathroom had a ... http://ranchredo.blogsome.com/2006/01/19/dont-be-afraid-its-clean/ Happy Birthday Mom! So, before discussing the next project, a small update about the kitchen. Eric has been wrestling with the dishwasher for the last couple days. We had someone come out and take a look, and he said our model isn’t insulated, so we need to put fiberglass ... http://ranchredo.blogsome.com/2006/01/17/next-project-half-done/ Today I am annoyed because I have not received the cafe shutter blinds I ordered for the window over the kitchen sink in November. I ordered them from coastblinds.com. I’ve called them three times and emailed them twice in the last two weeks, and there is not a ... http://ranchredo.blogsome.com/2006/01/16/complaint-to-bbb/ Cliff May Ranch Homes of Long Beach are featured on RanchoStyle.com Wow! I love the backyards on these ranches…now if only it were warm enough here for a huge mid-century modern pool in the backyard. Ha! http://ranchredo.blogsome.com/2006/01/14/cliff-may-ranch-homes-of-long-beach-are-featured-on-ranchostylecom/ The only room left in the house that is original wiring is the Living Room (all) and two dining room plugs. They seem to work fine, and we have no plans to change them, since it would be very difficult to get into the walls. However, we would ... http://ranchredo.blogsome.com/2006/01/14/1951-light-switch/ This evening Eric finished installing the faucet, purifier, dishwasher, and range hood. I love the dishwasher we inherited from the previous owners, it’s a Bosch. An expensive brand, and probably something I never would have bought on my own. But, it is the quietest dishwasher I’ve ... http://ranchredo.blogsome.com/2006/01/12/faucets-and-books-3/ I noticed today, by my counter stats, that folks seem to be looking for photos, so I added a link that goes directly to Flickr, and I’m still working on editing the photos, but I’ll get on that in the next few days. I’m not sure what I think ... http://ranchredo.blogsome.com/2006/01/12/ponderings/ It’s a frickin’ miracle. I was wondering if the day would come and it finally has. We have tile and grout. The part I was most excited about has come almost 5 months after beginning the project. I really love the way British decorating magazines (my ... http://ranchredo.blogsome.com/2006/01/10/we-have-tile-grout/ Okay, I’m too tired to take a picture after homework and before I finish DaVinci code for bookclub, but I have to tell you that our kitchen is going to be the coolest kitchen I’ve ever seen (in person) in my life. I LOVE THE TILE. ERIC LOVES ... http://ranchredo.blogsome.com/2006/01/09/tiles-are-in/ Today the tile guy returned and fixed the top two rows of tile. He also prepped for the three rows of glass mosaic tile - looks like they’re considerably thinner, so he had to build out a frame for them. I’m so excited to come home tomorrow ... http://ranchredo.blogsome.com/2006/01/08/tile-guy-returns/ Well, we went out to run errands and returned: Eric said, “Wow it looks great,” and I said, “It’s all wrong!” Yes, three rows were in, but they weren’t staggered, subway style, instead they were simply lined up like regular 4x4 or 6x6 tiles. I had to explain ... http://ranchredo.blogsome.com/2006/01/07/damn/ Wow, these would be some great fireplace tiles…too bad they’re so expensive. I think we could afford two. http://ranchredo.blogsome.com/2006/01/07/fireplace-tiles/ Well, today the Formica was installed and tile prepping began (as you can see in the photo). Also, countertop guy said he was incredibly impressed at how level we got the longer bank of cabinets. He said it only varied by 1/16 of an inch, something he almost ... http://ranchredo.blogsome.com/2006/01/06/formica-installed/ So, today the countertop decks were installed…nothing too exciting. Except that now the cats have a place to sit and yawn! I couldn’t have timed this picture if I’d tried: And the other side: Tomorrow the Formica top is put on (yes, we would have preferred Corian, but at $50 ... http://ranchredo.blogsome.com/2006/01/05/countertops-begin/ I’ve had a few questions about pictures of the new tile and countertops - actually, I goofed up the dates! The tile guy doesn’t come until tomorrow. But, tomorrow I will take pictures of whatever is done and post them right away. Right now I’m feeling very motivated to ... http://ranchredo.blogsome.com/2006/01/04/postponed/ Well, beginning tomorrow several things happen: 1) My vacation is over and I go back to work full-time and school part-time, which means considerably less activity on the new blog. However, I’m thinking one or two postings a week shouldn’t be a problem; and 2) The countertop / tile ... http://ranchredo.blogsome.com/2006/01/02/tomorrow-is-the-day/ Today I’ve been thinking about the dining room and living room. Both are rooms that we can probably finish up fairly soon (excluding the drapery that mom is going to make). We need to purchase baseboards - we’re going to do the 7.25″ baseboard like we’ve done in ... http://ranchredo.blogsome.com/2006/01/01/dining-room-and-living-room/ We went on a bit of a wild goose chase this morning looking for a piece of wood to transition the kitchen floor to the step that leads to the sunken TV room (in the addition). I’d purchased a strip at Home Depot, which I thought would work, and ... http://ranchredo.blogsome.com/2005/12/31/mixer-step-and-butcher/ Yesterday we finally passed the electrical inspection! Hooray!! Just in time for the tile and countertop guy to begin work on Tuesday. I started painting the butcher block again. This time it’s going to be yellow, and I think I’m liking it - at least right now I ... http://ranchredo.blogsome.com/2005/12/30/friday/ Hooray! The table we have been waiting for for six weeks is finally here. And I LOVE IT! It is so friggin’ cute. It’s from American Chairs . It was a bit of a challenge to put together since it did not come with ... http://ranchredo.blogsome.com/2005/12/29/mom-its-here-its-here/ Alright, first here is a picture of the “code” offense area. As you can see, this would have been easier to deal with before we put up the drywall and cabinets. Eric did not work on it today (he spent the entire day cleaning out the garage which ... http://ranchredo.blogsome.com/2005/12/28/more-photos/ Eric is upset at the moment. This morning we had the “final” electrical inspection. Due to a minor goof-up in the wiring of the kitchen, Eric forgot to install an outlet above the small 12 inch wide countertop beside the sink. Since it was only 12 inches, ... http://ranchredo.blogsome.com/2005/12/27/wiring-nightmare/ Forbo Flooring US - Marmoleum Click This is the Marmoleum flooring we installed in the kitchen. http://ranchredo.blogsome.com/2005/12/26/forbo-flooring-us-marmoleum-click/ Okay, so I said that we’d put up pictures of the kitchen renovation so far - and here they are. We were thrilled to learn, last week, that the tile guy will be coming January 3-6. Then, we will have even more photos and be VERY near completion. ... http://ranchredo.blogsome.com/2005/12/26/kitchen-renovation-progress/ ModWalls This is the online mosaic tile site where we purchased our glass tiles, which are to be installed the first week of January. Pictures coming soon! http://ranchredo.blogsome.com/2005/12/25/modwalls/ So, today we are actually taking a break from home improvement. This could be a first - for an entire day off work. However, I must admit I am using this new web page as a procrastination tool, because I HATE painting trim. The window trim especially. ... http://ranchredo.blogsome.com/2005/12/25/christmas/ This morning we went to some friends for Christmas Eve Breakfast, and then returned to the never-ending-saga that is our kitchen. I began today by sanding the window above the sink. I want it to be white - not high-gloss peach. It was a warm 53 degrees here, and ... http://ranchredo.blogsome.com/2005/12/24/christmas-eve/ I’ve been meaning to create this site for some time, but between going to graduate school, working full-time, and helping Eric on the home renovation, there just hasn’t been time. I thought I’d use my week off to create a site and track our progress. In June of 2005, we ... http://ranchredo.blogsome.com/2005/12/23/first-entry/