Intermission...

It's been months since I've updated, lots of little finishing touches on our apartment. Soon I will upload some videos of phase II, a much more extensive renovation.
In the meantime, here are a few pics of our outdoor spaces.

Stairway

Two months since my last post! Well, to conclude 3 Highland Phase I, we did some exterior work, which involved building this staircase. We were seeking a safe way to get to the roof that wasnt a rickety ladder. Ama and I build this alternating tread staircase that's shape was calculated based on ama's stair stride. Now we are figuring out a way to incorporate a railing. Updates and better pictures will follow!

bathroom on a sunny day

You probably haven't seen too much work being done in the bathroom off the kitchen, but we basically gutted the entire room over the last month and a half. It's come a long way!

we:
- Exposed a swath of brick wall
- Retiled the tub surround and added a shampoo shelf (tile is American Olean's biscuit, found as overstock at BMRC),
- Installed fixtures...a new (but used) Toto toilet, a 1950's Crane co. medicine cabinet + matching wall-mount sink. also TP holder, towel ring, etc.
- Poured a concrete slab for behind-the-sink storage (this time we used high-density Quikrete, not as happy with results)
- Sheet rocked the ceiling adding an exhaust fan and new recessed lights,
- Installed a cork tile floor
- Installed vertical wainscoting (partially to hide the uneven walls, but also because it looks nice)
- Added a 3x3 glass block interior window to let afternoon light into the kitchen.

^the Crane Co. used to make beautifully shaped things! ... and anyone who lives in the area should go to Crane's Beach, also beautifully shaped

^cork... somewhat sustainably harvested, fairly durable, looks great, and very easy to install.

^The only thing remaining from day 1 is this aqua cast-iron bath tub, which is a shade of blue i don't think they make anymore. It was somewhat of a challenge to find a color pallette that wouldnt turn the room into a carnival, so we kept it simple. White on the wainscotting, and greyblue on the walls. the cork does it's own thing, and the brick ties in the concrete. its a very bright room, i sort of wish i spent more time in there.

what do you think?

ps. the folding chair in the first picture was found in the basement of the house, and on the back of it reads Highland Company. Not sure what the connection to the neighborhood is, if any, but its a nice little chair nonetheless.

Pantry pass-through on first floor

Now it works! This could make putting away bulk foods a breeze.
Currently trying to workout the footprint of the cabinets in this
small kitchen- it's even more challenging now that this pass-through
came back to life. It's sill is at a height of 32" above the floor,
and a standard counter/base cabinet height is 36". Any ideas on how to
configure this corner?

after after

...a few pictures of the kitchen/dining space being lived in.

Small paint jobs

Painted the banister and stair window eggplant and the kitchen counter
shelf poppy red (to match the tiles)

All that's left is the second bathroom, which I'll start tomorrow.

Kitchen backsplash

3500 miles, 96 handcut tiles (hand counted and inspected at SFO
security), 50% off discontinued color, 12 square feet, 1 step closer
to being done.

Much anticipated concrete forms

Process photos
Stay tuned for finished product!

THREE

No more undeliverable pizzas.
I think that's the Bauhaus font, no?

BEFORE + AFTER : THE DEN

BEFORE:

AFTER:

finished in the KITCHEN!

Just need to add in some furniture and track-light heads, but the kitchen is basically done. Oh, and the concrete counter tops around the stove that will be poured next week. I love how the globe lights look with the plywood.
Our friends Andrew and Shannon coming up to visit this weekend, so the kitchen will definitely be broken in with a Valentines day Feast!

Video Pan 02

This was last week! Stay tuned for finished floors...

Weekend Update

Almost done! 

- We have almost all the painting done on the walls and trim. A second coat is needed in some areas. 

- The plywood ceiling and walls are complete. added a simple piece of cove moulding to hide the seam. White Tracks will go parallel to the brick wall and two big glass globes, one in the dining and one in the kitchen. Still thinking of what to do with that column. Any ideas?

- Floors in the kitchen, living room, hallway, and service stair are being sanded today. This time, we are going with a low-gloss satin finish. 

- Had stackable washer/dryer delivered, should be hooked up Monday. And a new housemate moving in Tuesday! 

This place is shaping up!