Mom Was Right: It's Good to Save Receipts

I'll start this off with an audience participation question: Kohler or Toto toilets? Cimarron or Drake? Bancroft or Clayton? If you know the difference, I feel sorry for you...

Okay, so I have been getting a lot of heat about not blogging lately. Here’s the thing: This whole project was a lot more fun when we started it. I won’t belabor this point, but it is worth mentioning that the last few weeks have been, well, trying. It all started with the white vs. antique white cabinet debate. It's been downhill from there…but I think we’ve turned a corner. (Sidebar: A particularly low point was when the cabinet guy said, “I’ve never had someone care so much about the color white before.”)

Since the whole antique/white cabinet door saga, we’ve reneged on a number of decisions (faucets, tiles, vanities, shower valves, toilets, you name it); second guessed one another; made 6 trips to Lowes and 3 trips to Home Depot (in a matter of 4 days); and formed very strong opinions about toilet height and elongated vs. round toilet bowl. Most importantly, we had to give a “final answer” on placement of all pipes, light switches, light fixtures, faucets, etc. Sounds easier than it really was. Imagine going through an entire house that has no electric or plumbing and asking yourself questions like:
• If I got up in the middle of the night and had to go down stairs, where would I expect the light switch to be?
• Where do we think we will want the light fixture over the dining room table that we don’t yet own?
• What wall do we want the shower valve on?
• Do we care more about flush power or looks when it comes to toilets? (Okay, that’s an easy one)
• How much recessed vs. flush mount vs. wall sconces vs. lamp lighting do we want? (keep in mind that four months ago "flush mount" and "sconce" was not in my vernacular)

Perhaps the silver lining is that we are so much more educated than we ever were about all things house related.

So what’s been happening at Salt Wall besides my indecision? Well, a lot…even if it doesn’t look like a lot on the inside. We’re in the midst of the rough plumbing and electric, which is quite an important phase in the project but, for me, a very stressful phase (as indicated above).

The good news is that we’re making progress. We had our second bank inspection today, and Albert gave us good marks! So we have that going for us… And Kel, our fearless GC, has been a great guide throughout the entire process. He has been through this as a GC and as a homeowner, so it's really helpful that he can see things from both perspectives.

Back to me feeling sorry for myself... So truly this hasn’t been uber fun. If you're contemplating a project of this size, DON'T DO IT. Get a hobby! We’re over budget, over tired, and over the project. We miss the days when choosing what color or type of wine to drink was the most difficult decision du jour. And we miss being more social with family and friends. Where does the time go?! BUT… To end on a less negative note, as I mentioned at the beginning, we have turned a corner…and I only have Janice Desimone from Home Depot to thank (okay, I also have an amazingly supportive husband and parents who are letting me live with them and eat all their food). But Janice lifted my spirits tonight. She fixed our bathroom dilemma by helping us find a 72 inch vanity that didn’t require I get a second job (more on that later but basically we’re getting two 36-in base cabinets). Janice is kind, attentive and - the best part - she reads our blog, which clearly means she is cool. (Sidebar: Someone, please buy her house so she can move to Nahant where my mom grew up!!!) Janice even found me a vanity for our first floor half bath (the third one, in fact). The price was right, and it was exactly the look we were going for!


We're going to pair it with these vanity lights and this faucet (from Lowes - allen + roth and Delta, respectively).



Boy, do we have a lot to return to Lowes and Home Depot this weekend... Now that we got the new vanity for the half bath (pictured above), we plan to use the vanity originally intended for the half bath for the guest bath (pictured below) - and we will return the not-so-awesome white guest bath vanity I purchased so many moons ago. Btw, allen + roth is the only line worth paying attention to at Lowes. How great is this mission-style vanity, which will now be in our guest bath?

So that's all for now... Thanks for reading. I will try my best to keep the blogs more consistent. Feedback welcome!

P.S. For those of you who were anti the monochromatic kitchen, we’re contemplating adding some color to our kitchen in the area of backsplash. My husband likes blue...and returning 600 lbs of already purchased tile and grout. (Note: photo looks more earthy toned; it's actually a mix of carrara marble, blues, and greys.)

P.P.S. We went with antique white. I know – crazy move, but it just felt right for the colonial, warm, inviting, soft feel that we wanted. I can’t write much more than that on the topic because I’m still not totally sold but needed to put it to bed. That and the order had already been placed (no turning back!), and I pinky swore my husband I wouldn’t bring it up again...or else he gets to buy a weed wacker that we can't afford. A deal's a deal.

P.P.P.S. Gas fireplace getting installed next week in living room (if the fireplace guy ever calls me back - sigh); we're getting quotes for the finish work and floors (trim, staircase, etc.=fun part); and Jim Delaney, who sadly broke his knee recently, has his guys finishing our porch starting tomorrow. As a reminder, JD Builders built, sided and roofed our amazing home. Moral of the story is, even if we can't afford to finish the inside of the house, at least it will look nice from the outside. My husband does love camping....