Two Large Mountains Left to Climb!

Fall in Charleston has been more of an extended summer.  It's the beginning of January and we are just having a few days of lows in the 40's.  While I have missed days to be in sweaters and tights, our lack of central heat make these moderate days helpful.  The house feels tighter these days.  Greg's father visited, cut joists and sped up their installation.  The new addition is waiting on electrical wiring, and then a city inspection for the rough ins.  

As Christmas approached, I realized decorating for this time of year would be limited.  Our small areas are full of building material and tools.  Storage remains a real issue with no outside secure storage. The back yard area is currently full of cement board siding.

Greg has finished the hardwood flooring through the center of the house, and laid the tile in the utility room.  Our children visited several days over Christmas and lent a hand.  Our son Ben and Caitlin, our daughter-in-law grouted the tile in the utility room, I painted the walls with their first coat of primer.  Greg hung our glass shower door.  We have decided to go with cabinets from Ikea for over the wash and dryer and a bank of cabinets on the facing wall to help with storage.

Tile underlayment that gives greater waterproofing behind the large floor tile.

After the tiles have been placed prior to adding the grout, Greg separated them and made sure they were level and even.  We were unable to walk on this for 24 hours.  All of our tiles were purchased at Restore on Johns Island at a fraction of the cost.  The rooms are small enough that it does not require many pieces.  While they are not an exact match to the shower, they are close.  We purchased a close match for the baseboard. 

Caitlin is grouting the tile and I rinsed off the excess with a sponge.  Ben also grouted the baseboard.  Tiling is hard on the knees and the back and it was awesome to have some help.  While they were working on the tile, Ethan was siding the back of the house.  Greg has been able to do the siding himself, but lifting the heavy cement boards has been harder than I imagined.   

Greg hung the glass shower door.  He said he got tired of storing it!  It fits and while it needs a few finishing parts, it gives a completed look to the space.  My job has been to paint.  I have decided to use Requisite Gray by Sherwin Williams.  It's a medium gray that will not show the wear-n-tear use of a utility room area.

Siding and Roof: Here we come!

Our sons were able to spend ten hours on the roof installing a fitted foam insulation in preparation for a custom metal roof that we anticipate in a month.  He covered the insulation sheets with ice and water shield.  Only about half of the roof has been completed, but the siding and roof are two large mountains we are glad to see started.  

The inside work pales in comparison to these other areas. 

To complete these tasks with minimal help is best told by one of the locals on our street, "Sir, you are a one-man show, able to work it all on his own!"  Those of us who know and love Greg couldn't have said it better.  Greg finished the siding on the street side last night.  We are excited to see the overall look of the siding once it is finished.  We have a long way to go...but think of just how far we have come!  This home is sure to be a treasure and a preservation of a small piece of Charleston history.