A Synchronized Team

selfie at the jobsite

 I can’t even begin to explain how exciting this process of building our house has been! There is an incredible vibe at the jobsite.  The crew is energetic, enthusiastic about the job, fully engaged in the process of both construction and creativity, and seriously hard at work! Every single time that I stop by the jobsite, whether just to swing by and check it out, or if we have our weekly meeting, that vibe is present in full force. 

 There are electricians, plumbers, roofers, climbing all over that house, wonderfully synchronized. And each is doing a stellar job, always putting out their very best work.  The pride they have in their work is impressive, and as both the architect and client, I am extremely grateful! 

Our weekly meetings with George Fullerton, our contractor, have been so productive. We have reviewed the window orders, the Nanawall order, electrical outlets, lighting locations, exhaust vent locations,  sink locations, hvac equipment location and access, and on and on…  It feels like this job is running incredibly smoothly...completely in sync.  All the jobs that I have worked on with Artisan Builders seem to run smoothly, but this one even more so. It could be because I have literally obsessed over the details, knowing full well that if there is something that strays from the vision I have of this house…it could literally make me cuckoo for a very long time! No…I don’t have an obsessive personality or perfectionist disorder at all!!! Ha!

During this last month, windows and skylights have been ordered…so the countdown is on! I have been crazily selecting and purchasing all sorts of things for the house! It’s been a whirlwind!  Here is the multitude of things that I’ve been working on:

Tile for all the bathrooms....Checkmark!

Stone for the exterior wall at entry and the wall at the master bedroom... Check!

Sinks for bathrooms, kitchen, and laundry....Check!

Ethanol fireplace boxes for the master bedroom /bathroom fireplace.....Check!

Ceiling fans....Almost Check! I just need to finalize with my Lumens.com rep, Katie.

Lighting (pendants and sconces and cable lighting).....Almost Check! More for my Lumens rep.

Appliances......Almost Check! I need to finalize the order with Jon Brown, my knowledgeable rep from Pirch which is all about great products and even better customer service. Not to mention the delicious iced Jalapeno cilantro lemonade they serve!

Doorbell..... Check!

Plumbing fixtures....Almost Check! Again, need to finalize with Jon at Pirch.  The Tour de force item on our order is the breathtaking BIG free-standing bathtub. It will be like sinking into heaven!  From the brochure, here is a sneak peek....

 

Jeff and I have worked so well together on all of this.  I typically do the initial research and narrow down selections, and Jeff has been involved with finalizing all the decisions with me.

And thankfully Jeff is handling the research and selections on sound systems, televisions, alarm systems, and water filtration. Teamwork at its best! Over the years, I have seen this architecture and construction process drive a wedge between couples…and other times it’s a bonding experience.  I’m delighted and relieved at how fun this has really been, and that as Jeff and I work together to see our dream home come to life...we are completely...in sync. 

 

Framing Finale!

 In October of last year we brought the house down to its naked bare bones.  And from there began the rebuilding process. This week we reached a noteworthy milestone in the Casa Gertruda project. On Wednesday, I got the following text from our framer, Turtle:

 "Framing is done!"

Just reading that, my heart jumped a beat! Even though I am at the house meeting with the framers just about every day, that text still caught me by surprise. We were really at the end of a huge chapter!

In the last few weeks, skylights and the fireplace in the master bedroom have been framed, the master bathroom shower is framed, all the niches in our accent walls at the entry and the dining room are in place.

Master Bedroom fireplace

Master Bathroom shower

Gym (blocking for ballet barre)

In the gym/meditation room, we put blocking in the wall that will have a ballet barre for all those barre workouts I plan to do!  That way, as I am out of breath, using the ballet barre for support, and feeling like I might collapse from physical exertion....the wall won't collapse with me! I'm hoping Marlea, my soon-to-be 21 year old daughter who has loved ballet since she was 4, will join me at the barre when she visits.  And I did say barre not bar!

One of the last things to be framed were the "canopies" at the front corner office window and above the dining room rear multi-fold doors.  They add detailing, sun and rain protection, and accentuate these design elements. They will eventually be wrapped in metal with metal "ribs" underneath (see the rendering at the beginning of the blog to visualize).

Canopy at office corner window

 

Canopy at dining room

 

Turtle nailing the last straps to Casa's framing

 

 

So as we close this chapter, we are ready to begin the next one.  Artisan Builders will take it from here as they will be at Casa Gertruda full time starting Monday morning.  I got the coolest text from George, the General Contractor (Artisan Builders) on Friday:

" (now that framing is finished) I'm checking out your new house. This is an awesome layout.  I'm going to build you two (Jeff and Karen) a masterpiece." 

It's pretty great when your contractor is as excited about the project as you are!

And I was thinking today that like one of my earlier blogs suggested, football season and "framing season" aligned pretty neatly.  We started Casa when football season began, and we wrapped up its framing the week of the Super Bowl.   And though I don't know if the Patriots or the Seahawks will win, or if we have yet heard all of the deflated ball jokes...one thing I know for sure...for next year's Super Bowl, Jeff and I will be happily hanging out at Casa Gertruda.

And though the footballs may not be deflated next year...the home bank account most likely will be!
By the looks of it so far.....it will be well worth it.

Hammer time...and then some

 

The framing crew has been working away on Casa Gertruda. We are talking about lots and lots of lumber! The roof at the great room is framed, the deck above the office is framed, and the interior walls and ceilings at the kitchen and dining room are up! Things are moving along, and we are movin’ on up…to the second floor! The gym walls are going up and the master bedroom has expanded. It is all starting to take form.

View from kitchen towards great room and front porch (where we have a beautiful porta-potty!)

Great room ceiling/roof with our three skylights framed.

View of side yard wall at great room where new chimney (field change) bisects the triangular clerestory window above.

Gym walls going up and outdoor deck above office framed.

Framing crew moving on up to second floor!

 Also framed is the roof overhang at the front door which will give us that bit of protection from the ultra-rare southern California rain as we scramble furiously to find our keys…ok well maybe not Jeff...but at least me scrambling…have you seen the size of women’s handbags these days?

 

As is the case with most projects, there are usually some field changes…and this project is no exception.  I did re-look at the back corner of the master bathroom, which is where the tub sits.  Originally the design incorporated exterior planters with the walls/windows set in.  After looking at tubs and seeing that we could really put that space to better use indoors…I re-designed a bit.  Unchanged are the modern corner windows and the openness of the space, but now the planters are indoors where they are much more accessible, and give us a bit more room for the tub. We are also going to drop the wall that divides the tub and the shower a bit…high enough to hide any nudity…but low enough to be able to see out beyond the tub to the outdoors while showering….kind of like showering al aire fresco!

 

This week, I have been looking for exciting and unique lighting and finalizing the appliance and fixture purchase list.  Within a week or so, we will be saying farewell to our fantastic framing crew, Turtle, (Robert who is on the right in the picture below) and his guys, as they head off to another framing project....and as George, Kent, and Scott from Artisan Builders (the dream team of craftsmanship) set up shop! We are excitedly ready for the next phase!

Diamond Construction, our stellar framers (and foundation too).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In with the New...

 

As 2014 came to a close, we welcomed in the New Year, 2015.  Though we take with us lasting memories, lessons learned, and meaningful experiences, we do in some respect say goodbye to the past,

 in order to welcome in the new.

 

We inevitably let go...

And there is no doubt that it can be tough to let go, to remove that which has become so familiar and commonplace.  For those of you starting a remodel, moving homes, facing a life change, getting married...or divorced, learning to live through the recent loss of a loved one, sending a child off to college, starting a new job  or...retiring from one-- you know what I am talking about.

 

But once you lean in and face the fear of letting go, the promise of new opportunities and new memories can be rejuvenating.  It is a way to see with fresh eyes.

 

A new year gives us a chance to start anew, to rebuild and renew.  It offers us a chance to bring forward all that we have learned, all that we value, and all that we have become, in order to build a new version of our lives. We see the opportunity to bring our renewed spirit to build a life inspired...a life that resonates, because it is authentic and elevated.  This is our moment to build a life with meaning, purpose, emotion, passion, and spirit...infusing it with substance and soul.

 

"You can't start the next chapter of your life if you keep re-reading the last one." -unknown

This new year is your blank canvas waiting to be painted, it is your new chapter waiting to be written.

For Jeff and I, we have chosen to breathe beauty, warmth, comfort, vibrancy and renewed spirit to the place we call home.  Jeff and I have taken some huge Bigfoot-like steps as we have dismantled Casa Gertruda, and have begun to rebuild it anew.  Whether your steps are big bold leaps, or small cautious steps, I do hope you embrace the opportunity to take them in 2015...to breathe new life into what matters to you.  Whether it be to your relationships, your home, your job, or your spirit; rejuvenate in this new year.  Let go of something old, to make space for something new.  Let go...be it fear, guilt, a bad habit, a failed pattern, an unhealthy relationship, a bitter heart, a grudge that eats away at you...simply release your grip on that, and let it go.

 

And grab onto: a new goal, a dream home, a healthy lifestyle, a  hobby, a job, or just a new outlook.  You will be happily surprised at the power of change.

 

So, from our work in progress, Casa Gertruda,

I wish you all a happy new year.  I hope 2015 will be the year that you find inspiration and nourish your soul.   May this year be the beginning of something truly inspired and memorable. 

 

View from backyard through the dining room, and towards entry and guest room.

View of kitchen...and makeshift contractor staging area.

View of office with what will be a stunning corner window, and the beginning of the balcony/outdoor deck above it.

View towards entry.  Ceiling joists are in! Steel pipe column at the future stair location.

 



Framing, Football, and Fall...

Some BIG beams have gone in at Casa Gertruda that makes you wonder..."What in the world was holding the original back corner of the home up?" The master bathroom corner has a double cantilever that was there originally.....but somewhat  precariously supported.  So, we have installed some substantial  parallam beams to support it...the right way! Nothing is falling down on our watch!

During the pour of our concrete footings, one of the steel posts was installed...this will be partially exposed (remember we are going for the modern look) at the beginning of the staircase.  The lower portion will be wrapped with tongue and groove walnut wood panels, and the upper portion will be exposed steel, painted black. 

While I know we desperately need rain in So Cal's drought.....a little part of me can't help but sing "rain, rain, go away...come back another day!" We are seriously hoping the rain does not impede progress on framing.  Lumber drop is today.....hoping we see lots of framing soon...weather permitting.

In the meantime, Jeff and I are trying to distract ourselves.....
Here's what we have been up to...

 

Yes...we are a divided house....

(and even though Jeff has the most mischievous look ever... the Bruins took it this year!)

I might need to find a way to inexplicably lose Jeff's hat in our move back home to Casa!

 

And last week, the Trojans dominated over Notre Dame.

A huge thank you to our

Gertruda neighbors, Kathie and Joe,

 for finding us amazing tickets!

 

But really......football is almost over.....we can only distract ourselves for so long!

It's hammer time!

 

 

A solid foundation

 

Everything worthy of standing the test of time needs a solid foundation upon which to rest. Whether it be a strong foundation of values from which we live, our strong and steady bonds with our friends and family, a foundation of trust from which we build our relationships, or the solid education and life experience from which we build our careers...

We can't start to build upon shaky ground....

 

Same goes for Casa Gertruda!

This past week the footings were poured.  The concrete truck arrived and it was time for the pour...
We had shored up much of the raised foundation and existing exterior walls, so we needed some stability!

 

Tomorrow, George our contractor, and I will go over all the window openings and exterior doors so that we have exact sizes and the orders can be placed.  That means.....framing is just around the corner!

Framing Exposed...

Progress continues at Casa Gertruda. Dirt has been dug out for our new footings. And with all the framing exposed, we have been reviewing the existing framing. As is often the case, some conditions aren't exactly as we expected them to be. That's the joy of remodeling as opposed to brand new construction! Yes, there was a note of sarcasm there...

So we had a framing jobsite meeting yesterday with our framer, Robert, who goes by the long-held nickname "Turtle," and Rasheed our structural engineer. We spent a lot of time looking up at the existing framing.....

And more time looking up....

But in the end, we came up with solutions for all of it...

That's what I call great teamwork!