Basement Update

Progress has been slow but sure.

Most of the cabinets have been installed.

Countertops have been measured.  Half granite (island and bathroom), half Silestone (kitchen counter and desk).  Choosing two materials was mostly a financial decision (the Silestone was cheaper), but also something I have always wanted to try.  Better to try it for the first time on the basement than on the kitchen, right?  Especially if the end result is NOT quite what was imagined.  On the other hand, it may be the most fantastic effect EVER.  If so, I can remodel the kitchen with confidence (in like, 15 years).

 I'm totally digging the black-stained cabinets.  We have selected and ordered the cabinet hardware, and are patiently awaiting it's arrival in the mail.  Hopefully it won't be backordered.  I also love the lighting fixture I discovered on a clearance table at Lowes.  The day after it was installed I saw the same fixture on an HGTV show.  I think it was Designed to Sell, which isn't necessarily a high-end kind of decorating show, but still, the kitchen on the show looked MUCH better with the identical designer-selected "updated" light.

 The grout color is perfect.  Gray.  Who knew.

 Our hallway has low ceilings, thanks to heating and cooling duct work (a necessary evil), so these sconces work perfectly.  Another design-choice success.

 We hired out the tile-laying in the bathroom.  It was fabulous to come home from the trek and have it DONE, although the guy was a little sloppy with my brand new cabinets, which no longer look brand new.

Love our tile choice, love the grout color.  That was easy.

 Love the bathtub tile.  I think I may do the same thing in my other 4 bathrooms.  In like 20 years.

 I can't wait to have the washer/dryer hooked up and running.  After years of trying to work out having the kids do their own laundry, but then not having the main washer/dryer free when I need it, a resolution is in sight.  Sure, they'll have to carry their laundry up and down two levels (except for Tay, who will be in the bedroom next door), but it's such an awesome opportunity to display how responsible they are.  And it's good exercise.  And they're young and healthy.  I. CAN'T. WAIT.

 I'm super excited for the storage space in our basement.  This built-in shelving in the bathroom utilizes what would have been completely wasted space. 

Same with this space... wasted, if not for Bill's quick thinking and insightful idea to turn it into book/dvd/decor shelving.  Nice.

Hallway closet space...

 and MORE hallway closet space.  Oh yeah, I can't wait to fill them up, in an organized and orderly manner, of course.

This little area was Mauri's request.  A small room/play area under the stairs, just for her and all her toys.  We've been storing her toys, once filling the open domain of the entire basement, in her bedroom closet during construction.  She has recently told me that before she moves all that stuff back downstairs, she plans to use the space for a "bird-training room."  I don't know if the birds will go for that.  I guess we'll know soon enough (which won't be soon enough!).

Carpet measuring will take place today.  Next week the trim should be finished and the floors thoroughly cleaned.  Then we just have to wait for the install of counters and carpet.
THEN we can enjoy our amazing basement regardless of whether there are furnishings or not.  

Taylor can move into the bedroom, and we'll get our office back.  

We'll get our garage back.

We'll get our food storage area back (no more crawling into the crawlspace for a can of tomatoes... or olives... or beans... or ketchup... or whatever).

I can't wait.